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5[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/heroes_0.png]]
6[[caption-width-right:350:[[Music/BonnieTyler ♫ He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast\
7And he's gotta be fresh from the fight! ♪]]\
8[-L - R, top to bottom: ComicBook/WonderWoman, [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]], [[Franchise/DragonBall Goku]], and [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra Korra]]-].]]
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13-> ''"You see that you and I are of a different stripe, don't you? We don't have to dream that we're important. We '''are.'''"''
14-->-- '''Mr. House''', ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''
15
16TheHero, seeks to defeat the villain, save the [[LoveInterests princess]], find the treasure, etc. Generally the Protagonist. [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin Always wins in the end]]. This index covers all tropes about and related to them.
17
18Note: while many tropes about goodness can and do apply to heroes, this is ''not'' an index for every positive portrayal of a character or entity, nor about goodness in general. That's GoodnessTropes.
19
20Contrast this index with its antithesis, {{Villains}}. There's also a [[https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Heroes_Wiki Wiki]].
21
22See {{Heroes}} for other pages (tropes and works alike) that reference heroes.
23
24'''Related Tropes and Indices:'''
25+ AntiHero
26+ BeingTheHeroSucks
27+ TheChosenOne
28+ GoodnessTropes
29+ TheHero
30+ HeroBall
31+ {{Sidekick}}
32+ SuperheroTropes
33
34----
35!!Tropes:
36
37[[foldercontrol]]
38
39[[folder:Common Qualities Found Amongst Heroes]]
40* HundredPercentHeroismRating
41* AlwaysLawfulGood: An entire race of completely benign beings.
42* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Most heroes tend to be very physically attractive.
43* BewareTheNiceOnes: Heroes who can be quite dangerous and formidable when pushed too far.
44* BlueIsHeroic: Many good guys like to wear blue clothes.
45* DarkIsNotEvil: Being associated with darkness doesn't make the character less of a hero.
46* {{Determinator}}: Absolutely nothing can make the hero give up.
47* EmbodimentOfVirtue
48* {{Face}}: A good guy in wrestling terms.
49* TheFettered: The hero's strength is their moral limitations.
50* FriendToAllLivingThings: A hero who protects and cares deeply for animals.
51* ForGreatJustice: The good guys' motive is "justice", "goodness", etc.
52* FriendToAllChildren: A hero who cares deeply for and protects kids.
53* GeniusBruiser: The hero has both brains and brawn.
54* GoodIsNotDumb: A character who is good gets underestimated because of it.
55* GoodIsNotNice: A hero who acts like a {{jerk|ass}} most of the time.
56* GoodIsNotSoft: A hero who has no qualms about severely punishing villains.
57* GoodWearsWhite: Heroic characters dress in white clothing to symbolize their goodness.
58* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: A good guy/girl with blonde hair.
59* HeroicBuild: Many heroic men have an impressively muscular body.
60* HeroicResolve
61* HeroicSelfDeprecation: The hero belittles themselves.
62* HeroicSpirit
63* HeroesLoveDogs: Good guys like to keep pet dogs.
64* HeroicMime: A good guy who never talks.
65* HeroicWillpower: The hero is in danger of being corrupted by an evil force, but manages to fight it off by doing their best not to give in to the madness.
66* HopeBringer
67* IncorruptiblePurePureness: The hero who is morally pure and is immune to temptation.
68* JumpedAtTheCall: A character is eager to uphold the responsibility of being the hero once they are given the chance.
69* LawfulGood
70* LightIsGood: Heroes are usually associated with the light and bright colors.
71* LovedByAll: The hero is universally liked by everyone.
72* PinkHeroine
73* WeHelpTheHelpless: Heroes will lend a hand to anyone in need of their help. The less fortunate classes of society are no exception.
74* WorkingClassHero: The hero comes from a lower-class background.
75* XMarksTheHero: A character has a cross-shaped scar to show they're a badass good guy.
76
77[[/folder]]
78
79[[folder: Characters Who Frequently Are The Hero]]
80* ActionDad
81* ActionGenreHeroGuy
82* BenevolentMonsters: [[DarkIsNotEvil Scary-looking creatures]] who would much rather befriend humans instead of harming them.
