Best plugins for sound design?

[Timaeus]

I have really liked Zebra2 for much of my sound design. I used it to make anywhere from rich FM pads, to screaming dubstep basses, glassy bells, and creepy metallic scrapes. It's my goto anytime I want to make something that comes to mind.

Another good suggestion that I saw above was Serum. It has Massive's modules in it if I recall, and it has been good for solid dubstep basses. Although Zebra2 could also make those, Serum just has starting points which are closer to the sound I want.

[alecl]

Omnisphere, Falcon, and definitely Reaktor. Tons of user presets for Reaktor you can grab online for free that are AMAZING

[twal]

Vengeance Avenger ......... nothing can touch it for sound design IMO.

I'd also look at Cableguys and Blue Cat Audio (Patchwork, Late Replies). Especially Patchwork is extremely useful for sound design.

Melda plugins are also very deep.

What about compared to Helion, Kontakt, Falcon, Omnisphere and the likes? Do you know any diffrences off the top of your head worth noting?

[SPMBS]

Just putting it out there, re: lo-cost Sound Design:
Induction mic (£8 online) + Free SFZ Sampler + local FX = endless possibilities....enjoy!

[Psuper]

+1 for Vital. The workflow for sound design is untouchable in simplicity yet extensive usability, and is crafted in a way that makes sense to newcomers and veterans alike.

[Jac459]

I think the very new Fabfilter Twin 3 is the new excellent option. The visual filters make it so easy to carve the sound exactly the way you want.
To me it is the new king of substractive synthesis.

If really a power house is what is required, phase plant now updated to version 2 seems to be difficult to beat with audio rate modulations and Wavetable for ... LFO! Plus the workflow is easier than other power houses like Falcon.

If it is pure pure raw power though... Falcon is THE beast...

[HAL76]

HALION 7. The Update made it stand out from the whole market.

[Greenstorm33]

I've tried so hard to like Falcon, but it's just such a pain to use. I feel like if you are a veteran sound designer with a strong idea of what you're going for and in need of a lot of layers it's probably a great choice. But for exploring and learning it's way too clunky and time-consuming to iterate on an idea. Also while Falcon has a lot of pieces, most of them don't seem that interesting to me, especially the sound generators. Honestly I'd rather have a Falcon FX plugin than the full synth.