History PlayingWith / BadassNormal

* '''Downplayed''': Bob can't use magic like the other characters, but the other characters' magic abilities are too situational or low-powered to be notable.

** 5.) EmpoweredBadassNormal

* '''Downplayed''':
** Bob ''does'' have magical powers, [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway yet they're so situational and underwhelming,]] that it is as if they didn't exist. So, he has to [[FightsLikeANormal rely on good-old training and wits]] to fight alongside his magic-wielding comrades.
** Bob can use magic, but [[EveryoneIsASuper anybody in the setting can use magic if they know how]].

** Bob is the director of an organization full of superhumans, and the rule is that the director has to be normal for plot reasons (acting as TheHeart for the superhumans, TheFace for the muggle population, the strategist for the organization as a whole etc.)

** Magicians are still human (or {{demihuman}}), so they are [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome just as vulnerable as everyone else to bullet/swords/arrows]]. Bob is just a skilled sniper/sword fighter/archer.

** "Have you ever wondered how guys with no special abilities can still fight magically-empowered villains and win using nothing more than kung fu?"
** "How can a guy with ''no powers'' be so overpowering?"

** SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: magic users have a tendency to learn martial arts and tactical thinking as well, in order to give themselves an even greater advantage over others during a real battle. The natural result is that when Bob encounters an enemy who is both equally combat skilled and magically talented, Bob's magical handicap ultimately becomes his undoing and he is [[DroppedABridgeOnHim vaporized without fanfare.]]

** "You have no powers, you took on an insanely powerful supervillain and won!? Damn Bob, you're hardcore."

* '''Discussed''': "Bob's martial arts skills must be incredible if he can't use magic and is still able to keep with the rest of his team!"

** Bob [[BatmanGrabsAGun gets a gun]] and aces the necessary training. By the time wizards are halfway through their "Abracadabra", he has pulled [[MultipleGunshotDeath the Mozambique Drill]] on their faces half a dozen times, and that's on a slow day.

** Bob is the director of an organization full of superhumans, and the rule is that the director has to be normal.
** Bob is a ScienceHero with lots of tech to make up for his lack of magic.

** Bob is the only person on Earth who's capable of using magic.

** Bob ''can'' use magic - he just [[FightsLikeANormal keeps it secret]] so he can [[IAmNotLeftHanded bust it out unexpectedly during a fight.]]
** It's revealed Bob's proficiency at [[DoingInTheScientist martial arts and physical fighting has a magical origin.]]
** Bob is a MilesGloriosus, FakeUltimateHero, or only BadassOnPaper.
** It turns out that muggles in this world can create a belief-induced AntiMagic field, which is a good trump card, when the enemy rely on magic.

** Turns out that his magic is in the form of pre-made magical reagents that he can not make himself. Whenever tapping in said magic, he's an EmpoweredBadassNormal.
** The magical origin is {{Magitek}} that aids his training. He doesn't use it during battle.
** Bob TookALevelInBadass or was just pretending to be a wimp to fool his enemies.
** While the belief of other muggles is just "I don't have magic but I can still hurt the mage", Bob is a hardcore FlatEarthAtheist and this, alongside his large amounts of training, essentially turns him into anti-magic [[Manga/OnePunchMan Saitama]].

** RealityEnsues: magic users have a tendency to learn martial arts and tactical thinking as well, in order to give themselves an even greater advantage over others during a real battle. The natural result is that when Bob encounters an enemy who is both equally combat skilled and magically talented, Bob's magical handicap ultimately becomes his undoing and he is [[DroppedABridgeOnHim vaporized without fanfare.]]

** Magicians are still human (or {{demihuman}}), so they are [[RealityEnsues just as vulnerable as everyone else to bullet/swords/arrows]]. Bob is just a skilled sniper/sword fighter/archer.

** [[RealityEnsues Reality Ensues:]] magic users have a tendency to learn martial arts and tactical thinking as well, in order to give themselves an even greater advantage over others during a real battle. The natural result is that when Bob encounters an enemy who is both equally combat skilled and magically talented, Bob's magical handicap ultimately becomes his undoing and he is [[DroppedABridgeOnHim vaporized without fanfare.]]