User blog:Alfex/Bigger bads

From Villains Wiki:

In works of fictions starring many villains, there can be either a main antagonist for each story arc or a Big Bad standing at the top of the hierarchy. In the latter case, however, one (or sometimes more than one) villain even more powerful and influential than the Big Bad himself can be introduced: the aptly-named Bigger Bad, also known as a Greater Scope Villain or Overarching Antagonist. Exceptions aside, the Bigger Bad ultimately has a smaller role than the Big Bad in focus.

However, the Bigger Bad is pretty much the main reason for the circumstances in the story that usually wouldn't be (naturally) possible to occur (pollution, artifact of doom, evil ancient group to which the Big Bad used to belong/is acting as a leader, etc). They can also be the main supply of power for the Big Bad, and sometimes the very motivation for said Big Bad to act villainously. Should the story ultimately end up putting more focus on the Bigger Bad, it may over-cede the current antagonist as the Big Bad. This type of villain often serves as an unseen character or is revealed at the very end of the story.

The bigger bad isn't necessarily an unseen or a posthumous character. They can be active in the story but they're not the main threat.

Bigger bads that I know of:

 * The Crown and The Flame, books 1 and 2: Azura (Her past conflict with the Nevrakises is what made them the Ryses' enemies)
 * The Freshman, Book 1: Shannon Davenport (possibly raised Becca to be a jerk in the book)
 * The Freshman, Book 2: Dorian Delacroix and Nathan Sterling (both were Sebastian's motivation to sabotage Chris' election)
 * Rules of Engagement series: Jonathan (his manipulation of Mallory (MC's aunt) is what made her hostile towards her nephew and nieces).
 * The Royal Heir series: Julius Caesar (He was a member of Via Imperii and no older member is known so he was most likely the founder)
 * High School Story, Book 1: Rodger and Loretta Crandall (their upbringing of their son is what made him what he is in the series)
 * High School Story, Book 2: Blackbird and Phantom (Isa's debt to them is the reason for her crimes)
 * It Lives in the Woods: Douglas Redfield (The Mr. Red MC's party faced was Jane Marshall)
 * Bloodbound, Book 1: Gaius Augustine (He was behind several of the major events throughout the book)
 * Bloodbound, Book 2: Rheya Apostolous (she was Gaius' motivation for his evil acts)
 * Bloodbound, Book 3: Sons of Ares (the murder of Rheya's family by them is what made her evil)
 * Veil of Secrets: Margaret Sterling (She set up Jeff to be a murderer by masterminding the murder of his biological mother)
 * Desire & Decorum series: Rupert Foredale (Forced the divorce of Clara's parents, thus setting up Henrietta as her stepmother, and Duke Richards was his protege)
 * The Royal Masquerade: Damon Fierro (though Renza is more dangerous, he's what motivated her to plot against MC)