<h2>CHAPTER CONFLICT ABILITIES</h2>
<p>
  When you create an antagonist, consider how they will behave during conflicts.
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Each Villain has one or more preferred conflict types: some might favor
    social occasions; others may prefer to engage the heroes in battle. The most
    obnoxious antagonists are the ones that avoid conflict scenes at all costs —
    but even then, Ultima Points aren't an infinite resource.
  </li>
  <li>
    To properly challenge the heroes, Villains should be elites or champions
    (see <a href="/books/core/#page-295">page 295</a>) or be accompanied by some
    allies: this is to ensure they can perform multiple actions during each
    conflict round.
  </li>
  <li>
    Because of their importance, a battle against a Villain should be treated as
    a <strong>boss fight</strong> (see
    <a href="/books/core/#page-300">page 300</a> for details on how to design
    one).
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  Powerful antagonists might also be protected by a “plot armor” that prevents
  Player Characters from fighting them unless they have a specific item, spell,
  or other assets at their disposal. Generally you don’t want to overdo this —
  one or two such “tricks” over the course of the entire campaign are more than
  enough.
</p>
<h2>AND FINALLY, A DRAMATIC ENTRANCE</h2>
<p>
  A Villain’s entrance should be an intense moment that sets the tone for their
  role in the story. Think of it as a video game cutscene: you get a few seconds
  to show your audience what this Villain looks like and hint at the kind of
  forces and weapons at their disposal — soldiers, forgotten technology,
  powerful magic, or a healthy dose of supernatural strength.
</p>
<p>
  During your preparation stage before a session, it may be helpful to focus on
  the reveals key moments — you have to condense everything important in a
  couple of sentences. It should be something like this:
</p>
<p>
  Approaching with heavy footfalls, the figure rests a hand on a sword the likes
  of which you’ve never seen... a delicate gesture, but her grip is steady.
</p>
<p>
  “It appears we are here for the same reason,” she says. “Unfortunately, I
  cannot let you have that which I need. Stand back, and no one shall be
  injured.”
</p>
<p>
  With a few words, you have communicated that this is likely a proud and
  honorable adversary who is also very determined. That sword of hers? That’s
  bad news!
</p>
<p>
  "When you chose to fight not to protect your people, but to prove them
  wrong... that is what made you a villain."
</p>