The Best Dark Lords in D&D, Ranked

Important takeaways

• Dark Lords in the Domains of Horror rule with cruelty and delight in tormenting their subjects.
• Some Darklords, like Draga Salt-Biter, have ironic fears or unique backstories that add depth to their villainy.
• Dark Lords like Strahd Von Zarovich are complex and intriguing villains with unique abilities and traits that make them memorable.

The Domains of Dread are often placed where despair, corruption and injustice are irrevocably rooted in the foundations, impossible for anyone to sift out. Those unlucky enough to be born in this place or drawn in through the mists suffer the tyrannical cruelty of the lords of that area.

These Dark Lords often possess the strength and skills needed to enforce their draconian rule, and delight in the torment of anyone born or wandering too far into the mists. From vampires to pirates and doctors to ancient lichens, these Darklords are among some of the best villains in the entire world Dungeons and dragons.

8 Drag Salt Bites

A WereShark with a rather ironic fear

Of all the Darklords, Draga Salt-Biter is among the least evil, although he has committed many evil deeds during his years as a pirate, and later as a Darklord. Aboard the ship, he treated his men fairly, although he could be a little harsh. It was simply people who were not part of the crew who suffered from his wrath, as he truly reveled in the life of a pirate. The only thing he despised about his life in the sea was the sharks that swam in the sea, even though he himself was a white shark.

This contradictory fear remained even when he took over the domain of Saragossa, reigning with callousness in his melancholy company, even more terrified of sharks now. But for those who dared to step into his land, they could come face to face with a megalodon, who despite fearing them, can muster the courage to use them as weapons against his enemies.

7 Tristen ApBlanc

Leads a cursed existence as both vampire and ghost

Although the smallest Domain of Dread, Forlorn is by no means insignificant. It was the second domain to become part of the Demiplane, after Barovia. It became a temporary refuge for Jander after his failed attempt to kill Strahd and it is where the peculiar humanoid Tristan lives, on the border between the living and the dead. By day he is a living vampire, but every night he rises as a ghost, only to return to being a vampire at dawn.

This contradictory nature would drive anyone crazy, so it's no wonder Tristan kills anyone who gets too close, even family members. But there's also the fact that Tristan is unapologetically evil, having been born with the curse of vampirism. This fact does not detract from Tristan's status as a notable Darklord and nice villain. The time shifts that occur to adventurers entering his castle give them insight into parts of Tristan, revealing different aspects that can make him more likable or horrified.

6 Tsien Chiang

Uses the bodies of his enemies to build his home

Even before she became a Dark Lord, Tsien was a twisted individual who usurped her entire family to secure the seat of power in the Chiang Kingdom of Kara-Tur. Once she gained the place by killing her father and weakening the minds of the rest of her family, her reign was filled with cruelty and savagery. Any suitor who wanted to win her hand had to survive battle, and they were just a way for her to have daughters. Once they outlived her usefulness, they were killed, and their bones, blood, and flesh used to decorate her home.

Now she continues to rule with ruthlessness in the Domain of Dread I'Cath, instilling fear in all who live in the cursed land and falling back into her patterns of literally painting with the blood of her enemies. The face she revels in such brutality makes Tsien one of the more fearsome and savage Darklords, one people can't help but admire, even if she doesn't entirely agree with every one of her beliefs.

5 Mother Lorinda

A contender for worst mother figure of all

All is not as it seems in the land of Tepest. These rolling green hills hide dark secrets and whispers of great evil lurking wherever the sun's golden rays don't quite reach. Mother Lorinda claimed the villagers as her own children, but there doesn't seem to be a motherly bone in her body. Rather, she uses these villagers as cattle for her own cursed offspring.

A madman cast out of his coven for demanding the love of his own children, there are few lengths mother Lorinda would not go to in order to secure her dreams of a loving child, even if she must threaten, coerce or coerce the love of Other. She certainly stands out as unique among the Darklords, and her skewed interpretation of motherhood opens up interesting ways to interpret and roleplay her character.

4 Frantisek Markov

A doctor who hurts more than he heals

Markovia is perhaps only the most disturbing domain adventurers may have the misfortune of stumbling into. While most other Domains of Dread have other semblances of life than their Darklords, Markovia is more desolate in that regard. The citizens of Markovia not only suffer from poverty or disease under his rule, but are the unwilling victims of his depraved experiments. AThistwisted doctor has a vision of creating a creature that is both man and beast and so far has not had much success.

So in this world it's just Markov and broken ones, whose mental states deteriorate from the trauma of the experiment, until they're nothing more than mindless and feral beasts. Although Markov is a one-track mind, he is still a fascinating Darklord. Players will be plagued with curiosity as to why this project means so much to him and what his ultimate goal is. But is there really any method to Frantisek's madness?

3 Azaline

The most draconian dark lord

Ruler of a domain with strong ties to death and darkness, Azalin is as deadly and dark as characters come, from his skeletal appearance to the iron hand he wields to rule over his domain, Darkon. Even before he became the dreaded Dark Lord, Azalin was far from a benevolent and gentle being. Neglected by his parents as a child, he turned to the pursuit of magic, something that was not welcomed with open arms in his family's kingdom.

His fanatical pursuit of immortality led him from the path of humanity to the lichdom, which inevitably led him to the Realms of the Mist and found his own kingdom after his dispute with Barovian's own ruler, Strahd Von Zarovich. With some pretty interesting lore in his background and a character that wasn't even completely corrupt, Azalin remains one of the more intriguing Darklords, with an interesting domain to boot.

2 Ivana Boritsi and Ivan Dilisnya

The common rulers are equally cruel and scary

Unfortunately for the citizens of Borza, they get two Darklords for the price of one – Ivana Bortisi and Ivan Dilisnya. Also unfortunately for them, the class gap between the poor and the rich is so wide that not even an aasimar could take the plunge. The poor suffer dire straits while the nobility devote themselves to the finer things in life, ignorant or apathetic to the struggles of the nobility.

No one is more hardened in the face of their difficult situation than the rulers. Ivana is a skilled poisoner who won't hesitate to use her skills for her own gain, and Ivan, although bedridden, makes creepy toys that aren't the kind a child would want to find under the tree on Christmas morning. As cruel as they are unsettling, this terrifying duo is not only among the best Darklords, but the best villains in Dungeons and dragons in total.

1 Strahd von Zarovich

A deceptively charming vampire

This particular Darklord is the most famous, appearing in two campaigns in Advanced Dungeons and Dragonsand D&D 5e. The Barovians rule over the despairing and gloomy land of Barovia and live in fear of this tyrannical vampire who has lured many of the citizens to his castle. None other than Ireena Kolyana suffers more from Strahd, who pursues her because of her resemblance to Tatiana.

If this story sounds familiar, it may be because of its similarity to Draculawhich was most likely a great source of inspiration. Thankfully, Strahd's story and character have enough differences to be a truly unique and intriguing character. Although skilled in combat with many spells at his disposal, Strahd prefers to toy with his prey rather than kill them outright, which makes him such a fun villain to play, and the best Darklord of all.