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[[File:the-lancer star-wars 1263.jpg|link=Star Wars|frame|Now, don't get cocky...]]
{{quote|''"[[Genre Savvy|I see]] you are the surly, temperamental one who ''instigates'', [[Wolverine]]. You ''cannot'' be the leader, then."''
The [[Number Two|lieutenant]] and [[Foil]] for [[The Hero]].
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Powers and skills common to '''The Lancer''' include:
* Just as [[Heroes Prefer Swords]], '''The Lancer''' is often [[The Archer]], [[The Gunslinger]], or a literal [[Blade on a Stick|Lancer]], relying on firepower and distance. If everyone is a ranged fighter then expect '''The Lancer''' to explicitly be the best shot, or an [[Ace Pilot]].
* If [[The Hero]] and '''The Lancer''' have [[Elemental Powers]], they will be [[Elemental Rock-Paper-Scissors|complementary]]. If [[The Hero]] uses [[Playing with Fire|
* Since he's the hero's [[Foil|counterpoint]], he may be the one who is willing to [[Poisonous Friend|do dirty tricks]] or [[Shoot the Dog|enter moral gray areas.]] If there's only one [[Con Man]] on a team full of [[Straight Man|strait-laced]] heroes, it's usually this guy.
** Similarly, if there's only one stealthy guy on the team, '''The Lancer''' is typically that guy. Sneaky Lancers may fill the [[Fragile Speedster]] (or, if lucky, [[Lightning Bruiser]]) role, relying on agility and guile rather than brute force.
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* Conversely, '''The Lancer''' on a [[Anti-Hero|less-than-scrupulous]] or [[Surrounded by Idiots|less-than-intelligent]] team may be its [[Only Sane Man]], trying (often futilely) to [[The Consigliere|keep the chaos under control]]. This Lancer may resemble a more traditional Hero (or the [[Team Mom]] version of [[The Chick]], if acting as a moral compass).
* Has a very high likelihood to become the [[Ensemble Darkhorse]], or if [[Badass]] enough, a [[Draco in Leather Pants]], especially when [[The Hero]] is the clean-cut type.
* If a villain who opposes the Hero makes a [[Heel Face Turn]] and joins the Hero's side, he is very likely to become a Lancer, and often the one most likely to [[Face Heel Turn|become evil again.]]
When [[It Got Worse|worst comes to worst]], '''The Lancer''' is ''the'' one person on the team who is likely to [[Redemption Equals Death|die]] for [[Heroic Sacrifice|the cause]]. He's also the most likely member of the team to pull a [[Face Heel Turn]] and get turned to [[The Dark Side]] (though this usually [[Defeat Means Friendship|doesn't last]]), or end up [[Brainwashed and Crazy]] by the [[Big Bad]] or the [[Evil Genius]] (and if this happens, either [[The Chick]] or [[The Hero]] will [["I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight|talk him out of it]]).
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{{examples}}
▲== Anime and Manga ==
* ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]'': Jet Black, although he's ostensibly the leader of the Bebop crew, is The Lancer to Spike Spiegel's Hero.
* ''[[Mazinger Z]]'': Sayaka was The Lancer and [[Love Interest]] from [[The Hero]] Kouji Kabuto. Given that Kouji was an carefree, impulsive, [[Hot-Blooded]] [[Idiot Hero]], she was [[The Reliable One]] type, and both of them formed a [[Battle Couple]].
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* In the ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' [[Anime]], Rei/Sailor Mars is The Lancer of the team. The English dub [[Character Exaggeration|exaggerated this]] into a running subplot of her trying to subvert Usagi's leadership. In the manga, however, the Lancer is Minako/Sailor Venus, the leader of the Senshi in the Silver Millenium and the most seasoned warrior of the group. In some ways, manga Minako is an example of [[The Hero]] unto herself, with Rei being ''her'' Lancer rather than Usagi's.
* ''[[Trigun]]'': Nicholas D. Wolfwood to Vash the Stampede. Wolfwood and Vash work incredibly well together and often appear to be two of a kind when goofing around or actively engaged in combat, but have deep philosophical differences. Wolfwood is dark: a killer and [[Knight in Sour Armor]] with a secret agdenda. Vash is a [[Technical Pacifist]] and [[The Messiah]]. They're keeping huge secrets from one another, and they know it. They're still the best friends either has ever had. Their color scheme contributes.
