User blog comment:LiamFrostveins/Antagonists/@comment-25345260-20121113030845

The way I see it, you have three main kinds of Antagonistic characters.

Anti-Hero: Lacking morals or traditional heroic qualities, Anti-Heros fight for a usually just cause, with often Villianous means. Even if that cause is simply Survival.

An example I would choose, is Ezio Auditore/Any Assassins Creed Assassin. They steal. They kill. They make buildings explode. But for what? Fun? No. They are fighting for the freedom of all humans from oppressive leaders, freedom to do as you please, so long as it maintains peace.

The Extremist: Oftentimes a person with good intent, similar to the Anti-Hero, but unlike the Anti-Hero, has some moral structure, albeit, misguided, with an often negative goal that many can see as good, if persuaded. Think Dictators who rose to power quickly, and you have it.

The Overlord: Power. They want a lot of it, and don't want anything to stop them. They'll lie to look like the Good Guys, until they reach their power. An example is the Emperor from star Wars.

All three of these can antagonize large groups of people, and in many cases, look good on the outside or have good intentions. These are what I'd call the ideal antagonists. Not small-time killers who cause people to move with a Vengeance.