1 | The act of being a video game character is a bit of an odd one. You spend all day killing things, all night healing from wounds that should have killed you, and there's a better than eighty percent chance that your [[TomboyPrincess tomboy female friend is a lost princess]]. But what's a guy to do, eh? |
2 | ---- |
3 | [[index]] |
4 | [[foldercontrol]] |
5 | |
6 | [[folder:Playable character types]] |
7 | Protagonists that are controlled by the players themselves. |
8 | ---- |
9 | * '''PlayerCharacter''': A character controlled by you, the player. |
10 | * '''PlayerParty''': An entire team of playable characters. |
11 | * AdventureDuo: A serious main character coupled with a weird or quirky partner. |
12 | * AnAdventurerIsYou: A description of the class-based systems common to many {{Role Playing Game}}s. |
13 | * AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: When the player takes control of another different character partway through. |
14 | * BareFistedMonk: A character who excels in melee attacks without wielding weapons. |
15 | * TheBeastmaster: A type of character who uses the assistance of an animal, force of nature, or just some sort of not-highly-sentient creature to help them fight. |
16 | * BlackMage: Magic user who specializes in offensive magic. |
17 | ** BlackMagicianGirl: A young female BlackMage with a [[PluckyGirl forceful personality]]. |
18 | *** LadyOfBlackMagic: An older female BlackMage with a [[LadyOfWar more reserved or mature personality]]. |
19 | ** WhiteMage: Magic-user who specializes in healing and support magic. |
20 | *** WhiteMagicianGirl: The female magic-using co-star of an {{RPG}}, who often wields a staff or rod. |
21 | * BouncingBattler: A character whose primary form of attack is to jump or bounce off obstacles and enemies. |
22 | * BraggingRightsOption: A character or option characters pick to show off with. |
23 | * BrattyHalfPint: Snarky self-important kid who's usually the youngest in the party. |
24 | * CharacterCustomization: The protagonist's physical appearance, in-game abilities, and other attributes can all be modified by the player themselves. |
25 | * CharacterSelectForcing: The game forces you to choose different characters, even though you have the choice of not using them. |
26 | * ChildMage: The main magic user is the youngest in the group. |
27 | * CipherScything: Blank slate characters always get the short end of the stick in adapted works. |
28 | * CombatMedic: Although he's the main healer and buffer, he can also dish out damage. |
29 | * CombatAndSupport: The two roles video game characters often divide each other into when in groups. |
30 | * CompetitiveBalance: The various character types in competitive games need to be balanced so no one character is automatically better. |
31 | * ConfusionFu: A character whose main advantage is their unpredictability. |
32 | * CriticalHitClass: A class or character's strategy is based on getting critical hits. |
33 | * CrutchCharacter: Early game playable character who starts out powerful, but whose usefulness declines. |
34 | * CuteBruiser: A young girl who has SuperStrength. |
35 | * DamageOverTime: A character type that [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin deals damage over time]], wearing the enemy down. |
36 | * TheEngineer: A character who specializes in the use and application of machines and technology. Usually a support unit, but many times quite capable of combat. |
37 | * EliteTweak: A character or class that can be very effective, but needs a lot of work or strategy to reach its potential. |
38 | * FantasyCharacterClasses: The most common character classes in a medieval fantasy setting. |
39 | * FeaturelessProtagonist: An Ageless, Faceless, Gender Neutral, Culturally Ambiguous Adventure Person is [[AudienceSurrogate you!]] |
40 | ** NonEntityGeneral: The player is a general or commander in a strategy game who may not actually even exist. |
41 | * FighterMageThief: The three most common character classes for {{Western RPG}}s. |
42 | * FragileSpeedster: A character who's very fast, but has low defense. |
43 | * GlacierWaif: A character of thin build who's nevertheless extremely strong and slow. |
44 | * GlassCannon: A character who has powerful attacks but can't take a lot of damage. |
45 | * AGodIsYou: Games that star a protagonist who's actually a god or who has godlike powers. |
