History Main / MagnificentBastard

Rarely a CompleteMonster, because audiences are likely to find it harder to admire such a character, but some bastards are so magnificent that they can get around this. Being a SmugSnake is a common trait of bastards ''trying'' to be magnificent.

->''"[[UsefulNotes/ErwinRommel Rommel]]...[[TropeNamers you magnificent bastard]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXKVOxqkWM I read your BOOK!]]"''

->''"[[UsefulNotes/ErwinRommel Rommel]]...you magnificent bastard, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXKVOxqkWM I read your BOOK!]]"''

->''"[[UsefulNotes/ErwinRommel Rommel]]... you magnificent bastard, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXKVOxqkWM I read your BOOK!]]"''

If there was ever a character that deserved to be called "Magnificent", that character ''is'' the Magnificent Bastard. The Magnificent Bastard is what happens when you combine TheChessmaster, TheTrickster, and the ManipulativeBastard: bold, charismatic, independent, and audacious and genius. Capturing the audience with their charisma, incredible intellect, mastery of manipulation, and boldness of action, this character is a show-stealer, demanding your reverence at every turn. The term "Magnificent Bastard" was first used by General Patton in reference to UsefulNotes/ErwinRommel in the film ''Film/{{Patton}}'', upon realizing that he was facing a man who literally wrote the book on deceptive warfare. It acquired its current meaning courtesy of Lionel Luthor of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', who was given this nickname by the TelevisionWithoutPity boards.

If there was ever a character that deserved to be called "Magnificent", that character ''is'' the Magnificent Bastard. The Magnificent Bastard is what happens when you combine TheChessmaster, TheTrickster, and the ManipulativeBastard: bold, charismatic, independent, and audacious. Capturing the audience with their charisma, incredible intellect, mastery of manipulation, and boldness of action, this character is a show-stealer, demanding your reverence at every turn. The term "Magnificent Bastard" was first used by General Patton in reference to UsefulNotes/ErwinRommel in the film ''Film/{{Patton}}'', upon realizing that he was facing a man who literally wrote the book on deceptive warfare. It acquired its current meaning courtesy of Lionel Luthor of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', who was given this nickname by the TelevisionWithoutPity boards.

->''"[[UsefulNotes/ErwinRommel Rommel]]... you [[TropeNamers magnificent bastard]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXKVOxqkWM I read your BOOK!]]"''

* '''They are a smooth operator.''' [[CrazyPrepared They always has a backup strategy]] and [[NervesOfSteel never lose their cool]]. Even if on the remote chance something happens that wasn't in his plans, [[IMeantToDoThat you'd never know it from his actions]]. DidntSeeThatComing doesn't derail him; if his plans are foiled, [[XanatosSpeedChess he can always improvise]].

->''"[[Main/ErwinRommel Rommel]]... you [[TropeNamers magnificent bastard]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXKVOxqkWM I read your BOOK!]]"''

If there was ever a character that deserved to be called "Magnificent", that character ''is'' the Magnificent Bastard. The Magnificent Bastard is what happens when you combine TheChessmaster, TheTrickster, and the ManipulativeBastard: bold, charismatic, independent, and audacious. Capturing the audience with their charisma, incredible intellect, mastery of manipulation, and boldness of action, this character is a show-stealer, demanding your reverence at every turn. The term "Magnificent Bastard" was first used by General Patton in reference to ErwinRommel in the film ''Film/{{Patton}}'', upon realizing that he was facing a man who literally wrote the book on deceptive warfare. It acquired its current meaning courtesy of Lionel Luthor of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', who was given this nickname by the TelevisionWithoutPity boards.

* '''[[TheChessmaster They are brilliant]] and utterly devious'''. Call it [[TheChessmaster genius]], call it [[GambitRoulette virtual omniscience]], but they always seems to [[ManipulativeBastard know what everyone else is planning at any given moment and makes them play right into his hands]], and exactly how to arrange the game so [[XanatosGambit they win even when they have been defeated]].

* '''[[VisionaryVillain They have a goal]],''' they're not going to stop until they've completed it, [[HiddenAgendaVillain whatever it is]]. To that end they will do anything. They'll move heaven and hell. Despite their choice of tactics, they are a [[NobleDemon rarely if ever pointlessly cruel]], and those who ''are'' tend to be so creative in their cruelty that it practically becomes an art form.

* '''They are a smooth operator.''' [[CrazyPrepared They always has a backup strategy]] and [[NervesOfSteel never loses their cool]]. Even if on the remote chance something happens that wasn't in his plans, [[IMeantToDoThat you'd never know it from his actions]]. DidntSeeThatComing doesn't derail him; if his plans are foiled, [[XanatosSpeedChess he can always improvise]].

