Misused: BerserkButton

So, presenting the outrage in a comedic manner doesn't qualify?

edited 26th Aug '17 4:01:04 PM by MarqFJA

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.

Bump in hopes of reviving the discussion. Also, I'm wondering if You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry! is relevant to the topic; it seems to be written as a grand supertrope that includes Berserk Button among a host of many anger-related tropes.

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.

I'm taking a look at the video games subpage of Berserk Button, and I think the following examples can be cut (Work in progress):

Ace Attorney

• Speaking of Edgeworth's father, he had quite a beef with people who omitted the truth because it was inconvenient during trials.
• Shelley de Killer, the Affably Evil, uncatchable assassin for hire, is usually unflappable. But he holds his employers to a high standard, and if you break his trust in any way, like, say, videotaping him at "work" so you can blackmail him later, or knowingly directing him to an impostor/wrong target that you knew was fake but never told him, you're dead.

Dragon Age

• No matter which personality Hawke has, don't touch their mother.
• Don't be considered a danger to Hawke, even if s/he is more than capable of dealing with you. As one character learns in the Legacy DLC, Varric won't hesitate to kill you if you're a threat to his best friend, even if he's known you longer.
• Likewise, don't kill Orsino's fellow mages. He'll throw his principles out the window and use everything to crush you.
• Also don't take a Qunari holy relic, if you don't want them to spend a decade looking for you and, when they don't find you, take over a city.
  The Arishok: Fixing your mess is not the demand of the Qun, and you should all be grateful!

The Elder Scrolls

• In Morrowind, Caius Cosades, Spymaster of the Blades in Morrowind and primary Quest Giver for the first act of the main quest, will epically go berserk if you kill one of your fellow Blades or one of the informants he sends you to talk to. He will be Suddenly Shouting as he tells you to Get Out! forever, breaking the normal way to beat the game's main quest.
• The outlawing of the worship of Talos has a lot of Skyrim's people up in arms, especially given the Thalmor's penchant for dragging people off in the middle of the night just for doing this.
• Messing with the Arcaneum is not recommended unless you want to answer to its big and very rough-mannered keeper, Urag gro-Shub, who is fully capable of making his wrath felt in the form of angry Atronachs.
• Ulfric Stormcloak utterly loses it when Elenwen, ambassador of the Thalmor, crashes the peace talks during the Season Unending quest. Said Thalmor was personally in charge of his torture back during the Great War, in which he was made to believe that the info he gave up was instrumental to the fall of the Imperial City, so he has plenty of reason to hate her guts. Ulfric hates Elenwen so much that, if you agree to have her kicked out of the negotiations, then it is considered a major concession to the Stormcloak side. In other words, Ulfric is totally willing to cede a small hold (say, Dawnstar) to the Empire just to avoid sitting in the same room as that "elf bitch".
• In the Hearthfire DLC, certain villains discover the hard way that abducting the spouse of the Dovahkiin is an incredibly stupid thing to do. He or she will take off on a Roaring Rampage of Revenge and it will not be pretty.
• Hermaeus Mora of the Dragonborn DLC does not appreciate having secrets kept from him. Or being betrayed, as Miraak learns the hard way.

Final Fantasy

• Even Yuna has one, though it depends somewhat on interpretation — don't say the summoner's pilgrimage is useless or that there's no point to it. Even though she didn't get that angry when it was mentioned, that could just be because it was Tidus who said it — the implication is that if it had been anyone else, Yuna's reaction would have been a bit more severe. Also, NEVER insult her guardians. (According to this example, she doesn't react violently enough for it to qualify)
• Final Fantasy XIV: Raubahn takes the welfare of the sultana, Nanamo Ul Namo, very seriously, and will easily put down anyone who would threaten her. When Nanamo is assassinated, he flies into a blind rage when one of the Monatarists mocks her, then again when one of his former friends admits to orchestrating her death.

The Legend of Zelda

• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: Do NOT threaten to or try to hurt Zelda or Link will destroy you. Due to Link using the power of the Triforce to flatten the Imprisoned, Ghirahim winds up kidnapping Zelda, making it crystal clear that he is going to sacrifice her to his master, and jumping into the Gate of Time. You will never see Link in an angrier state as he jumps through the Gate after him, steamrolls over countless Bokoblins, and tears Ghirahim a new asshole. Likewise, Zelda hates bullies and chews out Groose for this very early on in the game.
• In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, don't mess with Aryll or Zelda. The Helmaroc King in particular, who kidnapped the former, paid the price when Link caught up to him, involving being hammered upside his head. Repeatedly.
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Don't hurt children around Link, either. He does NOT like that.

