Sensing Weaknesses and Opportunities



To be a good hunter, you have to follow your prey's tracks, get inside its head, and exploit its weaknesses before going in for the kill.

That is exactly the case in many a story, when the villain senses the hero or someone's weaknesses so he/she can exploit them and use them against his/her opponent.

He/she can also discover a way to:


 * Get inside a kingdom or an empire so he/she can invade it.
 * Carry out his/her evil plans.
 * Wage a war on someone.
 * Cheat in a game.

This especially comes about when:


 * The villain notices the hero failing, going down the wrong path and/or making a reckless decision.
 * The villain is running out of time.
 * The villain realizes something, like what the hero's weakness is.
 * The hero/heroine mistakingly gives away his/her hiding place.

While the villain can sense weaknesses and opportunities by him/herself, he/she can sometimes rely on his/her minions and/or stool pigeon to do so. In these cases, the villain's henchman lurks in the shadows, spying on the hero and/or someone so he/she can report back to his/her master, leading the villain to gain the opportunity to carry out his/her evil schemes.

Examples

 * Diablo, sent by Maleficent to find Aurora, discovers her hiding place after the Good Fairies mistakingly give it away, leading him to report back to his mistress.
 * After hearing that the Powhatans captured John Smith, Governor Ratcliffe senses the perfect opportunity to wage war on them.
 * Jenner senses an opportunity to kill Nicodemus by dropping the Brisby home on him.
 * After hearing that Prince Naveen is coming to the Masquerade Ball, Dr. Facilier senses an opportunity to get his money - by capturing the prince.
 * Shan Yu examines a doll and senses an opportunity to venture into the Tung-Shao Pass to bring down the Imperial Army and get to the Emperor to take over China.
 * After Chef Skinner realizes that Remy is making the recipes, he senses Linguini's weakness.
 * Ruber senses the perfect opportunity to find Excalibur after Bladebeak reports that Kayley and Garrett are following Ayden, who knows where the sword is.
 * Morgana attempts to bring down Alex, Kaye, Bedders, and Lance by exploiting their weaknesses.
 * After Captain Hook notices Jane trying to fly and failing, he sees her wanting to return home as an opportunity to use her in his plot to capture Peter Pan.
 * After his act goes down the drain, Krudsky discovers the Goblin Scepter as the perfect opportunity to get back in business.
 * Ursula sees Ariel's disobedience as a perfect opportunity to bring down King Triton and rule over the ocean.
 * Morgana sees Melody's locket, disobedience, and mermaid heritage as an opportunity to avenge her sister and take over Atlantica.
 * Honest John sees Pinocchio as a perfect opportunity to get his money.
 * Marina Del Rey spies on Ariel, her sisters, and Sebastian in the Catfish Club, then rats them out in a bid to obtain Sebastian's job as chief of staff.
 * Randall Weems overhears TJ and the Recess gang about to break into the school to save Principal Prickly, giving him an opportunity to report them to Ms. Finster.
 * After noticing Wreck-It Ralph's argument with Vanellope, Arthur senses Ralph's insecurities and discovers an opportunity to take over the Internet.
 * After Maurice tries to explain to the tavern staff about Belle being captured by the Beast, Gaston sees an opportunity to force Belle to become his wife, hatching a plan that involves trapping her father.
 * After hearing about an audition with L.B. Mammoth, Darla Dimple senses an opportunity to get Danny and the other animals kicked out of Hollywood.