During the investigation of recent hollers in the Complete Monster thread, it's become apparent to the staff that an insular, unfriendly culture has evolved in the Complete Monster and Magnificent Bastard threads that is causing problems.
Specific issues include:
- Overzealous hollers on tropers who come into the threads without being familiar with all the rules and traditions of the tropes. And when they are familiar with said rules and traditions, they get accused (with little evidence) of being ban evaders.
- A few tropers in the thread habitually engage in snotty, impolite mini-modding. There are also regular complaints about excessive, offtopic "socializing" posts.
- Many many thread regulars barely post/edit anywhere else, making the threads look like they are divorced from the rest of TV Tropes.
- Following that, there are often complaints about the threads and their regulars violating wiki rules, such as on indexing, crosswicking, example context and example categorization. Some folks are working on resolving the issues, but...
- Often moderator action against thread regulars leads to a lot of participants suddenly showing up in the moderation threads to protest and speak on their behalf, like a clique.
It is not a super high level problem, but it has been going on for years and we cannot ignore it any longer. There will be a thread in Wiki Talk
to discuss the problem; in the meantime there is a moratorium on further Complete Monster and Magnificent Bastard example discussion until we have gotten this sorted out.
Update: The new threads have been made and can be found here:
for the earliest date a work can be discussed, (usually two weeks from the US release), as well as who's reserved discussion.
- Why do a cleanup?: This trope definitely exists and has a well documented history of use. That being said, it frequently gets misused to a character who meets one of the components, namely that they are smart, charming while not necessarily even being a villain, or create good plans. While these are components, there is also a certain personality required, not to mention that all of the above are required to be present for a character to be a true Magnificent Bastard. As the trope attracts interest, it unfortunately brings in a lot of misuse and I thought the best way to rectify this would be a Perpetual Cleanup Thread, as is being done and has seen success with Complete Monster.
- What makes a Magnificent Bastard: Below is a list of the individual components to make this character. Note that they must all be present, not just some, which has lead to frequent misuse:
- Must be intelligent: Goes without saying, to be a Magnificent Bastard, the character has to be smart in the first place and use their brain to work towards whatever their end goal may be;
- Must be a Bastard: While going overboard in how vile the character is can be detrimental, a key aspect is the Bastard part of the trope, whether the character is an out-and-out antagonist in the work, some manner of Villain Protagonist, or something in between, they at least have some unscrupulous qualities to qualify for this trope;
- Must not be too detestable: Again, there is a ceiling on how bad the character can be before they just become too nefarious, blocking out the Magnificent part of the trope. A genocidal racist or child-raping Sadist aren't going to make the cut;
- Think on their feet: In addition to being a Chessmaster, a Magnificent Bastard, if the character deals with situations in which their initial plan is ruined, has to be able to pull a Xanatos Speed Chess and at least come up with a competent strategy to make up for lost time, otherwise they fail for being unable to think in tough spots;
- Have charm: Even if they don't necessarily make every character they meet fall in love with them and can even be detested by others, the audience has to find an amicable social relation to the character, or they are failing to make the impact required for this trope.
- What to do if a character is listed on a page but has not been approved?: They need to be removed, all candidates need to come through the cleanup thread first. The character could well count but they need to be analyzed properly and voted on first.
- Do we list Playing With this trope?: No; as a YMMV trope, this cannot be Played With, so we only want examples that are Played Straight.
- What do I do if I want a character to be listed as a Magnificent Bastard?: The greatest success Complete Monster saw for its cleanup effort was from the invention of the effort post format, so, borrowing from that, a troper wishing to propose a Magnificent Bastard will create such a post in the following format:
- Begin by describing The work, this will help establish the setting the character is in and for the reader to understand what kind of a scenario they are in;
- Summarize The character's actions, this will provide a listing for readers to understand what they do and how it applies to this trope because charm and lack of smugness are so crucial, this is a good time to be incorporating exactly the flavor of how they operate to explain this;
- List circumstances in which the character must Think on their feet, these are times where a wrench might be thrown in their initial plan and they have to adapt on the spot or even come up with a new scheme all together, this is also a good time to explain how the villain reacts to defeat when they have to face it, a true Magnificent Bastard won't break down into tears at the thought of death, they should have known such a possibility could occur and be able to handle it with more dignity;
- The competition, similar to the Heinous Standard dealt with for a Complete Monster, this section is to deal with how successful the character is in carrying out their plans compared to other characters. While, as a villain, they probably are going to lose in the end, it is good to explain how other characters handle the same situation. There is no exceptionalism case to be made for this trope but explaining the variety helps the reader have a better understanding of the proposal.
