Badass: Difference between revisions

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[[Rule of Cool]] personified.
[[Rule of Cool]] personified.


[[Badass]] is an adjective used to describe a character who gets away with outright insane stunts (defusing a bomb with their teeth, [[Did You Just Scam Cthulhu|conning a mob boss]], [[One-Man Army|getting into a firefight with the entire army]], etc.) that would be very hard to pull off in [[Real Life]], or would get the person trying it killed several times over. A badass is a fantasy figure whom the audience roots for precisely because of how prone they are to [[Moment of Awesome|awesome moments]], to the point where they stretch or break the [[Willing Suspension of Disbelief]]. Of course, [[Willing Suspension of Disbelief]] may still be maintained depending on the mechanics of the universe.
[[Badass]] is an adjective used to describe a character who gets away with outright insane stunts (defusing a bomb with their teeth, [[Did You Just Scam Cthulhu?|conning a mob boss]], [[One-Man Army|getting into a firefight with the entire army]], etc.) that would be very hard to pull off in [[Real Life]], or would get the person trying it killed several times over. A badass is a fantasy figure whom the audience roots for precisely because of how prone they are to [[Moment of Awesome|awesome moments]], to the point where they stretch or break the [[Willing Suspension of Disbelief]]. Of course, [[Willing Suspension of Disbelief]] may still be maintained depending on the mechanics of the universe.


It's notable that fans are more likely to tolerate a violent monster of a "hero" than a befuddled, cowardly [[Classical Antihero]].
It's notable that fans are more likely to tolerate a violent monster of a "hero" than a befuddled, cowardly [[Classical Antihero]].
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This [[Trope]] is [[I Thought It Meant|not what you say to]] a [[Stubborn Mule]]. Characters that are Badass are often said to have [[Brass Balls]].
This [[Trope]] is [[I Thought It Meant|not what you say to]] a [[Stubborn Mule]]. Characters that are Badass are often said to have [[Brass Balls]].
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'''Below are the tropes that are definite signs of a true badass. For [[Sub Trope|Sub Tropes]] when the character who you do not expect to be like this becomes a badass anyway, [[Hidden Badass|see this index]].'''
'''Below are the tropes that are definite signs of a true badass. For [[Sub-Trope|Sub Tropes]] when the character who you do not expect to be like this becomes a badass anyway, [[Hidden Badass|see this index]].'''




