Badass

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quoteright:310:[[[[Nick Fury NickFuryBadass_1905.jpg]]]

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"''"Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that"

under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world. ...Hiro used to feel this way, too, but then he ran into Raven. In a way, this was liberating. He no longer has to worry about being the baddest motherfucker in the world. The position is taken."'' "--Snow Crash"

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Rule of Cool personified.

Badass is an adjective used to describe a character who gets away with outright insane stunts (defusing a bomb with their teeth, conning a mob boss, [[One Man Army getting into a firefight with the entire army]], etc.) that would be very hard to pull off in Real Life, or would get the person trying it killed several times over. A badass is a fantasy figure whom the audience roots for precisely because of how prone they are to [[Moment of Awesome awesome moments]], to the point where they stretch or break the Willing Suspension of Disbelief. Of course, Willing Suspension of Disbelief may still be maintained depending on the mechanics of the universe.

It's notable that fans are more likely to tolerate a violent monster of a "hero" than a befuddled, cowardly Classical Antihero.

Most attempts to parody or deconstruct the badass have turned into Misaimed Fandom -- no matter how nutty the character gets (like Rorschach from Watchmen), the fans just cheer on how badass the character is. This has led to a new Trope: the Sociopathic Hero. Writers beware: Take it too far and either God Mode Sue or Jerk Sue will stride Out of the Inferno of your work.

For a child-friendly version of the badass whose badassery is somewhat diminished by the limitations of the work, see Badbutt.

For a not so complete list of badasses, see Badass of the Week.

This Trope is not what you say to a Stubborn Mule. Characters that are Badass are often said to have Brass Balls.

'''Below are the tropes that are definite signs of a true badass. For Sub Tropes when the character who you do not expect to be like this becomes a badass anyway, see this index.'''

