Best manhwa where the MC defeats their opponents

Key Takeaways

• The Manhwa series features intelligent characters who use their minds as weapons, not violence.
• These characters are distinguished by measuring the enemy and relying on intelligence in the face of conflict.
• The protagonist prefers not to fight, to manipulate situations and gather power through cunning.

Manhwa The main players who like to use smarts over brawn hard to come by. Since most ongoing series these days are focused on the Shonen demographic, there are a lot of “Manhwa battles” out there, and in these series, the protagonist is all about the balance of power and the brute force of the army.

This list shows some of the best Manhwa with protagonists who use their minds as weapons and prefer to trick their opponents or use other methods to avoid confrontation. In any case, do not underestimate them, because there are people who are dangerous to them.

7 The Ember Knight

His mind is the most dangerous weapon in the world

• Genre: Action, Martial Arts, Drama, Adventure, Light Fantasy, Revenge
• Author: Hwan Daeng
• Artist: Hwan Daeng

Nagyun from The Ember Knight is the perfect example of a main character whose only power is superior intelligence, but it's no more dangerous than the superpowers that roam the world. From the powerful Empire Generals, to the rebel Dragon Clan, even the strongest Knights knew Nagyun (known to them as Najin) for his ability to use his mind as a weapon.

This Manhwa series is a good read for anyone who enjoys incredible battles, but also a fun revenge plot. It has some of the best character development and detailed world building that ties into the plot on a deep level.

6 The sweet life of Reincarnation Pro

Lazy Men Dominate the Market and Ruin the Plans of Their Enemies

• type of article: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Historical, Shounen, Isekai
• Writer: Sooha song
• An artist: Egypt

Sweet Life Of The Reincarnation Pro is one of the best examples of a Manhwa series with a protagonist who lives a lazy, laid-back life and prefers others to do the dirty work for him.

He knows a lot of roundabout ways to make others respect him, and he accumulates a lot of wealth using the knowledge of his past life 101. When it comes to Smart over Brawl, he is a real pro, who uses superpowers as a last resort.

5 The Lout of the Count's family

Couch Smart potatoes rule the North

• Genre: Isekai, Drama, Comedy, Fantasy
• Author: Elegant (Yoo Ryeo Han)
• Artist: Elegant (Yoo Ryeo Han)

Lout of the Count's Family has one of the smartest characters in all of Isekai Manhwa, Cain Henituse. A person dedicated to gathering allies and protecting his family from future events, due to his knowledge of the history that led to his rebirth.

Therefore, not only does he avoid war at all costs but he has an army of magical creatures (which includes the Black Dragon Cub Raon) to fight for him. A very good person.

4 Doctor Elise

He has the mind, he has the form

• Genre: Isekai, Drama, Comedy, Romance
• Author: Mini
• Artist: Kidarient, Yui

Of all the top female leads I've seen in Manhwa, Doctor Elise, the Lady with the Lamp is probably the smartest. He avoids all confrontations by skillfully dominating with leadership skills and outplaying his enemies by appearing weak and kind, but is cunning and a powerful player in the shadows.

This series is one of the most popular that is still ongoing, and it has its own anime adaptation, which is slightly different both in terms of art and story but is still good to watch.

3 Reset Lady

Don't Try To Trick Him, Or You'll Die

• type of article: Psychological drama, Fantasy, Mature, Romance, Tragedy, Reincarnation
• Writer: Baekwoo
• An artist: Cha Seo-Jin, Taegong

Lady Review is one of the few series that had me hooked from the start. It has beautiful art, an exciting story, and overall: one of the best female leads capable of some of the most powerful performances in the drama genre.

Sadly, this Manhwa has yet to receive an official English translation, but for those who don't read Korean, there is an official translated version of the web novel. Too bad it only has 3 books.

2 The Lord's money is not decreasing?!

Although he has power to spare, he prefers to inflame his opponents

• type of article: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mature, Reincarnation, Martial Art
• Writer: Hong Dae Eui
• An artist: Mokhyeon, Teurubereu

Aaron Steelguard is a cunning and powerful nobleman who enjoys amassing wealth, knowledge and martial arts techniques. Sure, he could take over the world if he wanted to, but he's focused on getting revenge on those who betrayed him in his past life.

But they rarely use their power to do this, because they prefer to play with their targets, ruining them financially and exposing their sins to the world. In the single instance where he decided to personally kill one of his traitors, the matter became too difficult for him. So he kept a low profile and manipulated everything from the shadows, fighting when necessary.

1 Magic Swallowing Talent

Started from nothing, used his skills to eat the world

• Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Comedy, School Life, Drama, Sword and Sorcery
• Author: Squirrel eating bread
• Artist: Younggeun

Talent Swallowing Magician is all about ingenuity in battle, with a strong plot, deep world-building that seamlessly ties into the narrative, and most importantly: a protagonist who use his privileged mind to defeat his rivals.

And even though he wasn't as strong and talented as he is now, Elric Melvinger has always been a cunning type of character. He prefers to avoid fighting whenever he can, but he is also willing to accept a challenge if a rival competitor dares to mock the Melvinger family name.