Multiform Balance: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
You've created a cool [[Henshin Hero]] -- your mentor character has [[Recruit Teenagers With Attitude|gotten a few young heroes with a proper demeanor]], and chosen the best one to bear the [[Transformation Trinket]]. But you want to spice it up a bit. You could start him/her out in one form and have him/her "graduate" to a [[Super Mode]] later -- maybe even stick in a [[Mid Season Upgrade]] -- but you want a little extra kick from the start.
You've created a cool [[Henshin Hero]] -- your mentor character has [[Recruit Teenagers With Attitude|gotten a few young heroes with a proper demeanor]], and chosen the best one to bear the [[Transformation Trinket]]. But you want to spice it up a bit. You could start him/her out in one form and have him/her "graduate" to a [[Super Mode]] later -- maybe even stick in a [[Mid-Season Upgrade]] -- but you want a little extra kick from the start.


Then it hits you. Give him/her multiple forms from day one! That's the ticket. But you'll need to make it so that one isn't an obvious [[Super Mode]] he should be using by default.
Then it hits you. Give him/her multiple forms from day one! That's the ticket. But you'll need to make it so that one isn't an obvious [[Super Mode]] he should be using by default.
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May overlapse with [[Evolution Power Up]], especially if [[New Powers As the Plot Demands|new forms were gain/discover as the plot demand]], although [[Multiform Balance]] can switch back and forth. When [[Humongous Mecha]] use this trope, it's usually done with [[Mecha Expansion Pack]] or [[Transforming Mecha]].
May overlapse with [[Evolution Power Up]], especially if [[New Powers As the Plot Demands|new forms were gain/discover as the plot demand]], although [[Multiform Balance]] can switch back and forth. When [[Humongous Mecha]] use this trope, it's usually done with [[Mecha Expansion Pack]] or [[Transforming Mecha]].
{{examples|Examples:}}
{{examples}}


