User blog comment:The Woolly Howl/What makes Viggo such a formidable villain?/@comment-28383077-20161102051702

This is a very good analysis, and I really like the ideas here. You outlined very well why he's a compelling villain. I'm not sure I'd use the word "complex" here. Viggo is pretty simple in concept; he's out for his own personal gain and goals - money-related in his case - and is willing to use whatever means necessary to get them. Fairly straightforward. But I think this actually works to the show's advantage, because if he were more complex and understanble, he might not be as scary. His unpredictability, stemming from his manipulation, schemes, intelligence, and the fact that we do not know him well enough to know what he might do next, is what keeps us on our toes. The only thing you do know is that he will be ruthless and practical in achieving his goal, and that is frightening. His smarts mean he's constantly pushing Hiccup's own strategic skill, making the battles ones of wit rather than brute force, and that's far more compelling and has far more uncertainty and tension because you're never sure how things will shift. Drago just mows everyone down, and while that's far harder to confront and has much bigger stakes, you can see where the battle is going, and when the shift in action comes, it's pretty predictable. The tension and uncertainty isn't as high, even though the danger is greater.

There's another element that sets Viggo apart, too, which I think is why he is battle with Hiccup lasts so much longer than Drago's. Drago has an inflated image of himself, thinking he's unbeatable, and so can't conceive of himself being beaten and even gives Hiccup the chance to try, which leads to his own downfall. Viggo is more realistic about his abilities, willing to pull out or compromise when he sees the stakes against him...meaning he can come back to fight another day. For him, you may lose the battle and still win the war. For Drago, the battle is the war.