History Main / ListOfBadassTropes

[[index]]
* ListOfBadassTropes
[[/index]]

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%% This is a dynamic list as part of an ongoing Badass trope related clean-up project. It is to be used for reference, and is likely to change. Please do not alter trope names or definitions on the list outside the scope of these efforts.
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{{Badass}} itself is more of a general concept than a trope, but the items below are. If you're thinking of adding Badass to a work or example page, please find the appropriate trope below.
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!!Badass Tropes:

[floatboxright:
'''Badass Indexes:'''
+ ActionGirl
+ BadassInCharge
+ DidYouJustIndexCthulhu
+ HarbingerOfAsskicking
+ HiddenBadass
++ SubmissiveBadass
]

[[AC:Singular Badasses:]]
* TheAce: Being good at something hard makes you a badass. Being the best? That's even more badass.
** MasterOfAll: So badass, they're awesome at EVERYTHING.
* ActionDad: Your father kicks ass.
** PapaWolf: If you mess with his kids, he'll make you suffer for it.
* ActionFashionista: The hero who has [[SharpDressedMan class out the ass]], while kicking ass.
* ActionGirlfriend: Your girlfriend kicks ass.
** ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend: Your girlfriend kicks the ass of anyone who messes with you.
* ActionHero: They solve their problems by kicking ass.
* ActionMom: Your mother kicks ass.
** MamaBear: If you mess with her kids, she'll make you suffer for it.
** PregnantBadass: A mother-to-be kicks ass.
* ActionPet: A domestic animal that can kick ass for their master.
* ActionPolitician: Politicians who prove their point with not just words, but also actions. And by "actions" we mean "kicking ass".
* ActionSurvivor: They ''don't'' kick ass, but they're staying alive in a situation where only a Badass could cope.
** FinalGirl: An AlwaysFemale version of the trope above in horror movies. She's the last survivor in the movie.
* AdaptationalBadass: Maybe they weren't so badass in the manga or the TV show, but they really started cracking skulls in the anime and movies.
** HistoricalBadassUpgrade: A [[HistoricalDomainCharacter historical figure]] becomes much more badass in fiction than they were in real life.
** {{Xenafication}}: A DamselInDistress in the novel, a competent ActionGirl in the movie adaptation.
* AfroAsskicker: A badass who sports big, curly, poofy hair. Usually (though not always) a [[SoulBrotha black]] [[ScaryBlackMan guy]] (or [[SassyBlackWoman black]] [[ActionGirl girl]]).
* {{Ambadassador}}: They represent their hometown or home country and they plan to export a beating to those who mess with them.
* AmbiguouslyTrained: A mundane character is implied to have been in an ass-kicking profession at one point.
* AgentPeacock: RuleOfGlamorous meets RuleOfCool in an effeminate guy who kicks ass.
* AlmightyJanitor: They get paid a hundredth of the CEO's salary and kicks 100 times more ass.
* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: The person is Badass wherever they're shown in, it's just that certain regions play the person's "hardcore" image more intensely than others.
* AsskickingPose: ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin.
** BadassArmFold: A badass, imposing pose.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Kick enough asses and you can rule the rest.
** AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: The higher someone is in a hierarchy, the more badass they would be. Yes, even kings or generals.
* AnAssKickingChristmas: This year's {{Christmas|Tropes}} Eve/Day is far more action-packed than usual. Probably because [[SavingChristmas the good guys have to stop the bad guys from ruining it]].
** BadassSanta: Saint Nick is gonna find out who's naughty... and kick their asses hard!
* AwesomeAussie: He's come to put yer arse on the barbie, mate.
* BadassAdorable: So cute. So capable of mopping the floor with you.
** CuteBruiser: Badass whose small size makes their great strength that much more impressive.
** KillerRabbit: Small, cute animals that are dangerous as all hell.
** LittleMissBadass: Short of stature, but not of the ability to make you die horribly for underestimating her.
* BadassAndChildDuo: This badass is guarding a child (who may not even be related to them). Woe betide anyone who tries to target that kid.
** BadassAndBaby: They kick ass -- one-handed, since there's an infant in the other.
* BadassBack: Doesn't need to face you to beat you.
** OffhandBackhand: Bonus points if they didn't even notice you were there.
* BadassBandolier: A utilitarian accessory worn so a badass can keep their tools of the trade handy.
* BadassBaritone: Nothing says intimidating like a deep voice.
** ContraltoOfDanger: Deep voices make women sound badass.
** EvilSoundsDeep: A villain with a deep voice will sound all the more fearsome and intimidating.
* BadassBeard: His facial hair is shorthand for "Don't mess with me."
** BadassMustache: All the toughness of a badass beard in just one-sixth of the area.
** BeardOfEvil: The coolest villains will rock quite a wicked goatee.
* BadassBoast: A badass talks high about how awesome they are.
** ChewBubblegum: [[Film/TheyLive They're out to kick ass and chew bubblegum. And they're outta gum.]]
** MyNameIsInigoMontoya: A badass who'll make sure you know their name -- the name of the guy who is about to kick your ass.
** PreAsskickingOneLiner: A badass quip to use when the fight is about to begin.
** PreMortemOneLiner: A badass quip when you're about to kill an opponent.
*** BondOneLiner: A badass quip after the opponent is dead.
* BadassBookworm: Primarily intelligent but surprisingly capable in a fight.