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* [[Almighty Janitor]]: He may have the lowest rank but can kick more ass than his superiors.
* [[Almighty Janitor]]: He may have the lowest rank but can kick more ass than his superiors.
* [[Asskicking Pose]]: [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin]].
* [[Asskicking Pose]]: [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin]].
** [[Badass Arm Fold]]: A particularly badass pose.
** [[Badass Arm-Fold]]: A particularly badass pose.
* [[Awesome Aussie]]: The coolest thing to come from down under.
* [[Awesome Aussie]]: The coolest thing to come from down under.
* [[Badass Adorable]]: Okay, they're cute. Don't think they can't turn you into a pool of your blood.
* [[Badass Adorable]]: Okay, they're cute. Don't think they can't turn you into a pool of your blood.
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* [[Badass Driver]]: Give them a vehicle and they'll do some hardcore stuff with it.
* [[Badass Driver]]: Give them a vehicle and they'll do some hardcore stuff with it.
** [[Car Fu]]
** [[Car Fu]]
* [[Badass Finger Snap]]: A badass snaps his fingers and something cool happens.
* [[Badass Finger-Snap]]: A badass snaps his fingers and something cool happens.
* [[Badass Gay]]: Just because they're gay doesn't mean that they're not a bonafide badass.
* [[Badass Gay]]: Just because they're gay doesn't mean that they're not a bonafide badass.
* [[Badass Grandpa]]: He might have grandchildren who see him as a teddy bear, but don't think he won't make you fear him if you cross him.
* [[Badass Grandpa]]: He might have grandchildren who see him as a teddy bear, but don't think he won't make you fear him if you cross him.
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* [[Born Winner]]: That automatically makes you a loser.
* [[Born Winner]]: That automatically makes you a loser.
* [[Brave Scot]]: Heroic Scottish Badass.
* [[Brave Scot]]: Heroic Scottish Badass.
* [[Break the Badass]]: This person [[Hero Killer|scares the crap out of everybody]], ''including'' the Badass.
* [[Break the Badass]]: This person [[Hero-Killer|scares the crap out of everybody]], ''including'' the Badass.
* [[Brought Down to Badass]]: Had superpowers, lost them, but even afterwards, they can still kick ass.
* [[Brought Down to Badass]]: Had superpowers, lost them, but even afterwards, they can still kick ass.
* [[The Captain]]: Who has the balls to run the coolest [[Cool Ship]]? (or [[The Squad]])? This guy, of course.
* [[The Captain]]: Who has the balls to run the coolest [[Cool Ship]]? (or [[The Squad]])? This guy, of course.
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* [[The Fighting Narcissist]]: A badass who knows just how good looking he really is.
* [[The Fighting Narcissist]]: A badass who knows just how good looking he really is.
* [[Fights Like a Normal]]: Has superpowers, but fights like a [[Badass Normal]].
* [[Fights Like a Normal]]: Has superpowers, but fights like a [[Badass Normal]].
* [[Four Star Badass]]: Has a general's rank and a long list of wrecked faces to their name.
* [[Four-Star Badass]]: Has a general's rank and a long list of wrecked faces to their name.
* [[Future Badass]]: That goofy, gawky character from the present day? In the [[Bad Future]], that character's a hardcore badass.
* [[Future Badass]]: That goofy, gawky character from the present day? In the [[Bad Future]], that character's a hardcore badass.
* [[Glowing Eyes of Doom]]: 'Nuff said/
* [[Glowing Eyes of Doom]]: 'Nuff said/
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* [[Harbinger of Asskicking]]: The sign of Badassery is upon us.
* [[Harbinger of Asskicking]]: The sign of Badassery is upon us.
* [[Heartbroken Badass]]: You murdered their lover or family. They can and will do the same to you.
* [[Heartbroken Badass]]: You murdered their lover or family. They can and will do the same to you.
* [[Hero Killer]]: When this guy gets involved, you might wanna run.
* [[Hero-Killer]]: When this guy gets involved, you might wanna run.
* [[Heroic Comedic Sociopath]]: Crazy as hell and jerkish to boot, [[Played for Laughs|but funny]] (at least to the audience).
* [[Heroic Comedic Sociopath]]: Crazy as hell and jerkish to boot, [[Played for Laughs|but funny]] (at least to the audience).
* [[Hidden Badass]]: They're badass, you just don't notice it at first glance.
* [[Hidden Badass]]: They're badass, you just don't notice it at first glance.
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* [[Little Miss Badass]]: Short of stature, but not of the ability to make you die horribly for underestimating her.
* [[Little Miss Badass]]: Short of stature, but not of the ability to make you die horribly for underestimating her.
* [[Minored in Asskicking]]: A much more subdued version of the [[Badass Bookworm]] who doesn't actively practice their badass status, but can be if need be.
* [[Minored in Asskicking]]: A much more subdued version of the [[Badass Bookworm]] who doesn't actively practice their badass status, but can be if need be.
* [[Majorly Awesome]]: Okay, so they're not a [[Colonel Badass]] or a [[Four Star Badass]]. Do not mistake their relative lack of rank for a lack of asskicking.
* [[Majorly Awesome]]: Okay, so they're not a [[Colonel Badass]] or a [[Four-Star Badass]]. Do not mistake their relative lack of rank for a lack of asskicking.
* [[Major Injury Underreaction]]: You ripped off their arm, but they didn't even flinch.
* [[Major Injury Underreaction]]: You ripped off their arm, but they didn't even flinch.
* [[Mama Bear]]: Mess with her kids and die. Your choice.
* [[Mama Bear]]: Mess with her kids and die. Your choice.
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** [[One Riot, One Ranger]]: When the choice is to send in the army or send in one man, they send in one man. This man.
** [[One Riot, One Ranger]]: When the choice is to send in the army or send in one man, they send in one man. This man.
** [[Conservation of Ninjutsu]]: You will realize that your numbers mean nothing against them.
** [[Conservation of Ninjutsu]]: You will realize that your numbers mean nothing against them.
** [[Mass Oh Crap]] The general reaction when it happens.
** [[Mass "Oh Crap"]] The general reaction when it happens.
* [[Panthera Awesome]]: Cats are [[Cool Cat|awesome]], especially big ones.
* [[Panthera Awesome]]: Cats are [[Cool Cat|awesome]], especially big ones.
* [[Pint-Sized Powerhouse]]: They may be small, but they pack quite a punch.
* [[Pint-Sized Powerhouse]]: They may be small, but they pack quite a punch.
* [[Pop Cultured Badass]]: They kick ass while listening to some rock music after having seen their favorite sitcom.
* [[Pop-Cultured Badass]]: They kick ass while listening to some rock music after having seen their favorite sitcom.
* [[Ragin Cajun]]: What Cajuns become when your face needs wrecking.
* [[Ragin Cajun]]: What Cajuns become when your face needs wrecking.
* [[Rated M for Manly]]: Badass taken [[Up to Eleven]].
* [[Rated "M" for Manly]]: Badass taken [[Up to Eleven]].
* [[Red Baron]]: Because every badass needs a nickname to go with the reputation.
* [[Red Baron]]: Because every badass needs a nickname to go with the reputation.
* [[Retired Badass]]: They hung up their asskicking credentials. Doesn't mean they forgot how.
* [[Retired Badass]]: They hung up their asskicking credentials. Doesn't mean they forgot how.
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* [[Staring Down Cthulhu]]: What it says -- and you can bet a character has to be badass to do ''that''.
* [[Staring Down Cthulhu]]: What it says -- and you can bet a character has to be badass to do ''that''.
* [[Submissive Badass]]: When a badass is a follower, not a leader, but don't make the mistake that they can't break your face as a result.
* [[Submissive Badass]]: When a badass is a follower, not a leader, but don't make the mistake that they can't break your face as a result.
* [[Testosterone Poisoning]]: A parody of [[Rated M for Manly]].
* [[Testosterone Poisoning]]: A parody of [[Rated "M" for Manly]].
* [[Took a Level In Badass]]: When a non badass or a minor badass gets better at it.
* [[Took a Level In Badass]]: When a non badass or a minor badass gets better at it.
* [[Trampled Underfoot]]: What very large badasses do to show that they mean business.
* [[Trampled Underfoot]]: What very large badasses do to show that they mean business.
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* [[Waif Fu]]: Petite, yes, but that doesn't stop her from kicking your ass.
* [[Waif Fu]]: Petite, yes, but that doesn't stop her from kicking your ass.
* [[Warrior Prince]]: He will lead his people to victory on the front lines.
* [[Warrior Prince]]: He will lead his people to victory on the front lines.
* [[What Measure Is a Non Badass]]: When a badass isn't considered badass enough for the setting in question.
* [[What Measure Is a Non-Badass?]]: When a badass isn't considered badass enough for the setting in question.
* [[Worthy Opponent]]: They may be an enemy, but they are still a badass.
* [[Worthy Opponent]]: They may be an enemy, but they are still a badass.


