History Main / ShapeDiesShifterSurvives

!!Examples

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* ''VideoGame/Prey2017'': While Morgan is damaged normally using the basic Mimic Matter ability, if they use the advanced versions to mimic a turret or an Operator, they are rendered immune to direct damage while transformed, instead being forced out of their transformation when their machine form takes enough hits.

[[folder:Web Original]]

* The Headhunter in ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]]'' transforms by putting on heads from its [[CollectorOfForms collection]] on the walls. Should Soma deal enough damage to kill its current body, it simply grabs another head and transforms again (gaining a new set of abilities in the process), up until Soma kills it in a reptilian form (which may have been its natural state).

** {{Exploited|Trope}} in [[WebVideo/CriticalRoleCampaignTwo Campaign Two]] when a [[EntropyAndChaosMagic Wild Magic]] surge [[BalefulPolymorph transforms]] Caleb into a sheep. While the others are mulling over what to do, Caduceus kills the sheep with a blow from his quarterstaff, restoring Caleb.

* ''VideoGame/Prey2017'': While Morgan is damaged normally using the basic Mimic Matter ability, if they use the advanced versions to mimic a turret or an Operator, they are rendered immune to direct damage while transformed, instead being forced out of their transformation when their machine form takes enough hits.

* ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'': As a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFifthEdition'' ActualPlay, polymorph magic provides a new pool of HitPoints for the new form, with lethal damage ending the spell and any extra damage rolling over to the original form. This causes some embarrassment in [[WebVideo/CriticalRoleCampaignThree Campaign Three]] when the CityGuards Fearne is spying on in rat form step on her, causing her to revert in front of them.

[[folder:Live-action TV]]

Can be the result of a TranferredTransformation. Related to MultipleLifeBars, BodyArmorAsHitpoints and ClippedWingAngel. For unwillingly transformed people, BeatTheCurseOutOfHim often applies. Contrast ThisWasHisTrueForm, where dying entirely reverts a shapeshifted body. Compare ShapeshiftingHealsWounds.

Related to MultipleLifeBars, BodyArmorAsHitpoints and ClippedWingAngel. For unwillingly transformed people, BeatTheCurseOutOfHim often applies. Contrast ThisWasHisTrueForm, where dying entirely reverts a shapeshifted body. Compare ShapeshiftingHealsWounds.

* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'', and its American adaptation ''Franchise/PowerRangers'': Normally, a Sentai/Ranger who takes overwhelming damage will detransform back to their civilian identity. However, there will sometimes be climactic fights where a character manages to stay in their transformed form through HeroicWillpower, instead suffering [[ClothingDamage helmet damage]] which [[HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic exposes part of their face]].

* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'', and its American adaptation ''Franchise/PowerRangers'': Normally, a Sentai/Ranger who takes overwhelming damage will detransform back to their civilian identity. However, there will sometimes be climactic fights where a character manages to stay in their transformed form through HeroicWillpower, instead suffering [[ClothingDamage helmet damage]] which exposes part of their face.

* ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'': Matsuri seemingly dies when Sosuke [[VampiricDraining eats away]] his LifeEnergy. [[NotTooDeadToSaveTheDay With appropriate timing]], Matsuri returns to the fight, and has changed [[GenderBender from his female form to his original male one]]. Shirogane explains the technique displaces Matsuri's energy with his own to maintain the transformation. Sosuke actually ate Shirogane's energy, temporarily reverting the transformation, and letting Matsuri's energy return and revive him shortly after.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' 5[[superscript:th]] Edition: Polymorph spells give the target the HitPoints of their new form; they revert if dropped to zero HP, but any extra damage is transferred to their original form. A few effects that can cause instant death, like the [[ReducedToDust Disintegrate]] spell, still kill a polymorphed target outright.

Related to MultipleLifeBars, BodyArmorAsHitpoints and ClippedWingAngel. For unwillingly transformed peopled, BeatTheCurseOutOfHim often applies. Contrast ThisWasHisTrueForm, where dying entirely reverts a shapeshifted body. Compare ShapeshiftingHealsWounds.

[[/folder]]

Related to MultipleLifeBars, BodyArmorAsHitpoints and ClippedWingAngel. For unwillingly transformed peopled, BeatTheCurseOutOfHim often applies. Contrast ThisWasHisTrueForm, where dying entirely reverts a shapeshifted body.

* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'', and it's American adaptation ''Franchise/PowerRangers'': Normally, a Sentai/Ranger who takes overwhelming damage will detransform back to their civilian identity. However, there will sometimes be climactic fights where a character manages to stay in their transformed form through HeroicWillpower, instead suffering [[ClothingDamage helmet damage]] which exposes part of their face.

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'': [[GoodBadBugs Due to a bug]] in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl Brawl]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU For 3DS/Wii U]]'''s Stamina matches, characters with a [[SuperMode transformation]] for a [[LimitBreak Final Smash]] who run out of HP in that state will revert back to normal and be able to [[DeadCharacterWalking keep fighting]], though they'll be defeated for real if they touch even a non-damaging hitbox in this state. [[https://www.ssbwiki.com/Undead_glitch]]

* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'': Normally, a Sentai who takes overwhelming damage will detransform. However, there will sometimes be climactic fights where a character manages to stay in their transformed form through HeroicWillpower, instead suffering [[ClothingDamage helmet damage]] which exposes part of their face.

Related to MultipleLifeBars, BodyArmorAsHitpoints and ClippedWingAngel. Contrast ThisWasHisTrueForm, where dying entirely reverts a shapeshifted body.

Related to MultipleLifeBars, BodyArmorAsHitpoints and ClippedWingAngel. Contrast ThisWasHisTrueForm.

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* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' normally follows this trope. However, it (and more rarely its adaptation ''Franchise/PowerRangers'') will sometimes have climactic fights where a character manages to stay in their transformed form through HeroicWillpower, instead suffering [[ClothingDamage helmet damage]] which exposes part of their face.

* ''Webcomic.ToPreventWorldPeace'': Magical girls who die while transformed revert to normal and lose their transformation powers permanently. Born mages [[UnequalRites view this as cheating]].