Mass Effect

• Kaidan Alenko may be one of the most mild-mannered Marines in the Alliance, but don't threaten his girlfriend. Bad idea.
• If Mordin finds out that you're using live test subjects, you're probably about to be subject to at least one of the many, many different ways he knows how to kill people.
• Also, holding Jack captive...not a good idea, if you don't want her to tear your prison to pieces with her mind. And Cerberus in general, who had her in captivity, is one giant Berserk Button for Jack.
• Krogan in general - if hurt badly enough, their secondary nervous system kicks in. According to Grunt, higher mental functions like "restraint" and "taking cover" don't always translate well.
• "Don't. Fuck. With Aria." (Zero Context Example)
• Betraying Urdnot Wrex is an excellent way to get him to end you in spectacular fashion. If you sabotage the genophage cure for the salarians in 3, you will have to kill him, as he's intent on doing just that to you.
• While you're at it, why not ruin the millenia-in-the-making plan of an awesomely powerful, ominicidal Space Cthulhu. See what he does...
• In the Citadel DLC, Shepard frowns upon those who would belittle their friends, steal their ship, or god forbid try to send their poor pet hamster to an animal shelter for "proper disposal"!
• Shoot the Catalyst, signifying your refusal of his offering. What makes this so absolutely terrifying is how peaceful he is while going berserk. SO BE IT, he says in a deep, booming voice, then switches back to the voice of a young child and emotionlessly declares "The Cycle continues."
• Also, don't take the galaxy away from the Leviathan. Those things can subject you to immediate indoctrination. They're the size of the Reapers. And they WILL crush you like a bug, no matter where you try to hide.
• Paragon Shepard is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. However, if you abuse someone who trusted you and Paragon Shepard finds out, don't be surprised if you get a Pistol Whip to the face and a death threat. Just ask Gavin Archer.

Sonic the Hedgehog

• Sonic the Hedgehog: Sonic and gang do have things that tick them off. We haven't seen exactly what will send Sonic over the edge, but harming any of his friends is close enough. Erazor Djinn got three screamin' strikes; [A] he killed Shahra when she sacrificed herself for Sonic's sake, [B] he continually disrespected Sonic (calling him a rat was the tip of the iceberg), and [C] his goal would encompass the real world if left alone. Suffice it to say he didn't end well.
  • In Sonic Lost World, we finally see what immediately sends Sonic over the edge, and makes him drop his normal goofy and cocky attitude. If you know what's good for you, do not threaten Tails.
• Tails looks up to Sonic a lot, as anyone can attest to. When Eggman shot Sonic into space after gloating about how he knew Sonic's Chaos Emerald was bogus, Tails cut the pleasantries and tried to blast 'Botnik to death, becoming That One Boss of Sonic Adventure 2's dark story in the process.
• Whatever you do, never harm Shadow's friends. Doing so causes his wrath to become genocidal, which humanity learned in Sonic Adventure 2 and what the Black Arms learned the hard way in Shadow the Hedgehog (Black Doom's actions set off the chain of events that resulted in Maria's death) in one of his Crowning Moments Of Awesome. The thought of Omega being damaged/destroyed in Sonic Chronicles made him a bit unhinged, so you can imagine what would have happened to the Marauders if Omega was actually destroyed.
  • If you know what's good for you, don't kidnap Cream. Blaze will hunt you down and end you.
  • If you want to avoid getting into a Curb-Stomp Battle with Knuckles, stay as far away from the Master Emerald as possible and don't even think about stealing it.

Other

• Even AdventureQuest Worlds isn't safe from the wrath of anyone under this trope. For example, Vath, the third lord of Chaos, has his Berserk Button pressed (add in a Red Eyes, Take Warning as well) once he realizes from the hero that he/she freed the dwarves and the dwarves are winning against his army.
  Vath: No matter! You are their beacon of hope, hero. Once I finish with you, I will throw your body down to them and they will SEE what happens to those who oppose my might! (leaps at the hero with his sword above his head)
  • When fighting against the fifth lord of Chaos, Wolfwing, when his HP starts to bottom out and therefore a message appears saying "Wolfwing goes berserk! End this before he ends you!" it means you've pressed his Berserk Button, and his attacks will be dished out twice as fast as usual.
  • The same goes for the eighth lord of Chaos, Tibicenas, when his HP drops low enough and a message appears saying "Tibicenas goes berserk! Kill him quickly!"
  • Maximilian Lionfang doesn't approve of the Great Truce between Good and Evil because — yep, you guessed it — he doesn't take too well to Evil.
    Lionfang: You DARE come into MY tower and corrupt MY soldiers with your lies?! I will SHOW YOU the fate that awaits all EVIL!
    • Lionfang ends up on the wrong end of this trope when, in his second appearance, he burns down the Frostval gifts meant for the people of Lore in a major Kick the Dog moment, putting the hero into This Is Unforgivable! mode.
  • Mess with Andre Jr., Andre the giant's giant son, especially by putting him to sleep with a knock-out potion, and you've hit Andre's Berserk Button and he'll therefore stop at nothing to crush you into dust. That is, until you can beat up all of his body parts and grab the key from his giant necklace.
    Andre: What have you done to my son, you filthy vermin?! I'LL CRUSH YOU INTO DUST!!!