- How do you know when the character's arc is done so they can be proposed? When their tenure as a villain or antagonist finishes. This could happen in a single Story Arc in an entire work, a single work of a franchise, or the whole series in general. We'll show lenience to Long-Runners with constantly recurring candidates or series with outstanding continuities (ex. comic books), and it's entirely possible to count in a work or two but not in general for a reason like Depending on the Writer.
- What about candidates evil because of external sources? Those Made of Evil can qualify if they show enough individuality and tactical acumen — in other words, they have the personality to fulfill the magnificence requirement. Conversely, those brainwashed, especially if they're a better person without it, may fail the individuality aspect and cannot count.
- What if they are under orders from a higher-up? Depends. If the boss created the plans down to the letter and the candidate is just following them, sounds like we should discuss the boss instead. However, if the candidate takes creative liberties with the orders, adds their own charm and flair to them, fills in holes in the orders, and/or actively deals with obstacles their boss did not talk about, the candidate shows enough individual thinking to qualify.
- What about Character Development? An MB is something a character can develop into... a nice person who plots well might become more morally gray as the work goes on and hits the "Bastard" criteria, thus making them viable. Likewise, a Smug Snake might shed their ego, become more understanding of the threat others pose and gain the personality or "Magnificent" criteria, likewise making them viable. Conversely, a character who looks like this trope might suffer from a Sanity Slippage or just get outed as not being as smart as they thought they were and become incompatible with MB.
- Can an MB be a good guy? Not in the conventional sense... it is required they have at least some dubious traits lest they fail the "Bastard" criteria. That being said, a character who pulls a Heel–Face Turn or eventually stops taking villainous actions is still fair game: as there was a point in time where they were both "Magnificent" and a "Bastard" at the same time and they've merely adapted as time goes on. Now... if such a character begins showing other issues (i.e.: becomes prone to freak outs or starts getting outwitted) then they're compromising their Magnificence and will probably be deemed a cut. What's important is stylishly operating while at least for some time being willing to take at best underhanded methods to see a job done. A Heel–Face Turn in itself isn't a disqualifier but they do have to have been "Magnificent" and a "Bastard" at the same time and afterwards can't start slipping on the former front.
- What about characters whose stories can take different routes?: When proposing a character in a form of media that has them in multiple story routes. Said character must be consistent with their characteristics in all routes. (ex.: Can't have an example who shows promise on one route yet fails in another.) The only exception is if a later installment of the series confirms the character's actions which made them worth proposing are the canon route.
- Is there a timeframe rule like with Complete Monster?: Yes, please wait two weeks until after the work has concluded before proposing a character (again, usually using the North American air date). As is the case with CM, we want to give a reasonable time frame so that everyone interested in seeing the work has done so and can participate in the discussion without having anything spoiled.
- What about groups like with Complete Monster?: This is a point of divergence between the two tropes. While CM does not allow for a single entry encompassing more than three characters lest their heinousness for crimes becomes too watered down, with MB as long as they are treated as one "unit" it is acceptable to lump all characters provided they share acts of charm and intelligence.
- Can I propose my own work's character as a Magnificent Bastard?: No, this is a YMMV subject and the creator of a content is way too biased to be able to evaluate the criteria we're looking for without a second opinion taking over. That being said, you are more than welcome to encourage someone to consume your creation and if they feel a character counts, are more than welcome to suggest them.
- My example/edit has been approved, but the example subpage is locked! How do I get it added?: The moderators do not add examples to locked example subpages in the MagnificentBastard/ namespace directly. Rather, you need to do the edit to a sandbox page that follows the format Sandbox.MagnificentBastard<Name of the example subpage> (e.g for MagnificentBastard.Fullmetal Alchemist it's Sandbox.Magnificent Bastard Fullmetal Alchemist) and on a Friday, ask in the locked pages edit requests thread for the content to be swapped in.
