History Main / CommonMarySueTraits

* She doesn't have normal sex; she has [[SexGoddess the most mind-blowingly divine sex ever]]. Interestingly, she's often also a [[NatureAdoresAVirgin virgin]] at the start of the story, and not for any plot reason, but rather to [[NotLikeOtherGirls differentiate her from the other girls]] in the story. Her lack of experience never diminishes the quality of the sex; nor does [[AnatomicallyImpossibleSex anatomical impossibility]] (which usually betrays the ''author's'' lack of experience). Her lover is often a DracoInLeatherPants, an enemy who can be [[SexFaceTurn redeemed by her vagina]].

* She has a perfect singing voice. She may also be extremely proficient at a musical instrument (often one which would be highly improbable for her to know how to play, like a medieval French princess playing the didgeridoo). And in a SongFic, she'll even compose her own lyrics and songs (which the author has conveniently ripped off from the Internet). It's a very common MarySueClassic trait, enough that it died out for a bit when authors caught on, but with the popularity of {{Idol Singer}}s it's never quite gone away completely.

* She will always be superior to the canon characters, regardless of what canon has established they can do or whether it makes any sense. Her powers will often be similar to those of the existing characters, only with [[OneHeroHoldTheWeaksauce all the downsides and limitations removed]]. If the characters need a new skill, she'll often [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands already have it]]. And even if she does need to learn it, [[InstantExpert she'll pick it up in no time]]. This serves to make her indispensable to the canon characters. It's especially common with a GodModeSue. Occasionally she will be described as only ''almost'' as good, but ultimately she always shows greater skill.

* Speaking of children, she might have a child. She might get pregnant from her [[SexGoddess mind-blowing dalliance with her love interest]]. But there's an interestingly common alternative -- she takes care of a very young child that ''isn't'' her own, often (but not necessarily) the child of a family member. This allows the author to ''(a)'' skip over the aforementioned {{squick}}y parts of parenthood; ''(b)'' avoid the stigma of a TeenPregnancy; ''(c)'' focus on the [[DarkAndTroubledPast tragic circumstances]] that killed or incapacitated the baby's real parents; ''(d)'' make the Sue look like an even ''better'' person for caring for this child despite having no legal obligation to do so; and ''(e)'' avoid the tendency of [[BabiesEverAfter stories to end after the main couple has a child]]. The story will never get far enough to show the child actually growing up. Such children are not characters in their own right. They exist as nothing more than a cute LivingProp or a motherhood fantasy. Accordingly, the baby will be beautiful and [[CutenessProximity weapons-grade cute]], hardly ever cry, and generally be impossibly well-behaved. The baby will also be never ''quite'' as cool, beautiful, and powerful as Mary Sue herself. Indeed, as if to ensure this, [[LiesDamnedLiesAndStatistics 80%]] of such children will be male.

Contrariwise, a lack of these traits does not automatically mean the character ''isn't'' a Sue: see AntiSue and SuetifulAllAlong. And with the many somewhat arbitrarily formed "is your character a Mary Sue?" questionnaires floating around, it's all too easy for a character who's well-developed and interesting to be slapped with the label simply because her blonde hair and blue eyes added one point too many.

* She may be flawed, but these are all {{Informed Flaw}}s. This usually happens when the author is actively avoiding these common traits but doesn't know [[GoodFlawsBadFlaws how to do it realistically]]. This usually leads to "flaws" that [[SuetifulAllAlong never actually hinder the character or make her look bad]]. If it's something that makes her DarkerAndEdgier, like [[FunctionalAddict substance abuse]] or [[ExtremeLibido nymphomania]], we never see any of the drawbacks of it. If she's a klutz, that just makes her a CuteClumsyGirl. Sometimes it's a flaw that has no relevance to the story, like being a LethalChef in a story totally unrelated to cooking. Sometimes she will even complain about her [[CursedWithAwesome awesome power]] or [[SoBeautifulItsACurse stunning beauty]] or [[IJustWantToBeNormal special place in the world]] solely because the author realized that the character can't look ''too'' perfect without alienating readers—except the author never writes in circumstances that would actually give the Sue reasonable cause to angst, making her seem like she's whining about nothing.

