1 | ''Need to have a character buy the farm? It's easy! Just:'' |
2 | |
3 | # Put them in red clothes: For [[RedShirt throwaway characters]] and [[BringMyRedJacket warriors]] ''and'' [[LittleDeadRidingHood young girls]] a fatal choice of fashion. |
4 | # Inflict them with GenreBlindness. |
5 | # Or with too much [[DeathByGenreSavviness Genre Savviness]]. |
6 | # Get 'em [[SexSignalsDeath laid]]. |
7 | # ...preferably [[CartwrightCurse by the main character]]. |
8 | # Put them on [[NewMeat "point"]]. |
9 | # Let them be completely [[TooHappyToLive happy]] for a [[FinaglesLaw minute]]. |
10 | # Hire Creator/TimMinear. Or Creator/JossWhedon. Or both. (If German, Kai Meyer is recommended.) |
11 | # Make them do something -- anything -- [[HeroicSacrifice noble]]. |
12 | # Make them [[TooCoolToLive more interesting than the lead]]. |
13 | # Have a UsefulNotes/{{ratings}} [[TonightSomeoneDies slump]]. |
14 | # Convince the actor to [[ActorLeavesCharacterDies leave filming]]. |
15 | # Make it very plain that the character [[AnyoneCanDie can not die]]. |
16 | # Announce that they are [[RetIrony retiring]] from a life of public service in two weeks. |
17 | # Let them [[YouHaveFailedMe goof up]] when they're working for the BigBad. |
18 | # Alternatively, let the BigBad decide that they have [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outlived their usefulness]]. |
19 | # Let them [[HeelFaceTurn have a change of heart]] and [[RedemptionEqualsDeath switch sides to fight with the heroes]]. |
20 | # Send them out of doors on a [[PartlyCloudyWithAChanceOfDeath partly cloudy day]], especially near sunrise or sunset. |
21 | # Let them [[FatalFamilyPhoto show a picture of their sweetheart (or their baby)]] to the rest of TheSquad. |
22 | # [[DistantFinale Flash forward]] to their deathbed, years later. |
23 | # Cast a very old or infirm actor, [[RealLifeWritesThePlot and wait for them to die]]. |
24 | # Give them [[DoomedAppointment critical information to deliver]] to the main characters. |
25 | # Offer them some SchmuckBait. |
26 | # Have them chase the heroes across a RopeBridge. |
27 | # Get them a job at a DangerousWorkplace with NoOSHACompliance. |
28 | # Let the hero come and [[TheBlofeldPloy visit their boss]]. |
29 | # Assign them to operate the ExplosiveInstrumentation. |
30 | # Protect them with [[FailsafeFailure lots of safety equipment]]. |
31 | # Introduce them to the [[BolivianArmyEnding Bolivian army]]. |
32 | # Throw a [[DangerousSixteenthBirthday sixteenth birthday party]] for them. |
33 | # Cue up a ReallyDeadMontage. |
34 | # Relocate them to [[TheTokyoFireball Tokyo]]... |
35 | # ... or to a town where [[NothingExcitingEverHappensHere nothing exciting ever happens]]. |
36 | # Have them [[AndYourLittleDogToo go out of their way]] to be mean to everyone. |
37 | # Cast them as the villain in a [[KarmicDeath Disney]] film. |
38 | # Give them that secret potion, the one that turns you [[OneWingedAngel into a monster]]. Because WhatMeasureIsANonHuman, really? |
39 | # Let them fall below the BishonenLine. |
40 | # Enlist them in the [[RedshirtArmy armed forces]] in a monster/disaster movie. |
41 | # Draw them a [[DeadlyBath bath]], and to make sure it's fatal, make it [[CandlelitBath candlelit]]). |
42 | # Send them [[InevitableWaterfall down a river]]. |
43 | # Make them the SacrificialLamb used to establish a unique reputation for your show. |
44 | # Chase them into the street without giving them time to LookBothWays. |
45 | # Have another character [[IWishedYouWereDead curse their existence]]. |
46 | # Write when you're [[CreatorBreakdown having a bad day]]. |
47 | # Hire Ron Marz. (Though this is hit-or-miss. You might just end up with the hero's girlfriend [[StuffedIntoTheFridge stuffed in a refrigerator]].) |
48 | # Have them uncover the {{Masquerade}} or discover the hero's SecretIdentity when the plot doesn't make it convenient for them to do so. |
49 | # Make them a main character's double from an AlternateUniverse. |
50 | # Cast them as the main character's [[NotMyDriver pilot or chauffer]]. |
51 | # Make them a [[TheMentor mentor]] who is [[ThePlotReaper more powerful than the hero]]. |
52 | # Have them visit the hero's [[DoomedHometown hometown]] after the hero [[RefusalOfTheCall refuses the Call]]. |
53 | # [[RunningTheAsylum Become a writer for the franchise, and write that character's death.]] |
54 | # [[ExecutiveMeddling Become an executive for that franchise, and order that character killed off.]] |
55 | # Make them reveal their [[BuryYourGays homosexuality]]. |
56 | # Sign them up for [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome the sequel]]. |
57 | # Assign them the job of [[MentorOccupationalHazard mentoring a hero]]. |
