History Main / WellintentionedExtremist

In The Pantheon/TropePantheon, this trope is represented by [[VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}} Egil]] from the video game ''Xenoblade''.

On the extreme end, may result in the even darker KnightTemplar who chooses to either [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill remove free will]], believing it the best way to save the world or destroy whoever he doesn't consider worthy enough to live. But in that case he has become something far worse and there isn't much logic about what he does. Unlike this, The Well-Intentioned Extremist isn't a punisher of all flaws and a dictator who argues with others and himself that he is good and therefore the others are bad, he actually realises that some of his victims don't deserve to die or suffer, but he remains firm that it is for the greater good and actually isn't ''entirely'' wrong. They could also be a [[FallenHero fallen]] WideEyedIdealist that [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope was driven over the edge]], and sometimes a WorthyOpponent or even ReluctantWarrior. VigilanteMan is a case where the Well-Intentioned Extremist [[MotiveDecay hasn't (yet) descended]] to the point of not caring who gets hurt. Often ends up in rivalries with the KnightInSourArmor. Maybe they're ObliviouslyEvil and don't realise they're the bad guy, in which case they're prone to MyGodWhatHaveIDone and becoming wracked with guilt and horror if they're ever enlightened. Some of those seeking to bring about a OneWorldOrder to end international strife may count as this.

* Coming out of left field, "The World Famous" Wrestling/{{Kana}}, then on a mission to defeat Wrestling/YoshihiroTajiri and all the other "old men" of his SMASH promotion, wrote a "manifesto" on the Joshi half of Puroreso, emphasizing, among other things, a need to isolate every wrestler and dump the worthless ones after evaluating them all.

Maybe [[FallenHero they started out with actions as good as their intentions]], but were [[DrivenToVillainy forced to take more extreme measures]]. Either way, it's a common end result of JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope. Their favorite phrase is IDidWhatIHadToDo -- unless they are also the TautologicalTemplar and believe that what they do is good because a good person like them does only good things. They are not afraid to [[MyDeathIsJustTheBeginning sacrifice themselves for the cause]].

On the extreme end, may result in a KnightTemplar who chooses to [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill remove free will]], believing it the best way to save the world. They could also be a [[FallenHero fallen]] WideEyedIdealist that [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope was driven over the edge]], and sometimes a WorthyOpponent or even ReluctantWarrior. VigilanteMan is a case where the Well-Intentioned Extremist [[MotiveDecay hasn't (yet) descended]] to the point of not caring who gets hurt. Often ends up in rivalries with the KnightInSourArmor. Maybe they're ObliviouslyEvil and don't realise they're the bad guy, in which case they're prone to MyGodWhatHaveIDone and becoming wracked with guilt and horror if they're ever enlightened. Some of those seeking to bring about a OneWorldOrder to end international strife may count as this.

This can be a difficult line to walk: push too hard in one direction and you make it seem as if the extreme methods are acceptable; push too hard in the other and you run the risk of denying the validity of their initial cause, of arguing ''for'' oppression (for instance) instead of against it. When the balancing is done they more often than not tend to be either [[AntiVillain Anti-Villains]] or even dark [[AntiHero Anti-Heroes]], especially if put more emphasis on the "well-intentioned" part than the "extremist" one. However there are some that are just straight-up villains, particularly if they are the other way around in terms of what they put more emphasis on, or if they are obviously just using their philosophy as a shallow excuse to commit evil. Another version of a darker villain being this trope is that they have an actual philosophy which they believe will "improve" the world but the philosophy itself is too obviously evil to garner any sympathy, such as is often the case with the MisanthropeSupreme and [[ANaziByAnyOtherName genocidal maniacs]].

Often, these characters are presented as more dangerous and terrifying than straight-up ForTheEvulz and TakeOverTheWorld types and with good reason: EvenEvilHasStandards does not usually apply to them. After all, if you think you're doing the right thing, then it's easy to consider [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans even the most horrific actions an acceptable compromise.]]

As this trope often goes hand-in-hand with the FaceHeelTurn or may involve the reveal of a villain's true intentions, expect spoilers.

As this trope often goes hand-in-hand with the FaceHeelTurn, expect spoilers.

