History Main / BigGood

* [[spoiler:Alpha]] takes up this mantle in Part 2 of ''FanFic/ClashOfTheElements''.
* In ''FanFic/{{Fractured}}'', a ''VideoGame/MassEffect''[=/=]''Franchise/StarWars''[=/=]''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' [[MassiveMultiplayerCrossover crossover]] and its [[FanFic/SovereignGFCOrigins sequel]], this role is shared in a Big Good Ensemble, though some people [[HeroicBSOD fade in and out]].

** ''FanFic/ThePiecesLieWhereTheyFell'': The spirit of Balance acts this way, though its ability to support the heroes is limited due to being forced to give the Big Bad equal aid. [[spoiler: Ultimately subverted when it turns out Balance was just as big of a monster as the Nightmare, playing with others' lives to achieve its goals and sentencing the Nightmare to a FateWorseThanDeath]].
* Cait Sith and his creator, Reeve in ''FanFic/OffTheLine'', who are the moderator and head admin of the game and the game's creator. When Nanaki suffered glitches in his gameplay due to the incompatibility of his headgear, Cait Sith tracked him down and Reeve made him a custom headgear in exchange for Nanaki's permission to study Nanaki's data. When Cloud finds out that Vincent is a player and not a virus, Cait Sith does everything he can to make up his past actions to Vincent and Reeve plans to track down Vincent's comatose body.

* In the ''FanFic/ShadowchasersSeries'', Jalal Stormbringer fills the role in each fic, being the founder and leader of the organization, but a few fics have secondary ones:

