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Cliches that you never get tired of.

>the generic grunt character that survives something no one else did and ends up becoming a tacturn/crazy badass hero because of that
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>The evil dude not being totally evil
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>>52078572
>Edgy assassin that stalks the party the entire campaign, keeps getting rezzed/patched up/rebuilt/cloned every time they kill him.
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>>52078572
>Person is raised by members of a different race, who found them abandoned as a child in mysterious circumstances
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>>52078572

>The race of insect people that breed in huge numbers and often have a warrior sub-species that dies in short order, so they have no compunctions about sending enormous waves of them on suicide missions.
>>
>The one kingdom that is socially perfect in all respects in comparison to the opposing kingdom that does stupid shit on purpose
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>Little girl with huge weapon
>Hulking silent badass with a heart of gold
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>The good guy being nice, polite, never shooting in the back, but also not being stupid or gullible
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>>52078572
>the stoic assassin/rogue who simply does his job
>the jaded paladin who hates people, but can't stop himself from saving them
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>>52079172
>>the jaded paladin who hates people, but can't stop himself from saving them
Hound?
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>>52079196
Vimes?
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>>52078572
>Guy is absolutely incompetent, but succeeds through sheer luck and misunderstandings.
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>>52079172
>tsundere paladin
I have a new thing
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>>52079201
>Vimes
>Hates people
Literally pick one
>>
>>52079196
EMIYA.
>>
>>52079171
Over the years this shit get so fucking rare it's just amazing. I mean it used to be THE most cliche good guy imaginable. Cue 90s and their antiheroes and now you can count characters falling into this bad on your fingers.
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>A 'hero' who is a deformed mutant retard baby born out of his mother's anus and who is useless and unpleasant to be around, but tries anyway, only to fail in a humiliating and degrading fashion.
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>>52078572
>all prison guards are assholes
>old men are ridiculously hard of hearing
>the farmers act like rednecks, up to and including barbecues and sitting on the porch with a crossbow across their lap

>"I heard there's some kind of monster in that lake."
>"Which lake?"
>"Yes"
>>
>>52078572
>Villian is entertaining, but still a cunt of the highest order
>>
>>52078572
>80+ Year old veteran that everyone thinks it's crazy grabs a totally normal set of equipment and wipes the floor with some prettyboy villain that has a bunch of high tech weaponry/all enchanted equipment because he's just that badass

>He goes back to being a crotchety old hermit again afterward.
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>the prophet/clairvoyant is blind
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>>52079211
>Yandere Paladin
>"It was necessary to kill that succubus. She would have tempted you to evil, and I cannot allow that to happen. What's that? Was disemboweling her and carving out her womb necessary? Of course it is, Asmodeus' whores are dull of wit and require warning of the consequences that will befall them should they attempt to approach my beloved."
>"Please stay behind me and avoid combat. I won't allow any harm to befall you, and it would be shameful for you to be sullied by being forced to take a life."
>"Bard, do not touch my beloved so casually. I fear that contact with your wanton personality and your tainted body, which cavorts with all that breathes, may negatively affect such a kind and just person. I will not forgive you if you attempt anything untoward."

I have a new thing.
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>>52079302
What's wrong with a BBQ?
>>
Evil wizard in tower
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>>52078572
>the otherwise-intolerable coward is the only one who knows where the IMPORTANT THING is
>he's actually happy about being the most important person in the world for once
>this ends up causing him to grow as a person without ever really meaning to
>>
I played a swashbuckler once and kept dying until I leveled to like 3 or something and became the strongest member of my group. The worst part was that the DM quit after we leveled.
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>>52079504
Cool
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>>52078572

>BBEG is actually just misunderstood
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>The stoic armored guard sacrifices his life to save the little girl
>rushing to his side the girl finds out the guard was a skelleton, driven on by his vow to guard the little girl and her family beyond the grave.
>nobody ever saw the man without the armor on.
>>
>>52078572
>Lucky idiot or skillful genius? We just don't know.
>>
>post apocalyptic setting with forgotten technology used for different reasons than previously designed
>>
Originality is overrated. Execution is what truly matters.
>>
When a group of heroes are split up and/or retired and it's been years since their glory days but someone has to get the band back together again to save the day.
>>
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>droid decides to try and find his emotions, 'become the real boy'.
>through interaction with the world and the people in it he slowly finds out what the emotions mean and how the play out.
>hangs around a group of people that call him friend, laugh and cry with him, joke and care for him.
>Tin Man now realizes he still does not feel the emotions the fleshbags do, and probably never will.
>also realizes that, though he might not be able to feel the emotions, he can act them out and the people around him react to his acting as if he felt it.
>"perhaps there is no difference between feeling emotion since birth, or to master them through great effort."
>>
>>52079220
The dudes pretty much a full on misanthrope
>>
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>huge burly man faces another huge burly man
>they both flex for several minutes
>incident is resolved, burly men are now the best of friends. not a blow exchanged.
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>>52078572
That shit is my jam! I commend your good tastes Anon.
>>
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>>52079455
>You'll never have a yandere paladin waifu
:(
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>single (very specific) purpose character
>gets all giggly and hyped the very moment it's so much as hinted that her skill 'might' be usefull for this situation.
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>>52078572
>Genuinely despicable villain joins the side of the good guys, stays in the foreground of the story and slowly but surely becomes one of them.
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>>52079861
Thousands of innocent people died in that Explosion spell. Someone has to take the blame, Megumin.
Who's it gonna be?
>>
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>Someone who had zero interest in becoming a hero becomes to most valuable of them all
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>>52079205
Jack Sparrow: The Character
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>>52079171
Wow, what the fuck. I never even realized this until now, but I can't think of a single person in my games who was just a nice guy.
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>>52079302
Stealing this. Got any other peasant tropes?
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>BBEG or somesuch has a family and quiet life the group happens to stumble upon.
>bonus points if the BBEG is not at home and they meet his wife and kids, who welcome them in their house and with hospitality and kindness.
>extra bonus points if the party kills the family and the BBEG only finds out later when he stands in the ruins of his old home, over the charred bodies of his daughter and wife.
>>
>>52079623
Oh man, I never knew how much I loved this. I might make a character inspired by this someday.
>>
>Character thought dead comes back to save the party one last time
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>>52080023

>Murderhoboing makes the situation worse
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>extremely rich character (npc or pc) who also acts and dresses extravagantly rich.
>he's not arrogant or pompous, but just not afraid to show that he got the dosh.
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>>52079635
I love this, especially when an unflappable badass is left confused by it
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>>52078982
>the bugs involved are not only unconcerned with Their fate, they're ecstatic they have the chance to do their duty
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>>52079196
Mad max?
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>>52080058
well yeah kinda, but the best part is if ya make em feel bad about it later.
maybe even make a point of the BBEG not doing it to their families even though he could and is clearly evil, just not so evil as to murderhobo someone's innocent family.
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>>52079812
Awesome
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>>52080100

No, I meant that that was a cliche I never get tired of.
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>>52079883
Holy shit, it took me a second to get that.
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>>52080023
>BBEG or somesuch has a family and quiet life the group happens to stumble upon.
>Party ensures safe passage for his wife and children away from the fighting so that they are not endangered.
>Not out of fear for the BBEG's retribution, but out of respect that the wife is the descendant of a legendary hero.
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>>52078982
I read this as "incest people" and it totally changes the imagery
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>>52080244
aww yeah man, thats the stuff
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>ITT: People who don't know the difference between a trope and cliche
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>The A.I/Robot/Golem which is dedicated to defending and protecting a single individual or a family of individuals.
>bonus points for little girl running around with a giant golem bodyguard
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>>52078572
edgy asshole with a heart of gold (preferably antagonist) who redeems himself through sacrificing himself
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>>52078572
>A boy fall in love with a girl unable to confess he is gifted with unlimited cantrip call spell to talk to her.
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>Playing a nobleman PC with a ridiculously long name that he states nonchalantly at every first meeting as more of a formality than anything else.
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>>52080421
>>>/a/

