| 1 | %% New distinctions also go on the Canonical list. |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Part 4 of the LaconicalListOfSubtleTropeDistinctions. Items are sorted alphabetically by whichever trope is alphabetically first; if you're looking for a specific one, use the "Find" or "Search" function of your Web browser. |
| 4 | |
| 5 | [[center:''Pages: LaconicTropeDistinctions/AToC | LaconicTropeDistinctions/DToF | LaconicTropeDistinctions/GToI | '''J to R''' | LaconicTropeDistinctions/SToZ'']] |
| 6 | ---- |
| 7 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 8 | |
| 9 | [[folder:J]] |
| 10 | !!! '''JackOfAllStats vs. MasterOfNone''': |
| 11 | * Being good at everything, great at nothing is the character's: |
| 12 | ** JackOfAllStats: Advantage. |
| 13 | ** MasterOfNone: Disadvantage. |
| 14 | |
| 15 | !!! '''JokeItem vs. LethalJokeItem vs. NerfArm vs. NotCompletelyUseless vs. ScrappyWeapon''': |
| 16 | * JokeItem: Funny useless item. |
| 17 | * LethalJokeItem: Funny item, deceptively useful. |
| 18 | * NerfArm: Funny useful item. |
| 19 | * NotCompletelyUseless: Item's useful for one situation but terrible elsewhere. |
| 20 | * ScrappyWeapon: Just plain useless. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | !!! '''JumpingTheShark vs. DarthWiki/RuinedFOREVER''': |
| 23 | * JumpingTheShark: Fans realize that moment five seasons ago was when a show started to suck. |
| 24 | * DarthWiki/RuinedFOREVER: Fans claim that moment five ''minutes'' ago is when a show starts to suck. |
| 25 | |
| 26 | !!! '''JunkRare vs. PromotionalPowerlessPieceOfGarbage''': |
| 27 | * How did you get your piece of crap? |
| 28 | ** JunkRare: At random. |
| 29 | ** PromotionalPowerlessPieceOfGarbage: As a special promotion. |
| 30 | |
| 31 | !!! '''JustifiedTrope vs. TruthInTelevision:''' |
| 32 | * JustifiedTrope: Trope with a RealLife explanation/justification. |
| 33 | * TruthInTelevision: Trope happens in RealLife. |
| 34 | [[/folder]] |
| 35 | |
| 36 | [[folder:K]] |
| 37 | !!! '''KickTheDog vs. PokeThePoodle vs. JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope vs. MoralEventHorizon''': |
| 38 | * KickTheDog: Evil for evil's sake, to remind you they're evil. |
| 39 | * PokeThePoodle: Wimpy attempted KickTheDog. |
| 40 | * JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: Went too far down KnightTemplar street. |
| 41 | * MoralEventHorizon: Something so bad, the audience now wants you dead. |
| 42 | |
| 43 | !!!'''TheKidWithTheRemoteControl vs. KidWithTheLeash''' |
| 44 | * Someone controls and directs a powerful entity that is: |
| 45 | ** TheKidWithTheRemoteControl: Neutral. |
| 46 | ** KidWithTheLeash: Malevolent. |
| 47 | |
| 48 | !!! '''KillItWithFire vs. PlayingWithFire:''' |
| 49 | * KillItWithFire: Fire can take care of any adversary. |
| 50 | * PlayingWithFire: Fire as a superpower. |
| 51 | |
| 52 | !!! '''KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect vs. SquareRaceRoundClass:''' |
| 53 | * Character is unlikely to make it in their chosen profession, because their race... |
| 54 | ** KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect: Sneers at such activities. |
| 55 | ** SquareRaceRoundClass: Is very mismatched to the needed skills. |
| 56 | |
| 57 | !!! '''KnightInSourArmor vs. TheSnarkKnight:''' |
| 58 | * KnightInSourArmor: Bitter and cynical, but still fights for the good. |
| 59 | * TheSnarkKnight: Snide, due to holding everyone to high standards (including themselves). |
| 60 | |
| 61 | !!! '''KnightTemplar vs. WellIntentionedExtremist:''' |
| 62 | * KnightTemplar: A villain who starts as a good guy and goes too far. |
| 63 | * WellIntentionedExtremist: A villain who starts as a villain but has a good motive. |
| 64 | |
| 65 | !!! '''KryptoniteIsEverywhere vs WeaksauceWeakness''' |
| 66 | * KryptoniteIsEverywhere: The character's weakness shows up way more often than it logically should. |
| 67 | * WeaksauceWeakness: The character's weakness is something incredibly common or silly. |
| 68 | [[/folder]] |
| 69 | |
| 70 | [[folder:L]] |
| 71 | !!! '''LamePunReaction vs. StealthPun vs. WorldOfPun ''' |
| 72 | * LamePunReaction: Even the characters admit they're lame. |
| 73 | * StealthPun: Find them out by yourself. |