* Coming out of left field, "The World Famous" Kana, then on a mission to defeat Wrestling/YoshihiroTajiri and all the other "old men" of his SMASH promotion, wrote a "manifesto" on the Joshi half of Puroreso, emphasizing, among other things, a need to isolate every wrestler and dump the worthless ones after evaluating them all.

One the extreme end, may result in a KnightTemplar who chooses to [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill remove free will]], believing it the best way to save the world. They could also be a [[FallenHero fallen]] WideEyedIdealist that [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope was driven over the edge]], and sometimes a WorthyOpponent or even ReluctantWarrior. VigilanteMan is a case where the Well-Intentioned Extremist [[MotiveDecay hasn't (yet) descended]] to the point of not caring who gets hurt. Often ends up in rivalries with the KnightInSourArmor. Maybe they're ObliviouslyEvil and don't realise they're the bad guy, in which case they're prone to MyGodWhatHaveIDone and becoming wracked with guilt and horror if they're ever enlightened. Some of those seeking to bring about a OneWorldOrder to end international strife may count as this.

Compare with NecessarilyEvil, where the villain in question has a HeelRealization and recognizes that he deserves punishment (of course, he may always choose to just [[IgnoredEpiphany Ignore That Epiphany]]). See also ALighterShadeOfGrey. A staple trope of the MasterComputer [[AIIsACrapshoot gone mad]]. If the positive intention is overthrowing an evil government, the Well Intentioned Extremists will be an example of TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized. If the positive intention is helping a friend- realizing things that said friend sees as immoral- the Well Intentioned Extremist will be an example of PoisonousFriend. If his extremism actually ''succeeds'' in making the world a better place, it's TheExtremistWasRight. This trope is what the SmallStepsHero desperately doesn't want to become.

Compare with NecessarilyEvil, where the villain in question has a HeelRealization and recognizes that he deserves punishment (of course, he may always choose to just [[IgnoredEpiphany Ignore That Epiphany]]). See also ALighterShadeOfGrey. A staple trope of the MasterComputer [[AIIsACrapshoot gone mad]]. If the positive intention is overthrowing an evil government, the Well Intentioned Extremists will be an example of TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized. If the positive intention is help a friend- realizing things that said friend sees as immoral- the Well Intentioned Extremist will be an example of PoisonousFriend. If his extremism actually ''succeeds'' in making the world a better place, it's TheExtremistWasRight. This trope is what the SmallStepsHero desperately doesn't want to become.

Compare with NecessarilyEvil, where the villain in question has a HeelRealization and recognizes that he deserves punishment (of course, he may always choose to just [[IgnoredEpiphany Ignore That Epiphany]]). See also ALighterShadeOfGrey. A staple trope of the MasterComputer [[AIIsACrapshoot gone mad]]. If the positive intention is overthrowing an evil government, the Well Intentioned Extremists will be an example of TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized. If his extremism actually ''succeeds'' in making the world a better place, it's TheExtremistWasRight. This trope is what the SmallStepsHero desperately doesn't want to become.

[[VisionaryVillain A villain who has an overall goal]] which the heroes [[VillainHasAPoint can appreciate in principle]], but whose methods of pursuing said goal (such as mass murder) are [[DontShootTheMessage problematic]]; despite any sympathy they may have with his cause, the heroes have no choice but to stop him. Taken to extremes, he may fully believe that UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans. Such an idealistic extremist is likely to be either a TotalitarianUtilitarian or a PrinciplesZealot, depending on whether he's aiming ForHappiness or ForGreatJustice. The most well-written examples of this trope are the kind that the reader/viewer stops just short of agreeing with[[JustForFun/SyndicateQuestersUnitedAgainstDeviousness .]]

[[VisionaryVillain A villain who has an overall goal]] which the heroes [[VillainHasAPoint can appreciate in principle]], but whose methods of pursuing said goal (such as mass murder) are [[DontShootTheMessage problematic]]; despite any sympathy they may have with his cause, the heroes have no choice but to stop him. Taken to extremes, he may fully believe that UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans. Such an idealistic extremist is likely to be either a TotalitarianUtilitarian or a PrinciplesZealot, depending on whether he's aiming ForHappiness or ForGreatJustice. The most well-written examples of this trope are the kind that the reader/viewer stops just short of agreeing with.