Thread rules
When voting a troper must specify the effort post they're voting on and cannot merely vote on "Everything I missed" as in the past it has indicated the poster didn't read the effort post and is guessing instead of analyzing.
Resolved items
In general, a character listed on this trope is considered "settled". This means they should not be challenged unless information used to list them was incorrect or information was missed in the initial discussion.
However, when re-litigating a candidate, the same rules apply for when they were originally proposed. If they do not have five or more upvotes than downvotes for approval upon a re-litigation, including votes from the initial discussion if they do not change, then they are a cut.
This especially applies to the characters listed below, who have been discussed excessively and repeated attempts to get them listed/cut may result in punitive action for bogging down the thread.
Definitely an MB
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers: Any sadism Darkrai displays is limited in effect thanks to the game's nature and any cowardice which can be inferred about him is Alternative Character Interpretation about his tactical retreats.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender: Azula's Villainous Breakdown is undone in the sequel comic Smoke & Shadow where she regains her composure and ends up stable and in control enough to count.
Definitely not an MB
- South Park: The show's frequent use of vulgar comedy and mean-spirited humor leaves any potential candidates devoid of the dignity or charm to qualify.
Edited by GastonRabbit on Aug 31st 2023 at 4:15:22 AM
Abstain on Macbeth. Sorry, Xanny is just too influential, and I don't see how Macbeth could count given his competition. Also he doesn't seem that much a bastard at least by Gargoyle standards, more of a light grey.
Edit: You know what? Reading it over again, yes to Macbeth. I think given he doesn't have Thailog or Xanatos' resources, he's a keeper. I got Sho Minamimoto approved because he didn't have Joshua's resources of being, you know, GOD.
Edited by Klavice on Mar 4th 2021 at 3:48:02 AM
Fair warning: I can get pretty emotional and take things too seriously.
I'm going to abstain for now just to hear some more firsthand opinions cuz Gargoyles seems to get complicated but I wouldn't just abstain "Because Xanatos". Unless Macbeth is made out to explicitly be his intellectual lesser his existence is not a bar... Puck is still up, just like Xanatos himself didn't get bumped just because Thailog gets the drop on him once.
Edit: I see the vote was amended.
Edited by 43110 on Mar 4th 2021 at 6:49:31 AM
Yeah, I'd like to see further discussion before I vote either way.
Goku Black
I'm not sure tbh....
Would like to hear some thoughts from other people.
"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
So, I’m not really an Ace Attorney fan but I do have a question for fans of the work. Was Shelly De Killer brought up here and is he worth discussing in your opinion? Same can be said with Simon Blackquill. Just asking out of curiosity based on what I’ve read about them.
Simon Keyes plays De Killer like a fiddle, as does Matt Engarde. He's an archetype that normally counts, but gets outwitted way too often for this trope. Sirhan Dogen meanwhile has everything De Killer has, and is able to compete with Keyes for the top dog of Investigations 2.
Simon Blackquill isn't a bastard. He's noble, and the worst he does is sic a hawk on the defense for a valid reason. He's not even guilty of the crime that sentenced him to death. That's where I feel Aura keeps but her brother doesn't.
Godot might count being perfectly honest despite me feeling his plot is a "Could Have Avoided This!" Plot.
Edited by Klavice on Mar 4th 2021 at 4:00:55 AM
Fair warning: I can get pretty emotional and take things too seriously.
Don't know AA beyond the heinous standard thanks to hanging around for discussions on CM, sorry pal!
That’s fine.
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Alright I see.
Best Smile
I found this in The Demonata, I am almost sure that it was not approved
Magnificent Bastard: A few. Lord Loss. The Kah Gash. Beranabus.
I am the one, I am the one, the godlike terror train, superior artificial brain, feel free to call me Blaine
Gotta love Jaws!
Based off of the EP, I'm leaning towards a ![[tup]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Thumbs_up_emoticon_3268.png "[thumb up]"){kind=small}
for Macbeth.