* She's SoBeautifulItsACurse[[{{Tradesnark}} ™]]. Being attractive doesn't make a MarySue in and of itself (who ''wants'' to be ugly?), but when the author tries to play it as so strong as to be a disadvantage, that's a sign you're dealing with a Sue. The other characters will constantly bring up how beautiful she is (even if [[InformedAttractiveness the readers have no reason to believe it themselves]]). Alternatively, an author might realize how common a trait this is and downplay the character's beauty, but she will forget to address all the ''other'' problems; this usually makes her SuetifulAllAlong or an AntiSue.

* She will have unusual hair, especially relative to canon characters' hair. This usually means a unique hair color or [[ImprobableHairstyle a funky hairstyle]]; long hair is also common. The worst offenders have unusual highlights, often natural but in an unnatural color. It's essentially taking AnimeHair and using it ''everywhere''.

* She is often [[HollywoodThin very underweight]}. If height and weight figures are given, expect them to violate physics unless she's made of Styrofoam. Furthermore, she often does physical activities like sword fighting or hand-to-hand combat which are much harder when you're that thin. This seems almost entirely because the author thinks a supermodel would look more attractive than an [[UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts MMA fighter]], who could more realistically undertake these tasks. Scarily, there are Sues who may even consider themselves overweight (or at least HollywoodPudgy). Despite this, she will almost always [[MostCommonSuperpower be very amply endowed in one particular area]], regardless of how biologically rare that would be.

* She is often [[HollywoodThin very underweight]. If height and weight figures are given, expect them to violate physics unless she's made of Styrofoam. Furthermore, she often does physical activities like sword fighting or hand-to-hand combat which are much harder when you're that thin. This seems almost entirely because the author thinks a supermodel would look more attractive than an [[UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts MMA fighter]], who could more realistically undertake these tasks. Scarily, there are Sues who may even consider themselves overweight (or at least HollywoodPudgy). Despite this, she will almost always [[MostCommonSuperpower be very amply endowed in one particular area]], regardless of how biologically rare that would be.

* She is often [[HollywoodThin very underweight]]; if height and weight figures are given, expect them to violate physics unless she's made of Styrofoam. Furthermore, she often does physical activities like sword fighting or hand-to-hand combat which are much harder when you're that thin. This seems almost entirely because the author thinks a supermodel would look more attractive than an [[UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts MMA fighter]], who could more realistically undertake these tasks. Scarily, there are Sues who may even consider themselves overweight (or at least HollywoodPudgy). Despite this, she will almost always [[MostCommonSuperpower be very amply endowed in one particular area]], regardless of how biologically rare that would be.

* Speaking of children, she might have a child. She might get pregnant from her [[SexGoddess mind-blowing dalliance with her love interest]]. But there's an interestingly common alternative -- she takes care of a very young child that ''isn't'' her own, often (but not necessarily) the child of a family member. This allows the author to ''(a)'' skip over the aforementioned {{squick}}y parts of parenthood; ''(b)'' avoid the stigma of a TeenPregnancy; ''(c)'' focus on the [[DarkAndTroubledPast tragic circumstances]] that killed or incapacitated the baby's real parents; ''(d)'' make the Sue look like an even ''better'' person for caring for this child despite having no legal obligation to do so; and ''(e)'' avoid the tendency of [[BabiesEverAfter stories to end after the main couple has a child]]. The story will never get far enough to show the child actually growing up. Such children are not characters in their own right. They exist as nothing more than a cute LivingProp or a motherhood fantasy. Accordingly, the baby will be beautiful and [[CutenessProximity weapons-grade cute]], hardly ever cry, and generally be impossibly well-behaved. The baby will also be never ''quite'' as cool, beautiful, and powerful as Mary Sue herself -- indeed, as if to ensure this, [[LiesDamnedLiesAndStatistics 80%]] of such children will be male.

