History Main / SwissArmyHero

** ''Battle Network 2'' and ''3'' have Style Change, where [=MegaMan=]'s body changes color and a certain part of his body is changed to reflect that Style's element (Heat, Aqua, Elec, or Wood) and specialty. They have one particular attribute (an improved buster, greater defense, more chips per turn, being able to carry more Navi chips and being able to get V4 and V5 Navi chips, turning invisible with each charge shot, being able to change the field, or receiving random good or bag bugs at the start of the battle) combined with one of the four aforementioned elements. In ''2'', the player could carry two Souls and switch between them out of combat, though this was reduced to one in ''3''.

** ''4'' and ''5'' have Double Soul, a combination of this trope and PowerCopying, as they are obtained through defeating one of [=MegaMan=]'s allies in battle. [=MegaMan=]'s charge shot is changed and he gains certain other attributes, usually an elemental affinity. It is toggled in-battle instead of on the overworld by discarding a chip corresponding to that soul (i.e., a Wood chip in ''Team Colonel'' gives you Tomahawk Soul), but they each have at least one con (Knight Soul's charge shot is only melee range, Magnet Soul is weak to Wood attacks, etc.) and last for 3 turns, which can be increased using Navi Customizer programs. ''5'' also had Chaos Unisons, activated by discarding a Dark Chip, where it's the same form with a different color scheme and your charge shot turns into the Dark Chip you discarded, without the bugs or HP penalty you'd get using it by itself. If you fire at the wrong time, however, you'll turn back to normal and [=MegaMan=] DS will attack you for [[ThirteenIsUnlucky 13]] seconds, and he's invincible during that time, and the time it takes the shot to fully charge increases with each success[[note]]If you pause at the right time, it becomes significantly easier to hit your mark[[/note]]. They also only lasted for 1 turn, period.
*** ''4'' and ''5'' also have Dark Soul, activated by using Dark Chips constantly. There are a few minor differences such as [=MegaMan=] becoming darker in appearance and his emotion window gaining a malicious expression, and a few major ones such as not being able to go into Full Synchro, the inability to use certain chips, and being able to use Evil Chips and DS Navi Chips. It isn't nearly as useful as Double Soul, as its drawbacks outweigh its benefits.

* The ''Franchise/KamenRider'' franchise has many examples where the hero can utilize different weapons, forms, and/or fighting styles. ''Series/KamenRiderV3'' started the idea for the franchise with Riderman's cassette arms, but ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' really got it going. Common structures are for the hero to have 3-4 forms specialized in different fighting styles (''Kuuga'', ''Agito'', ''Den-O'', ''Kiva'', ''Wizard'', ''Gaim'') that might then be further enhanced with different equipment (''Fourze'', ''Drive''), 10-15 forms based on pre-existing characters like other Riders (''Decade'', ''Zi-O'') or mythological heroes (''Ghost''), or the ability to swap out the attributes of different body parts (''Double'', ''OOO'', ''Build''). The part-swapping type can grow to particularly absurd form counts if each possible combination is treated as its own form, but these usually have a smaller set of prearranged combinations that fulfill the role of traditional forms.

* The ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'' have access to the powers of ''all 34 previous Series/SuperSentai teams'', for a total of nearly 200 powersets (though each individual Gokaiger usually only uses the member of each past team that matches up with their own color, while the SixthRanger uses only the 15 other Sixth Rangers).

* The ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'' have access to the powers of ''all 34 previous SuperSentai teams'', for a total of nearly 200 powersets (though each individual Gokaiger usually only uses the member of each past team that matches up with their own color, while the SixthRanger uses only the 15 other Sixth Rangers).

* The ''Franchise/KamenRider'' franchise has many examples where the hero can utilize different weapons, forms, attributes, and/or fighting styles. ''Series/KamenRiderV3'' started the idea for the franchise with Riderman's cassette arms, but ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' really got it going. Common structures are for the hero to have 3-4 forms specialized in different fighting styles (''Kuuga'', ''Agito'', ''Den-O'', ''Kiva'', ''Wizard'', ''Gaim'') that might then be further enhanced with different equipment (''Fourze'', ''Drive''), 10-15 forms based on pre-existing characters like other Riders (''Decade'', ''Zi-O'') or mythological heroes (''Ghost''), or the ability to swap out the attributes of different body parts (''Double'', ''OOO'', ''Build''). The part-swapping type can grow to particularly absurd form counts if each possible combination is treated as its own form, but these usually have a smaller set of prearranged combinations that fulfill the role of traditional forms.