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[[folder:Video Games]]
* Various [[TheOrder Onikiribe]] leaders (there are many, many groups) in GirlsLove VisualNovel ''VisualNovel/AkaiIto'' and ''VisualNovel/AoiShiro''. [[spoiler:Wakasugi Tsudura from ''Akai Ito'' is the biggest good by the time of events in ''Aoi Shiro'']].
* Thomas Zane seems to fill this role in ''VideoGame/AlanWake'', though he has mysterious motivations and is not always straightforward about things. He acts as the embodiment of light in the struggle against the Dark Presence, providing Alan with guidance and directly opposing the Dark Presence on a few occasions.
* Petra Johanna Lagerkvist from ''VideoGame/ArcanaHeart'' counts in the third game as she is the head of the family that actively opposes the Drexler Institute.
* Altaïr and Ezio, the focus characters of ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' games, each become the head of the Assassin Order after the events of the main series games end. We only get to hear about Altaïr's deeds through his journal, but ''Assassin's Creed Brotherhood'' actually focuses on Ezio as a Master Assassin, recruiting and training new members. Desmond, the overall protagonist of the series, may end up going this way, since he's the ChosenOne (and also because [[spoiler:the Bleeding Effect gives him knowledge and experience from Altaïr and Ezio]]). [[spoiler: Then Desmond died, but not before giving the Assassins a fighting chance against Juno, the [[AbusivePrecursors monstrous Isu Triarch]] who has been orchestrating the series from the beginning.]]
** Later games have the modern Assassin teachers Gavin and William filling the role.
* In ''VideoGame/BetrayalAtKrondor'' Pug is the greatest magician the good side has. While the heroes of the game deal with lesser evils on his and Prince Arutha's orders, Pug seems to sense a greater evil behind it all. In addition [[spoiler:late in the game he is incapacitated by the BigBad Makala who acts as his opposite]].
* ''VideoGame/BeyondGoodAndEvil'' has the leader of the Hillys chapter of Iris, eventually revealed to be [[spoiler:Jade's uncle Pey'j]], and to a lesser extent the Governor of Hillys, as without them LaResistance wouldn't be possible.
* [[VegetarianVampire Rachel Alucard]] currently fills this role in ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', explicitly naming herself the protector of the world in Chronophantasma's ending. Like Terumi, she manipulates the "actors" of the "stage" to serve her goals, which are the protection of humanity.
* ''VideoGame/BioShock'':
** In ''VideoGame/BioShock1'' Brigid Tenenbaum is the only source of good in Rapture and her help is vital to Jack's success. She still somewhat fills the role in ''VideoGame/BioShock2'', leading the hunt for the abducted girls, but her appearance in the game proper isn't much more than a cameo.
** [[spoiler:The Lutece Twins]] in ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' set the whole plot in motion and sporadically provide Booker and Elizabeth with help.
* ''VideoGame/ChildOfLight'' has [[LightIsGood the Queen of Light]], in opposition to the [[DarkIsEvil the Queen of the Night]]. Being banished by the latter was the beginning of the misery in Lemuria, and one of the mysteries is finding out what happened to her. Bonus points for being [[spoiler:[[LukeIAmYourFather the main character's mother]]]].
* In ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'', [[spoiler:Belthasar]] is the big good, as well as TheChessmaster.
* Statesman in ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'', AlternateCompanyEquivalent of Franchise/{{Superman}}, is the main signature character of the game, and avatar of the original lead developer Jack Emmert.
* ''Franchise/DanganRonpa'' has Makoto Naegi, the main character of the first game, who ends up having TheParagon, TheMessiah and HopeBringer traits towards the end of the first game and maintains these through the franchise, having [[spoiler:being the one to save the Remnants of Despair, putting them into the Neo World Program and trying to rescue them once Junko AI starts another Killing Game in the program]] and in ''Anime/DanganRonpa3'' having other people admit that he became someone they look up to for hope, and [[spoiler:in the end becoming the new Headmaster to the rebuilt Hope's Peak]].
* ''[[VideoGame/{{Darius}} Dariusburst]]'' has [=Ti2=], an AI terminal who represents Darius itself and is the pilot of the Silver Hawk "Legend".
* In ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga'', specifically ''VideoGame/JediOutcast'' and ''VideoGame/JediAcademy'', Luke Skywalker, as the head of the Jedi Academy and probably the most powerful Jedi ever will help however he can. He gives advice to Kyle, helps trains Kyle's apprentice and has enough personal power and influence with the Republic to fight the enemy on a scale Kyle and Jaden can't.
* The archangel Tyrael is the closest thing the world of ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' has to one of these, and is especially cemented in ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'', where he [[spoiler:renounces his status as an archangel so that he can aid humanity against Hell directly]].
* ''Franchise/DragonAge'':
** The Grey Wardens as a whole are the Big Good. Though, in ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' one of your primary goals is to restore Arl Eamon to health, as he serves this role in unseating Loghain Mac Tir. Since the Wardens themselves are cut off from helping the player in ''Origins'', they naturally have to fend for themselves. This effectively makes the Player Character the Big Good, since they're one of the only Wardens in Ferelden, and the others more or less defer to their leadership. If you play a character from an origin that has no political clout however (i.e.: anyone other than the human or dwarf nobles) then Eamon is the Big Good, as no one would take your challenge to Loghain seriously without his [[spoiler:and Alistair's]] support behind it.
** The Cousland family have for centuries stood as the Big Good towards all of Ferelden. It's worth noting that Highever is actually a ''{{Principality}}'' of Ferelden, being mostly independent and self-governed, and Teyrn Cousland is [[ModestRoyalty old friends]] and on a FirstNameBasis with all of the people who owe fealty to him. It's mentioned that he was once offered the throne and turned it down, since as an ardent royalist, he believed that it should fall to Cailan, the rightful heir. When the Darkspawn threat arose, Teyrn Cousland was prepared to march into battle with the King's Army, alongside his firstborn son, in order to defend Ferelden. Unfortunately, most of the line was brutally murdered by their treacherous friend, Arl Howe; the only surviving members of the family are the aforementioned firstborn son and the Warden, should they be from the Human Noble origin.
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', Viscount Dumar ''attempts'' to be this during the second act, desperately trying to keep the peace between the Qunari and the various groups in Kirkwall. Unfortunately, he keeps being kowtowed by various political pressures, making him somewhat ineffectual. [[spoiler: He ultimately fails and gets killed by the very pissed off Arishok, during the Qunari takeover of Kirkwall]]. In Act III, Grand Cleric Elthina is the only person keeping [[KnightTemplar Knight-Commander Meredith]] and [[TheArchmage First Enchanter Orsino]] from actively acting out against each other. [[spoiler:Her death at the hands of Anders leads to open war between the two]].
** Hawke ''is'' the closest thing to a Big Good of the entire game, eventually earning them the title of "The Champion of Kirkwall" for his/her actions. Due to the GreyAndGrayMorality of the game, depending on their personality, Hawke can either be played as a MessianicArchetype, ChaoticGood, or NobleDemon. But as Varric's narration makes absolutely clear, Hawke is ''only'' person in Kirkwall actively ''trying'' to make the City of Chains a better place for everyone to live, and repeatedly puts their life on the line in order to [[ChronicHeroSyndrome go out of their way to help people]].
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', the future Inquisitor begins as, more or less, a symbolic Big Good for the organization, as many outside of it see him/her as a religious icon, with Cassandra being the one really seen as the leader of the Inquisition. Over time, however, the other leaders (including Cassandra) unexpectedly realize that s/he is the one genuinely leading them and making the hard decisions where they matter and, [[spoiler:after his/her actions during Corypheus' attack on Haven]], they respond by making him/her the official leader and Big Good of the Inquisition.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''
