History Main / StockEvilOverlordTactics

** Always make sure you have the payment for your powers up front. If the entity requests [[VirginSacrifice virgins]], make sure they're still virgins. Finally, never sell your own {{soul}}. It may not seem important at the time, but it usually ends up biting you in the ass at the very worst possible time (and usually in the very worst possible way).

** As counter-intuitive as it may feel, it may be worthwhile to treat your liberators well and not destroy them right away. After all, if they did enough research to uncover your existence and release you, they probably know about any weaknesses you may have or means of stuffing you back in your can.

** Never, ''ever'' accept releasing the entity into the world as terms of payment, it's just as if not ''more'' dangerous than releasing the SEIAC considering the entity is both powerful and [[TheChessmaster very]] [[ManipulativeBastard wily]]. For this reason, never leave the summoning portal in a place where any [[YouFool fool]] might do so by accident. Remember: EvilIsNotAToy, and while you may shoot people who have [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outlived their usefulness]], these entities tend to ''eat them.'' Also, DoNotTauntCthulhu if there's any chance it might ever become free or take away your power. [[EvilIsStylish Plus, it's tacky.]]

** Corollary tactic: Make an EvilKnockoff of the hero. This is not recommended for various reasons, but as part of a bigger plot it can be very effective.

* [[MesACrowd World of Me]]: Clone yourself. Then have your clone clone itself. Then have the clones of your clones of your clones, and so on. The hero wouldn't have his work cut out for him if you weren't a formidable opponent in your own right, so why not make a whole lot more of yourself? If you have the magic or the technology to pull it off, an even more effective tactic is using the bodies of your enemies as hosts. The main disadvantage of this tactic is that your clones tend to get ideas above their station, specifically each and every one may decide they should be the one in charge. There are two ways around this: Either make your clones hardwired to be subservient to you alone, or let your narcissism run its course so every one of you will naturally conform to your awesome, intelligent, good-looking authority.

** Don't make opposite sex clones of yourself. It never turns out well.

* [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Become Evil Overlord, Savior Of The World]]: Plant your minions amongst all those squabbling little nations, and manipulate them into going to war. Start enough political machinations to really screw up the world, and let everything go to hell while making sure none of it can be traced back to you. Then, once the fecal matter has really hit the ventilation unit, step forward in the role of the benevolent unifier, forging peace with all the warring factions and supplying goods from your pre-prepared storage bunkers to sate the suffering masses. The beauty of this plan is that history will regard you as a hero and everyone will bow down you you out of loyalty and gratitude instead of fear, which is [[DystopiaIsHard such a chore]] to keep cultivating on a regular basis.

** Corollary tactic: This works best if you snowball the artifact acquisition, culminating in a CosmicKeystone. Just remember to stop shy of a SuperPowerMeltdown. Also, though it may hurt your pride, do ''not'' give in to taunts that ''"[=~You're nothing without your phlebotinum~=]!"'' by fighting mano a mano. It never helps.

* [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Become Evil Overlord, Savior Of The World]]: Plant your minions amongst all those squabbling little nations, and manipulate them into going to war. Start enough political machinations to really screw up the world, and let everything go to hell while making sure none of it can be traced back to you. Then, once the fecal matter has really hit the ventilation unit, step forward in the role of the benevolent unifier, forging peace with all the warring factions and supplying goods from your pre-prepared storage bunkers to sate the suffering masses. The beauty of this plan is that history will regard you as a hero and everyone will bow down you you out of loyalty and gratitude instead of fear, which is such a chore to keep cultivating on a regular basis.

** Never, ''ever'' accept releasing the entity into the world as terms of payment, it's just as if not ''more'' dangerous than releasing the SEIAC considering the entity is both powerful and [[TheChessmaster very]] [[ManipulativeBastard wily]]. For this reason, never leave the summoning portal in a place where any [[YouFool fool]] might do so by accident. Remember: EvilIsNotAToy, and while you [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim may shoot people]] who have [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outlived their usefulness]], these entities tend to ''eat them.'' Also, DoNotTauntCthulhu if there's any chance it might ever become free or take away your power. [[EvilIsStylish Plus, it's tacky.]]