** GeniusBruiser: Primarily a fighter but surprisingly intelligent.
** MinoredInAsskicking: An understated Badass Bookworm who dusts off the Badass skills only when needed.
** ScienceHero: They can use their knowledge and expertise to help defeat their enemies.
* BadassBureaucrat: Master of paper shuffling and the dreaded red tape. Capable of screwing with your life in many ways.
* BadassBystander: Would have left you alone if you'd left ''them'' alone.
* BadassCape: Long flowing capes are the traditional accessory of certain breeds of badasses.
** AllEncompassingMantle: BadassCape taken UpToEleven
** BlackCloak: A more sinister variety.
* BadassCreed: A philosophy that espouses badass as a central tenet.
* BadassDriver: Give them a vehicle and they'll do some hardcore stuff with it.
** BadassBiker: A motorcycle is always a badass mode of transportation.
*** BikerBabe: The DistaffCounterpart.
*** CoolBike: This bike adds to its rider's awesomeness.
** BigBadassRig: A badass semi-trailer truck.
** CoolCar: The car is just as -- if not more -- badass as its driver.
*** WeaponizedCar: This vehicle has been customized for combat.
*** WhatAPieceOfJunk: The car is badass, but you wouldn't know it at first glance.
** AcePilot: The airborne equivalent.
*** CoolPlane: It makes the AcePilot ''better''.
** CarFu: Using hurtling, multi-ton vehicles as ''weapons''? Badass!
* BadassFingerSnap: So badass that you can make cool things happen just by snapping your fingers.
* BadassInANiceSuit: A SharpDressedMan who will kick your ass without scuffing his bespoke shoes.
** BadassLongcoat: When capes are out of style, certain breeds of badasses opt for an imposing overcoat.
*** CoatCape: If you don't have a BadassCape ''or'' a BadassLongcoat, try the next best thing.
*** TheCoatsAreOff: Sometimes you get even more badass when you take the coat off.
*** BadassLongRobe: The wizard version of the Badass Longcoat.
*** TrenchcoatWarfare: When your longcoat hides badass things to be unleashed at whoever messes with you.
** LadyInAPowerSuit: A badass woman with the badass suit to match.
* BadassIsraeli: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin An Israeli who's a badass]].
* BadassNative: A warrior from an [[HollywoodNatives aboriginal/indigenous tribe]] can kick ass.
* BadassNormal: A non-powered character fighting amongst (or against) a group of superhuman beings, who still manages to keep pace nevertheless.
** BroughtDownToBadass: Had superpowers, lost them, but still badass.
*** PowerLossMakesYouStrong: Stronger being a BadassNormal than before the power loss.
** EmpoweredBadassNormal: When said ordinary, already badass person gains superpowers.
** FightsLikeANormal: Has superpowers, but prefers to fight without them. Whatever reason they may have, it shows that they have the normal fighting skills down pat in addition to their powers.
* BadassPacifist: Does not kill nor even fight. But when the time comes, they'll fearlessly confront hostility from those who mean harm, or even selflessly sacrifice their own lives to save others.
* BadassTeacher: If you take him on, you're going to get schooled.
* BadassUnintentional: Didn't plan to be a badass. Comes out as badass anyway.
* {{Badbutt}}: This guy will kick as much [[CurseCutShort a**]]-- err, ''[[LastSecondWordSwap butt]]'' as a [[{{Bowdlerise}} kid-friendly]] show will allow.
* BaldOfAwesome: A lack of hair does not diminish the badass at all.
** BaldOfEvil: This villain doesn't need any hair to instill fear in you.
* BarbarianLonghair: Nothing screams badass like a guy with long, unkempt hair.
* BearsAreBadNews: An angry bear can maul your face off. [[SchmuckBait Just see if they do not]].
* BeatThemAtTheirOwnGame: When a badass beats you with your own special move.
* TheBerserker: A wild and uninhibited form of badass warrior.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: This character is [[ScoutOut Responsible, Steadfast, Beneficent, Amicable, Mannerly, Solicitous, Amenable, Upbeat, Provident, Courageous, Immaculate, and Worshipful]], to the point that some think it lessens their Badass-hood. Until you cross the line with them. Then, [[Music/AliceCooper "No More Mr. Nice Guy"]] may be the the last thing you ever hear.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: These characters don't have much to say; some come off shy, some reserved, some aloof. So quiet, you might even overlook them altogether. Until you cross the line with ''them.'' Then you will learn that Badass actions speak ''exponentially'' louder than words.
* BewareTheSillyOnes: They don't seem to take anything seriously, and sometimes [[ComicRelief no one takes them seriously]]. Which makes it a surprise when the action starts and they beat ''you'' silly.
* BigBadassBattleSequence: A battle which is just large and awesome at same time. Because it's the war.
* BloodKnight: Enthusiastically badass; living for the challenge of a good fight, and the thrill of the kill.
* BodyguardingABadass: A badass has retainers, for reasons all their own. Some of them are badass in different ways; other times it's to keep the main badass's skills concealed. Or they just like the company.
* BoisterousBruiser: Their loudness and brashness are as overwhelming as their asskicking prowess.
* BootsOfToughness: These boots were made for walking... away from the asskicking they just delivered.
* BornWinner: That automatically makes everyone else the loser.
* BraveScot: A badass from Scotland.
* BrawnHilda: Big, boisterous woman. Don't laugh or she'll break you over her knee.
* CanisMajor: A dog, fox or wolf several times larger than normal, and capable of kicking several times more ass.
* ChefOfIron: A chef who is just as good with his knives outside the kitchen.
* TheChessmaster: Their greatest strength is their high intelligence, and their ability to manipulate others to fulfill their complex plans.
* ColonelBadass: This military officer leads their troops in being badass by being one as well.