| 74 | * WorldOfPun: Many puns in a work. |
| 75 | |
| 76 | !!! '''LargeHam vs. NoIndoorVoice''' |
| 77 | * LargeHam: The character overacts all the time. |
| 78 | * NoIndoorVoice: The character shouts all the time. |
| 79 | |
| 80 | !!! '''LawyerFriendlyCameo vs. WritingAroundTrademarks vs. YouWannaGetSued:''' |
| 81 | * Referencing trademarked materials by... |
| 82 | ** LawyerFriendlyCameo: Obscuring enough of their distinctive details. |
| 83 | ** WritingAroundTrademarks: Altering the wording slightly. |
| 84 | ** YouWannaGetSued: Pulling back at the last second. |
| 85 | |
| 86 | !!! '''LeeroyJenkins vs. SpannerInTheWorks vs. UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom:''' |
| 87 | * Bob ruins... |
| 88 | ** LeeroyJenkins: ...everything by charging in too early. |
| 89 | ** SpannerInTheWorks: ...the BigBad's plan. |
| 90 | ** UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: ...the protagonists' plan. |
| 91 | |
| 92 | !!! '''LegacyCharacter vs. LegacyImmortality vs. SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute vs. TheNthDoctor vs. TheOtherDarrin vs. ReplacementScrappy vs. TimeShiftedActor:''' |
| 93 | * LegacyCharacter: New character adopts old character's persona in-universe. |
| 94 | * LegacyImmortality: LegacyCharacter perceived in-universe as one immortal character. |
| 95 | * SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: New character has same role and character traits as old character, for no in-universe reason. |
| 96 | * TheOtherDarrin: Same character, new actor, ignored in-universe. |
| 97 | * TheNthDoctor: Same character, new actor, explained in-universe. |
| 98 | * ReplacementScrappy: New character sucks because he's new. |
| 99 | * TimeShiftedActor: Same character, new actor, explained by the character's aging. |
| 100 | |
| 101 | !!! '''LesserOfTwoEvils vs. ALighterShadeOfBlack:''' |
| 102 | * Two unfortunate figures, portrayed as... |
| 103 | ** LesserOfTwoEvils: One being slightly less painful. |
| 104 | ** ALighterShadeOfBlack: One being nobler and closer to AntiVillain. |
| 105 | |
| 106 | !!! '''LifeWillKillYou vs. WeAllDieSomeday''' |
| 107 | * LifeWillKillYou: Anticlimactic death. |
| 108 | * WeAllDieSomeday: Said in response to people asking about death. |
| 109 | |
| 110 | !!! '''LionsAndTigersAndHumansOhMy vs. WorldOfFunnyAnimals vs. WorldOfMammals''' |
| 111 | A world populated by... |
| 112 | * LionsAndTigersAndHumansOhMy: Anthropomorphic animals and humans. |
| 113 | * WorldOfFunnyAnimals: Just the anthropomorphic animals. |
| 114 | ** WorldOfMammals: ...Specifically, mammalian ones. |
| 115 | |
| 116 | !!! '''LongRunnerTechMarchesOn vs. TechnologyMarchesOn''' |
| 117 | * LongRunnerTechMarchesOn: In-show gadgets update to keep matching the trendy real-life gadget. |
| 118 | * TechnologyMarchesOn: Character in an old season can't wait to get their snazzy, brand-new Walkman. |
| 119 | |
| 120 | !!! '''LovePotion vs. SexMagic''' |
| 121 | * LovePotion: Using magic to get sex. |
| 122 | * SexMagic: Using sex to power magic. |
| 123 | |
| 124 | !!! '''LukeIAmYourFather vs. LukeYouAreMyFather''' |
| 125 | * A character's relative is revealed to be: |
| 126 | ** LukeIAmYourFather: An established character. |
| 127 | ** LukeYouAreMyFather: A new character. |
| 128 | [[/folder]] |
| 129 | |
| 130 | [[folder:M]] |
| 131 | !!! '''MacabreMothMotif vs. MothMenace''' |
| 132 | * MacabreMothMotif: Moths are an omen of bad. |
| 133 | * MothMenace: A bad moth. |
| 134 | |
| 135 | !!! '''MacGuffin vs. PlotCoupon''' |
| 136 | * MacGuffin: Pursuit or protection of the thing drives and causes the story events. |
| 137 | * PlotCoupon: Characters must acquire this thing, and no progress towards the goal can be made until they do. |
| 138 | |
| 139 | !!! '''MachineEmpathy vs. {{Technopath}}''' |
| 140 | * Character can spot changes in machine equipment... |
| 141 | ** MachineEmpathy: Because they're an ace engineer. |
| 142 | ** {{Technopath}}: By using their superpowers. |
| 143 | |
| 144 | !!! '''MadeOfIron vs SuperToughness''' |
| 145 | * A character is superhumanly durable... |
| 146 | ** MadeOfIron: ...for no clear reason. |
| 147 | ** SuperToughness: ...because it's one of his/her powers. |
| 148 | |
| 149 | !!! '''MajorInjuryUnderreaction vs. OnlyAFleshWound''' |