** In the backstory, during the [[SlaveLiberation Alessian Revolt]], St. Alessia serves in this role. She leaves the actual fighting of the [[AbusivePrecursors Ayleids]] to her champion, [[GodInHumanForm Pelinal Whitestrike]], and her armies. However, she is the one who struck the BargainWithHeaven to gain the support of the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Aedra]] for her rebellion and serves as the symbol for it. After their victory, she is named as the [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Empress of Cyrodiil]].
** Also from the backstory, Tiber Septim, the [[FounderOfTheKingdom founder]] of the Third Tamriellic Empire who [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascended after his death]] as [[DeityOfHumanOrigin Talos]], the Ninth Divine. He is remembered as ''the'' greatest hero of mankind. Even the [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade more negative historical accounts]] still paint him as someone genuinely interested in making Tamriel a better place by uniting its peoples.
** Emperor Uriel Septim VII served this role throughout the series until ''Oblivion'', where he is assassinated in the beginning of the game. He was a DamselInDistress in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsArena Arena]]'', imprisoned in Oblivion because outright killing him would have broken the "barrier". In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall Daggerfall]]'' and ''Morrowind'', he is the impetus for sending the heroes of the games on their respective quests, but is otherwise hands off in his support.
** Similarly, Barenziah, the Dunmeri Queen, played this role throughout the 3rd Era, but mostly behind the scenes. For example, later games reveal that she used ''Arena'' BigBad [[EvilSorcerer Jagar]] [[EvilChancellor Tharn]]'s [[LoveMakesYouDumb love for her]] against him, taking advantage of his attraction to her in order to assist those working to bring him down by deciphering his notes in order to find the pieces of the Staff of Chaos.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'':
*** The [[PhysicalGod the Tribunal deity]] Vivec is in this role, at least once he stops trying to kill you. (It is a test to prove that you are the real deal, [[YouCantFightFate because if you are the prophesied hero, all of his attempts would be doomed to fail]].) Afterward, he serves as a SupportingLeader while you slay the BigBad.
*** The [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] Azura seems to be a unique hybrid of a Big Good and a GreaterScopeVillain. She does guide [[PlayerCharacter the Nerevarine]] into defeating [[BigBad Dagoth Ur]], and is benevolent toward and protective over the Nerevarine, but she is being [[GoodIsNotNice much less benevolent than she may seem]]. She has long despised the Tribunal for defying her, [[TheRashomon possibly]] murdering her champion (the original Nerevar), and stealing her most devout worshipers. The primary reason why the Nerevarine is actually sent to Vvardenfell is to undermine and destroy the Tribunal, while actually defeating Dagoth Ur is just [[VillainWithGoodPublicity good PR "icing on the cake"]] for her.
** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'''s ''Shivering Isles'' expansion, Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of [[MadGod Madness]] serves in this role, seeking to protect his realm from the [[EternalRecurrence Greymarch]], an event tied to the BigBad, Jyggalag. [[spoiler:As it turns out, Sheogorath is Jyggalag's alter-ego. The Greymarch is ended for good when Jyggalag passes the mantle of Sheogorath [[AGodIsYou onto the Champion of Cyrodiil]]]].
** In ''[[Videogame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', Paarthurnax plays this role as a [[AscendedDemon dragon who chose to side with the mortals against Alduin]] and plays an important role in helping [[PlayerCharacter the Dragonborn]] defeat his brother.
** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsOnline Online]]'', Meridia, the Daedric Prince associated with LifeEnergy, [[LightIsNotGood Light]], and [[ProudBeauty Beauty]], serves in this role. She actively works to ensure that [[BigBad Molag Bal]]'s Planemeld will fail, supporting the PlayerCharacter (mostly) behind the scenes.
* In ''Videogame/EternalDarkness'', [[EldritchAbomination Mantorok]] is the Big Good guiding the protagonists throughout history through the Tome of Eternal Darkness. You know the setting's dark when an ancient abomination is the Big Good. [[spoiler:His motivations are actually fully selfish, initially just vengeance against the other Eternals and afterwards either gaining control of/destroying all existence or escaping from his prison]].
* ''VideoGame/Fallout Series:
** In ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' Elder Lions fills this role as leader of the Brotherhood of Steel
** In ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' the [[PlayerCharacter Sole Survivor]] can become this if they rebuild the Minutemen.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** Aerith from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', arguably becomes the Planet itself after her death by maintaining her individuality within the Lifestream and becoming able to command and move it, and then ''absolutely'' becomes this in ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren''.
** Yuna from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'', which is just as well, since she is the MessianicArchetype. Though most of Spira would say that the Maesters of Yevon are this trope. [[spoiler:They are [[PathOfInspiration very wrong]].]]
** The various leaders of the three home nations in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'', as well as the Archduke of Jeuno. [[spoiler: He actually pulls double duty, as all the problems with the Shadow Lord in the present are because of him and his brother]].
** Gran Kiltias Anastasis from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'', though after [[spoiler:Judge Bergan has a bit of fun]], the onus falls on Larsa. Larsa is wildly subverted in that in his current state, he has absolutely no power, isn't the leader of LaResistance, and is a proponent of the Empire. However, there is consensus between more or less everyone that it isn't Vayne, Venat, or Doctor Cid, but Larsathat needs to be on the throne, and that only then will peace return to Ivalice.
** Cosmos from ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy''. Chaos summons villains, she summons heroes, and neither of them gets personally involved in the fighting unless they have no other choice.
* The Puppet, who first appears in ''Videogame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2'', originally appears to have malicious intent, notably affixing the heads of the main 4 animatronics to the heads of dead children in the 'Give Life' minigame. However, it turns out in ''Videogame/FiveNightsAtFreddys3'' that [[spoiler: she was trying to help save their souls all along, and the good ending in the game is unlocked by completing a Minigame where the Puppet helps the children's souls ascend to the afterlife. Mind you, [[KnightTemplar she also tried to kill any night guard that worked at Freddy's, regardless of whether or not they were innocent]]]]. ''VideoGame/FreddyFazbearsPizzeriaSimulator'' confirms that the Puppet indeed was trying to protect the innocent [[spoiler:as well as revealed that the Puppet, or at least the soul possessing it, is female]].
** Speaking of ''Pizzeria Simulator'', [[spoiler:Cassette Guy reveals himself as this, as the entire game was a trap to lure Springtrap, Scrap Baby, Lefty, and Molten Freddy to a fake pizzeria in order to burn them all to the ground, send William Afton's soul to hell, and put the souls of the murdered children (including the Puppet's) to rest. Fittingly enough, he's the father of the soul possessing the Puppet]].
* In ''VideoGame/FreedomWars'', it's heavily implied that [[BenevolentGenie Simeon]] fills this role. [[spoiler:While he doesn't take any real action, he states that his ultimate goal is the downfall of On High, so that he can begin the Great Transformation. Alas, [[AbortedArc it never comes to pass.]]]]
* As Myrrah from ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' cements herself as the BigBad, it would seem that the Big Good of the story is Adam Fenix, Marcus' father who had apparently died some 4 years before the games. [[spoiler: Except his voice at the end of the second game credits...]].
* As in Mythology above, Myth/KingArthur in ''VideoGame/GoldenLogres'' is this. The ultimate goal of the game is to resurrect Arthur and bring eternal prosperity to Logres by his return.
* The Master of Whispers in ''VideoGame/GuildWars: Nightfall'' runs an ancient organization of informants and agents watching for the return of dark powers. He soon joins you on the front lines of the struggle as one of the game's customizable Hero [=NPCs=]. Equally good but not quite as big are Evennia, leader of the Shining Blade revolutionaries, and Kormir, nominal leader of the Sunspears after the group is shattered. [[spoiler:Though Kormir becomes ''very'' big of a good when she ascends as the Goddess of Truth]].
* Queen Salma in the War In Kryta arc, and in ''VideoGame/GuildWars2'', Queen Jennah for humans and the imperators of each legion for the Charr. A strange case in that each of the ''VideoGame/GuildWars2'' Big Goods are [[BigBad Big Bads]] of sorts for the other race.
* ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'' shares this role between Eli Vance and Dr. Kleiner, along with Dr. Magnusson in ''Episode Two'', all prominent leaders of LaResistance.
* ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'' has Hel Sarie, [[PosthumousCharacter posthumously]]. Formerly a popular leader of the Tasen, she frequently advocated for restraint and kept trying for peace with [[spoiler:the Komato]], once [[TalkToTheFist publicly punching out]] [[GeneralRipper Krotera]] during one of his particularly jingoistic rantings, and she and the BigBad used to be friends before the whole "genocidal war" thing. Fittingly, it's implied that if she was still alive the whole mess in the game could have been avoided.
* The Precursors in ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxter'', especially after it becomes clear that they're [[spoiler:neither extinct nor merely using recordings to communicate their advice and objectives to Jak]].
* Palutena from the ''VideoGame/KidIcarus'' series is the goddess of light and ruler of Skyworld.
* [[WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia}} Yen Sid]], as of the later ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' games. [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII Leon/Squall]] leads most of the supporting cast, but Yen Sid is the guy ''King Mickey'' goes to for advice. He [[spoiler:co-ordinates the effort to rescue those suffering and prepares for Xehanort's reincarnation]].
** [[TheGoodKing King Mickey]] himself filled in this role for the [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI first]] [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories three]] [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII games]] since he was the one who organized and led the heroes and their allies against the threats towards the worlds and they're inhabitants.
* [[spoiler:[[VideoGame/{{Kirby}} King Dedede]]]] in ''The Subspace Emissary'' mode on ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl''. His actions were all to ensure some brawlers would survive when [[spoiler:[[BigBad Tabuu]] turns them all into trophies]], [[GoodAllAlong not to be a]] {{Jerkass}}.
* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', more often than not Zelda herself is the driving force of goodness and hope in Hyrule. Similar to how Ganon is the BigBad who is often behind lesser evils, Zelda has a habit of turning out to be the force behind lesser goods. [[spoiler:Appropriately enough, ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'' reveals that she's the human incarnation of the goddess Hylia, the creator of Hyrule]]. When it's not Zelda, however, it's often her father, the King of Hyrule, especially if she's the {{Deuteragonist}} instead.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' has the Goddess of Time, the enigmatic figure who watches over both Hyrule and Termina and provides Link with the means to travel back three days using the Song of Time in order to save the latter realm.
* Shoko Ozora from ''VideoGame/LiberationMaiden'' is the President of Japan after her father was assassinated.
* ''VideoGame/LittleBigPlanet 2'' has Larry Da Vinci, the leader of TheAlliance.
* Aisha Blanchette from ''VideoGame/Macross30TheVoiceThatConnectsTheGalaxy'' is the head of the SMS Ouroboros branch. Both [[TheHero Leon]] and [[ActionGirl Mina]] answer to her.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
** The Citadel Council are clearly ''meant'' to be this, but their [[NotSoOmniscientCouncilOfBickering track]] [[ObstructiveBureaucrat record]] [[CommanderContrarian says]] [[UngratefulBastard otherwise]].
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', [[PlayerCharacter Commander Shepard]], Admiral Hackett, and Admiral (formerly Captain/Councilor) Anderson become the Big Good Ensemble for the multi-species alliance in the war against the [[AbusivePrecursors Reapers]]. Shepard is the vanguard-type Big Good, inspiring people by fighting with them on the front lines and [[{{Ambadassador}} rallying all of the species together]], while Hackett and Anderson are the leader-types, serving as {{Reasonable Authority Figure}}s for humanity in space and on the besieged Earth, respectively. By the end, most of the galaxy is looking up to Shepard and both Anderson and Hackett acknowledge him/her as the real key to victory.
** If he survived the first game, Urdnot Wrex becomes this to the krogan. When not within earshot of Wrex, "Eve" admits to Shepard that Wrex is the single greatest thing to happen to Tuchanka and the krogan in over a thousand years.
** In the Control ending, [[spoiler:Paragon Shepard ascends to become TheChampion to the entire galaxy, controlling entire fleets of optimised killing machines yet only unleashing them on massive threats while letting the galaxy flourish, and will be known as a great hero for aeons]].
* Dr. Light, serving as an invaluable [[TheMentor mentor]]/[[TeamDad father figure]] to {{VideoGame/Mega Man|Classic}}, Proto Man, [[VideoGame/MegaManX X and Zero]], the latter two of which continue trying to build his dreams of a peaceful world centuries after his death. Later, Ciel takes the place of Dr. Light as this in ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'', with the former [[TheLancer Lancer]] Zero himself now as TheHero aiding her in fulfilling their dreams for a better future.
* In ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'', the Big Good is Lord Nasher Alagondar, ruler of Neverwinter. He reprises the role in [[VideoGame/NeverwinterNights2 the sequel]].
* Operetta and Aoba Anoa [[spoiler: as [[SuperMode Hyper Anoa]]]] from ''VideoGame/{{Otomedius}}''.
* Queen Fay in ''VideoGame/OverlordII'' is the ruler of Light Magic beings and the EvilOverlord's foil. [[spoiler:Later on however while [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificing her energy]] during an EnemyMine with the Overlord she ends up being corrupted and driven mad by his dark magic, becoming the FallenHero Dark Fay]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' has [[AscendedFanboy Winston]], the hero who recalls Overwatch and [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight binds the old, scattered team together again]]. He's the most invested in Overwatch and the TrueCompanions he found there, and will do anything to keep Overwatch heroic. Before the fall of Overwatch, the Big Good was [[CaptainPatriotic Jack Morrison]], who at present time has devolved into a [[BrokenHero bitter]] [[AntiHero vigilante]].
** If the two are in the same team, they will occasionally have this passive-agressive interaction:
--> '''Soldier: 76:''' So you think you can do my job, do you...
--> '''Winston:''' [[TakingUpTheMantle Someone has to]].
* ''VideoGame/PerfectDark'' has Daniel Carrington, founder and head of the Carrington Institute. Although, apart from opposing [=dataDyne=], one has to wonder what it is they actually ''do''. The Carrington Institute develops advanced computer software, hardware, and weaponry (all of which is put to good use by their agents). They are also the creators of the "null-g" technology, which lead to the development of hovercars. As a diplomatic party, they maintain peaceful relations with the Maians.
* Mii Koryuji from ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone''. She and her family are the keepers of the [[MacGuffin Portalstone]], which is the cause of why the many heroes and villains show up in her world after it is stolen. In addition to trying to get it back, she also has to hire her personal bodyguard Kogoro Tenzai to help.
** Come the sequel, [[VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom Reiji Arisu]] gets it back.
* Ford Cruller in ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'' is the former leader of the eponymous organisation and the personal boss of the two agents seen in the game, but injuries from a past battle mean he can't leave his sanctuary, restricting his role to giving vital training and advice to Raz.
* Helga Lindenbaum from ''VideoGame/RaidenV''. She's the most prominent member of the council, whom [[TheCaptain Max]] and the Fighting Thunders answer directly to.
* In a rare case, ''you'' become one in ''VideoGame/{{Runescape}}'' when you unlock the Player-Owned Ports. You fund adventurers to go to the Eastern Lands, fulfill their personal stories, and bring back loot, never getting directly involved.
* While the leaders of any alignment you happen to be on in ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' could be considered this (or BigBad [[VillainProtagonist Protagonists]] in the case of many Law and Chaos representatives) the character that fits this role best for the entire franchise is Stephen. For starters, he created the Demon Summoning Program that allows humans to tame mythological creatures, and thus the whole reason the series' heroes can accomplish their quest at all. Stephen will also offer his wise advice to the heroes periodically, especially on the Neutral path of a given game, where he shows he doesn't care about the petty squabbles between Heaven and Hell and just wants them both to get off humanity's back, and since Neutral is both usually the "best" alignment and usually assumed canon, it can be inferred that the heroes "officially" listen to him.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** For the [[VideoGame/{{Persona1}} first]] and [[VideoGame/{{Persona 2}} second]] games the designation fell squarely to Philemon, a manifestation of the best aspects of mankind, who helps the party against his rival, Nyarlathotep. The main reason for the conflict was because he hatched a bet with Nyarlathotep over whether or not Nyarlathotep could successfully prove HumansAreBastards. However, he later went OutOfFocus along with Nyarlathotep himself. Nevertheless, the save points in ''VideoGame/Persona4'' were made to look like a cloud of butterflies as a reference to Philemon's continued involvement in the overall series.
** Igor, one of Philemon's assistants, took over the role after the latter's departure. He runs the Velvet Room, a dimension between dreams and reality that is accessed by Persona owners. He is the primary MysteriousBacker of the series since ''VideoGame/Persona3'', often observing the main cast as the protagonist attempts to defy the odds time and again. Unfortunately, Igor's original Japanese actor lost his life to illness after ''VideoGame/Persona4'', so he temporarily underwent a serious case of DemotedToExtra, with various spinoffs choosing to recycle his old lines instead of recording new ones, until he was finally recast in time for ''VideoGame/Persona5''. [[spoiler: Except he wasn't. That Igor is a fake, and the real one is still voiced by a bank of recycled lines from the original VA]].
** Margaret, herself one of Igor's assistants, largely took up her master's role in various ''Persona 4'' spinoff games, offering advice, dropping exposition, and being a much more personal adviser and mentor figure to the protagonists. ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'' and ''[[VideoGame/Persona4ArenaUltimax Ultimax]]'' even have her as the ''de facto'' Big Good, with Igor nowhere to be found.
** Shuji Ikutsuki from ''VideoGame/Persona3'' is the leader and founder of S.E.E.S., but not a frontline fighter and far from a Persona user. [[spoiler:Subverted when it turns out he's been manipulating S.E.E.S. to bring about the Fall]].
* ''VideoGame/SakuraWars'':
** Ikki Yoneda in the first two games, being the commander of the Imperial Combat Revue. By the time he retires in ''VideoGame/SakuraWars4FallInLoveMaidens'', Ichiro Ogami takes his place.
** ''VideoGame/SakuraWars3IsParisBurning'' has Isabel "Grand-Mère" Lilac serving as the Paris Combat Revue's commander.
** In ''VideoGame/SakuraWarsSoLongMyLove'', Michael Sunnyside serves as the New York Combat Revue's commander.
** By the time of ''VideoGame/SakuraWars2019'', Sumire Kanzaki has replaced Ogami and Yoneda as the new Imperial Combat Revue's commander.
* ''VideoGame/SeraphicBlue'': Benedicta Fezzite and Katherine Rio guide the party to activate Gaia's Rebirth, which will save the world from the Gaia Cancers that are slowly eating away at it. [[spoiler:This gets deconstructed when the pressure of saving the CrapsackWorld and her own issues cause Benedicta to go mad with grief and hasten the world's destruction, though the party manages to save her before it's too late]].
* In any game in the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' series where the good guys are a unified force, [[TheHero Sonic himself]] usually fits this role.
%%* Monkey Penny in the ''VideoGame/SpyFox'' series of games.
* ''VideoGame/StarCraft'':
