Big Dumb Body



A Big Dumb Body is a type of controlled Host that is chosen for physical prowess and ability rather than anything else (usually also being simple minded enough that possession works without a hitch, although you don't need to be smart to have a strong will...)

Regarding possessors, a Symbiote is an example where the host is usually the bigger and more physical of the two (or more) involved, as opposed to the parasite. While a Demonic Possession usually has the opposite, where the demon is the source of the host's strength and power, however, a Big Dumb Body possessed by such an entity becomes a Living Bodysuit.

Most Big Dumb Bodies are Giant Mooks or even bodyguards who are forced to take the blame for killing their charge after the possessor has relieved control (though this can end with the Big Dumb Body also being discretely killed off to further suspicion and/or confusion.)

In some cases, it's safe to state that a Big Dumb Body is a more powerful version of the standard Meat Puppet, though expected to be less common.

Comic Books

 * The recurring Justice League of America enemy General Eiling transferred his mind into the body of the indestructible Shaggy Man. In this case the host's stupidity became a problem, as Eiling's intelligence didn't survive being forced to use the Shaggy Man's tiny brain.
 * Johan briefly had one in BPRD before it was killed by Captain Zombie's jaguar demon form. He's been trying with little success to clone a new one ever since.

Film

 * Master Blaster in Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdrome was a genius midget on a dumb brute's back.

Literature

 * In War of the Spider Queen, Gromph Baenre, the Archmage of Menzoberranzan, once took control of a troll B.D.B to detonate one of several magical traps protecting a traitor Noble House.
 * Turns out this is why Yeerks enslaved the Hork-Bajir in Animorphs.

Tabletop Games

 * Dungeons & Dragons (3.5) had an arcane/psionic prestige class called Mind Bender, which allowed characters to eventually gain mind controlled thralls (usually B.D.Bs to balance out the weaknesses of said spellcaster).

Video Games

 * The premise of Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant
 * Used by Abe in the Oddworld series through the power of Possession.
 * Messiah, revolving around possessing people, naturally features these.
 * The somewhat obscure robotic third person shooter Metal Arms has Mighty Glacier Giant Mook 'Titan' enemies who are common targets for Glitch's Control Tether—they're considerably more sturdy than Glitch or most of the enemies faced in the game, and great for plowing through enemy squads, at least while they're free of Subsystem Damage.