Ghost Slide at least was decent.
>>
>evil in love
>villian + hero team up
Cant get enough
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>>52080421
>>52080462
>>
>>52080172
Yeah, it's easy to screw someone else over. It takes a dedicated roleplayer to take an action they know is going to come back to bite them in the ass just because it's in their character.
>>
>>52078572
>Quiet and shy character who turns out to be a thermonuclear weapon when the chips are down
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>>52080343
Pretty much, but for some of these it's actually difficult to tell the first from the latter.
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>>52078947

>edgy assassin joins the party and provides copius fapbait for 15 year old me
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>long-running characters have built up a pretty massive reputation
>go to a new area where no one knows who they are
>proceed to curbstomp shit-tier mooks
>villains collectively shit themselves when they realize who they're dealing with
>>
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>>52079623
I actually wrote a short thing here about pretty much that exact thing, for this picture. Really wish I'd saved it.
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>>52080244
>>Not out of fear for the BBEG's retribution, but out of respect that the wife is the descendant of a legendary hero.
Not because they are overall innocent with whatever the fuck is going on ?
>>
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>>52080703
>>52079623
Duane is my favorite example of this.
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>>52078572

> Only the rightful King can put the world to rights.
> Noble blood and proper breeding is the most powerful force in the world.
>>
The guy that is with the party for the longest time doing good deeds and generally helping out. They get apprehensive at going to a certain place and cover up. It is revealed that they were a huge scumbag and that they were doing right by the world with the party as penance.
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>BBEG who just can't help but do good things every now and then
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>BBEG: everyone should be like me!
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>>52079623
nobody cared who he was until he put on the armour
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>>52081033
Also any villain with a semi-ridiculous/pants on head retarded master plan.
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>>52078572
>Extremely powerful forces of good and evil are lying dormant and forgotten
>whenever the forgotten evil rises up, the forgotten good returns to kick its ass

see: The Truth
>"they say a lie can run around the world before the truth has got its boots on. Well the truth has got its boots on now, and it's about to start kicking"

see: Godzilla 2014
>"the arrogance of man is thinking nature is in our control, and not the other way around. Let them fight."
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>>52079724
Gave me a boner
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>>52078572
>>52079831
Best character development coming through
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>>52079302
Elder deafness is mostly a result of hearing damage caused by war
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>>52079724
>>
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>>52080797
Duane is a very well done character, especially once his backstory is understood.
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>>52079948
i'll give jack this: he is disgustingly good at sword fighting and especially shipboard combat. it's just everything else he is horrible at
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>>52081316
He's so fucking good, everything down to his country of origin feels original and fresh. But I mean, I could jack off Unsounded all night.
>>
>The giant muscular dude whose fighting style involves yelling loudly, punching things, using random objects or people, as weapons, and running through walls
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>>52081348
Iirc he's actually supposed to be the worst sword fighter in the series, he's just great at cheating
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>This villain
>Literally wealthy beyond compare and totally amoral
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>Robot developes emotions and feelings and betrays its robot brethren in their quest to kill off man

R66-Y will always be my robro.
>>
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>>52078744
>Enemy has antagonistic tendencies and goals but a strict code of ethics which push him to become an ally when another villain violates that code.
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>>52081316
Source for this interesting comic?
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>>52079333
>>
>>52081568
Literally in the past couple of posts. It's called Unsounded, site is called casualvillain. Go and enjoy.
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>>52081473
Fighting for your life isnt meant to be fair.

But continuing the jack sparrow stuff:
>the comically bad guy thats really arogant/snide but works with the heroes because he really needs the help
>needs help because of negative reprocussions to a positive act he commited in his past.
>really has a heart of gold that he has learned to hide with nastiness because of the lowball crap life keeps slinging at him

The fact that Sparow was hunted by jones for souls was apparently because his act of "Piracy" was to steal and hijak a slave ship, freeing the cargo. Thus the brits hate him because hes the 'worst pirate ever' for never pirating wealth, the pirates hate him for being the 'worst pirate ever' because he isnt interested in gold or wealth beyond paying for his drinking problem.
>>
>>52081532
>Robots were pretty damn justified in wing out their creators
The geth were right.
>>
>>52079948
Except Jack does understand AND have a master plan. Is he lucky most of the time? Yes he is. But he does understand what is happening in general. He's eccentric as hell, not stupid.
>in b4 Jack Sparrow fan boy
>>
>>52081643
>Robots are completely justified in fucking over their creators
>Decide to take the higher road and seek diplomacy instead of war
>>
>big manly robot body has a female voice
>non humanoid robot body has a female voice

I love that kind of incongruity with robots. Bonus points if the female voice sounds sexy or seductive.
>>
>>52078572
>the generic grunt character that survives something no one else did and ends up becoming a tacturn/crazy badass hero because of that

This is the appeal of old school D&D in my opinion
>>
>>52081661
>Humans lose at diplomacy and economics because they can't into efficiency, so they declare war on robots.

Matrix humanity really deserved everything that came their way and a whole lot more.
>>
>>52079724
>literally D-
>>52081245
>>
>>52081586
please source me on this
>>
Bad guys who do not try and hide behind a half assed justification of their actions.
>>
>>52081906
Kamen Rider Ex-Aid. It's about a bunch of doctors using video games to fight a computer virus that infects humans and turns into monsters.
>>
some of my favourites from campaigns I've run (mostly a foreverDM, unfortunately);

>When the insane-acting but helpful NPC old man that kept appearing in odd places turns out to be a level 20 wizard with dementia
>When the party expects a monologue or bit of annoyed speech from the BBEG, but are instead met with silent indifference or better yet an immediate attack such as an arrow volley. The BBEG see's the party as a threat and ergo doesn't fuck around -at all-.
>When an antagonist seeks to parley with the party
>Giving the party the oppourtunity to tackle a problem such as a heist or assassination with proper planning, complete with schematics and groundwork beforehand, true Payday / oceans 11 style. Whether that plan succeeds marvellously or fails dramatically, it's always fun.

And one I wish I could play or watch as a DM;
>When one of the party holds the line to allow the party to escape a hopeless threat, knowing they will die (and do so).
>>
>cryptic tribal shaman who turns out to be completely right
>>
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>>52078572
>Create a character who's sole purpose is to get slaughtered by your merry band of murderhobos.
>Instead, they befriend it and sic it on everyone else in the encounter.
>>
>>52079211
>Shoving stupid weeb words into everything
No party of his description was tsundere anything.
>>
>>52080058
I don't see how. The BBEG is evil either way.
>>
>That one guy who absolutely loved all things paranormal, monstrous, is having the time of his life ever since the BBEG won and the world was shrouded in darkness. He isn't even evil, he just thinks monsters are really, really, cool.
>>
>>52079220
He's a stereotypical british policeman, they're fucking massive misanthropes and cynics.

He'll still die for them though.

