Wow, I don't think I've been here since January. College has absolutely destroyed any semblance of free time this semester. I can't even begin to fathom all that I have missed here on this website. Now on to the question. What would scare you more in a villain? A total hypocrite, like a guy who ignores his own rules whenever he wants just because he can? Or a guy who applies his horrifying beliefs evenly to everyone? He might kill his wife or son because, for whatever reason, they aren't pure anymore. Personally, I'm not sure. The first is unpredictable, but the no one is immune under the second. Tell me what you think!
The former by some margin, in my opinion. At least if you put a foot wrong, if you failed him, then you knew exactly what the consequences were. If, on the other hand you have an equal chance of being guillotined as getting a giant slice of chocolate cake... I'm not sure my heart would be able to take it!
The former, as well. Being unpredictable is something terrifying (and interesting to read). I think the scariest villain is the one you cannot reason with. Their definition of right and wrong is messed up, they're cruel and don't feel empaty.
Well having grown up under the rule of 175lb monster. Unpredictability works great, however when making good on their word, or worse is actually scarier. Because you know they are not trying to hide the fact that they intend to do what they say they are going to do. Far scarier to have a villain that makes good on their promises, as they will strike when you least expect it. And usually far harder than what they originally had said.
I find the former scarier for reason stated above: less predictable! How and when will they strike? Even if a villain is tough, if you know what he's like, at least you can adapt.
Personally for me the latter is much scarier. I mean sure the unpredictable one can be very dangerous but the second guy sounds like one of those crazy extreme fundamentalists to me and for me that sort of thing is horrifying an frightening
That he would unexpectedly turn into a werewolf. Which leads me to the unpredictable one. That's the man-turns-to-werewolf all the time. With the fundamentalist, at least you know where you're standing. With the unpredictable sociopath you don't know the rules because he/she makes them up and tears them down as he/she pleases.
Well if you do the first one it can still have elements of the second. If they promise to harm someone you never know if they will follow through or not, so the threat will hover over you. Also if they are that unpredictable they might still go after people you would assume they would protect just because.