they're kicking ass. pal. terminate your ability to create them. actually forced to be a badass. TV show, but they really started cracking skulls in the anime and movies. they plan to export a beating to those who mess with them. kicks butt. than his superiors. into a pool of your blood. and take care of an infant at the same time. betide anyone who tries to target that kid. Doesn't mean that it can't beat the shit out of you. turning around. their tools of the trade handy. line about how dead you're gonna be after they're done. themselves before they kick your ass? of using it to beat your face in. Capable of screwing with your life in many ways. turned their world upside down. Now they're gonna make you regret that mistake. certain breeds of badasses. your rank and/or number of victories respectively, especially against Worthy Opponents, the more badass you are. with it. bonafide badass. bear, but don't think he won't make you fear him if you cross him. that does not diminish their badass rating. coat off. but who kicks just as much ass. superpowers. with out being badass. comes to shove, they will kick your ass. with his shepherd's crook if you think about hurting them. kidnappers in half. them on. some kind. badass in question. move. you piss them off, they won't hesitate to make you regret it. ass if you take that as a sign of weakness. wrong button and they will destroy you, no questions asked. when they're large enough to flay your face off. in kicking ass. everybody]], including the Badass. they can still kick ass. The Squad)? This guy, of course. they'll kick your ass. out of foes with their fancy cane. on purpose or not, but it's just to hide how capable they are at wreaking their opponents. badass instead. they're beating you while doing so. so far above your level, you're either lucky or badass. I'm still gonna kick your ass." really is. to their name. Bad Future, that character's a hardcore badass. you with what limbs they still have. can't kick your ass. will do the same to you. but funny (at least to the audience). fiction. their skills before combat. they go straight to the second part. cutting you to pieces. who will make you understand the meaning of the words "You will pay for your sins." alternative and leaves with a lot of kicked asses in their wake. die horribly for underestimating her. who doesn't actively practice their badass status, but can be if need be. Four Star Badass. Do not mistake their relative lack of rank for a lack of asskicking. even flinch. the least of your problems. justified, their reputation as a badass is considered Off the Scale. and he's badass, he sleeps all night and chops trees/kicks asses all day!]] by being more ruthless than you and her boyfriend combined. wussies. always one person who just isn't intimidated. your ass kicked. strange implements. reinforcements. one man, they send in one man. This man. nothing against them. after having seen their favorite sitcom. they forgot how. her gender is revealed. some sort of stasis so they can later be unleashed. good themselves. be badass to do that. make the mistake that they can't break your face as a result. business. should know better than to. wrecked you. for the setting in question.
 * Action Fashionista: When they're not searching for the latest trends,
 * Action Girl: She kicks ass.
 * Action Girlfriend: When she's your girlfriend
 * Violently Protective Girlfriend: You hurt her lover. Nice knowing you,
 * Amazon Chaser: Someone sees a girl kick ass and thinks "that's hot."
 * Pregnant Badass: She's carrying a child. Don't think she can't
 * Action Mom: Mom kicks ass.
 * Action Hero: He kicks ass.
 * Action Pet: Your pet kicks ass.
 * Action Survivor: An everyday guy with no Action Hero qualities who is
 * Adaptational Badass: Maybe they weren't so badass in the manga or the
 * Ambadassador: They represent their hometown or home country and
 * Agent Peacock: Rule of Glamorous meets Rule of Cool in a effeminate guy who
 * Almighty Janitor: He may have the lowest rank but can kick more ass
 * Asskicking Pose: Exactly What It Says On the Tin.
 * Badass Arm Fold: A particularly badass pose.
 * Awesome Aussie: The coolest thing to come from down under.
 * Badass Adorable: Okay, they're cute. Don't think they can't turn you
 * Cute Bruiser: Little kids with big strength.
 * Killer Rabbit: Small, cute, dangerous as all hell.
 * Badass and Baby: They kick ass. Doesn't mean they can't go into battle
 * Badass and Child Duo: Badass has a child following him around. And woe
 * Badass Automaton: It clanks, it grinds, or it whirs when it moves.
 * Badass Back: When someone is so badass, they drop a foe without even
 * Offhand Backhand: Bonus points if they didn't even notice you were there.
 * Badass Bandolier: A utilitarian accessory worn so a badass can keep
 * Badass Baritone: Nothing says intimidating like a deep voice.
 * Badass Beard: Their facial hair is shorthand for "Don't mess with me."
 * Badass Biker: Nothing says badass better than a Cool Bike.
 * Biker Babe: Distaff Counterpart
 * Badass Boast/Pre Ass Kicking One Liner: Every good badass needs a cool
 * My Name Is Inigo Montoya: Isn't it nice for a badass to introduce
 * Pre Mortem One Liner: A badass quip made to the foe you just killed.
 * Badass Bookworm: Reads the encyclopedia for fun. Is also quite capable
 * Genius Bruiser: Kicks ass, but is also intelligent.
 * Badass Bureaucrat: Master of paper shuffling and the dreaded red tape.
 * Badass Bystander: They were minding their own business until your
 * Badass Cape: Long flowing capes are the traditional accessory of
 * Badass in Charge: Pretty much speaks for itself.
 * Authority Equals Asskicking/Asskicking Equals Authority: The higher
 * Badass Creed: A philosophy that espouses badass as a central tenet.
 * Badass Damsel: She's not as helpless as she looks.
 * Badass Driver: Give them a vehicle and they'll do some hardcore stuff
 * Car Fu
 * Badass Finger Snap: A badass snaps his fingers and something cool happens.
 * Badass Gay: Just because they're gay doesn't mean that they're not a
 * Badass Grandpa: He might have grandchildren who see him as a teddy
 * Never Mess With Granny: Genderflipped Badass Grandpa.
 * Badass in A Nice Suit: A badass needs nice clothes, don't you think?
 * Hot Chick in A Badass Suit: When women wear badass apparel.
 * Badass in Distress: When a badass is temporarily out of action in a way
 * Badass Israeli: An Israeli who's a badass.
 * Badass Longcoat: A great way to look is to wear an imposing overcoat.
 * Badass Long Robe: The wizard version of the Badass Longcoat.
 * Coat Cape: If you don't have a Badass Cape, try the next best thing.
 * The Coats Are Off: Sometimes you get even more badass when you take the
 * Trench Coat Warfare: A very specific type of Badass Longcoat.
 * Badass Long Hair: A badass who has long hair.
 * Badass Mustache: Like Badass Beard, but above the lip.
 * Badass Native: When the natives are restless and scrotum crushingly badass.
 * Badass Normal: The non-powered character in a group with superpowers,
 * Badass Abnormal: When said ordinary, already badass person gains
 * Badass On Paper: A rare breed where the character can do badass things
 * Badass Pacifist: Will try to find a peaceful way out, but when push
 * Badass Preacher: He will minister to his flock and break you in half
 * Badass Princess: She is not one to get kidnapped. Instead, she breaks