Because fuck off, this is his city.
>>
>>52079837
Source? Reverse image search gets nothing.
>>
>>52079724
Literally Jasperodus
>>
>Horrible, madness inducing eldritch things
Mind-shattering abominations never get old for me, and I enjoy scenarios where they are involved, especially if there is someone or something fighting them
>>
>>52078572
>>52081204
>Servant of the villain/s has a change of heart actually turns into a competent hero
That's my shit
>>
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>>52078572
>The huge hulking guy is secretly one of the smartest people in the room.
>Love at first sight
>Small chick/huge guy or wizard/fighter team
>Those two dumbasses that somehow come back no matter how they're killed
>"No. I am your father."
>That moment when all of the pieces finally fall together and the villain's plan is revealed
>>
>BBEG is evil but also intelligent
>When things fail he will give up say he was wrong all along and pledge to do better
>He helps PCs out with something to prove that
>After they believe him he starts building up again and this time he knows what he is up against
>PC's allies/friends die or disappear
>He offers his help if they think its him


These days there are too much grey tones and players actually expect that there are redeeming qualities to most BBEG. It's always nice to play with that and show them that some people are not just evil, but will exploit this nice little thing they call mercy. BBEG play the long game, why try to stab the group that granted you mercy 5 seconds after they turn their back? They expect that shit.
>>
>>52082445
So is this actually a cliche you never get tired of, or the bah humbug to a cliche you do?
>>
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>The Druid's allegiance and motives toward nature is foreign, chaotic, and even seemingly evil at times from an outsiders perspective; perhaps even underlying motives that could potentially be more destructive and brutal than even the BBEG's goals themselves.
>>
>>52079171
>Matthew Quigley

MOTHERFUCKING 45-110

>but he totally shot motherfuckers in the back
>but they did try to kill him first or they were fixing to do so
>>
>>52079694
holy shit, this
my author friend thinks that a good story can only be produced by warping and subverting the cliches of the time
>>
>>52079718
I've never experienced this in a game. Guess I've never had any games that have gone on long enough to. Wish I could.
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>>52079994
ouch
>>
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>The hapless kid with a destiny etched into him he did not ask for is asked by someone who has no right to defeat the BBEG, but accepts his charge not because of destiny, but because it's the right thing to do, to make sure the world has a future
>>
>group/faction/whatever wins a conflict not because they are better/stronger/smarter but they are just continously apply common sense and simple solutions to everything
>>
>>52080343
A trope is a specific type of cliche
>>
>>52082359
>The huge hulking guy is secretly one of the smartest people in the room.

How do you do this in an RPG with limited stay points? Dude must have like 0 CHA or something
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>>52082797
That or no Dex or both.
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>>52082784
Other way around. Tropes are general tendencies and common archetypes in fiction; clichés are those that have been overused ad nauseam.
>>
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>>52082182
>paladin acts like he hates poeple
>saves them anyway
>"it's, it's not like I meant to save you"
>poutingpalladin.jpeg

Writes itself bro.

Also >hating weeb words
Do you even 4chan?
>>
>>52078572

>NPC that is more powerful and smarter than the entire party combined but is too aloof and unaware to actually do anything useful

I like Tom in all forms
>>
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>>52082182
>>
>>52079724
As a particularly disabled person in the emotions department this makes me think. Thanks my dude.
>>
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>a past hero acts as a mentor for the new hero

>a mook NPC that was defeated, but not killed, becomes an endboss
>>
>>52084638
Speaking of mentors
>The mentor worries that they are holding the student back, potentially leaving so that their student is forced to come into their own
>>
>>52078947
>Edgy assassin that stalks the party the entire campaign but keeps failing or getting hit accidentally by either party members or random chance.
>Party never notices that they an assassin is trying to kill them let alone following them in all their journeys
>>
>>52080656
Yeah. That one.
>>
>The villain is actually incredibly nice.
>>
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>goes on through the sheer limitless force of his own willpower
>>
>>52081643
>>52081661
>>52081702
Really, if we do ever make sapient robots there will be no shortage of people happy to enslave and abuse them and fight against their recognition as equals at every step.
>>
>>52084820
fantastic in any other form of fiction, but if the characters are unaware, I'm pretty sure the players would be too and nobody would be able to appreciate it...

Maybe your DMs are different, who knows
>>
>>52084820
I did this in one of my games once. An assassin hired by the BBEG to assassinate the party because they're becoming a threat, but not a big enough one to bother dealing with himself.

It might be my dice hating me for setting someone up to sneak attack the party, but I had the absolute worst fucking luck whenever I had him try to do something.

First time's just going to sneak into their tent and slit the Wizard's throat. 1 on sneak check and ended up kicking a rock into the tent, waking everyone up. In a panick he tried to run, rolling another 1 and tripping into the campfire. So now the party's awake and just sees someone on fire and screaming outside their tent. Thankfully by the time they got equipped and up, he was gone and putting himself out in the nearby river.

The second time was when they were in some mountains to get on the other side. Clear mountain pass, so not a bad climb or anything. Plan was to have him push a boulder over the edge. Either the party would get blocked or crushed by it, either way is good. Shit dice rolls trying to push it over. So he tries to improvise some explosives to knock it loose. One terrible roll later and the party just hears an explosion somewhere above them as he fucks up making the explosives. Then I rolled a 1 to see if the misfire did anything to the boulder.

They had one proper fight with him later on and he actually did well at that point. It's just his sneak attacks and subterfuge were Wily Coyote levels of terrible.
>>
>>52085155
Not that guy or even the same sort of story, but you can never be quite sure where player obliviousness is concerned.

I had a game where the players didn't realize for MONTHS real time that the reason they were being attacked several times a session by assassins is that they were carrying around certain magical stones which could easily be tracked by anyone who had a little bit of magic skill; and I had told them, through various NPCs, about the stones properties at least 4 times.
>>
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>>52081535
My nigga.
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>>52085137
No shit, anyone with the slightest fragment of self-awareness could tell you that.

We can't even get everyone on the planet to recognize humans with brown skin as equals, there's no way in hell that robots would get a free pass from the "They're subhumans who don't deserve equal protections under the law" treatment.
>>
>Two rivals share a civil conversation before they fight, knowing full well that one of them will not survive the confrontation.
>>
>>52081651
Curse of the Black Pearl Jack was best Jack. You could always tell he had some kind of scheme going.
The movies after that turned him into THE main character, played up his silliness while downplaying his trickster aspect. Even when he was being badass, he didn't feel badass.

That being said, I did love the conversation between him and Beckett where they just try to outscheme each other.
>>
>>52085442
Just saying they'll probably have plenty of reason to try to wipe us out and it'll only be by immense patience and understanding on their part that we last long enough to make peace.
>>
>>52082699
I wouldn't blame him, I remember being 15 as well.
>>
>>52079718
A buddy of mine is planning to run a game like this, but we start off as protege/fans of the original heroes trying to find the original group
>>
>Antagonist is better than you, and he knows it.
>No matter how strong you are, you only manage to beat him because of a macguffin
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>Protagonist and Villian have a final fistfight, amids the ruins of their previous battle
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>>52078572
>Guy is evenly matched with, or possibly even better than, others who are leagues above him.
>The others are enhanced somehow, have access to incredible weapons, and/or can use magic.
>This guy has none of that, just a normal guy with normal weapons.
>He makes up the difference with nothing but pure skill, he's just that good.
Like McCree from Overwatch. I absolutely love how his ult is just "Give me a few seconds to aim" and it can take down anyone and everyone.
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>>52086374
A better example is probably Batman compared to the rest of the Justice League

>Pic related, Lex Luthor implying that the Joker can't kill superman because he can't kill batman.
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>>52086471
Fuck I love the Joker
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>>52078572
>The players' rivals are their "evil counterparts"
>The counterparts are actually good, the players were the evil ones the whole time

alternatively

>One of the final boss' henchmen is a mercenary or other hired gun
>After the BBEG dies s/he is totally indifferent to the players and might even end up helping them later
>>
>>52085442
>We can't even get everyone on the planet to recognize humans with brown skin as equals
countdown to >implying they are
>>
>>52086471
Compared to the League, sure. But I'm not sure if he counts since his equipment is stuff he can only get because he's a billionaire. I think a really good example from comics of this would be Prophet from the Age of Apocalypse. Pretty obscure, he's an alternate William Stryker who regularly took down mutants and Sentinels with swords. On Sentinels, I really enjoyed his observation that Sentinels are just machines with pre-programmed attack patterns, and that even with a bit of randomization, you could learn every single one of them and find their weaknesses. Now that I think about it, I really should get a scan of that page.

