Which Antagonist is the Most Intimidating?

[Marceline 187]

Which antagonist do you think is the most intimidating? And they don't have to be villains, just antagonists - so Trixie and King Sombra would both be antagonists. I'll add more questions for you to think about to this post as they come along, so everyone can see them. Here's a few to ask yourself:

 

General:

Who is the most intimidating in each season? In the show all together?

What makes them so intimidating?

Are they only intimidating to a certain group of characters, or to everyone?

What makes character x more intimidating than character y?

Who would you not want to have a run-in with?

What is it about what the characters are trying to do that makes them so intimidating? And, does their appearance reflect how intimidating they are? Does it say anything about their personality? (Example: Queen Chrysalis, eating love, but she is full of holes. . .)

 

Bullies:

In terms of lower levels of antagonism, in this case, bullying; who would be the worst bully?

Babs, Gilda, Diamond Tiara/Silver Spoon. What do you think of them?

Why do you think that they do what they do (aside from the obvious reasons why Babs did what she did)?

Who do you think is the most intimidating? Why?

Do you think Trixie should be counted as a bully, or something else?

 

Discord vs King Sombra:

So Discord instantly messes with your head, to turn you against one another, and he happily watches as the world crumbles from disharmony. This will result in physical pain, the longer it lasts. Spreads all over Equestria.

Sombra enslaves ponies, causing physical issues from the beginning, which then cause emotional and mental issues. It then spreads across all of Equestria as well.

 

So, some more stuff to think about . . . Which is worse? The physical or emotional/mental troubles?

Are they equal?

Is it situational?

Which one would cause a more rapid deterioration of a land/country/area/etc.? Or is that situational, too?

How about for Equestria, then?

 

 

Related:

Here's a somewhat off-topic thought:

Queen Chrysalis and her people feed off of love. King Sombra took away all of the Crystal Ponies' feelings of love/happiness by enslaving them. Do you think that these two have any connection, or is it just coincidence? Is it something the creators put in the show for us to think about, or is it just some good fanfic fodder?

Edited November 26, 2012 by Marceline

[Betez 1,734]

Definitely King Sombra. He to me seems the most intimidating. Just the way he talks, and how he looks. Either that or the Changling Queen. But I'd have to go with Sombra.

[Silver Boulder 123]

Well the best one arguably being Discord

 

He's intimidating seeing how he's unpredictable, clever, and is a threat to the ponies. He's defeated the mane six once and was successful in doing his main goal, taking over and changing everything he wanted to fit his need to have never ending chaos

 

That's why he's the best x3

Edited November 25, 2012 by Silver Boulder

[Marceline 187]

@@Betez,

Understandable; Sombra's appearance alone makes for a rather intimidating character. Personally, I'm not sure what I think of him right now. Enslaving the crystal ponies is terrible, and awfully frightening for sure; but I didn't see enough of him really in action to say much else. Now to some, that could make the character even scarier/more intimidating, because you never really see them, but you know they're there, and you see what they're doing. A pretty suspenseful type of situation, that one.

 

lol sorry I edited it properly this time. poo.

Edited November 25, 2012 by Marceline

[Lunar Red 92]

I personally believe it be Discord he is deciseve, tricky & clever. how he manipulated the Mane 6 and he wanted nothing more than chaos.

Thats why I say Discord.

Rather than that I would have chosen King Sombra.

Edited November 25, 2012 by RedtheBrony

[Marceline 187]

Well the best one arguably being Discord

 

He's intimidating seeing how he's unpredictable, clever, and is a threat to the ponies. He's defeated the mane six once and was successful in doing his main goal, taking over and changing everything he wanted to fit his need to have never ending chaos

 

That's why he's the best x3

 

Also a good candidate for most intimidating antagonist, for sure; was definitely thinking of him when making this topic.

 

You make some pretty good points, there. Let me ask, though, can you further elaborate on which ways he's a threat? (it will help others think about it and help keep a good conversation going) Is it just the fact that he's able to make them all earth ponies, or because he hypnotized them and caused them to not be friends for a period of time? Or is something else involved, too?

 

One thing I have to say about Discord, though, is, for all the stuff he was able to do, I think the fact that he was so casual about the Mane 6 returning with the Elements of Harmony was an embarrassing aspect of his downfall. If he lets his guard down that quickly, what does that say about him?

 

I personally believe it be Discord he is deciseve, tricky & clever. how he manipulated the Mane 6 and he wanted nothing more than chaos.

Thats why I say Discord.

Rather than that I would have chosen King Sombra.

 

Oh, but there's more than just Discord and King Sombra. There's Trixie, Nightmare Moon, Queen Chrysalis, Babs. . .

