History Main / RuggedScar

* Played with in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10490270/1/A-Political-Perspective A Political Perspective]]''. Sakura gets a jagged scar over her left eye due to being taken hostage by an escaped prisoner. Though she's merely TheChick beforehand, said scar motivates her to become a true ActionGirl.

** At some point between ''AOTC'' and ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' Anakin acquires a vertical scar on his left eyebrow and cheek. The EU explains it as the result of a lightsaber graze during a duel with a Dark Jedi named Asajj Ventress.

* Saïx from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' is the best example for this trope. A stoic, ice-calm commander with an X-shaped scar with the center on his nose is easily one of [[TheDreaded the most feared villains]] in the whole series. Many characters, including seriously powerful ones, often choose to flee on his arrival. And when [[{{Lunacy}} the moon finally breaks his calm]], the scar nearly covers all of his face, and [[TheBerserker he becomes an unstoppable demon]].
* [[AnIcePerson Sub-Zero]] gained a scar over one eye in between ''VideoGame/MortalKombatII'' and ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat3 3]]''. The details behind it are never given, but it does coincide with him being cast out and hunted by his McNinja Assassin Clan.
* Similarly, Siegfried from the ''VideoGame/{{Soul|Series}}'' series of games gained a scar over his eye at some point while WalkingTheEarth between ''Soul Edge'' and the first ''Soulcalibur''.
* The huge, diagonal scar running the length of Sagat's torso in ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', courtesy of a Metsu Shoryuken from a [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Satsui no Hado]]-infused Ryu. Some adaptations show how it happened, and sometimes it really is as nasty as it looks (such as in [[Anime/StreetFighterIITheAnimatedMovie the animated movie]]). There's also Zangief, who is CoveredWithScars from wrestling bears in the Siberian wilderness.
* Kanji Tatsumi from ''VideoGame/Persona4'' has a small scar on his brow. Fitting, since he's a delinquent infamous InUniverse for getting into fights and feared by many (even if he does have [[BruiserWithASoftCenter a very soft center)]].
* In ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'', [[BareFistedMonk Akihiko]] has been WalkingTheEarth since ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'', and he's picked up a couple of scars, notably a giant claw mark on his chest. It's never elaborated on, but it fits his "wild man" redesign and the fact that, when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, he's probably the best fighter in the game.
* In ''[[VideoGame/TalesOfTheWorld Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology]]'', a conversation between [[VideoGame/TalesOfRebirth Annie]] and [[VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia Senel]] has her believe that there must be some amazing story behind the T-shaped scar on his face. After she leaves, Senel claims he only got a scar because he thought it would [[RuleOfCool look cool]].
* In ''VideoGame/{{Elsword}}'', Raven's is somewhere between this and CoveredWithScars. He's also a grizzled veteran who has witnessed many tragedies in his life (including surviving the death of his family).
* ''VideoGame/StarTrekOnline'':
** The game features these on multiple [[NonPlayerCharacter NPCs]], for example [[http://sto.gamepedia.com/File:Franklin_Drake.png Agent Franklin Drake]] from Section 31, and [[http://sto.gamepedia.com/File:J%27mpok.png J'mpok,]] Chancellor of the Klingon Empire. A wide array of scars are also available for CharacterCustomization, although whether they fall here or under EveryScarHasAStory depends on how RP-inclined the player is.
** Admiral Amnell Kree in the Foundry mission [[Recap/StarTrekOnlineFoundryBaitAndSwitch "Bait and Switch"]] has very heavy scarring across her left eye. Her in-game dossier implies them to be the result of injuries sustained during the Dominion War (she got a Purple Heart after the Battle of Cardassia), but they serve more to mark her as a FrontlineGeneral. Section 31 Agent Grell likewise sports a lightning bolt-shaped scar on the left side of his forehead, which is left unexplained.
* BitchInSheepsClothing [[spoiler:Matt Engarde]] from ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyJusticeForAll'' hides a double example under his PeekABangs; he has the claw-like scars over one of his eyes. This highlights that he's nowhere near as innocent as he seems, but hides it well as these never get seen before TheReveal that he's the BigBad of the case.

* Infinite in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' has a scar over his right eye.