46 | * GuestStarPartyMember: Someone who joins your party temporarily as a "guest". |
47 | * HealingHands: A character who has the ability to heal others. |
48 | * HeavyEquipmentClass: A class or character that stands out due to their proficiency with heavy weapons and/or armour. |
49 | * HeroicMime: A main character who never speaks. |
50 | * HeroUnit: A unit, usually in a RealTimeStrategy game, that represents the player or a major character in the game's story on the battlefield. |
51 | * ImmobilePlayerCharacter: When a PlayerCharacter has incredibly limited movement. |
52 | * ItemCaddy: A character whose skills revolve around using items. |
53 | * JackOfAllStats: A character who has good strength, speed, and defense, but is not great in any category. |
54 | ** MasterOfNone: The JackOfAllStats where the end result is an almost useless character, since their mediocre skills are never useful enough to be chosen over a specialist. |
55 | * JobSystem: EasternRPG system whereby classes have distinct equipment and abilities but can be changed at any time. |
56 | * JokeCharacter: Characters, often in the form of {{Easter Egg}}s, deliberately unbalanced in the negative sense. |
57 | ** LethalJokeCharacter: A JokeCharacter who has one or two awesome skills which can lead to him being used very effectively. |
58 | * KidHero: Slaying dragons and beating down goblins, but he still has a teddy bear when he goes to sleep. |
59 | * LadyOfWar: A [[ActionGirl female fighter]] who retains [[TheHighQueen an air of grace and reserve not usually associated with violence]]. |
60 | * LightningBruiser: A character who has very good strength, speed, ''and'' defense. |
61 | * MageMarksman: An archer or gunner who also delves in sorcery. |
62 | * MagicallyIneptFighter: A fighter with great physical ability but lacking skills in the magic department. |
63 | * MagicKnight: A wizard who can also swordfight or a swordfighter who can also use magic. |
64 | * MascotWithAttitude: A snarky FunnyAnimal with [[TotallyRadical kickin']] powers and [[JumpPhysics improbable jumping abilities]]. |
65 | * MasterOfAll: A (usually [[PurposelyOverpowered broken]]) character with better stats than anyone. |
66 | * MasterOfUnlocking: Opening doors is an art, don'tcha know. |
67 | * MechanicallyUnusualClass: A character class whose mechanics are unusual in comparison to its fellow classes. |
68 | * MightyGlacier: He's got great strength, but he isn't all that fast. |
69 | * TheMinionMaster: Summon {{mooks}} to do the job for you! |
70 | * ModernDaySciFiRPGClassEquivalents: A collection of character classes or equivalents of such for non-fantasy RPG settings. |
71 | * MonsterAllies: Where monsters fight alongside the humans in [=RPG=]s. |
72 | * MultiSlotCharacter: A single character is split into multiple different incarnations of themselves that act as different characters. |
73 | * MutuallyExclusivePartyMembers: Several party members who, for whatever reason, cannot all be in the same party at the same time. |
74 | * MysticalWaif: A young girl with a mysterious past who the villains are trying to exploit and the heroes are trying to protect. |
75 | * OneManArmy: Video game protagonists are almost always very capable of wiping the floor with thousands of enemies. |
76 | * OptionalPartyMember: Someone who may not join your party if you don't fulfill the requirements to get them. |
77 | * OverratedAndUnderleveled: A character introduced as being really powerful ends up, statistics-wise, as being weaker than the main character. |
78 | * PlatformingPocketPal: An adventuring companion in an {{action game}} who, for whatever reason, is not hindered by the action segments. |
79 | * PlayerMooks: Nameless, personality-less characters that make up your team. |
80 | * PowerupMount: An animal that the main character can ride on and is beneficial in some way. |
81 | * PromotedToPlayable: A character who was an NPC or enemy in a previous installment becomes playable in a sequel. |
82 | * ProtagonistWithoutAPast: You just sort of popped into being in the first village. |
83 | * RebelliousPrincess: She's had enough of being pampered and wants to get down and dirty with the monster fighting! |
84 | * TheRedMage: A magician capable of casting spells from two different or even [[MutuallyExclusiveMagic mutually exclusive]] schools of magic. |
