Markup View

Author: thewriter

Apr 19th 2013 at 4:11:56 PM

I still assert that there are actually two tropes here, or this trope should note two different types. As this YKTTW stands now, I find it to be a bit of a mess. 
 
*Type One would be where a character (perhaps part of a certain species) has an established AchillesHeel, but goes out of his way to actively become immune to it, or develops an immunity due to repeated exposure.
-->Hypothetical Example: Early on in a work or series, it is established that the alien species of Troperians have a weakness to water. When Bob the Troperian first comes to Earth he reacts severely to the abundance of H2O, but after some time has passed Bob finds his self less effected by water as he's grown accustomed to its presence. This makes Bob unique to any other Troperians he may run into.
**Here would land the above ''Series/{{Angel}}''/''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' example of vampires having their hearts removed in order to (temporarily) become immune to all vampire weaknesses.
**Also from Buffy, Dracula went to Gypsies sometime in the 1800 and traded vampire secrets for protection from a few Vampire weaknesses. Such as now he cannot be killed by a stake through the heart.

*Type Two would be when a new character (or a returning previously seen character) has an immunity to a weakness that had already been established '''in-universe'' in a preceding installment. Usually to showcase how threatening a villain is. Usually this is a problem with a work's consistency, will maybe feel like an AssPull, and will be HandWaved as the villain just being ''that'' evil or {{Badass}}.
-->Hypothetical Example: On the (fictional) tv series ''Troperians Among Us,'' Troperians started to invade Earth, but humans found out that water was a major weakness for the alien race. So for many years (read: episodes/seasons) they've used water guns and water balloons as weapons against the Troperians. One night, evil Troperian warlord, Bob steps off a spaceship and onto dry soil for the first time. The rebels react by dousing Bob with water, but he does not respond with pain because the water has no ill effect on him. The human rebels promptly say "OhCrap."
**For many seasons it was established on ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' that the special knives they had could kill ''any'' demon. Excepting any Satanic Kings Of Hell. However, a lady demon in season 8 just laughs off the knife wounds. (It was speculated that it was because the demon was really old, but it was never really addressed.)
**Bella's lack of a bloodlust after her Vampification in ''Literature/BreakingDawn'' might also count here.