Rockstar is renowned for having controversial, but fantastically written characters. From their more recent successes with Red Dead Redemption 2 to their older classics like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the brand is full of iconic characters and moments within their games.
Whether it's their sneakiness, betrayal, or overall evil persona, many characters in Rockstar games can be classed as 'dangerous' (sometimes within the exact context of the game, or beyond). Regardless of the reasoning, though, it's these dangerous characters that make what Rockstar has so incredibly impressive.
5 Gary Smith - Bully
No - Gary Smith is not a ruthless gunslinger or a highly skilled criminal who will murder anyone who gets in his way. But, in the context of high school drama, he is the epitome of a traitor. During Act 1 of Bully, he is one of the first characters we encounter in the school. He is friendly and helpful, constantly giving Jimmy advice about the different cliques around the school. But, things take a turn for the worst after defeating the Jock clique, where Gary blames Jimmy for the conflict between the Townies and the school, which he was to blame for.
The pure planning behind Gary's attempt to see the downfall of Jimmy's reputation at the school is manipulative, making him a character that needs to be watched (especially for students at Bullworth Academy).
4 Ricardo Diaz - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Ricardo leads a drug cartel in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and is seen as one of the most feared bosses around the town. He is also one of the first characters you meet in the game, where he immediately establishes himself as a powerful and very angry individual. Ricardo isn't afraid to pull a trigger and will be physically disruptive of his surroundings when he doesn't get his way. These traits, paired with his overall power and the hold he has on the city and people around him, make him a character that even Tommy Vercetti is careful around.
Despite his temper, he is unexpectedly very cunning and clever, so people definitely don't want to get on his bad side.
3 Agent Edgar Ross - Red Dead Redemption
Agent Ross is a minor antagonist in Red Dead Redemption 2 and is often grouped with the entirety of the Pinkertons. But in Red Dead Redemption, he has much more of a pivotal role, where he is seen as being more sneaky than he first appears. Ross is on the hunt for all the Van Der Linde gang members - despite the gang being nonexistent. He hunts down John Marston and forces him to find Bill, Dutch, and Javier by taking his family away from their beloved ranch. Of course, being a family man now, John does everything in his power to help Agent Ross to protect his family. He does what he is asked, and Ross says he can now live peacefully on his ranch with his family. However, he betrays him by sending lawmen and soldiers to brutally murder him at his home. He used John for his own gain and murdered him, leaving his wife and young son to fend for themselves.
Even years later, when found by Jack Marston, Edgar Ross doesn't express any guilt for his actions whatsoever. He's a cold-blooded and deceitful character and earns his place on the most dangerous list. If he can frighten members of the Van Der Linde Gang, he definitely deserves this spot.
2 Dutch Van Der Linde - Red Dead Redemption 2
Although he is an antagonist in Red Dead Redemption, it's truly his actions in Red Dead Redemption 2 that show how dangerous of a character Dutch Van Der Linde is. His manipulation is what makes him stand out the most. His confidence and wise words are admired by the gang, but it should be remembered that most gang members were taken in by Dutch at a young age or when they were at their most vulnerable. Because they feel that they owe Dutch their lives, they agree with what he says and see him as an extremely wise person. Dutch knows this and takes advantage of it, even before his ultimate betrayal of the gang.
When Dutch is eventually challenged by Arthur, he is visibly angry that there is someone in the gang standing up against his extreme viewpoints. Dutch betraying Arthur and John specifically shows how disloyal he actually was, which is ironic considering loyalty was the trait he claimed to value the most.
1 Trevor - Grand Theft Auto 5
Out of all the characters in Rockstar games, Trevor takes the prize as the most dangerous of them all. Having had a rough childhood, Trevor is completely unstable and seems to have no thoughts on how his actions will impact other people. He will attack innocent civilians, say absurd things to even the most powerful and formal people he encounters, and even walk around with little to no clothes on sometimes. He has no awareness or care for consequences and will often say things alluding to the idea that he behaves like this because he is depressed and doesn't care if or when he dies.
Even Michael, his best friend, was afraid when he turned up his front door, so if that's not telling of Trevor's behavior, what is? Trevor is blunt, vicious, violent, angry, and reckless, making him the top candidate for the most dangerous Rockstar character of all time.