58 | # [[DieForOurShip Put them "in the way"]] of your OneTruePairing. |
59 | # [[MerchandiseDriven Stop selling their toy.]] |
60 | # Hire Creator/YoshiyukiTomino. |
61 | ** Alternatively, hire Creator/GenUrobuchi. |
62 | # Ask Creator/GeorgeRRMartin. He seems to [[Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire know]] what he's [[AnyoneCanDie doing]]. |
63 | # Send them to a place [[SnowMeansDeath that gets snow]]. |
64 | # [[NoKillLikeOverkill Hit them with everything]] [[DeathInAllDirections from every direction.]] |
65 | # Hire Creator/RASalvatore. With Troy Denning and Karen Traviss on backing vocals. |
66 | # Have them say [[GenreBlindness "I'll be right back."]] Might not kill them, but it will make a liar out of them at least. |
67 | # Have someone say words to the effect of [[TemptingFate "We couldn't do without him."]] |
68 | # Have them be the hero's [[ItsPersonal best friend]]. |
69 | # Or even better, a [[DisposableWoman love interest]]. |
70 | # Make them be a {{Mook}}. Especially one without a name or [[FacelessGoons wearing a mask]]. |
71 | # Write them as a bland, cliched OC that the audience demands they be killed off as a [[TheScrappy pointless annoyance]], then bring in a MarySueHunter. |
72 | ** Make them a Mary Sue and then alert the [[WebOriginal/ProtectorsOfThePlotContinuum PPC]]. |
73 | # Have them kidnap [[MamaBear someone's]] [[PapaWolf kids]]. |
74 | # Have them [[RewardedAsATraitorDeserves betray]] the hero. They [[HeelFaceDoorSlam won't survive that]], [[WelcomeBackTraitor right?]] |
75 | # Get them [[DeathByChildbirth pregnant]]. (Sometimes works even if [[MisterSeahorse it's a man]].) |
76 | # [[DeathByFallingOver Trip them.]] |
77 | # Have them [[ThrownFromTheZeppelin decline]] to participate in the [[BigBad Big Bad's]] evil scheme when he offers them the chance. Alternatively, choosing to play along [[BoardToDeath can be fatal too]]. |
78 | # Let someone [[DiedInYourArmsTonight hold them in their arms.]] |
79 | # Make them a [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth pure girl.]] Especially a DelicateAndSickly one. |
80 | # Destroy their hometown [[NukeEm with a nuclear bomb.]] |
81 | # Make them a CrazySurvivalist. |
82 | # Cast them in an [[Anime/GraveOfTheFireflies anti-war film.]] |
83 | # Show how unbeatably badass they are, [[TheWorfEffect then have the new guy come in...]] |
84 | # Have them [[DeadlyDeferredConversation delay a conversation with somebody until later]]. |
85 | # Have [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons a lawyer ban them from returning]]. |
86 | # Give them a [[LeeroyJenkins pointless cause to die]]. |
87 | # Put them in ''Series/GameOfThrones''. |
88 | # Make them cute and [[DeathByNewberyMedal aim for a Newbery medal]]. |
89 | # Cast them as [[BlackDudeDiesFirst the only black person in a group]]. |
90 | # Give them [[BuryYourDisabled a disability]]. |
91 | # Give them [[IncurableCoughOfDeath a cough]]. |
92 | # [[LethalDiagnosis Diagnose them with anything]], but especially [[TheTopicOfCancer cancer]]. |
93 | # Make them a small pet, such as a goldfish or a hamster, in a [[BlackComedyPetDeath black comedy]] or a [[DeathIsASadThing children's cartoon]]. |
94 | # In [[ConvenientMiscarriage one way]] or [[TragicStillbirth another]], kill them before they're even a character. |
95 | # If they're semiconscious or unconscious, tell them to PleaseWakeUp. |
96 | # Have the doctors do all they can, and then say so. Alternatively, have the doctor look serious or apologise for no apparent reason. |
97 | # If someone asks if they're dead, make them unable to finish their sentence ("Is he...?"). |
98 | # Take them [[NightSwimEqualsDeath swimming at night]]. |
99 | # Avoid giving them a personality. |
100 | # Exploit the VideoGameCrueltyPotential. |
101 | # Hook them up to an [[{{Flatline}} electrocardiogram]]. |
102 | # [[WebAnimation/BattleForDreamIsland Eliminate them to the TLC]]. Sure, they'll survive, but it will keep them out of the show for a while… |
103 | # Make them [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest parents of the main character]]. |
104 | # Have them [[DeathByLookingUp look up at a large falling object directly above them]]. |
105 | # Have them [[EvilIsNotAToy summon dark forces]] ([[DemonLordsAndArchDevils demons, devils]], {{eldritch abomination}}s, etc.) |
106 | # Have Creator/SeanBean play them. |
107 | # Rewrite the show to make it more dangerous / raise the target audience. |
108 | # [[DeathByFlashback Have a flashback of them during a life or death situation]]. |
109 | # Make them a DecoyProtagonist. Especially one without a name. |