 * Badass Santa: Santa kicks ass.
 * Badass Teacher: Teaches kids and brutally schools the fools who take
 * Badass Transplant: When someone becomes a badass via a prosthetic of
 * Badass Unintentional: Didn't plan to be a badass.
 * Badbutt: As badass as a kid-friendly show will allow.
 * Bald of Awesome: A lack of hair does not diminish the badassery at all.
 * Battle Strip: When clothing is removed for the convenience of the
 * Beat Them At Their Own Game: When a badass beats you with your own special
 * Beware the Nice Ones: They're the nicest people you'll ever meet. But if
 * Beware the Quiet Ones: They don't talk much. However, they will kick your
 * Beware the Silly Ones: They're always goofing off. However, push the
 * Big Badass Bird of Prey: Birds of prey can be scary as hell, especially
 * Big Badass Wolf: Wolves are known for being badass. Big ones even more so.
 * Boisterous Bruiser: He's loud, but you should never question his skill
 * Born Winner: That automatically makes you a loser.
 * Brave Scot: Heroic Scottish Badass.
 * Break the Badass: This person [[Hero Killer scares the crap out of
 * Brought Down to Badass: Had superpowers, lost them, but even afterwards,
 * The Captain: Who has the balls to run the coolest Cool Ship? (or
 * Colonel Badass: Leads their troops in being badass by being one as well.
 * Commanding Coolness: Same badassery with a naval twist.
 * Cool Shades: A traditional visual accessory of a badass.
 * Cowardly Lion: They may be cowardly, but when the going gets tough,
 * The So Called Coward: They're faking.
 * Cultured Badass: Enjoys the finer things in life... and beating the tar
 * Crouching Moron Hidden Badass: Acts like an idiot or non badass, either
 * Dare to Be Badass: When someone decides to quit being normal and be a
 * Dark Action Girl: She's evil and she kicks ass.
 * Deadly Doctor: Can cause the same hideous agony they usually cure.
 * Diagnosis From Dr. Badass: Will tell you in deep detail just how badly
 * Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu: If you actually manage to defeat something
 * Determinator: He doesn't give up. Ever.
 * Plucky Girl: Neither does she.
 * Dying Moment of Awesome: How a badass dies.
 * Died Standing Up: An alternative to the above.
 * Dynamic Entry: How a badass says hello.
 * Eyepatch of Power: A great way for a badass to say "even with one eye,
 * Fedora of Asskicking: A great hat to wear when kicking ass.
 * Fighting Irish: When the resident Badass happens to be Irish.
 * The Fighting Narcissist: A badass who knows just how good looking he
 * Fights Like a Normal: Has superpowers, but fights like a Badass Normal.
 * Four Star Badass: Has a general's rank and a long list of wrecked faces
 * Future Badass: That goofy, gawky character from the present day? In the
 * Glowing Eyes of Doom: 'Nuff said/
 * Handicapped Badass: Don't mistake them for a cripple or they will crush
 * Blind Weaponmaster: Just because they're blind doesn't mean that they
 * Harbinger of Asskicking: The sign of Badassery is upon us.
 * Heartbroken Badass: You murdered their lover or family. They can and
 * Heroic Comedic Sociopath: Crazy as hell and jerkish to boot,
 * Hero Killer: When this guy gets involved, you might wanna run.
 * Hidden Badass: They're badass, you just don't notice it at first glance.
 * Historical Badass Upgrade: A historical figure becomes more badass in
 * I Just Want to Be Badass: When a non-badass aspires to be one.
 * Intimidation Demonstration: For when the badass decides to show off
 * Iron Woobie: Their life sucks, but instead of angsting and kicking ass,
 * Kicking Ass and Taking Names: Mowing down waves of bad guys.
 * Kicking Ass in All Her Finery: A lady being badass in the most elegant clothes.
 * Kung Fu Jesus: When a Messianic Archetype decides to be badass.
 * Lady of War: She is known for her grace and poise even while she's
 * Officer and A Gentleman: Spear Counterpart.
 * Lantern Jaw of Justice: That square jaw is the calling card of the one
 * Large and In Charge: Size does matter.
 * Lamarck Was Right: When badass is genetic.
 * Let's Get Dangerous: 'Nuff said.
 * Lightning Bruiser: Quick, strong and badass.
 * Like a Badass Out of Hell: When a badass walks into Hell or a reasonable
 * Little Miss Badass: Short of stature, but not of the ability to make you
 * Minored in Asskicking: A much more subdued version of the Badass Bookworm
 * Majorly Awesome: Okay, so they're not a Colonel Badass or a
 * Major Injury Underreaction: You ripped off their arm, but they didn't
 * Mama Bear: Mess with her kids and die. Your choice.
 * Papa Wolf: Mess with his kids and Mama Bear is
 * Memetic Badass: While their actual badass credentials may or may not be
 * Mighty Lumberjack: Monty Python's Flying Circus He's a lumberjack
 * More Deadly Than the Male: She makes up for her lack of (obvious) strength
 * Mother Russia Makes You Strong: and it isn't a healthy environment for
 * No Badass to His Valet: No matter how badass the character is, there is
 * Oh Crap: The classic reaction when you realized you're about to get
 * Once Killed a Man With A Noodle Implement: Badass enough to kill someone with
 * One Man Army: They don't need reinforcements. They are the
 * Person of Mass Destruction: They are the nuclear bomb.
 * One Riot One Ranger: When the choice is to send in the army or send in
 * Conservation of Ninjutsu: You will realize that your numbers mean
 * Mass Oh Crap The general reaction when it happens.
 * Panthera Awesome: Cats are awesome, especially big ones.
 * Pint Sized Powerhouse: They may be small, but they pack quite a punch.
 * Pop Cultured Badass: They kick ass while listening to some rock music
 * Ragin Cajun: What Cajuns become when your face needs wrecking.
 * Rated M for Manly: Badass taken Up to Eleven.
 * Red Baron: Because every badass needs a nickname to go with the reputation.
 * Retired Badass: They hung up their asskicking credentials. Doesn't mean
 * Samus Is a Girl: When an Action Girl's badass status is established before
 * Scarf of Asskicking: A badass scarf.
 * Sealed Badass in A Can: When a badass of some type is temporarily put in
 * Shut UP Hannibal: How a badass lets you know that you talk too much.
 * Talk to The Fist: With his fist.
 * Killed Mid Sentence: Self-explanatory.
 * Sociopathic Hero: They fight for good, but that doesn't mean they're
 * Specs of Awesome: A badass pair of glasses.
 * Staring Down Cthulhu: What it says -- and you can bet a character has to
 * Submissive Badass: When a badass is a follower, not a leader, but don't
 * Testosterone Poisoning: A parody of Rated M for Manly.
 * Took a Level In Badass: When a non badass or a minor badass gets better at it.
 * Trampled Underfoot: What very large badasses do to show that they mean
 * Tranquil Fury: Being badass while being angry in a calm, ice-cold way.
 * Underestimating Badassery: When a badass is underestimated by those who
 * Unflinching Walk: They won't even stop to look at how much they just
 * Out of the Inferno: Did they just walk through fire? Well, you're screwed.
 * Waif Fu: Petite, yes, but that doesn't stop her from kicking your ass.
 * Warrior Prince: He will lead his people to victory on the front lines.
 * What Measure Is a Non Badass: When a badass isn't considered badass enough
 * Worthy Opponent: They may be an enemy, but they are still a badass.

