History Main / GodModeSue

God Mode Sue exists purely to show up how pathetically weak the rest of the world is, and how badly they need his or her help. If there's anybody else that is even capable of standing up for themselves, they may [[WorfHadTheFlu lose their abilities for some reason]] when the character comes into the equation, or [[IdiotBall become completely incompetent]], or both. They'll [[DistressBall probably get captured]] or find something that they just can't handle. Then the God Mode Sue shows up, saves the day on his or her own at least twice as easily as they usually do when working as a team, and doesn't get his or her ass kicked at all. Then he or she stands around and wallows in their praise a bit.

God Mode Sue is so powerful because he or she often gets NewPowersAsThePlotDemands, and without any explanation or any of the normal limitations that a good writer will insert. In most balanced fiction, we generally know the hero's going to win, DownerEnding aside (StatusQuoIsGod, after all), but their abilities may fail them (or something like that) and so we watch to find out HOW they do it. God Mode Sue's powers never fail, nor is there any point where you think, "[[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin I KNOW the hero's gotta win]], but how are they going to get out of this mess?" The plot and the fight is so blatantly biased towards the God Mode Sue that it becomes rather boring (and sometimes insulting).

But God Mode Sue takes that WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief and tosses it out the window. He or she [[note]] It's pretty evenly split... which says a ton, considering how most widely accepted MarySue characters are female[[/note]] doesn't so much work within the plot as the plot works for ''them''.

People like to watch fiction to live vicariously through the characters. Most people in real life have no illusions about ever being able to do the sort of things within the movies. Whether it be the story of an athlete on his way to the top, life as the president, or StuffBlowingUp, these are stories that the [[{{Muggles}} average Joe]] won't find himself partaking in. Then there are things such as [[StockSuperpowersIndex superpowers]], [[FunctionalMagic magic]], and high technology. However, even a story with [[{{Fantasy}} fantastic]] (or just merely [[MillionToOneChance highly improbable]]) elements has to make it believable in order to allow WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.

God Mode Sue is so powerful because he or she often gets NewPowersAsThePlotDemands, and without any explanation or any of the normal limitations that a good writer will insert. In most balanced fiction, we generally know the hero's going to win, DownerEnding aside (StatusQuoIsGod, after all), but their abilities may fail them (or something like that) and so we watch to find out HOW they do it. God Mode Sue's powers never fail, nor is there any point where you think, "I KNOW the hero's gotta win, but how are they going to get out of this mess?" The plot and the fight is so blatantly biased towards the God Mode Sue that it becomes rather boring (and sometimes insulting).

God Mode Sue exists purely to show up how pathetically weak the rest of the world is, and how badly they need his or her help. If there's anybody else that is even capable of standing up for themselves, they may lose their abilities for some reason when the character comes into the equation, or [[IdiotBall become completely incompetent]], or both. They'll [[DistressBall probably get captured]] or find something that they just can't handle. Then the God Mode Sue shows up, saves the day on his or her own at least twice as easily as they usually do when working as a team, and doesn't get his or her ass kicked at all. Then he or she stands around and wallows in their praise a bit.

!Please do not add examples to work pages, this merely [[Administrivia/DefinitionOnlyPages defines the term]]. %%https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1596363404091310800

People like to watch fiction to live vicariously through the characters. Most people in real life have no illusions about ever being able to do the sort of things within the movies. Whether it be the story of an athlete on his way to the top, life as the president, or StuffBlowingUp, these are stories that the [[{{Muggles}} average Joe]] won't find himself partaking in. Then there are things such as [[StockSuperpowers superpowers]], [[FunctionalMagic magic]], and high technology. However, even a story with [[{{Fantasy}} fantastic]] (or just merely [[MillionToOneChance highly improbable]]) elements has to make it believable in order to allow WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.

People like to watch fiction to live vicariously through the characters. Most people in real life have no illusions about ever being able to do the sort of things within the movies. Whether it be the story of an athlete on his way to the top, life as the president, or StuffBlowingUp, these are stories that the [[{{Muggles}} average Joe]] won't find himself partaking in. Then there are things such as [[StockSuperpowers superpowers]], [[FunctionalMagic magic]], and high technology. However, even a story with [[{{Fantasy}} fantastic]] (or just merely [[MillionToOneChance highly improbable]]) elements has to make it believable in order to allow WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief. God Mode Sue takes that WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief and tosses it out the window.

