History Main / CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass

* Mario as he appears in ''Machinima/Supermarioglitchy4sSuperMario64Bloopers'' is ''profoundly'' stupid and is usually more preoccupied with getting naked, downing nightmarish amounts of spaghetti, and whatever else he feels like. But as far too many adversaries have found out, when he's sufficiently motivated, Mario can and will get rid of them by any means necessary, be it through [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown combat]] or [[GuileHero trickery]].

* Donald Duck in ''Fanfic/TheSecretBiographyOfDonaldDuck''. The fic essentially takes his [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass Crouching moron, hidden badass]] status from the [[WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017 reboot]] and cranks it up to eleven by combining all of Donald's other epic incarnations into one timeline; making him [[ComicBook/PaperinikNewAdventures a superhero]], a navy vet, [[ComicBook/DoubleDuck a secret agent]], [[WesternAnimation/LegendOfTheThreeCaballeros a crusader]], [[Franchise/KingdomHearts a wizard]], and [[WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017 an adopted father of three]] all at once.

* The titular character from ''Film/JohnnyEnglish'' played by Creator/RowanAtkinson. Sure, he's a screw-up, constantly gets the wrong end of the stick and is ridiculously naive and accident-prone, but he's also the only one who figured out the EvilPlan, sabotaged and stopped it from happening and is actually a very good fighter and ActionSurvivor (especially in [[Film/JohnnyEnglishReborn the sequel]]. It's also shown that while he's not good at executing plans, he's ''very'' good at forming them, being the main planner for several of the large-scale missions in the movies and they only go wrong because of his hubris and clumsiness. WordOfGod even said the core joke of his character is that while he actually ''is'' good, he's not ''as good'' as he thinks he is and that's where the screw-ups come in.

* In ''Fanfic/MurderersRow'', Donut is kind and somewhat ditzy, making him seem like a harmless inmate. However, he quickly turns out to be a vicious CombatPragmatist who's able to take on people like [[AxCrazy O'Malley]] and [[spoiler:[[TheBrute Maine]]]] and come out victorious.

* The ComicBook/XMen's ComicBook/JubileeMarvelComics. On the surface she's a somewhat ditzy, ''very'' [[TheNineties 90s]] [[TotallyRadical mallrat]], and ''especially'' for those who only know her from the animated ''WesternAnimation/XMen'' her ''pafs'' [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway come across as a joke]]. And it certainly helps that Jubilee never really learned to develop her powers to their full potential. But then you read ''why'' she didn't: Jubilee is capable of manipulating and ''detonating'' matter at the ''sub-atomic'' level, and once ''leveled The Mandarin's castle'' when she cut loose because she thought ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} had been hurt. And that ''still'' wasn't the full extent of her powers. ComicBook/EmmaFrost more or less likened her to ''[[PersonOfMassDestruction a walking fusion bomb]]''. Keep in mind she manipulates plasma. As in ''the'' most pervasive state of matter ''in the universe''. The sun is a ''big ball of plasma''. It's what ''outer space'' is made of. And Jubilee can potentially control ''any of it''.

* To a lesser extent then Deadpool, Wade's frequent [[VitriolicBestBuds Vitriolic Best Bud]], [[Characters/AvengersEnemies Taskmaster]] often falls into this DependingOnTheWriter (depending on if he's getting TheWorfEffect or not; if so, he'll be treated as TheDreaded). Quite often, heroes and other types will assume Taskmaster is a JokeCharacter, by virtue of his overly gimmicky costume that's built on RuleOfCool to the point of AwesomeButImpractical, and the fact he's often a DirtyCoward who'd rather duck out of a fight he knows he'll lose than see it through. But he's a WalkingArmory of weapons that replicate some of the most famous BadassNormal heroes in the Marvel Universe, while his photographic reflexes make him an expert with virtually every fighting style, weapon, or skill. He regularly researches fighting techniques to mimic, and as he's learnt from so many heroes who punch above their weight, so can he, often fighting heroes who are significantly more powerful than him but still putting up a real threat.

** The camera then [[DescriptionCut cuts]] to a scene of [[spoiler:Brody in a crowded market, conspicuously wearing the same thing he always does, calling out "Does anybody speak English?"]] He eventually redeems himself by clonking a Nazi unconscious with a bottle while in the tank.

* Captain Haddock in ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfTintin'' is a perfect example. He's a complete idiot, but his brute strength comes in handy. He crawled out of the cockpit of a seaplane that was running out of gas while it was flying in midair and breathed into an exhaust pipe so that his alcoholic breath could fuel the plane on its fumes for a little while longer (even if it didn't exactly work as planned). He also TookALevelInBadass in the climax, when he [[spoiler: duels with the film's villain, who is the descendant of his great-grandfather's enemy]].

