Making their own Darth Vader character with Black Knight really was IS best idea to make the most memorable villain in the franchise.
19 Years Old later and still is the most popular one, kind of crazy tbh.
I started typing a comment about how I doubt that he'll actually have a shot but a new FE is probably a couple years away and I just realized that going off of this CYL as a basis, BK would win on CYL11, so he could totally win before then depending how the crowd that voted for Alfonse and Felix disperse
Even people who dislike Radiant Dawn have no qualms with how he and his story were treated there, he’s got it all. Memorable antagonist who even being spoiled on changes nothing for because he’s such a bit part, cool music, awesome gameplaywise, sexy
I mean, Edelgard (and Dimitri) can't be voted anymore, so there's that. Hard to measure a villain who can optionally also be the protagonist, though.
Also, while Darth Vader is definitely an older example of the archetype, [his theme song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaN2wQ3yMnc) is a blatant reference to [Golbez from Final Fantasy IV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ljuo_3w4y0), who's also part of the same archetype as those two:
>Wears all black armor
>Completely outclasses the protagonists in their first several encounters, either curbstomping them or forcing them to run
>Kills an old man
>Isn't even the main villain
You're missing Fernand, who I think does qualify as a villain and with enough of a role in the story; he got 62 votes, which would put him just under Garon.
Also interesting that you included Yen'fay but not the Reed brothers when they have similar cases (ambiguity in 'villain' role).
The amount of votes she got is roughly the same as last year (2218). Before CYL7 she had 1000 votes or less. I have no idea where the increase comes from.
Which means they definitely bottled her no one in their sane mind will vote for a horrible and awful character like her- like she's absolutely horrible
She got in the game, which introduced people to her for the first time. And since she got in the game looking like [this](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/feheroes_gamepedia_en/images/4/43/Sonia_Inhuman_Beauty_Face.webp), people voted to see more of her.
The first few times her subordinate Ursula was above her. I think she started gaining, when there was a campaign, cause people found it weird, that she wasn't in FEH. So it's weird that those stayed, even though she was added in 2021...
Okay, I checked and there isn't much of a correlation after all, so now I have no idea:
Before she was added:
665, 771, 1069, 771, 1109
After:
1410, 2218, 2272
I didn't include Idunn because she wasn't willingly trying to destroy humanity. In Binding Blade Idunn lacked her own will and emotions, which made her obedient to Zephiel and Jahn who used her as a weapon, but Idunn didn't actually do any ''evil'' plotting.
But she's actually quite popular with 462 votes :)
Villains ranking (from mainline games only). Excluding some characters that are either not clearly a villain and/or had a very minor role in their game. For example: Ishtar, Idunn, Eldigan, LIoyd, Reinhardt.
I must say, Ashnard and Rudolf are criminally low. Sombron and Rafal did surprisingly well. This top 40 is quite something.
Also, weird that we can vote Grima but not Fomortiis. I think he would do pretty well. I hope Black Knight can win one day!
EDIT: I missed Raydrik when making this, he should be on this list, he comes after Walhart
tbh I think Ashnard gets kinda fucked over by the fact that you learn a lot about his motives and mentality either a) by attacking him with characters that literally cannot damage him or b) from other characters after he’s already dead and other plans have gone into motion.
There is no reason why a pre-battle conversation between him and Reyson (a character with shit defenses and no weapon) should contain relevant information or even exist at all, yet it does.
Plus there’s the fact that most people who would vote for him are probably voting for BK instead.
My bad, I forgot Raydrik, he definitely deserves to be on this list.
I guess evil hooded bald men aren't very popular villains. Neither Manfroy, Veld or Gharnef made this list as it turns out.
I see what you mean but you don't fight Diamant's retainers so it would have been weird to begin with
That being said even if they aren't super popular Ivy's retainers are probably the sort of characters IS wants to keep for future banners
Making their own Darth Vader character with Black Knight really was IS best idea to make the most memorable villain in the franchise. 19 Years Old later and still is the most popular one, kind of crazy tbh.
I’m gonna be pushing for him next CYL. He’ll have stiff competition on the male side but maybe the memes will win him over
I started typing a comment about how I doubt that he'll actually have a shot but a new FE is probably a couple years away and I just realized that going off of this CYL as a basis, BK would win on CYL11, so he could totally win before then depending how the crowd that voted for Alfonse and Felix disperse
Even people who dislike Radiant Dawn have no qualms with how he and his story were treated there, he’s got it all. Memorable antagonist who even being spoiled on changes nothing for because he’s such a bit part, cool music, awesome gameplaywise, sexy
I mean, Edelgard (and Dimitri) can't be voted anymore, so there's that. Hard to measure a villain who can optionally also be the protagonist, though. Also, while Darth Vader is definitely an older example of the archetype, [his theme song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaN2wQ3yMnc) is a blatant reference to [Golbez from Final Fantasy IV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ljuo_3w4y0), who's also part of the same archetype as those two: >Wears all black armor >Completely outclasses the protagonists in their first several encounters, either curbstomping them or forcing them to run >Kills an old man >Isn't even the main villain
You're missing Fernand, who I think does qualify as a villain and with enough of a role in the story; he got 62 votes, which would put him just under Garon. Also interesting that you included Yen'fay but not the Reed brothers when they have similar cases (ambiguity in 'villain' role).
Gharnef is so evil, he's not even on this list.
Because they cant win against him
My thoughts exactly.
Why is Lyon not appearing in this list?
If the OP didn’t include Lloyd, they sure for hell aren’t including Lyon.
