8 Common Types of Fantasy Characters

Your story can be situated within any of the many fantasy fiction subgenres (such as high fantasy, speculative fiction, epic fantasy, young adult, and urban fantasy), but ultimately, the cast of characters in your fantasy novel will likely conform to similar archetypes. Here are the most common types of characters found in fantasy writing:

1. 1. The hero: The hero is the single most important character in any fantasy story—they must undertake the quest and defeat the villain. Heroes can take many forms in fantasy books. Sometimes a hero is a fighter, ready to take on zombies, warlocks, or warlords with skill and enthusiasm. Heroes can also be antiheroes—a reluctant protagonist who needs to be convinced to inhabit their role as a hero (such as Tyrion Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin). Examples of a hero include Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien), Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit, also by Tolkein), Roland Deschain (The Dark Tower series by Stephen King), Buffy Summers (from the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Kvothe (Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss), and Conan the Barbarian.
2. 2. The villain: In fantasy novels, the villain functions as the primary antagonist to the hero. Fantasy authors often write these characters to directly personify the forces of evil. In many fantasy series and graphic novels, these character types are often magical overlords who command vast armies. Oftentimes, the villain was not always pure evil, and their backstory explains how they turned bad. Examples of a villain include Voldemort (the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling), the White Witch (Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis), Ursula (The Little Mermaid).
3. 3. The mentor: The mentor is one of the most important and memorable characters in the fantasy genre. The mentor is often a wise, elderly figure (such as an old wizard or shaman) who educates the main character and gives them the training and information necessary to save the world and triumph in the battle of good vs. evil. Mentor figures help the hero understand their true powers for the first time. Examples of a mentor include Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings), Aslan (The Chronicles of Narnia), and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars).
4. 4. The sidekick: In fantasy literature, the sidekick serves as a trusted confidant and steadfast supporter of the main character. This fantasy character is often the best friend of the protagonist, and their undying loyalty plays an integral part in the completion of our hero’s mission. Sidekicks often feel like real people from the real world, even if they exist in a fantasy world of mages, sorcerers, and magical powers. When the main character falls on hard times, the sidekick is there to remind them of their humanity, goals, and the stakes of their mission. Examples of a sidekick include Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings, Sir Kay (Legends of King Arthur), Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series), Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
5. 5. The henchman: Henchmen exist to do the dirty work of the main villain. They are functionally the sidekicks of the main villain, and though they usually lack the villain’s intellect, they make up for it in brawn. Examples of henchmen include Boba Fett (from Star Wars), orcs and the Uruk-Hai (Lord of the Rings).
6. 6. An alternate hero: In fantasy novel writing, the alternate hero occupies a space somewhere between protagonist and sidekick. Though they are not the primary focus of the story, they are also singularly focused on defeating the villain and resolving the conflict, just like the protagonist. The alternate hero has their own backstory, subplots, and stakes in the central dramatic question in order to make them compelling characters in their own right. Examples of an alternate hero include Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings), Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter).
7. 7. The love interest: The love interest is a common trope when writing fantasy stories, used to help show the human side of the protagonist. When writing characters like the love interest, give them rich three-dimensional backstories and compelling wants and desires. If they exist merely as a plot device for your protagonist, audiences are likely to find the character shallow and boring. Examples of love interests include Buttercup (The Princess Bride by William Goldman), Jamie Fraser (Outlander by Diana Gabaldon).
8. 8. The monster: The monster or evil creature is an otherworldly being (often some kind of undead reaper or fantastical beast) whose primary mission is to destroy and spread evil. These creatures cannot be reasoned with, and there is no spark of humanity waiting to be coaxed out. These are seemingly unstoppable killing machines and are often the most intimidating obstacle in your protagonist’s journey. Examples of a monster include The Dark One (The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan), Cthulhu (from H. P. Lovecraft’s cosmic horror stories).

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