Villain Matrix Scoring System

The only way to (semi)fairly compare villains/antagonists


 

Villain Matrix score sheet, the only way to compare villains https://vlnresearch.com/villain-matrix-scoring-system
Quick, easy, accurate

After years of villain research, we’ve constructed the Villain Matrix scoring system. It consists of 8 categories, as you see above: Charisma, Strength, Resources, Intellect, Wisdom, Endurance, Flipflop, and Evil Factor.

Below is the full description. Get the streamlined, math-free spreadsheet by signing up for the Research Team. You’ll also get our newsletter and it’s exclusive content and updates. Use the sheet for your own studies, or score a villain/antagonist for us and submit a report. See an example: Jareth the Goblin King’s score.


Charisma : a special charm or appeal that causes people to feel attracted and excited by someone (such as a politician) – Webster’s

Components:

Ability to control or manipulate others without special powers or tech:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Looks, select all that apply:

Intimidating = 1

Handsome/BeautifulĀ  = 2

Scary = 1

Dominant mannerisms, choose one:

SuaveĀ  = 2

Scary = 1

Deceptive = 1

Intimidating = 1

Charm, select all that apply:

Appearance of trustworthiness on face value = 1

Likability = 2

Max Score = 13

Score level rankings:

3 = 1 stars

4-6 = 2 stars

7-9 = 3 stars

10 – 11 = 4 stars

12-13 = 5 stars


Strength

Components:

Physical, non augmented, compared to average person:

Weak = 0

Average = 1

Moderate = 2

Significant = 3

Augmented: as above, but enhanced with armor, magic, tech, etc.

N/A = 0

Average = 1

Moderate = 2

Significant = 3

Extreme = 4

Max = 7

1 = 0-1

2 = 2-3

3 = 4-5

4 = 6

5 = 7


Resources

Components:

Money, minions, territory, manna, powers, favors. Averaged out (so someone could have minimal minions but all the gods owe him a favor, which ranks at 5):

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5


Intellect

Components:

IQ:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5


Wisdom

Components:

Worldly wisdom/knowledge of how the world really works:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5

Knowledge of human behavior and psychology:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5

Foresight:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5

Ability to prioritize, overlook, move on:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5

Max = 20

1 = 0-4

2 = 5-8

3 = 9-13

4 = 14-17

5 = 18-20


Endurance

Components:

Physical:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5

Mental:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5

Tenacity in the face of problems:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5

Max = 15

1 = 0-3

2 = 4-6

3 = 7-9

4 = 10-12

5 = 13-15


Flipflop

Components:

How likely would it be that they ally permanently with the good guys:

Not at all = 1

Maybe = 2

Neutral = 3

Somewhat = 4

Completely if it was a benefit = 5


Evil Factor

Components:

Restraint = -1

Moral Code = -1

Limits = -1

How far to the dark side are they are willing to go to achieve their ends:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 3

Extreme = 5

Needless/gratuitous violence/crime/cruelty:

Nill = 0

Minimal = 1

Average = 2

Moderate = 3

Significant = 4

Extreme = 5

Max = 10

1 = 0-2

2 = 3-4

3 = 5-6

4 = 7-8

5 = 9-10


Look intimidating? Get the free spreadsheet when you sign up for Team VLN. You’ll also get exclusive updates and content.