The resounding success of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves introduced a wider audience to the rich lore of the Forgotten Realms, and within it, the character Szass Tam. This powerful lich, ruler of Thay, thrilled viewers with his insidious charm and cunning intellect, establishing him as a notable antagonist within the cinematic adaptation.

However, as anticipation builds for great villain for an Honor Among Thieves sequel, his reuse as the central threat in Netflix’s show could diminish its potential in the realm of Dungeons & Dragons adaptations.

After Honor Among Thieves, Netflix's Dungeons & Dragons Show Shouldn't Use Szass Tam

The Movie Was So Well Received, It May Pale In Comparison To Use Him

Szass Tam's effectiveness as a villain in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stemmed from the established nuances of his character within the Forgotten Realms lore. Far from being a one-dimensional antagonist, Szass Tam is known for his charisma and a surprising tendency to respect his adversaries, regardless of his eventual plans for them as undead. This affable evil persona distinguishes him from typical liches, adding a layer of psychological intrigue to his interactions. He is a notorious schemer, making him well-known via numerous mentions of the villain in the Forgotten Realms setting.

This makes Szass Tam an ideal villain to kick off the series with, but using him in Netflix’s Forgotten Realms would feel too repetitive after Honor Among Thieves.

Beyond his personal charm, Szass Tam has immense ambition and intellect. As the ruler of Thay, he commands vast resources and employs intricate plots to achieve his long-term goals. This makes him a threat that transcends brute force, positioning him as a cunning manipulator and a powerful political player. His portrayal in the film tapped into this multifaceted nature, offering audiences a villain who is both clever and personable. This makes Szass Tam an ideal villain to kick off the series with, but using him in Netflix’s Forgotten Realms would feel too repetitive after Honor Among Thieves.

Netflix's Series Won't Stand Out By Repeating The D&D Movie's Villain

Netflix Needs To Carve Its Own D&D Narrative

Netflix's Forgotten Realms series risks feeling derivative if it features Szass Tam as its big bad, especially so soon after Honor Among Thieves. While the lich lord of Thay is a significant villain within the setting, revisiting him in a major way on a different platform would lack originality and could lead to audience fatigue. Viewers who enjoyed Honor Among Thieves would likely find it to be rehashed. Instead, they will likely expect Netflix to have its own treatment of the franchise. With so many possibilities, it makes little sense to make a seemingly lazy villain choice.

To truly stand out and offer a fresh perspective on the Forgotten Realms, the exciting Dungeons & Dragons Netflix series would benefit from delving into the vast roster of other villains the setting has to offer. This would allow it to carve its own territory, rather than echoing its cinematic predecessor.

Gamers get the opportunity to fight Szass Tam in Baldur’s Gate 2’s Enhanced Edition, but he teleports the player away when he is low on health.

In addition, Szass Tam works better as the underlying threat in a movie plot, with the possibility of appearing in a sequel. However, he is a villain who is very tough to beat. Gamers get the opportunity to fight Szass Tam in Baldur’s Gate 2’s Enhanced Edition, but he teleports the player away when he is low on health. He may be overpowered, at least for an initial season of a series.

Forgotten Realms Has A Number Of Great Villains The Netflix Show Can Choose From

With So Many Possibilities, It Makes No Sense To Reuse Szass Tam

The Netflix series set in the Forgotten Realms has a deep well of compelling antagonists to draw from the setting's extensive history and lore. There are plenty of alternatives to Szass Tam. Another potential adversary is Shar, the powerful goddess of darkness and loss, whose influence could cast a long shadow over the narrative, as she did for Shadowheart throughout the latest Baldur’s Gate game, especially in the Gauntlet of Shar in Baldur’s Gate 3.

These include the Dead Three, the immense power of Tiamat and her devoted Cult of the Dragon, and the terrifying undead sorcerer Vecna.

Beyond these figures, numerous other villains exist within the Forgotten Realms. These include the Dead Three, the immense power of Tiamat and her devoted Cult of the Dragon, and the terrifying undead sorcerer Vecna. The series could also explore less conventional threats, such as a dangerous alliance of various evil factions, or delve into the chaotic evil of Cyric, the fallen god of lies and murder, or the infernal schemes originating from Asmodeus and the Nine Hells. The vast and detailed lore of the Forgotten Realms presents numerous options for the central antagonist of Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons adaptation.