** [[spoiler:The Overmind]], of all characters, is revealed in ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' to have seen a vision of the future and that he orchestrated all of the events of the first game so that all of the races in the sector may have a fighting chance against the Xel'Naga when they return, and that the Zerg may be free [[spoiler:from the corruption of The Void]].
** For the protoss, it's Tassadar, Zeratul, and Artanis.
** On the Terran side, Jim Raynor and Crown Prince Valerian Mengsk.
** For the franchise as a whole, the title definitely goes to Artanis: he was both the PlayerCharacter of the first game who commanded the Overmind's defeat and, as of the second game, basically the leader of the entire protoss race. Raynor and Valerian help out, but they're ultimately [[PunyEarthlings sidekicks]] at best compared to the might of Artanis's alliance, and appropriately follow his lead in the final battle of ''Legacy of the Void''.
%%* General Pepper from ''VideoGame/StarFox''.
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' has the role split between Satele Shan, Grand Master of the Jedi order, and Janarus, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. The latter ends up [[spoiler:either retiring in shame or killed/frozen in carbonite by the Bounty Hunter]] and is replaced by Supreme Chancellor Saresh, who is more of a GeneralRipper.
* [[{{Ojou}} Karin Kanzuki]] arguably takes this role in the ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'' story mode, being the driving logistical force behind most of the fighters getting together to combat [[BigBad Bison]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Suikoden}}'':
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenI'' starts out with Odessa Silverburg, the leader of the Resistance, [[spoiler:until she dies when the hideout at Lenankamp is attacked]].
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenII'' has Riou as the Big Good, and it's invoked by Freed during a war battle.
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenIII'' has the Flame Champion, who protected Grassland from Harmonia. [[spoiler: Of course, he's dead at this point in the game, and a successor takes up his rune]].
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenIV'' has Lino en Kuldes, King of Obel. Eleanor actually worries whether the army would splinter over choosing to follow him or Lazlo, the player character. A duel settles it, and Lazlo is cemented when Lino concedes.
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenV'' starts with Salum Barows, who takes in the Prince, the player character, and Sialeeds. [[spoiler: Of course, Salum is a schemer who cannot be trusted, and you leave his company soon after his treachery is revealed]].
* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'': Mario and Princess Peach form a Big Good Duumvirate in most games. Mario is the vanguard-type Big Good, as TheHero actively fighting Bowser; while Peach is the leader-type Big Good, serving as the ruler of the most powerful heroic faction in the setting.
** [[TheHighQueen Rosalina]] in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' is introduced as the protector of the cosmos and mother of the stars, and is the one that guides Mario on his quest to defeat [[BigBad Bowser]]. [[DamselInDistress Princess Peach]] also qualifies as a Big Good, being the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom and all.
** Merlon from ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario''. He helps out Mario and his friends by constantly researching the Light Prognosticus and instructing where to go next after recovering one of the Pure Hearts.
* Tends to vary in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'', but whoever the canonical Big Good of various licensed series is will usually defer to one character (though there can be more than one). In older titles, [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Bright Noah]] gets this task due to overall command experience.
** For some installments, either there is no definitive Big Good or the task is handed to the OriginalGeneration, even if the character(s) isn't necessarily part of a TheHero. In fact, it's rare to have an OriginalGeneration be this trope: [[Characters/SuperRobotWarsW Blessfield Ardygun]] in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsW'' is one example, yet he's the father to TheHero and co-shares it with [[Anime/GaoGaiGar Kotaro Taiga]], [[spoiler:until Blessfield is sent 15 billion years back into the past]].
** Zigzagged in the ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsZ'' saga: [[Anime/TurnAGundam Dianna Soreil]] and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny Lacus Clyne]] share it in the first game, while [[Anime/CodeGeass Zero]] is appointed Supreme Commander of ZEXIS in the two-part ''Second Z''. However, events in the sequel are engineered to favor ZEXIS via [[spoiler:[[Characters/SuperRobotWarsZ Elgan Laudic]]]], making him the ''actual'' Big Good of the ''Second Z''.
** In the ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration'' series, it's [[Characters/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration Commander Randolph Laker]] of the Earth Federation Army rather than the president of TheFederation, since the government is visibly corrupt and inept. [[spoiler:When Laker is placed under house arrest after a government coup d'etat in the sequel]], [[Characters/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration Captain Daitetsu Minase]] becomes the impromptu Big Good [[spoiler:until he gets KilledOffForReal]].
** For the ''VideoGame/EndlessFrontier'' duology, [[Characters/EndlessFrontier Sanuki Nanbu and John Moses]] in the first game and [[spoiler:[[Characters/EndlessFrontier Ezel]] [[TheAtoner Granada]]]] in the sequel.
** Come ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration [[Characters/MasouKishin Lord of Elemental Coffin of the End]]'', ''[[{{Troll}} Shu Shirakawa]]'' becomes the Big Good of the game as he rallies other characters in an attempt to solve the problems of La Gias.
* Yukari Yakumo from ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}''. While she has her share of [[GoodIsNotNice negative traits]] like being lazy, {{Troll}}ish, and possessing the same BlueAndOrangeMorality as many other {{Youkai}} (one official comic all but outright says that she keeps [[HumanResources a stock of humans]] for Youkai to feed on in winter), she's ultimately concerned with protecting Gensokyo by maintaining both the natural order and the Great Hakurei Barrier -- in fact, she's one of the sages who created the Barrier over a hundred years ago. While she normally naps all day and foists responsibilities off onto [[TheHero Reimu]], if you damage the Barrier or cause a massive upheaval, you '''will''' have to answer to Yukari personally.
%%* Queen Memory from ''VideoGame/TwinkleStarSprites''.
* Lord British of the ''VideoGame/{{Ultima}}'' series, who rules over Britannia. He is also the AuthorAvatar of creator Richard Garriot.
* [[spoiler:Sans The Skeleton]] of ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' presents himself as the [[BlatantLies weakest monster]] in the Underground, but guides you throughout your journey and tries to convince you not to murder the monsters. [[spoiler:However, you can choose to become a VillainProtagonist who [[OmnicidalManiac murders every monster on sight]] for the sake of power. If you decided to [[GottaKillEmAll commit genocide]], Sans will fight against you]].
* Myrddin in ''VideoGame/Vampyr2018'' is a mysterious vampire entity that describes himself as the protector of Britain and has sired champions such as [[spoiler:Myth/KingArthur, [[BeethovenWasAnAlienSpy William Marshall]] and [[TheHero Jonathan Reid]]]] to save the land from disasters and calamities. While [[BlueAndOrangeMorality detached from humanity and unconcerned with the consequences of his actions]], for better or for worse, his [[WellIntentionedExtremist goals are still benevolent]] since he wants to protect Britain from [[spoiler:[[BigBad the Morrigan's]] wrath]].
%%* Convoy in the ''VideoGame/{{Vigilante 8}}'' games.
* ''VideoGame/WardenMelodyOfTheUndergrowth'' has Nyona, the forest's guardian spirit, who's been bound by mystic chains that [[PlayerCharacter Tavian]], as the new Warden, needs to free her from.
* King Foltest in ''VideoGame/TheWitcher'' is a ReasonableAuthorityFigure and, much like [[TheHero Geralt]] is a StraightMan in a cast made up of sociopaths, corrupt nobles, [[KnightTemplar batshit insane clergymen]],murderers and drug addicts at worst, and [[AntiHero morally shady mercenaries]] at best. [[spoiler:This is probably why he lasts all of 20 minutes before being offed in the sequel]].
* Every ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' expansion tends to have one. In ''the Burning Crusade'', A'dal stood at the literal center of Outland, and occasionally players would kite monsters to him to see A'dal deal ridiculous damage. In ''Wrath of the Lich King'' the role belongs to Tirion Fordring, the leader of the Argent Crusade. In ''Cataclysm'', we have Alexstrasza the Life-Binder, queen of the dragons and Deathwing's heroic counterpart. ''Mists of Pandaria'' has two -Varian Wrynn for the Alliance and Vol'jin for the Horde. Varian Wrynn is the High King of humanity and de-facto leader of the Alliance, while Vol'jin leads the good parts of the Horde in rebellion after Garrosh Hellscream turns from AntiHero to outright villain.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}}'', the role is covered by [[spoiler:Lady Meyneth, the [[GodIsGood benevolent goddess]] of Mechonis]], who guides to protagonists to a way to put a stop to the root cause of all the problems that are befalling to the world. Ironically enough, she was indirectly assumed to be ''the enemy'' at first.
* ''VideoGame/YokusIslandExpress'': The island's last remaining god, Mokuma, who is the namesake of Mokumana Island. While Mokuma doesn't have an active role in the story, it is strongly implied that they are the one keeping the island safe and prosperous.
* In the ''VisualNovel/ZeroEscape'' trilogy, the leader of [[BenevolentConspiracy Crash Keys]] ([[spoiler: Akane Kurashiki]]) is responsible on some level for everything good that happens, whether it's preventing a twelve-year-old's murder or the release of an apocalyptic virus. Every other esper in the game either takes orders from her or relies on her group to get shit done.

