#rwby plot

You Can't Thwart Stage One (Cinder/Salem Circle Analysis)

RWBY Volume 3 Analysis

This analysis focuses on the events of RWBY Volume 3, particularly the Vale Arc, and the villains' success in achieving their goals. It draws on insights from TV Tropes and the RWBY wiki. Feel free to share your thoughts or conclusions in comments or reblogs.

The Vale Arc: Villains' Triumph

Despite numerous opportunities, the heroes fail to thwart the villains' scheme in Volume 3, achieving only minor victories. The villains' plan unfolds successfully due to the heroes' repeated failures:

They cannot prevent the villains from infecting the control tower with a virus.

They fail to stop a bomb-laden train from releasing Grimm into Vale, allowing the villains to pose as allies by "saving" the city.

The villains manipulate Yang into attacking a seemingly defeated opponent during a live broadcast.

They orchestrate Pyrrha's accidental killing of Penny during another broadcast.

Using these moments, the villains seize global airwaves to deliver a speech that triggers a massive Grimm invasion.

As a result, Beacon Academy is destroyed, many lives are lost (including two key characters), Cinder gains the Fall Maiden's full power, and Salem confirms the Relic of Choice is hidden at the school. Salem concludes the volume with a speech to Ozpin, vowing to extinguish humanity's hope and destroy all he holds dear.

The heroes' limited successes include:

Saving Vale city, which the villains deem unimportant.

Freezing the Grimm Wyvern to Beacon's ruined tower, inadvertently attracting more Grimm and preventing Huntsmen from reclaiming the school.

Permanently injuring Cinder, fueling her obsession with vengeance against Ruby. (Which is useless as Cinder and Salem get Vale destroyed anyhow)

Villains' Strategy: Flaw Exploitation

The villains' success stems from exploiting the heroes' weaknesses during a vulnerable period when training and systems prioritize strengths over addressing flaws. Their "Stage One" plan is meticulously crafted to succeed without interference, leveraging deep intel and preparations. However, there is no equally strategic "Stage Two." The chaos they create prevents them from immediately targeting another static objective, making their victory a surprise escalation in a cold war rather than a bid for world domination. The lack of a clear endgame contributes to their success by obscuring their ultimate intentions, slowing the heroes' responses.

Villains' Dynamics

Surprisingly, Salem commands a small inner circle, with few minions. Unlike larger villain groups like DC's Legion of Doom, her team is effective despite internal tensions and mutual dislike, with occasional villainous friendships. They outmaneuver larger organizations and make fools of their opponents.

Cinder Fall

Cinder, initially presented as a formidable antagonist, self-destructs due to her flaws. Her obsession with power lacks a clear purpose, mirroring Salem's ambiguous goals. Her backstory reveals a desire to avoid pain and gain strength, but she has no defined endgame. This vagueness inadvertently aids her, as her unpredictable motives make her plans hard to counter. However, her role as Salem's intermediary with the White Fang creates tension with Adam, who views her as a threat.

Adam Taurus

Adam, a key White Fang leader, is more popular than his predecessor, Sienna Khan. Salem values his loyalty, entrusting him to secure the White Fang's cooperation. Adam kills Sienna to assume control, resolving Salem's concerns about her reluctance. However, his actions backfire. Using his power, Adam attempts to kidnap Blake Belladonna and kill her parents, who later form a Faunus militia that foils his mission to destroy Haven. His self-destructive tendencies, like Cinder's, undermine their cause. It’s unclear if Salem knows or cares about Adam’s death.

Salem

Salem's goals remain enigmatic—possibly seeking the Relics to rule the world or to end her own existence, though the cruel Brother Gods are unlikely to grant the latter. She operates indirectly, relying on her minions, who often dislike each other, underperform, or lack resources. Watts and Tyrian are exceptions: Tyrian excels in his role, while Watts identifies issues but is ignored. In Volume 8, Watts achieves success when acting independently, but Cinder’s ego-driven actions lead to his death. Salem’s indifference to losing a competent minion like Watts highlights her detachment. A potential "Stage Two" could have succeeded if Watts’ warnings had been heeded.