* Speaking of children, she might have a child. She might get pregnant from her [[SexGoddess mind-blowing dalliance with her love interest]]. But there's an interestingly common alternative -- she takes care of a very young child that ''isn't'' her own, often (but not necessarily) the child of a family member. This allows the author to ''(a)'' skip over the aforementioned {{squick}}y parts of parenthood; ''(b)'' avoid the stigma of a TeenPregnancy; ''(c)'' focus on the [[DarkAndTroubledPast tragic circumstances]] that killed or incapacitated the baby's real parents; ''(d)'' make the Sue look like an even ''better'' person for caring for this child despite having no legal obligation to do so; and ''(e)'' avoid the tendency of [[BabiesEverAfter stories to end after the main couple has a child]]. The story will never get far enough to show the child actually growing up; such children are not characters in their own right. They exist as nothing more than a cute LivingProp or a motherhood fantasy. Accordingly, the baby will be beautiful and [[CutenessProximity weapons-grade cute]], hardly ever cry, and generally be impossibly well-behaved. The baby will also be never ''quite'' as cool, beautiful, and powerful as Mary Sue herself -- indeed, as if to ensure this, [[LiesDamnedLiesAndStatistics 80%]] of such children will be male.

* She will also have [[WhatBeautifulEyes unusual eyes]]. No MarySue has brown eyes, regardless of her race. Often, it's a color not found in nature, like violet or gold. She might have heterochromia to get more unusual colors in. And if she has [[InconsistentColoring inconsistently colored eyes]], that's almost an instant MarySue indicator. Whatever color her eyes are, expect the author to use PurpleProse to describe them ("jade green", "cerulean", "slate grey") and for these terms to be repeated often.

* Her skills will generally be inexplicable and poorly defined. Many of them [[InformedAbility may not actually play any role in the plot]], not even as Required Secondary Powers; they're introduced solely to make the character seem even more awesome.

* Her skills will generally be inexplicable and poorly defined. Many of them [[InformedAbility may not actually play any role in the plot]], not even as {{Required Secondary Powers; they're introduced solely to make the character seem even more awesome.

* Her skills will generally be inexplicable and poorly defined. Many of them [[InformedAbility may not actually play any role in the plot]], not even as {{Required Secondary Powers|s}}; they're introduced solely to make the character seem even more awesome.

* Her skills will generally be inexplicable and poorly defined. Many of them [[InformedAbility may not actually play any role in the plot]], not even as a {{Required Secondary Power|s}}; they're introduced solely to make the character seem even more awesome.

* Speaking of children, she might have a child. She might get pregnant from her [[SexGoddess mind-blowing dalliance with her love interest]]. But there's an interestingly common alternative -- she takes care of a very young child that ''isn't'' her own, often (but not necessarily) the child of a family member. This allows the author to ''(a)'' skip over the aforementioned {{squick}}y parts of parenthood; ''(b)'' avoid the stigma of a TeenPregnancy; ''(c)'' focus on the [[DarkAndTroubledPast tragic circumstances]] that killed or incapacitated the baby's real parents; ''(d)'' make the Sue look like an even ''better'' person for caring for this child despite having no legal obligation to do so; and ''(e)'' avoid the tendency of [[BabiesEverAfter stories to end after the main couple has a child]]. The story will never get far enough to show the child actually growing up; such children are not characters in their own right and exist as nothing more than a cute LivingProp or a motherhood fantasy. Accordingly, the baby will be beautiful and [[CutenessProximity weapons-grade cute]], hardly ever cry, and generally be impossibly well-behaved. The baby will also be never ''quite'' as cool, beautiful, and powerful as Mary Sue herself -- indeed, as if to ensure this, [[LiesDamnedLiesAndStatistics 80%]] of such children will be male.

* She will often have a music player, usually an iPod (although stories written after the mid-2010s are likely to give her a smartphone instead). It's mostly used to let the Sue [[AuthorAppeal listen to songs the author likes]]. The songs and bands need not exist when and where the story takes place. Sues have even been known to take these devices to [[GivingRadioToTheRomans less advanced people]], only for them to be more impressed with the music than the device itself.

* Related to the above, if she uses a gun or bow, she will [[BottomlessMagazines never run low on bullets or arrows]] no matter how many {{Mooks}} she mows down. Her ammunition will remain endless even in settings where it shouldn't be easy to come by. However, ''other'' characters' supplies may dwindle, making Mary Sue look even more badass in comparison.