110 | # Make them a [[ExposedExtraterrestrials naked alien]], exposing them to [[Literature/WarOfTheWorlds germs]] and [[Film/{{Signs}} water]]. |
111 | # Have them [[DangerThinIce walk on thin ice]]. |
112 | # [[DeadlyClosingCredits Roll the credits while the character is in a life-or-death situation]]. |
113 | # [[DeadlineNews Make them a news reporter in a life-threatening situation]]. |
114 | # [[DeathByDepower Take their powers away if said powers are literally keeping them alive]]. |
115 | # Have them murder a dog, and Franchise/JohnWick WILL destroy them no matter how overpowered or unkillable they are. |
116 | # When the character is in a life-or-death situation, have other characters talk and look worried. Even if the character has survived far worse beforehand, said situation will suddenly become dangerous. |
117 | # Make them a FinalBoss in the ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' timeline. [[spoiler:Mr. King, the only BigBad to be fought directly, is the only one who dies.]] |
118 | # Make them [[TooPowerfulToLive so powerful that they have to be removed from the picture quickly to maintain conflict]]. |
119 | # [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Declare that they died offscreen, then cut to a legal document that prevents them from ever returning]]. |
120 | # Make them a grandparent, especially if it's an educational work. |
121 | # Cast them as the hero in a Creator/CormacMcCarthy story. |
122 | # Cast them as the FinalBoss in a StylishAction game. |
123 | # If they're a secondary character, give them a sudden emotional scene. |
124 | # Have them threaten [[WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty Morty Smith]], causing Rick Sanchez to end them. |
125 | # If their entire existence is a ForeverWar against a single villain, don't let them make plans for a life outside of said villain. Then revoke said villain's JokerImmunity. |
126 | # Cast them as one of the main girls in a ''Creator/KeyVisualArts'' visual novel. |
127 | # [[BigGuyFatalitySyndrome Make them]] TheBigGuy. |
128 | # Subject them to the [[Series/DoctorWho De-Mat Gun]] (or another weapon or attack with [[RetGone similar capabilities]]), [[PlayAlongMeme then have the fans pretend to not recognize, remember, or notice them]]. |
129 | # If they're an AncientEvil that was previously sealed away, destroy the means of sealing them, forcing the heroes of the present to destroy them for good. |
130 | # Give them a good luck charm and/or religious medallion in a war movie, making their dead body identifiable by it. |
131 | # Have them wear nail polish and/or non-powering rings that they can easily be identified by if there is a villain known for severing hands, feet, fingers and/or toes, making the character's death identifiable by the nail polish and/or ring. |
132 | # Have them pick up a custom nickel-plated pistol which has "For [My Squad Leader's Name], VideoGame/BrothersInArms" engraved on the side. |
133 | # Cast them in a tank crew. |
134 | # Have them pick up a handheld camera. |
135 | |
136 | ...but really, WhyDontYaJustShootHim |
137 | |
138 | [[labelnote:Disclaimer]][[OurLawyersAdvisedThisTrope The above examples are provided for educational purposes only.]] Any resemblance to works of fiction past, current, or future is [[BlatantLies purely coincidental.]] [=TVTropes.org=] and its contributors cannot be held responsible for [[ImmuneToBullets bulletproof skin]], [[PocketProtector bulletproof pocket-sized mementos]], [[SoftWater conveniently placed pools of water,]] {{Healing Factor}}s, [[NotQuiteDead insufficiently thorough deaths,]] JokerImmunity, [[YouKilledMyFather vengeful offspring]], LegacyImmortality, [[MauveShirt shirts that turn out to be slightly more lilac-colored than red,]] {{Gypsy Curse}}s, [[UnfinishedBusiness angry ghosts]], {{Expendable Clone}}s, [[OneWingedAngel vastly more powerful final forms]], {{Backup Twin}}s, [[FirstLawOfResurrection inexplicable acts of resurrection,]] or other means by which a character can [[NoOneCouldSurviveThat thwart certain death,]] [[DeathIsCheap return to life,]] [[MyDeathIsJustTheBeginning strike back from beyond the grave,]] or otherwise continue to influence the story following his or her intended demise. All liability for fan backlash, [[FaceHeelTurn alignment shifts]], and [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone horrified self-examination]] resulting from killing off a character belongs solely to the creator of the fictional work in question. [=TVTropes.org=] and its contributors do not condone causing ''non''fictional deaths, as such acts are evil and therefore wrong regardless of how [[EvilIsCool cool]], sexy, and [[EvilFeelsGood fun]] they may be.[[/labelnote]] |
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