History Main / StockEvilOverlordTactics

* [[MakeWrongWhatOnceWentRight Screw Up History]]: You don't always need to conquer the past to rule the present. Sometimes you just need to make a [[ForWantOfANail few minor changes]] to put history on your track. Even if your name isn't [[HitlersTimeTravelExemptionAct Hitler]], rest assured that messing with the past always works out in a villain's favour. Just make sure to return to the present early enough to put yourself in the seat of power for the new oppressive totalitarian government you've set in motion. Oh, and kill the hero's ancestors while you're at it.

** Corollary: [[AGodAmI Become a God]] by harnessing their [[GodsNeedPrayerBadly faith and prayers.]]

Be sure to consult the EvilOverlordList for more in depth help on the topic. IControlMyMinionsThrough shows different means of getting and controlling underlings.

* {{Mook}} Armies: The classic tactic, [[ZergRush overrun with sheer numbers]] and institute whatever form of dictatorial ego-centric control you like. Criminal mafias, world conquering, or 'mere' mayhem; a Mook army can do all this and more.

*** Don't boast about it, anyways.
* [[MesACrowd World of Me]]: Clone yourself. Then have your clone clone itself. Then have the clones of your clones of your clones, and so on. The hero wouldn't have his work cut out for him if you weren't a formidable opponent in your own right, so why not make a whole lot more of yourself? If you have the magic or the technology to pull it off, an even more effective tactic is [[GrandTheftMe using the bodies of your enemies as hosts]]. The main disadvantage of this tactic is that your clones tend to get ideas above their station, specifically each and every one may decide they should be the one in charge. There are two ways around this: Either make your clones hardwired to be subservient to you alone, or let your narcissism run its course so every one of you will naturally conform to your awesome, intelligent, good-looking authority.

** Guile Corollary combining the two above: Get to the point where the evil could be unsealed, hold an auction between various key players, but set things up such that whoever eventually gets the can inadvertently unseals it. Wait until one side is crushed and the other weakened, then destroy those players who remain. Gloat to taste.

** Corollary tactic: [[TerminallyDependentSociety Make your own super addictive drug, videogame, or commodity]] if all the standard ones are taken. That'll show em! Oh, and just remember: [[Film/{{Scarface 1983}} don't get high on your own supply]]. It never helps.
* Give The Hero [[HeroWithBadPublicity A Bad Rep]] And [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Replace Him]]; those [[HoldingOutForAHero lambs]] who cheered him on will turn to GullibleLemmings soon enough. This is [[HeroForADay tricky to pull off]], since most forget to dispose of the hero thoroughly post replacement.
** Corollary tactic: Make an EvilKnockoff of the hero. This tactic has numerous drawbacks and limitations and is not to be treated as anything more than an asset for various reasons, but as part of a bigger plot it can be very effective.

* [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Become Evil Overlord, Savior Of The World]]: Plant your minions amongst all those squabbling little nations, and manipulate them into going to war. Start enough political machinations to really screw up the world, and let everything go to hell while making sure none of it can be traced back to you. Then, once the dung has really hit the ventilation unit, step forward in the role of the benevolent unifier, [[GenghisGambit forging peace with all the warring factions]] and supplying goods from your pre-prepared storage bunkers to sate the suffering masses. The beauty of this plan is that history will regard you as a hero and everyone will bow down you you out of loyalty and gratitude instead of fear, which is [[DystopiaIsHard such a chore]] to keep cultivating on a regular basis.

* Reverse TimeCapsule: Send a [[TimelineAlteringMacGuffin package of useful future technology or info of future events]] to your past self or ancestor. Naturally this is only useful if the recipient is already of a world-conquering mindset. Take note that it is vitally important that anything sent back in time also contains an explicit waring about strangers with suspicious knowledge or behavior inappropriate for the current time period, due to the persistent likelihood of do-gooders with RippleEffectProofMemory.

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<<|EvilTropes|>>

** Guile Corollary: Simply getting to the point where the evil could be unsealed is often enough to make some real demands on the forces of good. Hold an auction between various key players, and you can be set for life.

->'''Edwin''': Can you tell me a little bit about your business plan?\\
'''Dr. Loeb''': World domination!!!\\
'''Edwin''': That's really more of a goal than a plan, isn't it?\\
'''Dr. Loeb''': Domination!!!\\
'''Edwin''': I'll just put down 'Mergers and Acquisitions'.
-->-- ''HowToSucceedInEvil''

** Corollary tactic: [[TerminallyDependentSociety Make your own super addictive drug, videogame, or commodity]] if all the standard ones are taken. That'll show em! Oh, and just remember: [[{{Scarface}} don't get high on your own supply]]. It never helps.

*** Don't discuss it or boast about it, anyways.

*** Don't tell them, anyways.

** Corollary tactic: If controlling the evil isn't possible or too risky, your best bet is to deliberately unleash it within stomping distance of a [[BigGood powerful force of good]], while keeping yourself well out of harms' way. Ideally, the good guys will be crushed, and the unsealed evil weakened sufficiently during the battle that you can destroy it yourself; or vice-versa.

*** However, make certain that the SEIAC is ''evil'' before attempting to unleash it: There's nothing more embarrassing than causing a DeusExMachina by [[SealedGoodInACan releasing]] the CrystalDragonJesus on the heroes' front lawn.

** Corollary Tactic: Lead the summoner to (mistaken) information that makes it seem they can compel your obedience, then play along once released until they or you have properly destroyed the Can. For extra fun, make the hero believe that if they get a hold of [[KidWithTheLeash your leash]] they could also command you.

* Give The Hero [[HeroWithBadPublicity A Bad Rep]] And [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Replace Him]]; those [[HoldingOutForAHero lambs]] who cheered him on will turn to GullibleLemmings [[DyingLikeAnimals soon enough]]. This is [[HeroForADay tricky to pull off]], since most forget to dispose of the hero thoroughly post replacement.