Salem’s Inner Circle

Salem’s small, fractious inner circle is remarkably effective despite its dysfunction:

Arthur Watts: Highly competent but ignored, achieving success when independent. Dies due to Cinder’s actions.

Cinder Fall: A dangerous "big bad" wannabe whose lack of clear goals makes her unpredictable.

Hazel Rainart: Motivated by irrational goals, eventually turns against Salem.

Mercury Black: Skilled but low-ranking, likely to defect.

Tyrian Callows: Highly effective but dangerously unstable.

Emerald Sustrai: Defects from the group.

Neopolitan: Motivated solely by vengeance against Ruby, indifferent to Salem’s goals.

Roman Torchwick: Unaware of Salem’s existence but effective. His death indirectly aids Salem’s Volume 8 victory via Neo’s actions.

Vermillion Raddock: Status unknown, possibly dead.

Other groups like human supremacists, Silver Bullet, Starhead Industrial Company, or the SDC are not directly tied to Salem. The White Fang aligns with her after Adam eliminates Sienna, but his self-destruction leaves Salem without their support. The Grimm serve as cannon fodder, relying on zerg-rush tactics, exploiting weaknesses like Atlas’ lack of air defenses. (Prob. cause they would hate Salem also, the somewhat help her goals by accident)

The Heroes’ Dysfunction

Salem’s small, dysfunctional team triumphs because the heroes are equally disorganized and weaker. With major militaries neutralized, Salem holds a strategic advantage despite her reduced forces. The heroes’ reliance on Ruby’s optimism as a “Morality Pet” exacerbates their failures. Her “Silly Rabbit, Cynicism Is for Losers!” personality allows teammates to justify their flaws:

Weiss uses Ruby’s optimism to avoid confronting her father’s influence over her family and company.

Blake condemns even sympathetic White Fang members, driven by Adam’s extremism and her aversion to violence.

Yang frames their journey as a fairy tale, blaming Salem for all problems (including Summer Rose’s death). (Granted she's not wrong if Salem been in the background pushing causing strife...but who knows)

The villains’ blunders, particularly Cinder and Adam’s “Bond Villain Stupidity” in pursuing revenge, temporarily mask the heroes’ flaws. However, when the villains adapt, the heroes falter, ignoring the strain on Ruby, assuming she’ll recover due to her outward resilience.

Key Takeaways

Cinder: Mysterious enigmas are often just grunts, unlikely to evolve beyond their role.

Adam: Leaders prone to self-destruction undermine their own causes.

Salem: Her ambiguous, ever-shifting goals make her unpredictable, giving her control over the planet’s fate.

The Forces of Good: Disunity and dysfunction allow weaker villains to dominate, leaving the heroes dependent on the villains’ mercy—or facing defeat.

Other Drabbles

Why Salem Is RWBY's Only Truly Successful Villain

In the RWBY franchise, Salem emerges as the sole antagonist who achieves consistent, meaningful success in her goals, standing in stark contrast to other villains whose victories are fleeting, undone, or unattainable. Her immortality, cunning manipulation, and relentless pursuit of her objectives—dividing humanity, collecting the four Relics, and summoning the Gods to end her curse—cement her as an unparalleled threat. Below, I analyze why other major villains (excluding Emerald, Mercury, and Hazel due to their heel-face turns) fail to match Salem's success, drawing on their arcs, fan perspectives, and key events in the series up to Volume 9.

