History Main / StealthExpert

* In the [[Literature/JackRyan Ryanverse]], former Navy SEAL and CIA agent John Clark is one, having the codename "Snake", the one whose footsteps the enemy never hears. He demonstrates this by, during a training exercise, sneaking up to the observation post and "killing" the Marine general in charge and several CIA observers...and then waiting around for them to complain that he never showed up before revealing himself to them. He served as a mentor and inspiration to two other members of this list, Chavez from''Film/ClearAndPresentDanger'' and Sam Fisher from ''VideoGame/SplinterCell''.

** ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Zuko (a.k.a. The Blue Spirit) has demonstrated a high level of stealth during the course of the series; sadly it didn't last too long.

*** Amon and the Equalists used many forms of stealth, to back up how serious and ominous their goal is. However, Amon himself looks and even sounds underhanded and cunning to the point of making even [[HotBlooded Korra]] fear him.
*** From Season 3, [[EvilCounterpart The Red Lotus]] have all proven to have a level of stealth. However, [[BlowYouAway Zaheer]] and [[MakingASplash Ming-Hua]] seem to be on higher level of swift action, than brute force [[PlayingWithFire P'Li]] and [[MagmaMan Ghazan]]. Their theme even sounds [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwPCd1D2tZA stealthy.]]

** Raiden in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2'' is this to a lesser degree, though he's mostly abandoned the stealthy approach by the time of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4'' and ''VideoGame/MetalGearRising''.

This ability often enables them to infiltrate areas while dressed in [[TechnicolorNinja a ridiculously conspicuous costume]], rather than using camouflage like a sane human being. If done too much, it may break the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief. Some stealth experts are also [[MasterOfDisguise Masters Of Disguise]], although they do not use this skill as often as the audience might expect. They're often capable of StealthHiBye and OffscreenTeleportation. WeaponBasedCharacterization means that their weapon will most often be [[DeviousDaggers an easily-concealable knife]] that can inflict an InstantDeathStab, and/or a gun equipped with high-tech cylindrical suppressor, so they can shoot people with only a [[HollywoodSilencer quiet "pfft" sound]].

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]

* Some of the hiders in the ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' "How Not to be Seen" sketch.

* ''VideoGame/XCOM2''

* ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'': In the first campaign, [[LoveableRogue Vax]] and, to a slightly lesser degree, his twin sister, [[ForestRanger Vex]], were able to post absolutely absurd stealth scores. At one point near the end, with the additional buff of Pass Without a Trace, Vax rolled a stupidly high ''47'' on a stealth check. Vex herself rolled an almost equally absurd 43 in the same roll.

* One of Franchise/{{Batman}}'s calling cards is to be as hard to pinpoint as the animal he modeled his guise after. He is silent and takes advantage of the dark both to not be seen and to [[TerrorHero instill fear in those he hunts down]]. [[ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} Dick Grayson]] and [[ComicBook/RobinSeries Tim Drake]] also fit this, being two of his sneakier protégés. Tim in particular was able to follow Batman and Robin (Jason) around and take photos without being caught before he ever received any Bat training.

* Cats of all sizes are essentially made for this trope. They have mottled coats to blend in with foliage, padded paws to muffle the sound of their footsteps, antibacterial saliva which kills odors (and explains why they groom so obsessively) and they also possess better night vision than virtually all other animals. It gets even better: they have a distinct gait which minimizes their profile (one side first, then the other), hypersensitive hearing and smell, and whiskers which act as feelers in the dark.

Supertrope of StealthyCephalopod, when this applies to octopuses or other cephalopods. Compare TheSneakyGuy, who might or might not use stealth. {{Ninja}}s are Stealth Experts, [[HighlyVisibleNinja or not]]. Contrast WithCatlikeTread, and the stealth expert's mortal enemy, TheAnticipator. StealthyColossus is this taken to its logical extreme, when [[TheBigGuy someone who should not be able to hide their bulk]] is still quite good at doing so.

** Even da Orks have their own stealth experts -- the Kommandos. [[LeeroyJenkins Yes]], [[BoisterousBruiser really]]. One of the most famous examples of this kind of Ork is Boss Snikrot of Armageddon, who is said to be better than ''most Eldar'' at sneakin' about. Because sneaky Orks [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy distinctly lack the aiming ability for one-shot sniping techniques]] and are often physically weaker than most of their kin, they tend to prefer to ThrowDownTheBomblet. Spookums from ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar II: Retribution'' is a Kommando Nob who specializes in grenades and explosives -- imagine being a Guardsman at a fortified checkpoint or position, when suddenly an Ork jumps out of bush shouting at the top of his voice "I AM SNEAKY!" and showering the area around you with grenades and rockets.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'': The hat of all Clan Eshin units from Night Runners to Assassins, {{Ninja}} rats whose stealth is represented in some way by special rules. For instance, the Night Runners are infiltrators and can move once before the start of the game whereas the Gutter Runners have the ''Scout'' special rule allowing them to appear as reinforcement from anywhere on the table.

* [[Literature/SixOfCrows Inej Ghafa]]: The best spider in the barrel, the wraith and one of the most deadly criminals in Ketterdam.

* ''Webcomic/DanAndMabsFurryAdventures'' demonstrates that it [[http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_1352.php is possible to overdo it]].
* The ''Webcomic/{{Niels}}'' webcomic by {{Creator/Humon}} brings us Agent 250, dubbed "The Stealth Monster" by Niels's men. A couple of strips reference his ability to go undetected and either [[http://humon.deviantart.com/art/Stealth-Monster-215692752 catch mooks by surprise]] or [[http://humon.deviantart.com/art/Annoying-Ghost-288717948 mess with buildings]].