 

Here's a thought; Queen Chrysalis and her people feed off of love. King Sombra took away all of the Crystal Ponies' feelings of love/happiness by enslaving them. Do you think that these two have any connection, or is it just coincidence? Is it something the creators put in the show for us to think about, or is it just some good fanfic fodder?

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

King Sombra, Discord is way too funny to be intimidating. I can see where people saying he's intimidating are coming from but in my opinion Discord is just too..clever to be intimidating. But King Sombra's appearance and the all around jist of him are pretty over whelming

[ReGen 1,466]

Without a doubt, Discord. The way he doesn't act so typically evil and takes everything he does as a cruel joke frightens me.

Queen Chrysalis would be a close second.

Edited November 25, 2012 by Supernova

[khaine21x3 789]

Fluttershy

 

She loves to go psychoshy in some episodes and ends up hurting people around her.There are signs that she still can't fully control her anger and it's only a matter of time before she has another outburst.

[ReGen 1,466]

Without a doubt, Discord. The way he doesn't act so typically evil and takes everything he does as a cruel joke frightens me.

Queen Chrysalis would be a close second.

 

EDIT: DANG IT. Sorry for double-posting, my internet was slow...

Edited November 25, 2012 by Supernova

[Marceline 187]

King Sombra, Discord is way too funny to be intimidating. I can see where people saying he's intimidating are coming from but in my opinion Discord is just too..clever to be intimidating. But King Sombra's appearance and the all around jist of him are pretty over whelming

 

Hm, an interesting take on what makes someone intimidating. Many would argue that his cleverness is one of the main things that makes him so intimidating; his ability to outsmart you. A lot of people are basing King Sombra's intimidation factor on his appearence. But let's go beyond that, for all the antagonists. What is it about what the characters are trying to do that makes them so intimidating? And, does their appearance reflect how intimidating they are? Does it mean anything about their personality? (Example: Queen Chrysalis, eating love, but she is full of holes. . .)

[Lunar Red 92]

Oh, but there's more than just Discord and King Sombra. There's Trixie, Nightmare Moon, Queen Chrysalis, Babs. . . Here's a thought; Queen Chrysalis and her people feed off of love. King Sombra took away all of the Crystal Ponies' feelings of love/happiness by enslaving them. Do you think that these two have any connection, or is it just coincidence? Is it something the creators put in the show for us to think about, or is it just some good fanfic fodder?

Continuing my statement earlier Discord seemed to be intimidating because through my point of view he seemed as if he was more of a insane villan. Now I see your point as he was too playful which I agree, but the others (besides King sombra, and Changlings) seemed less intimadting.

 

P.S. I never seen the episode with Nightmare Moon ( I only saw Pt.1)

Edited November 25, 2012 by RedtheBrony

[Haven Celestii 9,385]

I say King Sombra. Of course, being intimidating is not enough to be good at their particular job. and after a while of him laughing from afar looking scary, I'd figure out that he wouldn't do anything, so then Id have to give the spot so another.

 

I guess after he lost his spot I'd say Chrysalis. Discord doesn't seem intimidating to me and Nightmare Moon isn't at all.

Trixie isn't either, she's just annoying. The Diamond Dogs could possibly be up there with Chrysalis in the intimidation factor since their giant freaking dogs! Gilda might also be after the Diamond Dogs. But she'd wear off after a while.

[Marceline 187]

Fluttershy

 

She loves to go psychoshy in some episodes and ends up hurting people around her.There are signs that she still can't fully control her anger and it's only a matter of time before she has another outburst.

 

Ooh, a very different contribution; I was waiting for something like this! I can see why you would say this. Imagine, someone who is a best friend, someone so close to you, someone that is almost always so sweet and innocent . . imagine their dark side, what happens to them when they snap. And you can't accurately pinpoint what may send them over the edge. That can really affect some people. But at the same time, these bouts of aggressiveness can help the Mane 6; don't forget that.

 

And I will accept this as a response, because an antagonist is "a villain, a competitor, a problem, etc." and in Putting Your Hoof Down, her aggressiveness got out of control, which was a problem.

[Lightning Fluttershy 1,844]

Are we talking about visually or their dialogue? I'll do both just because.

 

I think King Sombra definitely looked the most visually intimidating. What with the glowing eyes, armour, glowing red horn, all the fun stuff.