The Draftsman of Doom
Abstain on Macbeth, but leaning yes.
Rawr.
Yea to Macbeth.
We ever gonna see Fox here? Xanatos considers her an intellectual equal which I'd argue basically makes her a candidate unto itself. Also having an MB couple would be fabulous.
to Morgrash and Macbeth
funny a magnificent bastard couple, I don't remember ever having one yet.
![[down]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_down.png "[down]"){kind=icon}
I stand corrected
Edited by G-Editor on Mar 4th 2021 at 2:35:09 AM
We have one in Charles and Marianne
Gotta love Jaws!
I also believe the Kringle's were a couple, though I may be misremembering that.
"For a second there, I mistook ya for a threat... but you're just a dirty little man!"
Goku Black
Their is also Oliver and Amelie. (Granted they didn't start as one. Lol).
"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
Fox is next on my to-do list. Wouldn't dream of forgetting her.
Edited by DeCarta on Mar 4th 2021 at 9:02:29 AM
It is better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self.
Good. I mean, she and Xanatos are pretty much the villain couple and she seems quite viable.
Please don't forget my Morgrash EP. Still reading the Macbeth EP.
Morgrash and Macbeth. I think Titania would also make a good candidate.
Hmmm...I need to think on Macbeth, but a reason I'm leaning no...
Xanatos gets minor manipulations against him sometimes, but his ability to bounce back is unparalleled. Macbeth is very intelligent, but his defeat against Thailog and Demona is really hard for me to overlook. Macbeth's loneliness is used against him very well by Lady D, and the fact that Eliza herself spots her and is instantly "Hmmm, she seems familiar!" While Macbeth who has known Demona for a thousand years has the wool pulled over his eyes and requires Team Avalon to bail him out....now, he doesn't know Demona can turn human in sunlight, admittedly (his memory of that was erased) BUT....
Now, Macbeth is also probably the least openly malevolent on the bastard front. I think his extremity is enough, but it's worth noting unlike Xanatos, he's not a callous schemer, Macbeth is a fundamentally good person who makes some moral lapses and compromises because he's desperate for revenge and to finally rest. I think he hits this
He is charismatic, brilliant, intelligent, thinks on his feet beautiful and hits every other point. The question is if his poor performance in that episode DQ's him?
Aye to Morgrash. Count me as an abstain on Macbeth.
Hmm... he DOES seem too morally light grey in general. This might be another Sans case, where it's a Guile Hero being compared to this trope.
Switching to abstain after hearing Lighty's argument. I appreciate the effortpost though, De Carta.
Fair warning: I can get pretty emotional and take things too seriously.
I have a new proposal, but I'll admit that I'm less than certain about this one. Nevertheless, he's one of my favourite characters from one of my favourite animated series, so I'd feel like a coward if I didn't take a shot. Here he is: Macbeth.
What's the work? Gargoyles likely needs no introduction, but I'll provide one anyway. "Stone by day, warriors by night," the titular creatures are protectors by nature. The series follows a clan of gargoyles who were frozen in their stone sleep by a magic spell for 1000 years, awakening in mid-1990's Manhattan. The newly dubbed Manhattan Clan, consisting of Goliath, Brooklyn, Broadway, Lexington, Hudson, and Bronx, become heroes, aided by NYPD Detective Elisa Maza, and opposing a variety of villains, including Corrupt Corporate Executive David Xanatos, Goliath's misanthropic and genocidal ex-love Demona, Goliath's malevolent clone Thailog, and today's proposal, the immortal Macbeth.
Who is Macbeth? What has he done? Macbeth mac Findlaech (voiced by John Rhys-Davies) is an immortal Scotsman and recurring enemy to the Manhattan Clan. Like the Shakespearean Macbeth, this one is based on the historical King of Scotland who reigned from 1040 to 1057, though unlike Shakespeare's ambitious villain, this Macbeth skews closer to the historical figure.