** TheCaptain: Who has the balls to run the coolest CoolShip? Or TheSquad? This guy, of course.
** CommandingCoolness: Same badassery with a naval twist.
** FourStarBadass: Holds the rank of a general, and has a long list of wrecked faces to their name.
** MajorlyAwesome: Okay, so they're not a Colonel or Four-Star Badass. But don't mistake their relative lack of rank for a lack of ass-kicking.
* CombatMedic: They might be a healer, but that just means they know where to cut.
** DeadlyDoctor: Can cause the same hideous agony they usually cure.
** DiagnosisFromDrBadass: Will tell you in deep detail just how badly they're beating you while doing so.
* CoolOldGuy: Old age doesn't diminish how tough and awesome this man is.
** CoolOldLady: Same with this [[DistaffCounterpart woman]].
* CorneredRattlesnake: The kind of guy who would only show feats of badassery when their lives are on the line. They'd otherwise be lazy, or an airhead, or be busy with their hobbies, etc.
* CowardlyLion: This guy is [[LovableCoward easily scared and afraid of everything]]. But if they find themselves unable to run away from a dangerous situation, they're left with no choice but to start kicking asses.
** TheSoCalledCoward: People ''think'' they're just a scared, weak little coward. But they'll think twice after they prove them wrong.
* CowboyCop: Badass with a badge who bends the rules to protect society.
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: This person is usually an incompetent [[TheDitz dumbass]] most of the time. But when things get bad enough, they'll suddenly become far more powerful than you'd expect from them.
* CulturedBadass: Connoisseur of vintages, gourmand par excellence, cognoscenti in all of high culture, but happy to take time out from their aesthetic appreciation to administer a five-star posterior-kicking.
** CulturedWarrior: This soldier may be a hardened war veteran, but they still have time to appreciate the finer things about civilization.
*** WarriorPoet: And they'll gladly recount their harrowing experiences of the battlefield in verses.
** WickedCultured: The EvilCounterpart of the above.
* CurbStompBattle: A badass wipes the floor with their opposition.
** SquashMatch: The ProfessionalWrestling equivalent of the above.
* DamselOutOfDistress: Thank you {{Franchise/Mario}}, but [[DamselInDistress our princess]] already broke out of her cell, single-handedly curb-stomped Bowser, and dragged his hide to her favorite shoemaker.
* DareToBeBadass: A challenge to a potential badass to step up their game.
* DarkActionGirl: She's evil and she kicks ass.
* DashingHispanic: A suave person of Spanish or Latin origin who has mastered the art of asskicking.
* DeathGlare: That look on his face means you have just earned an asskicking par excellence.
* DemonicSpider: When a video game {{Mook}} is so badass that it is feared by the players.
* {{Determinator}}: He does not give up. Ever.
** PluckyGirl: Neither does [[DistaffCounterpart she]].
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: This person is so badass that they can actually beat down [[CosmicEntity all-powerful godlike beings]], and ([[BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu maybe]]) get away with it. Bonus points if they're just a "[[BadassNormal mere mortal]]".
** DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu: This person is so bold that they dare to personally offend a mighty godlike being, and ([[DoNotTauntCthulhu maybe]]) get away with it.
** DidYouJustScamCthulhu: This person is so clever and cunning that they can fool a mighty godlike being into doing their bidding.
* TheDreaded: This badass is defined by the fear others have for them.
* DyingMomentOfAwesome: How a badass dies.
** DiedStandingUp: An alternative to the above.
** HeroicSacrifice: Killing yourself for a greater cause is the height of bravery.
* DynamicEntry: How a badass says hello.
** BigDamnHeroes: When they arrive JustInTime.
* EarNotch: Badasses with big ears have the scars to prove it.
* EpicBattleBoredom: Even something such as a hectic warfare won't stave this guy's boredom... because they just deals with them easily and casually.
* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: These reptiles ruled the world once by kicking the asses of anything else that got in their way.
** TyrannosaurusRex: This creature was the apex predator of its day; just imagine what it could do now.
* ExtremelyProtectiveChild: A child (who may be an adult or a minor) is determined to protect their parent(s) by any means necessary.
* FightingIrish: A badass from Ireland.
* TheFightingNarcissist: A badass who knows that the world really does revolve around him.
* FullBoarAction: This boar with big armour and big tusks is here to kick ass and chew swill. He's all out of swill.
* GirlyBruiser: Dresses and acts girly, but also surprisingly tough as nails.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Too firmly committed to heroism to be gentle with evildoers.
* GratuitousNinja: Nothing makes a show more awesome than ninjas. Doesn't matter what the setting is.
* GuileHero: This guy is dangerously clever, street-smart, and knows how to plan their way out of problems.
* TheGunslinger: They can shoot down enemies with ease.
** FastestGunInTheWest: The guy who can put hot lead in people faster than others.
** ImprobableAimingSkills: Incredibly deadly accuracy.
* HadToBeSharp: These people needed to be badass just to survive this long.
* HandicappedBadass: They may be crippled, but they're not weak. They can still crush you with whatever limbs they still have.
** BadassTransplant: Lost an arm, but gained something [[{{Cyborg}} even cooler]].
** BlindWeaponmaster: They may be blind, but this master of weapons can still sense you coming -- and will lay quite a beatdown.
** DisabilitySuperpower: What they lack in one physical ability that others take for granted, they make up for it with a cool superhuman power.
** EyepatchOfPower: Too badass to need both eyes. Probably lost the eye in a badass way too (assuming that eye is actually missing).
* HeartbrokenBadass: You killed their lover or family. They can and will do the same to you. Or worse.
