mooks
Cannon fodder henchmen
Mooks are thugs, henchmen, or low-level criminals—the disposable muscle in crime stories who exist mainly to be defeated by the hero.
The word suggests incompetence and interchangeability: The villain sent his mooks after us, but they were useless.
More broadly, mook can mean any stupid or contemptible person, roughly synonymous with jerk or idiot.
Animal being hunted
- victimOne harmed by another
- patsyEasily deceived victim
- markVisible impression or sign
- fall guyOne blamed for others
stooge · chump · sucker · pushover · dupe · scapegoat · pigeon · pawn
Inexperienced newcomer
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- newbieInexperienced person, informally
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- beginnerOne who lacks experience
incompetent · bungler · fumbler · hack · second-rate · low-level · unskilled · inept
Prone to blind trust
- naiveInnocently unsuspecting
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- trustingInclined to believe others
- innocentFree from moral wrong
simple · green · inexperienced · unwary · dupable · easily fooled · born yesterday · wet behind the ears
prey
Animal being hunted
fall guy · stooge · chump · sucker · pushover · dupe · scapegoat · pigeon · pawn · lackey
rookie
Inexperienced newcomer
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- newbieInexperienced person, informally
- amateurNonprofessional participant
beginner · incompetent · bungler · fumbler · hack · second-rate · low-level · unskilled · inept · clumsy
credulous
Prone to blind trust
- naiveInnocently unsuspecting
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- trustingInclined to believe others
innocent · simple · green · inexperienced · unwary · dupable · easily fooled · born yesterday · wet behind the ears · clueless
mooksmastermind
Scheme's chief planner
boss · kingpin · crime lord · ringleader · don
mooksassassin
Paid murderer of targets
ace · final boss · ninja · elite · specialist
mooksprotagonist
Story's central figure
hero · main character · villain · archnemesis · individual