Born in 1005 in Scotland, the grandson of King Malcolm, Macbeth was considered a potential rival for the throne by his cousin and the royal heir, the wicked Prince Duncan, who commanded the Hunter, Gillecomgain, to kill Macbeth's father Findlaech to avert any threat of Macbeth usurping the crown. During the fight, Demona, also an enemy of the Hunter, saves Macbeth's life, although Gillecomgain escapes and is appointed to Findlaech's position by Duncan as a reward. Years later, Gillecomgain marries Macbeth's beloved Gruoch, but has become too big for his britches in the now-King Duncan's eyes; Duncan reveals Gillecomgain's identity to Macbeth (omitting his own role, of course), leading Macbeth to confront Gillecomgain. Demona arrives, and they successfully kill Gillecomgain, freeing Macbeth to reclaim his birthright and marry Gruoch.
Life is good until about ten years later, where Duncan again becomes paranoid that Macbeth could usurp his throne, especially after finding out about his tentative alliance with Demona. Seeking her out for help against Duncan, Macbeth makes a pact with the gargoyle through the Weird Sisters, agreeing to trade his youth for Demona's aid, restoring her to her prime and mystically binding them both together. The Weird Sisters also inform Macbeth of Duncan's role in his father's murder. In the resulting battle, Macbeth kills Duncan but spares his young son, Canmore. In the aftermath, Macbeth is crowned King of Scotland, names Demona his primary advisor, and declares a golden age between humans and gargoyles.
It doesn't last; years later, a grown-up Canmore takes up the Hunter's mask and, together with the English army, fights a campaign against Macbeth. Demona and Macbeth's partnership has held strong over the years, but when he doesn't immediately dismiss advice to foresake the gargoyles (he was trying to teach his son Luach a lesson about taking advice, but would never have betrayed Demona), she becomes paranoid and abandons him, leading to an English victory. As Macbeth confronts Demona over her treachery, Canmore stabs him in the back, and the full extent of the magical link between Macbeth and Demona is demonstrated: as Macbeth collapses, so does Demona, revealing that they share each other's pain. After Canmore leaves, Demona awakens, and after her departure, so does Macbeth; they're both immortal, and can only die if one of them kills the other, at which time, both die. Unable to return to the people who know believe him dead, Macbeth is forced into exile, helpless to prevent the downfall of his kingdom and the deaths of his family. Having lost everything to Demona's treachery, Macbeth dedicates his life to hunting her down, both to avenge himself upon her and, especially as the centuries go by, to seek an end to his unending life.
Macbeth first makes his presence known in the aptly named "Enter Macbeth"; becoming aware of the gargoyles in Manhattan, Macbeth hires himself out to David Xanatos, offering to deal with them on the billionaire's behalf. Confronting the gargoyles in their home at Castle Wyvern, Macbeth first offers to let them leave the castle and make a home at his mansion, but when they refuse, he makes it clear that they don't have a choice in the matter. He wouldn't attack the gargoyles while they slept, but now that they're awake, he has no problem with a fight. Despite being a normal man, Macbeth's fighting skills and technology allow him to outfight the gargoyles, capturing Brooklyn, Lexington, and Bronx while the others are forced to flee. Bronx manages to break free, which Macbeth allows, as the beast leads Goliath to Macbeth's mansion, leading to another fight where Macbeth reveals his true motive: he wants to capture the gargoyles to lure Demona, and only asked Xanatos for money to avoid too many questions. Goliath reveals the flaw in Macbeth's plan, however: unbeknownst to the Scottish King, Demona is Goliath's enemy, and wouldn't lift a finger to help them. Despite this failure, Macbeth avails himself well in a straight fight with Goliath and manages to escape.
Returning in season 2's "A Lighthouse in the Sea of Time", Macbeth dispatches his henchmen, Banquo and Fleance, to steal the Scrolls of Merlin, hoping that the scrolls contain spells that could help him against Demona. The duo lose the first of the two scrolls, much to Macbeth's anger, though he manages to personally defeat and capture Broadway. Later expositing about Merlin to Broadway (who, being illiterate, sees no value in the scrolls at first), Macbeth delivers a speech about his admiration for Merlin and King Arthur, his eloquence inspiring Broadway to see the value of the written word. After tracking down and recovering the first scroll, Macbeth intends to test the spells contained within on Broadway, but after opening the scrolls, finds that they are simply a journal of Merlin's adventures with Arthur. The other gargoyles arrive to rescue Broadway, leading to a battle where Goliath steals the scrolls, threatening to burn them if Macbeth doesn't release Broadway. Macbeth doesn't care, considering the scrolls worthless, but Broadway insists the scrolls not be destroyed, considering an account of Merlin's life in his own words to be magic in their own right. Moved, Macbeth releases Broadway and allows the gargoyles to all leave peacefully.