Salem: The Unstoppable Mastermind

Salem, an ancient figure cursed with immortality, is the primary antagonist of RWBY, operating from Evernight Castle as the master of the Grimm and leader of a cabal bent on destabilizing Remnant. Her goal is to divide humanity, secure the Relics, and summon the Gods to break her curse, even if it means the destruction of the world. Unlike other villains, Salem's immortality ensures she cannot be permanently defeated, as seen when Hazel temporarily destroys her, only for her to regenerate within hours. Her strategic manipulation of broken individuals—promising power to Cinder, stroking Watts' ego, or exploiting Lionheart's fear—demonstrates her ability to maintain control over her faction, even when loyalty wanes. For example, in Volume 8, she orchestrates the fall of Atlas, securing two Relics through Cinder's actions, a major victory that leaves the heroes reeling. Fan discussions on X highlight her as "terrifying" and a villain who has "won" by destroying Atlas and claiming the strongest Relic, underscoring her narrative dominance. Salem's ability to rebound from setbacks, coupled with her long-term planning, makes her the only villain whose successes have lasting impact.

Villains Who Fall Short

The following villains, while formidable, ultimately fail to achieve enduring success due to death, betrayal, or hollow victories:

Arthur Watts: Watts, a disgraced Atlesian scientist, is a brilliant tactician whose hacking skills and pettiness drive Atlas' downfall by rigging elections and disabling Mantle's heating grid. His moment of triumph—breaking Ironwood's resolve—comes in Volume 8, but he never witnesses the full extent of his impact, as Cinder betrays him, trapping him in the Atlas Command Center to die. Fans note his compelling nature as a "non-stereotypical" villain due to his intellectual approach, but his death before savoring his victory renders his success incomplete.

Cinder Fall: Cinder, a power-hungry sociopath and Fall Maiden, is a central antagonist whose ambition to collect all Maiden powers drives her actions. She achieves temporary victories, such as destroying Beacon Academy and killing Ozpin and Pyrrha in Volume 3, but her arrogance and disloyalty to Salem lead to repeated failures. For instance, in Volume 5, she loses to Raven in the Battle of Haven, and her pursuit of personal vendettas often undermines her missions. In Volume 8, she delivers the Relics to Salem but betrays Neo and Watts, showing her lack of loyalty. Fan sentiment on X suggests Cinder is a "conniving failure" who is "bodied every couple of seasons," and her likely tragic end—hinted at in the narrative—further diminishes her success compared to Salem.

Neopolitan (Neo): Neo, a mute sadist driven by revenge for Roman's death, secures a fleeting victory in Volume 9 by tormenting Ruby in the Ever After. However, her triumph is hollow, as she loses her sense of purpose after achieving it. After helping Team RWBY defeat the Curious Cat, Neo makes peace with Roman's death and chooses to stay behind, consuming a leaf to "heal" and potentially reincarnate, effectively exiting the conflict. Fans praise her stylish design and chaotic nature, but her lack of long-term goals and apparent departure from villainy underscore her limited success.

The Curious Cat: The Curious Cat, a deceptive entity in the Ever After, seeks to possess Ruby to escape its realm but is defeated and destroyed by Team RWBY and Neo in Volume 9. Its failure to achieve its goal and subsequent death mark it as a short-lived threat with no lasting impact, unlike Salem's enduring influence.

Dr. Merlot: Merlot, a mad scientist from RWBY: Grimm Eclipse, creates mutant Grimm but is defeated when Team RWBY destroys his laboratory between Volumes 2 and 3. His fate remains ambiguous, but his loss of his research and lack of narrative presence afterward suggest no meaningful success. Fans appreciate his "mad scientist vibes" but acknowledge his limited role.

Roman Torchwick: Roman, a charismatic criminal, orchestrates crimes in Vale under Cinder's command but is killed by a Griffon during the Fall of Beacon in Volume 3. His death cuts short any potential for lasting impact, and fans, while loving his charisma and voice acting, recognize his role as a minor villain with no enduring victories.

Other Minor Villains: Antagonists like Adam Taurus, Tyrian Callows, Leonardo Lionheart, and the White Fang leadership (e.g., Corsac and Fennec Albain) meet similar fates. Adam, killed by Blake and Yang in Volume 6, fails to destroy the White Fang or achieve his extremist goals. Tyrian, a devoted follower of Salem, survives but achieves no independent victories, serving only as her enforcer. Lionheart, executed by Salem for his betrayal, and other minor villains like Tock or the Albain brothers are either dead or inconsequential, unable to sustain any meaningful success.

