Complexity Addiction

A character comes up with a ridiculously elaborate plot that is so meticulously planned out that it can't possibly fail... But it will. So why didn't they come up with a simpler plan? There's a simple explanation. This character has a Complexity Addiction. They're addicted to coming up with complex schemes, such as the Gambit Roulette. They simply can't help but make an overdone, overblown plan. Maybe they're insane. Maybe they're bored. Maybe they view it as being artistic. Maybe they're really smart and want people to see how smart they are. Maybe simple plans aren't as amusing or as evil or are just too boring for them. Maybe they consider their enemies worthy opponents and that only an equally worthy plan should be used to defeat them. Maybe they don't even know the reason. It's Funny, or it's Dramatic, or it's Cool; that's all that matters. Expect a smarter character to point out the existence of a simpler solution, often something along the lines of "Why Don't You Just Shoot Him?" These characters frequently suffer from Bond Villain Stupidity. May overlap with Villain Ball. See also A Simple Plan, where a very simple plan should have worked, but goes horribly awry. Compare Awesome, but Impractical, Zany Scheme, and Combat Aestheticist. Contrast Combat Pragmatist. See also Didn't See That Coming and Cutting the Knot. Additionally, see Rube Goldberg Device for machinery built by people with a Complexity Addiction and Puzzle Thriller for stories built for them. Compare Overcomplicated Menu Order for a similar situation, but with food/drink.