:They get extra bonuses in the manga, with [[Foil]] elements like the fact that, even though they look the same age, Vash is [[Really Seven Hundred Years Old|Really Nearly Two Hundred]] and Wolfwood has accelerated aging from the experiments the Eye of Michael did on him, and based on his former orphanage-mates can't possibly be even eighteen. Also, he ''joined up with Vash because the [[Big Bad]] told him to.''▼
▲They get extra bonuses in the manga, with [[Foil]] elements like the fact that, even though they look the same age, Vash is [[Really Seven Hundred Years Old|Really Nearly Two Hundred]] and Wolfwood has accelerated aging from the experiments the Eye of Michael did on him, and based on his former orphanage-mates can't possibly be even eighteen. Also, he ''joined up with Vash because the [[Big Bad]] told him to.''
* ''[[Magical Project S]]'': Pixy Misa becomes this in near the end of the series.
* ''[[Gantz]]'': Kei Kurono was undoubtedly The Lancer to [[The Hero]] Masaru Katou, his old friend. {{spoiler|Until Katou died and Kurono became [[The Hero]] instead, whereupon Izumi becomes his Lancer. Who (plural) at some point got killed off by alien vampires, around the time Katou got revived (the incredibly awesome Osaka arc followed). That lasted till Kei got revived AGAIN, TWICE, so now three heroes are running around, with one of the Kei's and Katou leading a (probably) suicide commando against an alien invasion and another leading humans being held captive by said aliens into freedom.}}
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* [[Deuteragonist|Barnaby]] from ''[[Tiger and Bunny]]'' plays this role where his partner [[Hero Protagonist|Kotetsu]] is concerned. He is the [[Red Oni, Blue Oni|Blue Oni to Kotetsu's Red]], and the [[Ineffectual Loner]] to his partner's [[The Messiah|Messiah]] / [[The Cape (trope)|Cape]].
* Vegeta from ''[[Dragonball Z]]'' played both The Lancer and [[The Rival]] to Goku after [[Strange Bedfellows|joining forces with the heroes]] against Frieza on Namek. He's not the only Z Warrior who fits, either: Piccolo can make a good case. Previous to that, Yamcha, Krillin, and Tien (and Chi-Chi for about five seconds) all had a run as the Lancer.
* ''[[Bleach]]'' tends to share and switch around the role of The Lancer over the course of the series. Uryu Ishida fits the rivalry mold, hating [[The Hero|Ichigo Kurosaki]] based on his race and contrasting him in [[Used to Be a Sweet Kid|nearly]] [[The Archer|every]] [[Man in White|way]]. Yasutora "Chad" Sado acts as a good parallel with Ichigo's powers, since both have powers that stem from dark sources (read: Hollow-esque) that they use to protect people. Chad's power is akin to that of a Hollow, which is why - like Hollows - all his abilities have Spanish names; Ichigo actually ''has'' an inner hollow in his subconcious. However, Ichigo gained his inner hollow due to [[Training
** Partway through the Soul Society arc, [[The Hero|Ichigo]] [[Defeat Means Friendship|adds]] a ''third'' Lancer to his group, [[Sixth Ranger|Renji Abarai]], who's similar to Ichigo in almost every way. If we use a [[Red Oni, Blue Oni]] scenario, Renji is red (more of an [[Idiot Hero]]) and Ichigo is blue (who [[Character Development|became]] a [[Combat Pragmatist]]).
** The original lancer to Ichigo was [[Action Girl|Rukia]], who is less of a foil and more like the other side to his coin. Every time she comes back in a non [[Damsel in Distress]] capacity, she's the Lancer.
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** Gray could also be considered a Lancer within the group, given his rivalry with Natsu and their complementary elemental magic (Fire and Ice).
** Gray is a better example, given the elements and his playing [[Red Oni, Blue Oni|blue oni to Natsu's red.]] He even used to be [[The Rival]]. Erza is more like [[The Big Guy]] of their [[Five-Man Band]].
* Natsuki Kuga is Mai's Lancer in ''[[
* ''[[Naruto]]'': Sasuke Uchiha fits this in almost every possible sense {{spoiler|until his [[Face Heel Turn]]}}. {{spoiler|Replaced later by [[Emotionless Girl|Emotionless Guy]] Sai.}}
** {{spoiler|In the current war, Killer Bee is definitely this as he specifically promised Iruka he'd watch Naruto's back.}}
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** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam Wing|Gundam Wing]]'': Duo Maxwell, to Heero Yuy.
