History Main / IdiotHero

[[caption-width-right:198:[[TooDumbToLive Hopefully, he'll]] [[TitleDrop Get Smart]].]]

TheLancer to the Idiot Hero takes two common forms: either they are a HeroWorshipper willing to look past his obvious drawbacks, or a SourSupporter who acts as his {{Foil}}. In either case, they often act as MrExposition, [[AsYouKnow explaining the hero things he really ought to already know]]. His other TrueCompanions will usually get annoyed or [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer even outright be embarassed by his presence]], but deep down, they know he is the one whom they can depend on to protect them from the evils of the world.

Could naturally emerge in {{roleplay}} as a form of MinMaxing, where the hero sacrifices intelligence (or at least its [[DumpStat non-combat related aspects]]) for [[SacrificedBasicSkillForAwesomeTraining better ability to kick ass.]]

* In ''FanFic/YourHumanAndYou'', the main character, Max, is a prime example of this.

* In The Sparkle In His Eye, this trope is taken to the extreme, as Captain Quark has the ability of being so stupid, he changes reality. As in, if you told him the door could be blown up by throwing a rock at it, it could actually happen.
* [[UpToEleven The main protagonists of]] ''Fanfic/MyBravePonyStarfleetMagic''. [[WhatAnIdiot/MyBravePonyStarfleetMagic There's an entire page dedicated to listing every example of their complete ineptitude.]]

* SpiderMan's [[ComicStrip/SpiderMan newspaper incarnation]] is most generously described as a bumbling slapstick character who isn't very good at his job. One memorable arc with [[ComicBook/AntMan Ant Man]] has him shrunk down to bug-size. When a tarantula about ten times his size shows up, [[https://i.imgur.com/TIi6L7A.gif Spidey charges ahead because he's "got the proportional strength of a spider."]] It takes another character to point out that the spider also has the proportional strength of a spider and so because it's bigger it's "got a lot more of it." [[TooDumbToLive By this time SpiderMan is pretty much in the tarantula's chompers]].
-->'''SpiderMan:''' "Yeah, guess I should have figured that out - for myself!"

* Captain Kremmen

* Lord Vidar in Radio/ElvenQuest.

* SpiderMan's [[ComicStrip/SpiderMan newspaper incarnation]] is most generously described as a bumbling slapstick character who isn't very good at his job. One memorable arc with [[ComicBook/AntMan Ant Man]] has him shrunk down to bug-size. When a tarantula about ten times his size shows up, [[https://i.imgur.com/TIi6L7A.gif Spidey charges ahead because he's "got the proportional strength of a spider."]] It takes another character to point out that [[CaptainObvious the spider also has the proportional strength of a spider]] and so because it's bigger it's "got a lot more of it." [[TooDumbToLive By this time SpiderMan is pretty much in the tarantula's chompers]].

[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* Battler Ushiromiya from ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'', at least until he wizens up.
[[/folder]]

The Idiot Hero is a common character in action series. Often, he or she is both [[TheProtagonist the protagonist]] and the central character of the narrative. He will frequently use the IndyPloy, will be [[FearlessFool too stupid to be afraid of imminent peril]], and will often have a [[TheDitz short memory span]]. Despite all of this, he is the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass most effective member of the cast at fighting]]. He will also usually be the [[TheHero leader]] of a [[TheTeam tight-knit group of characters]], despite the fact that he doesn't have the brains to lead a cat out of a paper bag. This is because he's [[TooDumbToFool so stupid as to be incorruptible]], and has the ability to maintain a [[ChildrenAreInnocent childlike innocence]] and faith in people that [[EasyEvangelism inspires those around him]].

* SpiderMan's [[ComicStrip/SpiderMan newspaper incarnation]] is most generously described as a bumbling slapstick character who isn't very good at his job. One memorable arc with [[ComicBook/AntMan Ant Man]] has him shrunk down to bug-size. When a tarantula about ten times his size shows up, [[https://i.imgur.com/TIi6L7A.gif Spidey charges ahead because he's "got the proportional strength of a spider."]] It takes another character to point out that [[CaptainObvious the spider also has the proportional strength of a spider]] and so it's "got a lot more of it." [[TooDumbToLive By this time SpiderMan is pretty much in the tarantula's chompers]].

[[IThoughtItMeant Does not necessarily star in]] an IdiotPlot.

* [[UpToEleven The main protagonists of]] ''Fanfic/MyBravePonyStarfleetMagic''. [[WhatAnIdiot/MyLittleUnicorn There's an entire page dedicated to listing every example of their complete ineptitude.]]

* [[UpToEleven The main protagonists of]] ''[[Fanfic/MyLittleUnicorn Starfleet Magic]]''. [[WhatAnIdiot/MyLittleUnicorn There's an entire page dedicated to listing every example of their complete ineptitude.]]

