History PlayingWith / FiveManBand

** RedOniBlueOni duo need BeautyBrainsAndBrawn to be TheChick, TheSmartGuy and TheBigGuy respectively, so the red oni will be TheLeader and blue oni will be TheLancer.

* '''Straight''': Alice, Bob, Carol, Dave, and Eve form a team to protect the Earth from aliens. The series explores all of their bonds, contrasting personalities, and roles within the team thoroughly.

* '''Double Subverted''': The team is about to form, but Alice backs out immediately, only for Franz to enter and take her place. He soon finds himself quite at home, forming bonds with the other four.

* '''Invoked''': Alice wants allies who can tackle any situation, but doesn't want too much on her hands. She believes that five is the ideal number of people for the team, and insists that they get along well.

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%%* '''Implied''': ???

* '''Straight''': Alice, Bob, Carol, Dave, and Eve form a team to protect the Earth from aliens. The series explores all of their bonds, contrasting personalities, and roles wuthin the team thoroughly.

'''Basic Trope''': A group of five heroes consists of [[TheLeader its leader]], [[TheLancer the leader's counterpart]], [[TheBigGuy the muscle]], [[TheSmartGuy the intellect]] and [[TheChick the peacekeeper]]. Their archetypes complement one another, and their skills contribute to the group in a unique way.
* '''Straight''': [[TheCaptain Frank]] is the idealistic leader of The Guardians of Gameland, who also consist of the cold and brooding [[ColdSniper Jason]], the nerdy [[ScienceHero Peter]], the muscular [[BareFistedMonk Charlie]], the peaceful [[ActionGirl Tabi]] and the newest member [[SixthRanger Dennis]].

** Each one is so capable on their own that it's a question why they're still together.
** Their roles on the band are their [[FlatCharacter only defining traits]], and are extremely obvious: Frank is a HotBlooded MasterSwordsman [[{{Determinator}} who never gives up]], Jason is a [[ColdSniper cool as ice]] [[TheCynic but pessimistic]] [[ArcherArchetype archer]], Peter [[MyBrainIsBig has a huge head]] and PsychicPowers, Charlie is a GentleGiant and MadeOfIron and Tabi is an ActionGirl with HealingHands.

** Each member of the Five-Man Band is TheLeader of another group, with Bob acting as the [[BigGood leader to all of them]].
** There's [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters enough heroes]] that they really don't need an army of RedShirts.
* '''Downplayed''': The team has five members, each with a defining trait and a clear role as part of TheTeam. Despite this, every member has [[TheLeader decisive]] moments, [[TheLancer submissive]] moments, [[TheSmartGuy smart]] moments, [[TheBigGuy strong]] moments, [[TheChick caring]] moments, and maybe even ''[[TheLoad useless]]'' moments.
* '''Justified''':
** There's safety in numbers, and they only have five {{Macguffin}}s that will let people fight.
** In the RPG Tales of Troperia, Frank wants a well-balanced team, so he recruits Peter, Tabi, Charlie, and Jason.
* '''Inverted''':
** There are five ''teams'' of five, each one specializing in one thing.
** PsychoRangers
** Frank is a [[ExtremeDoormat pushover]] and no one lets him have a say in anything, making him the opposite of a leader. Jason is Frank's friend, but goes out of his way to copy Frank's personality. This makes him the opposite of TheLancer, as TheLancer is a {{foil}} to TheLeader. Peter is TheDitz. Charlie is a complete and utter weakling. Tabi is a TokenEvilTeammate who [[ManipulativeBastard actively causes conflict]] within the group [[ForTheEvulz for no reason]] other than [[AlphaBitch her own amusement]].
** The villains form their own equivalent of this trope (yes, believe it or not, FiveManBand is NOT a hero-exclusive trope).
* '''Gender Inverted''': The group consists of [[TheOneGuy one man]] (TheHeart) and four women [[TheBigGal of]] [[TheSmartGal the]] [[TheLancer same]] [[TheLeader archetypes]].
* '''Subverted''':
** One of them [[SacrificialLamb eventually dies]] or quits.
** Their positions on the team don't match their appearances/skill.
** Four of them have turned to the Dark Side, transforming them into a BigBadEnsemble that the hero must defeat.
* '''Double Subverted''':
** One team member quits, but rejoins.
** TheTeam finds a replacement.
** They were lying about their positions on the time, to [[MindScrew confuse the audience]] and [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]].
** Bob recruits a new team similar to the old one.
* '''Parodied''': Heroes from all over Gameland enter a "heroism contest" to see which team can defeat the most {{mooks}}. Only Five-Man Bands are eligible to compete. Bob's team wins the contest, and everyone [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse forgets about]] [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome all the other Five-Man Bands]] who entered.
* '''Zig Zagged''':
** The team goes through a succession of {{Optional Party Member}}s. Also, at some point, Tabi drops out of the group and is replaced by Jane.
** There are Five-Man Bands good and bad. Dennis is a SixthRangerTraitor and leaves the heroes to join the villains (or vice versa).
* '''Averted''':
** TheTeam doesn't correspond to a standard Five-Man Band.
** TheTeam consists of four or fewer members.
** [[IWorkAlone There is only one hero.]]
* '''Enforced''': "The ideal number of heroes is five." "How do you figure?" "It's enough to be interesting, but not enough to be confusing."
* '''Lampshaded''':
** "Only a five-man team can look this good while beating evil!"
** Emperor Evulz: "Why do my troubles always come in fives?"
* '''Invoked''': Frank gets the CallToAdventure and assembles a balanced team. He starts with his best friend, Jason, and then purposefully seeks out other group members that fit certain roles.
* '''Exploited''':
** Tabi is really [[TheMole a spy]] sent by [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]] knowing the team needed TheChick.
** Charlie's sister Melanie wants to join the group, so Frank invites her when Tabi quits.
* '''Defied'''
** Frank insists on forming a nonstandard team.
** Frank has a FiveManBand at first, but invites more members to form a larger team.
** Frank kicks out one or more members.
** [[IWorkAlone Frank insists on working alone.]]

