Cunning

Ever hear of a villain in a story who was "cunning?" This means that person could react quickly to events, seized opportunities, and could decipher how to plot and scheme and make things work.

This helps in deciding initiative in combat, or if a character can react quickly enough to avoid some nasty pitfall. A cunning character is a cognitive master, great at hearing, seeing, or finding what others might not. On the flip side, cunning characters know all the good hiding places.

Iago from Othello is one of the most cunning characters ever. Also numbered among the cunning are The Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, The Devil, and Loki. Everyday connivers are lawyers, comedians, and hunters.