Well, it doesn't mean they have to Take a Level in Badass, but the appearance of it should be so. For instance, Harmony is a good example (like the other Buffy examples). She doesn't get stronger at all, it's just that she's never really been treated as an actual vampire before that. She is one, and she can be dangerous when she wants to be.
I also see several examples in the trope list I disagree with. There are a lot of examples that appear harmless on first glance, but they never actually act harmless. The moment they start to act, which is often rather close to their appearance, you find out how dangerous they are.
Hellmaster Fibrizo is another, since he's using a straight out disguise, but once it's revealed who he is, no one's doubting his power. In disguise, he wasn't really presented as a villain at all, or even a threat, if I remember it correctly.
Negima's Kurt Gödel is one. He never really had time to be established as a harmless character.
The Yellow Bastard seems a lot more like Not So Incapacitated than Not So Harmless. Closer to Back from the Dead than this trope.
The Lion King has a good example in the hyenas, but Scar isn't. No one doubts he's dangerous and powerful. They doubt that he's evil.
The Men In Black example is mostly just messy and confusing, but probably Not A Subversion. I'd say more like a Discussed Trope, since they're still talking about a shooting range target. They're not talking about tropes, though.
Final Fantasy has a good example in Kefka, but Tonberries and Cactuars aren't. Tonberries in particular only fits this trope as Schmuck Bait. If you don't understand that a high level enemy who spends several turns just walking closer to you is dangerous, you're Genre Blind.
Midna is just not an example.
I have no idea about Qarr from Order Of The Stick. The Monster in the Darkness feels more like a running gag of this trope, though.
Kim Possible has natter. Can see what I can do later on.
The Internet misuses, abuses, and overuses everything.
Well, this died. Seriously, anyone else gonna respond?
edited 3rd Feb '12 2:50:35 PM by MyTimingIsOff
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Patience, patience :)
What's the difference between this and From Nobody to Nightmare?
From Nobody to Nightmare is more about a gradual character development, the way I understand it. Also, a nobody is less than a villain. It's someone who's not even on the radar.
This trope is about a villain who's depicted as comical relief or otherwise not very dangerous, who in a sudden appearance turn out to be, well, Not So Harmless.
The Internet misuses, abuses, and overuses everything.
Dragon Writer
If this is about villains specifically, the title must reflect that: Not-So-Harmless Villain.
Otherwise the title could refer to any character who is more dangerous than they appear, even a Killer Rabbit.
An Ear Worm is like a Rickroll: It is never going to give you up. That's a good idea for a title. I think it could solve a lot of the misuse.
Loser
I think Stratadrake's suggestion is a good one too. No Longer Harmless or No Longer Harmless Villain might work as well.
Since January 1, 2011 this article has brought 137 people to the wiki from non-search engine links.
Rename crowner made
. Decent usage stats or not, the wick check clearly shows that the name is misleading.
FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC!
Crowner attached.
Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.
Needs more votes.
Avatars may be subject to change without notice.
Consensus seems to be favouring a rename so far...
"The Daily Show has to be right 100% of the time; FOX News only has to be right once." - Jon Stewart
Calling in favour of a rename.
Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
I've made the alt titles crowner here with the suggestions from the thread.
I added Card Sharking The Villain... the metaphor occured to me while reading over the examples. The author "throws a few hands", then delivers the reveal.
Eh, I'm not a fan. It's on the oblique side, and it conflicts with the potential trope where the heroes, not the author, "card shark" the villain. Also, is that really what "card shark" means? Because I thought it was something different.
edited 7th Mar '12 2:45:06 AM by troacctid
Rhymes with "Protracted."
Dragon Writer
A "shark", as in a person who deliberately obscures their real talent, would fall close to / under Obfuscating Stupidity territory.
An Ear Worm is like a Rickroll: It is never going to give you up.
Hey-ho! You don't rename the tag when you are switching crowners!
Also, a few more votes and we can call it.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Ravenous Sophovore
Calling crowner in favor of Not-So-Harmless Villain.
Waiting on a TRS slot? Finishing off one of these cleaning efforts will usually open one up.
Does it have to be about a villain, or can it be about anyone?
Tsundere pet.
We have all kinds of tropes for non-villains and/or the general case; Beware the Silly Ones, Let's Get Dangerous!, Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass, Killer Rabbit, etc.
It's an integral part of the trope. It's about someone who didn't seem like a threat actually is one, once they get serious. Keyword being threat.
Lurker
I moved the page and added notes to Renamed Tropes and the associated thread. Some help moving the wicks would be appreciated.
R.I.P 2 My Youth
On it.
"Polite life will fill you full of cancer." - Iggy Pop "I've seen the future, brother, it is murder." -Leonard Cohen
R.I.P 2 My Youth
Could use some backup moving wicks.
"Polite life will fill you full of cancer." - Iggy Pop "I've seen the future, brother, it is murder." -Leonard Cohen
Crown Description:
This trope is supposed to mean "Harmless Villain who Took a Level in Badass." This name is way too broad and leads to a lot of bad wicks resulting from people thinking the trope is Exactly What It Says on the Tin.
Wick check: (The C's)