(Some of these are examples of Turns Red, which is a rather different trope)

• Alpha Protocol:
  • Albatross is quite sensitive about anything to do with his bodyguard Sis. Asking questions will tick him off and killing her will put Mike on his shitlist.
• Assassin's Creed: Do not kill people whom Altaïr loves. He will fly into an Unstoppable Rage and go on a Roaring Rampage of Revenge.
  • The same can be said of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose rampage lasted decades.
    • Revelations had Prince Ahmet threaten Ezio's girlfriend Sofia Sartor, and compound it with the death of Yusuf Tazim during the abduction of Sofia... a terrible idea.
  • Alternatively, do not threaten to harm or endanger children. Should you do so, Ezio won't restrict himself to using just the Hidden Blades to end your life...
• Asura from Asura's Wrath has several of these:
  • Part of why Asura is so pissed at the Seven Deities is their "purification" (read: callous slaughter) of innocent humans for the sake of collecting their Mantra. During the close of the second act, Asura's companion for much of the act, a girl who reminds him very much of the daughter he is trying to save from his treacherous brethren, is killed along with everyone else when Olga unleashes the full force of her fleet of warships upon the village they're in to try to kill him. Shit really hits the fan when this particular button is hit, resulting in one of the biggest episodes of Unstoppable Rage in the entire saga.
• Baldur's Gate:
  • Don't touch Boo. (Zero Context Example)
  • Insulting Dynaheir or Khalid (especially after either's storyline death) is a good way to forfeit your life.
  • Minsc has an actual berserk button - as in, there's a button you can click to send him into a berserk rage. He also goes postal if whoever he's adopted as his "witch" in the second game gets killed. (In both these cases, it's a good idea to hide most of your party on the other side of a locked door, since Minsc in berserk mode has a somewhat overactive target acquisition sensor.)
• Bayonetta. The titular character is a pretty level-headed lady for the most part. Her usual reaction to most situations is to deal out snark and it's pretty hard to get under her skin. But if you were to do something like, oh say, hurt any of her friends — especially Cereza — that's about the one thing that can get her to stop snarking. And when that happens... let's just say that being dragged off to Inferno will be a mercy after she's done with you. Only three characters so far have triggered that reaction. To say it didn't end well for them would be putting it mildly.

I recently deleted two entries from Fire Emblem: Three Houses – The Church of Seiros:

Under Rhea's folder:

• Berserk Button: Using violence against herself or other believers, or offering support or protection to anyone who does, made most apparent in chapter 11 if Byleth chooses the Black Eagles house and later on the Crimson Flower route. She instantly becomes furious, and unhinged (combined with a very menacing glare at Byleth), if Byleth refuses to kill Edelgard for her after Edelgard (revealed to be the Flame Emperor) tries to raid the tomb with her soldiers and demonic beasts. If Byleth sides with Rhea (or is not a Black Eagle in the first place), then she retains a bit more composure, but still becomes angrier than we've seen her thus far (as Rhea, at least), as she swears Edelgard's crime will never be forgiven and that she will punish her.

Under Flayn's folder:

• Berserk Button: In her and Seteth's Paralogue, Flayn yells at the Western Church enemies for trepassing her mother's resting place, which is the first time we hear her actually sounding angry.

Looks like the BerserkButton.One Piece page may need a cleanup as well to remove any misuse. Thoughts?

He/His/Him. No matter who you are, always Be Yourself.

I looked at the ten examples of Berserk Button listed on Community episode recap pages after PlasmaPower's other post and three, mayyybe four of them are solid. One is clearly Insistent Terminology and a couple of others are Rage Breaking Point... should I go ahead and clean those up?

This is something that was brought up in a recent query on Ask The Troper, but would a rename of the trope help curb misuse? Something that people can look at and not see the trope as "thing that pisses someone off"? What about something like Unreasonable Rage? The page states:

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This is not about anger in response to something that would reasonably enrage someone. While extreme reactions to minor provocations may still qualify, this doesn't apply if the worst that happens is if the character scowls or frowns at the provocation.

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So something that emphasizes that it needs to be an unreasonable response could help, I think. I don't know, what do you guys think should be done?

Edited by ssjSega on Aug 5th 2020 at 3:32:44 AM

I've suggested that a few times already but, for whatever reason, most of the higher-ups on TV Tropes are really opposed to renaming this trope for some reason.

I personally think something along the lines of 'reoccurring rage inducer' or something like that would help cut like 70% of this tropes misuse since a lot of people like to Pot Hole one-off examples as Berserk Buttons.