Why Salem Stands Alone

Salem's success is rooted in her unique advantages: immortality, magical prowess, and a long-term strategy that exploits human division. Unlike Watts, who dies before fully realizing his impact, or Cinder, whose personal ambitions lead to setbacks, Salem's plans advance even when her subordinates fail. Her ability to manipulate and discard allies—like killing Lionheart or punishing Cinder—ensures her control, while her regeneration makes her immune to permanent defeat. Fan discussions on X emphasize her as a "big bad" whose victories, like the fall of Atlas, render future resistance seemingly futile, with one user stating, "Salem has WON". In contrast, villains like Neo and the Curious Cat achieve temporary or personal victories that dissolve quickly, and others like Merlot and Roman are sidelined by death or obscurity. Even Tyrian, a loyal servant, lacks independent success, existing only to further Salem's goals.

Fan and Narrative Perspectives

Fan discussions on platforms like Reddit and X highlight Salem's dominance. On Reddit, users praise her "bone-chilling" presence and ability to exploit broken people, contrasting her with Cinder, who is seen as a flawed protagonist of her own story rather than a true rival to Salem. X posts describe Salem as "terrifying" and criticize Cinder's repeated failures, reinforcing the gap between Salem's strategic victories and other villains' shortcomings. Narratively, RWBY positions Salem as an existential threat whose actions—such as orchestrating Beacon's fall and Atlas' destruction—have far-reaching consequences, unlike the temporary disruptions caused by others.

Conclusion

Salem: The Unrivaled Victor in RWBY (Fixed)

In the sprawling narrative of RWBY, Salem stands alone as the antagonist who consistently achieves her objectives, making her the sole truly successful villain in the franchise. While other antagonists present formidable challenges, their victories are ultimately fleeting, undone, or unattainable. Salem's unparalleled success stems from a potent combination of her immortality, cunning manipulation, and unwavering long-term strategy. She is not merely a powerful force, but a patient, calculating mastermind whose influence permeates the very fabric of Remnant's conflict.

The Unstoppable Mastermind

Salem, an ancient being cursed with immortality, operates from Evernight Castle as the undisputed master of the Grimm and the architect of humanity's downfall. Her ultimate goals are clear: to sow discord among humans, gather the four Relics, and summon the Gods to end her curse, even if it means the world's destruction.

Unlike any other villain, Salem's immortality grants her an insurmountable advantage. As witnessed in Volume 8 when Hazel temporarily obliterated her, she regenerates within hours, rendering any physical defeat a mere setback. This fundamental characteristic ensures she cannot be permanently stopped by conventional means.

Beyond her resilience, Salem's genius lies in her strategic manipulation of broken individuals. She expertly plays on the weaknesses and desires of her subordinates: promising power to Cinder, stroking Watts' ego, or exploiting Lionheart's fear. This ability to exploit vulnerabilities and maintain a semblance of control over her faction, even amidst internal strife, is key to her sustained success.

A prime example of her triumph is the fall of Atlas in Volume 8. Through Cinder's actions, orchestrated by Salem, two Relics were secured, leaving the heroes in disarray. This was a major, lasting victory that dramatically shifted the balance of power. Fan discussions often highlight Salem as "terrifying" and acknowledge that she has "won" significant battles, underscoring her narrative dominance. Salem's capacity to rebound from setbacks and her meticulous, long-term planning are what set her apart; her successes have a profound and enduring impact.

The Failures of Other Villains

While other villains in RWBY have their moments of power, they ultimately fall short of Salem's consistent success, often due to their own fatal flaws, death, or hollow victories.