| 150 | * MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Barely reacting to a serious wound. |
| 151 | * OnlyAFleshWound: Non-incapacitating wounds are shrugged off. |
| 152 | |
| 153 | !!! '''MakingUseOfTheTwin vs. TwinSwitch''' |
| 154 | * One twin stands in for another... |
| 155 | ** TwinSwitch: ...in the show. |
| 156 | ** MakingUseOfTheTwin: ...in the production of the show. |
| 157 | |
| 158 | !!! '''{{Manchild}} vs. OneOfTheKids''' |
| 159 | * Bob acts like a child... |
| 160 | ** {{Manchild}}: ...because he never grew up. |
| 161 | ** OneOfTheKids: ...because he chooses to act that way. |
| 162 | |
| 163 | !!! '''ManOfWealthAndTaste vs. WickedCultured''' |
| 164 | * Being evil doesn't stop the villain from having sophisticated.. |
| 165 | ** ManOfWealthAndTaste: ...appearance and possessions. |
| 166 | ** WickedCultured: ...interests. |
| 167 | |
| 168 | !!! '''MarriageBeforeRomance vs. PerfectlyArrangedMarriage:''' |
| 169 | * Characters are thrown into an engagement, but fall in love for real: |
| 170 | ** MarriageBeforeRomance: after the wedding. |
| 171 | ** PerfectlyArrangedMarriage: before the wedding. |
| 172 | |
| 173 | !!!'''MarySue vs. most of the subtypes''' |
| 174 | * MarySue: [[invoked]] Fan fic character (generally) who is blatant WishFulfillment for the author. SuperTrope for the following: |
| 175 | ** AntiSue: [[invoked]] Ugly and/or nasty but still a Sue in the plot. |
| 176 | ** BlackHoleSue: [[invoked]] The entire plot is caught in their event horizon. |
| 177 | ** CanonSue: [[invoked]] ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin; can be any type of Sue. |
| 178 | ** CopyCatSue: [[invoked]] Specially-tailored ripoff of a canon character. |
| 179 | ** DreamSue: A character is perfect in their dreams. |
| 180 | ** EinsteinSue: [[invoked]] Outrageously disconnected from the crisis but knows how to solve it. |
| 181 | ** FixerSue: [[invoked]] Exists to patch up the plot, whether it's needed or not. |
| 182 | ** GodModeSue: [[invoked]] Overpowered in the extreme. |
| 183 | ** JerkSue: [[invoked]] Thoroughly nasty to others but always loved by everyone. |
| 184 | ** LemonStu: [[invoked]] The ultimate lover, to unrealistic degrees. |
| 185 | ** MartyStu: [[invoked]] MarySue's [[invoked]] DistaffCounterpart. |
| 186 | ** MarySueClassic: [[invoked]] Perfection in everything, and loved by everyone; often a PuritySue. The archetypal Sue character. |
| 187 | ** MaryTzu: [[invoked]] An unrealistically successful schemer. |
| 188 | ** NeutralitySue: [[invoked]] Can get away with ''anything'' because of their neutral morality. |
| 189 | ** ParodySue: Deliberately mocks the trope. |
| 190 | ** PossessionSue: [[invoked]] Canon character rewritten to fit the author's ideal. |
| 191 | ** PuritySue: [[invoked]] A blinding beacon of pureness and positivity. |
| 192 | ** RelationshipSue: [[invoked]] Exists to create a romance with another character. |
| 193 | ** SympatheticSue: [[invoked]] Unrealistically angsty and draws sympathy from ''everyone''. |
| 194 | ** ThirtySuePileup: [[invoked]] Many Sues in one plot. |
| 195 | ** VillainSue: [[invoked]] Unrealistically over-the-top villainy. |
| 196 | |
| 197 | !!! '''MayDecemberRomance vs. DecemberDecemberRomance vs. MayflyDecemberRomance''' |
| 198 | * In a romantic relationship... |
| 199 | ** MayDecemberRomance: ...one partner is much older than the other. |
| 200 | ** DecemberDecemberRomance: ...both are elderly. |
| 201 | ** MayflyDecemberRomance: ...one lives for a ''long'' time, outliving one or more partners. |
| 202 | |
| 203 | !!! '''MeanwhileInTheFuture vs. PortalToThePast vs. SanDimasTime''' |
| 204 | * If you want to be back within an hour, you can't spend more than 59 minutes in the past/future. |
| 205 | ** PortalToThePast: Justified, the portal can only take you exactly X years forwards/backwards from the moment you step through. |
| 206 | ** SanDimasTime: Technically wrong, but the characters never realize it. |
| 207 | ** MeanwhileInTheFuture: The same idea applied to the narrative, rather than to the characters. |
| 208 | |
| 209 | !!! '''MenacingStroll vs. OminousWalk vs. TheSlowWalk vs. TeamPowerWalk vs. UnflinchingWalk''' |
| 210 | * MenacingStroll: Shows this individual is badass. Needs dangerous setting. |