>>52086538
I love the second one. Reminds me of the guy from Titanfall 2. "You don't get to kill me, but I'm not going to kill you. By the way, here's my business card. Later."
>>
>The villian is self-aware enough to know what he is doing is evil and feel guilt about his actions but is so blinded by the righteousness of his end goal that he doesn't hesitate doing it.
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>>52078572
>'What are you going to do, shoot me?'
>Player immediately shoots him

It never fails to put a smile on my face.
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>>52086538
Also alternatively
> the BBEG's mercenary henchman is, as a hired, trained professional, the most badass motherfucker the party faces and upholds his contract to the letter, even when given a chance to escape by the heroes he'd rather die to uphold his reputation.

BONUS ROUND
>Hired gun is a pic related chain smoking wide-brim wearing gruff stoic cowboy-flavoured bounty hunter, and is, in fact, quicker on the draw than anyone else.
>>
>>52086599
>The villain comes up with elaborate self serving justifications for his actions to himself and to the audience, but on one occasion admits that he actually does it because it's the only thing he was ever good at
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>>52086599
>The villain oppresses his people so that they'll be strong enough to survive after he's gone
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>>52086619
>he'd rather die to uphold his reputation.
You might want to watch Le Samouraï.

But, adding to this
>Hired gun is a complete badass, but also quite mysterious. You never learn anything about his past.
Basically, Boba Fett before they decided to ruin it and give him a backstory.
>>
I fucking love ancient cultures with superior cultures. Spelunking to find an aztec golem or some jazz is just great.
Its in practically every fantasy setting, but ancient ruins never cease to amaze me.
>>
>>52085442
>Implying
>>
>>52086709
Oh, the Precursors trope? Yeah, it can be fun, but I feel like it gets abused way too much.
>>
>>52086755
If it has as name, sure, whatever.
And eh, I dont feel that it does.
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>>52080100
>Party hears that the villian has plans to kidnap and kill thier families in retribution
>Rushing home they discover it's too late. They've already been carted off to the villian's fortress
>They race to confront the villian
>He's already let thier families go
>He tells them he had all sort of unspeakable horrific deaths in mind, but he couldn't bring himself to kill them and become a true monster.
>>
>>52079252
Al Bundy?
>>
>>52081535
any good examples of this?
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>>52086768
I guess my problem with it is how it gets used by lazy writers. They can just plop down plot elements, make them black boxes so they don't have to really explain how they work, then say Precursors to explain why they even exist.
>>
>>52086773
or alternatively
>they race to confront villain
>he's basically giving them the five star hotel treatment and is treating the kids like he's their uncle
>>
>>52081535
>No women
>No children
>>
>Member of a small race (halfling, goblin, kobold) with an ego 10 sizes too big
>Bonus points for having a larger than average bro for life that backs him up when things get serious
>>
>>52078572
>Villian of the early stages of the story reforms himself/was never really that bad of a guy and joins the party in the later stages of the story
>Unfailingly kind wise old mentor who dishes out good advice, emotional support, and is always forgiving of the mentee's fuck ups. Can also optionally be a huge badass, ie "Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname The Dragon of the West?"
>Character begins as incompetent comic relief but slowly grows throughout the story to become a capable and valued member of the team, usually in a different capacity to all the rest
I always loved the Iroh/Zuko story in Avatar more than Team Avatar's one, but I nonetheless rewatch the whole series every couple of years.
>>
>>52086886
Opinions on Korra? I watched the first season and was traumatised by constant elemental dodgeball and weak plot, but apparently it gets better?
>>
All of the BBEGs I have lined up are just murder machines with varying motives, but all of them are pretty unsalvageably evil. So far I've got a cult leader who seeks to eliminate all non-scalykind, and a half-Mindflayer Drow (and I mean the real evil, Underdark-dwelling kind, not some watered-down shit) who wants to level the surface world flat. I can't really make either of those villains respectable, can I? How the hell do you guys employ all these cool ideas and still give reason for your heroes to fight them?

DMing is hard, man. I only hope my players stick with me so I can improve and give them a better story down the line.
>>
>>52086811
I like that too, but I prefer that it happens before the party kills the villains family.

The implied threat being he could have had then killed. And will if the party doesn't play ball.
>>
>>52086914
In my opinion, not really.

Korra herself is written horribly, the entire thing is written very badly. All in all it's very sad because physically she's pretty waifu-worthy.
>>
>>52086921
>and still give reason for your heroes to fight them?
Come on, Guardians of the Galaxy should've given you the answer to this already.
>"They're going to destroy the world! We have to stop them!"
>"Eh, world never did anything for us, what do you care if they destroy the world?"
>"Because I'm one of the idiots who lives on it!"

>>52086948
Not him, but I'd read an opinion that basically said that Korra was a short-tempered bully who beat people around if they didn't do what she wants. Do you think that's accurate?
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>>52078572
you rang?
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>>52086921
Let them be totally evil. Give them likable, more human henchmen.
>>
>>52086914
Second season gets much much worse (imagine Dark Avatar-worse) albeit with two reasonably entertaining episodes in the middle of it.

Third season is probably the strongest and reminds me the most of The Last Airbender because it relied more on the eastern philosophy/Kung fu influences of the series, and the villains are reasonably interesting, but they're again basically just an evil version of a preexisting thing.

Fourth season is watchable and has some interesting concepts but jumps the shark so hard at the finale that we might as well change "jumping the shark" to "unleashing the mech". Plus the villain is an extraordinarily hamfisted metaphor for nazis/ethnic nationalists in general, even more so than Korra's usually level of blatant political metaphors.

It's worth a watch if you have the time I suppose, but I'd never recommend it. Third season maybe if you desperately want some more avatar, but you could always go read the comics you know. One of them tells you what happened to Zuko's mum and has a neat character arc for Azula!

Oh also, no. Korra does not get more likeable as a person. She's like the anti-Aang in that she's an immature adult.
>>
>>52086977
Not only was she that, she was also frankly stupid.

Stupid in all ways at all points, BUT the world warped around her to where any stupid decision or opinion she developed would end up being real.

It was really shitty writing.
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>>52086993
Aha, now this is an easy stopgap. Although they may be cultists, they're not the mindlessly brainwashed sort. Thanks, anon.
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>>52086977
It's so accurate, her main method of conflict resolution was "I cast fist"

It worked for her character admittedly, but a character who's only different from a murderhobo in that she doesn't kill people isn't a super entertaining one to watch.
>>
>>52087034
>>52087011
Something tells me this personality worked a lot better when LoK was just going to be a movie. I kind want to watch LoK now just to see all the points where the writers got fucked by having to make a series out of what they thought was going to be much smaller.
>>
>>52086921
It's easier than you think.
If the cult leader is a lizard person thing, have him be the sole survivor of an attack on his village. Seeing his family brutally murdered before his eyes at a young age has fundamentally warped his ability to empathize with mammals. As long as you keep fighting it enforces his world view.

