History Main / FightingGameTropes

* WeaponOfChoice: When a character does well with a weapon of choice.
** ImprovisedWeapon: When the weapon chosen is an unconventional one.

* SwapFighter: A character who is actually a multiple characters that can switch out between each other.

* SecretCharacter: When a character, or the fact that they can be unlocked as a playable character, is hidden until certain conditions are met, frequently resembling an [[AchievementSystem achievement reaward]] or ClassicCheatCode.

* EvilCounterpart: An evil version of the heroic character. These characters often overlap with MovesetClones.

* CloseRangeCombatant: These characters do their best when they're right in their opponent's face. They're hard to avoid when they're close, but struggle when they lose momentum. Commonly known as a "Rushdown" character.

* JackOfAllStats: Known mostly as "The All-Rounder", this is a character with equal parts offensive and defensive moves.

* LightningBruiser: Move fast, hit hard, laugh off the counter attack. Pure examples tend to be either intentionally unbalanced, or have handicapping mechanics, like short range or needing [[MechanicallyUnusualFighter special resources]], that offset some of their advantage.
* MightyGlacier: much higher health and attack than the average fighter, balanced with low mobility and attack speed. [[TheBigGuy "Big Body"]]-types pair this with long reach and a big hitbox, while [[PintSizePowerhouse "Small Body"]]-types trade limited reach for a reduced hitbox.

* TrapMaster: An uncommon type of fighter who litters the arena with traps (automatically or manually activated) to control space. Most commonly known as "trappers".

* StoneWall: A defensively-focused character, often relying on {{Counter Attack}}s and VictoryByEndurance.
* SwapFighter: A character who is actually a set of multiple characters that can switch out between each other.

* [[DistaffCounterpart Distaff[=/=]Spear Counterpart]]: A GenderFlipped version of the original character.
* EvilCounterpart: An evil version of the heroic character.
* TheFightingNarcissist: When a character has two concerns: kicking ass and her own beauty.

* MonstrousHumanoid: A fighter who is also a monster.
** BeastMan: A fighter who has animalistic physical traits, often acting feral and aggressive.

* RobotRollCall: Fighters who are cybernetic.
** AndroidsArePeopleToo: A fighter is also an android.
** {{Cyborg}}: A organic fighter who has cybernetic components implanted in his body.
** {{Robot}}: A fighter who is entirely cybernetic.

* SuperCop: A cop who kicks ass.
* SuperSoldier: A soldier who kicks ass.

* JigglePhysics: Quite for [[MsFanservice female characters]] becoming popular after the emergence of the 3D era.

* JigglePhysics: Quite for [[MsFanservice female characters]] as the 3D era came into gear.

* {{Leitmotif}}: When characters have their background music, usually on their HomeStage. This is easily noticed when the challenging fighter is in a game whose characters do not have a HomeStage.

** SharedSignatureMove: When characters (generally trained in the same fighting style) use the same SignatureMove. This is often the result of MovesetClones or asset reuse across the cast

* LightningBruiser: Move fast, hit hard, laugh off the counter attack. Pure examples tend to be either intentionally unbalanced, or have handicapping mechanics, like short range, that offset some of their advantage.

* {{Acrofatic}}: When it is overweight does not mean making the fighter slower.
* ActionGirl: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin A girl who kicks ass]].
** AmazonianBeauty: A beautiful and muscular female fighter.
** CuteBruiser: Cute, and packs a mean punch.
** DarkActionGirl: An evil woman who kicks ass.
** GirlyBruiser: Very femme, and kicks ass.
** KickChick: A female fighter who specializes in kicks (literally).
** LadyOfWar: Beautiful, elegant, and tough.
** RobotGirl: A beautiful and cyberetic female fighter.
** SheFu: A cute fighter who combines fighting and stunts.

* [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy/Girl]]: ''"Be happy you are alive, you pathetic loser!"''

** WingedHumanoid: A fighter who has wings.

* RobotRollCall: Fighters who are cybernetic.
** AndroidsArePeopleToo: A fighter is also an android.
** {{Cyborg}}: A organic fighter who has cybernetic components implanted in his body.
** {{Robot}}: A fighter who is entirely cybernetic.

* SuperCop: A cop who kicks ass.
* SuperSoldier: A soldier who kicks ass.

%%* FakeBalance: When a game looks balanced... but isn't.
%%* GameBreakingBug: Developers give the game a deadline and the hurry results in bugs and glitches that screw up with the gameplay suddenly!

