Line #1 Main/BaseBreakingCharacter


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5	[[quoteright:350:[[Literature/WarriorCats https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/broken-base_custom10_6431.png]]]]
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7	->''"Let's go Cena!"''
8	->''"Cena sucks!"''
9	-->-- Popular chant in the Wrestling/{{WWE}}
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11	A character in a series who is loved by one section of the fanbase, and [[TheScrappy hated by the rest]]. The causes are varied: perhaps the character appeals to a certain demographic but is a turn-off to another. Maybe they're a PluckyComicRelief who appeals to the sense of humour of some people but falls flat with others. Sometimes they just highlight [[BrokenBase existing divisions within the fanbase]], or have differing appeal across [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff different]] [[AmericansHateTingle cultures]], due to [[ValuesDissonance different cultural viewpoints]] or other quirks. Either way, some fans like em, some fans don't, little in the way of a middle ground, [[InternetBackdraft flamewars ensue]].
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13	This can happen as a result of {{Shipping}}-related [[DieForOurShip savagery]], the divisions often between those who [[ShipToShipCombat support a rival pairing]] or just couldn't care less.
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15	Nearly every character ever written has fans and detractors, so fans disagreeing about whether a character is good or bad is not worth noting. In order to qualify as a true Base Breaking Character, the character must fulfill ''all'' of the following conditions:
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17	* Split the fanbase into '''at least two vocal factions of similar size'''. Fans who don't care about the character don't count as a faction. There must be both fans and haters, and both in similar amounts.
18	* Have '''little to no middle ground''': most of the work's fans must have a strong opinion, positive or negative, about this character. Two [[VocalMinority Vocal Minorities]] aren't enough to truly break a base.
19	* Inspire a '''vicious conflict'''. Mentioning your love or hatred of this character should carry a strong probability of turning the discussion into a debate, if not a full-blown FlameWar. If most members of the two or more factions don't care enough about the issue to argue their position, that's a sign that the conflict is not particularly vicious.
20	* Have a '''sustained''' base of fans and haters. Obviously, whenever a new character is seen, or an old character does something big, fans are going to talk about it for a while. But if the discussion dies down after a few episodes, that's a sign that the character is not that divisive. A conflict should last for '''at least six months''' to qualify; any shorter and it's probably just your average fan disagreement.
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22	See also ContestedSequel which is sometimes a result of Base Breaking Characters. Not to be confused with BrokenBase.
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24	'''No examples, please. Every character in any work of media is one to some extent. This page simply defines the term.'''
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Context Main / BaseBreakingCharacter