* '''[[VisionaryVillain They have a goal]],''' they're not going to stop until they've completed it, [[HiddenAgendaVillain whatever it is]]. To that end they will do anything. They'll move heaven and hell. Despite their choice of tactics, they are a [[NobleDemon rarely if ever pointlessly cruel]], and have a reason for everything they do.

* '''[[TheChessmaster They is brilliant]] and utterly devious'''. Call it [[TheChessmaster genius]], call it [[GambitRoulette virtual omniscience]], but they always seems to [[ManipulativeBastard know what everyone else is planning at any given moment and makes them play right into his hands]], and exactly how to arrange the game so [[XanatosGambit they win even when they have been defeated]].

If there was ever a character that deserved to be called "Magnificent", that character ''is'' the Magnificent Bastard. The Magnificent Bastard is what happens when you combine TheChessmaster, TheTrickster, and the ManipulativeBastard: bold, charismatic, independent, and audacious. Capturing the audience with his charisma, incredible intellect, mastery of manipulation, and boldness of action, this character is a show-stealer, demanding your reverence at every turn. The term "Magnificent Bastard" was first used by General Patton in reference to ErwinRommel in the film ''Film/{{Patton}}'', upon realizing that he was facing a man who literally wrote the book on deceptive warfare. It acquired its current meaning courtesy of Lionel Luthor of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', who was given this nickname by the TelevisionWithoutPity boards.

* '''[[TheChessmaster He is brilliant]] and utterly devious'''. Call it [[TheChessmaster genius]], call it [[GambitRoulette virtual omniscience]], but he always seems to [[ManipulativeBastard know what everyone else is planning at any given moment and makes them play right into his hands]], and exactly how to arrange the game so [[XanatosGambit he wins even when he is defeated]].
* '''He is a smooth operator.''' [[CrazyPrepared He always has a backup strategy]] and [[NervesOfSteel never loses his cool]]. Even if on the remote chance something happens that wasn't in his plans, [[IMeantToDoThat you'd never know it from his actions]]. DidntSeeThatComing doesn't derail him; if his plans are foiled, [[XanatosSpeedChess he can always improvise]].
* '''[[VisionaryVillain He has a goal]],''' he's not going to stop until he's completed it, [[HiddenAgendaVillain whatever it is]]. To that end he will do anything. He'll move heaven and hell. Despite his choice of tactics, he is [[NobleDemon rarely if ever pointlessly cruel]], and has a reason for everything he does.
* '''He is charismatic,''' often [[TheCharmer charming]], his personality like a physical force. People tend to like him, sometimes even when they know he [[AffablyEvil isn't on their side]], and even those who hate his guts [[WorthyOpponent have to admit respect]]. Even when at his darkest, he has traits which one can't help but admire.
* '''He is GenreSavvy'''. He does not [[EvilOverlordList fall for obvious traps]], release the SealedEvilInACan or negotiate a DealWithTheDevil before having devised ThePlan to deal with it. Bringing one down is a long process of getting him cornered, although sometimes it is abrupt and played for shock value to show [[TheWorfEffect someone's awesomeness by comparison]].

Other common aspects of a Magnificent Bastard include being a SharpDressedMan and WickedCultured, in general.

While usually an antagonist, especially if he's the BigBad, the Magnificent Bastard can be aligned on either side of a conflict. Hell, he's so amazing he tends to [[{{Ubermensch}} forgo the idea of good and evil altogether]], instead following his own agenda, choosing to [[PlayingBothSides help whichever side]] will further his goals. However, it's true that his penchant for manipulation at the expense of others means it's common for him to be a {{Villain}}, VillainProtagonist, or at least an AntiHero, but purely heroic examples exist. Either way, he's usually in charge of whatever organization he's involved with, or [[ChessmasterSidekick might as well be]].

* '''He is GenreSavvy'''. He does not [[EvilOverlordList fall for obvious traps]], release the SealedEvilInACan or negotiate a DealWithTheDevil before having devised ThePlan plan to deal with it. Bringing one down is a long process of getting him cornered, although sometimes it is abrupt and played for shock value to show [[TheWorfEffect someone's awesomeness by comparison]].

->''"[[WorthyOpponent Rommel]]... you [[TropeNamers magnificent bastard]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXKVOxqkWM I read your BOOK!]]"''