** ''[[After War Gundam X|Gundam X]]'': Witz Sou, to Garrod Ran.
** ''[[Turn A Gundam
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED|Gundam SEED]]'': Mu La Flaga and Athrun Zala, to Kira Yamato.
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny|Gundam SEED Destiny]]'': Rey Za Burrell, to Shinn Asuka.
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* [[Slayers]] has both [[Idiot Hero|Gourry]] and [[The Spock|Zelgadis]] vouch between the Lancer and [[The Big Guy]] roles depending on the situation. However, though [[The Hero|Lina]] met Gourry first, Gourry is an aggressive and incredibly dumb swordsman, and Zelgadis is far more intelligent and tactile, thus Zelgadis is more or less this trope.
* In ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica]]'', Miki Sayaka is this to Kaname Madoka's [[The Hero]]. {{spoiler|Since this is a gleefully sadistic [[Genre Deconstruction|deconstruction of the magical girl genre]], [[Subverted Trope|things]] [[Break the Cutie|don't exactly]] [[Heroic BSOD|play out]] [[Face Heel Turn|in a traditional manner...]]}}
* In ''[[Clannad (visual novel)|Clannad]]'', Sunohara often serves as an opposite to Tomoya, as he actively seeks out a girlfriend, is rather book stupid, but also is aware of the issues regarding Tomoya's relationship.
* ''[[Medaka Box]]'': Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, the more level-headed, down-to-earth friend of the protagonist. That's not to say he can't be a [[Hot-Blooded]] Determinator...
* In ''[[Saint Beast]]'', Luca is very much the lancer. He is quiet, strong, [[The Confidant|always has good advice]], and stands by [[The Hero]] no matter what. Moreover, his powers of [[Dark Is Not Evil|darkness]] contrast [[The Hero]]'s powers of light. Amusingly, his [[Love Interest]] is [[The Chick]].
▲== Comic Books ==
* [[Batman]] fills this role in most incarnations of the ''[[Justice League of America]]''. The darker interpretations fall into the [[The Rival|Rival]]/[[Anti-Hero|AntiHeroic]] version of this trope, with [[Superman]] as [[The Hero]].
** [[Nightwing]] is an example of how the Lancer's traits depend on who [[The Hero]] is: when he fills this role for Batman, his empathy, idealism, and approachability are played up as a contrast to Bruce.
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* In ''[[Runaways]]'' Nico was originally this to Alex {{spoiler|before the latter's betrayal and death}}. These days [[The Smart Guy|Gert]], [[Sixth Ranger|Victor]], and [[Badass Normal|Chase]] have all been known to alternate the role amongst themselves.
▲== Fan Fic ==
* Chaos from the ''[[Tamers Forever Series]]''.
* Ciara to Link in ''[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7831829/1/Looming_Darkness Looming Darkness.]''
== [[Film]] ==
* Pictured above: Han Solo in ''[[Star Wars]]''. "[[Combat Pragmatist|Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid]]."
* Timon from [[The Lion King]]. To a quite hilarious extent.
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* In ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'', Inigo Montoya fulfills this role rather well to the Man In Black/Westley. At first he is arrogant and apprehensive of Westley's skills, but eventually goes on to be a faithful right-hand man and gains a deep-set respect for his skills to the extent that he believes that Westley is capable of anything (which essentially turns out to be the case).
* Sam French is The Lancer to Jake Wyer, [[The Hero]], in ''Fifty/Fifty''.
* ''[[Toy Story (franchise)|Toy Story]]'': Buzz Lightyear is Woody's Lancer in the second and third films, after their rivalry is settled in the first. He fits the definition so well it's almost scary. He begins as a rival to [[The Hero]], has a similar design (law enforcing hero of a [[Merchandise-Driven|television show's toyline]] with a voice clip feature), acts as the team leader when [[The Hero|Woody]] is away, {{spoiler|ends up [[Brainwashed and Crazy]] in the service of the [[Big Bad]] for a while}}, and as is made obvious during {{spoiler|said [[Brainwashed and Crazy]] time}} he's the most combat-skilled and dangerous of the cast.
* Subotai from the 1982 ''[[Conan the Barbarian]]'' film. He teaches Conan how to be a thief, saves him from the Tree of Woe, and stands by his side during the Battle of the Mounds.