Often, these characters are presented as more dangerous and terrifying than straight-up ForTheEvulz and TakeOverTheWorld types and with good reason: EvilEvilHasStandards does not usually apply to them. After all, if you think you're doing the right thing, then it's easy to consider [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans even the most horrific actions an acceptable compromise.]]

This can be a difficult line to walk: push too hard in one direction and you make it seem as if the extreme methods are acceptable; push too hard in the other and you run the risk of denying the validity of their initial cause, of arguing ''for'' oppression (for instance) instead of against it. When the balancing is done they more often than not tend to be either [[AntiVillain Anti-Villains]] or even dark [[AntiHero Anti-Heroes]], especially if put more emphasis on the "well-intentioned" part than the "extremist" one. However there are some that are just straight-up villains, particularly if they are the other way around in terms of what they put more emphasis on, or if they are obviously just using their philosophy as a shallow excuse to commit evil. Another version of a darker villain being this trope is that they have an actual philosophy but their philosophy is itself too obviously evil to garner any sympathy, such as is often the case with the MisanthropeSupreme and [[ANaziByAnyOtherName genocidal maniacs]].

This can be a difficult line to walk: push too hard in one direction and you make it seem as if the extreme methods are acceptable; push too hard in the other and you run the risk of denying the validity of their initial cause, of arguing ''for'' oppression (for instance) instead of against it.

Taken UpToEleven may result in a KnightTemplar who chooses to [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill remove free will]], believing it the best way to save the world. They could also be a [[FallenHero fallen]] WideEyedIdealist that [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope was driven over the edge]], and sometimes a WorthyOpponent or even ReluctantWarrior. VigilanteMan is a case where the Well-Intentioned Extremist [[MotiveDecay hasn't (yet) descended]] to the point of not caring who gets hurt. Often ends up in rivalries with the KnightInSourArmor. Maybe they're ObliviouslyEvil and don't realise they're the bad guy, in which case they're prone to MyGodWhatHaveIDone and becoming wracked with guilt and horror if they're ever enlightened. Some of those seeking to bring about a OneWorldOrder to end international strife may count as this.

[[VisionaryVillain A villain who has an overall goal]] which the heroes [[EvilVirtues can appreciate in principle]], but whose methods of pursuing said goal (such as mass murder) are [[DontShootTheMessage problematic]]; despite any sympathy they may have with his cause, the heroes have no choice but to stop him. Taken to extremes, he may fully believe that UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans. Such an idealistic extremist is likely to be either a TotalitarianUtilitarian or a PrinciplesZealot, depending on whether he's aiming ForHappiness or ForGreatJustice. The most well-written examples of this trope are the kind that the reader/viewer stops just short of agreeing with.

Either way, it's a common end result of JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope. Their favorite phrase is IDidWhatIHadToDo -- unless they are also the TautologicalTemplar and believe that what they do is good because a good person like them does only good things. They are not afraid to [[MyDeathIsJustTheBeginning sacrifice themselves for the cause]].

Taken UpToEleven may result in a KnightTemplar who chooses to [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill remove free will]], believing it the best way to save the world. They could also be a [[FallenHero fallen]] WideEyedIdealist that [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope was driven over the edge]], and sometimes a WorthyOpponent or even ReluctantWarrior. VigilanteMan is a case where the Well-Intentioned Extremist [[MotiveDecay hasn't (yet) descended]] to the point of not caring who gets hurt. Often ends up in rivalries with the KnightInSourArmor. Some of those seeking to bring about a OneWorldOrder to end international strife may count as this.

This can be a difficult line to walk: Push too hard in one direction and you make it seem as if the extreme methods are acceptable; push too hard in the other and you run the risk of denying the validity of their initial cause, of arguing ''for'' oppression (for instance) instead of against it.

