Topic: What do you consider in a Villain?

How do you personally define a Villain or antagonist if you prefer? What features do you particularly find to make them an effective road block or obstacle to the "Hero's" goal? In this thread post what attributes you think make an effective villain. They don't have to be "evil" in any sorts, they could very well be people whose ideals conflict with the Main character's or they could be tragic characters that would desperately go through their limits to fill a void in their hearts who you can't help but sympathize.
Also, post some of your favorite villains from any Videogame, movie, comic book etc.

Here are my favorites, POTENTIAL SPOILERS:
1. Majora - This guy just wants to kill everyone, no lust for power, no world conquest, he just wants to satisfy his sadistic intent. He just sends the moon to obliterate the Earth but not before tormenting its inhabitants just because he finds it fun to, and he even takes advantage of a confused little boy throughout the game . I didn't really play Majora's mask but after hearing this guy's backstory, I think he is still Nintendo's greatest villain yet and the pure manifestation of the Zelda universe IMO.

2. Hannibal Lector - Even when he's behind bars or strapped helplessly, you still feel you're in danger when you're left alone to stare in his cold gazing eyes. This guy is what I like most about villains, he seems formal yet you can't say for sure what he's planning inside that calculating mind of his.

1. Majora - This guy just wants to kill everyone, no lust for power, no world conquest, he just wants to satisfy his sadistic intent. He just sends the moon to obliterate the Earth but not before tormenting its inhabitants just because he finds it fun to, and he even takes advantage of a confused little boy throughout the game . I didn't really play Majora's mask but after hearing this guy's backstory, I think he is still Nintendo's greatest villain yet and the pure manifestation of the Zelda universe IMO.

2. Hannibal Lector - Even when he's behind bars or strapped helplessly, you still feel you're in danger when you're left alone to stare in his cold gazing eyes. This guy is what I like most about villains, he seems formal yet you can't say for sure what he's planning inside that calculating mind of his.

So basically The Joker.

@Karakato YES! Majora is insane, amazing and can probably dance better than everyone on this site.
But porky/pokey from Mother 3. He just loved being a turd to everybody originally, and got increasingly more sadistic as the years went by until his childish toying became very vicious.

The best villians are almost always either
1. Incredibly interesting, complex characters who are (perhaps) unpredictable and are just facinating to watch or read about. They exist because complex characters that are 3 dimensional is a good thing.
2. Characters that are complete evil and clever monsters. They are manipulative and have no morals and could kick a puppy and do it without looking like a self-parody. You love to hate them and they exist because you want to see them defeated, likely by the protagonist, which is a good thing.

Not LJM >:3
_{he so mad.}

Ahem yes what pix said. u_u

@Emerals you mean BJM >:3

Go watch Batman the Animated Series.

my two favorites are

Darth Vader - he is so evil and cold, if he had not turn back to the light, he would have killed Luke, his own son

Joker (The Dark Knight) a total maniac. With total unknown orgin or goals.

Well, they first of all dont solve puzzles, and they must stand in awkward poses.

"Darth Vader" simple as that

A character defined by conservative ideals.

1. Sephiroth
2. Kefka

I'm gonna go ahead and second this.
Because kk said that waaaay better than I could have myself.