* Jaune Arc of ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' is this compared to his more educated and better-trained peers. [[DeconstructedTrope However]], he's aware of it and it causes him great distress for a while, until he decides to start training with Pyrrha to overcome it.

The Idiot Hero is usually a mutation of TheFool. However, unlike TheFool, the Idiot Hero usually has some idealistic goal in mind, usually becoming the "[[ToBeAMaster best warrior ever]]", and is usually much more aggressive when irked. The Idiot Hero [[InHarmsWay usually enjoys fighting]], and is always looking for a challenge. The only way to actually anger the Idiot Hero will be inevitably to hurt [[{{Protectorate}} one of their friends]], or {{Innocent Bystander}}s. In some cases, his idiocy may become the best weapon to [[SpannerInTheWorks ruin an evil plan inadvertently]].

Compare with AllLovingHero, FailureHero, NiceJobBreakingItHero, HeroWithAnFInGood, GoodIsDumb, StupidGood and ButtMonkey. Contrast with PragmaticHero, GuileHero and ByronicHero. Will frequently be a ManChild - or even a PsychopathicManchild if crossed with SociopathicHero, although that would border on an outright {{Deconstruction}} of the archetype.

Could naturally emerge in roleplay as a form of MinMaxing, where the hero sacrifices intelligence (or at least its [[DumpStat non-combat related aspects]]) for [[SacrificedBasicSkillForAwesomeTraining better ability to kick ass.]]

* Lord Vidar in ElvenQuest.

The Idiot Hero is a common character in action series. Often, he is both [[TheProtagonist the protagonist]] and the central character of the narrative. He will frequently use the IndyPloy, will be [[FearlessFool too stupid to be afraid of imminent peril]], and will often have a [[TheDitz short memory span]]. Despite all of this, he is the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass most effective member of the cast at fighting]]. He will also usually be the [[TheHero leader]] of a [[TheTeam tight-knit group of characters]], despite the fact that he doesn't have the brains to lead a cat out of a paper bag. This is because he's [[TooDumbToFool so stupid as to be incorruptible]], and has the ability to maintain a [[ChildrenAreInnocent childlike innocence]] and faith in people that [[EasyEvangelism inspires those around him]].

* PlayedForLaughs in the PeggySue fic ''FanFic/IAmNOTGoingThroughPubertyAgain''. Despite being the most skilled ninja in history and having over twenty years of experience, Naruto is still incapable of answering more than half of the questions on the first phase of the Chunin exams without cheating.

The Idiot Hero is a common character in action series. Often, he is both [[TheProtagonist the protagonist]] and the central character of the narrative. He will frequently use the IndyPloy, will be [[FearlessFool too stupid to be afraid of imminent peril]], and will often have a [[TheDitz short memory span]]. Despite all of this, he is the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass most effective member of the cast at fighting]]. He will also usually be the [[TheHero leader]] of a [[TheTeam tight-knit group of characters]], despite the fact that he doesn't have the brains to lead a cat out of a paper bag. This is because he's [[TooDumbToFool so stupid as to be incorruptible]], and has the ability to maintain a [[ChildrenAreInnocent childlike innocence]] and faith in people that [[EasyEvangelism inspires those around him]]. His idiocy may also inadvertently [[SpannerInTheWorks ruin an evil plan]].

The Idiot Hero is usually a mutation of TheFool. However, unlike TheFool, the Idiot Hero usually has some idealistic goal in mind, usually becoming the "[[ToBeAMaster best warrior ever]]", and is usually much more aggressive when irked. The Idiot Hero [[InHarmsWay usually enjoys fighting]], and is always looking for a challenge. The only way to actually anger the Idiot Hero will be inevitably to hurt [[{{Protectorate}} one of their friends]], or {{Innocent Bystander}}s.

The Idiot Hero is a common character in action series. Often, he is both [[TheProtagonist the protagonist]] and the central character of the narrative. He will frequently use the IndyPloy, will be [[FearlessFool too stupid to be afraid of imminent peril]], and will often have a [[TheDitz short memory span]]. Despite all of this, he is the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass most effective member of the cast at fighting]]. He will also usually be the [[TheHero leader]] of a [[TheTeam tight-knit group of characters]], despite the fact that he doesn't have the brains to lead a cat out of a paper bag. This is because he's [[TooDumbToFool so stupid as to be incorruptible]], and has the ability to maintain a [[ChildrenAreInnocent childlike innocence]] and faith in people that [[EasyEvangelism inspires those around him]]. His idiocy may also inadvertently [[SpannerInTheWork ruin an evil plan]].