* Wrestling/StevieRichards in Wrestling/{{TNA}}, trying to save the world from Abyss, and Abyss from himself, turned out to be worse in than Abyss by the end of their feud.
* Jessicka Havok has always been a menace to Wrestling/{{WSU}} but was cast in a new "heroic" light after DJ Hyde [[BadBoss took over the company]] and proclaimed not only her but many others who were long time fan favorites PersonaNonGrata[[note]]Drew Cordeiro was the one dismissing, banning or alienating people, DJ Hyde just [[DastardlyWhiplash took credit for it]] at shows or [[{{heel}} enforced his decisions]][[/note]]. Since Havok did not care about WSU rulings to begin with, she continued to shows up anyway and do what she does, to cheers. Jessicka's also fond of the Shine promotion, admitting that she had consciously not stooped to her usual lows while working there, not complaining when punished by officials for her [[NoHoldsBarredBeatDown post match rituals]] and attacking those who she feels are bad for the promotion or disrespectful to it, though she ignored the LegionOfDoom who were guilty of every "crime" she charged all her others targets with because Allysin Kay, Havok's best friend from WSU, was a part of it.

Often a [[FallenHero fallen]] WideEyedIdealist that [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope was driven over the edge]], and sometimes a WorthyOpponent or even ReluctantWarrior. The extreme of this is the KnightTemplar who [[VisionaryVillain fully believes that they are in the right]] and the best way to save the world is to [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill remove free will]]. VigilanteMan is a case where the Well-Intentioned Extremist [[MotiveDecay hasn't (yet) descended]] to the point of not caring who gets hurt. Often ends up in rivalries with the KnightInSourArmor. Some of those seeking to bring about a OneWorldOrder to end international strife may count as this.

Contrast with NecessarilyEvil, where the villain in question has a HeelRealization and recognizes that he deserves punishment (of course, he may always choose to just [[IgnoredEpiphany Ignore That Epiphany]]). See also ALighterShadeOfGrey. A staple trope of the MasterComputer [[AIIsACrapshoot gone mad]]. If the positive intention is overthrowing an evil government, the Well Intentioned Extremists will be an example of TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized. If his extremism actually ''succeeds'' in making the world a better place, it's TheExtremistWasRight. This trope is what the SmallStepsHero desperately doesn't want to become.

* Jessicka Havok has always been a menace to Wrestling/{{WSU}} but was cast in a new "heroic" light after DJ Hyde [[BadBoss took over the company]] and proclaimed not only her but many others who were long time fan favorites PersonaNonGrata. Since Havok did not care about WSU rulings to begin with, she continued to shows up anyway and do what she does, to cheers. Jessicka's also fond of the Shine promotion, admitting that she had consciously not stooped to her usual lows while working there, not complaining when punished by officials for her [[NoHoldsBarredBeatDown post match rituals]] and attacking those who she feels are bad for the promotion or disrespectful to it, though she ignored the LegionOfDoom who were guilty of every "crime" she charged all her others targets with because Allysin Kay, Havok's best friend from WSU, was a part of it.

* Jessicka Havok has always been a menace to Wrestling/{{WSU}} but was cast in a new "heroic" light after DJ Hyde [[BadBoss took over the company]] and proclaimed her and many others who were long fan favorites PersonaNonGrata, since she doesn't care about his rulings and shows up anyway. She's also fond of the Shine promotion, admitting that she had consciously not stooped to her usual lows while working their, not complaining when punished by officials for her [[NoHoldsBarredBeatDown post match rituals]] and attacking those who she feel are bad for the promotion or disrespectful to it, though she ignored the LegionOfDoom who were guilty of every "crime" she charged all previous targets with because her best friend from WSU was a part of it.

Contrast with NecessarilyEvil, where the villain in question has a HeelRealization and recognizes that he deserves punishment (of course, he may always choose to just [[IgnoredEpiphany Ignore That Epiphany]]). Often TheUnfettered. See also ALighterShadeOfGrey. A staple trope of the MasterComputer [[AIIsACrapshoot gone mad]]. If the positive intention is overthrowing an evil government, the Well Intentioned Extremists will be an example of TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized. If his extremism actually ''succeeds'' in making the world a better place, it's TheExtremistWasRight. This trope is what the SmallStepsHero desperately doesn't want to become.

Often a TragicHero that became an AntiVillain, and sometimes a WorthyOpponent or even ReluctantWarrior. The extreme of this is the KnightTemplar who [[VisionaryVillain fully believes that they are in the right]] and the best way to save the world is to [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill remove free will]]. VigilanteMan is a case where the Well-Intentioned Extremist [[MotiveDecay hasn't (yet) descended]] to the point of not caring who gets hurt. Often ends up in rivalries with the KnightInSourArmor. Some of those seeking to bring about a OneWorldOrder to end international strife may count as this.