Arthur Watts: A brilliant Atlesian scientist whose hacking skills contributed significantly to Atlas' downfall, Watts' moment of triumph in breaking Ironwood's resolve in Volume 8 was fleeting. He never witnessed the full extent of his impact, as Cinder's betrayal led to his death, trapping him in the Atlas Command Center. His intellectual prowess was undeniable, but his demise before savoring his victory renders his success incomplete.

Cinder Fall: Driven by an insatiable hunger for power, Cinder, the Fall Maiden, achieves temporary victories, notably the destruction of Beacon Academy and the deaths of Ozpin and Pyrrha in Volume 3. However, her arrogance, impulsiveness, and disloyalty to Salem consistently lead to her downfall. She loses to Raven in the Battle of Haven in Volume 5, and her pursuit of personal vendettas often sabotages Salem's larger missions. Her betrayal of Neo and Watts in Volume 8, despite delivering the Relics to Salem, exemplifies her self-serving nature. Fans frequently label Cinder a "conniving failure" who is "bodied every couple of seasons," reinforcing the narrative that her ambition often outstrips her competence, leading to a pattern of setbacks.

Neopolitan (Neo): Neo's brief triumph in Volume 9, where she torments Ruby in the Ever After, is ultimately a hollow victory. Once her revenge for Roman's death is achieved, she loses her sense of purpose. Her decision to make peace with Roman's death and her apparent exit from the conflict by choosing to stay behind in the Ever After underscore the transient nature of her "success" and her lack of long-term goals as a villain.

The Curious Cat: This deceptive entity from the Ever After aimed to possess Ruby but was ultimately defeated and destroyed by Team RWBY and Neo in Volume 9. Its failure to achieve its core goal and subsequent demise mark it as a short-lived threat with no lasting impact on the broader conflict, a stark contrast to Salem's enduring influence.

Dr. Merlot: From RWBY: Grimm Eclipse, Merlot's success in creating mutant Grimm was curtailed when Team RWBY destroyed his laboratory. His ambiguous fate and lack of further narrative presence suggest his research and impact were effectively neutralized, leading to no meaningful success.

Roman Torchwick: A charismatic criminal, Roman served under Cinder but was killed by a Griffon during the Fall of Beacon in Volume 3. His death cut short any potential for lasting impact, solidifying his role as a charismatic but ultimately minor villain with no enduring victories.

Other Minor Villains: Figures like Adam Taurus (killed by Blake and Yang in Volume 6), Tyrian Callows (a loyal but independently unsuccessful enforcer for Salem), Leonardo Lionheart (executed by Salem for his betrayal), and the leadership of the White Fang (e.g., Corsac and Fennec Albain) all meet fates that preclude lasting success. Whether through death, subservience, or irrelevance, they fail to achieve sustained victories or significantly alter the course of the world on their own terms.

Why Salem Stands Alone

Salem's unique advantages solidify her as RWBY's only truly successful villain. Her immortality ensures she can never be permanently defeated, only temporarily delayed. Her magical prowess gives her immense power, and her long-term strategy meticulously exploits human divisions. Unlike Watts, whose impact is cut short by death, or Cinder, whose personal ambitions lead to repeated failures, Salem's overarching plans continue to advance even when her subordinates stumble.

Her ability to manipulate, discard, or even punish allies, as seen with Lionheart's execution or Cinder's repeated chastisements, ensures her absolute control over her faction. Fan discussions consistently highlight Salem as the "big bad" whose victories, such as the fall of Atlas, seem to render future resistance futile, with some stating, "Salem has WON." In stark contrast, villains like Neo and the Curious Cat achieve fleeting or personal victories that quickly dissipate, while others like Merlot and Roman are sidelined by death or obscurity. Even loyal servants like Tyrian lack independent success, existing solely to further Salem's goals.

Narratively, RWBY positions Salem as the ultimate, existential threat. Her orchestrating the Fall of Beacon and the destruction of Atlas are actions with far-reaching, world-altering consequences, unlike the temporary disruptions caused by others.

Conclusion