History Main / IControlMyMinionsThrough

** '''A Piece of the Action''': Not only is the BigBad powerful, he can empower his minions, either as officials in his new regime, or by giving the superhuman powers.

* [[MagnificentBastard Princess Azula]] of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' has several

** '''Being the Lesser Evil:''' In a world with BlackAndGrayMorality, the EvilOverlord gets assistance from the population because they're fighting against {{Eldritch Abomination}}s. What's a little slavery and torture compared to living in {{Mordor}}? If the heroes can't immediately provide a [[TakeAThirdOption better alternative]], i.e. they really do need the Less Evil Side's assistance, a ConspiracyRedemption may be in order.

** '''Popular Sovereignty:''' Rather than being a legitimate authority figure installed by external sources, the Big Bad is elected or selected from from those below to implement an agenda. These villains are both easier and harder to combat than their cousins; since they achieved their authority through consent they can be discredited if shown to be [[YouHaveFailedMe incompetent]] or a StrawHypocrite. Unfortunately, these Big Bads rarely bring their organization down with them unless they were a special breed of BadAss or MagnificentBastard. There are always a long line of wannabe [[PresidentEvil evil presidents]] and pirate captains in the wings...

** '''Prejudice:''' Villains love controlling prejudiced minions, because nothing short-circuits a minion's critical thinking abilities like whipping up hatred and a desire to dominate an "other". If revealing the villain to be a [[YouAreWhatYouHate secret target of the bigotry]] or a StrawHypocrite is too distasteful for the hero, they need to hunker down for long campaign to eliminate or at least ameliorate the minions' prejudice.

** '''BlindObedience:''' The minions genuinely believe their boss to be incapable of error, usually paired with an oath for UndyingLoyalty to make questioning their authority the farthest thing from their mind. MyMasterRightOrWrong sometimes crop up.
* '''Money:''' [[CrimefightingWithCash Money is a valid super power after all]], and the bad guy hires {{Punch Clock Villain}}s to do his evil bidding. Being motivated by filthy lucre (or having SignedUpForTheDental), the best way for heroes to cause a mass desertion is either to outbid the bad guy or bankrupt him. If the villain is rich enough, this can be the most effective kind of control.
* '''Love:''' The BigBad is an emotional manipulator, TheVamp, or has MoreThanMindControl / LoveIsInTheAir as a power. They can also [[EvilVirtues love and inspire love in others.]] All his or her minions do evil out of love.
** '''Sexual Favors''': A more direct but less effective form of the above. A common method for FemmeFatale characters, it generally only works on a few minions at a time, and rarely is the sole motivator.

* '''A Piece of the Action''': Not only is the BigBad powerful, he can empower his minions, either as officials in his new regime, or by giving the superhuman powers.
* '''Sadism:''' The bad guys follow the BigBad because he gives them a way to indulge their worst sides, be it [[CombatSadomasochist hurting people]], [[BloodKnight fighting]], [[PsychoForHire killing]], [[MadScientist mad scientific experiments]], or just plain [[EvilIsPetty being cruel to other people]]. They particularly love orders from the BigBad that give them free rein to do whatever they want, usually to some chosen victim. It's unlikely that the hero can offer them more than the Big Bad, but if they can manipulate either side into EvenMooksHaveLovedOnes or a VillainousDemotivator, betrayal will ensue.
* '''Birthright:''' The Big Bad has some sort of birthright (for example, he's some sort of feudal warlord) and the mooks are bound to him by a code of honor/duty. Usually TheCaligula or GodSaveUsFromTheQueen. Only outright assassination or a coup d'etat from a good sibling can stop them.

* '''[[VetinariJobSecurity Incidental Importance]]:''' This tactic, favored by [[EmperorScientist Emperor Scientists]] and {{Dark Messiah}}s especially, is to provide some sort of benefit to their minions that is unrelated to their ruling over them. The idea is that if this person is buttressing their economy or mass-curing plagues around the countryside, they'll be able to do so better (or alternatively, threaten not to so do) if they get authority alongside it. These villains need to be undercut by separating the benefit from the authority figure or just showing that there is AlwaysSomeoneBetter.
* '''Divine Right:''' [[AGodAmI The villain claims to be a god]] or [[DivineRightOfKings has the blessing of a god]] to be TheLeader. Alternatively, may be a DarkMessiah faking/actually possessing either divine or demonic backing. Doesn't matter if they are Good or Evil; they will sometimes be worshipped and followed purely because they are divine.
* '''Being the Lesser Evil:''' In a world with BlackAndGrayMorality, the EvilOverlord gets assistance from the population because they're fighting against {{Eldritch Abomination}}s. What's a little slavery and torture compared to living in {{Mordor}}? If the heroes can't immediately provide a [[TakeAThirdOption better alternative]], i.e. they really do need the Less Evil Side's assistance, a ConspiracyRedemption may be in order.
** '''Point of No Return:''' This villain is supported by his minions for one reason; if the villain falls, they will be severely punished by a legitimate authority. If the minions didn't do anything to earn punishment an honest promise from the hero to spare them will get many of them to abandon their leader. Minions may feel that they're TrappedInVillainy.
** '''EvilVersusOblivion:''' The villain markets his methods as [[TheExtremistWasRight the only viable solution]] to a crisis that will result in TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. The most likely way this particular motivator can be undermined is for the Hero to find a way to TakeAThirdOption that works and doesn't involve any undue coercion.