| 211 | * OminousWalk: Taking your time with kicking ass. |
| 212 | * TheSlowWalk: Determined walk to get in range before kicking ass. |
| 213 | * TeamPowerWalk: Shows this team is badass. Needs slow-mo. |
| 214 | * UnflinchingWalk: Any of the above while there's StuffBlowingUp. |
| 215 | |
| 216 | !!! '''MetalSlime vs. PinataEnemy''' |
| 217 | * PinataEnemy: A videogame enemy that reaps special rewards on death. |
| 218 | ** MetalSlime: ...Except they're tanky and prone to fleeing combat first. |
| 219 | |
| 220 | !!! '''MightyWhitey vs. WhiteMansBurden''' |
| 221 | * A white hero encounters a group of minorities. |
| 222 | ** MightyWhitey: The hero joins the tribe and quickly learns to be better than them at everything. |
| 223 | ** WhiteMansBurden: The hero sees how pitiful their lives are, then works to make things better for them. |
| 224 | |
| 225 | !!! '''MileLongShip vs. PlanetSpaceship vs. StarshipLuxurious vs. UnnecessarilyLargeVessel''' |
| 226 | * MileLongShip: Transport you could locate on an atlas. |
| 227 | * PlanetSpaceship: Transport big enough to dwarf small moons. |
| 228 | * UnnecessarilyLargeVessel: Transport that, regardless of actual size, has more room than needed for function. |
| 229 | ** StarshipLuxurious: ...[[AC:In space!]] |
| 230 | |
| 231 | !!! '''MillionairePlayboy vs. RichInDollarsPoorInSense vs. UnclePennybags vs. UpperClassTwit''' |
| 232 | * Frivolous and wealthy person who... |
| 233 | ** MillionairePlayboy: Gets all the ladies. |
| 234 | ** RichInDollarsPoorInSense: Has no grasp of several basic concepts. |
| 235 | ** UnclePennybags: Is charming and lovable. |
| 236 | ** UpperClassTwit: Was gifted it all in inheritance. |
| 237 | |
| 238 | !!! '''MinMaxing vs. OneStatToRuleThemAll''' |
| 239 | * OneStatToRuleThemAll: Disproportionately effectual stat. |
| 240 | ** MinMaxing: [[ExploitedTrope Raising a disproportionately effectual stat above all others]]. |
| 241 | |
| 242 | !!! '''MirrorWorld vs. RemixedLevel''' |
| 243 | * Similar, yet distinct video game level is... |
| 244 | ** MirrorWorld: Fundamentally different, usually through alternate dimensions. |
| 245 | ** RemixedLevel: Modified, but ultimately the same location. |
| 246 | |
| 247 | !!! '''{{Misblamed}} vs. NeverMyFault''' |
| 248 | * {{Misblamed}}: The wrong person is blamed for the problem. |
| 249 | * NeverMyFault: Character refuses to accept responsibility for problems. |
| 250 | |
| 251 | !!! '''MoralityChain vs. MoralityPet:''' |
| 252 | * A Jerkass or BloodKnight has someone special to them that... |
| 253 | ** MoralityChain: ...keeps them from becoming an irredeemably evil person. |
| 254 | ** MoralityPet: ...makes them slightly likeable. |
| 255 | |
| 256 | !!! '''MorphWeapon vs. ShapeshifterWeapon:''' |
| 257 | * MorphWeapon: The weapon can shift shapes. |
| 258 | * ShapeshifterWeapon: The shapeshifter can form their own weapons. |
| 259 | |
| 260 | !!! '''MortonsFork vs. SadisticChoice''' |
| 261 | * MortonsFork: Every choice leads to the same bad outcome. |
| 262 | * SadisticChoice: Every choice leads to a different bad outcome. |
| 263 | |
| 264 | !!!'''MundaneWish''' vs. '''WastefulWishing''' |
| 265 | * A character is granted wishes... |
| 266 | ** MundaneWish: ...and uses them on something common. |
| 267 | ** WastefulWishing: ...and uses them on something stupid. |
| 268 | |
| 269 | !!! '''MundaneUtility vs. NotTheIntendedUse vs. PowerPerversionPotential:''' |
| 270 | * 'You're not really meant to use that for such __ purposes.' |
| 271 | ** MundaneUtility: everyday |
| 272 | ** NotTheIntendedUse: weird |
| 273 | ** PowerPerversionPotential: sexual |
| 274 | |
| 275 | !!! '''{{Mundanger}} vs. {{Mundangerous}} vs. WeaksauceWeakness''' |
| 276 | * {{Mundanger}}: Normal enemy in supernatural setting. |
| 277 | * {{Mundangerous}}: The normal can hurt things of the supernatural. |
| 278 | * WeaksauceWeakness: Super-powered character is hurt by something that shouldn't hurt anyone. |
| 279 | |
| 280 | !!! '''MurderIsTheBestSolution vs. ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption:''' |
| 281 | * The hero resorts to violence because... |
| 282 | ** MurderIsTheBestSolution: ...the hero loves violence. |