85 | * RequiredPartyMember: Someone who you have to have in your group, usually due to plot reasons. |
86 | * SchrodingersPlayerCharacter: The game offers multiple characters to choose from with various backstories, but only the character you choose as your PC ever appears in the game. |
87 | * SecretCharacter: A bonus character that the casual player may never see. |
88 | * SoloClass: Classes capable of going alone where others are forced to team up. |
89 | * SpaceMarine: Standard [[FirstPersonShooter FPS]] hero: A military man (often in bulky armor), who wields lots of big guns and kills lots of aliens. |
90 | * SquishyWizard: [[{{WesternAnimation/Aladdin}} Phenomenal cosmic power]], itty bitty life bar. |
91 | * StarterMon: If you want ToBeAMaster of {{Mons}}, you have to start somewhere. |
92 | * StoneWall: A character with extremely high defense but lame offensive capabilities. |
93 | * SupportPartyMember: A party member whose' primary abilities are mostly non-offensive. |
94 | * SwissArmyHero: The player character can [[MultiformBalance change forms]] to cover many different situations or roles. |
95 | * SwordAndSorcerer: When a physical fighter and magic user team up. |
96 | * TeamPet: The default mascot of the party and usually the most outlandish of the bunch. |
97 | * ThirdPersonSeductress: An implausibly curvy, twenty-something woman in a {{Stripperiffic}} outfit, who obeys the commands of the fellow behind the controller. |
98 | * TheTurretMaster: A character with the ability to [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin summon a stationary turret]] that attacks enemies or an object that fulfills a similar role. |
99 | * TomboyPrincess: A princess who behaves in a tomboyish manner. |
100 | * UtilityPartyMember: The character you keep in your party for their non-combat skills. |
101 | * WildMan: A usually [[WildHair shaggy]], musclebound and underdressed character who looks like he just came out of the jungle. |
102 | [[/folder]] |
103 | |
104 | [[folder:Fighting game characters]] |
105 | Characters found in {{Fighting Game}}s (who may or may not be playable). |
106 | ---- |
107 | * AssistCharacter: A non-playable character who assists a playable one. |
108 | * BalanceSpeedStrengthTrio: The three most common character types for BeatEmUp and HackAndSlash. |
109 | * CharacterRosterGlobalWarming: The series' character roster increases over time, but the number of MightyGlacier characters is kept constant. |
110 | * DittoFighter: A character who copies the moveset of the other characters, sometimes with the added catch that the moveset is chosen randomly. |
111 | * FightingClown: A character that looks and acts wackier to the rest of the cast, but actually plays like a normal character. |
112 | * GuestFighter: A character from another franchise who shows up in a FightingGame. |
113 | * TheGrappler: A character who specializes in {{grapple move}}s and punishes opponents who dare get too close. |
114 | * HuskyRusskie: A Russian fighter who's [[MotherRussiaMakesYouStrong bik, stronk,]] and [[VodkaDrunkenski dreenks vodka]]. |
115 | * MechanicallyUnusualFighter: A FightingGame character with a bizarre playstyle and mechanics compared to others. |
116 | * MovesetClone: Two characters given equal or similar abilities/appearances and playstyle. Earlier fighting games often wound up having these as their main characters. |
117 | * PerfectPlayAI: An AI which continually walks forward, dodges or blocks all attacks, and attacks flawlessly once it reaches its target. |
118 | * SkillGateCharacters: FightingGame characters that are a challenge to newcomers, but those with experience will easily mop the floor with them. |
119 | * {{Shotoclone}}: Stock FightingGame character whose skillset includes a [[KamehameHadoken energy ball]] and [[{{Shoryuken}} uppercut]], and often wears a karate gi. |
120 | [[/folder]] |
121 | |
122 | [[folder:Non-playable characters]] |
123 | Neutral (sometimes friendly) characters that cannot be controlled by the players. |
124 | ---- |
125 | * '''NonPlayerCharacter''': [=NPCs=] are people and creatures controlled by in-game AI instead of the player's direct input. |
126 | * '''NonPlayerCompanion:''' A friendly [=NPC=] ally who follows and assists the player character throughout the game. |
127 | * ApatheticCitizens: A supervillain is conquering the world? You take care of it. |