** If she is part-monster race, like half-[[OurOrcsAreDifferent orc]], her human traits will make her "[[HumansAreUgly ugly]]" to other orcs, while humans will see her as "monstrous". Expect the writer to milk the HalfBreedDiscrimination trope for all its worth. Of course, the character will never ''actually'' be ugly even if other half-orcs in the setting would never win a human beauty contest. She'll always be drawn or described as an exotically beautiful CuteMonsterGirl.

* She has excellent fashion sense. Usually, this happens without her even trying; she's just naturally beautiful and whatever she wears will always be awesome and stylish. Even if she's meant to be a rough-and-tumble {{Tomboy}} type who doesn't care about that sort of thing, the characters will always praise her UnkemptBeauty and perhaps even admire that she's also low-maintenance. Extra alarm bells go off if the clothes are described and [[InformedAttractiveness not all that attractive or stylish]]. Be on the lookout for clashing colors and overly complex outfits, especially if these are portrayed as casual wear.

* She will always be superior to the canon characters, regardless of what canon has established they can do or whether it makes any sense. Her powers will often be similar to those of the existing characters, only with [[OneHeroHoldTheWeaksauce all the downsides and limitations removed]]. If the characters need a new skill, she'll often [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands already have it]]. And even if she does need to learn it, [[InstantExpert she'll pick it up in no time]]. This serves to make her indispensable to the canon characters. It's especially common with a GodModeSue. Occasionally she will be described as only ''almost'' as good, but ultimately Mary always shows greater skill.

* An [[MyNaymeIs unusually spelled]] common name, especially if a "Y" is substituted for a vowel (''e.g.'' Krystal, Syndi). Occasionally, the writer will also use apostrophes to make an otherwise normal name more unique, turning names like Jennifer into Jeny'fyrre.

* An [[MyNaymeIs unusually spelled]] common name, especially if a "Y" is substituted for a vowel (''e.g.'' Krystal, Syndi). Occasionally, the writer will also use apostrophes to make an otherwise normal name even more unique, turning names like Jennifer into Jeny'fyrre.

** The author doesn't know how to hold back the character, meaning that [[GodModeSue she will succeed at practically everything]]. This means that when she encounters rules or authority figures who would otherwise prevent her from doing what she wants to do, she rolls right through them (and said authorities praise her for her "boldness" in defying them). If a bad guy is violent and aggressive, she can beat him by being more violent and aggressive (with all that entails). It's impossible for her to go overboard because she's protected by ProtagonistCenteredMorality.

* She may be flawed, but these are all {{Informed Flaw}}s. This usually happens when the author is actively avoiding these common traits but doesn't know [[GoodFlawsBadFlaws how to do it realistically]]. This usually leads to "flaws" that [[SuetifulAllAlong never actually hinder the character or make her look bad]]. If it's something that makes her DarkerAndEdgier, like [[FunctionalAddict substance abuse]] or [[ExtremeLibido nymphomania]], we never see any of the drawbacks of it. If she's a klutz, that just makes her a CuteClumsyGirl. Sometimes it's a flaw that has no relevance to the story, like being a LethalChef in a story totally unrelated to cooking. And sometimes she will even complain about her [[CursedWithAwesome awesome power]] or [[SoBeautifulItsACurse stunning beauty]] or [[IJustWantToBeNormal special place in the world]] solely because the author realized that the character can't look ''too'' perfect without alienating readers—except the author never writes in circumstances that would actually give the Sue reasonable cause to angst, making her seem like she's whining about nothing.

* And with all this, don't expect the GreenEyedMonster to show up. Envy appears in the Sue's life only as a means of angst; it's not there to show the downsides of being awesome at ''everything''. Anybody who does get jealous of her is deliberately set up as stupid or evil (and often [[DieForOurShip in the way of the author's preferred ship]]).

** The author wants to write a badass but doesn't know how. This leads to a character who mistreats everyone around her and is never [[WhatTheHellHero called out]] on her abrasive, casually abusive behavior. And other badass characters, no matter how tough or violent, provide her with an opportunity to "put them in their place" -- or rather, they instantly capitulate and turn into meek {{Wangst}} factories around her.