| 283 | ** ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption: ...nothing else works. |
| 284 | |
| 285 | !!! '''MyNaymeIs vs. InconsistentSpelling:''' |
| 286 | * Character's name is spelled unusually... |
| 287 | ** MyNaymeIs: ...on purpose. |
| 288 | ** InconsistentSpelling: ...because it was translated from a foreign language. |
| 289 | [[/folder]] |
| 290 | |
| 291 | [[folder:N]] |
| 292 | !!! '''NameThatUnfoldsLikeLotusBlossom vs. OverlyLongName vs. SesquipedalianSmith vs. TryToFitThatOnABusinessCard''' |
| 293 | * OverlyLongName: A very long name... |
| 294 | ** SesquipedalianSmith: ...but the surname is much shorter in comparison. |
| 295 | ** TryToFitThatOnABusinessCard: ...because it's actually a long list of titles. |
| 296 | * NameThatUnfoldsLikeLotusBlossom: The "name" is more of a description that can be {{Only One|Name}} word, but is usually longer. |
| 297 | |
| 298 | !!!'''NarniaTime vs. YearOutsideHourInside vs. YearInsideHourOutside''' |
| 299 | * Time in dimension A runs ______ to dimension B. |
| 300 | ** NarniaTime: Inconsistently. |
| 301 | ** YearOutsideHourInside: Slower. |
| 302 | ** YearInsideHourOutside: Faster. |
| 303 | |
| 304 | !!! '''NarrowParody vs. ShallowParody:''' |
| 305 | * NarrowParody: Parody of really recent things. |
| 306 | * ShallowParody: Superficial parody without real understanding. |
| 307 | |
| 308 | !!! '''NearVillainVictory vs. YouCantThwartStageOne''' |
| 309 | * YouCantThwartStageOne: Villainous plans are never stopped in their early stages. |
| 310 | ** NearVillainVictory: ...But some get closer to triumph than others. |
| 311 | |
| 312 | !!! '''NegativeContinuity vs. StatusQuoIsGod:''' |
| 313 | * NegativeContinuity: Ignore changes to the status quo, everything [[SnapBack snaps back]] next episode. |
| 314 | * StatusQuoIsGod: Avoid changing the status quo. |
| 315 | |
| 316 | !!! '''{{Nerf}} vs. ObviousRulePatch''' |
| 317 | * An item turns out to be so powerful that [[GameBreaker it breaks online play]]. The developers... |
| 318 | ** {{Nerf}}: ...reduce its strengths or add drawbacks. |
| 319 | ** ObviousRulePatch: ...forbid its use only when playing online. |
| 320 | |
| 321 | !!! '''TheNeutralZone vs. TruceZone:''' |
| 322 | * Try to enter here with a weapon and: |
| 323 | ** TheNeutralZone: You'll be shot. |
| 324 | ** TruceZone: You'll have to set it aside until you leave. |
| 325 | |
| 326 | !!! '''NeverGrewUp vs. NotGrowingUpSucks vs. NotAllowedToGrowUp''' |
| 327 | * NeverGrewUp: Chooses not to age. |
| 328 | * NotGrowingUpSucks: Cursed not to age. |
| 329 | * NotAllowedToGrowUp: Doesn't age because the writers don't want them to. |
| 330 | |
| 331 | !!!'''NextThingTheyKnew vs. OneThingLedToAnother vs. RomanceEnsues vs. SexStartsStoryStarts''': |
| 332 | * NextThingTheyKnew: Character flirt a bit, camera cut to them having sex. |
| 333 | * OneThingLedToAnother: Dialogue trope as character glosses over the circumstances leading to sex. |
| 334 | * RomanceEnsues: Not sex-related. Two characters, talking together alone, realise they're attracted. |
| 335 | * SexStartsStoryStops: Characters have sex with no lead-up or reason, halting the story. |
| 336 | |
| 337 | !!! '''NietzscheWannabe vs. {{Ubermensch}}:''' |
| 338 | * NietzscheWannabe: "Life is meaningless. We're all going to rot, so why not just end it now?" |
| 339 | * {{Ubermensch}}: "I am beyond your petty morality. I seek a higher purpose." |
| 340 | |
| 341 | !!! '''NoOneCouldSurviveThat vs. NotQuiteDead vs. StayingAlive:''' |
| 342 | * NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Assumed dead without proof. |
| 343 | * NotQuiteDead: Turns out not to have died. |
| 344 | * StayingAlive: Definitely did die, but now they're back. |
| 345 | |
| 346 | !!! '''NoPoliceOption vs. PoliceAreUseless:''' |
| 347 | * The police don't help because... |
| 348 | ** NoPoliceOption: Due process, or other factors outside their control. |
| 349 | ** PoliceAreUseless: Incompetence, corruption, or other factors within their control. |
| 350 | |
| 351 | !!! '''NoSavingThrow vs. UnblockableAttack:''' |
| 352 | * No attempt at resistance will stop the effects of this attack. Said effects are... |
| 353 | ** NoSavingThrow: Mystical or supernatural. |
| 354 | ** UnblockableAttack: Raw physical impact. |
