In this highly serious, prestigious and highbrow discussion, it is important maintain a strict standard. There should be no favouritism, no biases or personal prejudices.
The fact that Yzma is a particular favourite of mine should have no bearing of proceedings. We are here to determine her merit as your TTRPGs model for a quality BBEG. Individual preference must be placed to one side in order to maintain the validity of the debate.
As a wise scholar once said: squeak squeak squeakedy squeakley squeaky squeaken.
Presence – 4 out of 5
Yzma is a wonderful parody of Disney villains of the past. She should be menacing and dominating, but she is played for laughs whilst still posing a real threat. In a TTRPG, this is gold. As much as we might think of D&D and its like as super gritty and serious affair, players can often find the funny in the most stoic of NPCs.
As well as some incredible dialogue, she also does a healthy amount of fourth-wall breaking. It’s much more subtle than the Deadpool level of name-dropping and story-criticising, but it would allow the DM/GM some lovely moments for brevity.
She is, behind all the slapstick and snide remarks, still a bitter, sneering menace. She’s just very fun with it.
Atmosphere – 2 out of 5
In an urban environment, she commands a smidgen of respect. She can hold a room full of people to attention, pass laws, etc. The attention she’s paid is very passive.
She does have her own lair, though it’s setup is very vague. It does have the potential for an action set-piece on a stone rollercoaster, so that’s a plus.
In a forest, swamp or small village, her impact is near zero. Angry squirrel and wobbly-toothed child cares are almost entirely unphased by her arrival.
Omniscience – 2 out of 5
Neither Cuzko nor Yzma makes for an effective ruler, but the latter does at least has some apparent political skill. She seems to have an understanding of science beyond her current era in History.
On the other hand, she doesn’t know that Cuzko is alive after ordering his death, she’s oblivious to the llama stood next to her because he’s wearing a bonnet, and she can’t speak basic squirrel.
Henchmen – 3 out of 5
This is where personal bias could have been an issue. I’d give Kronk a 5 out of 5 just because I love him, but the integrity of this analysis must be upheld.
Kronk is strong, dependable and surprisingly insightful , but he’s also clumsy, dim, and once he finally realises he’s on the back guy’s team, not a bad guy anymore.
Bonus point for the guards though, the big blue and purple guys. They have a weak understanding or gravity and palace structure, but they will dive headlong in battle for Yzma even after they are polymorphed.
Unless they are turned into a cow. Obviously.
Threat Level – 3 out of 5
Skill with a knife and a spindly agility get Yzma on the scoreboard here, but it’s those potions that make this interesting. Providing she has control of the vials, we have Player Characters being turned into harmless barn animals and henchmen transforming into gorillas.
It’s not only a danger, but it’s a fun kind of danger for a TTRPG.
Finale – 2 out of 5
A lot of Disney movies end with a chase sequence, and whilst that can be fun, Table Top Games are most satisfying with a final encounter. This particular chase involves multiple polymorphs and a wild palace structure to navigate through. Nevertheless, a few good Athletics Checks and Wisdom Saving Throws and this finale is over. If it comes to a face to face brawl with Yzma, she has to hope that there’s a few guardsmen left to aid her.
Final Score = 2.66
It’s important to remember, that whilst Kronk bumbled to execution, Yzma made poison to kill Cuzko, not Polymorph him. So, if she can improve her labelling system, you can bet that in a fight her blade will be coated.
I also like the visual of her taking a swipe at one hero as another transforms into a squirrel.
| Disney Villain | Score |
| Jafar | 3.83 👑 |
| Lyle Tiberius Rourke | 3.66 |
| Hopper | 3.16 |
| Robert Callaghan | 3.00 |
| The Horned King | 3.00 |
| Gaston LeGume | 2.66 |
| Yzma | 2.66 |
| Cruella de Vil | 2.00 |
| Mor’du | 1.83 |
| Queen of Hearts | 1.33 |
So Yzma and Gaston are on equal terms. I think that makes sense. They are both awesome villains for different purposes. Yzma works for a more comedic, more wild, low level adventure. Gaston plays a more gritty villain for a more oppressive, more personal adventure. In both cases, the adventure would revolve around keeping a prince safe, but in entirely different atmospheres.
Thank You For Reading
The other Disney BBEG contenders are right here.
Gamer Peak 