** Be wary of entities that might have their own designs on the world (which -- let's face it -- anything that's willing to make a deal with a lowly mortal like you is probably going to have). They might take a JackassGenie approach to your requests and end up [[DiscOneFinalBoss screwing you over]]. LiteralGenie entities can be problematic too; make sure to have a team of lawyers go through your wish before submitting it, to close every possible loophole that could prevent you from getting what you want.

** Be wary of entities that might have their own designs on the world (which -- let's face it -- a good many of them do, especially if they're willing to make a deal with a lowly mortal like you). They might take a JackassGenie approach to your requests and end up [[DiscOneFinalBoss screwing you over]]. LiteralGenie entities can be problematic too; make sure to have a team of lawyers go through your wish before submitting it, to close every possible loophole that could prevent you from getting what you want.

* {{Mook}} armies: The classic tactic, [[ZergRush overrun with sheer numbers]] and institute whatever form of dictatorial ego-centric control you like. Criminal mafias, world conquering, or 'mere' mayhem; a Mook army can do all this and more.

* Gain massive magical power: Then again, doing the conquering/destroying yourself is so [[DrunkOnTheDarkSide much more satisfying!]] Just steal a RingOfPower, AmplifierArtifact, magic lamp, and presto!

* [[SealedEvilInACan Unseal the evil in a can]]: Why get a huge army or waste resources on building a doomsday device when you can just take an already-existing monster and set it loose on the world? You just can't top the NeglectfulPrecursors in the entity of doom department. Take note that unsealed evils are 100% guaranteed to either [[EvilIsNotAToy turn on their liberator]] or try to destroy the world/universe, so make sure you've got the means to control it ''before'' touching the can.

* Buy it all: Favored tactic of the evil MegaCorp and CorruptCorporateExecutive. Become the supplier of every conceivable good, or one excessively valuable one (even water counts), and you can become rich beyond imagination.

* Give the hero [[HeroWithBadPublicity a bad rep]] and [[VillainWithGoodPublicity replace him]]; those [[HoldingOutForAHero lambs]] who cheered him on will turn to GullibleLemmings [[DyingLikeAnimals soon enough]]. This is [[HeroForADay tricky to pull off]], since most forget to dispose of the hero thoroughly post replacement.

* Start a ReligionOfEvil: It gets you mooks, money, adoring fans ''and'' a harem!

* Replace the BigGood: Take FakeKing to the extreme by killing and then impersonating the supreme leader of the forces of goodness. You'll not only have all the resources you'll ever need to TakeOverTheWorld, but you've also effectively rendered your opposition inert.

* [[DealWithTheDevil Bargain with unholy entities:]] If you need power or the means to gain it fast, you could always bargain with an [[GodOfEvil evil god]], [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon]], or [[EldritchAbomination similar entity]] to get what you want. Just remember a few key steps.

* [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Become evil Overlord, savior of the world]]: Plant your minions amongst all those squabbling little nations, and manipulate them into going to war. Start enough political machinations to really screw up the world, and let everything go to hell while making sure none of it can be traced back to you. Then, once the fecal matter has really hit the ventilation unit, step forward in the role of the benevolent unifier, forging peace with all the warring factions and supplying goods from your pre-prepared storage bunkers to sate the suffering masses. The beauty of this plan is that history will regard you as a hero and everyone will bow down you you out of loyalty and gratitude instead of fear, which is such a chore to keep cultivating on a regular basis.

* [[ConquerorFromTheFuture Invasion from tomorrow]]: Go back a few generations to when your modern weapons are no longer merely formidable but completely unstoppable. Want to crush the Roman Empire beneath your heels? Park an aircraft carrier offshore and start bombing. If from TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture just bring a ray gun and a deflector shield, and waltz straight through 20000 centurions.

* Historical impersonation: Eliminate an important historical figure and take their place, preferably a major military or political leader. With your knowledge of historical events, correct any and all tactical mistakes made by the real leader in order to achieve the world conquest they failed at. A few trinkets of future technology to tip the balance still helps.