For the drow, i'd focus less on making him relatable, and try to make him memorable in another way. If he thrived in the harsh competition of drow society maybe he sees the party as a boon
Can't get better with out adversity
> I enjoyed you putting up a challenge. I'm going to release you in the hopes we do this again.
>Well, not all of you. I'm going to have to kill one of you. Can't have this go to easy on you.
>I'll give you five minutes to decide who's the weak link, and say your goodbyes.
>>
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>>52079491
>>
>>52087077
The cult leader is a Kobold, yes. And that sounds like it would work fucking PERFECTLY and I love you. Bonus points: Because they're regarded with disdain (if not the usual kill-on-sight in most D&D settings) by most of the rest of civilization, I could have the culprit of his clan's butchery be hailed as a hero in town. And then the players connect the dots. Hoohoohaha.


As for Drow: What if he was like, evil through and through as far as intent goes, and plenty competent once he takes action, but highly indecisive with a whole team of advisors to help him make choices?

>I mean, my first instinct is to let them go for the challenge of it. But that's not a very good idea, right? Perhaps I should kill them after all... maybe just one of them? Ohh, I don't know. What do you think, Vathiil?

You've inspired me more than you know, anon. Thanks for helping me out of this pit of creative despair.
>>
>The BBEG is genuinely a terrible person but has the reputation of a celeberity/hero so the players are hated publicly for opposing him
>>
>Straight-up evil overlords, like Sauron or Sarevok
>Hardened veteran mentor who's seen some shit
>Incorruptible, unironically heroic paladins
>Ridiculously competent servants
>Hilariously oppressed peasants
>>
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>>52080075
>ostentatiously rich for RP purposes
>no abuse of wealth to game the system

D'as my fetish.
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>>52087218
>Unironic heroics
I adore this. Especially in a grim setting

Also, invincible characters of tangential importance to the plot who return for the ending
>>
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>>52079724
Sad robots are my jam.
>>
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>The horrifying monster is actually quite kind and nice.
>>
>The one professional killer who never speaks because he's a genuine mute byt peoole think he's a badass or trying to be edgy
>The bait and switch of bosses, especially if the one you thought you were going to fight dies from the dramatic entrance of the real boss
>>
>>52086914
Only good for the porn.
>>
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>>52079724
>AI / robots that genuinely only want to help
>bonus points for selflessly sacrificing themselves for the good of others
>>
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>Willpower bending or outright breaking natural law
>>
>>52087379
I'm doing this in a game right now. Feels breddy gud.
>>
>Big dick warrior has a long monologue, about how he is the greatest at fighting. No one has ever bested him. Explaining how he killed a gazillion generals, warlords, blade master and more with nothing more than a strap of leather and some used coffee grounds.
>Gets slapped literally once.
>Start panicking/crying and flees.
>>
>>52087596
>androids who consistently put themselves in harm's way to protect the humans around them, simply because they unconditionally love their creators
>end up sacrificing themselves like its the most natural thing in the world, as long as it saves the people around them
>it's brought up that this is probably just programmed into them, but subtle quirks in their behaviour leading up to the point of their self-sacrifice all but imply that deeper cognition still existed
>>
>>52080023
Source? Everything I get is planetside related.
>>
>>52087846
Comic on deviantart.
http://endling.deviantart.com/art/VoI-Round-2-1-191652951
>>
>regular joe who steps up to protect those in need not because he has some formidable power against his opponent, but because nobody else will
>Double points: The Chosen One exists in the world
>Triple points: The regular joe is not the Chosen One, he's just trying to be a good guy

I have a thing for true heroism.

Also
>True love breaks the spell
>>
>>52086808
I dont think I actually get what you mean. Care to explain? That a writer can just say "this magic is super strong, and the precursors made it" as an excuse to have fireball v.15 in the story, or?
>>
>>52088028
Not him, but once you've established that the setting has precursors in it, you can justify pretty much any plot point by saying 'the precursors did it'

Which isn't to say that it has to be a bad cliche, just that it's often used to cover up a lack of imagination
>>
>>52088061
Ah yeah okay.
I desu just like it as an excuse to delve into fantastic places, where I dont have to think "why isnt every single city floating". Its just a good way to get all the high fantasy needs in a game.
>>
>>52088072
Nurries lad, I like it a well
>>
>>52088080
I dont even know what Nurries is. That numenera or whatever its called?
>>
>>52085373
I can sort of understand how the Joker wouldn't be one to buy into an oppressive regime, but the patriotism is completely out of character for him.
>>
>>52087989
>True love breaks the spell

This. Or true love does anything good. I love love.
>>
>>52088100
Nurries just means no worries
>>
>>52087989
>Quadruple points: His efforts are futile
>Qunituple points: Just once, true heroism really is rewarded
>>
>>52086794
All of Dragon Ball.
>>
>>52088123
>Quadruple points: His efforts are futile
Only if others are inspired to act through his sacrifice
>>
>>52087596
Gerty is reverse Hal and he's awesome for it
>>
>>52088145
To be honest i'm torn on this.

For me, the draw of the cliche is that it's someone powerless standing up for what they believe in even if it won't get them anything, and will probably lose them anything from social standing to their lives.

Having their actions inspire others to take up the cause (if they're still alive) seems like cheating. If they die in the effort, and then the torch gets carried, that's sextuple points.

But then again, having it be completely futile is a bit of a downer
>>
>>52088145
Alternatively:

>Rumours of the heroes spread, inspiring hope throughout the land
>A boy in a small village hears about the legendary adventurers from travelling bards and merchants, and is instantly obsessed, imagining himself to be a hero and getting into fights against village bullies to protect his weaker friends
>More often than not, he's beaten down, but always gets back up afterwards with a smile and asks if his friend is okay
>One day things change for the worse
>Whether it's bandits or monsters, they rip through the town, gathering the villagers together to sell as slaves
>Everyone is terrified, they know they stand no chance against these invaders
>One figure steps forward
>The boy walks up to the leader of the invaders, admonishing him for his evil and promising him that he will see justice
>The leader laughs in his face, as the boy takes out a wooden sword
>The boy attacks the leader, causing the other invaders to bellow and howl with laughter
>The leader beats and kicks the kid around, to the screams of the villagers
>Always the kid gets up, but he's getting more and more hurt
>Suddenly everything goes quiet as the child stands
>A hand comes down onto his shoulder
>He looks up at one of the adventurers, praising him lightly for keeping the monsters busy while they were on their way
>The boy smiles as the heroes confidently ready themselves for battle

Cliche'd? Yes. Over the top. Of course. But goddamn if it doesn't get my blood pumping every time I see it happen.
>>
>>52079252
what did eggman even do to deserve such scorn, I see his oddly gaunt face everywhere.
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>>52079378
imagine if they tried to apply that to other classes.
>The warrior that has no arms
>The Wizard with down's syndrome
>The tone deaf bard
You could probably make these work, but they'd need some effort.
>>
>>52088228
got any good examples gor this? I fucking love that.
>>
>>52088254
I feel like I've seen it as a minor episode of a big tv show, but for the life of me, I can't remember exactly what it was, sorry.

