Team Rocket grunts may have killed a Marowak which has been an accepted fact since Gen 1, Team Aqua and Magma may have tried causing a natural disaster but in the end redeeming themselves (Maxie and Tabitha or Archie and Shelly) (save for the Admins Courtney or Matt), but if there's a villain team that takes the cake for me, that would be Plasma. I think of all the villain teams, Plasma (B1/W1) has caused more in-lore and even fan-made debates regarding the relationship with Pokemon and humans. Sure their leader Ghetsis in the end was nothing more than a rather cliche'd villain but his plan was well executed in a sense that in my opinion, does not ruin his character as the guy you'd listen to but hate in the end, and he got a whole team of men, women, and N to let people (and the fans) think twice about their relationship with pokemon,
I'd say that for an antagonist team, Old Plasma, from the way it was written and executed went really well in turning them into a group of antagonists that challenges the players regarding their ideals.
Regarding the individual antagonist, Cyrus (especially how he was written in Platinum) is really well thought of. If there's one thing i like about certain antagonists, is how they can carry themselves. Team Galatic's Cyrus has a unique style among the core series crime leaders that make him quite interesting, being more than just an NPC that we players have to "slay".
Now for Team Aqua and Magma, depending on the version, or to put version agnosticism, in EMERALD, i see them more as a band of misunderstood individuals rather than actual evil villains, especially to their respective leaders. The fact that they redeem themselves to us "good guys" by helping out with the mistakes they have caused really reduces the "Evilness" that they have but in a way, it makes them REALLY LIKEABLE as characters who we want to show our respects to. Just my few cents.
I'd say that for an antagonist team, Old Plasma, from the way it was written and executed went really well in turning them into a group of antagonists that challenges the players regarding their ideals.
Spoiler:
Regarding the individual antagonist, Cyrus (especially how he was written in Platinum) is really well thought of. If there's one thing i like about certain antagonists, is how they can carry themselves. Team Galatic's Cyrus has a unique style among the core series crime leaders that make him quite interesting, being more than just an NPC that we players have to "slay".
Now for Team Aqua and Magma, depending on the version, or to put version agnosticism, in EMERALD, i see them more as a band of misunderstood individuals rather than actual evil villains, especially to their respective leaders. The fact that they redeem themselves to us "good guys" by helping out with the mistakes they have caused really reduces the "Evilness" that they have but in a way, it makes them REALLY LIKEABLE as characters who we want to show our respects to. Just my few cents.