* HellBentForLeather: Nothing shows badassery quite like wearing tanned cow hide does.
* HeroKiller: When this bad guy gets involved, you might wanna run.
* HeroicAmbidexterity: The ability of great warriors to excel in combat with either hand.
* HeroicDog: Dogs can be badass, especially when they protect those who are important to them.
* HeroicDolphin: You won't have to worry about sharks when these BadassAdorable sea mammals are around.
* HotBlooded: A badass does everything with overwhelming passion!
* ImplacableMan: There's no stopping this guy from coming to you, when you happen to be their target.
** TheJuggernaut: ''Literally.''
* ImprovisationalIngenuity: When a character in adverse circumstances uses their creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness to improvise a clever way of achieving their desired objective.
* InstakillMook: A {{Mook}} so badass it can kill the player in a single hit.
* InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons: Come on, is there anything more badass than a dragon?
** DragonKnight: Such that they're inspired by the badassery of dragons. Or they may even [[DraconicHumanoid be one]].
** DragonRider: ...Someone who rides them, of course.
* InstantAwesomeJustAddMecha: This otherwise okay show suddenly becomes kickass when a mecha appears.
* IntimidationDemonstration: For when the badass decides to show off their skills before combat.
* IronWoobie: Their life sucks, but instead of angsting too much and getting absorbed by their own self-pity, [[{{Determinator}} they refuse to be kept down]].
** StoicWoobie: They're ''really'' hurting on the inside, but try to protect themselves with a cold, tough exterior to survive their harsh lives.
* KillerGorilla: Don't mess with this big ape; they'll rip off your arms and beat you into submission with them.
* KillerRobot: Made from metal and just as tough.
* KungFuWizard: The opposite of SquishyWizard. Able to kick your ass with FunctionalMagic but also with martial arts skills.
* LadyOfBlackMagic: Elegant and calm as she destroys you with offensive magic.
* LadyOfWar: She is known for her grace and poise even while she's cutting you to pieces.
** KickingAssInAllHerFinery: A lady being badass in the most elegant clothes.
** OfficerAndAGentleman: The SpearCounterpart of the above.
* LanternJawOfJustice: That square jaw is the calling card of the one who will make you understand the meaning of the words "You'll pay for your sins."
* LargeAndInCharge: Size ''does'' matter.
* LetsGetDangerous: This nobody decides that it's time to show off some badass feats. Watch out.
* LightningBruiser: Even for badasses, they're strong, tough, and incredibly quick when kicking ass.
* LongDeadBadass: This [[PosthumousCharacter dead guy]] was one of the greatest badasses of their time.
* MachoLatino: Latinos aren't just dandy, they're also imposing.
* MachoMasochism: When a badass inflicts injury on themselves simply to demonstrate how hard they are.
* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: You ripped off their arm, but they didn't even flinch.
* MartialPacifist: They won't start fights, but that doesn't mean they won't finish them.
** ReluctantWarrior: They don't want to hurt you, but that doesn't mean they can't.
** TechnicalPacifist: [[ThouShaltNotKill They won't kill you]], but they'll whoop your ass so badly that you wish they did.
* MasterArcher: So badass he can snipe at you from a distance with a bow and arrow.
* MasterSwordsman: So, you think you're badass with that [[RoyalRapier rapier]]/[[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]]/[[CutlassBetweenTheTeeth cutlass]]/other [[Franchise/StarWars "ancient weapon", "hokey religion" notwithstanding]]? Go ahead, then -- [[ThrowingDownTheGauntlet issue your]] [[GloveSlap challenge]] to this character. They'll [[IncrediblyLamePun cut you down to size.]]
* MemeticBadass: While their actual badass credentials may or may not be justified, their reputation as a badass is considered OffTheScale.
* MightyLumberjack: [[Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus He's a lumberjack and he's badass]].
* MoreDeadlyThanTheMale: She makes up for her lack of strength by being more ruthless than you and her boyfriend combined.
* MotherRussiaMakesYouStrong: And it isn't a healthy environment for weaklings.
** HuskyRusskie: A big, burly Russian guy with the strength and courage of a bear, who can easily break you in half with his bare hands.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: When you hear that name, that implies someone you don't want to cross.
* NervesOfSteel: Badass under pressure.
* NeverSmileAtACrocodile: While sharks prowl the seas, these armored reptiles fill the same niche in freshwater.
* NiceHat: Iconic, and often badass, headgears.
** BadassesWearBandanas: That one piece of headwear that screams "tough guy".
** CoolHelmet: The kind of helmet worn by a badass, or a squad/army of them.
** CoolMask: The better to mask your identity, look cool and intimidate people with.
** FedoraOfAsskicking: A great hat to wear when kicking ass.
* NobleBirdOfPrey: Eagles, hawks, falcons and harriers are at the top of their food chains for a reason.
* NobleWolf: The power to kick ass is a key feature for wolves, especially the noble ones.
** SavageWolves: The EvilCounterpart of the above.
* NonchalantDodge: A more badass way of saying "try harder" is to evade an attack without breaking a sweat.
* NoSell: An even more badass way of saying "try harder" than the NonchalantDodge is to take an attack to the vitals without even the slightest hint of injury.
* OnceKilledAManWithANoodleImplement: Badass enough to kill someone with strange implements.
* OneHandedZweihander: When someone fights wielding a two-handed weapon with one hand, you know you shouldn't mess with them.