* A recurring motif of [[Kamen Rider]] shows, especially the Heisei era. Some examples:
* A recurring motif of [[Kamen Rider]] shows, especially the Heisei era. Some examples:
** [[Kamen Rider Black RX|Black RX]]: [[Jack of All Stats]] ({{color|black|Black RX}}), [[Mighty Glacier]] ({{color|gold|Robo Rider}}), [[Fragile Speedster]] ({{color|blue|Bio Rider}}).
** [[Kamen Rider Black RX|Black RX]]: [[Jack of All Stats]] ({{color|black|Black RX}}), [[Mighty Glacier]] ({{color|gold|Robo Rider}}), [[Fragile Speedster]] ({{color|blue|Bio Rider}}).
** [[Kamen Rider Kuuga|Kuuga]]: [[Joke Character]] ({{color|gray|Growing}}), [[Jack of All Stats]] ({{color|red|Mighty}}), [[Fragile Speedster]] ({{color|blue|Dragon}}), [[Glass Cannon]] ({{color|green|Pegasus}}), [[Mighty Glacier]] ({{color|purple|Titan}}). All except Growing gain a [[Limit Break]] [[Mid Season Upgrade]] ({{color|goldenrod|Rising}} [X]), plus he gets a [[Lightning Bruiser]] form (Amazing {{color|goldenrod|Mighty}}) and eventually a [[Super Mode]] (Ultimate). ''Decade'' adds a new one that goes [[Up to Eleven]] ({{color|goldenrod|Rising}} Ultimate).
** [[Kamen Rider Kuuga|Kuuga]]: [[Joke Character]] ({{color|gray|Growing}}), [[Jack of All Stats]] ({{color|red|Mighty}}), [[Fragile Speedster]] ({{color|blue|Dragon}}), [[Glass Cannon]] ({{color|green|Pegasus}}), [[Mighty Glacier]] ({{color|purple|Titan}}). All except Growing gain a [[Limit Break]] [[Mid-Season Upgrade]] ({{color|goldenrod|Rising}} [X]), plus he gets a [[Lightning Bruiser]] form (Amazing {{color|goldenrod|Mighty}}) and eventually a [[Super Mode]] (Ultimate). ''Decade'' adds a new one that goes [[Up to Eleven]] ({{color|goldenrod|Rising}} Ultimate).
** [[Kamen Rider Agito|Agito]]: [[Jack of All Stats]] ({{color|gold|Ground}}), [[Fragile Speedster]] ({{color|blue|Storm}}), [[Mighty Glacier]] ({{color|red|Flame}}), [[Lightning Bruiser]] ({{color|red|Tr}}{{color|gold|ini}}{{color|blue|ty}}), [[Deadly Upgrade]] ({{color|crimson|Burning}}), [[Super Mode]] ({{color|silver|Shining}}).
** [[Kamen Rider Agito|Agito]]: [[Jack of All Stats]] ({{color|gold|Ground}}), [[Fragile Speedster]] ({{color|blue|Storm}}), [[Mighty Glacier]] ({{color|red|Flame}}), [[Lightning Bruiser]] ({{color|red|Tr}}{{color|gold|ini}}{{color|blue|ty}}), [[Deadly Upgrade]] ({{color|crimson|Burning}}), [[Super Mode]] ({{color|silver|Shining}}).
** Most Riders in ''[[Kamen Rider Kabuto]]'' except the Hoppers: ''Technically'' [[Mighty Glacier]] (Masked Form) and [[Jack of All Stats]]/[[Fragile Speedster]] (Rider Form), plus [[Super Mode]] (Hyper Form) for Kabuto and Gatack. However, Rider Form's [[Super Speed]] capabilities are needed to fight Worms effectively, so Masked Form is often treated as a [[Joke Character]].
** Most Riders in ''[[Kamen Rider Kabuto]]'' except the Hoppers: ''Technically'' [[Mighty Glacier]] (Masked Form) and [[Jack of All Stats]]/[[Fragile Speedster]] (Rider Form), plus [[Super Mode]] (Hyper Form) for Kabuto and Gatack. However, Rider Form's [[Super Speed]] capabilities are needed to fight Worms effectively, so Masked Form is often treated as a [[Joke Character]].
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* The old [[Electronic Arts]] game ''Shadowcaster'' featured a lead that could form pacts with various creatures to "accept the form of X", each form having its own uses.
* The old [[Electronic Arts]] game ''Shadowcaster'' featured a lead that could form pacts with various creatures to "accept the form of X", each form having its own uses.
* ''[[A Boy and His Blob]]'' allows the boy control over his [[Mons]] forms with jellybeans.
* ''[[A Boy and His Blob]]'' allows the boy control over his [[Mons]] forms with jellybeans.
* Tony Tony Chopper from ''[[One Piece]]''. Eating a Zoan-type devil fruit gave him three forms, and he gained four more (plus a [[Super Powered Evil Side]]) through his Rumble Ball.
* Tony Tony Chopper from ''[[One Piece]]''. Eating a Zoan-type devil fruit gave him three forms, and he gained four more (plus a [[Super-Powered Evil Side]]) through his Rumble Ball.
** Monkey D. Luffy's [[Super Mode|Gears]]: Gear Second is a [[Lightning Bruiser]], while Gear Third is the [[Mighty Glacier]].
** Monkey D. Luffy's [[Super Mode|Gears]]: Gear Second is a [[Lightning Bruiser]], while Gear Third is the [[Mighty Glacier]].
* ''[[Zoids New Century Zero]]''. In addition to its [[Jack of All Stats|default form]] Liger Zero had different [[Mecha Expansion Pack|equipment modes]] that changed it into different types depending on the situation. "Panzer" mode became a [[Mighty Glacier]], "Schneider" is a [[Glass Cannon]] and the "Jager" unit is a [[Fragile Speedster]].
* ''[[Zoids New Century Zero]]''. In addition to its [[Jack of All Stats|default form]] Liger Zero had different [[Mecha Expansion Pack|equipment modes]] that changed it into different types depending on the situation. "Panzer" mode became a [[Mighty Glacier]], "Schneider" is a [[Glass Cannon]] and the "Jager" unit is a [[Fragile Speedster]].
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** Moonkin and Tree of Life can only be obtained through spec'ing into Balance and Restoration respectively. While all Druids have access to Bear Form and Cat Form, they don't work very well for non-Feral Druids.
** Moonkin and Tree of Life can only be obtained through spec'ing into Balance and Restoration respectively. While all Druids have access to Bear Form and Cat Form, they don't work very well for non-Feral Druids.
* Kheldians in ''[[City of Heroes]]'' are another example, though they don't start out with all the forms. Nova form is a [[Glass Cannon]], Dwarf form is a [[Stone Wall]], and with the basic human form being somewhere in between, and having a much greater choice of attacks, including the ability to deal decent damage at close range. Some players try to specialise in only one form, but by most accounts the best choice is to make use of all three forms, swapping as necessary.
* Kheldians in ''[[City of Heroes]]'' are another example, though they don't start out with all the forms. Nova form is a [[Glass Cannon]], Dwarf form is a [[Stone Wall]], and with the basic human form being somewhere in between, and having a much greater choice of attacks, including the ability to deal decent damage at close range. Some players try to specialise in only one form, but by most accounts the best choice is to make use of all three forms, swapping as necessary.
* The various offensive powers in ''[[Prototype (Video Game)|Prototype]]'' are balanced like this. Claws are quite fast and have a slow ranged attack composed of spikes erupting from the ground and impaling the target from below, Hammerfist gives massively devastating splash damage attacks with really slow speed, the Whipfist has awesome range, anti-air attacks and crowd control capabilities [[Death of a Thousand Cuts|in exchange for power]] and the Blade is similar to the Claws but replaces the latter's impalement attack with a brutally powerful [[Goomba Stomp|aerial attack]] that can [[One Hit Kill]] ''tanks''.
* The various offensive powers in ''[[Prototype (Video Game)|Prototype]]'' are balanced like this. Claws are quite fast and have a slow ranged attack composed of spikes erupting from the ground and impaling the target from below, Hammerfist gives massively devastating splash damage attacks with really slow speed, the Whipfist has awesome range, anti-air attacks and crowd control capabilities [[Death of a Thousand Cuts|in exchange for power]] and the Blade is similar to the Claws but replaces the latter's impalement attack with a brutally powerful [[Goomba Stomp|aerial attack]] that can [[One-Hit Kill]] ''tanks''.
* It's at least [[Older Than Feudalism]]. Goddess Parvati from [[Hindu Mythology]] is usually [[The Chick]], but she may take form of [[Action Girl|Durga]] or [[The Berserker|Kali]] as well.
* It's at least [[Older Than Feudalism]]. Goddess Parvati from [[Hindu Mythology]] is usually [[The Chick]], but she may take form of [[Action Girl|Durga]] or [[The Berserker|Kali]] as well.
* Hyodou Issei in ''[[High School DXD (Light Novel)|High School DXD]]'' gets one later in Volume 9 when he gets access to his new powers named Illegal Trianna, aside from his [[Jack of All Stats|default Balance Breaker]] state. His Welsh Sonic Boost Knight is the typical [[Fragile Speedster]], his Welsh Blaster Bishop is the [[Glass Cannon]], Welsh Draconic Rook being the [[Mighty Glacier]], and finally his (incomplete) Cardinal Crimson Queen being the [[Lightning Bruiser]].
* Hyodou Issei in ''[[High School DXD (Light Novel)|High School DXD]]'' gets one later in Volume 9 when he gets access to his new powers named Illegal Trianna, aside from his [[Jack of All Stats|default Balance Breaker]] state. His Welsh Sonic Boost Knight is the typical [[Fragile Speedster]], his Welsh Blaster Bishop is the [[Glass Cannon]], Welsh Draconic Rook being the [[Mighty Glacier]], and finally his (incomplete) Cardinal Crimson Queen being the [[Lightning Bruiser]].