* The ''Franchise/KamenRider'' franchise has many examples where the hero can change into different forms that specialize in different weapons and/or fighting styles. ''Series/KamenRiderBlackRX'' started the idea for the franchise with his Robo Rider and Bio Rider forms, but ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' really got it going. Common structures are for the hero to have 3-4 forms specialized in different fighting styles (''Kuuga'', ''Agito'', ''Den-O'', ''Kiva'', ''Wizard'', ''Gaim'') that might then be further enhanced with different equipment (''Fourze'', ''Drive''), 10-15 forms based on pre-existing characters like other Riders (''Decade'', ''Zi-O'') or mythological heroes (''Ghost''), or the ability to swap out the attributes of different body parts (''Double'', ''OOO'', ''Build''). The part-swapping type can grow to particularly absurd form counts if each possible combination is treated as its own form, but these usually have a smaller set of prearranged combinations that fulfill the role of traditional forms.

* ''Franchise/KamenRider'':
** The franchise has many examples where the hero can change into different forms that specialize in different weapons and/or fighting styles. ''Series/KamenRiderBlackRX'' started the idea for the franchise with his Robo Rider and Bio Rider forms, but ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' really got it going. Common structures are for the hero to have 3-4 forms specialized in different fighting styles, 10-15 forms based on pre-existing characters like mythological heroes or other Riders, the ability to swap out the attributes of different body parts, or 3-4 base forms that can each have one of several minor additional superpowers added on. The part-swapping type can grow to particularly absurd form counts if each possible combination is treated as its own form, but these usually have a smaller set of prearranged combinations that fulfill the role of traditional forms.
* Even Decade is overshadowed by the ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'', who have access to ''all 34 previous SuperSentai teams'', for a total of nearly 200 powersets (though each individual Gokaiger usually only uses the member of each past team that matches up with their own color, while the SixthRanger uses only the 15 other Sixth Rangers).
* The ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' has done this starting with ''Series/UltramanTiga'' and only gotten more insane with each successive form-changer. ''Series/UltramanOrb'' is as ridiculous as ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' above!

** The franchise has many examples where the hero can change into different forms that specialize in different weapons and/or fighting styles. ''Series/KamenRiderBlackRX'' started the idea for the franchise with his Robo Rider and Bio Rider forms, but ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' really got it going. Common structures are for the hero to have 3-4 forms specialized in different fighting styles]], 10-15 forms based on pre-existing characters like [[Series/KamenRiderGhost mythological heroes]] or other Riders, the ability to swap out the attributes of different body parts, or 3-4 base forms that can each have one of several minor additional superpowers added on. The part-swapping type can grow to particularly absurd form counts if each possible combination is treated as its own form, but these usually have a smaller set of prearranged combinations that fulfill the role of traditional forms.

* Negi Springfield of ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' can go between forms of his [[BlackMagic Magia Erebia]] [[SuperMode Armationem]], his Agilitas Fulminis oriented more towards [[FragileSpeedster speed and mobility with less offense and defense]] while being more alike to his use of [[BlowYouAway wind]] and [[ShockAndAwe lightning]], the other - his Sim Fabricatus - with [[MightyGlacier greater strength and defense over a loss of speed]]. Of note is that [[Creator/KenAkamatsu The author]] likes to reference games and [=RPG=]s throughout the series (this being one of many), so this can be argued to count as a ShoutOut to the game form of this trope.

** The franchise has many examples where the hero can change into different forms that specialize in different weapons and/or fighting styles. ''Series/KamenRiderBlackRX'' started the idea for the franchise with his Robo Rider and Bio Rider forms, but ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' really got it going. Common structures are for the hero to have 3-4 forms [[Series/KamenRiderDenO specialized in]] [[Series/KamenRiderKiva different]] [[Series/KamenRiderWizard fighting]] [[Series/KamenRiderGaim styles]], 10-15 forms based on pre-existing characters like [[Series/KamenRiderGhost mythological heroes]] or [[Series/KamenRiderDecade other]] [[Series/KamenRiderZiO Riders]], the ability to [[Series/KamenRiderDouble swap out the attributes]] [[Series/KamenRiderOOO of different]] [[Series/KamenRiderBuild body parts]], or 3-4 base forms that can each have one of several [[Series/KamenRiderFourze minor additional superpowers]] [[Series/KamenRiderDrive added on]]. The part-swapping type can grow to particularly absurd form counts if each possible combination is treated as its own form, but these usually have a smaller set of prearranged combinations that fulfill the role of traditional forms.

