Main Tropes Index

Troperville

Editing Help

Tools

Toys

Narrative

Genre

Media

Topical Tropes

Other Categories

Custom Search

alt title(s): Take A Level In Badass; Badass Level Up
It's amazing, the difference a couple of seasons can make.
"Danny-boy, you've changed considerably... into a badass, if I may!"
Curtis Blackburn, Killer7

"Why aren't you a joke anymore?"
Spider-Man about Hammerhead, The Amazing Spider-Man

So you're flipping channels looking for something to watch and you come across a battle scene in a familiar show. One character in particular is making a very good showing, doing at least as much as the main character to save the day. But who is this mysterious man in the Badass Longcoat? Did you miss the episode where they were introduced? Why the nagging feeling of familiarity? And then it hits — you know this guy. It's just that last time you saw him, he was a nebbishy wisecracker with the constitution of a glass-jawed squirrel. What happened to transform him so completely? Simple: last time he leveled up, he took a level in badass.

The phenomenon is the opposite of Badass Decay, and frequently just as unjustified. In some particularly egregious examples, a character’s personality does a complete 180 in a single episode. Instead of being the meek and intelligent person they once were, they may turn into an arrogant Jerk Ass because of their recent leveling.

On the plus side, it can be the capper to an entire series worth of Character Development, and, if well-done, can make even The Wesley into an interesting part of the show. And since this is about Character Development, that means it doesn't genuinely apply when comparing a character in different adaptations. See Adaptational Badass.

If the change is a result of a Face Heel Turn, see Superpowered Evil Side and Good Is Dumb. If it's a result of a Heel Face Turn, then it's a case of Evil Is Dumb. If the change is due to time travel, see Future Badass. If it is the result of finding a powerful object, see Amulet Of Concentrated Awesome. This can also happen because Prisons Are Gymnasiums

There is also the Super Hero Origin, where the first story gives some explanation for why they became the badass hero.

The reference comes from roleplaying, where it's sometimes possible to "take a level" in a completely different class. For instance: a level ten Fighter could take a level in Wizard, therefore being both a level ten Fighter and a level one Wizard. Although truer to the trope would be a level ten Wizard taking a level in Fighter and thus becoming significantly tougher and better with weapons, instantly.

If they were already Badass to begin with and notched it Up To Eleven, it's Badass Abnormal.

Contrast Badass Decay.

Compare Obfuscating Stupidity, Lets Get Dangerous, Cowardly Lion, and Not So Harmless, where actually competent characters who have been hiding their powers finally reveal their abilities.

Adrenaline Makeover is when the love inerest does this. Also see Misfit Mobilization Moment, when a group of losers collectively takes a level in badass.

Examples

    open/close all folders 

    Board Games 

    Card Games 

    Comics 

    Fanfiction 

    Films — Animation 

    Films — Live Action 

    Literature 

    Live Action TV 

    Manga & Anime 

    Pro Wrestling 

    Tabletop Games 

    Video Games 

    Web Animation 

    Web Comics 

    Web Original 

    Western Animation 

    Real Life 


Time To Unlock More True PotentialSkills And Training TropesTraining From Hell
BadassTropes Of LegendBerserk Button
Tolkiens CycleCharacterization TropesTook A Level In Dumbass