Revision as of 20:50, 8 January 2014

You've created a cool Henshin Hero -- your mentor character has gotten a few young heroes with a proper demeanor, and chosen the best one to bear the Transformation Trinket. But you want to spice it up a bit. You could start him/her out in one form and have him/her "graduate" to a Super Mode later -- maybe even stick in a Mid-Season Upgrade -- but you want a little extra kick from the start.

Then it hits you. Give him/her multiple forms from day one! That's the ticket. But you'll need to make it so that one isn't an obvious Super Mode he should be using by default.

No worries. Apply a little Multiform Balance.

Multiform Balance occurs when creators take care to make each multiple form of a Shape Shifter, such as a Henshin Hero, a Swiss Army Hero or a Morph Weapon-type Swiss Army Weapon, useful in its own way. The easiest way to do this is to make each one suited for a certain tactical situation or to use certain tactics. For example a werewolf doing a Partial Transformation to Wolf Man may not be able to talk, but can still use weapons and has greater strength than a man, but isn't as fast as a wolf.

In essence, it's applying Competitive Balance between each of the character (or weapon)'s forms. In fact, the character types laid out in Competitive Balance or other power balancing tropes can be quite useful in describing the character's forms.

May overlapse with Evolution Power Up, especially if new forms were gain/discover as the plot demand, although Multiform Balance can switch back and forth. When Humongous Mecha use this trope, it's usually done with Mecha Expansion Pack or Transforming Mecha.

Examples of Multiform Balance include:


  1. ↑ Excels at underwater combat and has some heightened defense, but is generally not as combat-ready as other forms.
  2. ↑ The last three are really Evolution Power Up represent how Tiga Dark slowly purging away darkness from himself.
  3. ↑ Focus on healing and purification
  4. ↑ its stats are all decent and equal; it's called Speed Forme because the speed stat is still the highest
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