[[/folder]]

* Cosmos from ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy''. Chaos summons villains, she summons heroes, and neither of them gets personally involved in the fighting unless they have no other choice.

* Aerith from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', arguably becomes the Planet itself after her death by maintaining her individuality within the Lifestream and becoming able to command and move it, and then ''absolutely'' becomes this in ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren''.
* Yuna from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'', which is just as well, since she is the MessianicArchetype. Though most of Spira would say that the Maesters of Yevon are this trope. [[spoiler:They are [[PathOfInspiration very wrong]].]]
* The various leaders of the three home nations in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'', as well as the Archduke of Jeuno. [[spoiler: He actually pulls double duty, as all the problems with the Shadow Lord in the present are because of him and his brother]].
* Gran Kiltias Anastasis from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'', though after [[spoiler:Judge Bergan has a bit of fun]], the onus falls on Larsa. Larsa is wildly subverted in that in his current state, he has absolutely no power, isn't the leader of LaResistance, and is a proponent of the Empire. However, there is consensus between more or less everyone that it isn't Vayne, Venat, or Doctor Cid, but Larsathat needs to be on the throne, and that only then will peace return to Ivalice.

* First Lord Gaius Sextus from ''Literature/CodexAlera'', though he's also a MagnificentBastard perfectly willing to ShootTheDog for a good cause. [[spoiler: After he dies, [[TheHero Tavi]] and Aquitainus Attis, formerly a borderline ''BigBad'', split the role. When Attis dies, Tavi takes it completely]]. If you asked [[OurElvesAreBetter the Marat]], they'd say their chieftain Doroga was the Big Good, and the [[WolfMan Canim]] would put Warmaster Varg up for the office. But if you asked Doroga or Varg personally, they'd probably say it was Tavi.