So A Dose of Buckley is kind of a mess of a page in general, but the Berserk Button entry is particularly bad. Putting it in a folder for sheer length:

If this ATT query is anything to go by the person that the page is about may, himself, be partially responsible for this.

Edited by Dirtyblue929 on Aug 6th 2020 at 6:57:14 AM

Okay, I'm bringing Some Call Me Johnny's Berserk Button list from his page cause it's a long one and I'm not sure if it's misuse or not:

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A lot of these sound like reasonable things to get angry about (poor game quality, extreme difficulty with no payoff, etc), but I honestly don't know. I'm bringing it here because I'm sure that it can be better gauged whether or not it's misuse from the people on this thread.

Review shows really have issues with this trope, don't they? Here's The Nostalgia Critic: The Critic: Tropes A-E (yes, his character page had to be broken up into thirds, that's a whole other issue to talk about).

Edited by mightymewtron on Aug 9th 2020 at 12:18:18 PM

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.

I took that whole folder from A Dose of Buckley, summarized it, and retroped it as Hair-Trigger Temper due to misuse. Someone who gets pissed about everything, all the time, doesn't just have a Berserk Button.

Covered in Star Wars Cleanup, Deadpool, and Web Video sand. I'm not coarse and rough, but I get everywhere.

"Someone who gets pissed about everything, all the time, doesn't just have a Berserk Button."

Does that also discount the Nostalgia Critic examples as he's also a frequently-angry Caustic Critic? Because there clearly are things that make him even more angry than usual (i.e. Bat Credit Card).

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.

So, bringing it back to the Some Call Me Johnny examples I brought up, are they misuse and do I have the go ahead to delete them if so?

That is a lot of unnecessary sub-bullets as written, given that most of them are just ZCE variations on 'rants about Game X' or 'hates Game Y' that don't tell us why they're this trope instead of a different rage-based trope. It's also giving me the really weird feeling that this entire entry (taken in aggregate) is gushing about his anger levels.

I don't know him or his reviews, so I can't tell you if he's a valid example. If he is, I'd say his entry needs to be rewritten to be a single bullet point (the 'true' entry itself is already present — the very first line), for example:

• Berserk Button: Any game that is of very poor quality or unfairly difficult is enough to rile up his rage resulting in occasions where his reviews (<-- insert link to his channel here) have been Censored for Comedy, such as for Super Mario Bros. 2 (The Lost Levels) or the Sonic Heroes Special Stages.

Or something like that (preferably written by someone who knows him and his work, and who can therefore summarise everything into a single, valid entry).

Edited by Wyldchyld on Aug 23rd 2020 at 11:58:25 AM

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.

Characters.If The Emperor Had A Text To Speech Device The Imperial Palace

• Berserk Button: Unless you want to get beaten and/or kicked to death, don’t threaten his family.

I removed it ones as misuse, but it was added back by a separate troper. This is clear misuse but I'm bringing here to avoid an edit war.

Permission to re-cut? I'll do that unless I hear anything in three days.

Cut it.

Rock'n'roll never dies!

Cut it. You might also want to ping the person who readded it.

I already did.

I feel like BerserkButton.True Capitalist can be cut down a lot, if not just cutlisted entirely. Not familiar with the material, but the page describes the host with a Hair-Trigger Temper anyway, and it seems to be a page of contentious subject matter to begin with so we ought to tread carefully. I mean, the page quote alone seems to be referencing not be a Berserk Button but a PTSD-related trigger.

Edited by mightymewtron on Nov 10th 2020 at 11:37:28 AM

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.

Recap.My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic S 2 E 26 A Canterlot Wedding Part 2

• Berserk Button: Celestia gets pissed when she finds Chrysalis framed Twilight as a bully.

Unless I hear anything, I’ll cut as 1. Twilight like family to Celestia so a normal thing to be pissed at and 2. it’s a one-off thing as opposed to something that regularly triggers them.

Bringing up the following example from Jupiter's Legacy:

• Berserk Button: Jason pushes Skyfox's when he snarks that he's intelligent because his father didn't abandon him.

This example in Recap.Sponge Bob Square Pants S 2 E 19 Jellyfish Hunter The Fry Cook Games:

• Berserk Button: NOOOOOO!!! MY NAME'S! NOT! RICK!

This seems too much like Patrick was only bothered by it once (admittedly it wasn't mentioned in other episodes), but I want to make sure.

Yeah that's misuse. It never comes up in another episode.

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.

I want to clear up two potential examples. When someone snaps because they are teased over having a crush on someone, is it an example? And is a baby being denied a cookie an example as well? I think the latter is more likely to be a valid example, but I would like a third opinion. Thank you in advance.

Just trying to improve any page that needs it.