83* ActionGirl
84* ActionMom
85* ActionPet
86* ActionSurvivor: They're not a skilled fighter, but prove to be quite capable of handling a dangerous situation anyways.
87* AmicableAnts: Ants are depicted as heroic or friendly bugs.
88* AntiAntichrist: TheAntichrist is expected to help the forces of evil with conquering/destroying the world. Fortunately, this Antichrist wants to ''save'' the world instead.
89* AntiHeroSubstitute
90* AntiHeroTeam: The team that consists of anti-heroes.
91* TheAntiNihilist: A character who knows how terrible the world is, but instead of succumbing to despair, decides to create meaning, values and purpose in life out of it.
92* TheAtoner: The hero really wants to redeem themselves for bad deeds or horrible mistakes they've made in the past.
93* BadassPacifist: While they would never beat the crap out of their enemies, they're brave enough to stand up for their beliefs anyways.
94* BenevolentMageRuler
95* BigGood: The most powerful and significant force of good who exists in the story.
96* BullyHunter
97* TheCape: The archetypal superhero codified by ComicBook/{{Superman}}.
98* TheCaptain
99* TheChosenOne: According to fate and prophecy, this hero is destined to save the world.
100* TheChosenZero: But they're kind of a loser as well.
101* TheConscience: A character that acts as the others' moral compass.
102* TheCowl
103* CrusadingLawyer: An attorney who genuinely tries hard to help out their client without ulterior motives.
104* CaptainSpaceDefenderOfEarth: A parody of space opera heroes.
105* ChummyCommies: Communists who are benign, friendly and/or heroic.
106* CrimefightingWithCash
107* DarkMagicalGirl: A MagicalGirl with a DarkAndTroubledPast, who starts out as an EvilCounterpart to TheHero, but usually [[HeelFaceTurn switches sides]] after being taught ThePowerOfLove, [[ThePowerOfFriendship Friendship]], and Acceptance [[DefeatMeansFriendship after a big showdown]].
108* DorkKnight
109* TheDrifter
110* TheEveryman: The protagonist is a (mostly) average, normal, ordinary guy just trying to deal with everyday life. Though sometimes they get forced into dealing with extraordinary problems...
111* ExperiencedProtagonist: A veteran hero who clearly isn't a rookie or newbie.
112* FallenPrincess
113* FarmBoy: When the hero is just a simple peasant from the countryside.
114* TheGoodChancellor: A character who serves their kingdom or nation with utmost earnestness.
115* TheGoodKing: A monarch who honestly wants what's best for his people.
116* TheGunslinger
117* HeroicRussianEmigre
118* TheHighQueen: The queen is beautiful and good to an inhuman degree, and is to be held in awe.
119* HunterOfMonsters: Someone who fights and slays dangerous supernatural creatures to protect other people.
120* KidDetective: A child who solves crime.
121* KingInTheMountain: A legendary figure is believed to be in hibernation until the people they've protected need them again rather than dead.
122* KnightErrant: [[TheDrifter Drifting]] heroes who do good deeds as they [[WalkingTheEarth pass by]].
123* KnightInShiningArmor
124* KnightInSourArmor: A cynical hero who nonetheless continues to do good.
125* MagicalGirl: Young girls learning to find their place in the world while secretly fighting to protect it with magical powers.
126* ManOfTheCity: The hero who ensures the safety and well-being of the city they live in.
127* NaiveEverygirl
128* NaziHunter: Someone who tries to bring fugitive [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazi]] war criminals to justice.
129* YouMeddlingKids
130[[/folder]]
131
132[[folder:Common Situations and Plots For Heroes]]
133* AHeroToHisHometown
134* AdaptationalHeroism: The villain character from the original work is a hero in the adaptation.
135* BadassUnintentional: The hero is completely oblivious of their great power.
136
137* BigDamnHeroes: Good guys save the day at the right time.
138
139* TheCavalry: Reinforcements for a last-second dramatic rescue of the heroes.