* The Red Queen of Hearts in the 2010 ''Film/AliceInWonderland'' (and in most other incarnations, really) leads through a combination of Fear and Birthright.

* Dio Brando of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' willing to use every trick in the book to recruit minions. Want money? Name your price. Want sex? Male or female, he's totally willing. In an emotionally vulnerable position and looking for guidance? Dio's happy to show the way. Still don't want to join? Well, we've got [[MindControl flesh buds]] for that.

* Subverted in ''[[Literature/VorkosiganSaga Captain Vorpatril's Alliance]]'': the Barrayarans presumed that the Jewels, Baronne Cordona's genetically modified "dance troupe" of spies and enforcers, had received loyalty conditioning when they were actually just as much her children as their more normal appearing siblings and were loyal out of love, as the good Captain learned when he discovered his love interest's "bodyguard" was actually her [[KnightTemplarBigBrother Knight Templar Big Sister]].

* '''Divine Right:''' [[AGodAmI The villain claims to be a god]] or has the blessing of a god to be TheLeader. Alternatively, may be a DarkMessiah faking/actually possessing either divine or demonic backing. Doesn't matter if they are Good or Evil; they will sometimes be worshipped and followed purely because they are divine.

* Subverted in ''[[Literature/VorkosiganSaga Captain Vorpatril's Alliance]]'': the Barayarrans presumed that the Jewels, Baronne Cordona's genetically modified "dance troupe" of spies and enforcers, had received loyalty conditioning when they were actually just as much her children as their more normal appearing siblings and were loyal out of love, as the good Captain learned when he discovered his love interest's "bodyguard" was actually her [[KnightTemplarBigBrother Knight Templar Big Sister]].

* '''Authority:''' The legitimate authority fDaigure within an organization, such as an army, and his minions are under him on the organizational chart. The minions may or may not be aware of his true objectives, but follow him [[PunchClockVillain because it's their job to do so]]. The GeneralRipper, HangingJudge, and leaders of TheRemnant are examples of this. An EngineeredPublicConfession that proves he has betrayed the interest of the organization can bring him down, as can going through his superiors (if he has any), otherwise replacing him, or an EnemyCivilWar with other branches of service.

* Frieza from the ''Manga/Dragonball'' franchise is a ''big'' fan of Fear and Power. He's orders of magnitude more powerful than the rest of his subordinates put together and a {{Sadist}} that has no problem killing them for trivial reasons. So they have little choice but to obey him.

* Darkseid, as in the comic book example above, rules through a combination of Fear, Power, Sadism, Indoctrination, and Divine Right. One of the best examples comes in the last episode of the series, when Superman soundly beats Darkseid on Apokolips. The people of Apokolips flock to their defeated leader and immediately help him rise to his feet, much to Superman's surprise.//

* '''Authority:''' The legitimate authority figure within an organization, such as an army, and his minions are under him on the organizational chart. The minions may or may not be aware of his true objectives, but follow him [[PunchClockVillain because it's their job to do so]]. The GeneralRipper, HangingJudge, and leaders of TheRemnant are examples of this. An EngineeredPublicConfession that proves he has betrayed the interest of the organization can bring him down, as can going through his superiors (if he has any), otherwise replacing him, or an EnemyCivilWar with other branches of service.

* Darkseid, as in the comic book example above, rules through a combination of Fear, Power, Sadism, Indoctrination, and Divine Right. One of the best examples comes in the last episode of the series, when Superman soundly beats Darkseid on Apokolips, after which the people flock to their defeated leader and immediately help him rise to his feet. Superman's surprise at this prompts Darkseid to make [[BadassBoast the following, very badass statement]]: "I am many things, Kal-El, but here...I am GOD."

Fear, Sadism, Power, Divine Right, and Indoctrination

* DIE! DIE! DIE FOR [[Comicbook/{{Darkseid}} DARKSEID]]! And the people of Apokolips obey, out of a combination of Fear, Sadism, Power, Divine Right, and Indoctrination.

* Frieza from the ''Manga/Dragonball'' franchise is a ''big'' fan of Fear and Power. He's orders of magnitude more powerful than the rest of his subordinates and a {{Sadist}} that has no problem killing them for trivial reasons. So they have little choice but to obey him.

** Frieza from the ''Manga/Dragonball'' franchise is a ''big'' fan of Fear and Power. He's orders of magnitude more powerful than the rest of his subordinates and a {{Sadist}} that has no problem killing them for trivial reasons. So they have little choice but to obey him.

* TheEmpire from ''Franchise/StarWars'' almost completely relies on Fear. Also on an Agenda of UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans, combined with {{Black Shirt}}s

* Subverted in ''[[Literature/Vorkosigansaga Captain Vorpatril's Alliance]]'': The Barayarrans presume that the Jewels, Baronne Cordona's genetically modified "dance troupe" of spies and enforcers were loyal due to mental conditioning when they were actually just as much her children as their more normal appearing siblings and loved their family, as the good Captain found out when he discovered his love interest's "bodyguard" was actually her [[KnightTemplarBigBrother Knight Templar Big Sister]].