** The franchise has many examples where the hero can change into different forms that specialize in different weapons and/or fighting styles. ''Series/KamenRiderBlackRX'' started the idea for the franchise with his Robo Rider and Bio Rider forms, but ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' really got it going.
** Taken to ridiculous extremes in ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'', where the main character not only has access to his own powers but also the powers and forms of every previous main Kamen Rider of the Heisei era.
** After Decade, ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'', ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'', and ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'' let the heroes mix and match several aspects of their powers. Double had two halves with three variations each (plus three unique combos) for a total of 12, while OOO has three parts with five variations (plus a unique combo) for a grand total of '''126''' (not counting parts used in movies and promo materials, which drive the number up even further). Build splits the difference, using a two halves setup like Double but possessing many more variations; exactly how many combinations he has won't be clear until the show is finished.

Has nothing to do with badass soldiers from the Alps (though it's a reasonable mistake to make). Also not to be confused with the film ''Film/SwissArmyMan'', in which Daniel Radcliffe's corpse manages to become pretty damn versatile and useful even though it can't shapeshift.

* ''Project VideoGame/AlteredBeast'' for the [=PS2=] gave Luke 9 different forms each with their own powers and abilities, these forms include a {{Werewolf}}, Merman, {{Wendigo}}, Garuda, {{Minotaur}}, [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Dragon]], [[spoiler:{{Bear|sAreBadNews}}]], [[spoiler: UWH, aka, Alien]] and a [[spoiler:Weretiger]]

** ''2'' has Zerker, Saurian and Ninja transformations which are similar to Star Break except they can be combined.

** ''Battle Network 2'' and ''3'' have Style Change, where [=MegaMan=]'s body changes color and a certain part of his body is changed to reflect that Style's element (Heat, Aqua, Elec, or Wood) and specialty. They have one particular attribute (an improved buster, greater defense, more chips per turn, being able to carry more Navi chips and being able to get V4 and V5 Navi chips, turning invisible with each charge shot, being able to change the field, or receiving random good or bag bugs at the start of the battle) combined with one of the four aformentioned elements. In ''2'', the player could carry two Souls and switch between them out of combat, though this was reduced to one in ''3''.

** ''5'' had two Crosses, Bass Cross and Solar ([[VideoGame/{{Boktai}} Django]]) Cross, though they're barely similar to [=BN6=]'s Crosses as they override [=MegaMan=]'s standard form similar to Styles, sans elemental affinity.
*** Bass Cross can be obtained in the Japanese Game Boy Advance versions using a promotional e-Reader card or obtained in the overseas version via cheating. You can also obtain it in any version of ''Double Team DS'' on an original Nintendo DS or DS Lite if you insert a copy of the GBA version that Bass SP has been defeated in. The abilities and colors of this form depend on which version of the game you're playing, ''Team Colonel'' having a silver version with Buster Rake and ''Team [=ProtoMan=]'' having a gold version with Hell's Rolling.

** [=BN6=] introduces the Cross System. In contrast to [=BN5=], Crosses here are mostly like Souls, except that they're activated through a submenu on the Custom Screen instead of discarding a chip and [=MegaMan=] goes back to normal if hit by [[ElementalRockPaperScissors an element countering his]].
*** Complementing the Cross System is Beast Out, the ability to tap into Gregar or Falzar's power, gaining a rapid-fire buster, instantly locking on to the closest enemy, the ability to charge non-dimming elementless chips to perform powerful slash attacks, and the two can be combined to obtain a powerful elemental charge shot. Because of the massive power exhibited, using this ability leaves [=MegaMan=] exhausted (which is visibly reflected on his emotion window) and he has to go into battles without using it for it to recharge, as it lasts for a maximum of three turns. Attempting to activate it while the counter is at 0 will activate Beast Over, where [=MegaMan=] goes berserk and [[CastFromHitPoints rapidly loses health]] but also goes into autopilot similar to ''5'''s [=DarkInvis=].

** ''3'' has Noise Change, which is pretty much the Cross System from ''Battle Network 6'' with the one-at-a-time limitation of ''Battle Network 3'''s Styles. There are six per version, though there's also [[IneffectualLoner Rogue]] Noise in both versions, obtained by refraining from making any [=BrotherBands=] with other players. Additionally, there are Star Break-style forms based on the titular supporting characters Acid Ace and Dread Joker, which grant access to the abilities Black End Galaxy and Red Gaia Eraser.