Plural forms:

badasses are better than one. any plans at all. They somehow survive. badass is hereditary.]] up and kick ass. again for One Last Job/to come out of retirement.
 * Action Duo: An Action Hero and an Action Survivor team up and kick ass.
 * Amazon Brigade: A Badass Crew of Action Girls.
 * Back to Back Badasses: When two badass characters back each other up. Two
 * Badass Army: An entire army of badass.
 * Badass Crew: An entire team of badass.
 * Badass Minds Think Alike: Two badasses go into battle together without
 * Badass Family: An entire family of badasses. [[Lamarck Was Right Because
 * Bash Brothers: A pair of action heroes team up and kick ass.
 * Lovely Angels: A pair of Action Girls team
 * Battle Couple: Badass Lovers.
 * Retired Badass Roundup: For when the Retired Badasses all team up
 * World of Action Girls: Every girl is badass here.
 * World of Badass: An entire world of badassery.

If an example can be placed in these previous tropes, please put them there.

For many outstanding examples of badassness, see Moment of Awesome.

Considering almost every hero of ancient myth was Badass Incarnate?, this trope is Older Than Dirt.

=== Now divided into Badass sub-pages: ===


 * Anime
 * Comic Books
 * Fanfic
 * Film
 * Literature
 * Live Action TV
 * Mythology
 * Tabletop Games
 * Video Games
 * Web Comics
 * Web Original
 * Western Animation
 * Other
 * Real Life