128 | * ArmsDealer: A merchant who sells weapons (and sometimes other useful items) to you, as long as you have enough cash to pay them. |
129 | * CityGuards: The local authorities (police, soldiers, or security guards) of a particular place, patrolling around and standing watch. Usually neutral towards the player character, unless you provoke them into turning hostile by actively causing trouble and violating the local laws. |
130 | * ContinueYourMissionDammit: Characters who nudge the player character back onto the main quest. |
131 | * [[ShopliftAndDie Easily Angered Shopkeeper]]: If you steal something from a shop, you'll be attacked or zapped instantly. |
132 | * ExpositionFairy: A recurring or sidekick character whose purpose is to [[MrExposition fill you in]] on elements of the interface and your abilities. |
133 | ** AnnoyingVideoGameHelper: Where your ExpositionFairy starts to get on the player's nerves. |
134 | * GameplayAllyImmortality: Friendly [=NPCs=] who are following/fighting alongside you, but they can never actually be seriously injured or killed in combat. |
135 | ** InvulnerableCivilians: [[InnocentBystanders Neutral [=NPCs=]]] who cannot be harmed at all by the player or enemies. |
136 | *** VulnerableCivilians: Neutral [=NPCs=] who actually ''can'' get hurt by the player or enemies. |
137 | * NeutralsCrittersAndCreeps: Factions composed entirely of NPC's, who are, respectively, concerned more with their territory than victory, [[ApatheticCitizens completely ignorant]], or [[HardCodedHostility permanently hostile]]. |
138 | * PrecursorHeroes: A hero or group of heroes (often oddly similar to your own PlayerParty) that arose in the hour of need and [[SealedEvilInACan sealed the Ultimate Evil in its can]] [[ExactlyExtyYearsAgo 1,000 years ago]]. |
139 | * QuestGiver: An NPC who will give you a sidequest. |
140 | * RecurringTraveller: A character who just keeps showing up throughout the game, usually thoroughly lost. |
141 | * RedundantResearcher: A researcher who's trying to figure out all those ancient ruins and is invariably pre-empted by the hero. |
142 | * RelationshipValues: A gameplay mechanic in which an [=NPC=]'s friendliness (or hostility) towards the PC is affected by the player's actions. |
143 | * SkillPointReset: A trainer who can reset a PlayerCharacter's skill and ability scores, allowing you to redistribute them. |
144 | * VoiceWithAnInternetConnection: The helpful person at the other end of the main character's earpiece. |
145 | [[/folder]] |
146 | |
147 | [[folder:Enemy character types]] |
148 | Another kind of non-playable characters, except they're hostile to the player characters. |
149 | ---- |
150 | * '''BossBattle''': A special fight against a Boss, which is an unusually tougher enemy. They have enough sub-tropes for their own index. |
151 | ** BossInMookClothing: A battle with a "normal" enemy that, as it turns out, can wipe the floor with you. |
152 | ** DegradedBoss: Once you beat the boss, it comes back as a normal enemy later. |
153 | ** FinalBoss: The last enemy fought in the game, usually the most powerful of them all, and is often the [[BigBad main villain/antagonist]]. |
154 | ** MiniBoss: A minor boss or powerful enemy fought about halfway through the level, though not quite as tough as the true boss at the end of the level. |
155 | ** ThatOneBoss: A particularly frustrating boss that would put the DemonicSpiders and GoddamnedBats to shame. |
156 | * '''GoddamnedBats''': Enemies that don't pose much of a threat on their own, but can frustrate, annoy, and get in your way when working together. |
157 | ** DemonicSpiders: Enemies that frustrate you by killing you in unfair ways, which make them innately more dangerous than other normal enemies. |
158 | ** LedgeBats: Enemies that knock you back in the middle of jumps, often to your death. |
159 | ** AmbushingEnemy: Monsters that lurk within the environment and never fully appear until you walk close to them, at which point they suddenly lunge out and try to grab you. |
160 | * '''{{Mooks}}''': A slang term for the hordes of standard-issue, disposable bad guys whom the hero regularly fights and defeats. |
161 | ** ActuallyFourMooks: An enemy in an RPG that appears as a single entity on the overworld, but turns out to be a whole party of baddies once the fight starts. |
162 | ** AirborneMook: Mooks that can fly. |