* In ''[[Inception]]'', Arthur is Mal's right-hand man throughout the film and takes the role of "Point-man" during the heist.
==
* In ''[[Chung Kuo]]'', Karr is the Lancer to the European T'ang Lord.
* Ron from the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' books fits the definition perfectly.
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* Commander Vimes from ''[[Discworld]]'' spins this trope widdershins. He's the protagonist of Watch books, and is the cynical commanding officer of idealistic [[The Hero|Hero]] Carrot. Plus, now that Vimes is Duke of Ankh, he would be [[Number Two]] to the king, if Carrot ever decided to actually take the job.
** Also as Commander of the Watch and the richest man in the city, Vimes is effectively the second most influential and powerful man in the city, and often plays the Lancer role to the Patrician, though Havelock Vetinari is hardly the traditional hero.
** Vimes has his own lancers: depending on the situation, other Watchmen (notably Carrot, Colon and Nobby) and occasionally his wife take turns at it. Angua is probably this most consistently for Vimes, especially in books that don't centre on the Watch. See ''[[
** In addition, many other ''[[Discworld]]'' characters have their own lancers: Colon has Nobby, Carrot has Angua, Rincewind has the Luggage, Granny Weatherwax has Nanny Ogg...
* No one has yet agreed on a [[Five-Man Band]] configuration for the ''[[Animorphs]]'', with Tobias, Rachel, and Marco all suggested for the role:
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* In Stephen King's ''[[IT]]'', Richie Tozier is [[The Hero|Bill Denbrough's]] lancer. Bill's [[The Stoic]], a [[Deadpan Snarker]] and prone to the occasional [[Heroic BSOD]]; Richie's a [[Motor Mouth]] with a [[Cloudcuckoolander|surreal]] sense of humour, who repeatedly stresses the importance of teamwork.
* In [[Mercedes Lackey]]'s "[[Heralds of Valdemar|Valdemar Universe]]" the King's/Queen's Own Herald is supposed to be this to the King/Queen.
* Bean is the lancer to [[Ender's Game|Ender]] at Battle School in the Ender series, although Orson Scott Card revisits the story in the ''Ender's Shadow'' series to give Bean a [[Took a Level
* In [[Margaret Atwood]]'s ''Year of the Flood'', Zeb is the initially the lancer and the muscle to Adam One's founder and moral leader role in the God's Gardeners. A schism eventually leads Zeb to break away into a more militant organization along with a large part of the Garderners.
* In the medieval epic poem ''[[The Song of Roland]]'', Olivier serves as the Lancer to the main character, Roland. They are life-long companions and rivals (though Roland is stronger) and Olivier's clear-headedness and wisdom serve as a foil for Roland's recklessness and pride, his tragic flaws.
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* [[Tom Clancy]]: In more than a few books, mainly ''Rainbow Six'' and ''The Bear and the Dragon'', Ding Chavez is this to [[Badass Army|Team]] [[Fluffy the Terrible|Rainbow's]] official [[Colonel Badass|leader]], [[Badass|John]] [[One-Man Army|Clark]], in practice, although he's not actually Clark's immediate subordinate.
== [[Live-Action TV]] ==▼
▲== Live-Action TV ==
* Sheldon on ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]''
* On the British series ''Hotel Babylon'', the concierge Tony is a seasoned pro at the hotel business and very well-respected among his colleagues. When a general manager strays, he's usually one of the first to stand up for the good of the hotel or its staff and let a manager know he's going in the wrong direction.
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** Wesley, true to the trope, was the ruthless member of the team, as well as the sorcerer of the bunch, also betrayed the gang to save Connor, stabbed Gunn and shot Knox during his [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]], and, being the less stable of the group due to Fred's death, was expected by Cyvus Vail to make a move for Angel's position. Aware of it, Wesley pretended to be planning to betray Angel in order to get close to Vail and kill him. As the trope goes, Wesley {{spoiler|was killed by Vail instead.}}
** Cordelia was Interim Lancer between Doyle's death and Wesley's integration into the main cast, and was always Angel's real foil, despite being [[The Chick]] throughout.
* Avon from ''[[Blake's 7
* Sam Axe on ''[[Burn Notice]]''.
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'': Willow and Faith can act Lancer-y. Oh, and also Xander, despite also being the Buttmonkey.
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** Captain Jack filled this role during his short tenure.