* '''Conversed''': "Hey, that's TheChick. And that's TheLancer!"
* '''Deconstructed''':
** The members of the Five-Man Band, when alone, are helpless. Without Tabi, the rest of the members fight among each other. Without Peter, they don't have a plan. [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]] uses this to his advantage. He also forces Dennis into [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificing himself at their darkest hour]] with a game of XanatosSpeedChess.
** They each become so tired of being constrained to their roles and having to deal with each other, so they all leave on their own adventures, but they all become injured without support. Jason gets sick of playing second fiddle, Peter gets annoyed of being [[SquishyWizard relatively weak]], Charlie gets tired of not being as smart as the others, Tabi gets bored with being TheMedic, and Frank grows weary of being a vessel for CharacterDevelopment.
* '''Reconstructed''':
** The members of the Five-Man Band learn from each other as the story goes on. Frank becomes a [[GuileHero Guile]] ActionHero [[{{Determinator}} who never gives up]], Jason becomes a FriendlySniper with ImprobableAimingSkills, Peter becomes a WeakButSkilled KungFuWizard, Charlie becomes a BadassNormal GeniusBruiser, and Tabi becomes a WarriorTherapist CombatMedic.
** Each member of the original Five-Man Band forms their own team, which is similar to but non-standard to the Five Man Band. For instance, Frank makes a team where everyone is TheLeader depending on the situation; he leads in straight-forward combat, another one makes the plans but defers in the field, a third [[TheFace takes the lead in diplomacy]] etc. Then the teams cooperate to defeat Emperor Evulz, and [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters everyone becomes friends]] during the DancePartyEnding.
* '''Played For Laughs''':
** The team members have other traits, but their positions on the team are too obvious: Frank is an IdiotHero dressed like a knight and fights with a giant spoon, Jason is a PsychoForHire dressed like a pirate, Peter is a BrainInAJar in a robot body, Charlie is a BoisterousBruiser dressed like a Viking, Tabi is a LoveFreak decked out in peace signs and hearts.
** They always wear superhero uniforms and act like BigDamnHeroes, [[MundaneMadeAwesome even when doing everyday tasks like laundry]], because they know that Emperor Evulz is spying on them and will attack if they let their guard down.
* '''Played For Drama''':
** Each episode focuses on how difficult it is to be a certain role. Peter's nail-biting XanatosSpeedChess with an evil master, Tabi's desperate attempts to prevent WeAreStrugglingTogether, the [[TheChainsOfCommand tough decisions Bob has to make as leader]] and how they haunt him etc.

* '''Gender Inverted''': The group consists of [[TheOneGuy one man]] (TheHeart) and four women.

* '''Downplayed''':
** The team has five members, each with a defining trait and a clear role as part of TheTeam. Despite this, every member has [[TheLeader decisive]] moments, [[TheLancer submissive]] moments, [[TheSmartGuy smart]] moments, and [[TheBigGuy strong]] moments, [[TheChick caring]] moments, and maybe even ''[[TheLoad useless]]'' moments.

** The members of the Five-Man Band, when alone, are helpless. Without Alice, the rest of the members fight among each other. Without Peter, they don't have a plan. [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]] uses this to his advantage. He also forces Dennis into [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificing himself at their darkest hour]] with a game of XanatosSpeedChess.

* '''Invoked''': Frank gets the CallToAdeventure and assembles a balanced team. He starts with his best friend, Jason, and then purposefully seeks out other group members that fit certain roles.

** The members of the Five-Man Band learn from each other as the story goes on. Frank becomes a [[GuileHero Guile]] ActionHero [[{{Determinator}} who never gives up]], Jason becomes a FriendlySniper with ImprobableAimingSkills, Peter becomes a WeakButSkilled KungFuWizard, Charlie becomes a BaddasNormal GeniusBruiser, and Tabi becomes a WarriorTherapist CombatMedic.