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[[Category:index]]
[[Category:index]]
[[Category:Bad Ass]]
[[Category:Bad Ass]]
[[Category:Trope]]

Revision as of 22:31, 25 January 2014


The splinters and shrapnel would not touch him, due to Pure Awesomeness.
 "Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world. ...Hiro used to feel this way, too, but then he ran into Raven. In a way, this was liberating. He no longer has to worry about being the baddest motherfucker in the world. The position is taken."
—--Snow Crash

Rule of Cool personified.

Badass is an adjective used to describe a character who gets away with outright insane stunts (defusing a bomb with their teeth, conning a mob boss, getting into a firefight with the entire army, etc.) that would be very hard to pull off in Real Life, or would get the person trying it killed several times over. A badass is a fantasy figure whom the audience roots for precisely because of how prone they are to awesome moments, to the point where they stretch or break the Willing Suspension of Disbelief. Of course, Willing Suspension of Disbelief may still be maintained depending on the mechanics of the universe.

It's notable that fans are more likely to tolerate a violent monster of a "hero" than a befuddled, cowardly Classical Antihero.

Most attempts to parody or deconstruct the badass have turned into Misaimed Fandom -- no matter how nutty the character gets (like Rorschach from Watchmen), the fans just cheer on how badass the character is. This has led to a new Trope: the Sociopathic Hero. Writers beware: Take it too far and either God Mode Sue or Jerk Sue will stride Out of the Inferno of your work.

For a child-friendly version of the badass whose badassery is somewhat diminished by the limitations of the work, see Badbutt.

For a not so complete list of badasses, see Badass of the Week.

This Trope is not what you say to a Stubborn Mule. Characters that are Badass are often said to have Brass Balls.

Below are the tropes that are definite signs of a true badass. For Sub Tropes when the character who you do not expect to be like this becomes a badass anyway, see this index.


Plural forms:


If an example can be placed in these previous tropes, please put them there.

For many outstanding examples of badassness, see Moment of Awesome.

Considering almost every hero of ancient myth was Badass Incarnate?, this trope is Older Than Dirt.

Now divided into Badass sub-pages:

Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Badass?oldid=590898"