163 | ** BanditMook: An enemy that can steal the player's items. |
164 | ** BossInMookClothing: See above under the BossBattle entry. |
165 | ** CowardlyMooks: Enemies that run away from the player, either instantly or after being hurt enough. |
166 | ** CuteSlimeMook: A mook resembling a BlobMonster with a cutesy design. |
167 | ** FakeUltimateMook: A massive monster of terrifying appearance that's no real threat. |
168 | ** HardModeMook: An enemy that only appears when playing on higher difficulty modes. |
169 | ** HeavilyArmoredMook: An ordinary mook, but with hard steel accessories. |
170 | ** InstakillMook: A mook that can defeat you in one hit. |
171 | ** MascotMook: A recurring minor enemy that's become iconic enough to double as a SeriesMascot. |
172 | ** MookBouncer: An enemy that can teleport you to a specific location whenever they touch you. |
173 | ** MooksAteMyEquipment: Enemy that eats your stuff (and might eat you as well). |
174 | ** NightOfTheLivingMooks: [[TheUndead Zombies, skeletons, mummies, oh my]]! |
175 | ** PatrollingMook: A mook that patrols around a certain area, alerting its allies if it spots something suspicious or an intruder. |
176 | ** PushyMooks: A mook that does no damage on its own but pushes the player into hazards. |
177 | ** ShieldBearingMook: A mook with a shield to protect against frontal attacks. |
178 | ** SlaveMooks: Mooks that are actually enslaved by the villains. |
179 | ** SleepyEnemy: An enemy that prefers to sleep, only fighting when disturbed. |
180 | ** SmashMook: A big, strong enemy that does nothing but smash you with straight physical attacks. |
181 | * '''StandardFPSEnemies''': Those generic baddies seen in nearly every {{First|PersonShooter}}/ThirdPersonShooter you've ever played. |
182 | * '''StockMonsters''': Those generic baddies seen in nearly every RolePlayingGame you've ever played. |
183 | * AsteroidsMonster: A creature of significant size that, when killed, splits into several miniature versions of itself. |
184 | * BorderPatrol: A monster or other hazard introduced specifically to prevent the player from wandering too far without resorting to the immersion-breaking InvisibleWall. |
185 | * ChestMonster: An enemy or hazard that has disguised itself to look like something positive, like [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a treasure chest]]. |
186 | * ClairvoyantSecurityForce: Manages to always appear the second you try to steal something. |
187 | * {{Cumulonemesis}}: An enemy in the shape of an animated cloud that attacks with wind and lightning. |
188 | * DropInNemesis: Where an enemy or obstacle comes out of nowhere and kills you, generally in a {{cutscene}}. |
189 | * ElementalEmbodiment: When the elements that are the [[ElementalRockPaperScissors basic building blocks of the universe]] get up and [[EverythingTryingToKillYou come for you]]. |
190 | * EnemyChatter: Enemies (or other [=NPCs=]) can be very talkative in some games. |
191 | * EnemySummoner: An enemy who can summon additional enemies to join them in combat, while also causing some damage themselves. |
192 | ** MookMaker: An enemy or object that can produce more enemies to fight you, although they don't usually attack the player directly. |
193 | * EverythingTryingToKillYou: Almost everything in the world is out for your blood. |
194 | * EvilChancellor: The helpful and suspiciously toadying assistant to the monarchy whose morality is usually inverse to the head of state. |
195 | * FlyingSeafoodSpecial: Fish that float in the air. And generally try to kill you. |
196 | * GiantHandsOfDoom: A character who fights only with giant hands. |
197 | * TheGoomba: The most basic enemy in the game, has a simple movement pattern, and is reassuringly easy to beat. |
198 | * HalfHeartedHenchman: A normal henchman who's lazy, unmotivated, or otherwise unwilling to do his job. |
199 | * HarmlessEnemy: An enemy that can't directly damage you. |
200 | * IncrediblyDurableEnemies: When the basic mook is an unstoppable killing machine, you know you're in a difficult game. |
201 | * IncreasinglyLethalEnemy: When an enemy gets harder to beat if the fight goes on for too long. |
202 | * InvincibleBoogeymen: Powerful enemies that cannot be killed, defeated, or even fought; you can only run and hide from them. |
203 | ** InvincibleMinorMinion: A weak enemy who is nevertheless completely impossible to harm in any way. |