He or she [[note]] It's pretty evenly split... which says a ton, considering how most widely accepted MarySue characters are female[[/note]] doesn't so much work within the plot as the plot works for ''them''.

The trope name comes from term "GodMode" (or, more specifically, its use in the context of [[GodModers "godmoding"]]), which often gets used to denote when a player refuses to allow any random chance to negatively impact their character. In this case, the author is pretty much doing just that.

The ComicallyInvincibleHero is frequently as powerful as a God Mode Sue, but is played for comedy due to RefugeInAudacity. Compare and contrast with the ShowyInvincibleHero, who dances on the line but avoids crossing it due to RuleOfCool. The InvincibleHero is the first stage of this trope. If an InfinityPlusOneSword is involved, it may be a sign that transition from InvincibleHero into God Mode Sue takes place when it becomes impossible for a character to get separated from item granting him his powers or have their connection cut in any way. If that is obvious from the start, it's safe to assume character starts as a full-blown God Mode Sue. The final stage of this trope, after the RockBottom has fallen out from under the story, is an all-devouring BlackHoleSue. Plus viewers can make their own god mode sue via MemeticBadass.

He or she (it's pretty evenly split... which says a ton, considering how most widely accepted MarySue characters are female) doesn't so much work within the plot as the plot works for them.

'''No examples, please. This only defines the term.'''

----

It's worthy to note that there is a correlation between BadAss and this trope. A proper BadAss will frequently break the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief, but they generally sell it through either RefugeInAudacity or just generally being convincing as something that could naturally come up with the character. However, they are still treated as normal characters by the plot and have to face potential repercussions to their actions like anybody else. God Mode Sue... doesn't.

->''"Yeah, well don't forget that the [[GameMaster GM]] runs the universe."''

-->''"Yeah, well don't forget that the [[GameMaster GM]] runs the universe."''
-->''"And I'm a sue. Therefore your point is moot, Mr. GM"''
---> -- Overheard on an IRC channel.

God Mode Sue exists purely to show up how pathetically weak the rest of the world is, and how badly they need his or her help. If there's anybody else that is even capable of standing up for themselves, they may lose their abilities for some reason when the character comes into the equation, or [[IdiotBall become incompetent boobs]], or both. They'll [[DistressBall probably get captured]] or find something that they just can't handle. Then the God Mode Sue shows up, saves the day on his or her own at least twice as easily as they usually do when working as a team, and doesn't get his or her ass kicked at all. Then he or she stands around and wallows in their praise a bit.

People like to watch fiction to live vicariously through the characters. Most people in real life have no illusions about ever being able to do the sort of things within the movies. Whether it be the story of an athlete on his way to the top, life as the president, or StuffBlowingUp, these are stories that the [[{{Muggles}} average Joe]] won't find himself partaking in. Then there are things such as [[StockSuperpowers superpowers]], [[FunctionalMagic magic]], and high technology. However, even a story with [[{{Fantasy}} fantastic]] (or just merely [[MillionToOneChance highly improbable]]) elements has to make it believable in order to allow WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief. GodModeSue takes that WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief and tosses it out the window.

GodModeSue can overlap with pretty much anything, but generally doesn't overlap with PuritySue (whose overwhelming specialness is its own superpower) or SympatheticSue. It can overlap with a PossessionSue if a writer wants to show what (they feel) a canon character can ''really'' do. If it overlaps with VillainSue, then our heroes had better hope that he or she has a HeelFaceTurn coming up, or else OnlyTheAuthorCanSaveThemNow.

The ComicallyInvincibleHero is frequently as powerful as a GodModeSue, but is played for comedy due to RefugeInAudacity. Compare and contrast with the ShowyInvincibleHero, who dances on the line but avoids crossing it due to RuleOfCool. The InvincibleHero is the first stage of this trope. If an InfinityPlusOneSword is involved, it may be a sign that transition from InvincibleHero into GodModeSue takes place when it becomes impossible for a character to get separated from item granting him his powers or have their connection cut in any way. If that is obvious from the start, it's safe to assume character starts as a full-blown GodModeSue. The final stage of this trope, after the RockBottom has fallen out from under the story, is an all-devouring BlackHoleSue. Plus viewers can make their own god mode sue via MemeticBadass.