* BattleStrip: A exclusive {{fanservice}} for [[MrFanservice male characters]].

* BuxomIsBetter: When the breasts of female characters are are bigger than you'd expect.

* JigglePhysics: Almost exclusive for [[MsFanservice female characters]].

* SexIsViolence: This fanservice can't be missing in a fighting game, right?
** CombatSadomasochist: When the screams and moans of the characters are more reminiscent of pleasure than pain.
** FetishizedAbuser: When that character uses sadomasochism as one of their fighting styles. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaCaYE7fOhQ Poison can show you that.]]
** OrgasmicCombat: When the characters' voices are very sexualized to the point of giving a scream simulating an orgasm when losing fights.

* ShesGotLegs: Depending on the outfit the female character is wearing during [[PantyFighter fights]], players will be able to see what's [[PantyShot under the women's skirts]].

** SharedSignatureMove: When characters (generally trained in the same fighting style) use the same SignatureMove.

* TheBoxingEpisode: An episode that tells the story of a boxer on his way to victory.
* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: ''"PREPARE YOURSEF! DIE 1000 DEATHS!"''

* ProWrestlingEpisode: An episode that tells the story of a wrestler on his way to victory.
** ProWrestlingIsReal: Wrestling is real and wrestlers fight for real.

* TigerVersusDragon: The next fight will be between [[Videogame/ArtOfFighting Invincible Dragon vs Raging Tiger]].

* ToBeAMaster: When the story tells the journey of a character trying to be a master.
* TournamentArc: When the story only focuses on one tournament.

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: When power drives someone crazy, turning that good character into a megalomaniac villain.

* ArtEvolution: When the character design gets better (or worse) with each sequence of a game.
* ArtShift: A character evolves, and so does his look.

* DevelopersForesight: When developers provide the smallest details so that a game doesn't break.[[labelnote:explanation]]There is an example in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'', the Small Airfield stage has Balrog ("Boxer") appear in the door of one of the planes. If Balrog is one of the fighters, Vega ("Claw") will appear instead. If both Balrog and Vega are fighting, M. Bison ("Dictator") will appear instead.[[/labelnote]]
* DivergentCharacterEvolution: When two or more characters that are clones of each other evolve until they gain details that differentiate them.

* FakeBalance: When a game looks balanced... but isn't.
* GameBreakingBug: Developers give the game a deadline and the hurry results in bugs and glitches that screw up with the gameplay suddenly!

* [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy/Girl]]: ''"Be happy, you are alive. You patetic loser!"''

* BruceLeeClone: The famed martial artist has a lot of influence on fighting game rosters.

* LightningBruiser: Move fast, hit hard, laugh off the counter attack. Pure examples tend to be either intentionally unbalanced, or have handicapping mechanics that offset some of their advantage.

* {{Shotoclone}}: A specific subset of the "All-Arounder", named after the "Shotocon" moveset used by ''many'' characters in the ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' series. [[labelnote:explanation]]What distinguishes a Shotoclone from a traditional "All-Rounder" is they are required to have 1) a projectile attack, 2) a rising anti-air, and 3) an advancing horizontal attack that propels the character across the screen.[[/labelnote]]

** KnockOut: The players' objective: to knock out their opponents.

* AirDashing: Nothing beats defying physics when running during a jump.
* CeilingSmash: The ceiling is the limit!
* CollisionDamage: When a collision damages characters. This is common in 3D games.
* JumpPhysics: When jumping can make a difference during fights.
** DoubleJump: One jump after another without touching the ground.
** WallJump: Are you good at LeParkour?
* {{Knockback}}: Down + Strong Kick = A simple sweep to take down the opponent!
** KnockbackEvasion: ''"Oops!! That was close."''
* VideogameDashing: A simple move that allows you to get close to or move away from your opponent quickly.

* Acrofatic: When it is overweight does not mean making the fighter slower.

** WingedHunanoid: A fighter who has wings.

* BeastMan: A fighter who has animalistic physical traits, often acting feral and aggressive.

** {{Cyborg}}: A fighter who has cybernetic components implanted in his body.

** SwitchOutMove: A move that swaps one character with another, whether it is the user or the opponent.

** Cyborg: A fighter who has cybernetic components implanted in his body.
** Robot: A fighter who is entirely cybernetic.