* Most of the ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'' games starting with [=BN2=] allow [=MegaMan=] to change into different variants.

* This trope is ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'''s entire gimmick. The titular hero wears the [[ImportedAlienPhlebotinum Omnitrix]] capable of temporarily transforming him into a number of alien forms, each with it's own powers and weaknesses.

* Aaron Stack aka Machine Man has all sorts of handy devices.

* Deoxys from the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' games has 4 different forms that can be changed depending on the game in the Advance generation, or using some meteorites in the DS games. The forms are a normal one that acts as JackOfAllStats, a GlassCannon attack form, a StoneWall Defense form and a FragileSpeedster form. Another Pokémon that can change forms is Rotom, each of these forms gives it increased stats compared to its base form (the five forms have the same stats), a different Elemental power, and as of Gen V, its Ghost typing is swapped out for one matching that of the appliance it's possessed.

** After Decade, ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'' and ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' let the heroes mix and match several aspects of their powers. Double had two halves with three variations each (plus three unique combos) for a total of 12, while OOO has three parts with five variations (plus a unique combo) for a grand total of '''126''' (not counting parts used in movies and promo materials, which drive the number up even further).

* There are many ''Franchise/KamenRider'' examples, where the hero can change into different forms that specialize in different weapons and/or fighting styles. ''Series/KamenRiderBlackRX'' started the idea for the franchise with his Robo Rider and Bio Rider forms, but ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' really got it going.

* Ultraman has done this starting with UltramanTiga and only gotten more insane with each successive form-changer. UltramanOrb is as ridiculous as KamenRiderDecade above!

* Negi Springfield of ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' can go between forms of his [[BlackMagic Magia Erebia]] [[SuperMode Armationem]], his Agilitas Fulminis oriented more towards [[FragileSpeedster speed and mobility with less offense and defense]] while being more alike to his use of [[BlowYouAway wind]] and [[ShockAndAwe lightning]], the other - his Sim Fabricatus - with [[MightyGlacier greater strength and defense over a loss of speed]]. Of note is that [[KenAkamatsu The author]] likes to reference games and [=RPG=]s throughout the series (this being one of many), so this can be argued to count as a ShoutOut to the game form of this trope.

* Franchise/{{Kirby}} gains various powers depending on what enemy he swallows.

* ''DemonsCrest'' - Firebrand has about five or six different forms, which he can shift between at will.

This is a ShapeShifting Trope describing a series in which the main character can shape-shift into multiple forms. Each form can be used to do something specific - a water-based one to swim, an earth-based one for [[TheBigGuy strength]], an air-based one for speed, etc. In some games these would be different characters, forming a party, but in this one it's all the same guy.

