Line #72 Main/WeaknessTropes


1	An index of tropes that are about a character's weakness, people being characterized as weaklings, or things seen as a weakness.
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3	See also FearTropes, AllergicToIndexes, {{Indexitis}}, and PowerAtAPrice. Contrast PowerTropes, OverpoweredTropes and StrengthIndex.
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7	[[AC:Physical weakness]]
8	* AchillesHeel: A character or being is vulnerable to one specific thing.
9	* AdaptationalAchillesHeel
10	* ArmoredButFrail: Their defenses/armor are very high, but once the defenses are gone, they go down easily.
11	* AssimilationBackfire: A character assimilates something only to find that they have gained its weakness.
12	* AttackItsWeakPoint: Being is vulnerable at a specific and obvious part of their body.
13	* AttackTheInjury: In this case, the weak point was created, either before or during the fight.
14	* BossAlteringConsequence: The boss has a weakness to a specific item or ability that is either more effective than normal or has a unique effect if you choose to use it.
15	* CantCatchUp: Secondary characters don't get stronger like the hero does.
16	* CantUseStairs: Character can't go up or down stairs, either due to not being designed to do so, or through being paraplegic.
17	* ClippedWingAngel: A being's true/final/ultimate form has flaws that render it impractical or easily defeated.
18	* ColdIron: The classic weakness of TheFairFolk.
19	* ConvenientWeaknessPlacement: A villain's weakness is conveniently placed near them for no logical reason.
20	* DecapitationRequired: The only way to kill them permanently is by removing the head.
21	* DepletedPhlebotinumShells: Weaponizing the substance that they are weak against.
22	* DramaPreservingHandicap: A method to give some sort of weakness to a character who normally doesn't have one.
23	* ElementalRockPaperScissors: One element is strong towards another and weak towards yet another.
24	* FantasticFragility: An in-built weakness to boost power.
25	* FireKeepsItDead: Burning corpses prevents them from becoming zombies.
26	* HobblingTheGiant: Want to bring down a giant-sized target easily? Go for the legs!
27	* KillItWithFire: Being is vulnerable to fire.
28	* KillItWithIce: Vulnerability to ice.
29	* KillItWithWater: Vulnerability to water.
30	* KryptoniteFactor: A weakness to something that has little or no effect on other characters.
31	* KryptoniteIsEverywhere: The character's weakness is so commonplace that it's a wonder they haven't been killed yet.
32	* LimitedWindowOfVulnerability: A character has a time period of vulnerability before turning/returning to being invulnerable.
33	* LogicalWeakness: The weakness is a logical consequence of whatever makes the character powerful.
34	* ManOfKryptonite: A villain whose power is that they're equipped with or made of the hero's weakness.
35	* MonstrosityEqualsWeakness: Being in a monstrous form actually makes someone or something weaker.
36	* OneHeroHoldTheWeaksauce: A character who has superpowers without any of the drawbacks normally associated with them.
37	* PatheticallyWeak: No one should be ''that'' weak.
38	* PrecautionaryCorpseDisposal: Anyone who dies will become a monster, or otherwise dangerous, so dead bodies must be disposed of immediately.
39	* RemoteYetVulnerable: An individual distances their mind or spirit away from their main body to engage in some endeavor, but the main body ends up in danger.
40	* RemovedAchillesHeel: A character missing a weakness or limitation that they should have.
41	* RemovingTheHeadOrDestroyingTheBrain: They will shrug off everything except attacks that cause brain trauma or decapitation/destruction of the head.
42	* ReviveKillsZombie: Healing/revival magic is harmful to the undead.
43	* SensoryOverload: Overwhelming a particular sense.
44	* SilverBullet: Silver as a SupernaturalRepellent.
45	* SnipingTheCockpit: Neutralizing a vehicle by killing its operator(s) instead of trying to tear the entire thing to pieces.
46	* SupernaturalRepellent: Weaknesses that ward off supernatural creatures.
47	* TaserTagWeakness: Powerful enemies are nevertheless vulnerable to electricity.
48	* TransformingConforming: A shapeshifter or other transforming character shares the weaknesses of their chosen form.
49	* UntouchableUntilTagged: A nigh-invincible character receives damage once. The story will later use this to orchestrate their total defeat.
50	* VampiresHateGarlic: Garlic is the ideal repellent against vampires.
51	* VillainBeatingArtifact: The villain is invincible to everything ''but'' this artifact.
52	* WeakToFire: Fire as a weakness.
53	* WeakToMagic: Vulnerability to magic.
54	* WeakenedByTheLight: Supernatural creatures perish when exposed to sunlight.
55	* WeakerInTheRealWorld: A being who exists in a dream-like realm loses their powers when in the real world.
56	* WeaksauceWeakness: A character is vulnerable to a substance that is ridiculously easy to obtain.
57	* WeaponOfXSlaying: A weapon specifically designed to harm certain things, better than a normal weapon would.
58	* WillfullyWeak: A character deliberately limits how much of their powers they use for everyone else's safety.
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60	[[AC:Emotional or psychological weakness]]
61	* DecapitatedArmy: Take out the leader and the army will have no reason to keep fighting.
62	* FatalFlaw: A psychological weakness, not a physical vulnerability (suitable for FlawExploitation).
63	* SanityHasAdvantages: Being insane is an exploitable weakness.
64	* VerbalWeakness: A usually harmless word or phrase that just so happens to hurt a particular character.
65	* WeakWilled: Character is incapable of standing up for themselves.
66	* WeaknessTurnsHerOn: A female character is aroused by men who are perceived as weak.
67	* WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes: Character has a crippling fear of something.
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69	[[AC:Things or concepts considered to be weak or cause weakness]]
70	* LoveIsAWeakness: It is believed that falling in love makes you weak.
71	* MeeknessIsWeakness
72	* MagicMustDefeatMagic: The biggest danger to a spellcaster is another spellcaster.
73	* TakesOneToKillOne: An entity's only weakness is a similar entity.
74	* VirtueIsWeakness: Having a sense of morality is seen as weak and stupid.
75	* WomanlinessAsPathos: Women inherently cause drama or intense feelings.
76	* WomenAreDelicate: The belief that women by nature are very vulnerable.
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78	[[AC:Character types]]
79	* TheDitherer: A character who waffles or cannot make clear decisions, often because they lack the will to deal with the fall out or repercussions from those decisions
80	* FauxActionGirl: A female character who is built up as an effective ActionGirl, but proves to be too weak to fight real battles.
81	* FragileFlyer: Flying beings depicted as weaker or less durable than non-flying ones.
82	* FragileSpeedster: Quick on their feet, but too weak to defend against attacks.
83	* GlassCannon: Effective attacker who is too weak to defend themselves.
84	* JokeCharacter: A playable character in a video game who is deliberately programmed to be weak and insanely difficult to play the game as.
85	* LawfulPushover: A person in authority who is too weak and spineless to actually exercise that authority.
86	* MasterOfNone: Poor at everything, without being overwhelmingly weak in any particular stat.
87	* MightyGlacier: They're physically strong, but speed and mobility prove to be their Kryptonite.
88	* NonActionGuy: Male character who is too weak to fight.
89	* NonActionProtagonist: A protagonist who shows no combat ability, but overcomes obstacles through non-action means.
90	* PaperTiger: A character who may look fierce, but is actually quite a pushover.
91	* SquishyWizard: Can use powerful magic but is too weak to fight physically.
92	* StoneWall: Has powerful defense, but is too weak to fight back.
93	* WeakButSkilled: What they lack in strength, they make up for it with their cunning.
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