** [[Doctor Who]] usually has a small ensemble, but groups exeeding three members would occassionally contain Lancers; for example Rory Williams and Ian Chesterton, both more 'classical' heroes in contrast to the Anti-Heroic Doctor.
* ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'' has Starbuck, the [[The Ladette|hard-drinking]], cigar-chomping, attitudinal (
* ''[[Top Gear]]'': Richard Hammond to [[The Captain|Jeremy Clarkson]]. Hammond is a head shorter, a decade younger, and physically tough but emotionally fragile compared to Clarkson, yet they are [[Heterosexual Life Partners|inseparably bonded]] by a mutual love of fast, powerful cars. The third presenter, James May, acts a bit like a Lancer to Clarkson but they are more of an [[Odd Couple]].
* ''[[Firefly]]'': Zoe plays the cool-headed Lancer to the often impulsive Mal, and Jayne plays the [[Heroic Sociopath]] Lancer.
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* ''[[Star Trek]]'': [[The Spock|Spock]] is all over this trope. Indeed, he is by all counts equally as competent as [[The Kirk|Kirk]]. But where [[The Kirk|Kirk]] will go with guts and daring, [[The Spock|Spock]] will ''always'' be cool, calculating, and logical. And yes, when the chips are down, [[The Spock|Spock]] is ready at a moments notice to die for the cause (as seen in ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan]]'').
** In cases where [[The Spock|Spock]] devoted most of his screen time as [[The Smart Guy]], [[The McCoy|Dr. McCoy]] picked up the role.
* ''[[Star Trek: The
** Contrasts with Picard in Riker being a womanizer (Picard is not very successful with women) and somewhat impulsive (Picard is fairly cautious). Riker also fits the role in easily being the more gregarious and social (he plays in the ship's jazz group and runs the senior officers' poker games) while Picard is the more private and prefers solitary pursuits such as reading and archeology. Oddly enough, while Riker is obviously supposed to be the more physical (being younger and larger) compared to Picard's more intellectual, Picard tends to be the one who ends up in the most physical confrontations over the span of the series and movies.
* ''[[Star Trek:
* ''[[Star Trek:
* Owen from ''[[Torchwood]]'' falls under this fairly well, at least in series 1. Owen is The Lancer to Gwen while Jack is away. When Jack returns, Gwen becomes his Lancer.
* Deputy Jo Lupo to Jack Carter in ''[[Eureka]]''.
* Common in ''[[Super Sentai]]'' due to its reliance on the [[Five-Man Band]] structure, but special mention goes to ''[[Choujin Sentai Jetman]]''{{'}}s Gai Yuuki (Black Condor) for being a [[Captain Ersatz]] of the [[Trope Codifier]], [[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman|Condor Joe]]. Indeed, the entire cast of ''Jetman'' are [[Captain Ersatz]]es of ''Gatchaman''{{'}}s [[Five-Man Band]] [[Trope Codifier]]s.
** Other Sentai Lancers are well known for being either Boone Companion (Zyuranger's Mammoth Ranger), Rival (Hurricaneger's Kabuto Reiger, whom himself leads the main team's rival group), or the member who swipes [[The Hero]]'s chances at leadership (White Kakuranger, Black Megaranger and Pink Timeranger).
** A
* ''[[Power Rangers]]'', naturally, follows suit. [[Power Rangers Time Force|Wes and Jen]] were a slight twist on the concept - they were [[The Hero]] and The Lancer respectively, but Jen was still the official team leader, even after Wes came into his own as a Ranger. Then there's [[Power Rangers SPD|Sky]], [[Power Rangers RPM|Dillon]]...
* Tony Dinozzo in ''[[NCIS]]'' is The Lancer to Gibbs' leadership, though according to Ducky, Gibbs used to be much like Tony.
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* On ''[[CSI: NY]]'', Danny Messer.
* Probably Ryan Wolfe on ''[[CSI: Miami]]''.
* Hawk is this to Buck Rogers in the second season of ''[[Buck Rogers in
== Tabletop Games ==▼
* ''[[Werewolf: The Apocalypse]]'' has a tribe originally made up of Lancers: The Shadowlords. In former times, their task was to act as the Beta of packs and [[I Did What I Had to Do|did what the Alpha]] [[Shoot the Dog|couldn't be seen to do]]. Unfortunately, more and more of them feel that the Silverfangs [[The Starscream|are no longer up to the task of leading...]]