<<|EvilTropes|>>

* [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Become evil Overlord, savior of the world]]: Plant your minions amongst all those squabbling little nations, and manipulate them into going to war. Start enough political machinations to really screw up the world, and let everything go to hell while making sure none of it can be traced back to you. Then, once the fecal matter has really hit the fan, step forward in the role of the benevolent unifier, forging peace with all the warring factions and supplying goods from your pre-prepared storage bunkers to sate the suffering masses. The beauty of this plan is that history will regard you as a hero and everyone will bow down you you out of loyalty and gratitude instead of fear, which is such a chore to keep cultivating on a regular basis.

** Corollary tactic: Replace the [[CrystalDragonJesus BIG Big Good]]. Why settle for ruling the world, when you can destroy all the [[CosmicKeystones Cosmic Keystones]] and just remake the whole thing in your own image?

** Corollary tactic: If controlling the evil isn't possible or too risky, your best bet is to deliberately unleash it within stomping distance of a [[BigGood powerful force of good]], while keeping yourself well out of harms' way. Idealy, the good guys will be crushed, and the unsealed evil weakened sufficiently during the battle that you can destroy it yourself; or vice-versa.

** Be wary of entities that might have their own designs on the world (which -- let's face it -- many of them do, especially those willing to make deals with a lowly mortal like you). They might take a JackassGenie approach to your requests and end up [[DiscOneFinalBoss screwing you over]]. LiteralGenie entities can be problematic too; make sure to have a team of lawyers go through your wish before submitting it, to close every possible loophole that could prevent you from getting what you want.

** Be wary of entities that might have their own designs on the world (which, let's face it, many of them do, especially those willing to make deals with a lowly mortal like you). They might take a JackassGenie approach to your requests and end up [[DiscOneFinalBoss screwing you over]]. LiteralGenie entities can be problematic too; make sure to have a team of lawyers go through your wish before submitting it, to close every possible loophole that could prevent you from getting what you want.

** Be wary of entities that might have their own designs on the world (which a lot of them often do). They might take a JackassGenie approach to your requests and end up [[DiscOneFinalBoss screwing you over]]. LiteralGenie entities can be problematic too; make sure to have a team of lawyers go through your wish before submitting it, to close every possible loophole that could prevent you from getting what you want.

* {{Mook}} armies: The classic tactic, overrun with sheer numbers and institute whatever form of dictatorial ego-centric control you like. Criminal mafias, world conquering, or 'mere' mayhem; a Mook army can do all this and more.

** Corollary tactic: [{TerminallyDependentSociety Make your own super addictive drug, videogame, or commodity]] if all the standard ones are taken. That'll show em! Oh, and just remember: [[{{Scarface}} don't get high on your own supply]]. It never helps.

** Corollary tactic: Make your own super addictive drug, videogame, or commodity if all the standard ones are taken. That'll show em! Oh, and just remember: [[{{Scarface}} don't get high on your own supply]]. It never helps.

** Never, ''ever'' accept releasing the entity into the world as terms of payment, or leave the summoning portal in a place where any [[YouFool fool]] might do so by accident. Remember: EvilIsNotAToy, and while you may shoot people who have [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outlived their usefulness]], these entities tend to ''eat them.'' Also, DoNotTauntCthulhu if there's any chance it might ever become free or take away your power. Plus, it's tacky.

** Show a little restraint in this department. Unless your specific stated goal is to destroy the world (in which case, go nuts), then limit your doomsday device to mere "catastrophic" level. You don't want your Doomsday Device to accidentally go off, and then get forced into an EnemyMine situation with the hero in order to save the world. It's undignified.
* Gain massive magical power: Then again, doing the conquering/destroying yourself is so much more satisfying! Just steal a RingOfPower, AmplifierArtifact, magic lamp, and presto!

*** However, make certain that the SEIAC is ''evil'' before attempting the above: There's nothing more embarrasing than causing a DeusExMachina by [[SealedGoodInACan releasing]] the CrystalDragonJesus on the heroes' front lawn.