204 | * InvisibleMonsters: You can't see them, but they can probably hurt you. |
205 | * KillerRabbit: Any monster that's far more dangerous than it looks. |
206 | * MoleMonster: An enemy that hides in the ground, attacking only when the PlayerCharacter's close. |
207 | * MoneySpider: An enemy creature that drops money or other rewards when defeated. |
208 | ** MetalSlime: An enemy that appears and runs away very quickly, is hard to hit, but gives very good rewards. |
209 | ** PinataEnemy: An enemy target sought out by the player, because they are (relatively) easy to kill, and have a very high cash payout. |
210 | * PersonalSpaceInvader: A monster who grabs onto you and must be shaken off. |
211 | * PuppetFighter: A character who can control one or more entities separate from itself. |
212 | * RatStomp: Finally, you get to the adventuring part! But first, fight some rats. |
213 | * RespawningEnemies: Enemies which can be defeated or killed indefinitely, but under certain circumstances they'll somehow reappear again or be replaced by more enemies. |
214 | * RevivingEnemy: An enemy which can be temporarily defeated or "killed", only to rise back up to full health soon afterwards. |
215 | * RoamingEnemy: An enemy which appears randomly under various circumstances. |
216 | * SavageSetpiece: A character that is peaceful to your character unless he attacks it. Then it demolishes you. |
217 | * ScratchDamageEnemy: An enemy which takes ScratchDamage from all attacks. |
218 | * SegmentedSerpent: An enemy which is made up of lots of mostly identical segments, and moves like a worm or snake. |
219 | * TheSpiny: A PlatformGame enemy that will damage or kill you if you try to jump on it. |
220 | * TeleportingKeycardSquad: Whenever you take something important, a slough of new enemies suddenly rushes in. |
221 | * UndeadCounterpart: Zombie-version {{Mooks}}. |
222 | * UndergroundMonkey: Exactly the same as a regular monkey - but underground, and therefore has better stats. |
223 | * UnderratedAndOverleveled: A character whom the plot provides no reason to be particularly strong turns out to be quite powerful in statistical terms when they join your party. |
224 | * TheUnfought: A major antagonist who you don't fight in the actual game. |
225 | * UniqueEnemy: An enemy that only shows up once in the whole game, but is otherwise fairly unremarkable. |
226 | * WaddlingHead: A stock monster that resembles a colored oval with eyes and feet. |
227 | * WeaponizedOffspring: A creature gives birth to CannonFodder as a defense mechanism. |
228 | * WhackAMonster: You see lots of holes in the ground: you know you're going to have to fight a bunch of monsters that pop up, attack, and pop back in. |
229 | [[/folder]] |
230 | |
231 | [[folder:Other/unclassified characters]] |
232 | Miscellaneous video game character tropes. |
233 | ---- |
234 | * BalancePowerSkillGimmick: A setup of four playable choices with a balanced choice, one choice at one end of a stat scale, one choice at the other end, and one choice different from all three. |
235 | * GameOverMan: A character shown on the GameOver screen. |
236 | * GlitchEntity: A video game character whose existence is due to a [[GoodBadBug glitch]], rather than them being deliberately coded into the game. |
237 | * LadyNotAppearingInThisGame: A sexy female in a game's promotional material who's not actually in the game itself. |
238 | * LiveItem: A character or creature that the game treats as an item. |
239 | * MassiveRaceSelection: When your player character can come from any of several cultures or species. |
240 | * PetInterface: An interface in which you are given a sidekick, usually a pet, that acts as a guide/virtual pet of sorts in the world. |
241 | * PrestigiousPlayerTitle: You and your fellow players are yourselves, but you're given a fancy title to call yourselves by. |
242 | * TrainingDummy: Some (usually) immortal character that you can return to, to practice your moves on. |
243 | * TwoGuysAndAGirl: The main character and his RivalTurnedEvil spend most of the game fighting over the girl. |
244 | * WithAFriendAndAStranger: The game starts off with the hero, his or her childhood friend, and [[MysteriousWaif another person, often a girl, from out of nowhere]] who needs his help. |
245 | [[/folder]] |
246 | |
247 | [[/index]] |
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