== [[Toys]] ==
* Every Toa team in ''[[Bionicle]]'' has one of these, usually a Toa of [[An Ice Person|Ice]] to balance out the Toa of [[Playing with Fire|Fire]] leader. The most prominent example would be Kopaka, who has a [[Red Oni, Blue Oni]] dynamic with Tahu.
** And to continue the tradition, Stormer is this to Furno in [[Hero Factory]].
== [[Video Games]] ==
* Gaz from ''[[Call of Duty]] 4: [[Modern Warfare]]'' has elements of this, playing as the Lancer to Captain Price.
** Predictably, his [[Expy]] in [[Modern Warfare]] 2, Ghost, is this to Captain MacTavish.
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** And in [[Expansion Pack|FES]], where {{spoiler|Aegis is the Protagonist, Yukari acts as the Lancer to her.}}
* Yosuke is the Lancer in ''[[Persona 4]]'', oh so very much. Due to the Protagonist being both [[The Stoic]] and a [[Heroic Mime]] (aside from battle cries and text speech), Yosuke is much more talkative and chipper, with a little [[Deadpan Snarker]] tossed in. {{spoiler|While he's very willing to have the Protagonist take over as leader during the early parts of the storyline, his final Social Link scene reveals that he had been a little jealous of the Protagonist's comptetence, and starts a friendly brawl between the two to knock said impulses out of him.}}
* Felius is Clarissa's lancer in ''[[Wild
* ''[[Disgaea|Disgaea: Hour of Darkness]]'': Etna, vassal of negotiable loyalty to demon prince Laharl. Being his go-to girl, and the one who cheerfully tells him she will kill him and take over if he doesn't prove himself worthy of being the overlord. Her starting weapon also happens to be a lance. Rozalin from the second game (with elements of [[The Chick]] later), Almaz from the third, and Fenrich from the fourth also qualify.
* Lin from ''[[Nintendo Wars|Advance Wars]]: Dark Conflict/Days of Ruin''. Possibly combination [[Smart Guy]]/Lancer, but definitely a lancer.
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* Rasche from ''[[Luminous Arc 2]]'', "Lancer" is his job.
* Black Rose is this to Kite in ''[[.hack]]''. While he is clearly the Hero, she comes on almost all important missions with him and is almost equally famous in the setting. Her [[Tsundere]] personality foils Kites at time. She's not as well due to the character class she plays.
* Matt Horner from ''[[
* Garet is Isaac's lancer in ''[[Golden Sun]]''. Also The Big Guy. Jenna to Felix in the sequel.
* ''[[Digital Devil Saga]]'': Heat is definitely the Lancer for the Embryon. While the Hero, Serph, is calm and Level-Headed, Heat is reckless and quick-tempered. Serph is Ice element, Heat is Fire. He is the only member to [[Drunk on the Dark Side|fully embrace his Atma power]]. Oh, and {{spoiler|he pulls a [[Face Heel Turn]] in the sequel, and dies shortly after.}}.
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* [[Fear Effect]]. Royce Glas is in this position, and is the opposite of Hana on a number of things.
▲== Theatre ==
* ''Orestes'': Pylades acts in this capacity to his friend Orestes, in Euripides' play.
* ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'': Mercutio is Romeo's right-hand man and best friend. He even goes so far as {{spoiler|fighting and losing a duel in his name.}}
* ''[[Hamlet]]'': Horatio.
== [[Web
* Humorously enough, the author of ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130614191012/http://www.drunkduck.com/Cwens_Quest/ Cwen's Quest]'' was unaware of this particular trope when he named his character Riddly Lancer. Fits the bill too, well actually only up to the third sentence of the description that is... but Cwen is definitely the leader between the two characters.▼
▲* Humorously enough, the author of ''[http://www.drunkduck.com/Cwens_Quest/ Cwen's Quest]'' was unaware of this particular trope when he named his character Riddly Lancer. Fits the bill too, well actually only up to the third sentence of the description that is... but Cwen is definitely the leader between the two characters.
* Haley "It's frustrating how Lawful you people are sometimes" Starshine in ''[[Order of the Stick]]''.
* In ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'', while Torg usually takes center stage and, in his "[[Cloudcuckoolander|unique]]" way, come up with a solution to the big problems, Riff is usually there as well, ready to solve things his own way. Which usually involves laser weapons, giant robots, and blowing stuff up.