 

Dialogue wise, I think Discord was the most intimidating just because he talked so much, and in riddles. Also he was kind of hilarious.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Hm, an interesting take on what makes someone intimidating. Many would argue that his cleverness is one of the main things that makes him so intimidating; his ability to outsmart you. A lot of people are basing King Sombra's intimidation factor on his appearence. But let's go beyond that, for all the antagonists. What is it about what the characters are trying to do that makes them so intimidating? And, does their appearance reflect how intimidating they are? Does it mean anything about their personality? (Example: Queen Chrysalis, eating love, but she is full of holes. . .)

 

What makes King Sombra intimidating is the mystery behind him. There is really no telling what would happen if he had succeeded. I think that Discord's wit makes him less intimidating because his jokes decrease stress and make him easier to face.

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

King Sombra definitely, he has those sharp teeth, he is master of dark magic, and he enslaved a whole empire. Honestly he is the most intimidating.

[Marceline 187]

I say King Sombra. Of course, being intimidating is not enough to be good at their particular job. and after a while of him laughing from afar looking scary, I'd figure out that he wouldn't do anything, so then Id have to give the spot so another.

 

I guess after he lost his spot I'd say Chrysalis. Discord doesn't seem intimidating to me and Nightmare Moon isn't at all.

Trixie isn't either, she's just annoying. The Diamond Dogs could possibly be up there with Chrysalis in the intimidation factor since their giant freaking dogs! Gilda might also be after the Diamond Dogs. But she'd wear off after a while.

 

I see . . . lots of people say King Sombra is intimidating. So, what made you pick Chrysalis as most intimidating then? So in terms of lower levels of antagonism . . . let's just say bullying; who would be the worst bully? Babs or Gilda?

 

 

Are we talking about visually or their dialogue? I'll do both just because.

 

I think King Sombra definitely looked the most visually intimidating. What with the glowing eyes, armour, glowing red horn, all the fun stuff.

 

Dialogue wise, I think Discord was the most intimidating just because he talked so much, and in riddles. Also he was kind of hilarious.

 

Visually, dialogue, motives, anything that you can back up as to why that adds to their intimidation factor. Or you can do what you did, and have different characters for different categories; that's fine too.

 

 

What makes King Sombra intimidating is the mystery behind him. There is really no telling what would happen if he had succeeded. I think that Discord's wit makes him less intimidating because his jokes decrease stress and make him easier to face.

 

You make a very good point about King Sombra, for sure. And with what he was doing to try and stop Twilight from getting the Crystal Heart to Cadence, and his freaky spiral stairs and hidden door of fears . . . with nothing but a legacy of fear to his name, yes, that can make for a rather frightening character.

 

Good conversation going on here.

[Whofch 128]

Well it's going to vary between different people. Out of the Main villains I find that:

 

NMM - Intimidating voice and attitude I guess. Her overall plans don't sound that scary, more of an inconvenience,though they could have a devastating affect depending on how the world works.

 

Discord - His powers are obviously intimidating but the way he acts and puts them to use is more comedic in the show and more of an annoyance. Yes, he's unpredictable and all that but he makes it all seem silly.

 

Chrys - She could be anyone and she leads an army that could include anyone. They feed on love and could therefor bring misery to everything? not a great thought.

 

Sombra - Definitely has an intimidating presence and knowing his past of enslaving a kingdom. Nasty. Also give the impression that there's no talking/persuading or any other method of stopping him carry this out due to his seemingly one tracked mind of taking control without getting rid of him.

 

To sum it up.

As it stands, I'd go with Queen Chrys or King Somb being the most intimidating from what we've seen. They just seem so much more aggressive and in your face as well as having the scary plans. Discord had the plans but the wrong attitude and NMM had the attitude but the show didn't go into how the plans would be so bad.

 

This is all base on how it works in the show. If this was from my perspective in real life, I'd be sh*t scared of all of them. Sombra more than the others just because it's so obvious that he's always there.....watching... He also doesn't get personal with anyone, treating everyone the same, insignificant little slaves.

Edited November 25, 2012 by Turtle Power

[Leafeon 2,702]

Aw, poor Chrysalis gets no love. Though that is most likely a good thing.

 

I would say Chrysalis. She feeds off of love, which is an emotion next to impossible to prevent (As corny as that sounds) plus has an entire civilization of shape shifters which can do pretty nice damage, trap ponies, and well, shapeshift. Plus she is damn sexy.

 

Chrysalis can also defeat Celestia when she's charged which is pretty intimidating, as to that point we had never seen Celestia be beaten before.

[Haven Celestii 9,385]

I see . . . lots of people say King Sombra is intimidating. So, what made you pick Chrysalis as most intimidating then? So in terms of lower levels of antagonism . . . let's just say bullying; who would be the worst bully? Babs or Gilda?

 

Hmmm, Something about her appearance just doesn't sit well with me. The bug like wings and holes in her hair and legs just give off this omnious feel to me.