140* CelebratingTheHeroes
141
142* ChronicHeroSyndrome: The hero can't resist helping out anyone and everyone in need who they may come across.
143* CreateYourOwnHero: A villain's actions inadvertently lead to someone rising up to oppose them.
144* DefendsAgainstTheirOwnKind
145* EvenTheLovingHeroHasHatedOnes: An AllLovingHero has at least one exception to their rule of loving others.
146
147* FromHeroToMentor: A character who, after being the hero, becomes the mentor for an intended subsequent hero.
148* FromShameHeroism: A character is ashamed of something they've done, and turns to heroism as a result
149* FromZeroToHero: A character starts as a nobody, and rises up in the world through their heroic deeds.
150* TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin: As a near-universal rule of fiction, the heroes must always defeat the villains and save the day in the end ([[TheBadGuyWins with some rare exceptions]]).
151* GoodVersusGood: Where two heroes are in conflict against each other.
152* HeadbuttingHeroes: Good guys who despise each other.
153* HeelFaceTurn: The villain becomes a hero.
154* HeelFaceReturn: The villain gets PutOnABus and returns as a good guy.
155* HeroesActVillainsHinder: Good guys kickstart the plot, and the bad guys are holding them back.
156* HeroesFrontierStep: A character commits an action so noble that it proves that they're a hero.
157* HeroicLineage
158* HeroismMotiveSpeech
159* HeroicRematch
160* HeroicSacrifice: Getting oneself killed in a selfless effort to save other people.
161* HeroicVow
162* HeroismEqualsJobQualification
163* HeroismWontPayTheBills: Fighting for all that's good isn't a well-paying job.
164* HeroOnHiatus
165* HeroWithAnFInGood: A character who isn't very good at being a hero.
166* HighHeelFaceTurn: When a villainous group has just one woman, then she's the one who will turn good in the end.
167* HorsebackHeroism
168* HospitalityForHeroes
169* ImNotAHeroIm
170
171* KidHeroAllGrownUp: They've entered a full-time career of heroism in adulthood.
172* TheMeddlingKidsAreUseless
173* MessianicArchetype
174
175* MoreHeroThanThou: Good guys have a dispute over who gets to make the noble sacrifice.
176* ShutUpHannibal: After the villain tries to break the hero's spirit by claiming that their heroic efforts are worthless or that the hero is no different from the villain, the hero responds by sharply rebuking the villain and rejecting their harangue as they prepare to kick the villain's butt.
177
178* ATrueHero
179
180[[/folder]]
181
182[[folder:Other Associated Tropes]]
183
184* AdaptationalNiceGuy: A character is made nicer in the adaptation than they were in the original work. Often done with heroic characters whose rudeness might prevent them from being sympathetic.
185
186* VirtuousCharacterCopy: A hero based on a villain from another work.
187
188* GoodGuyBar: A place for heroes to hang out after saving the day, just right across the street from the BadGuyBar.
189* HeroSecretService
190* TheHeroSucksSong: Characters, usually villains, insult the hero through a song.
191* TheRealHeroes
192
193[[/folder]]
194
195[[folder:D-F]]
196* EthicalSlut: This character is a moral and benevolent person, at least when it comes to matters of romance and sexuality.
197* FauxActionGirl
198
199
200[[/folder]]
201
202[[folder:G-J]]
203
204* GoodSamaritan: A person does a good deed simply for others' well-being.
205* GreaterScopeParagon: A heroic being who is indirectly responsible for the heroes existing or being involved in their mission, but is not directly involved with the story.
206* HandsomeHeroicCaveman: A caveman is both physically and morally appealing, in contrast to the brutish Neanderthals or the FrazettaMan.
207
208* HerosMuse: TheHero is inspired or led by an idealized woman.
209* HeroAcademy: A school for training young heroes.
210
211
212* HeroesRUs: An organized group of heroes.
213* HeroicBastard: A good guy born to unmarried parents.
214* HeroicBSOD: A hero experiences an emotional breakdown.
215* HeroicComedicSociopath
216* HeroicDog: A canine who really is man's best friend.