* In ''Franchise/MassEffect'', the character customization allows players to give Shepard any one of a selection of prominent facial scars, including the classic vertical eye scar and a particularly nasty one that runs all the way across their face diagonally over the bridge of the nose. The scar selection is the same for both the male and female models, and since this a role-playing game, it's easy to assume that the scars were sustained during whatever career-defining moment the player chooses as part of Shepard's backstory.
** Wrex has claw-like scarring on the side of his face and skull plate.
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Shepard is covered in scars as a result of the numerous procedures undertaken to restore them to life, and the scars can either fade on their own (max Paragon), become permanent (max Renegade), or be healed completely with the optional med bay upgrade.
** Garrus also gets a wicked patch of scar from [[spoiler:taking a ''missile' to the face'']], which carries over into ''VideoGame/MassEffect3''.
** DLC squadmate Zaeed Massani has extensive scarring all over his face, including mismatched eyes. This is because he was one of the founding members of the Blue Sun mercenary organization, and after an argument with his co-founder, said merc put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
** When Admiral Hacket appears in person in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' we are treated to a face that matches Creator/LanceHenriksen's gravel-laden voicework.

* [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain Punished/Venom Snake's]] face is covered with these along with [[EyepatchAfterTimeSkip an eyepatch]] and large pieces of shrapnel lodged into his head.
* ''VideoGame/XCOM2'' has an impressive selection of these as character customisation options, and sometimes they'll be added automatically after your soldiers get wounded severely.
* Springtrap from ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys3'' is a highly damaged zombie-like animatronic, with a distinct scar-like crack across one of his eyes.

* In ''[[VideoGame/CrusaderKings Crusader Kings II]]'', if you get the "Wounded" trait (Usually from random events or [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething personally leading troops into battle]]) it will usually eventually heal into the "Scarred" trait which gives a -5 dip for attraction (modifier for how much people like you), but you gain a +0.5 prestige (general measurement of how respected you are) bonus every month.
* Hyde in ''VideoGame/{{Evolve}}'' has a burn scar across the left side of his face, presumably earned in the Mutagen Wars.

* [[Franchise/TheWitcher Geralt of Rivia]] is CoveredInScars, befitting a man who spends his days fighting various monsters, but the one that qualifies him for the trope would probably be the one running over his left eye.
* ''VideoGame/Halo2'' introduces The Arbiter's closest ally and nearly-as-badass Elite [[SupportingLeader Rtas 'Vadumee]], whose scars take the form of his [[FacialHorror two missing left mandibles]]. ExpandedUniverse material expands on the circumstances only hinted at in-game and reveals he got them during the events of the [[VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved first game]] when he led a Spec-Ops team onto a [[ZombieApocalypse Flood-infested]] ship and fought a desperate battle to destroy it, being the SoleSurvivor and losing his mandibles to his Flood-infected second-in-command's [[LaserBlade Energy Sword]] as part of a DeliberateInjuryGambit.

* Absurdly common in {{RPG}}s including ''Franchise/Warcraft'' despite almost all such games also including [[HealingMagic widespread using of magical healing]]. Indeed, it is not at all infrequent to see such scars borne by individuals who would be fully capable of healing themselves: Turalyon in the Legion expansion to ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' would be a prime example. This is made all the more strange by the other characters who exhibit such scars having lore justifications for keeping them: Varian Wrynn's scars are a sign that he is the wolf god Goldrinn's chosen champion, Illidan's scars are tattoos used to bind a demon to his body, etc. We can only assume that Turalyon's wife Alleria asked him to keep his scars since they do make him quite the SilverFox.
* Baiken from the ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' series has a long vertical slash mark across her left eye and it's permanently closed. Starting with her appearnce in ''Xrd -REVELATOR-'' she covers it with an EyepatchOfPower.
* ''VideoGame/Splatoon3'': Befitting [[PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo the original Agent 3]]’s status as LegendaryInTheSequel, they’re now shown to have scars on the tips of their TentacleHair.

* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks'' has Mariner recover in the sick bay. Doctor T'ana clears her to return to duty, but offers to repair the scars on Mariner's body. Mariner refuses the cosmetic procedure, stating "No way. These are my trophies." "Congratulations," sneers the Caitian doctor, "you look like a fucking scratching post."

Compare EveryScarHasAStory and ScarSurvey. In this case, the story behind the scar is irrelevant, all that matters is that the character's scar sets them apart as tough or a survivor. Overlap between the two is possible; even if the cause of a scar is revealed, if it is used to show someone is tough then this applies as well. CoveredWithScars is a subtrope that occurs when this is taken UpToEleven. Goes hand-in-hand with RealMenGetShot and DentedIron.

* ''Manga/ShonanJunaiGumi'': Invoked by Tsumoto Katsuyuki, aka Katchan, who has a scar on his eyebrow that he did to himself, to look more badass. The scar on his side from when he fought Eikichi is real, though.

* Ibiki from ''Manga/Naruto'' has multiple of these on his forehead from enduring physical torture in the past, and illustrates his capacity to endure pain without giving up the desired information to the enemy.

* ''FanFic/ThePiecesLieWhereTheyFell'': Night Blade has one across his eye after [[spoiler:his fight with Sharp Point.]]

* Kanji Tatsumi from ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' has a small scar on his brow. Fitting, since he's a delinquent infamous InUniverse for getting into fights and feared by many (even if he does have [[BruiserWithASoftCenter a very soft center)]].

* Ser Royland Degore in ''VideoGame/TelltalesGameOfThrones''. His personal history is only briefly referenced in-game, and his prominent facial scar is never explained. He is the master-at-arms of Ironrath and is immediately established as a tough, reckless, and aggressive character, always advising the player to choose the least diplomatic option available. His background is explained a bit better in the game's codex, revealing he indeed is universally regarded as a brilliant and tough commander.

* Clementine from ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDead'' picks up a couple over the course of the series:

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* King from ''WebComic/OnePunchMan'' has a trio of scars on his face from a claw wound, and is believed to be [[WorldsStrongestMan the most powerful superhero alive]], so much so that it's believed that even other S-class heroes are going into certain death if they fight him. [[spoiler:[[FakeUltimateHero None of it is true]]. King is an unusually tall geek who has survived several monster incidents that Saitama resolved, and because Saitama was an unregistered hero and left the scene immediately after killing the threat, [[MistakenForBadass King got the credit]], and earned a fearsome reputation. In truth, the only thing King can do is [[FaceOfAThug look intimidating]] and give a DeathGlare until [[VictoryThroughIntimidation people or monsters back down]]. Fortunately, most of them do exactly that.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice''

* In ''Film/ShredderOrpheus'', Scratch has a red, raw scar on her neck from when she tried to skate the EBN parking garage, using her scarf to cover it up most of the time. She reveals it to Orpheus as proof of how dangerous the garage is.

* Domon Kasshu, HotBlooded hero of ''Series/GGundam'' has a cross-shaped scar on his right cheek. The origin is never given, but it fits his brash persona, though a 4koma makes fun of this saying that the scar was actually Master Asia etching an 'X' on his cheek with a marker, punishing him when he messed up.

A relatively simple way for a writer to show a character's [[MadeOfIron tough]] [[ShowDontTell without explicitly saying it]]: give them a prominent scar. Even if the [[EveryScarHasAStory cause of the scar]] is never revealed, it's clear that the character suffered some sort of serious wound and survived. For example, you look at a group of {{Space Marine}}s. Who do you think is the toughest one there: the clean-faced guy or the [[OldSoldier guy with a healed gash across his face]]?

* Absurdly common in {{RPG}}s including ''Franchise/Warcraft'' despite almost all such games also including [[HealingMagic widespread using of magical healing]]. Indeed, it is not at all infrequent to see such scars borne by individuals who would be fully capable of healing themselves: Turalyon in the Legion expansion to ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''would be a prime example. This is made all the more strange by the other characters who exhibit such scars having lore justifications for keeping them: Varian Wrynn's scars are a sign that he is the wolf god Goldrinn's chosen champion, Illidan's scars are tattoos used to bind a demon to his body, etc. We can only assume that Turalyon's wife Alleria asked him to keep his scars since they do make him quite the SilverFox.
* Clementine from ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDead'' will have a scar going over her eyebrow in [[VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadSeasonThree season three]] if you choose the [[spoiler:"Go with Kenny"]] ending in [[VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadSeasonTwo season two]]. She will have a bullet graze scar on her cheek if you chose the [["Richmond" ending]] instead.

* Hugh from ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'' is an unorthodox example. The terrible scars on his throat are due to a horrific mutilation by a bandit. He miraculously survived, of course, but at the cost of his voice.

* ''Fanfic/TheRigelBlackChronicles'': After Marek unsuccessfully challenges Leo for the kingship, Harry heals his knife injury so well that Rispah predicts it ''won't'' scar -- which Marek finds a bit disappointing.

* ''Series/Barbarians'': Ariminius has a scar on his right arm that he tells Centurion Metellus was his souvenir from Pannonian steel, which he received in battle in Pannonia. In response Metellus shows him the scars on his left hip, stating that people had to carry him to the latrine for two months after he received those particular scars.