History Main / DesignatedPointMan

* The ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'' "Tips for Traitors" article in ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'' magazine #106 advises Troubleshooter team leaders to order their most dangerous subordinates to take this position, as it is the most dangerous place on the team. Not only is the point man most likely to be hit by the enemies' weapons, he's also the target of the weapons and scrutiny of his own team members, which (considering the [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder nature]] of ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'') is far deadlier.
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. In an PlayerParty, the person in front is usually a member of a warrior class (fighter, paladin, ranger, etc.) because they have the most HitPoints of any class, are allowed to wear the heaviest armor and wield the greatest variety of (and best) weapons. If no fighters are available, a cleric/priest type can fill in.

* Subverted by Literature/CiaphasCain: his (very much undesired) reputation of a frontline general who personally leads every charge has little base in reality, as he actually prefers staying in the middle of the squad at all times, as a good commander should. However, the troops under his command are in such awe of his reputation that they have no qualms going in front (and it makes more sense than to risk losing him to a lucky sniper).

* ''VideoGame/FirstEncounterAssaultRecon'' has a point man in the form of [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Point Man]]. He doesn't do much in the form of taking point, though, since most of the time he doesn't have a team to take point for.

* ''VideoGame/FirstEncounterAssaultRecon'' has a point man in the form of [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Pointman]], who has survived everything from massive clone armies to nuclear explosions.

* ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'' has an entire CharacterClass dedicated to this role: the Assault specialists have the most HitPoints of all classes and are armed with shotguns against any enemy trying to ambush them. Furthermore, their SkillTree mainly revolves around further boosting their defense (survivability) or increasing their CriticalHit chances. One skill in particular allows them storm the enemy's position, automatically dodging their overwatch shots and clearing the path for other team members to follow them in and clean house.

* The ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'' "Tips for Traitors" article in ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'' magazine #106 advises Troubleshooter team leaders to order subordinates to take this position, as it is the most dangerous place on the team. Not only is the point man most likely to be hit by the enemies' weapons, he's also the target of the weapons and scrutiny of his own team members, which (considering the nature of ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'') is far deadlier.

* In ''Literature/TheReckonersTrilogy''. this is an official team position that multiple characters go through. Oddly enough the people aren't swapped out because of the point man dying.

* VideoGame/FirstEncounterAssaultRecon has a point man in the form of [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Pointman]], who has survived everything from massive clone armies to nuclear explosions.

* ''Franchise/{{Alien}}s''. When the Marines first land and prepare to enter the colony complex, Sergeant Apone orders {{Vasquez|AlwaysDies}} to take point. She carries a machine gun that is more powerful and does more damage than the weapons the other Marines carry.

* In ''[[Literature/VorkosiganSaga Shards of Honor]]'', when Vorkosigan has to assault a group of mutineers, knowing they will face nerve disruptors with stunners, he puts himself as the head of the assault team. However, sergeant Bothari refuses and claims he has earned the first place.

* Billy in Film/Predator who is an expert tracker of Native American origin and the first on Dutch's team to notice the Predator's presence.

* Billy in Film/Predator who is an expert tracker of Native American origin and the first to notice the Predator's presence.

* Billy in [[Film/Predator]] who is an expert tracker of Native American origin and the first to notice the Predator's presence.

* Lampshaded in episode 25 ("Maze of Despair") of ''Manga/OutlawStar'', when Gene sends Jim to round up Aisha and Suzuka to get them back to the ship, while he goes to confront [[BigBad Hazanko]] in order to rescue [[MacGuffinGirl Melfina]].

* The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_ship turtle ships]], designed by the [[UsefulNotes/SouthKoreansWithMarines Korean Admiral Yi]], were created specifically for the purpose of ramming into an enemy fleet formation, hopefully sinking its flagship, then firing cannons like crazy in all directions, while simultaneously {{no sell}}ing attempts to board it with their spiked and armored "roofs". A single turtle ship in the middle of the enemy fleet caused enough confusion for the rest of Yi's fleet to mop up the resistance without losing a single ship.

* Michelangelo is typically the Point Man in ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'' series. He'll typically go in fast and loud so every else can sneakily clean up the bad guys after he creates a distraction.

* Michelangelo is typically the Point Man in the 2012 ''[[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012 Ninja Turtles]]'' series. He'll typically go in fast and loud so every else can sneakily clean up the bad guys after he creates a distraction.

-->'''Jim: (pleading)''' "But why...? Why can't I go with you? I wanna help!"
-->'''Gene: (calmly)''' "C'mon, Jim, we've made it this far with our teamwork. I've always been the point man... and you're-"
-->'''Jim: (in acquiescence)''' "...the backup."

Compare/contrast TheSneakyGuy, who is also often sent in first but with a different mission: to scout ahead and return without alarming the enemy. The key difference between a point man and a scout (including an ArmyScout) is that the former always stays in contact (e.g. within viewing or shouting distance) with the rest of the squad, while the latter doesn't.

A "point man" is a member of TheIndexTeam whose job description is simple: When they don't know what they are facing, he goes in first. The relevant skills include high survivability (to hold off until reinforcements arrive) and, of course, good fighting ability (to silence all opposition ''before'' reinforcements arrive, if possible). This trope is specifically about specialists who routinely take point. In absence of a specialized point man, CannonFodder NewMeat can be used in his place, but simply being put on point once does not make him the ''designated'' point man!

A "point man" is a member of TheIndexTeam whose job description is simple: When they don't know what they are facing, he goes in first. The relevant skills include high survivability (to hold off until reinforcements arrive) and, of course, good fighting ability (to silence all opposition ''before'' reinforcements arrive, if possible).

In absence of a specialized point man, CannonFodder NewMeat can be used in his place. A LeeroyJenkins is either an overzealous point man or someone who shouldn't be the point man in the first place but decides to be one anyway.

TheLeader rarely makes a good point man because even though he is [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking often the best fighter]], the consequences of losing him are [[DecapitatedArmy too grave]]. Even a FrontlineGeneral rarely moves to the point position, though in some settings a leader is expected to show that they practice what they preach and lead by example.