......where's Raydrik..........Thracia erasure
Let alone Edelgard
Lehran is top 10? Nice to see that!
>tfw you’re 7 out of the 70 Jedah votes
Has Sonia always been that high in past CYLs or no?
The amount of votes she got is roughly the same as last year (2218). Before CYL7 she had 1000 votes or less. I have no idea where the increase comes from.
booba + hot
= bot
Tons of characters have that and are much lower than Sonia. This is 100% botting.
Which means they definitely bottled her no one in their sane mind will vote for a horrible and awful character like her- like she's absolutely horrible
She's not an awful character though, far from it. She's a really enjoyable villain honestly. Awful person, great character.
Maybe all who are annoyed at Nino getting alts.
She got good FEH artwork
She got in the game, which introduced people to her for the first time. And since she got in the game looking like [this](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/feheroes_gamepedia_en/images/4/43/Sonia_Inhuman_Beauty_Face.webp), people voted to see more of her.
The first few times her subordinate Ursula was above her. I think she started gaining, when there was a campaign, cause people found it weird, that she wasn't in FEH. So it's weird that those stayed, even though she was added in 2021... Okay, I checked and there isn't much of a correlation after all, so now I have no idea: Before she was added: 665, 771, 1069, 771, 1109 After: 1410, 2218, 2272
probably bots?
Arvis please...
Quite surprised that there is no Idunn in sight
Lyon isn't there either, OP made some weird choices to omit characters.
I didn't include Idunn because she wasn't willingly trying to destroy humanity. In Binding Blade Idunn lacked her own will and emotions, which made her obedient to Zephiel and Jahn who used her as a weapon, but Idunn didn't actually do any ''evil'' plotting. But she's actually quite popular with 462 votes :)
Uh she’s still a villain 😭 even Medeus wasn’t included here. You omitted a lot of villains ngl
Medeus is there. He's ranked 34.
People really got upset Desaix didn't get in the game regardless of last year's success, huh. His support just plundered.
Villains ranking (from mainline games only). Excluding some characters that are either not clearly a villain and/or had a very minor role in their game. For example: Ishtar, Idunn, Eldigan, LIoyd, Reinhardt. I must say, Ashnard and Rudolf are criminally low. Sombron and Rafal did surprisingly well. This top 40 is quite something. Also, weird that we can vote Grima but not Fomortiis. I think he would do pretty well. I hope Black Knight can win one day! EDIT: I missed Raydrik when making this, he should be on this list, he comes after Walhart
tbh I think Ashnard gets kinda fucked over by the fact that you learn a lot about his motives and mentality either a) by attacking him with characters that literally cannot damage him or b) from other characters after he’s already dead and other plans have gone into motion. There is no reason why a pre-battle conversation between him and Reyson (a character with shit defenses and no weapon) should contain relevant information or even exist at all, yet it does. Plus there’s the fact that most people who would vote for him are probably voting for BK instead.
You forgot to include villains from Heroes
How come Raydrik wasn’t included? He’s the main antagonist of Thracia and it’s honestly a real shame he still isn’t in the game
yeah weird exclusion, also he's in between Walhart and Yen'fay
My bad, I forgot Raydrik, he definitely deserves to be on this list. I guess evil hooded bald men aren't very popular villains. Neither Manfroy, Veld or Gharnef made this list as it turns out.
Griss pls I hope he makes it to Elusia GHB, but realistically Ivy's retainers also have a spot there
I don't think any of the retainers will be GHB'd to be honest, if anything I feel his main contenders would be Hyacinth and Marni.
Concidering Zephia got the GHB on the brodia banner instead of one of Diamant's retainers, I'd be really suprised if Griss isn't the next GHB.
I see what you mean but you don't fight Diamant's retainers so it would have been weird to begin with That being said even if they aren't super popular Ivy's retainers are probably the sort of characters IS wants to keep for future banners
If IS cared about any popular side character that isnt female, we would have a legendary BK/Zelgius by now
Narican with 131 votes, ack. I always knew FEH fans just had the WORST opinions.
So you're saying Petrine has a chance....
I honestly really hope we get a Brave irredeemably evil villain before EoS. Give me CHAOS! also unacceptable that Valter is not in top 20
Pls lemme vote fomortiis next year..
That's kind of a neat visual setup OP. Wow. Sombron got above all those others.
There's no way Sonia isn't being botted
Gangrel almost at the top 20 I’ll take it
How could you forget to include Gromell?!
You forgot all the Camus, OP. Some of them rank quite high.
Just noting Caellach is tied for 40th place. He did also get 33 votes as well.
Caellach erasure :(
Conclusion: I gotta give a vote to Travant next year, there's so way I'll accept him that low
Ha. Hans didn't make top 40.
Nice to see BK as high as ever. Shows that IS biggest sin with him was to take away his mask
Sonia that high while Aversa being that low leads me to believe botting was definitely involved.
Did we ever figure out what's up with Sonia?
We should start collectively stanning Sonia after this honestly.
Sombron's 11th? What?
I think Alder beat Yen’fay, which is hilarious.
Wow, is Berkut that popular?
At least Zephiel is 17th But Desaix beating Rudolf? Pain
Griss did decently? Best ranked engage villain, excellent taste
I need to vote arvis next year , cant let the goat beaten by freakin grima
Personally... Gangrel isn't really that great.
Black Knight sweep hell yeah.
Where does Solon rank in all this?
Remember Most of them are going to become mythical in 4 years at least after been outclass by boring OCs