Sadists (a term derived from 18th century French writer, libertine, political activist and nobleman Marquis de Sade) are people who feel joy at seeing their victims suffer, either physically or mentally. This kind of cruelty is also known as "Schadenfreude" (from Schaden = "injury"; Freude = "Joy"), though that term generally refers to cases where the sadist derives pleasure from pain inflicted by something other than themselves.

These villains can be Delusional, for example, if they convince themselves that their enemies must suffer and take enjoyment in doing so.

While it's common for many extremely evil and ruthless characters like Complete Monsters, Near Pure Evils, and Hate Sinks villains to be sadists, it is not always the case. It is not a requirement for a villain to take pleasure in the pain and misery of others to be Complete Monster. Sadism is a good factor to consider, but it is not a mandatory criterion. If anything, it can make your CM's actions scarier because they have nothing pleasant to gain from them. Even a Magnificent Baddie can have their moments of enjoying their enemies' pain.

Notes[]

• Please don't add any Sadomasochists here as Sadists as they are already sadistic, and it would be excessive categorizing. Also, a sadist doesn't like when they are hurt themselves, only when their enemies or anyone else is hurt, while a sadomasochist will enjoy everything's pain, their own included.
• Villains who simply enjoy the thrill of their crimes without taking joy in anyone's suffering do not fall under here. They go under Thrill-Seekers instead, although the two certainly can overlap.
• Villains who simply give off creepy or slasher smiles without being outwardly sadistic or enjoying anyone's pain also do not qualify.
• Being a sadist does not always mean that the character is Chaotic Evil and vice versa. In fact, it is also possible for Neutral Evil and Lawful Evil villains to be sadistic. Even characters with Lawful Neutral and Chaotic Neutral alignments to be sadists too.
• Being a sadist does not always mean that the character is Faux Affably Evil (or not affable in any way) or Equally Hostile. Affably Evil villains can also have sadistic tendencies.
• There is a much rarer possibility that Sadists will Redeem themselves if they decided to turn a new leaf and eventually help the heroes out. Even so, not all redeemed villains have permanently shredded their sadistic tendencies; some villains who DO redeem themselves will still retain their sadistic nature, even if they aid the heroes out.