| 355 | |
| 356 | !!! '''NotCompletelyUseless vs. ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman:''' |
| 357 | * The useless ability becomes useful... |
| 358 | ** NotCompletelyUseless: If you seek out the situation in which it actually helps. |
| 359 | ** ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman: In a shoehorned sequence to 'justify' its presence. |
| 360 | |
| 361 | !!! '''NotHimself vs. OOCIsSeriousBusiness vs. OutOfCharacterAlert vs. OutOfCharacterMoment:''' |
| 362 | * They didn't just forget his characterisation - it's to show that: |
| 363 | ** NotHimself: There's something wrong with him. |
| 364 | ** OOCIsSeriousBusiness: There's something wrong with the situation. |
| 365 | ** OutOfCharacterAlert: He's trying to alert his friends to something bad. |
| 366 | ** OutOfCharacterMoment: The author is having trouble with advancing the plot otherwise. |
| 367 | |
| 368 | !!! '''NothingExcitingEverHappensHere vs. SmallTownBoredom:''' |
| 369 | * SmallTownBoredom: Tedious, ordinary place to live. |
| 370 | ** NothingExcitingEverHappensHere: ...Well, for now. |
| 371 | |
| 372 | !!! '''NotInMyContract vs. NotWhatISignedOnFor:''' |
| 373 | * I refuse to do this deed because... |
| 374 | ** NotInMyContract: ...it's not in my list of responsibilities. |
| 375 | ** NotWhatISignedOnFor: ...I didn't know it would involve this when I joined. |
| 376 | [[/folder]] |
| 377 | |
| 378 | [[folder:O]] |
| 379 | !!! '''JustForFun/OneMarioLimit vs. OneSteveLimit:''' |
| 380 | * No two characters have the same first name... |
| 381 | ** OneSteveLimit: ...for convenience. |
| 382 | ** JustForFun/OneMarioLimit: ...because one is too famous. |
| 383 | |
| 384 | !!! '''OneWingedAngel vs. SequentialBoss vs. TurnsRed:''' |
| 385 | * Just when you thought you were winning a BossBattle, the boss... |
| 386 | ** SequentialBoss: ...changes form. Begin Round Two! |
| 387 | *** OneWingedAngel: Ditto, into a godlike form. |
| 388 | ** TurnsRed: ...becomes more dangerous. |
| 389 | |
| 390 | !!! '''OnlyIdiotsMayPass vs. StupidityIsTheOnlyOption vs. ViolationOfCommonSense:''' |
| 391 | * Stupidity is required... |
| 392 | ** OnlyIdiotsMayPass: ...because the devs didn't provide the sensible option (or not yet). |
| 393 | ** StupidityIsTheOnlyOption: ...and punishments ensue. |
| 394 | ** ViolationOfCommonSense: ...and rewards ensue. |
| 395 | |
| 396 | !!!'''OptionalBoss vs. SkippableBoss vs. {{Superboss}} vs. TrueFinalBoss''' |
| 397 | * A boss battle that is... |
| 398 | ** OptionalBoss: Avoided by default, can be sought out. |
| 399 | ** SkippableBoss: Fought be default, can be avoided. |
| 400 | ** {{Superboss}}: Avoided by default, [[GuideDangIt really difficult to seek out]], [[NintendoHard really difficult to defeat]]. |
| 401 | ** TrueFinalBoss: The real climax, if you met the pre-requisites. |
| 402 | |
| 403 | !!! '''OrgasmicCombat vs. SexIsViolence''' |
| 404 | * OrgasmicCombat: Fight starts to sound like something else. |
| 405 | * SexIsViolence: Character gets turned on by fighting. |
| 406 | |
| 407 | !!! '''TheOtherDarrin vs. TheOtherMarty vs. TheNthDoctor''' |
| 408 | * TheOtherDarrin: New actor, no explanation. |
| 409 | * TheOtherMarty: New actor, footage redone. |
| 410 | * TheNthDoctor: New actor, onscreen explanation. |
| 411 | |
| 412 | !!! '''OurVampiresAreDifferent vs. VampireVarietyPack vs. YourVampiresSuck''' |
| 413 | * Hi! I'm a vampire. |
| 414 | ** OurVampiresAreDifferent: I'm not like what you see in the movies. |
| 415 | ** VampireVarietyPack: My vampire neighbors aren't like me either. |
| 416 | ** YourVampiresSuck: I'm not like what you see in the movies, that's just silly! |
| 417 | |
| 418 | !!! '''OverlyLongGag''' vs. '''OverusedRunningGag''': |
| 419 | * OverlyLongGag: This gag goes on and on and on[[note]]and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on[[/note]] until it becomes funny by that virtue alone. |
| 420 | * OverusedRunningGag: This gag has appeared so many times it's not funny anymore. |
| 421 | [[/folder]] |
| 422 | |
| 423 | [[folder:P]] |
| 424 | !!! '''PacifistRun vs. StealthRun''': |
| 425 | * You completed a game without killing enemies... |
| 426 | ** PacifistRun: ...because you only used {{Non Lethal KO}}s. |