** For the Protoss, it's Tassadar, Zeratul and, though he's been [[LongDeadBadass dead for a while]], Adun.

Whereas the BigBad is considered the ultimate evil to be defeated, the Big Good is the cornerstone of any heroic organization. This character is explicitly stated to be a counterpart to combat the forces of evil, likely calling all the shots in the organization and is normally the highest ranking or the absolute most powerful. Since TheHero is usually, [[SupportingProtagonist but]] [[HeroAntagonist not]] [[VillainProtagonist always]] synonymous with the protagonist, the Big Good does not always fill that role, as it is usually more dramatic for the protagonist to work upwards from the bottom. It may be stated (at least in the beginning) that TheHero is expendable whereas this character is not. The Big Good is simply the most valuable member of the heroic movement in a given work, whether in terms of rank, function or wisdom. If not TheHero, then they will most definitely be [[MentorArchetype the mentor]] to craft TheHero into being the weapon they need him to be.

AuthorityEqualsAsskicking is in full force most of the time, with the Big Good usually starting off several orders of magnitude more powerful than TheHero. The character may be servant to [[TheManBehindTheMan a greater good]] just like their how evil counterpart could be a servant to a greater evil. Unlike the BigBad, however, the Big Good ''can'' be taken down rather early — to show [[TheWorfEffect just how powerful the enemy has gotten]] by that point or [[MyDeathIsOnlyTheBeginning as part of a greater plan]]. One of the more common ways this is done is to have the two Bigs confront each other directly, with the Big Good coming up short. For extra pathos, the BigBad was [[TheParagonAlwaysRebels once their second in command]]. Expect TheHero or some other member of the TrueCompanions to take up the mantle by the time the GrandFinale comes round.

** Professor Ozpin is the enigmatic headmaster of Beacon Academy, a man with a strange knowledge of the secret history of the world, which legends are actually true, and what the real threat to humanity's existence is. While he acts as a wise advisor to the heroine Ruby Rose and other students, he is also the leader of a secret BenevolentConspiracy of Huntsmen that are trying to use the true legends to protect humanity against the equally enigmatic BigBad, and Ozpin's ArchNemesis, [[spoiler:Salem. The four Huntsmen Academies were created to hide and protect four dangerous, divine Relics that Salem needs to destroy humanity. In Volume 3, she successfully destroys Beacon Academy, leaving the protagonists to drift without direction in Volume 4, unaware that Ozpin can BodySurf to escape death into a new host that possesses his identical Aura and Soul. While the protagonists struggle to survive, Ozpin struggles to convince his new host, Oscar, to [[RefusalOfTheCall accept his destiny]] as the guide the protagonists so desperately need. When the heroes learn the AwfulTruth about Ozpin and Salem's past, they turn on him and he disappears from Oscar's mind. He only returns at the end of Volume 7 when General Ironwood's attempt to take up the mantle of BigGood fails.]]
** Ironwood sees himself as the only person who can lead the fight against [[BigBad Salem]] when [[BigGood Professor Ozpin]] disappears. Atlas controls most of the global Dust mining and trade, contains the world's largest military and is the most technologically advanced kingdom in the world. He controls the Atlesian Council by holding two seats and designating certain projects, missions and decisions as 'military classification' which enables him to circumvent the authority of the council entirely. [[spoiler:Volume 7 explores the growing concern among the Council, kingdom's citizens and heroes over his decisions and determination to concentrate power and control in the hands of himself and a few hand-picked supporters. He is determined to avoid the mistakes Ozpin made, so shares as much information as he dares with the heroes. However, it's his determination to avoid the mistakes of the cowardly Leo that cause the biggest problems. In the face of fear, he becomes paranoid and controlling. By the end of the volume, he has descended so far into fear that his decision to institute martial law and abandon Mantle to save Atlas turns the heroes against him. When [[LegacyOfTheChosen Oscar]] fails in his last effort to bridge the divide and observes that Ironwood is now [[HeWhoFightsMonsters as dangerous as Salem]], Ironwood shoots him, cementing his subversion of the BigGood trope by [[HesBack triggering the return]] of the actual BigGood, Ozpin.]]

%%* Gesar from ''Literature/NightWatch''.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'' has an interesting take on The Big Good, in the sense that much of the game after the Tomb of King Wraithwall is Ashe refusing the temptation to become The Big Good, because, at first, it would politically be suicide, and later, because [[spoiler: the power of the nethicite would make her the BigBad]].

** For [[VideoGame/{{Persona}} the first]] [[VideoGame/{{Persona 2}} two games]] the designation fell squarely to Philemon, a manifestation of the best aspects of mankind, who helps the party against his rival, Nyarlathotep. The main reason for the conflict was because he hatched a bet with Nyarlathotep over whether or not Nyarlathotep could successfully prove HumansAreBastards. However, he later went OutOfFocus along with Nyarlathotep himself. Nevertheless, the save points in ''VideoGame/Persona4'' were made to look like a cloud of butterflies as a reference to Philemon's continued involvement in the overall series.