Macbeth finally manages to face Demona in the four-part "City of Stone". Donning the Hunter's mask for psychological effect and to potentially provoke Demona into killing him, Macbeth interferes in Demona's plot to turn every human in New York to stone by night, battling her with his combat skills and technology, although she realises his true identity when he feels the pain from an attack he lands on her. In the arc's final episode, they confront each other again, and although Demona is sure Macbeth wouldn't kill her, as it would mean his own death, Macbeth makes it clear that he has no fear of that, leading to a brutal fight that ends with Macbeth ready to kill an unconscious Demona. Needing Demona alive to put an end to her plans, Goliath, along with the Weird Sisters appeal to Macbeth by forcing him to admit that none of the deaths in his past solved anything (his father's death didn't stop him from becoming king, Gillecomgain's death didn't settle that score, and Macbeth's own death didn't save the life of his son). An exhausted Macbeth surrenders and is taken by the Weird Sisters to parts unknown.
Macbeth returns in the following episode, "High Noon", inexplicably working with Demona to abduct a comatose Coldstone (a Frankenstein-esque undead gargoyle possessed by the souls of three different gargoyles, two good, one evil) and revive him. Working with Coldstone (whose evil persona is in control), Macbeth and Demona successfully con the Manhattan clan into a trap, disabling them all. When Elisa arrives to rescue her friends, Macbeth goads Demona into giving the detective a fair fight, although he is forced to abandon the scene when Coldstone's good personality takes over and turns on Macbeth, who grabs Demona and flees. It's then revealed that Coldstone's abduction was actually a feint to disguise their theft of three magical talismans from the gargoyles, although when Demona questions why they stole the talismans in the first place, Macbeth realises that they wouldn't normally work together. Here, it's revealed that they're under the thrall of the Weird Sisters, who enchanted the duo to forget their differences and serve the Weird Sisters' goal (while they were acting on the Weird Sisters' behalf, neither Macbeth nor Demona's personalities were suppressed, so I don't discount these events as credit to Macbeth).
That goal is revealed in the "Avalon" three-parter, where it's shown that the Weird Sisters' interference in Macbeth and Demona's lives has been a manipulation to groom them into powerful warriors to serve the villainous Archmage, with whom the Sisters are allied. Under more complete mind control and at the Archmage's command, Macbeth and Demona are used to attack the island of Avalon, home to survivors from the massacre that destroyed Goliath and Demona's clan. With Goliath's help, the invaders are repelled, and the Weird Sisters are forced to release Macbeth and Demona, sending them on their way with no memory of what they've done under the Sisters' control.
Macbeth winds up in Paris, as seen in the episode "Sanctuary", where he is the victim of a scheme by Demona and Thailog. Demona (who through sorcery, becomes human during the day instead of turning to stone), seduces Macbeth and tricks him into marrying her, planning to lock Macbeth aware, declare him dead, and absorb his wealth. The plan works, but Thailog double-crosses Demona, slipping Macbeth a weapon and allowing him to escape with the intent of Demona and Macbeth killing each other and Thailog stealing both their fortunes for himself. It nearly works, but the heroes intervene and Demona and Thailog escape. Despite this fiasco, Macbeth manages to walk away with a feeling of optimism; Demona's affection may have been a lie, but if he could fall in love once, he could again.