The trope name comes from term "GodMode" (or, more specifically, its use in the context of [[GodModders "godmodding"]]), which often gets used to denote when a player refuses to allow any random chance to negatively impact their character. In this case, the author is pretty much doing just that.

[[quoteright:315:[[TomTheDancingBug http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/GodManVsThePurpleBeetle_3147.png]]]]

The ComicallyInvincibleHero is frequently as powerful as a GodModeSue, but is played for comedy due to RefugeInAudacity. Compare and contrast with the ShowyInvincibleHero, who dances on the line but avoids crossing it due to RuleOfCool. The InvincibleHero is the first stage of this trope. If GodModeItem is involved, it may be a sign that transition from InvincibleHero into GodModeSue takes place when it becomes impossible for a character to get separated from item granting him his powers or have their connection cut in any way. If that is obvious from the start, it's safe to assume character starts as a full-blown GodModeSue. The final stage of this trope, after the RockBottom has fallen out from under the story, is an all-devouring BlackHoleSue. Plus viewers can make their own god mode sue via MemeticBadass.

The ComicallyInvincibleHero is frequently as powerful as a GodModeSue, but is played for comedy due to RefugeInAudacity. Compare and contrast with the ShowyInvincibleHero, who dances on the line but avoids crossing it due to RuleOfCool. The InvincibleHero is the first stage of this trope - may the BIH never reach this level. If GodModeItem is involved, it may be a sign that transition from InvincibleHero into GodModeSue takes place when it becomes impossible for a character to get separated from item granting him his powers or have their connection cut in any way. If that is obvious from the start, it's safe to assume character starts as a full-blown GodModeSue. The final stage of this trope, after the RockBottom has fallen out from under the story, is an all-devouring BlackHoleSue. Plus viewers can make their own god mode sue via MemeticBadass.

The ComicallyInvincibleHero is frequently as powerful as a GodModeSue, but is played for comedy due to RefugeInAudacity. Compare and contrast with the ShowyInvincibleHero, who dances on the line but avoids crossing it due to RuleOfCool. The BoringInvincibleHero is the first stage of this trope - may the BIH never reach this level. If GodModeItem is involved, it may be a sign that transition from InvincibleHero into GodModeSue takes place when it becomes impossible for a character to get separated from item granting him his powers or have their connection cut in any way. If that is obvious from the start, it's safe to assume character starts as a full-blown GodModeSue. The final stage of this trope, after the RockBottom has fallen out from under the story, is an all-devouring BlackHoleSue. Plus viewers can make their own god mode sue via MemeticBadass.

The ComicallyInvincibleHero is frequently as powerful as a GodModeSue, but is played for comedy due to RefugeInAudacity. Compare and contrast with the ShowyInvincibleHero, who dances on the line but avoids crossing it due to RuleOfCool. The BoringInvincibleHero is the first stage of this trope - may the BIH never reach this level. If GodModeItem is involved, it may be a sign that transition from InvincibleHero into GodModeSue takes place when it becomes impossible for a character to get separated from item granting him his powers or have their connection cut in any way. it that is obvious from the start, it's safe to assume character starts as a full-blown GodModeSue. The final stage of this trope, after the RockBottom has fallen out from under the story, is an all-devouring BlackHoleSue. Plus viewers can make their own god mode sue via MemeticBadass.

The ComicallyInvincibleHero is frequently as powerful as a GodModeSue, but is played for comedy due to RefugeInAudacity. Compare and contrast with the ShowyInvincibleHero, who dances on the line but avoids crossing it due to RuleOfCool. The BoringInvincibleHero is the first stage of this trope - may the BIH never reach this level. If GodModeItem is involved, it may be a sign that transition from BoringInvicibleHero into GodModeSue takes place when it becomes impossible for a character to get separated from item granting him his powers or have their connection cut in any way. it that is obvious from the start, it's safe to assume character starts as a full-blown GodModeSue. The final stage of this trope, after the RockBottom has fallen out from under the story, is an all-devouring BlackHoleSue. Plus viewers can make their own god mode sue via MemeticBadass.