Overratedroth.

[VeloZer0]

I would say that Kefka is probably less cruel than Sephiroth. Kefka wishes to destroy the world because he is a misguided nihilist. He believes life is meaningless pain and therefore he wishes to end it all for everyone, releasing them into the sweet embrace of death. From his perspective, this is a nice thing to do.

This would be true if he was into killing people swiftly as opposed to drawing out their miserable existences and killing them slowly for enjoyment.

Sephiroth on the other hand wishes to destroy a world merely to gain its power and become a God and then rule over another planet. His intention is therefore purely self-centered which makes him slightly more villainous (motive-wise).

Sephiroth generally stuck to killing people who were in his way. For him killing people was a means not an end. Killing someone for a reason is generally regarded as less evil than killing for fun.

Sephiroth also enjoys screwing with Cloud's mind. There are opportunities where he could have destroyed Cloud, but he chose to rather let him live so he could gain some thrill out of taunting him. A plan that ultimately backfires. Kefka on the other hand is more of a physical destruction kind of person.

I think he just saw it as more of a way to use his tool. Up until after Mideel Sephiroth always felt he had complete control over Cloud so he was no threat, and since he could be used as a tool why would he kill him. And breaking Cloud's mind was an important part of actually getting the Black Materia.

Although Sephiroth didn't achieve his goals, it doesn't make him less villainous. It just means that the opposition against him were more skilled. And ultimately, what it comes down to, is that Sephiroth burnt down your village and killed a character close to you. Kefka may have poisoned Doma, but there is no real emotional attachment to the place. There is only the one scene in the Forest with the train where you feel Cyan's misery. It is more kind of like: Kefka poisons castle. Cyan becomes angry challenges him. Party helps Cyan. Cyan joins party.

Whereas Sephiroth's destruction of Nibelheim occurs after you make an attachment with the characters (as you will have played with them). The flashback also creates attachments to Cloud's mum (for example). So when Sephiroth burns it down and almost kills Tifa, it has a greater emotional impact.

I duno, I was kind of attached to the entire world that Kefka f'ed up.

I don't think Sephiroth killing Aeris needs to be explained. And there is no counter-argument that Kefka did something similar.

This I agree with you on. Anyone who even brings up General Leo as an equivalent example is out of their mind. However, I personally place far more importance on world destruction as a measure of villainy than personal closeness to the victims.

They're both cool, but I prefer Sephiroth as a villain because of the personal feel of the villainy he does. He also does have a cool backstory and he would technically be the Fallen Hero type of villain.

I could never get over the whole clown look Kefka has going on. Suits him perfectly but I'm still not a fan.

In summary, I think Kefka was a better villain but I like Sephiroth better. And I don't think Sephiroth ever gets his fair due. He is either highly over rated, or highly under rated by most people.