Not that bad, no, but still bad. Much manipulation, sabotage, and generally nasty behaviour. Yes, they do sometimes tend to border sociopathic behaviour. I believe you. I'm sure many other members can relate too, as I've spoken to a few, who have also been unfortunate enough, to come across one or two. The reason you get sucked in at first, is because they don't reveal their true selves, until you're close to them. Before that, they are simply charming (often, too good to be true). They get you hooked on them, then they abuse you. It's a horrible experience for anyone who's had to deal with them.
You can see many stories here, on this support forum. It's for those who have dealt with narcassists, sociopaths, psychopaths, and the like:
Psychopath Free | Narcissist, Sociopath, and Psychopath Abuse Recovery