%%Please do not add a picture to this page. Even if it's a joke. In the past, it has only lead to people constantly replacing it with their favorite example.
%%Note that this page is now separated into sub-categories. There's no need to restore it back into folders. Making multi-page tropes doesn't need discussion.
->''Rommel, you [[TropeNamer magnificent bastard]], I read your BOOK!''
->-- '''George S. Patton''', ''Patton''

->''I am determined to prove a villain\\
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.\\
Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,\\
By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,\\
To set my brother Clarence and the king\\
In deadly hate the one against the other.''
->--'''{{Shakespeare}}''', ''RichardIII'', Act I, Scene 1

->''Look at that outrageous markup! You [[MagnificentBastard magnificent bastard]], I salute you!''
->-- '''Apu Nahasapeemapetilon''', ''TheSimpsons''

We all know the Chessmaster: cold, intelligent, calculating. His catspaws moving to shape events to his liking while he pulls the strings, the whole time secure in his fortress, never getting his hands dirty.

And then there is the Magnificent Bastard.

The MagnificentBastard is what happens when you combine the {{Chessmaster}}, the {{Trickster}}, and the ManipulativeBastard (and sometimes throwing in a bit of LargeHam). He is bold, charismatic (though not necessarily [[LoveableRogue lovable]]), independent, and audacious. Unlike the {{Chessmaster}}, who seeks to control every single minute aspect of a situation, the MagnificentBastard opts to play the odds and wins regularly. Another differing characteristic is his willingness to move himself onto the playing field; he is his own most useful piece. The risks are obvious, but the strategic advantages are numerous. With charm, style, and an understanding of the human psyche, he can [[ManipulativeBastard play people's emotions like a piano]] and often come up smelling of roses afterwards. His {{Trickster}} talents also allow for making adjustments to strategy on the fly, making for {{Xanatos Roulette}}s that can come out looking more like XanatosSpeedChess or the craziest of {{Indy Ploy}}s.

He can be at any level of the villainous hierarchy - BigBad, TheDragon who's a KnightTemplar or PussInBoots, or a wild card trusted by none of the organized entities on either side. Also, the MagnificentBastard is likely to appear as a protagonist, albeit a dark one, as his nature allows him to be more emotionally invested in his pieces.

The term was first used by General Patton in reference to Erwin Rommel in the film ''Patton''. The TropeCodifier is Lionel Luthor of ''{{Smallville}}'', who was given this nickname by the TelevisionWithoutPity boards.

Compare and contrast SmugSnake, who is a similar archetype but is less admirable or successful because he allows his ego to overtake his awesome. Can overlap with CrazyAwesome if the crazy has a strong element of cunning (although CrazyAwesome is more often a specifically heroic trope). Contrast the CompleteMonster, whose acts fill the audience with hate and revulsion. For just the villainous charm, see AffablyEvil, EvillyAffable, and WickedCultured. For just the ingenious planning, see TheChessmaster and ManipulativeBastard. The MagnificentBastard is often a beneficiary of JerkassDissonance, although to be fair, he oftentimes ''earns'' it.

The GuileHero is the heroic analogue to the MagnificentBastard. Please confine heroic examples to that page.

Please confine discussion to the [[MagnificentBastardDiscussion discussion page]].
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!!!Now divided into:
*MagnificentBastard/{{Anime}}
*MagnificentBastard/ComicBooks
*MagnificentBastard/{{Film}}
*MagnificentBastard/{{Literature}}
*MagnificentBastard/LiveActionTV
*MagnificentBastard/{{Others}}
*MagnificentBastard/VideoGames
*[[MagnificentBastard/WebOriginal Web Originals]]
*MagnificentBastard/WesternAnimation
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