* Dave Strider of ''[[Homestuck]]'' has taken this on this role voluntarily, at least for the human team. He's [[The Hero|John's]] best friend, and is the [[Badass]] [[Katanas Are Just Better|katana-wielding]] [[Time Travel|time-travelling]] [[The Stoic|stoic]] [[Deadpan Snarker]] to John's [[Idiot Hero]]/[[The Messiah|messiah]]. Despite the fact he's probably the most all-round skilled of the human players, was the first to fully assume the mythological responsibilities placed upon him (as the [[Time Master|Knight of Time]]), and proceeded through the game significantly faster than John (until the latter [[Came Back Strong]] anyway), he resigned himself to a supporting role out of [[Always Someone Better|feelings of inadequacy]] and the inability to face his own mortality.
{{quote|TG: im not a hero
TG: my [[The Ace|bro]] was
TG: john is
TG: im not }}
** On the side of the trolls, Terezi Pyrope plays this to [[The Hero|Karkat Vantas]], countering [[Hates Everyone Equally|his raving abuse of everyone and everything]] with... [[Troll|messing with him]].
* Theo from ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20171212154432/http://www.goldcoincomics.com/ Gold Coin Comics]'', who is also [[The Spock]].
* Alexander Hamilton from ''[[The Dreamer]]'' is definitely The Lancer.
* Susan of ''[[El Goonish Shive]]'' is Tedd's foil.
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* Guenevere in ''[[Arthur, King of Time and Space]]''. Not Lancelot, who is Arthur's right-hand man but doesn't really act as a foil, whereas [http://arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0117.htm Guenevere's outspokenness contrasts neatly with the more easy-going Arthur].
==
* Wyn from the web fiction serial ''[[Dimension Heroes]]''.
==
* ''[[Exo Squad]]'': Alec DeLeon more often than not was The Lancer to squad leader JT Marsh, though Marsala sometimes filled that role as well, depending on the mission at hand. Marsh himself could be considered the lancer to Admiral Winfield, who was the Captain.
* Ironically, although being the title character, ''[[Sonic Sat AM|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' was actually his team's Lancer. However, his deeds may also make him the Hero, next to Princess Sally.
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* Bluegrass. the wingless cowboy of ''[[Silverhawks]]'', fits this trope, as he uses the main controls of the Miraj spaceship.
** Latter member Captain Flashback would fit this as well.
* While Longarm of ''[[COPS (animation)|COPS]]'', may have the many traits of the average American [[The Hero|hero]], he is no more then a lancer to team leader Bulletproof.
* Evangelyne of ''[[Wakfu]]'' is The Lancer to Yugo. Apart from being several years older and one of the more competent fighters, she's a calm, snarky [[Tsundere]], while he's a cheerful [[Kid Hero]], but with a sense of maturity and responsibility.
* ''[[Bionic Six]]'' has some sort of tossup between the wife (Helen), and the biological son (Eric).
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* Jake the dog is this to his [[Heterosexual Life Partners|best friend]] Finn in ''[[Adventure Time]]''.
== [[Real Life]] ==
=== Musicians ===
* [[The Who]] is an interesting example. Pete Townsend was the band's artistic leader, but was also violent and dealt with depression. He wasn't the band's frontman, though. He left that up to "second-in-command", Roger Daltrey who was more reserved in comparison and often served as the more mature member of the group.▼
* [[The Beatles]] are another interesting variation: [[John Lennon]] started out as [[The Hero]], with [[Paul McCartney]] as The Lancer.▼
* The [[Rolling Stones]] has Keith Richards as The Lancer to Mick Jagger.▼
=== Politics ===
* [[Alexander Hamilton]]. Hamilton served as George Washington's [[Number Two]] during the Revolutionary War and Washington's time as president. While Washington was stoic, deliberative, and against bare knuckle politics, Hamilton was brash, quick witted, and famously one of the most vicious political fighters of his generation. This proved useful to Washington, who relied on Hamilton's intricate thinking and writing skills to serve as his Army chief of staff and most trusted secretary, much to the annoyance of others on Washington's staff.▼
* Likewise Rahm Emanuel. A [[Jerkass|dirty]], armtwisting guy from Chicago, who was once a senior advisor to [[Bill Clinton]], as he was to [[Barack Obama]]. Did you know he studied ballet?▼
=== Sports
* Kobe Bryant to Shaquille O'Neal from their generation of the LA Lakers. The seasoned Shaq was [[The Big Guy]] and the captain, while the rambunctious Kobe was the rookie. Their relationship was frequently punctuated by fueds played out in the press. Now that Shaq retired, Kobe's become the face of the Lakers, with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum sharing the role of The Lancer.
