History PlayingWith / TheStarscream

* '''Downplayed''': ???

* '''Exploited''': The heroes know about Halgsr's ambitions, and make sure to always let him escape. After all, a house divided cannot stand...
** Alternately, they let Emperor Tyranus know of Halgar's plans, sparking an EnemyCivilWar.

* '''Exploited''': ???

** Emperor Tyranus is [[HarmlessVillain unable to defeat the heroes]], most of the time [[BondVillainStupidity revealing his plans to them]], [[GenreBlindness giving them the key to thwart his plans]]. Halgar wants to get rid of him, since he thinks that he will be a much better Emperor.

** Halgar plans to usurp Tyranus. Skullgar plans to usurp Halgar. Terillian plans to usurp Skullgar. and so on, and so forth, through Vyshe in [[MiddleManagementMook middle management]] all the way down to Rekkr, the trash man, who's dog, plots to take over from him.

* '''Enforced''': "A rag tag bunch of misfits fighting the evil empire is fine for our kiddie audience. The older demographic wants something more realistic. How about the second in command has been sabotaging the emperor's plans to undermine the military's confidence in him in preparation for a coup. Then we could move into a MeleeATrois plotline."

** The work in question is part of the ''{{Transformers}}'' franchise, and features the TropeNamer himself.

* '''Exaggerated''': Halgar is obviously trying to murder Emperor Tyranus whenever he can. Emperor Tyranus trusts Halgar too much to notice.
** Alternatively: Halgar plans to usurp Tyranus. Skullgar plans to usurp Halgar. Terillian plans to usurp Skullgar. and so on, and so forth, through Vyshe in [[MiddleManagementMook middle management]] all the way down to Rekkr, the trash man, who's dog, plots to take over from him.
* '''Justified''': Emperor Tyranus is [[HarmlessVillain unable to defeat the heroes]], most of the time [[BondVillainStupidity revealing his plans to them]], [[GenreBlindness giving them the key to thwart his plans]]. Halgar wants to get rid of him, since he thinks that he will be a much better Emperor.
** Alternatively, Emperor Tyranus tolerates Halgar's treacherous tendencies, [[OverlordJr because that's what fathers do.]]
** Having a scheming {{Dragon}} [[{{Disgaea}} keeps Emperor Tyranus on his toes and prevents him from becoming complacent]].
* '''Inverted''': SycophanticServant
** Alternatively: Emperor Tyranus is plotting to abdicate his position and force Halgar to take his place.
* '''Subverted''': Halgar seems to plot against Emperor Tyranus, but it's just a trick to lure out other minions who do want to overthrow the Emperor.

* '''Double Subverted''': ... but once he got rid of competition and earned the Emperor's trust in the process, plans to betray him for real.
** ...but Halgar actually wins the fight and kills Tyranus, [[KlingonPromotion taking his place in the process.]]

* '''Deconstructed''': Halgar's plans to overthrow the Emperor (even if they were justified) actually help the heroes to defeat both of them in the process. Halgar then learns that, if he kept his lust for power in check and remained loyal to the Emperor, the heroes would be crushed.
** Alternatively: Halgar manages to overthrow the Emperor and defeat the heroes, but he has no idea how to rule the empire, and so economic failures and civil wars ravage the lands, and in the end, Halgar himself is overthrown.
** Emperor Tyranus has Halgar exceuted for his disloyalty.
* '''Reconstructed''': Tired of seeing the Emperor losing time after time to the heroes, and putting down all his suggestions and plans, Halgar [[KlingonPromotion kills the Emperor and becomes the new Emperor himself]]. Under his new leadership, the Empire becomes a major threat to the heroes.
** Alternatively: Halgar realize that Emperor Tyranus is mentally insane and a incompetent ruler and decide that he should be disposed. Halgar does it, takes over TheEmpire and, surprising, makes a truce with the heroes, which end the war. Halgar then clean up the mess Tyranus made and TheEmpire becomes a prospering, successful nation. Halgar also create several diplomatic and economic relationships and alliances with the other neighbour nations. The heroes, who were first suspectful at Halgar, accept that Halgar is a good leader and actually become his allies.

* '''Discussed''': "So, you are just waiting for an opportunity to kill me and get in charge, don't you?" ("Uhm, uh - '''no?!'''")

Back to TheStarscream, before he betrays you...

Too late!

** Alternatively: Halgar plans to usurp Tyranus. Skullgar plas to usurp Halgar. Terillian plans to usurp Skullgar. and so on, and so forth, through Vyshe in [[MiddleManagementMook middle management]] all the way down to Rekkr, the trash man.

* '''Inverted''': TheRenfield

* '''Enforced''': The only way a rag-tag bunch of heroes could realistically defeat the forces of the Empire is if said Empire was fraught with internal strife and discontent and the easiest way to depict it is with the Emperor's second-in-command constantly trying to claw to the top instead of actually winning any battles.

** Alternatively: Halgar [[KickedUpstairs is promoted to second-in-command by Emperor Tyranus as punishment for a failed coup,]] [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter so that Halgar will be forced to live under the shadow of the Emperor's greatness.]]
** Emperor Tyranus tolerates Halgar's treacherous tendencies, [[OverlordJr because that's what fathers do.]]

'''Basic Trope''': The {{Big Bad}}'s treacherous second-in-command, who plots to overthrow him and take his place.

'''Basic Trope''': One of the {{Big Bad}}'s minions plots to overthrow him and take his place.

** ...but Halgar actually wins the fight and kills Tyranus, [[KickingAssAndTakingNames taking his place in the process.]]

** As above, but Halgar's reply is a knife to o the chest, a sly smile, and the words "Not any more."

* '''Exaggerated''': Halgar is obviously trying to murder Emperor Tyranus whenever he can.

** "I can see the webs you're spinning, Halgar. It must be eating you alive... How much longer do you think you can wait?" (-[[InstandDeathBullet BANG!]]- "Patience was never one of my virtues...")

* '''Inverted''': Halgar is fanatically loyal to the Emperor.

** Halgar's loyalty seems to be faltering, and it looks like he's starting to think maybe he could do a better job... But before Halgar decides it's time to take matters into hi sown hands, Emperor Tyranus notices his increasing disloyalty and kills him.

** Alternatively: Halgar plans to usurp Tyranus. SkullGar plas to usurp Halgar. Terillian plans to usurp Skullgar. and so on, and so forth, through Vyshe in [[MiddleManagementMook middle management]] all the way down to Rekkr, the trash man.

** Alternatively: Halgar plans to usurp Tyranus. Terillian plans to usurp Halgar. and so on, and so forth, through Vyche in [[MiddleManagementMook middle management]] all the way down to Rekkr, the trash man.

Back to TheStarscream, before he betrays you...