** FiringOneHanded: Ditto, but with long guns.
* OneManArmy: They don't need reinforcements. They ''are'' the reinforcements.
** OneRiotOneRanger: When the choice is to send in the army or send in one man, they send in one man. This man.
** PersonOfMassDestruction: They ''are'' the nuclear bomb.
* PantheraAwesome: Cats are [[CoolCat awesome]], especially big ones.
** KingOfBeasts: There's a reason lions are a symbol of power.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: They may be small, but they pack quite a punch.
* PopCulturedBadass: They generally speak at least three languages: pop song lyrics, movie/TV quotes, and asskicking.
* PowersDoTheFighting: This person is so badass they can defeat you with their arms folded. Their powers do all the fighting for them.
* PrettyPrincessPowerhouse: A royal female who looks delicate and has her own army, but fights for herself.
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy: Warrior cultures have been known to produce many badasses in their day and this guy is one of them.
* RaginCajun: What Cajuns become when your face needs wrecking.
* RatedMForManly: Awesomeness and badassery taken UpToEleven.
** TestosteronePoisoning: Extreme manliness exaggerated to the point of parody.
* RealMenWearPink: Even big, tough, scary dudes can still enjoy things that aren't usually seen as being "manly". Just don't ever dare to mock them for it.
* RedBaron: Because every badass needs a nickname to go with the reputation.
* ReligiousBruiser: A badass fighter who also happens to be very devoted to practicing their religion.
** BadassPreacher: A pious priest who defends his flock, and will break you in half with his shepherd's crook if you think about harming them.
*** ChurchMilitant: A member of a religious military order that fight as soldiers in "holy wars" in their god's name.
*** WarriorMonk: They devote most of their time to studying theology, in-between [[AllMonksKnowKungFu kicking the crap out of their enemies]].
** KungFuJesus: When a MessianicArchetype decides to be badass.
** RealMenLoveJesus: A tough guy who takes his faith quite seriously.
* RescueReversal: They don't need saving, they'll bail themselves out and save ''YOU'' while they're at it.
* RetiredBadass: They hung up their asskicking credentials. Doesn't mean they forgot how.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Instead of just lounging around their palace like a lazy aristocrat, this member of the royalty prefers to take a far more active role in running political or military affairs.
** WarriorPrince: This heir to the throne shall lead his people to victory on the front lines.
* RuggedScar: See that person with the scar? It's a proof that they have done something badass and lived to tell the tale.
* {{Samurai}}: The badass warrior-nobility of FeudalJapan.
** EverythingsBetterWithSamurai: You can bet that samurai warriors will make the story cooler.
* ScarfOfAsskicking: Scarves enhance your dramatic badassery.
* SealedBadassInACan: When a badass of some type is temporarily put in some sort of stasis so they can later be unleashed. Gives another meaning of "opening a can of whoopass".
* ShutUpHannibal: How a badass hero lets you know that you talk too much.
** KilledMidSentence: Self-explanatory.
** ShutUpKirk: The badass villain is no longer putting up with your crap.
** TalkToTheFist: With their fist.
* SilkHidingSteel: She is cool, calm, collected. The perfect ProperLady. Don't mess with her.
* SlayingMantis: Small (usually) insects who has reputation similar to the Grim Reaper himself.
* SoulBrotha: He's a black man who grooves, who sways, and kicks ass while [[JiveTurkey talking slang]].
** ScaryBlackMan: This big black guy looks like he can kick someone's ass. He can!
* SpecsOfAwesome: A badass pair of glasses.
** CoolShades: A traditional visual accessory of a badass.
* StiffUpperLip: Total and utter equanimity in the face of mortal danger; they'll finish their [[SpotOfTea tea]], complete ''[[UsefulNotes/BritishNewspapers The Times]]'' crossword puzzle, and then hand you your rear end on a (sterling) silver platter.
* ThreateningShark: When sharks appear in the water, you know you're in trouble.
* TiredOfRunning: A character is tired of running away from danger, and decides to kick some ass.
* TookALevelInBadass: When a non-badass or a minor badass gets better at it.
** CameBackStrong: [[BackFromTheDead A resurrected person]] is more powerful than they were before they died.
** FutureBadass: That goofy, gawky character from the present day? In the BadFuture, that character's a hardcore badass.
** RedemptionPromotion: When [[HeelFaceTurn turning to the side of good]] makes you more badass.
* TrainingFromHell: It's not exactly easy learning how to become a badass.
* TranquilFury: Being badass while being angry in a calm, ice-cold way.
* UltimateBlacksmith: This guy can turn the most useless junk into a weapon of asskicking.
* UnconsciousObjector: When even a fainted guy can still move around and do awesome things for a few moments.
* UnderestimatingBadassery: When a badass is underestimated by those who should know better.
** BullyingADragon: Taunting a ''known'' badass is usually a fatal mistake.
** MuggingTheMonster: A thug tries to harass or attack someone they ''assume'' to be an easy target. But what a big mistake; their would-be "victim" easily turns the tables on them.
* UnflinchingWalk: They won't even stop to look at how much they just wrecked you.
** InfernalRetaliation: You tried to KillItWithFire. It works... in reverse.
** OutOfTheInferno: Did they just walk through fire? Well, you're screwed.
* VigilanteMan: When the PoliceAreUseless, this badass will just have to take the law into his own hands.
* WaifFu: Petite, yes, but that doesn't stop her from kicking your ass.
* WorldsBestWarrior: This warrior is perhaps ''the greatest badass'' who ever lived.
* WorldsStrongestMan: The guy who's touted as the strongest in the known world.