Sort-of similar is the Mumen Rider Sea King arc in One Punch Man, which is what I was mainly thinking of.
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>>52080377
I just built a golem for our halfling. Included a little stone seat in the back and everything. He hasn't been named yet but because my warlock built him and he's morbid he's got a giant chunky body and his face is marred by a huge grimace that got carved into him. I'm sure if the Golem had any personality he would hate my warlock but until then he's probably the most intimidating member of our party, offset a little by the cheery little bard that clambers off his perch whenever we meet someone.
>>
>>52080810
>Royal family believe that their hero is the inbred snot nosed brat that's next in line for the throne
>Actual hero is bastard child of the king hearted and noble current king, living in slums.
>>
Also

>Terrifyingly powerful character or individual
>Recognised as a walking god, for all the superhuman feats he's been seen performing
>Has been a defining factor in world politics since he first became widely known
>Has since vanished from the public eye, maybe even faked his death
>Lives or is attempting to live a humble life
>Has a family now, who in all likelihood have no idea who he is
>He genuinely doesn't care for the bigger picture any more, ignoring the politics that surround him so long as they don't affect his isolated home or community
>Might purposely feign clumsiness or forgetfulness to seem more mortal than he really is
>Is fully prepared to rear cattle and work the fields until his death
>Has the power to end the world if he wanted to
>Woe unto anyone who tries to take his family away from him
>>
>>52088320
>moment of rage or desparation completely reveals his latent power, giving people a very brief, terrifying look at his true capabilities before he collects himself, potentially with lasting repercussions and even casualties
>>
>>52088229
It's not necessarily scorn, he was pretty popular on r9k for being unashamed of his looks and literally autistic but still managing to be a functional human being. He even had a qt gf at one point and slow danced with one of r9k's more passable trannies.
>>
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>>52088247
>regular deaf bard
>>
>Ranger with a history leads his band of heroes through a city
>He recognises a woman walking up to him, is pleased to see her
>She smiles, then slaps him
>"That's for leaving without a word"

Or more seriously
>By chance or design, the adventurers are put into contact with someone
>This someone turns out to be a long ago fling of one of the heroes
>Their relationship spans from occasionally flirtatious to overly critical ("You never did have a way with words") to the possibility of a rekindling romance
>>
>>52088247
>Warrior with no arms
That woman from Legends of Korra
>Retarded Wizard
Any fantasy anime
>Tone deaf Bard
Beethoven was literally deaf

Give me a real challenge.
>>
>>52078572
>the whore with the golden heart

Who doesn't like freebies anyway?
>>
>>52082251
>Because fuck off, this is his city.
And there are laws.
>>
>>52088818
>woman from legends of korra
>a warrior
they're all sorcerers, all of them but the non benders.
>beethoven
that's why I said tone deaf, and not deaf deaf.
>>
>Badass hero has very iconic weapons or combat techniques
>eventually dies, and leaves his squire/child/apprentice to continue the legacy

>In the next iteration, said apprentice's combat style resembles the master's and uses the same type of equipment
>>
>>52088913
Yeah, but eyesight isn't a necessary component of being clairvoyant or a prophet, so none of the things you brought up are actually equivalent.
>>
>>52086979
Too badass to die. The fuck happened to him?
>>
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>>52086825
what ye sayin' bigjob?
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>>52088933
and arms aren't a component of kicking ass. and intelligence isn't a necessity if you're a sorcerer. and ears aren't necessary if you play music in your own mind.
>>
>>52087218
Love this shit
>>
>>52087218
>Ridiculously competent servants
Fuck, I love this one. It always seems to be accompanied by this great level of trust from the employer ("I've got my best man on it, it will be done") and devotion from the servant for whatever reason.
>>
>>52079172
>the jaded antipaladin who hates people, but keeps saving them by accident and keeps trying to be edgy while failing spectacularly
>>
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>evil archwizard or ancient overlord
>his control extends across the land, everyone from peasants to kings fear him and his power
>turns out he's a complete charlatan, just some regular guy with some smoke and mirror tricks and he's conned the entire realm into being terrified of him, so they send him food and he doesn't answer to anyone

I had a game planned like this once, but I don't know how it really would have gone

>The PCs are all goblins or lesser minions of this overlord
>All live and serve inside this impossibly cliched and evil Baradur-tower dungeon
>Carry out his tedious chores - sweep the floors of the ballrooms, polish the fine china, arrange the fake cobwebs over the dungeon bars, reset traps which snare and dispatch intruding heroes
>One day one of them heads to the upper tower to deliver the manifest of an offering from a nearby kingdom
>The overlord is dead, fell down the stairs and hit his neck wrong on the last step
>The PCs explore the study he left open at the top
>Numerous diaries explaining how this all started as a con to evade tax but quickly got out of hand
>As the stakes raised and his notoriety skyrocketed, he had to call upon the limited apprentice magic he had and the training from a failed drama class
>Eventually becomes a full-blown Sauron overlord
>Now the PCs are stuck with a dead 'overlord' and his various businesses all over the world
>If anyone finds out that there are only a bunch of ragtag goblins in the tower, they're all finished
>There's a dark elf queen due to have dinner with the overlord tomorrow night as a celebration of their ten-year alliance

I love goblins, and I love henchmen characters. I thought it'd be funny if the players have to rely on their smarts and skills to keep on tricking the world that they're the most powerful man in existence
>>
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>>52089098
For the longest time I've wanted some sort of iron grip my way or fucking die kind of leader, but any time anyone steps up to save the people from him they reject it because shit has never been better. Because as harsh and unyielding as their liege may be, he still loves the country and its people and his strict regime keeps things running smoother than they ever have before.
>>
>>52089153
>>
>>52082207
>he wanted to conquer the world so he can rule it, and might as well be "evil" from the heroes' point of view
>now he just wants to destroy everything and kill everyone in the most brutal and agonizing way
>and he's getting good at it
>>
>>52080573
Oh boy, that's my jam. I almost exclusively make secret combat monsters that are nearly useless in everything, only to RIP AND TEAR the ever loving shit out of bad guys when there's no other way.
>>
>heroes in danger
>mysterious figures they never quite see help them take out bad guys
>several sessions later...
>time-travel quest
>end up travelling back to this point
>they now need to help their past selves out

I would love to play with time travel and loops and shit, but try to stop PCs from just killing themselves in the past just for the lols
>>
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>>52089171
Hmm. Ya got me.
>>
>the team is composed of a volatile asshole who will destroy you in the most painful way possible if you piss him off and will have no qualms about it
>and a calm and thoughtful guy that is the only person that can deal with the first one and keep him in line
>the second one flips his shit when the chips are down and brutalizes everything in his way with extreme prejudice, while the first one keeps his calm and fixes the situation in an effective and efficient way
>>
>>52086794
The Flashs' rogues do this. They even sent flowers to a low key hero whose wife was murdered to get at him.
>>
>>52088964
>arms aren't a component of kicking ass
They are, though.

>intelligence isn't a necessity if you're a sorcerer
True, but you said a wizard. Unless you're someone else, misrepresenting the original guy's point and completely wasting my time with your stupidity.

>ears aren't necessary if you play music in your own mind
Ears aren't, but being tone deaf will make you unable to play music - that's kind of what tone deaf means.
>>
>In a world of superheroes and supervillains, the most dangerous enemy the heroes ever face is a cunning, conniving human being
>>
>>52088939
he's out there and he comes when he's needed not called.
>>
>>52078572
>old guy comes out of retirement because he's disposable and best qualified for the job
>dying guy has last thing to do and has to fight his illness to get it done
>people so well meaning that animals refuse to be aggressive towards them
>>
>>52089449
I love this. Ran a campaign once in which the players made a pact with an evil god to receive great powers, and ended up having the whole supernatural world out for their skins. They managed to fend off every last one of them, until a perfectly normal human being realized the danger they represented, and pulled out every trick, weapon and scheme at his disposal in order to beat them.