217* HeroicDolphin
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226* HeroWithBadPublicity: A good guy who has an (undeservedly) bad reputation among the citizens. Which may be the result of manipulations by [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a bad guy with a better reputation]].
227
228
229* HonestCorporateExecutive: Not all wealthy businesspeople have to be [[CorruptCorporateExecutive ruthlessly greedy plutocrats]].
230
231* TheIdealistWasRight: A character who was scoffed at for being idealistic ends up having the best solution for their problems.
232
233* IronWoobie: The hero is [[TheWoobie a miserable person]], [[{{Determinator}} but that won't stop them from quitting their journey]].
234* ItSucksToBeTheChosenOne: The hero dislikes being forced to face their destiny.
235* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Some heroes are mean, but have a soft side deep down.
236[[/folder]]
237
238[[folder:K-M]]
239
240
241* KnightTemplar: Characters who has noble goals, but can be self-righteous and extremist in achieving them.
242* LadyOfAdventure
243* LadyOfWar
244* TheLancer: The hero's second-in-command.
245* LancerVsDragon: When TheLancer takes on their EvilCounterpart TheDragon.
246* LanternJawOfJustice: Good guys with huge chins.
247* TheLeader: A role always filled by [[TheHero the main hero/protagonist]] of the story.
248* LittleOldLadyInvestigates
249* LoadBearingHero: A hero that holds a falling object to save the members of main cast or others.
250* LordErrorProne
251* LovableAlphaBitch
252* LovableCoward: They're too chicken to confront danger, but end up being forced to do so anyways.
253* MadonnaArchetype
254* MainCharacterFinalBoss: The hero of the story also plays the role of its final boss.
255* MammalMonstersAreMoreHeroic: Mammalian monsters are portrayed as heroes.
256* MartialPacifist: They would personally prefer a peaceful solution, but that doesn't mean they aren't willing to put up a good fight if they have to.
257* MeanCharacterNiceActor: The character is mean and nasty, but the actor behind that character is not.
258
259* MightyWhitey
260* MonsterAdventurers
261* MosesArchetype
262* MrViceGuy: A hero who often engages in some sort of sin or vice.
263* MyGirlBackHome
264* MysteryWriterDetective
265[[/folder]]
266
267[[folder:N-R]]
268
269* NeutralGood
270* NiceGuy: A kindhearted hero who is a very swell guy/girl to be around with.
271* NoBadassToHisValet
272* NoHeroToHisValet
273* NoMoreHoldingBackSpeech: The hero makes a speech about the problems they've experienced and how they overcame them.
274* NobleBigot: They still try to do the right thing despite their prejudices.
275* NobleBigotWithABadge: A policeman who tries to uphold the law despite their prejudices.
276* NobleSavage: Someone from a primitive tribe, who is generally more decent and wise than people from civilized society.
277* NominalHero: Someone who may incidentally do some good deeds despite a total lack of altruistic motives.
278* NonIronicClown: This type of clown who is a good guy in every sense of the word, intending to entertain children in circus.
279* TheOneWithAPersonalLife: The one member of the crew who still has a life outside of adventuring.
280* OnlyTheChosenMayWield: A weapon only wieldable by [[TheChosenOne the Chosen One]] or one with certain special attributes.
281* OutdatedHeroVsImprovedSociety
282* OutsideContextProblem, when they are the good guys
283* PajamaCladHero: A hero who does good deeds while in sleepwear.
284* TheParagon: The hero who encourages others to be more heroic.
285* PetTheDog: An outwardly rude character does something nice to prove that they are good underneath.
286
287* PluckyGirl
288* PoliteVillainsRudeHeroes: GoodIsNotNice versus AffablyEvil.
289* PoliticallyIncorrectHero: A hero who holds some very controversial beliefs about other people.
290* ThePoorlyChosenOne: Unfortunately, they totally failed to achieve their great destiny.
291* PositiveFriendInfluence: A character that helps others within their social circle (friends, family, RagtagBunchOfMisfits, etc) to start making their way on overcoming their issues and become better people.