* When they were both on the Chicago Bulls, Scottie Pippen was seen as a lancer for [[
* Russell Westbrook, the cocky Red Oni, to Kevin Durant, the collected Blue Oni. Unlike Kobe and Shaq, Durant and Westbrook are [[Heterosexual Life Partners]].
* Dwyane Wade to LeBron James in the Miami Heat. James is the theatric champion on the court; Wade is the leader and the face of the team.
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* Tim Duncan to Tony Parker in the San Antonio Spurs.
* In Irish [[Rugby Union]], Brian O'Driscoll was [[The Leader]] from 2003 to 2012, captaining the national team, with Paul O'Connell serving as the Lancer. [[Blue Oni]] O'Driscoll was the focal point of the team's backs, a smaller, skillful player who scored tries and lead by example, while vice-captain O'Connell was a [[Red Oni]], the [[Made of Iron]], [[Determinator]] leader of the forwards, and a frequent giver of [[Cluster F-Bomb]] [[Rousing Speech]]es. In addition to their personal contrasts in playing and leadership styles, O'Driscoll played for eastern province of Leinster, while O'Connell played for their bitter rivals Munster in the south, with each being considered the central figure in their team.
▲* [[The Who]] is an interesting example. Pete Townsend was the band's artistic leader, but was also violent and dealt with depression. He wasn't the band's frontman, though. He left that up to "second-in-command", Roger Daltrey who was more reserved in comparison and often served as the more mature member of the group.
▲* [[The Beatles]] are another interesting variation: [[John Lennon]] started out as [[The Hero]], with [[Paul McCartney]] as The Lancer.
▲* The [[Rolling Stones]] has Keith Richards as The Lancer to Mick Jagger.
* [[Ace Pilot]] Staff Sergeant Nils Katajainen (36 kills) to Captain Hans Wind (78 kills) in the Finnish Air Force in WWII. They usually flew as a pair. ''Both'' were awarded the Mannerheim Cross, roughly the Finnish equivalent of Victoria Cross or Congressional Medal of Honor.▼
* Michael Vick to Donovan McNabb in the Philadelphia Eagles. McNabb was the calm, collected quarterback leader with a passion for the sport, while Vick was the "bad-boy" second-in-command who was in legal troubles, especially with the dog-fighting.
▲* [[Alexander Hamilton]]. Hamilton served as George Washington's [[Number Two]] during the Revolutionary War and Washington's time as president. While Washington was stoic, deliberative, and against bare knuckle politics, Hamilton was brash, quick witted, and famously one of the most vicious political fighters of his generation. This proved useful to Washington, who relied on Hamilton's intricate thinking and writing skills to serve as his Army chief of staff and most trusted secretary, much to the annoyance of others on Washington's staff.
=== Others ===
▲* Likewise Rahm Emanuel. A [[Jerkass|dirty]], armtwisting guy from Chicago, who was once a senior advisor to [[Bill Clinton]], as he was to [[Barack Obama]]. Did you know he studied ballet?
▲* [[Ace Pilot]] Staff Sergeant Nils Katajainen (36 kills) to Captain Hans Wind (78 kills) in the Finnish Air Force in WWII. They usually flew as a pair. ''Both'' were awarded the Mannerheim Cross, roughly the Finnish equivalent of Victoria Cross or Congressional Medal of Honor.
* Shuuichi Ikeda to Toru Furuya; they voiced for the main antagonist and the main protagonist of ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' respectively.
* [[wikipedia:Michael Wittmann|Michael Wittmann]], one of the most successful armored commanders of all time, had [[wikipedia:Balthasar Woll|Bobby Woll]] as his gunner. They were so in tune that, eventually, all Wittmann had to do was give Woll a direction where enemy tanks could be found and let Woll do the rest. Luckily for Woll, he wasn't with Wittmann when the latter's [[In the Back|luck ran out]] in August, 1944.
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Foil]]
[[Category:The Index Team]]
[[Category:Tropes of Legend]]
[[Category:
▲[[Category:The Lancer]]
[[Category:Five-Man Band]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lancer, The}}
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