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And a side order of I Just Want to Be Special.
Sorry, I should have been more specific. I'm not really talking about some loser, but more like someone who does have skill but pretends to be supernatural in order to intimidate and confuse enemies, similar to the Berserks or the Persian Immortals.
The characters in question are a gang of swamp bandits in a western. They ambush people at night and use poisons to kill their victims. The goal being to convince people the swamp is cursed by evil spirits, so that potential victims aren't on guard against human attackers, and so that the authorities don't go looking for anyone.
"Scooby-Doo" Hoax and Scarecrow Solution
For berserkers and the Immortals, Victory Through Intimidation with a little invocation of The Dreaded and Shrouded in Myth
Thank you, that's perfect.
What is the trope for a character pretending to be mystical in order to intimidate or impress others?
EDIT: Sorry, I should have been more specific. I'm not really talking about some loser, but more like someone who does have skill but pretends to be supernatural in order to intimidate and confuse enemies, similar to the Berserks or the Persian Immortals.
The characters in question are a gang of swamp bandits in a western. They ambush people at night and use poisons to kill their victims. The goal being to convince people the swamp is cursed by evil spirits, so that potential victims aren't on guard against human attackers, and so that the authorities don't go looking for anyone.
Edited by Mimic1990