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.

Iago from Othello is one of the most cunning characters ever, with Danny Ocean from Ocean’s Eleven, and Michael Corleone from The Godfather coming in a close second and third. Everyday connivers are lawyers, comedians, and hunters.