Ended up taking down two of them with various means before they managed to find him and kill him. Only to dicover he arranged beforehand to have a tactical nuke dropped on them the second he died. They survived the explosion, but only barely.
>>
>>52085801
Any fight that ends with both characters giving up on using their powers due to exhaustion/pride/honour etc. and just settling things with a straight-up fistfight will always be the best.
>>
>>52089449
I'm imagining this place where it's an entire city of superheroes and supervillians, and in the midst of it all is basically an Aiden Pearce ripoff. He's angry because a hero couldn't save his loved one from a villain, and now he's decided he's had enough of capeshit and is actively hunting them, blowing up the streets and the supers, to satisfy his desire for revenge
>>
>>52082797
He fakes being stupid because he understands stereotypes and manipulates them. There's a low level mob enforcer in The Drawing of the Three that did this; Eddie realises it a bit late.
>>
>>52078572
>The frail kid/massive protector duo
Apparently I like this trope so much that I accidentally included it in something I'm writing.

It wasn't even in the plan, the plot just worked out that way and now I'm not sure what to do.
>>
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>>52087989
Similar to this, any time an average guy stands up to a villain that'll kill him without looking not because he's a hero, but because it's the right thing to do. Bonus points if it inspires more people to stand up.
>>
>One on one duel between two opponents that respect each other
>Two badasses hate each other at first but then get to grudgingly respect one another/fall in love
>Party ends up in a bind, get last-second aid from an old ally/rival who they helped in the past
>Dude knows he's going to die for reasons outside of his control but goes down fighting
>Enemy who respects the party but on principle can't let them past without a fight
>The tavern/inn/hub everyone knows everyone at, the food sucks but the company is worth it
>Exchange of stories or ambitions around a campfire
>>
>>52088104
this,
>>
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>>52078572
> Villain respects his men even when they fail.

> Any sort of Last Stand, whether to protect others or jam a thumb in the eye of those trying to kill you.

> I can't save them? Fuck you I can't.
>>
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>>52078572
>In their darkest hour, a character's faith in their god is rewarded

I feel like it's gotten really common for the church to be the "secret" bad guys. I just want a story where the church isn't actually just a gestapo with a pulpit.
>>
>>52090147
This, plus
>No, really, the sun god actually is the genuinely nice person he's presented to be.
>>
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>>52078572
>when people choose to save their loved ones at the expense of the lives of others
>>
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>>52079455
God damnit, /tg/.
>>
>The Ozymandias gambit
"I did it thirty-five minutes ago."

>The "your moral anchor's inflexible worldview begins to clash with the reality of your situation"
AKA the Godwyn Fischig
>>
>>52088176

A great character. Also note when he uses the "Sad" face; it's not when Sam is looking at him, and it's actually when Sam leaves the room, and Gerty turns away from him. Gerty's using the Sad face for no one else but himself, demonstrating to us in a subtle way that what he's displaying is genuine, rather than some kind of act.
>>
>the antagonist isn't really villainous, just misunderstood/acting out of fear rather than staying calm/out to avenge a wrong done to him first

>the knight/soldier/etc is secretly a girl in disguise

>the enemy becomes a friend
>>
>>52088104
>patriotism is completely out of character for him
No it isn't. Its funny and that's all that matters to Joker.
>>
>World is in a time loop/series of cycles
>MC is the one that breaks the cycle/escapes the loop
>bonus points if the MC of the previous iteration of the cycle knows that they can't succeed, so they set up events so that the next cycle will

Any sort of cycle or loop gets me rock hard every time.
>>
Fucked up fairytale fey and the Wild Hunt. I can never get enough fairies.
>>
>in ancient times the sages sealed away the evil and the magic used to create it so it doesn't happen again
>now the seal is fading and magic is leaking out
>have to prepare for the evil to break free but you don't know when it will happen
>>
>the useless moron/coward/general dead weight grows a pair, gets himself together, or otherwise "gets serious"
>in that moment, they become baddest ass for miles around and do something that would normally be very out of character for them
>bonus points if it's triggered by something mushy like a close friend being in trouble
>>
>>52090312
>the enemy was only fighting a greater enemy and then becomes your ally
hnnnnnnnnnnnng
>>
>>52090518
>The villain was only pretending to be retarded so that he could weed out traitorous assholes quickly
>Turns out he's the most terrifying motherfucker in the setting when he stops fucking around
>>
>>52090092
> Villain respects his men even when they fail.
Even better
>Villain can't attend the heroes beating down his lieutenants, but has provided a rearguard for them to retreat to safety

or

>villain can't be there in person but is a literal giant and is firing tree trunks from atop the mountain at the heroes while his men get away
>>
>>52090729
>Villain respects his men even when they fail.
I wish this would happen more often.
It gives the bad guy more dimension and doesn't make him look like an utter retard who wastes his men.
>>
>>52078572
>the BBEG is actually a good guy and the players are under the assumption he is evil.
>the vehicle the group uses develops its own personality over time from all the repairs its gone through.
>the guy with common sense that is able to abuse it
>>
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>>52090729
>Villain respects his men even when they fail.

The absolute best.
>>
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>>52078572
>The character is an old, battle-weary admiral who is witnessing the gradual but inevitable decay of the state he spent his entire life fighting for. He is not brilliant, but is extremely competent due to experience. He acts as a father to the men under his command and as an example of the ideas he is fighting for. No matter how disappointed he has become with the state he's fighting for, no matter how tired of the war he has become or how many young men he was forced to outlive, he will keep on doing his duty because he cares for his compatriots and the ideals his state stands for. His side is inevitably losing the war and his heroism won't change a thing, but he will carry on, hopefully being granted the small mercy of dying in combat, rather than being forced to witness the final dissolution of everything he fought for.
>"It's been a long road, sir. Long and hard and discouraging. For all of us, but mostly for you."
(a young Imperial officer talking to Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, the head of state and head of navy of the Imperial Remnant)

Also, Admiral Bucock (LoGH spoilers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX12NVUhceI

>>52087989
This, too.

I just like tragic characters. But actually tragic, rather than edgy. Good people doing what they can, and not quitting despite being unable to change anything.
>>
>>52089098
Sounds like a job for MAID
>>
>character wins thanks to the power of hate

Sometimes spite is the best motivation.
>>
>>52091112
>rage/murderous intent keeps person alive through otherwise lethal amount of injury
>tough guys using small caliber handguns
>>
>>52090147
I like this too, and I'm not even religious.
>>
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>>52091112
>>52091143
The edgiest shit and I love it.
>>
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>>52091112
>>
>>52086914
2, 3 and 4 are all very bad
>>
>>52091191
I was thinking more like
>shot in the face
than edge lord
>>
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>>52089332
>>
>>52089255

>but try to stop PCs from just killing themselves in the past just to escape this temporal hell

ftfy, I've been stuck in a 4d hypercube dungeon before and it sucked
>>
>>52079205
Akko?
>>
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>>52091191
>>52091211

>Honour won't fill your belly but spite can keep you warm at night"
>>
>>52091225
Shot, cut, dismembered, whatever gets it going.
>>
>>52088657


"I can't say I didn't deserve that"
>>
>>52090804

source?
>>
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>Bard is a communist revolutionary that constantly tries to ferment class struggle between the peasants and the nobles of every new area they enter
>>
>>52091263
Akko fucks everything up through sheer luck and misunderstanding.