292* ThePowerOfFriendship: A hero can defeat a bad guy with companionship as his/her strength.
293* ThePowerOfLove: The heroes' love for each other lets them overcome their trials.
294* ThePowerOfRock: A hero can defeat the villain via rock music.
295* PragmaticHero: A hero who does morally questionable deeds for the greater good.
296* PrecursorHeroes
297* PresidentSuperhero: A [[OurPresidentsAreDifferent President]] (or otherwise Chief of State) of a sovereign country who happens to have superpowers -- and does use them for heroics as a side job.
298* PrincessProtagonist: When the heroine is a member of royalty.
299* ProdigalHero
300* PropagandaHero
301* ProhibitedHeroSavesTheDay
302* ProtoSuperhero: Early versions of the modern {{superhero}} archetype.
303* PunchClockHero: This character is a hero because it's his job. Not a big deal.
304* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: A ramshackle group of characters has to save the day.
305* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: The authority figure who mostly aids the heroes.
306* RebelliousRebel
307* RecklessPacifist
308* RecruitTeenagersWithAttitude: Instead of trained adults or the average superheroes, random teenagers are asked to save the day.
309* RedIsHeroic: Many good guys like to wear red clothes.
310* {{Redshirt}}s: The GoodCounterpart of evil {{Mooks}}. Unfortunately, they're not any more useful in a fight.
311* RedshirtArmy
312* TheRedeemer: The hero reforms a majority of villains they meet.
313* RedeemingReplacement: The identity of a villain is assumed by someone who instead uses the identity to be a hero so as to make amends for their predecessor's crimes.
314* ReformedBully
315* ReformedCriminal: Small time {{Criminals}} who have a change of heart and join the good guys.
316* TheRepublic
317* LaResistance: A group of people who intend to fight back against and overthrow the tyrannical regime oppressing them.
318* RetiredBadass: A hero who is retired (but no less brave or competent).
319* RightManInTheWrongPlace
320* RighteousRabbit: Heroic rabbits.
321* RudeHeroNiceSidekick: A hero who is a jerk who is accompanied by a nicer sidekick.
322[[/folder]]
323
324[[folder:S-Z]]
325* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: A character who listens and does what their heart tells them is the morally right thing to do and not what bureaucratic laws tell them to.
326* SealedGoodInACan: A hero who has somehow been imprisoned for a long time.
327* SeriesMascot: Most good guys serve as iconic characters chosen to represent a fictional universe or media franchise.
328* SheepInSheepsClothing
329* SidekickSong: The hero's sidekick has a moment to shine with a song.
330* SixthRanger: An additional team member who joins the hero team a good while after the other members have been active.
331* TheSmartGuy: The most intelligent member of the group.
332* SmithOfTheYard
333* SnoopingLittleKid
334* SpannerInTheWorks: The hero foils the villain's plan by accident or because the villain failed to anticipate their involvement.
335* StoicWoobie
336* SummonEverymanHero
337* SuperZeroes: Incompetent superheroes.
338* SupportingLeader
339* TeamChef: The member of a hero team who does the cooking.
340* TechnicalPacifist
341* TeenSuperspy
342* ThingsIWillDoIfIAmEverTheHero
343* TokenGoodTeammate: The only nice person among a gang of scoundrels.
344* TokenHeroicOrc: The only heroic member of [[AlwaysChaoticEvil a species that is (otherwise) evil]].
345* TrenchcoatBrigade
346* {{Tsundere}}
347* UnfazedEveryman
348* UnintentionallyKarmic: They save the day and ruin things for the bad guy…but not on purpose.
349* UpbringingMakesTheHero
350* VillainKiller: A (oftentimes) heroic character who has killed numerous villains (including {{Big Bad}}s, {{The Dragon}}s, and or villainous factions).
351* WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld: Young heroes have to balance their school life with fighting evil.
352
353* WealthyPhilanthropist: An rich character who attempts to use their money to help the poor and other people who are in need.
354* TheWisePrince
355* WithholdingTheBigGood
356
357
358
359[[/folder]]

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