** [=BN2=] and [=BN3=] had Style Change, where [=MegaMan=]'s body changes color and a certain part of his body is changed to reflect that Style's element (Heat, Aqua, Elec, or Wood) and specialty. They have one particular attribute (an improved buster, greater defense, more chips per turn, being able to carry more Navi chips and being able to get V4 and V5 Navi chips, turning invisible with each charge shot, being able to change the field, or receiving random good or bag bugs at the start of the battle) combined with one of the four aformentioned elements. You could switch between 2 in [=BN2=] but could only carry 1 in [=BN3=].
** [=BN4=] and [=BN5=] had Double Soul, a combination of this trope and PowerCopying, as they are obtained through defeating one of [=MegaMan=]'s allies in battle. [=MegaMan=]'s charge shot is changed and he gains certain other attributes, usually an elemental affinity. It is toggled in-battle instead of on the overworld by discarding a chip corresponding to that soul (i.e., a Wood chip in [=BN5=] Team Colonel gives you Tomahawk Soul), but they each have at least one con (Knight Soul's charge shot is only melee range, Magnet Soul is weak to Wood attacks, etc.) and last for 3 turns, which can be increased using Navi Customizer programs. [=BN5=] also had Chaos Unisons, activated by discarding a Dark Chip, where it's the same form with a different color scheme and your charge shot turns into the Dark Chip you discarded, without the bugs or HP penalty you'd get using it by itself. If you fire at the wrong time, however, you'll turn back to normal and [=MegaMan=] DS will attack you for [[ThirteenIsUnlucky 13]] seconds, and he's invincible during that time, and the time it takes the shot to fully charge increases with each success[[note]]If you pause at the right time, it becomes significantly easier to hit your mark[[/note]]. They also only lasted for 1 turn, period.
*** [=BN4=] and [=BN5=] also had Dark Soul, activated by using Dark Chips constantly. There are a few minor differences such as [=MegaMan=] becoming darker in appearance and his emotion window gaining a malicious expression, and a few major ones such as not being able to go into Full Synchro, the inability to use certain chips, and being able to use Evil Chips and DS Navi Chips. It isn't nearly as useful as Double Soul, as its drawbacks outweigh its benefits.
** [=BN5=] had two Crosses, Bass Cross and Solar ([[VideoGame/{{Boktai}} Django]]) Cross, though they're barely similar to [=BN6=]'s Crosses as they override [=MegaMan=]'s standard form similar to Styles, sans elemental affinity.
*** Bass Cross can be obtained on the Japanese version using a promotional e-Reader card or obtained in the overseas version via cheating. You can also obtain it on any version of ''Double Team DS'' on an original DS or DS Lite if you insert a copy of the GBA version that Bass SP has been beaten on. The abilities and colors of this form depend on which version of the game you're playing, Team Colonel's version being silver and Team [=ProtoMan=]'s version being gold.
*** Solar Cross can be obtained in ''Double Team DS'' simply by having a copy of ''Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django'' in the GBA slot. As a reference to the ''Boktai'' series' usage of solar power, there will be a sun on the upper right corner of the screen that powers up the player's attacks if you're jacked in from an area outdoors.
** [=BN6=] introduces the Cross System. In contrast to [=BN5=], Crosses here are mostly like Souls, except that they're activated through a submenu on the Custom Screen instead of discarding a chip and you go back to normal if hit by a element countering yours.
*** Complementing the Cross System is Beast Out, the ability to tap into Gregar or Falzar's power, gaining a rapid-fire buster, instantly locking on to the closest enemy, the ability to charge non-dimming elementless chips to perform powerful slash attacks, and the two can be combined to obtain a powerful elemental charge shot. Because of the massive power exhibited, using this ability leaves [=MegaMan=] exhausted (which is visibly reflected on his emotion window) and he has to go battles without using it for it to recharge, as it lasts for a maximum 3 turns. If you try to do it while the counter is at 0 you'll go into Beast Over, where [=MegaMan=] goes berserk and [[CastFromHitPoints rapidly loses health]] but also goes into autopilot similar to [=BN5=]'s [=DarkInvis=].

* Similarly, the ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' games all have different transformations per each game.
** The original has Star Break, activated in battle using a special card. Depending on what version you're playing, you'll turn into Ice Pegasus, Fire Leo or Green Dragon, each of which have a different charge shot and a Star Force Big Bang activated by countering an enemy's attack. You can obtain the Star Breaks of the other two versions by having a [=BrotherBand=] with people on those versions.
** [=SF2=] has Zerker, Saurian and Ninja transformations which are similar to Star Break except they can be combined.
** [=SF3=] has Noise Change, which is pretty much the Cross System from [=BN6=] with the one-at-a-time limitation of [=BN3=]'s Styles. There are 6 per version, though there's also [[IneffectualLoner Rogue]] Noise in both versions, obtained by refraining from making any [=BrotherBands=] with other players. Additionally, there are Star Break-style forms based on the titular supporting characters Acid Ace and Dread Joker.

** [=BN4=] and [=BN5=] had Double Soul, a combination of this trope and MegaManning, as they are obtained through defeating one of [=MegaMan=]'s allies in battle. [=MegaMan=]'s charge shot is changed and he gains certain other attributes, usually an elemental affinity. It is toggled in-battle instead of on the overworld by discarding a chip corresponding to that soul (i.e., a Wood chip in [=BN5=] Team Colonel gives you Tomahawk Soul), but they each have at least one con (Knight Soul's charge shot is only melee range, Magnet Soul is weak to Wood attacks, etc.) and last for 3 turns, which can be increased using Navi Customizer programs. [=BN5=] also had Chaos Unisons, activated by discarding a Dark Chip, where it's the same form with a different color scheme and your charge shot turns into the Dark Chip you discarded, without the bugs or HP penalty you'd get using it by itself. If you fire at the wrong time, however, you'll turn back to normal and [=MegaMan=] DS will attack you for [[ThirteenIsUnlucky 13]] seconds, and he's invincible during that time, and the time it takes the shot to fully charge increases with each success[[note]]If you pause at the right time, it becomes significantly easier to hit your mark[[/note]]. They also only lasted for 1 turn, period.