| 427 | ** StealthRun: ...because enemies didn't notice you. |
| 428 | |
| 429 | !!! '''PaletteSwap vs. UndergroundMonkey''' |
| 430 | * Making a new video game character by: |
| 431 | ** PaletteSwap: Changing another character's color scheme. |
| 432 | ** UndergroundMonkey: Tweaking another character's name/stats/appearance. |
| 433 | |
| 434 | !!! '''ParodiedTrope vs. PlayedForLaughs:''' |
| 435 | * ParodiedTrope: The concept itself is spoofed. |
| 436 | * PlayedForLaughs: Concept is present in its normal form, but the results/presentation are intended to make you laugh. |
| 437 | |
| 438 | !!! '''PermanentlyMissableContent vs. TemporaryOnlineContent''' |
| 439 | * You'll never have another chance to get this awesome item in this VideoGame because... |
| 440 | ** PermanentlyMissableContent: ...the dungeon it's in has collapsed. |
| 441 | ** TemporaryOnlineContent: ...the [[DownloadableContent DLC]] including it has been pulled from the shop. |
| 442 | |
| 443 | !!! '''PlanBResolution vs. TimeForPlanB''' |
| 444 | * The backup plan is prepared... |
| 445 | ** PlanBResolution: On the spot, after plan A fails. |
| 446 | ** TimeForPlanB: In advance. (may include with plan C, plan D, plan E...) |
| 447 | |
| 448 | !!! '''PlatonicLifePartners vs. LikeBrotherAndSister vs. BetterAsFriends vs. JustFriends''' |
| 449 | * Two characters are very close friends who... |
| 450 | ** PlatonicLifePartners: ...have never dated or put serious thought to doing so. |
| 451 | *** LikeBrotherAndSister: ...Because that would just feel weird. |
| 452 | ** BetterAsFriends: ...have dated in the past, but liked things better as friends. |
| 453 | ** JustFriends: ...haven't dated, but will. |
| 454 | |
| 455 | !!!'''PlayerPunch vs. WhatTheHellPlayer vs. YouBastard''': |
| 456 | * PlayerPunch: Game gives the player a personal attachment to the unfolding events. |
| 457 | * WhatTheHellPlayer: Game calls the player out on unnecessarily-cruel acts. |
| 458 | * YouBastard: Work calls the player out on enjoying the messed-up premise. |
| 459 | |
| 460 | !!! '''PlotTailoredToTheParty vs. ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman''': |
| 461 | * The task can only be solved by... |
| 462 | ** PlotTailoredToTheParty: ...everyone pooling their individual abilities. |
| 463 | ** ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman: ...Captain Useless! |
| 464 | |
| 465 | !!!'''PoliticallyActivePrincess vs. PrettyPrincessPowerhouse vs. RebelliousPrincess vs. TomboyPrincess''' |
| 466 | * A princess who... |
| 467 | ** PoliticallyActivePrincess: ...helps with governing. |
| 468 | ** PrettyPrincessPowerhouse: ...looks delicate but is all about kicking ass. |
| 469 | ** RebelliousPrincess: ...won't do what her parents want. |
| 470 | ** TomboyPrincess: ...isn't very feminine. |
| 471 | |
| 472 | !!! '''ThePowerOfCheese vs. TooIncompetentToOperateABlanket''' |
| 473 | * The people in the ad... |
| 474 | ** ThePowerOfCheese: ...will do stupid things because the product is just that good. |
| 475 | ** TooIncompetentToOperateABlanket: ...need the product because they are too incompetent to operate a normal, simple tool. |
| 476 | |
| 477 | !!! '''ThePowerOfCheese vs. ProductAsSuperhero''' |
| 478 | * ProductAsSuperhero: Anthropomorphized product. |
| 479 | * ThePowerOfCheese: People do crazy things when they want a product. |
| 480 | |
| 481 | !!! '''PreAssKickingOneLiner vs. PreMortemOneLiner vs. BondOneLiner vs. QuipToBlack''': |
| 482 | * PreAssKickingOneLiner: "I'm gonna kick your ass." |
| 483 | * PreMortemOneLiner: "I'm kicking your ass." |
| 484 | * BondOneLiner: "I kicked your ass." |
| 485 | * QuipToBlack: "Looks like this man... got his ass kicked." *''cut to commercial break''* |
| 486 | |
| 487 | !!!'''PretentiousPronunciation vs. PsmithPsyndrome vs. YouSayTomato''' |
| 488 | * PretentiousPronunciation: Dick wants to be called "Dack" because he's tired of penis jokes. |
| 489 | * PsmithPsyndrome: Alice hears Bob call her "Aliss". |
| 490 | * YouSayTomato: Alice and Bob can't agree on how to say "pecan". |
| 491 | |
| 492 | !!! '''ThePsychoRangers vs. QuirkyMinibossSquad:''' |
| 493 | * An evil team consisting of... |
| 494 | ** ThePsychoRangers: ...{{Evil Counterpart}}s to the heroes. |
