History Main / TheSneakyGuy

* Franchise/{{Batman}} usually plays this role whenever he's with the ComicBook/JusticeLeague. Justified, since most of his teammates are {{PhysicalGod}}s while he's a normal human being, and being a detective is what he's good at, anyway.

* ''Comic/StreetFighter'' has an extra called "Case Closed" in which the [[GirlyGirl girly]] {{Ninja}} [[FragileSpeedster girl]] Ibuki is sent by her ninja village to infiltrate a high security military base and steal a high importance briefcase. She doesn't have any problem getting in and only fails when another fighter called Q was unexpectantly there and brought unwanted attention. She does escape afterwards simply by using her superhuman jumping ability.

* Robin Hood from the ''Franchise/FateSeries''. In his debut game ''VideoGame/Fate/Extra'', he uses underhanded tactics to defeat his enemies, by concealing his presence and laying traps (notably, poison), very similar to the Assassin-class. In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', Robin is also typecast as a scout while still retaining his usual M.O. for traps and poison. He scouts places ahead for his party, keeps a low profile and, if possible, a long distance from the enemy and he can sneak into places that sub-par Assassins can't get into.

* ''Comic/StreetFighter'' has an extra called "Case Closed" in which the [[GirlyGirl girly]] {{Ninja}} [[FragileSpeedster girl]] Ibuki is sent by her ninja village to infiltrate a high security military base and steal a high importance briefcase. She doesn't have any problem getting in and only fails when another fighter called Q was unexpectantly there and brought unwanted attention. She did escape afterwards simply by using her superhuman jumping ability.

* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': ComicBook/SteveTrevor is quite good a scouting out an enemy fortification or hideout and then returning with the information without being noticed. As it's not his book though he usually finds that Diana's tactic of allowing herself to be captured and brought along by the bad guys has gotten her there first and on the rare occasions the villain has stumbled across a way of restraining her that is tricky for her to escape from he helps her out.

Related tropes are StealthExpert, TechnicolorNinjas, ArmyScout of the western movies, or the ScarilyCompetentTracker. Sometimes clad in a SpyCatsuit. If a character manages to be both good at fieldcraft and fighting straight-up, it's usually a {{Ranger}} or the point man variety. Depending on how [[HighlyVisibleNinja stealthy they are]], the [[Ninja]] may qualify.

In a fight, the sneaky guy will probably try to stay inconspicuous, looking for a weak spot to exploit or a way to confuse the enemy. Ranged weapons are common, as are daggers and short swords. Very likely to be a CombatPragmatist and/or an UnderhandedHero. Expect this character to be the one chosen for scouting and infiltration missions.

Related tropes are StealthExpert, TechnicolorNinjas, ArmyScout of the western movies, or the ScarilyCompetentTracker. Sometimes clad in a SpyCatsuit. If a character manages to be both good at fieldcraft and fighting straight-up, it's usually a {{Ranger}} or the point man variety.

* Kouta Tsuchiya in ''LightNovel/BakaAndTestSummonTheBeasts''.

* Malak is a cowardly thief who provides some comic relief in ''Film/ConanTheDestroyer''.

* Bilbo Baggins is hired for this very role by the dwarf party in ''Literature/TheHobbit'', although he's himself initially unconvinced.

* Martinez in Norman Mailer's ''Literature/TheNakedAndTheDead''.
* Jame in ''Literature/ChroniclesOfTheKencyrath'', especially in ''God Stalk'', the first book.
* Gray Mouser in Fritz Leiber's ''[[Literature/FafhrdAndTheGrayMouser Lankhmar]]'' books.

* The eponymous Reynard the Fox from ''Literature/TheReynardCycle''
* Silk in the ''Literature/{{Belgariad}}''.
* Poplock Duckweed in ''Literature/TheBalancedSword'' by Creator/RykESpoor.
* Caius Blohm in Creator/DavidDrake's ''Literature/{{Redliners}}'' is a point man variation.
* Ding Chavez in Creator/TomClancy's ''Literature/JackRyan'' series, introduced in ''Literature/ClearAndPresentDanger'', is another point man variation.

* Wait! What about the "evil dude" in ''Series/LazyTown''?

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* Most [[FantasyCharacterClasses Rogue and Thief classes]] in [[TabletopGames RPGs]].
[[/folder]]

* Fero in ''VideoGame/TheReconstruction''.
* The Spy class from ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2''.
* Kasumi Goto in ''Franchise/MassEffect''.
* Altaïr, Ezio and Desmond of ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' fame.
* [=Zer0=] from ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}''.

* Haley in ''WebComic/TheOrderOfTheStick''.

* Tunnel Rat fills this role in ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeRenegades''.

* Kabuto Kirisaki fills this role for the drifters in ''Manga/Psyren'' being a usually unwilling participant in the battles initially only skilled at running and hiding, but his keen eyes and being amongst the first to link the similarities between the geography of Psyen [[spoiler: and the modern day world, which leads to one of the most important discoveries of the series]]. Later, after awakening his PSI, [[SpiderSense Menace]], he fits this even more, using his power to help the drifters avoid attacks and the like, and prefers to avoid a straight fight if able.

* ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}} in ''ComicBook/XMen''. His nimbleness and ability to {{Wall Crawl|ing}}, blend into shadows, and {{Teleport|ation}} allow him to slip past enemy lines undetected.

* ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}} in ''ComicBook/XMen''.

* Beck from ''TronUprising'' is a FragileSpeedster, especially compared to MightyGlacier Tessler or LightningBruiser Tron. But he outclasses ''both'' of them at being sneaky.

* ''Fanfic/SomeSemblanceOfMeaning'', a HungerGames fanfic, has Phlox--so stealthy that she was able to lurk at the outskirts of [[spoiler: the Careers']] camp, stealing supplies, for at least several days straight, without ever getting caught.

* ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}} in ''{{ComicBook/X-Men}}''.

In a fight, the sneaky guy will probably try to stay inconspicuous, looking for a weak spot to exploit or a way to confuse the enemy. Ranged weapons are common, as are daggers and short swords. Very likely to be a CombatPragmatist. Expect this character to be the one chosen for scouting and infiltration missions.

* Tunnel Rat fills this role in GIJoeRenegades.

* Benito Valdosta in the ''Literature/HeirsOfAlexandria'' series. Trained as a thief and a very good climber.

* It is possible to play the Hero like this as a Thief in ''VideoGame/QuestForGlory''. In a lot of cases, there is stuff to steal, and stealth can get a lot of results without risk. In the FanRemake to ''VideoGame/QuestForGloryII'' it is even possible to play the Thief as a backstabbing assassin. Not honorable at all, but it works.

* Zuko from "WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender". Displayed in "The Blue Spirit" in Book One: Water. He combines this with elements of the PointMan/Big Guy by taking out soldiers and remaining in the shadows, until he rescues Aang. Once detected, he still was able to get Aang out alive, before being shot by an arrow. Later, displayed when he snuck onto the Zhao's warship after surviving an assassination attempt. Followed by sneaking into the Water Tribe Kingdom and entering the Oasis, without being seen. That's just season one folks.

* Zer0 from ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}''.

* Wait! What about the "evil dude" in "LazyTown"?