[[AC:Plural Badasses:]]
* BackToBackBadasses: When two badass characters back each other up. Two badasses are better than one.
** ActionDuo: An ActionHero and an ActionSurvivor team up and kick ass.
** BadassMindsThinkAlike: Two badasses go into battle together without any plans at all. They somehow survive.
** BashBrothers: A pair of {{action hero}}es team up and kick ass.
*** LovelyAngels: [[DistaffCounterpart A pair of]] {{action girl}}s team up and kick ass.
** BattleCouple: Badass Lovers.
* BadassArmy: An entire army of badasses. They can probably make quick work of [[RedshirtArmy their opponents]].
** TheSpartanWay: When a whole army is made through TrainingFromHell.
** WoodenShipsAndIronMen: To sail aboard an old-fashioned CoolBoat in the navy, you have to be tougher than nails.
* BadassCrew: An entire team of badasses.
** AmazonBrigade: A large fighting force of {{action girl}}s.
*** BattleHarem: A group of action girls who are all in love with the same guy.
** RetiredBadassRoundup: For when the (formerly) {{retired badass}}es all team up again for [[OneLastJob one more mission]].
** WeDoTheImpossible: They regularly accomplish {{impossible task}}s.
* BadassFamily: An entire family of badasses. [[LamarckWasRight Because awesomeness is hereditary]].
** SuperFamilyTeam: A family of {{superhero}}es.
* WorldOfBadass: The world is filled to the brim with awesome badasses.
** EverybodyWasKungFuFighting: Many people are skilled martial artists.
** EveryoneIsArmed: You can bet that everyone in this crowd is packing heat.
** WorldOfActionGirls: Most of the women are tough as nails.
** WorldOfMuscleMen: Most of the men are big and ripped.

