Best Cosmere Antagonist (Yumi Spoilers- Sorry About That)

[Forts Board]

Brandon's written a lot of villians. Some, we hate. Others... we get very excited about. So which one is the best? Best for their stories, best at evilness?

My favorite is El because he creeped me out

[alder24]

12 minutes ago, Forts Board said:

Brandon's written a lot of villians. Some, we hate. Others... we get very excited about. So which one is the best? Best for their stories, best at evilness?

My favorite is El because he creeped me out

I think this poll contains spoilers (just a name) from Yumi that is still under the spoiler policy and shouldn't be discussed outside of the Spoiler Zone.

 

For me it's Taravangian. He's the master manipulator who has great philosophical and moral conflict with protagonists, that adds so much more to his antagonistic side. And now as Odium he is more dangerous than ever.

Edit: @Forts Board and why call Autonomy and not Bavadin like you called Ati and Rayse?

Edited October 14, 2023 by alder24

[Forts Board]

2 minutes ago, alder24 said:

I think this poll contains spoilers (just names) from 2 books that are still under the spoiler policy and shouldn't be discussed outside of the Spoiler Zone (Yumi and Sunlit).

For one: WHOOPS my bad. 

For two: I'm pretty sure none of those are from Sunlit...

But I apologize for my indiscretion none the less

[Sir Squeekins he/him]

Taravangian all the way. His story and his struggle to make decisions was a really interesting part of SA. Plus I really enjoy seeing the antagonist's perspective on things rather than them being just plain evil.

[alder24]

Just now, Forts Board said:

For two: I'm pretty sure none of those are from Sunlit...

Yeah, I forgot who Sharezan is 

2 minutes ago, Forts Board said:

But I apologize for my indiscretion none the less

Not a problem for me, I'm just informing. I would probably edit the name out of the poll, just to make it safe for others.

[Frustration]

Ishar.

He probably has the smallest page time, but I think the fact that he singlehandedly changed the community's perspective on Bondsmith powers from Stormlight generation and stuff, to the single greatest power short of Danwshards speaks to itself.

He's probably the only villain other than Taravangian that actually caused me real fear.

Edited October 15, 2023 by Frustration

[The Sibling she/her]

Taravangan definitely. The new power that he has gained is so terrifying and I think that he'll definitely be a major player in the future of the Cosmere. Taravangian wanting capacity seems really relatable, and I find his intelligent shifts lead to a fascinating character that is different every day.

[JustQuestin2004 he/him]

Taravangian, through the old saying, 'To test a man's character, give him power'. Taravangian became a god, the god of the Voidbringers, the force that threatens all of Roshar. If he was truly the kind man he had others perceive him as, he would have simply done nothing, to protect all of Roshar maye even the Cosmere, all he'd need to do was nothing.

But as the other saying says 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely' and Taravangian was immediately corrupted by the power he now wields, corrupted by his own sense of morality, that no costs are too high so long as it leads to 'betterment'. That he and he alone can and should use his godlike powers to mold the worlds as he sees fit, with not even a moment of self-doubt.

He's not a monster, though he does and condones monstrous actions, he's both infinitely worse and better than a monster, he's human. A human playing with power beyond comprehension who believes that he's doing the right thing.

[Treamayne]

Since the best Antagonist is a Dead Antagonist - I'd say Sadeas. . .

[JustQuestin2004 he/him]

3 hours ago, Treamayne said:

Since the best Antagonist is a Dead Antagonist - I'd say Sadeas. . .

Ha! True. I was cheering on Adolin when he did the one thing political-schemer type antagonists never expect, for someone to just off 'em.

Edited October 15, 2023 by JustQuestin2004

[InvestedDragonLJ]

I really liked Ati. His story line and how he  manipulated Scandrial throughout the years was amazing. And when I first read the line about writing things in metal I got literal shivers.

[Ravenclawjedi42]

For me it’s Bluefingers, likely an unpopular choice but I liked his motivations and character, and his manipulation of Siri. And I’m not surprised in the slightest that Taravangian is winning.

[InvestedDragonLJ]

3 hours ago, Treamayne said:

Since the best Antagonist is a Dead Antagonist - I'd say Sadeas. . .

The only Sadeas I want in SA is a dead one…

[Forts Board]

6 hours ago, InvestedDragonLJ said:

The only Sadeas I want in SA is a dead one…

Do you find Sadeas more unlikable than Moash?

7 hours ago, Ravenclawjedi42 said:

For me it’s Bluefingers, likely an unpopular choice

I am totally down with this one, I thought he was a great villain. But I am also not surprised that Taravangian is top because (spoiler for SA#4)

Spoiler

When Taravangian ascended to Godhood, becoming Odium, I Yelped. 

 

[InvestedDragonLJ]

11 minutes ago, Forts Board said:

Do you find Sadeas more unlikable than Moash?

You see, as much as Moash is an absolute cremling I understand a part of where he came from. You have done things you regret and someone offers to remove all emotions and he crumbled beneath his shame. Also, I love to hate Moash, Sadeas wasn't fun to hate what so ever.

[Ravenclawjedi42]

1 hour ago, Forts Board said:

Do you find Sadeas more unlikable than Moash?

I am totally down with this one, I thought he was a great villain. But I am also not surprised that Taravangian is top because (spoiler for SA#4)

  Hide contents

When Taravangian ascended to Godhood, becoming Odium, I Yelped. 

 

Very yelp-worthy moment.

[AltonicKeys he/him]

Taravangian is probably the most evil, scheming nasty little old villain, but Raboniel is my favorite in terms of character