That and how she feeds off love to survive. If its the same as what happened to Shining Armor, being mind controlled and all, then I'd have no hope of finding true love. It'd just be stolen from me. Something about that just stands out more than infinite chaos or infinite night. Infinite night would actually be kinda cool. Minus the whole part about crops not growing thus resulting in famine and starvation.

 

Hmm, worst bully? Thats kinda of a toughy.

Gilda bullied multiple ponies around Ponyvillle. Babs only bullied a specific group.

Babs went out of her way to make sure to bully them. Gilda did it when the chance arrived.

Gilda did it just to be doing it. Babs did it in fear of being bullied herself.

I'd have to say Gilda is the worst bully between the two.

[Marceline 187]

Well it's going to vary between different people. Out of the Main villains I find that:

 

NMM - Intimidating voice and attitude I guess. Her overall plans don't sound that scary, more of an inconvenience,though they could have a devastating affect depending on how the world works.

 

Discord - His powers are obviously intimidating but the way he acts and puts them to use is more comedic in the show and more of an annoyance. Yes, he's unpredictable and all that but he makes it all seem silly.

 

Chrys - She could be anyone and she leads an army that could include anyone. They feed on love and could therefor bring misery to everything? not a great thought.

 

Sombra - Definitely has an intimidating presence and knowing his past of enslaving a kingdom. Nasty. Also give the impression that there's no talking/persuading or any other method of stopping him carry this out due to his seemingly one tracked mind of taking control without getting rid of him.

 

To sum it up.

As it stands, I'd go with Queen Chrys or King Somb being the most intimidating from what we've seen. They just seem so much more aggressive and in your face as well as having the scary plans. Discord had the plans but the wrong attitude and NMM had the attitude but the show didn't go into how the plans would be so bad.

 

This is all base on how it works in the show. If this was from my perspective in real life, I'd be sh*t scared of all of them. Sombra more than the others just because it's so obvious that he's always there.....watching... He also doesn't get personal with anyone, treating everyone the same, insignificant little slaves.

 

I absolutely love your points and explanations here, they seem to be very well thought out and they give you strong arguments.

 

 

 

 

Hmmm, Something about her appearance just doesn't sit well with me. The bug like wings and holes in her hair and legs just give off this omnious feel to me.

That and how she feeds off love to survive. If its the same as what happened to Shining Armor, being mind controlled and all, then I'd have no hope of finding true love. It'd just be stolen from me. Something about that just stands out more than infinite chaos or infinite night. Infinite night would actually be kinda cool. Minus the whole part about crops not growing thus resulting in famine and starvation.

 

Hmm, worst bully? Thats kinda of a toughy.

Gilda bullied multiple ponies around Ponyvillle. Babs only bullied a specific group.

Babs went out of her way to make sure to bully them. Gilda did it when the chance arrived.

Gilda did it just to be doing it. Babs did it in fear of being bullied herself.

I'd have to say Gilda is the worst bully between the two.

 

I understand that; although I totally love that look, I think it makes her look pretty cool . . . and yeah, ominous. But I like that. And I definitely agree with you on the love bit, and eternal night. Heh.

 

 

I see why you would say Gilda. So, did Gilda get bullied in her time away from Rainbow Dash, or is Gilda really the "bad seed?"

[PonyHag1 591]

Queen Chrysalis is definitely the most intimidating among villains in my opinion. For a non-villain antagonist, I'll go with Gilda.

[Marceline 187]

Here's some more stuff for you guys to think about (I'll also add this to the first post so everyone can see it). Let's just think about the bullies for a minute. Babs, Gilda, Diamond Tiara/Silver Spoon. What do you think of them? Why do you think that they do what they do (aside from the obvious reasons why Babs did)? Who do you think is the most intimidating? Why?

[Leafeon 2,702]

Here's some more stuff for you guys to think about (I'll also add this to the first post so everyone can see it). Let's just think about the bullies for a minute. Babs, Gilda, Diamond Tiara/Silver Spoon. What do you think of them? Why do you think that they do what they do (aside from the obvious reasons why Babs did)? Who do you think is the most intimidating? Why?

 

I don't really think of Babs as a bully. She was... but if she were to come back (most likely won't happen though) she would probably be really nice.

 

I don't really think Silver Spoon and DiamondTiara are intimidating. They are really just rich brats wanting attention. As far as Gilda goes, she was a bully out of jealousy. She's pretty intimidating, being an exotic griffin and all. But she is also a bit mean-spirited. Stealing for no reason and all, and lying loads. I kinda like her though.

 

I think I actually like all the antagonists except Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara.