History Main / WeakButskilled

* This trope is how Anime/CuteyHoney can fight [[Manga/SailorMoon Dark Kingdom youma]] and win in ''Venus Flash'': while far weaker than any serious youma, let alone Sailor Venus, she's an experienced fighter that [[CombatPragmatist would not hesitate to throw a flamethrower-wielding enemy into an open fire or]] ''[[CombatPragmatist strip herself as a distraction]]'' and used to fight stronger enemies, allowing her to keep up with creative use of her powers.

* In ''Manga/Brave10'', Rokuro is one of the smallest, lithest dudes on the team and gets thrown around like a ragdoll more than once, but he has his [[MakeMeWannaShout sonic techniques]], later [[spoiler:BloodMagic]], and is fast and precise with [[HiddenWeapons suntetsu]] and his chain whip.

* ''Fanfic/IWokeUpAsADungeonNowWhat'': With just two floors, one containing a handful of "Small Lesser" bug varieties, the other containing tiny fragile pixies, Taylor's dungeon should be a cake-walk for any experienced adventuring party. That is, if the cake were poisoned, explosive, filled with sharp objects, and actually just a distraction from the ants sneaking up behind you to push you into a 200' pitfall with giant spiderwebs at the bottom, after which a swarm of giant wasps will drop home-made napalm on you. She hasn't lost her canonical multitasking ability, letting her manage every single minion at the same time, and as a [[ADungeonIsYou dungeon core]], she now also controls the terrain, letting her build cliffs, pits, mobile false walls, bugs-only shortcut tunnels, and a host of other tricks and traps. Add in her pixies' ability to create short-lived illusions, and her own ability to coordinate a swarm of pixies to cast them in sequence so they're effectively permanent...even individuals as powerful as Ulfric and Karjn quickly conclude that her first floor is a nightmare they never want to experience again.

* ''Fanfic/TheSecretReturnOfAlexMack'': Terawatt has less raw power than many of her opponents; her two hundred pounds of telekinetic force is tiny compared to Azure Crush throwing cars. But she has excellent fine control, giving her the versatility to adapt to all kinds of situations, and a number of tricks up her spotlessly white sleeves, like [[ChokeHolds pinching carotid arteries shut]], enhancing her punches to bluff having SuperStrength, blinding super-tough enemies with lightning to the eyeball, and telekinetic guide parries to divert bullets.

** Giles, meanwhile, is only human, and is routinely punched out by vampires and creamed every time he tries a TrainingMontage on Buffy; on the other hand he's seemingly familiar with every melee weapon known to man.
** As far as credible villains go, Angelus is not on the same scale as the ascended Mayor but he's a Master Vampire who has been in the game for over two hundred years and is powerful enough to stalemate Buffy, an unusually strong Slayer. His greatest asset, however, (aside from a meticulous brand of viciousness that would make The Joker proud) is his inside knowledge of the Scoobies, which he uses to full effect.
** Spike is the youngest non-[[MonsterOfTheWeek Villain of the Week]] Vampire the Scoobies have faced. He's just over a century old, which means while he's a lot stronger than the average human, he's on the low end of the raw strength scale as far as vampires and demons go. He's also killed two Slayers and is considered one of the most dangerous threats around by the Watcher's Council.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': The Doctor, aside from a handy [[AppliedPhlebotinum screwdriver]] and a parlor trick regarding [[DeathIsCheap kinda-sorta-not-really dying]], is for all intents and purposes, a mortal being no more powerful than any other sharp-witted human. And yet, they have engineered the downfall of entire races by being merely ''smarter than them.''

* ''Fanfic/TheSoulmateTimeline'', like in canon Homura who is easily the weakest Magical Girl among her circle, with even Hitomi's potential magical power being greater than her own. However the power she does have, to stop and manipulate time, combined with her massively accumulated arsenal and experience from over a decade of time loops, leaves her more than able to compete with any opponent short of a city-destroying super-witch and win.

** The Orbital Shock Drop Troopers, or [=ODSTs=]. While they lack the physical upgrades or the PoweredArmor that the Spartans possess, they're just as rigorously trained for combat and more than prove their worth. ''VideoGame/Halo3ODST'' has you, as a mere rookie in the [=ODSTs=], playing as this trope to survive. Alone and stranded in the ruins of New Mombasa, the only weapons available at the start for you are a submachine gun, pistol, and frag grenades. Using these, along with whatever weapons, ammo, and medical supplies you manage to scavenge along the journey, you have to take on literally hundreds of Covenant troops, several of whom are comparable in strength to Spartans, and eventually reunite with the remaining [=ODSTs=].

* Sokka of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. InAWorld where most of the main characters can [[ElementalPowers control the various elements]] he's still the most Normal of the BadassNormal characters. To deal with that, Sokka often uses [[CombatPragmatist strategies]] and his weapons to bring down his enemies. He's also very resourceful and a fast learner -- see 'Sokka's Master' and how quickly he picks up swordsmanship having not been shown to have any prior experience in that particular weapon. He has, also, grown up in a tribe which relied on non-bending forms of combat for decades and picked up a lot on his own before being formally trained. That would have helped a lot when he met Piandao.

** This is eventually Azula's undoing against Zuko: at first ''she'' appears more powerful thanks to her raw talent at Firebending, but once he matches her in their final fight she's a fourteen-year-old against an opponent who's sixteen more used to physical strain and that has recently learned a style that employs very little movement, and she gets tired much faster. Her recent spectacular VillainousBreakdown isn't helping her any, either.
** In ''Legend of Korra'' Pro Bending competitors tend to fall into this when placed into a proper no-holds-barred fight. Due to the restrictions and rules in place during Pro Bending tournaments, Pro Bending oriented styles tend to focus on using smaller amounts of bending material to deliver fast, precise attacks over relatively small distances with emphasis on the basics of attacking and dodging at a distance rather than learning bigger, flashier techniques. While this gives them the advantage when fighting in close quarters or in locations where bending material is less readily accesible, it also makes them weaker in hand-to-hand combat or longer distance battles due to them [[DamnYouMuscleMemory often still fighting as if they're in a Pro Bending match]] and being too conservative to keep up with benders who are able to use more material and apply more force.

** Rukia Kuchiki of Squad 13. She’s lacking in strength, but when it comes to being a warrior, she’s a lot more level-headed than her [[HotBlooded usual]] {{Tsundere demeanor}} [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold would suggest.]] Her Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki, enables her to control ice through graceful, dance-like techniques. Additionally, like her elder brother Byakuya, Rukia is shown having high proficiency in Kido, and is shown using several varied spells to aid in her battle. [[spoiler:Besides Hachi, Rukia's the ''only'' non-Captain character to kill an Espada, defeating Aaroniero, the 9th Espada. The kicker? She beat him ''all by herself.'']]

** Rukia Kuchiki of Squad 13. She’s lacking in strength, but when it comes to being a warrior, she’s a lot more level-headed than her [[HotBlooded usual]] [[Tsundere demeanor]] [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold would suggest.]] Her Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki, enables her to control ice through graceful, dance-like techniques. Additionally, like her elder brother Byakuya, Rukia is shown having high proficiency in Kido, and is shown using several varied spells to aid in her battle. [[spoiler:Besides Hachi, Rukia's the ''only'' non-Captain character to kill an Espada, defeating Aaroniero, the 9th Espada. The kicker? She beat him ''all by herself.'']]

** Rukia Kuchiki of Squad 13. She’s lacking in strength, but when it comes to being a warrior, she’s a lot more level-headed than her usual demeanor would suggest. Her zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki, enables her to control ice through graceful, dance-like techniques. Additionally, like her elder brother Byakuya, Rukia is shown having high proficiency in Kido, and is shown using several varied spells to aid in her battle. [[spoiler:Besides Hachi, Rukia's the ''only'' non-Captain character to kill an Espada, defeating Aaroniero, the 9th Espada. The kicker. She beat him ''all by herself.'']]

* Characters/BlackCanary only has one superpower, her ultrasonic scream. Other than that, she's about as powerful as any human. However, she is also a skilled fighter and is able to take on highly powered individuals. In ''WesternAnimation/{{Young Justice|2010}}'', she even bested Superboy in a sparring match despite him having super strength.

* Characters/{{Daredevil|MattMurdock}} has a powerset consisting of SuperSenses and a DisabilitySuperpower that compensates for his blindness by giving him a special "radar sense" instead. Other than that, he relies on his athleticism and combat training to survive. That said, it's often all Daredevil needs, as he's very creative in figuring out ways to use his powers to defeat enemies that otherwise outclass him in sheer power. He's even defeated villains like [[GeniusBruiser Mr.]] [[TheBerserker Hyde]] and [[PowerCopying the Absorbing Man]], guys who regularly give ''[[Characters/TheMightyThorThorOdinson Thor]]'' and ''Characters/{{Incredible Hulk|BruceBanner}}'' fits, this way.

* Jesse Custer from ''ComicBook/{{Preacher}}'' is this compared to [[UnskilledButStrong Cassidy]], and has kicked his ass. As Jesse puts it, "Fella taught me to fight was the same piece of shit shot my daddy dead in fronta my eyes. That'll tend to focus your concentration".

** Tulip also fits this trope, being a talented gunfighter who routinely goes up against both normal humans several times her size/strength and supernatural creatures. In particular is the time she [[spoiler:shoots Cassidy out of a window and into the sunlight]]. Bonus points for doing it with a hangover.
* Amy from ''ComicBook/SonicTheComic''. She never gains the raw power of Sonic or Knuckles, but her smarts and ranged combat abilities allow her to be almost as effective under the right conditions.
* Believe it or not, [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker Spider-Man]] in relation to the rest of the Franchise/MarvelUniverse. Sure his powers are pretty impressive to a normal person, but he's a lightweight compared to the some of the guys he normally hangs out with. However, by using his brains, all his powers, and [[{{Determinator}} absolute refusal to give up]] he can, and often does, take down even literal {{Physical God}}s.
** Doesn't hurt that his {{Unstoppable Rage}}s are quite possibly the most legitimate in Marvel, next to [[TropeCodifier the Hulk]] himself.
** Most of his rogues' gallery is stronger than him, and many of them can break his webbing, so Spider-Man has to outthink all of his opponents. One of his favorite tricks is to hit an enemy with a strand of web, even though said villain is physically stronger and heavier so Spider-Man cannot throw him. When the enemy tries to yank Spider-Man towards them, he uses the momentum to deliver a nasty kick or punch.
** It also doesn't hurt his physical abilities are some of the most [[JackOfAllStats well balanced]] around. There are stronger opponents, but they usually have nowhere near his speed and agility, conversely, opponents who are more agile and faster are nowhere near as strong.
** Interestingly enough, he has been written as UnskilledButStrong in some story arcs. During the Big Time arc he was temporarily stripped of his Spider Sense, and his fighting ability took a hit as a result, as he tended to rely on the early warning of his Spider Sense to anticipate his opponent's attacks. To compensate for the loss of his Spider Sense, he accepted an offer to learn martial arts from Shang Chi, one of the top martial artists in the Marvel Universe. Once Shang Chi taught him the basics, they perfected a unique fighting style called The Way of the Spider, which exploited Spider-Man's physical strength, speed and agility to maximum effect.

** While the titular heroine always has SuperStrength, and is often a FlyingBrick, she's sometimes this given that she often faces off with {{Physical God}}s. Notable, against her two main [[{{Archenemy}} archenemies]], [[Characters/WonderWomanAres Ares]] and [[Characters/WonderWomanVillains Circe]], the [[WarGod god of war]] and a powerful immortal {{Evil Sorcere|r}}ss respectively, her strength means little, so she had to rely on her wits, her Amazonian training and her [[{{Determinator}} upstoppable determination]] to defeat them.
** Hippolyta, Diana's mother was able to best Heracles through nothing but pure fighting skill and superior tactics. Really, any Amazon that isn't Diana, Donna or Cassie would qualify.
** [[Characters/WonderWomanAllies Artemis]], Diana's [[TheRival rival]], isn't as strong as Diana but is still a skilled fighter. She served as Diana's replacement for a time following ''ComicBook/TheContest'' and [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1987 once was able to injure the demon lord Neron]] by [[ImprovisedWeapon making a weapon out her hair and one of the silver skulls on her outfit.]]

** Originally Characters/{{Emma Frost|WhiteQueen}} was one of these, being a minor telepathic talent compared to [[Characters/MarvelComicsProfessorX Professor X]] who nevertheless matched him in skill. As time went on and Frost graduated from her villainous White Queen persona, she began to acquire power along with her skill. Now, thanks to this PowerCreep and some CharacterShilling she's arguably the top telepath in the X-Men universe.

* Wrestling/OrangeCassidy usually lacks the raw power and toughness of his opponents, which often results in him getting tired in matches with them very quickly. However, with his maneuverability and the tactical mind games he plays on them, he's often more than capable of pulling off a come from behind win, no matter how dire the situation seems for him. This is emphasized by his ability to do some moves and athletics with his hands in his pockets such as kipping up while his hands are in his pockets in response to getting knocked down.

** This is ComicBook/KarateKid's entire schtick: although he technically doesn't possess any super-powers, he can still hold his own against Superman thanks to his knowledge of every martial art in existence.

[[caption-width-right:350:If you're not strong enough to beat a rhino, ''use the rhino's strength to beat it''.]]

*** [[spoiler: PlayedWith regarding Dyspo of Universe 11. While his strength is lacking, the threat he poses comes from his SuperSpeed. Namely, he’s arguably ''the fastest fighter in the Multiverse.'' He’s able to threaten both Ultimate Gohan and Golden Frieza simply because he’s too fast to keep up with, with Gohan having to resort to TakingYouWithMe to defeat him. However, beyond his speed, when it comes to fighting '' skill'', Dyspo’s moves are noted as being simple, straightforward, and ultimately predictable. Goku and Frieza (at first), after getting used to his speed and reading his moves were able to counter him, and Hit nearly defeated Dyspo ''twice'', only failing to do so because of his teammate Rum’shii.]]

** [[MasterSwordsman Sasaki Kojiro]] makes up for being physically weaker than other characters by spending his entire life (and afterlife) honing his skills with a sword, his training eventually putting him on the same level as other, much stronger characters. [[spoiler:In fact, it's this skill that ends up as the deciding factor in his victory over [[UnskilledButStrong Poseidon]]]].

** Then you have the Characters/{{Black Knight|MarvelComics}} (Dane Whitman). Compared not just to the team powerhouses but even to guys like Black Panther and Characters/{{Captain America|TitleCharacter}} he seems underpowered, being a completely normal human with a sword and a grab-bag assortment of gadgets and enchanted weapons to fight bad guys with. He is, however, a MasterSwordsman who has bested the likes of Captain America and Characters/{{Wolverine|JamesLoganHowlett}} with his blade, a skilled martial artist, and a gifted scientist who started out as a physicist and has since acquired a wide range of scientific disciplines. He is also fairly familiar with magic, giving him a leg up on [[DoesNotLikeMagic most of Marvel's scientific community]].

* On paper, Characters/{{Captain America|TitleCharacter}} isn't all that impressive. He's listed as the height of human potential, but a good chunk of his enemies are ''way'' beyond that. Unfortunately for most villains, he's more than skilled enough to make him one of the top A-list heroes in Marvel. On at least one occasion, he's actually beaten [[Characters/IncredibleHulkBruceBanner the Hulk]]. He's also [[CrazyPrepared made a point of reading up on just about every major villain and threat the Avengers and U.S. government have gathered data on]], so he often starts fights with villains knowing what to look out for and what their {{Logical Weakness}}es are.

** This is Karate Kid's entire schtick: although he technically doesn't possess any super-powers, he can still hold his own against Superman thanks to his knowledge of every martial art in existence.

** The Orbital Shock Drop Troopers, or [=ODSTs=]. While they lack the physical upgrades or the PowerArmor that the Spartans possess, they're just as rigorously trained for combat and more than prove their worth. ''VideoGame/Halo3ODST'' has you, as a mere rookie in the [=ODSTs=], playing as this trope to survive. Alone and stranded in the ruins of New Mombasa, the only weapons available at the start for you are a submachine gun, pistol, and frag grenades. Using these, along with whatever weapons, ammo, and medical supplies you manage to scavenge along the journey, you have to take on literally hundreds of Covenant troops, several of whom are comparable in strength to Spartans, and eventually reunite with the remaining [=ODSTs=].

** The Heroes of Tomorrow, aka the protagonists of ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'', are pretty low on the power-scale compared to the rest of the series' heroes, almost comparable to an EliteMook in terms of individual power. Instead of relying on brute strength, a la previous protagonist [[OneManArmy Kiryu]], the group instead makes use of teamwork and strategy to take down opponents that would otherwise be far out of their league.

** In the first game,Josh, [[{{Delinquents}} Stan]], and [[GirlNextDoor Shannon]] fall into this trope, with Josh able to more easily find items in a room, Stan able to pick locks far more quickly and skip the LockpickingMinigame, and Shannon [[TheMedic able to use first aid kits (on herself or her partner) more effectively]] and offer puzzle tips. [[LovableJock Kenny]], meanwhile, gets a sprint, and Ashley gets a rapid-fire attack. Notably, using Josh and Stan as one's main characters is recommended for getting through the game quickly, especially on normal difficulty, where Kenny's sprint and Ashley's rapid fire attack aren't as necessary.

* ''VisualNovel/KindredSpiritsOnTheRoof''

* The titular protagonist of ''VisualNovel/SablesGrimoire'' is, like all human mages, a lot less powerful in his magic than the various demihuman races of his world. However he is a savant when it comes to designing new spells, something most mages don't even think about. Sometimes he needs his more powerful friends to actually put his magcal ideas into practice.

** Despite [[MeaningfulName John Doe]] being a "cripple" and having no special ability of his own, he is still able to defend himself from and defeat low and mid-tier individuals with his superior hand-to-hand fighting ability. [[spoiler:He's actually faking his "cripple" status, though his father truley has no powers, so he was being willfully weak after government agents essentially crippled his mind to force him to behave after he drew their attention at his old school]].

* Basketball

** Likewise, in ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' Jeff Andonuts is to Ness and his party. He used the Bad Key Machine to free Ness and Paula from underneath the Threed graveyard. Despite his lack of PSI, he proves himself invaluable with his heavy bazooka, neutralizer, and especially with his bottle rockets which is an insane GameBreaker (Even crazier is when you equip with the Rabbit's Foot).

* Wrestling/OrangeCassidy usually lacks the raw power and toughness of his opponents, which often results in him getting tired in matches with them very quickly. However, with his maneuverability and the tactical mind games he plays on them, he's often more than capable of pulling off a come from behind win, no matter how dire the situation seems for him.
** Eponymized by his ability to do some moves and athletics with his hands in his pockets such as kipping up while his hands are in his pockets in response to getting knocked down.

** [[HighlyVisibleNinja Bang]] [[RatedMForManly Shishigami]] is one of the few pure humans in the series (i.e. having no genetic or eldritch empowerment). He also lacks an empowered weapon with which to do battle with these beings, though [[spoiler:he actually possesses a powerful Nox Nyctores, but has no idea how to use it and it has been in its dormant state]]. However, his long years of ninja training, which include various ninja skills (including the hidden technique [[SuperMode "Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan"]] [[note]]yes, that can be attained through training[[/note]]), and most importantly creative uses of them (especially the last one), enable him to survive against both members of the game's super-powered BigBadDuumvirate, and with all those skills, he can handle himself just fine against various superpowered other characters in the game.