* Cats of all sizes are essentially made for this trope. They have mottled coats to blend in with foliage, padded paws to muffle the sound of their footsteps, antibacterial saliva which kills odors (and explains why they [[OutDamnedSpot groom so obsessively]]) and they also possess better night vision than virtually all other animals. It gets even better: they have a distinct gait which minimizes their profile (one side first, then the other), hypersensitive hearing and smell, and whiskers which act as feelers in the dark.

* Every single member of ranger corps from ''Literature/RangersApprentice''. Bonus points for showing/explaining stealth realistically.

This ability often enables them to infiltrate areas while dressed in [[TechnicolorNinja a ridiculously conspicuous costume]], rather than using camouflage like a sane human being. If done too much, it may break the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief. Some stealth experts are also [[MasterOfDisguise Masters Of Disguise]], although they do not use this skill as often as the audience might expect. They're often capable of StealthHiBye and OffscreenTeleportation. WeaponBasedCharacterization means that their weapon will most often be [[DeviousDaggers an easily-concealable knife]] that can inflict an InstantDeathStab, and/or a gun equipped with a HollywoodSilencer so they can shoot people with no noise except a quiet "pfft" sound.

Someone who is ''very'' good at remaining hidden and moving silently snd without raising attention. Security cameras? No problem, they move in the camera's blind spot or hack the security system. Need to blend into the background? Their stealthy camouflage makes them invisible to sentries. Usually they will have spy gear like tranquilizer darts or high tech equipment to jam electronics. In a wartime setting you will often find one of these with a dagger, taking out sentries.[[note]]Well,

Someone who is ''very'' good at remaining hidden. Security cameras? No problem. Camouflage? Got it covered. Usually they will have some sort of tranquilizers or equipment to jam electronics. In a wartime setting you will often find one of these.[[note]]Well,
you won't actually ''find'' them, but you get the idea[[/note]] These people have stealth down to an art form, normally outclassing anyone in real life. It is also wise to assume that [[ColdSniper snipers]] qualify here as well.

This ability often enables them to infiltrate areas while dressed in [[TechnicolorNinja a ridiculously conspicuous costume]], rather than using camouflage like a sane human being. If done too much, it may break the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief. Some stealth experts are also [[MasterOfDisguise Masters Of Disguise]], although they do not use this skill as often as the audience might expect. They're often capable of StealthHiBye and OffscreenTeleportation. WeaponBasedCharacterization means that their weapon will most often be [[DeviousDaggers an easily-concealable knife]] that can inflict an InstantDeathStab, and/or a gun equipped with a HollywoodSilencer so they can shoot people while making minimal noise.

* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureBattleTendency'' has [[ThoseWackyNazis SS Commando]] Donovan, a minor villain who claims to be sneaky enough that even bats can't sense his presence. He's even able to sneak up on Joseph in the middle of an open desert. However, once he initiates a straight fight, Joseph is able to take him down very quickly.

%$* In ''Franchise/{{Dishonored}}'' all the protagonist: Corvo Attano, Daud, Emily Kaldwin and Billy Lurk. (Zero-Context: Entry is just names)

* Agent 47 from the ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}'' series prides himself on killing his targets with little issues to hinder him.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* While ''Anime/LupinIII'' often gets into buildings via disguise, he is also an accomplished second story-man. He can sneak in in a black SpyCatsuit, or cause enough distractions that his bright yellow tie and bright red jacket aren't noticed.

* Cats of all sizes are essentially made for this trope. They have mottled coats to blend in with foliage, padded paws to muffle the sound of their footsteps (hence the iconic "toe beans"--stealth has never looked so adorable), antibacterial saliva which kills odors (and explains why they [[OutDamnedSpot groom so obsessively]]) and they also possess better night vision than virtually all other animals. It gets even better: they have a distinct gait which minimizes their profile (one side first, then the other), hypersensitive hearing and smell, and whiskers which act as feelers in the dark.

* Cats of all sizes are essentially made for this trope. They have mottled coats to blend in with foliage, padded paws to muffle the sound of their footsteps, antibacterial saliva which kills odors (and explains why they [[OutDamnedSpot groom so obsessively]]) and they also possess better night vision than virtually all other animals. It gets even better: they have a distinct gait which minimizes their profile (one side first, then the other), hypersensitive hearing and smell, and whiskers which act as feelers in the dark.

* ''VideoGame/AmericasArmy'' has a couple missions where the goal is to be this.

* Batman, in the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries''. The same goes for all other playable characters save for Harley Quinn, who is incapable of silent takedowns.

* Price and [=MacMillan=] during the "All Ghillied Up" mission in ''[[VideoGame/ModernWarfare Call of Duty: Modern Warfare]]''.
%%* The ''VideoGame/{{Commandos}}'' team.
* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' has the Stalker archetype as well as the Concealment power pool.

* In ''Franchise/{{Dishonored}}'' all the protagonist: Corvo Attano, Daud, Emily Kaldwin and Billy Lurk.

This ability often enables them to infiltrate areas while dressed in [[TechnicolorNinja a ridiculously conspicuous costume]], rather than using camouflage like a [[strike:normal]] sane human being. If done too much, it may break the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief. Some stealth experts are also [[MasterOfDisguise Masters Of Disguise]], although they do not use this skill as often as the audience might expect. They're often capable of StealthHiBye and OffscreenTeleportation.