* MagnificentBastard/Roleplay

* MagnnificentBastard/Roleplay

* '''[[TheChessmaster He is brilliant]] and utterly devious''', to an almost breathtaking, mind-boggling degree. Call it [[TheChessmaster genius]], call it [[GambitRoulette virtual omniscience]], but he always seems to [[BatmanGambit know what everyone else is planning at any given moment]], occasionally by making them [[ManipulativeBastard play right into his hands]], and exactly how to arrange the game so [[XanatosGambit he wins even when he is defeated]].

* '''[[VisionaryVillain He has a goal]],''' he's not going to stop until he's completed it, [[HiddenAgendaVillain whatever it is]]. To that end he will do almost anything. He'll move heaven and hell. Despite his choice of tactics, he is [[NobleDemon rarely if ever pointlessly cruel]], and has a reason for everything he does.

* '''He is GenreSavvy''', sometimes [[DangerouslyGenreSavvy dangerously so]]. He does not [[EvilOverlordList fall for obvious traps]], release the SealedEvilInACan or negotiate a DealWithTheDevil before having devised a plan to deal with it. Bringing one down is a long process of getting him cornered, although sometimes it is abrupt and played for shock value to show [[TheWorfEffect someone's awesomeness by comparison]].

Other common aspects of a Magnificent Bastard include being a SharpDressedMan, WickedCultured, and CrazyAwesome in general.

A key difference that separates the Magnificent Bastard from other character tropes like the mere ManipulativeBastard or TheChessmaster is the Bastard's willingness to step onto the playing field in person. The risks are obvious, but the strategic advantages are numerous.

While usually an antagonist, especially if he's the BigBad, the Magnificent Bastard can be aligned on either side of a conflict. Hell, he's so amazing he tends to [[{{Ubermensch}} forgo the idea of good and evil altogether]], instead following his own agenda, choosing to [[PlayingBothSides help whichever side]] will further his goals. However, it's true that his penchant for manipulation at the expense of others means it's common for him to be a {{Villain}}, VillainProtagonist, or at least an AntiHero, but purely heroic examples exist. Either way, he's almost always in charge of whatever organization he's involved with, or [[TheManBehindTheMan might as well be]].

Aside from all the various aspects which come together to define the Magnificent Bastard, compare and contrast the SmugSnake, who may once have been a Magnificent Bastard in the making but fell short due to his own arrogance. When a villainous Magnificent Bastard becomes so over the top that he is no longer believable, then he becomes a VillainSue (a regular MarySue for the heroic version). Also compare the GuileHero, who uses cleverness, trickery and manipulation but lacks the flair and depth of-planning to elevate him to Magnificent Bastard status. Despite the term, he is not likely to be a BastardBastard, thanks to that person's inherent daddy issues, but there's nothing preventing him either.

* '''He is a smooth operator.''' [[CrazyPrepared He always has a backup strategy]] and [[NervesOfSteel never loses his cool]]. Even if on the remote chance something happens that wasn't in his plans, [[IMeantToDoThat you'd never know it from his actions]]. DidntSeeThatComing doesn't derail him; if his plans are foiled, [[XanatosSpeedChess he can always improvise.]]

If there was ever a character that deserved to be called "Magnificent", that character ''is'' the Magnificent Bastard. The Magnificent Bastard is what happens when you combine TheChessmaster, TheTrickster, and the ManipulativeBastard: bold, charismatic, independent, and audacious. Capturing the audience with his charisma, incredible intellect, mastery of manipulation, and boldness of action, this character is a show-stealer, demanding your reverence at every turn. The term "Magnificent Bastard" was first used by General Patton in reference to ErwinRommel in the film ''Film/{{Patton}}'', upon realizing that he was facing a man who literally wrote the book on deceptive warfare. It acquired its current meaning courtesy of Lionel Luthor of ''{{Smallville}}'', who was given this nickname by the TelevisionWithoutPity boards.

->''"[[WorthyOpponent Rommel]]... you [[TropeNamer magnificent bastard]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXKVOxqkWM I read your BOOK!]]"''

If there was ever a character that deserved to be called “Magnificent”, that character ''is'' the Magnificent Bastard. The Magnificent Bastard is what happens when you combine TheChessmaster, TheTrickster, and the ManipulativeBastard: bold, charismatic, independent, and audacious. Capturing the audience with his charisma, incredible intellect, mastery of manipulation, and boldness of action, this character is a show-stealer, demanding your reverence at every turn. The term "Magnificent Bastard" was first used by General Patton in reference to ErwinRommel in the film ''Film/{{Patton}}'', upon realizing that he was facing a man who literally wrote the book on deceptive warfare. It acquired its current meaning courtesy of Lionel Luthor of ''{{Smallville}}'', who was given this nickname by the TelevisionWithoutPity boards.