[[AC:PlayingWithATrope:]]
* AdaptationalWimp: In the original work, he's badass. In the adaptation, less so.
* BadassDecay: A badass becomes less so over time.
** RedemptionDemotion: When [[HeelFaceTurn turning to the side of good]] makes you less badass.
** VillainDecay: This bad guy seemed like quite a threat at first, but soon they became a joke.
* BadassInDistress: When a badass is captured somehow. They either have to be rescued by someone else, or be able to escape on their own later.
* BadassOnPaper: They genuinely did something badass as people said... but it might be not so awesome when you actually witness it. They would agree.
* BoisterousWeakling: As loud as the BoisterousBruiser, but weaker than you'd expect.
* BreakTheBadass: When even a badass breaks down sobbing upon meeting a particularly dangerous opponent/situation.
* BrokenAce: Becoming TheAce may break you in the process.
* FauxActionGirl: She's supposedly a [[ActionGirl female badass]], but it's only an InformedAttribute.
* IJustWantToBeBadass: When a non-badass aspires to be one.
* MistakenForBadass: Inverse of HiddenBadass.
** PaperTiger: Another inverse of HiddenBadass.
* NoBadassToHisValet: No matter how badass the character is, there is always one person who just isn't intimidated.
* NotSoBadassLongcoat: Inverse of BadassLongcoat.
* WhatMeasureIsANonBadass: When someone isn't considered badass enough for the setting in question.
* TheWorfEffect: They're supposedly a badass as the work says and yet gets their ass handed to him, sometimes multiple times.
** TheWorfBarrage: Inverse of NoSell to the attacker - a supposedly badass attack is stopped flat like it was nothing.

