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Tropes about allies that aren't feeling like allies

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Getta Since: Apr, 2016
#1: Mar 3rd 2017 at 10:36:51 AM

What's the difference of Aloof Ally and Who Needs Enemies?

(I swear, I don't get the latter trope's name)

We don't need justice when we can forgive. We don't need tolerance when we can love.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#2: Mar 3rd 2017 at 1:53:10 PM

It's from the saying "With friends like these, who needs enemies?".

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Getta Since: Apr, 2016
#3: Mar 6th 2017 at 7:33:31 PM

Again, what's the difference?

We don't need justice when we can forgive. We don't need tolerance when we can love.
AnotherDuck No, the other one. from Stockholm Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Mu
No, the other one.
#4: Mar 7th 2017 at 3:58:58 AM

Aloof Ally: This ally is explicitly going after the same thing as you for the same results, and shows up to help you, being initially stronger.

Who Needs Enemies?: This so-called "ally" isn't overly concerned with the hero's welfare, or whether or not the hero succeeds in their mission. They aren't actively out to hurt the hero, it's just that they would happily betray the hero to the bad guy if it means that one of their schemes succeeded.

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Xtifr World's Toughest Milkman Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
World's Toughest Milkman
#5: Mar 7th 2017 at 12:57:03 PM

Huh. I think Duck has it. But those descriptions (the ones they currently have) are not great. Both are suffering a bit from Example As Thesis.

Also, if Duck is correct, then Aloof Ally is a bizarre name for the trope. The only part of the description which even vaguely fits "aloof" is where it says that they brush the hero off. Which doesn't look like it's actually a required part of the trope. (Or, if it is, then we have a missing supertrope—the same but without the brushoff.) :)

I think someone was a little too desperate to find some alliteration.

Speaking words of fandom: let it squee, let it squee.
AnotherDuck No, the other one. from Stockholm Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Mu
No, the other one.
#6: Mar 7th 2017 at 5:03:31 PM

It's not the entire trope. I only copied a line from each trope page.

An Aloof Ally is aloof. Not really part of the hero's group, at least initially, and tries to not be too involved, or at least gives that appearance.

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