| 495 | ** QuirkyMinibossSquad: ...skilled individuals. |
| 496 | |
| 497 | !!! '''PsychoSupporter vs. {{Yandere}}''': |
| 498 | * PsychoSupporter: Crazy makes you love (or at least follow). |
| 499 | * {{Yandere}}: Love makes you crazy. |
| 500 | |
| 501 | !!! '''PsychoticSmirk vs. SlasherSmile''': |
| 502 | * PsychoticSmirk: Small, few or no teeth, sign of arrogance. |
| 503 | * SlasherSmile: Big, most or all teeth, sign of insanity / malice. |
| 504 | |
| 505 | !!! '''PuppyLove vs. ToyShip''': |
| 506 | * Two prepubescent characters are a couple... |
| 507 | ** PuppyLove: In {{Canon}} |
| 508 | ** ToyShip: In {{Fanon}} |
| 509 | |
| 510 | !!! '''PutThemAllOutOfMyMisery vs. WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds''' |
| 511 | * PutThemAllOutOfMyMisery: Miserable villain wants to end the world to end their hurt. |
| 512 | * WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Super-powered character has destructive emotional outburst. |
| 513 | [[/folder]] |
| 514 | |
| 515 | [[folder:Q]] |
| 516 | !!! '''TheQuietOne vs. SilentBob''' vs. '''TheSpeechless''' vs. '''TheVoiceless''': |
| 517 | * TheQuietOne: Rarely talks. |
| 518 | * SilentBob: "Talks" with body language and facial expressions. |
| 519 | * TheSpeechless: Can't talk. |
| 520 | * TheVoiceless: Never talks onscreen. |
| 521 | [[/folder]] |
| 522 | |
| 523 | [[folder:R]] |
| 524 | !!! '''ReallyFondOfSleeping vs. {{Sleepyhead}}''' |
| 525 | * A character sleeps a lot... |
| 526 | ** ReallyFondOfSleeping: ...on command. |
| 527 | ** {{Sleepyhead}} ...at random. |
| 528 | |
| 529 | !!! '''RedemptionRejection vs. ReformedButRejected''' |
| 530 | * RedemptionRejection: The villain won't turn good. |
| 531 | * ReformedButRejected: No-one receives the reformed ex-villain. |
| 532 | |
| 533 | !!! '''RedShirt vs. MauveShirt vs. SacrificialLamb vs. SacrificialLion''' |
| 534 | * The [[DevelopingDoomedCharacters doomed character]]... |
| 535 | ** RedShirt: ...is just there to die for the plot. |
| 536 | ** MauveShirt: ...is a bit more developed but still dies for the plot. |
| 537 | ** SacrificialLamb: ...seemed like they would be an important character. |
| 538 | ** SacrificialLion: ...was very important and the death is meaningful. |
| 539 | |
| 540 | !!! '''ReligionOfEvil vs. ScaryAmoralReligion''' |
| 541 | * A religious order that does terrible things... |
| 542 | ** ReligionOfEvil: Because their god says they should. |
| 543 | ** ScaryAmoralReligion: Because their god never said they ''shouldn't''. |
| 544 | |
| 545 | !!! '''ResetButton vs. {{Snapback}}''': |
| 546 | * Everything is back to normal... |
| 547 | ** ResetButton: ...by the end of the episode. |
| 548 | ** {{Snapback}}: ...by the next episode. |
| 549 | |
| 550 | !!! '''TheRestShallPass vs. YouShallNotPass''': |
| 551 | * "Go on without me, I'll take care of this guy..." |
| 552 | ** TheRestShallPass: "...in our path." |
| 553 | ** YouShallNotPass: "...chasing us." |
| 554 | |
| 555 | !!! '''{{Retcon}} vs. {{Revision}} vs. {{Rewrite}} vs. OrwellianRetcon''' |
| 556 | * {{Retcon}}: End of Book One: Alice loves Bob. Start of Book Two: Alice doesn't love Bob. |
| 557 | ** OrwellianRetcon: Book One, Second Edition: Alice doesn't love Bob. |
| 558 | * {{Revision}}: Extra details added to Alice and Bob's love between books, while you weren't looking. |
| 559 | * {{Rewrite}}: Book Two: Alice doesn't love Bob, which means all the stuff [[NoodleIncident that happened on Valentine's Day]] in the first book ''also'' never happened. |
| 560 | |
| 561 | !!! '''RetGone vs. {{Unperson}}:''' |
| 562 | * Someone's existence is erased... |
| 563 | ** RetGone: ...from history ''itself''. |
| 564 | ** {{Unperson}}: ...from the history ''books''. |
| 565 | |
| 566 | !!! '''RousingSpeech vs. HesBack vs. HeroicResolve vs. NoMoreHoldingBackSpeech vs. ShutUpHannibal''': |
| 567 | * RousingSpeech: "Come on everyone, lets go kick some ass!" |
| 568 | * HesBack: "I'm back, now let's go kick some ass!" |
| 569 | * HeroicResolve: "I can't give up, I must kick some ass!" |
| 570 | * NoMoreHoldingBackSpeech: "I will not be afraid to kick ass anymore." |
| 571 | * ShutUpHannibal: "Shut up villain! I'll kick your ass!" |
| 572 | [[/folder]] |
| 573 |
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