[[/index]]
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* BadassPacifist: Does not kill nor even fight. But when the time comes, they'll selflessly sacrifice their lives to save others.

*** PowerLossMakeYouStrong: Stronger being a BadassNormal than before the power loss.

+ BadassGrandpa

* AlmightyJanitor: They get paid a hundreth of the CEO's salary and kicks 100 times more ass.

* NotSoBadassLongcoat: Inverse of Badass Longcoat.

* ThePowerOfFamily: The family that loves together, kicks ass together.

* NoSoBadassLongcoat: Inverse of Badass Longcoat.

** FinalGirl: An AlwaysFemale version of the trope above in horror movies.

* AgentPeacock: RuleOfGlamorous meets RuleOfCool in an effeminate guy who kicks butt.

** NeverMessWithGranny: This little old lady isn't as harmless as you'd assume.

* CulturedBadass: Connoisseur of vintages, gourmand par excellence, cognoscenti in all of high culture, but happy to take time out from their aesthetic appreciation to administer a five-star arse-kicking.

* BadassResourceful: When a character kicks maximum ass with minimal resources.

** WorldsBestWarrior: This soldier is perhaps ''the greatest badass'' who ever lived.

** AmazonBrigade: A large fighting force of {{action girl}}s.
*** BattleHarem: A group of action girls who are all in love with the same guy.