** The members of the Five-Man Band learn from each other as the story goes on. Frank becomes a [[GuileHero Guile]] ActionHero [[{{Determinator}} who never gives up]], Jason becomes a FriendlySniper with ImprobableAimingSkills, Peter becomes a WeakButSkilled KungFuWizard, Charlie becomes a GeniusBruiser, and Tabi becomes a WarriorTherapist CombatMedic.

** As well as a Five-Man Band, there is a FiveBadBand. Dennis is a SixthRangerTraitor and leaves the heroes to join the villains (or vice versa).

** FiveBadBand

* '''Straight''': [[HeroesPreferSwords Bob]] is the idealistic leader of The Guardians of Gameland, who also consist of the cold and brooding [[KnightInSourArmor Tony]], the nerdy [[BlackMage Lana]], the muscular [[BareFistedMonk Charlie]], and the peaceful [[WhiteMage Alice]].

** Their roles on the band are their [[FlatCharacter only defining traits]], and are extremely obvious: Bob is a HotBlooded MasterSwordsman [[{{Determinator}} who never gives up]], Tony is a [[ColdSniper cool as ice]] [[TheCynic but pessimistic]] [[ArcherArchetype archer]], Lana [[MyBrainIsBig has a huge head]] and PsychicPowers, Charlie is a GentleGiant and MadeOfIron and Alice is an ActionGirl with HealingHands.

** In the RPG Tales of Troperia, Bob wants a well-balanced team, so he recruits Lana, Alice, Charlie, and Tony.

** Bob is a [[ExtremeDoormat pushover]] and no one lets him have a say in anything, making him the opposite of a leader. Tony is Bob's friend, but goes out of his way to copy Bob's personality. This makes him the opposite of TheLancer, as TheLancer is a {{foil}} to TheLeader. Lana is TheDitz. Charlie is a complete and utter weakling. Alice is a TokenEvilTeammate who [[ManipulativeBastard actively causes conflict]] within the group [[ForTheEvulz for no reason]] other than [[AlphaBitch her own amusement]].

** The team goes through a succession of {{Optional Party Member}}s. Also, at some point, Alice drops out of the group and is replaced by Jane.
** As well as a Five-Man Band, there is a FiveBadBand. Sam is a SixthRangerTraitor and leaves the heroes to join the villains (or vice versa).

* '''Invoked''': Bob gets the CallToAdeventure and assembles a balanced team. He starts with his best friend, Tony, and then purposefully seeks out other group members that fit certain roles.

** Alice is really [[TheMole a spy]] sent by [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]] knowing the team needed TheChick.
** Charlie's sister Melanie wants to join the group, so Bob invites her when Alice quits.
* '''Defied''':
** Bob insists on forming a nonstandard team.
** Bob has a FiveManBand at first, but invites more members to form a larger team.
** Bob kicks out one or more members.
** [[IWorkAlone Bob insists on working alone.]]

** The members of the Five-Man Band, when alone, are helpless. Without Alice, the rest of the members fight among each other. Without Lana, they don't have a plan. [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]] uses this to his advantage. He also forces Sam into [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificing himself at their darkest hour]] with a game of XanatosSpeedChess.
** They each become so tired of being constrained to their roles and having to deal with each other, so they all leave on their own adventures, but they all become injured without support. Tony gets sick of playing second fiddle, Lana gets annoyed of being [[SquishyWizard relatively weak]], Charlie gets tired of not being as smart as the others, Alice gets bored with being TheMedic, and Bob grows weary of being a vessel for CharacterDevelopment.

** The members of the Five-Man Band learn from each other as the story goes on. Bob becomes a [[GuileHero Guile]] ActionHero [[{{Determinator}} who never gives up]], Tony becomes a FriendlySniper with ImprobableAimingSkills, Lana becomes a WeakButSkilled KungFuWizard, Charlie becomes a GeniusBruiser, and Alice becomes a WarriorTherapist CombatMedic.
** Each member of the original Five-Man Band forms their own team, which is similar to but non-standard to the Five Man Band. For instance, Bob makes a team where everyone is TheLeader depending on the situation; he leads in straight-forward combat, another one makes the plans but defers in the field, a third [[TheFace takes the lead in diplomacy]] etc. Then the teams cooperate to defeat Emperor Evulz, and [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters everyone becomes friends]] during the DancePartyEnding.

** The team members have other traits, but their positions on the team are too obvious: Bob is an IdiotHero dressed like a knight and fights with a giant spoon, Tony is a PsychoForHire dressed like a pirate, Lana is a BrainInAJar in a robot body, Charlie is a BoisterousBruiser dressed like a Viking, Alice is a LoveFreak decked out in peace signs and hearts.

** Each episode focuses on how difficult it is to be a certain role. Lana's nail-biting XanatosSpeedChess with an evil master, Alice's desperate attempts to prevent WeAreStrugglingTogether, the [[TheChainsOfCommand tough decisions Bob has to make as leader]] and how they haunt him etc.

** There are five ''teams'', each one specializing in one thing.