Macbeth's final animated appearance comes in the episode "Pendragon". Now seeking a new purpose in life, Macbeth catches wind of the revived King Arthur's quest to recover the sword Excalibur. Realising that he also fits the mythical definition of a timeless king, Macbeth resolves to claim Excalibur for himself and take Arthur's place as the Once and Future King. Naturally, he comes into conflict with Arthur, as well as the Manhattan Clan and Arthur's new gargoyle ally Griff. Managing to beat Arthur to the punch, Macbeth seemingly claims the sword, and Arthur reluctantly accepts the outcome. A stone dragon, the sword's guardian, then comes to life and attacks Macbeth, Arthur, and Griff. Macbeth fights bravely, but it's revealed that the sword he took wasn't the real Excalibur, and Arthur claims the real sword after the dragon is destroyed. Humbled, Macbeth kneels to Arthur and respectfully turns down an offer to join Arthur (in Macbeth's own words, he's been a king too long to serve another), but nevertheless promises his help should Arthur ever need it.
In the comics published after the series, Macbeth is presented as more of an ally to the gargoyles, speaking on their behalf after their existence is exposed to the world, and later enlisting the Clan's aid in a personal mission to make sure the Stone of Destiny returns to Scotland, but any future stories have yet to be told due to the comic's cancellation and the series remaining surprisingly unrevived.
Is he intelligent? Is he charismatic? While he may not be an inventor or exceptional sorcerer, Macbeth is plenty intelligent, using his tactical skills to great effect to challenge gargoyles (who are all much stronger than a human) one-on-one, combining martial arts and technology to hold his own against stronger and more numerous opponents, quite impressive for someone who is, physically, a normal man in his fifties. He's not a grand chessmaster, preferring to act for himself than use others as pawns, but he's perfectly capable of forming solid plans and recognising problems as they come up; generally Macbeth's defeats only come around because of information he has no way of knowing, rather than any fault in his planning.
In terms of charisma, Macbeth is a compelling character whose tragic backstory can easily provoke sympathy in the audience, as does his initial motivation. In the present, Macbeth is a honorable, affable man who treats his opponents with respect, can be reasoned with, and wouldn't attack a helpless enemy. He's also a very cool character, with plenty of Villainous Valour and intimidating presence; he's commonly considered one of the best warriors alive in the setting, and Goliath is forced to admit at one point that he's never truly beaten Macbeth, only ruined his plans or forced a withdrawal.
What's the competition like? The competition is fierce; the series has three worthy keepers in David Xanatos, Puck, and Thailog. Compared to them, though, Macbeth fits a bit a bit of a different niche; while Xanatos and Thailog are out to enrich themselves in one way or another, and Puck is mostly out to make mischief, Macbeth's motivations are personal, seeking a release to his painfully long existence, revenge, or something to help these goals. Although a victim of Thailog's manipulations in one episode, in his first appearance, Macbeth manages to manipulate Xanatos, albeit in a small way, in order to get access to the gargoyles. Macbeth's resources are considerable, but he's not quite Xanatos' equal, and he lacks Puck's magical power. How his resources compare to Thailog's is unknown, but Macbeth does the very best he can with what he's got, which is nothing to scoff at. I'd say he measures up well enough.
Is he a bastard? Too much? Macbeth started out as a good and honest man who gave no thought to greed or ambition. However, Demona's treachery did some permanent damage to him. When he shows up in the present day, Macbeth, although affable, has become far more selfish, willing to kidnap and manipulate to serve his goals, and during "City of Stone", doesn't care a fig about what Demona's done to New York and is fully willing to kill her even if it means her plans won't be thwarted. Despite admiring King Arthur, Macbeth is also willing to steal his hero's birthright in order to get new power and a new purpose for himself.
All that being said, Macbeth is probably the least malevolent of the show's antagonists, with a strong code of honour (albeit one he can be a bit flexible on, as shown when he intended to test the spells he hoped to find in the Scrolls of Merlin on Broadway despite promising he would release the gargoyle) and an affable personality. He has nothing at all against the heroes barring their interference in his plans, and more than once, their conflicts end pretty peaceably. He may not be a hero, but he's a pretty respectable fellow, all things considered.
Verdict? Uncertain, I admit. Macbeth's cool, capable, and might well make the cut in any other series, but Gargoyles' pre-existing MBs all but wrote the book on this trope, and there's a real chance that Macbeth might not measure up in terms of bastardry. If nothing else, as ever, I thought he was worth a proposal.
It is better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self.