* In the Abrahamic religions, [[Literature/TheBible Yahweh/God]]/[[Literature/TheQuran Allah]], obviously; in Christianity the same goes for His son, UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}}. While He ''is'' undoubtedly the universal Big Good, His narrative role in the universe is closer to that of TheManBehindTheMan (mostly because [[BrownNote looking at Him makes you explode]], which is something of an inconvenience when it comes to public speaking), and He generally has a prophet or representative[[note]]Moses, The Kohanim, Kings Saul/David/Solomon, The Popes, Mohamed, etc.[[/note]] to serve as functional leader to handle day-to-day management and policymaking of the forces of good whenever He needs something done. Depending on your interpretation of His place in the universe however, it could be said that He isn't just the Big Good, because He is the Big ''Everything'', because ''nothing'' is beyond His vision or power. Thus, even evil could theoretically be utilized for His purposes (although in what manner, and the precise nature of evil itself, are debatable).

* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona'':

!!Examples:

AuthorityEqualsAsskicking is in full force most of the time, with the Big Good usually starting off several orders of magnitude more powerful than TheHero. The character may be servant to [[GreaterScopeParagon a greater good]] just like their how evil counterpart could be a servant to a greater evil. Unlike the BigBad, however, the Big Good ''can'' be taken down rather early to show [[TheWorfEffect just how powerful the enemy has gotten]] by that point or [[MyDeathIsOnlyTheBeginning as part of a greater plan]]. One of the more common ways this is done is to have the two Bigs confront each other directly, with the Big Good coming up short. For extra pathos, the BigBad was [[TheParagonAlwaysRebels once their second in command]]. Expect TheHero or some other member of the TrueCompanions to take up the mantle by the time the GrandFinale comes round.

The Big Good can be a great hero who is believed to be dead (sometimes true, sometimes merely hidden) or someone who most characters [[AllMythsAreTrue think is just a myth until they appear in the flesh]]. At the beginning of most shows (or other types of series) with an ongoing storyline, the BigBad will usually be more concerned about the Big Good than about TheHero. Alternately, TheHero may not register on any of the antagonists' radars at first while all of them will be out to off the Big Good. The role of a [[TheRival rival]] or a WorthyOpponent for TheHero will usually be filled by TheDragon.

AuthorityEqualsAsskicking is in full force most of the time, with the Big Good usually starting off several orders of magnitude more powerful than TheHero. The character may be servant to [[TheManBehindTheMan a greater good]] just like their how evil counterpart could be a servant to a greater evil. Unlike the BigBad, however, the Big Good ''can'' be taken down rather early — to show [[TheWorfEffect just how powerful the enemy has gotten]] by that point or [[MyDeathIsOnlyTheBeginning as part of a greater plan]]. One of the more common ways this is done is to have the two Bigs confront each other directly, with the Big Good coming up short. For extra pathos, the BigBad was [[TheParagonAlwaysRebels once their second in command]]. Expect TheHero or some other member of the TrueCompanions to take up the mantle by the time the GrandFinale comes round.

Might occasionally be a great hero who is [[PosthumousCharacter believed to be dead]] (might be true, or they might be simply hidden) or someone who most characters [[ArbitrarySkepticism think is just a myth]] until they appear in the flesh. At the beginning of a series, expect the BigBad to be much more worried about this character than about TheHero. TheHero may not even register on any antagonist's radar while all of them will be out to off the Big Good. TheDragon is far more often TheRival or WorthyOpponent to TheHero than the BigBad.

For VillainProtagonist wise, the Big Good is the [[HeroAntagonist biggest opposing force]] against them.

** For some installments, either there is no definitive Big Good or the task is handed to the OriginalGeneration, even if the character(s) isn't necessarily part of a HeroicArchetype. In fact, it's rare to have an OriginalGeneration be this trope: [[Characters/SuperRobotWarsW Blessfield Ardygun]] in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsW'' is one example, yet he's the father to TheHero and co-shares it with [[Anime/GaoGaiGar Kotaro Taiga]], [[spoiler:until Blessfield is sent 15 billion years back into the past]].

* Lews Therin and Rand al'Thor from ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'' series fit this to a T. Not only are they the absolute leaders of the forces of light in their respective ages, but are the only real hope against the Dark One. The former messes it up pretty badly, we'll have to read and find out how the latter fares.
** [[spoiler: Turns out he does just fine. He rebuilds the Dark One's prison the way it used to be before the Bore was created. In a twist, the crucial aid he needs comes from the example of all the heroes in the series, making them possible Big Goods to his The Hero]].

* In Myth/JapaneseMythology (as well as works based upon the Japanese myths) the [[LightIsGood Sun goddess Amaterasu-Oomikami]] is almost always portrayed as both this and GodOfGood. Almost all other gods with any at all form of characterization from the UsefulNotes/{{Shinto}} pantheon have their moments of being JerkassGods to various extents except for Amaterasu.

** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsOnline Online]]'', Meridia, the Daedric Prince associated with LifeEnergy, [[LightIsNotgood Light]], and [[ProudBeauty Beauty]], serves in this role. She actively works to ensure that [[BigBad Molag Bal]]'s Planemeld will fail, supporting the PlayerCharacter (mostly) behind the scenes.

* Yuna from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'', which is just as well, since she is almost the MessianicArchetype. Though most of Spira would say that it were the Maesters of Yevon. [[spoiler:They are [[PathOfInspiration oh so very wrong]]]].

* In ''VisualNovel/ZeroEscape'' Trilogy, the leader of [[BenevolentConspiracy Crash Keys]], [[spoiler: Akane Kurashiki]], while staying in shadows is in charge of stopping bad things from happennning, whether it's [[spoiler: preventing 12 year-old girl from burning to death]] or [[spoiler: preventing lethal virus from killing 6 billion people]]

* Wrestling/KurtAngle, [[HeelFaceTurn ironically]], became this in TNA after Dixie Carter turned on the locker room in favor of [[ItsAllAboutMe putting herself in the spotlight]] and [[{{Nepotism}} pushing]] her [[Wrestling/{{EC3}} nephew]], then Wrestling/{{M|ontelVontaviousPorter}}VP, who replaced her, became DrunkWithPower after realizing his job as director of wrestling operations wasn't as secure as he thought. Yes, Angle, having fulfilled all of his pro wrestling desires by this time, became the ReasonableAuthorityFigure and when he did gain new aspirations he willingly stepped down to avoid becoming a BadBoss.[[/folder]]

** [[Series/KamenRider Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider Ichigo]] is the Big Good of the Showa Era and, to an extent, all Kamen Riders in general.