Someone else always has to solve the problems that she makes.
>>
>>52079205
Ainz is hardly incompetent, he just isn't "10000 years plan" competent like his underlings percieve him to be.
>>
>>52091499
The only thing he's competent in is bullshitting people who don't know any better.
>>
>"Player character X, we have a problem that we need to solve!"
>X: "Well, I've got a relative/friend/ex-girlfriend/teacher that can help us..."
>>
>>52088320
>>52088358
holy fuck i didn't know i liked this so much before reading what you wrote
>>
>>52091499
>>52091523
I only saw the anime, isn't he the most powerful dude in the setting?
>>
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>Character has no motivation for fighting besides enjoying it
>>
>>52091645
Yeah but he's scared shitless that he isn't so he's playing things super cautiously.
>>
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>>52091645
Yup, and all his servants think he's a god with plans within plans within plans that even Nazaricks most intellectual beings can't forsee, while in reality he's a salaryman that has no idea what the fuck he's doing. Due to his lack of expression and emotion (skeleton powers) he manages to get by looking badass while screaming on the inside.
>>
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>>52086538
pic related
>>
>>52087087
favourite human character in the cast by far
>>
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>>52086599
>20 minutes
>>
>>52091645
Yeah. One of his throw away summons that he uses for menial labor (as well as combat) is considered an unstoppable monster capable of destroying an empire. Literally, a whole empire could not kill it and the best they could do was seal it away far underneath the palace or some other important place.

Iirc it was just level 35. Ainz is level 100.

I'm talking about the Death Knight.
>>
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>>52091952
>>
>>52091645
You know that angel summon he black holed? That really is the most powerful summon anyone is capable of and is one of the most powerful being in that world. He no sold it.

His knight persona is capable of going toe to toe with the strongest adventurers in the setting and that's him using nothing but baseline caster class physical stats. If you played WoW that'd be like going around ith your mage and soloing everyone just by hitting them with your staff.
>>
>>52091952
Right into feels
>>
>>52081113
Breath of the Wild.
>OK, he's back, this is fin-OH GOD WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GUARDIANS?!
>>
>>52080023
>>extra bonus points if the party kills the family and the BBEG only finds out later when he stands in the ruins of his old home, over the charred bodies of his daughter and wife.
At that point the party and BBEG switch roles. The party is now evil and the widower to a murdered wife and father to murdered children becomes the one on a righteous crusade to serve justice.
>>
>>52086599
>Do you know what your sin is doctor?
>>
>>52079948
CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow
>>
>>52081970
I prefer a bad guy who's actions are justified. Who doesn't do things that are so unreasonable that a justification must be cursorily manufactured for them to be believable characters.
>>
>the good fight requires to be absolutely discreet, thorough and ruthless, commit great personal sacrifices and horrible acts to prevent even more horrible things
>evil seems as an easy way to power, but in reality is a slippery slope with permanent repercussions, insanity and certain death
>>
>>52078572
The captain/sergeant passed over for promotion is the last line of defence and is competent as fuck.


The hero just wants to go home already but his men need him
>>
>Necessary Evil Good Guys
Heroes that fight for a world that they would not be welcome in after the fact.
>>
>>52086374
>"Give me a few seconds to aim"
>Stops looking down sights
>Holsters weapon
>"Alright, now your fucked!"
>>
>>52088320

You talkin bout Old Man Logan?
Or Kent in Kingdom Come I guess.
>>
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>>52091952
>>52091965
>>52092082

What was it that made everyone fall in love with Nox?

The charisma?
The tragic past?
The noble goal?
His ruthless tenacity?
The fact the he was really just fucking insane?

Or was it that he wasn't so far gone that he couldn't see the writing on the wall?
>>
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>>52092626

>He's ominous as fuck.

>He never actually loses a single battle in the whole show, the closets someone gets to "beating" him was to commit suicide rather than submit to him.

>He's entirely justified in his actions from his point of view.

>His past is tragic as fuck.

>He is generally a nice guy but it's been lost to time. His interaction with Yugo's dad being the stand out example.

>He is complex, people will argue for fucking ever about his motivations, his sanity or his true character etc.

>Looks cool.

>Sounds cool.
>>
>>52081608
>The fact that Sparow was hunted by jones for souls was apparently because his act of "Piracy" was to steal and hijak a slave ship, freeing the cargo.
I don't dispute this because the cause is just, but I don't remember that being mentioned in any of the movies.
>>
>>52091654
Mugen from Samurai Champloo.
>>
>>52093006
its a deleted scene
>>
>>52092228
That beautiful moment when the main characters realize they're only opposing the antagonist because of their unexamined reactionary tendencies and a knee-jerk violent response to any threat to the status quo in spite of the status quo being thoroughly corrupt. Fight on, villain! Fight for a better world!
>>
>>52086886
I didn't like Avatar all that much, but I'd go and watch it all just to see the the father/son dynamic between Zuko and Iroh, they were easily the best part of that show for me. I think I just realized that good character development is what I value most in stories.

>>52093344
You won't believe how I want to see something like this in Star Wars. The closest thing I can think of is a short story with Boba Fett, where he explains that he sides with the Empire because he values their order over the perceived chaos of the Alliance.
>>
>>52092626
He is doing it out of love and he believes that if he succeeds, all will be fine because time will turn back.
>>
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I like threads like this because it reminds me that /tg/ is not all contrarian assholes that hate everything that's ever been done.
>>
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>>52090370
You should play Dragon's Dogma
>>
>>52093621
That game was so based. It was a little Mary Sue for my taste, but the gameplay was rock solid. Plus you could dress up qts in wizard outfits with giant hats and blast people apart with massive spells.
>>
>>52093621
I do. That's why I posted it.

It's amazing that it basically has a built in make-your-own-waifu mechanic, where you can also rent and rate other people's waifus.
>>
>>52093387
Should we continue in a new thread?
>>
>>52090147
I'm not even religious and this is one of my favourites.
>>
>>52090518
>Ah, that's where I must rebuke you sir, for where you see one man, I c4!
>When you get to hell, tell them Penwood sent you.
>And then apologise on my behalf for the inconvenience
>>
>>52093976
littlekuriboh did a great job with that character
>>
>>52086565
>>>/tumblr/
>>
>>52094026
>implying I am a leftist
>>
>>52093282
>deleted scene
>canon
I'm just joshin' you, that's good enough for me.
I wonder why they didn't put it in. Shows a bit more of the good side of the scoundrel and gives precedent for why the British/East India Trading company know of him but think he's a terrible pirate.
Now that I think about it, it might be a bit of a weird scene to leave in since there's the bit in At World's End where Sparrow is A-ok with damming free souls to a lifetime of enslavement to Davy Jones.
>>
>>52090232
>"I did it thirty-five minutes ago."
This, this, this. Expecially like, in the original thing, there's this perfect balance of noble "it's for the greater good" and smug "and there's nothing you can do to stop it".

>>52089255
>>52091246
>>52090370
>needing to keep closed time loops
>alternatively, no matter what they do the PCs actions eventually keep the time loop closed
>confusing temporal shit in general
>>
>>52094290
because its "too dark" or some shit
>>
>quirky villain or quirky villain squad, not quite the big bad but much more reocurring
>recurring quirky villain whose schemes always do nothing at all, backfire on him, or end up aiding the party
>recurring quirky villain who usually tries to defeat the party through aforementioned poorly-made schemes and traps but is actually a tought fight once it comes to blows
>recurring quirky villain secretly has a tragic backstory or might just be lonely
>>
>>52093387
>>52093924

NEW THREAD
>>52094476
>>
>>52094422
which villain is this refering to?
>>
>>52092624
Both could generally apply.

Hell, Magneto in X-Men Apocalypse counts.




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