This Magnificent Baddie was Headlined on November 2024.
NOTE: This article is only about the version of General Shepherd from the original sub-series video game, as the reboot version was not voted a Magnificent Baddie. Thus, only the original General Shepherd's info and actions should be put here.
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“
We are the most powerful military force in the history of man. Every fight is our fight. Because what happens over here, matters over there. We don't get to sit one out. Learning to use the tools of modern warfare is the difference between the prospering of your people, and utter destruction. We can't give you freedom. But we can give you the know how to acquire it. And that, my friends, is worth more than a whole army base of steel. Sure it matters who's got the bigger stick, but it matters a helluva lot more who's swinging it. This is the time for heroes. A time for legends. History is written by the victors. Let's get to work.
„
~ Shepherd encouraging the Rangers.
Lieutenant General Hershel von Shepherd III, more commonly known as General Shepherd, is the secondary antagonist of the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare trilogy, serving as an unseen character in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the main antagonist of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and one of the two overarching antagonists (alongside Imran Zakhaev) of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
He is a United States Army general presiding over Task Force 141 as well as his own group, Shadow Company. After 30,000 of his men are killed in a nuclear explosion set up by Khaled Al-Asad and Vladimir Makarov, Shepherd vows to restore his country's reputation by any means necessary.
Lance Henriksen gives him a cool authoritative tone, which helps his performance despite his atrocities.
General Shepherd commanded several of the Marines' missions, earning him their respect.
Commanded the liberation of Al-Asad's nation after he executed Al Fulani in live television.
He has a genuine tragedy of watching 30,000 of his men die to a nuclear bomb in Al-Asad's capital.
He’s a well-intentioned extremist who wants the world to know how much is sacrificed for the freedom that they took for granted.
Commandeered the Rangers into liberating an Afghan town captured by terrorists.
Deceived everyone, including Pvt. Allen and the US Government, into making Allen a stooge from Makarov so that he can restore United States's reputation as the leading military power.
He has some standards against Makarov's terrorism, referring to him with disgust and trying to dispose him after using him for his goals.
Shepherd commandeered the liberation of American cities from Russian soldiers, even when he was behind the attack in the first place.
Despite being against Price trying to nuke Washington DC (actually him trying to disable all Russian electronics to give Americans an advantage), Shepherd pinned the incident on Makarov, diverting all suspicion.
Uses the above incident to get a blank check from the US Government.
Despite Price and Soap attacking him for vengeance, Shepherd never undergoes a breakdown, calmly issuing orders to his soldiers.
Despite trying to retreat, he is shown to be not a coward, facing both Price and Soap and nearly killing both of them despite him losing all his men.
After his death, Shepherd solidified his reputation as a war hero whereas TF141 became global terrorists.
What Makes Him a Baddie?[]
Created an elite PMC called Shadow Company, which, according to the museum in the remaster, manipulated global events by suppressing protests and assassinating political opponents to influence elections in the third world countries.
He masterminded the Russian Invasion of America by sending Pvt. Allen to Makarov's Inner Circle, leading to his death when Makarov eventually figures out his real identity, also making him responsible for the attack on Zakhaev International Airport.
Killed both Ghost and Roach to hide his true status as the instigator of the war between Russia and America.
Framed the surviving Task Force 141 members, including Soap and Price, as terrorists leading to them being hunted by several agencies.
Ordered several "Danger Close" strikes to kill Price and Soap, despite several of his men also in the crossfire.
Stabbed Soap in the chest, which later leads to his death several months later due to an explosion caused by Makarov.
Trivia[]
General Shepherd is so far, the only Call of Duty villain to be Magnificent Baddie.
His reboot version doesn't count as a Magnificent Baddie because he's a coward in said version.
Despite being a Magnificent Baddie, Shepherd is one of the most hated character among the fans due to his act of betrayal of Roach and Ghost.
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