* Toru has nothing on Wrestling/OrangeCassidy, who was one of the biggest stars of the American indies before breaking out as a megastar in Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling in 2020. His gimmick is that of a complete slacker, often executing moves with his hands in his pockets and his trademark offense being "kicks of doom"... i.e., light taps to his opponents' shins. He's not called "The King of Sloth Style" for nothing. But woe be to the wrestler who snaps him out of his lethargy, as he can break into a series of mind-blowing technical moves at any moment.

Contrast ObfuscatingStupidity, where the incompetence is just an act; and MinoredInAsskicking, where the character acts like TheSmartGuy instead of TheFool; and MistakenForBadass and LeeroyJenkins, which are essentially two forms of Crouching Badass Hidden Moron. Compare/contrast WeakButSkilled, BewareTheSillyOnes, GeniusDitz, HeroicResolve and EccentricMentor, which can overlap. If the body count they rack up is unintentional, then we're dealing with MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds or NonMaliciousMonster. See also ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman, where their badassdom occurs because they're in an environment where ''their'' abilities stand out relative to everyone else's. Crouching Moron Hidden Badass will sometimes occur as a result of GivingTheSwordToANoob or putting TheLoad in the right situation.

* Animation/HappyHeroes: Careless S. is very forgetful and slow. He’s also really good with guns.

* Newt, the protagonist the of ''Film/FantasticBeasts '' series, is a mild-mannered, socially awkward wizarding zoologist. He’s also a [[HufflepuffHouse Hufflepuff]] compared to the [[ContrastingSequelMainCharacter adventurous, bold Gryffindor]] Film/HarryPotter. All that being said, he’s no pushover and is Dumbledore’s (Mr. ManipulativeBastard himself) hand-chosen man to go to New York to take on the BigBad, Grindlewald, because he can’t. He also fights Grindlewald himself in the climax of the first film. He also looks Grindlewald directly in the eye when he won’t do it with anyone else.

[[folder:Asian Animation]]

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]

[[folder:Let's Play]]
* LetsPlay/SimonLane and LetsPlay/LewisBrindley of the LetsPlay/{{Yogscast}} usually play quirky [[IdiotHero Idiot Heroes]]. And then you hurt someone they like, and they ''will kick your ass''. Not to mention that despite their usual stupidity they both have studied advanced sciences in RealLife.
* LetsPlay/{{Sips}} is one of the go-to goofballs, frequently spelling things wrong and neglecting his grammar, while making bad jokes. He's also one hell of a gamer when he decides to stop messing around.
* LetsPlay/{{Turpster}} is goofy as hell and has a tendency to break the rules on a ridiculously frequent basis. However, when he's the murderer in ''VideoGame/GarrysMod'', or a traitor in ''VideoGame/TroubleInTerroristTown'', he's surprisingly resourceful.
* LetsPlay/HatFilms enjoy frequently verbally abusing one another, constantly end up hurting or killing themselves by accident and often impede their own progress, but they've designed very efficient mob grinders and ways to retrieve underwater gear, won many [=PvP=] maps and regularly manage to give Sips and co a good run for their money.
* LetsPlay/SeaNanners often goofs off, jokes around, embodies BondVillainStupidity and [[TheHyena laughs like there's no tomorrow]]. In spite of this, he regularly beats opponents in-game handily and gets to gloat afterwards.
* Creator/AchievementHunter, with the exception of [[TheAce Ray Narvaez Jr.]] and [[EvilGenius Ryan Haywood]] (whose in-series persona is ''very'' crazy), are all rather quirky and have regular moments of stupidity. In spite of this, every single one has pulled off some crazily impressive stunts, being good gamers when push comes to shove. Of special mention is Creator/GavinFree, who for the most part speaks in a somewhat unusual manner and serves as TheLoad.
[[/folder]]

* Kazuhide in ''VisualNovel/FragmentsNote'', despite appearing to be a lazy, insensitive slacker, is actually quite perceptive and analytical. He's the first one to notice that Yukitsuki is putting up a facade, and miraculously manages to obtain a petition to prevent Mischa's deportation, and get 90% of the school - including faculty - to sign it, all without Yukiha's or Mikiya's knowledge.

[[folder:Web Original]]
* Linkara from ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'' is a nerd who reviews comic books for a living. He also has the power to manifest, invent, or contact any fictional person or thing. His standard weapon is his magic gun, but he's also found often using his ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' Morpher, a ''Franchise/StarTrek'' phaser, the giant robot death machine ComicBook/{{Neutro}}, a Pokéball [[Franchise/SilentHill with Pyramid Head in it]], and several other things. He has used this to defeat Vyce, a MultiversalConqueror, amongst other enemies.
* Hercule/Mr Satan from ''Manga/DragonBall'', according to ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle''. Yes, he is a bumbling idiot in his own series... [[CantCatchUp compared to the Z Fighters, that is]]. Compared to aliens as well as fighters trained in using Ki for powerful martial arts magic he simply can't compare, but as a completely normal human without Ki [[BadassNormal he is one of the best fighters in the franchise]]. [[spoiler: This is why he beat Dan Hibiki who is a complete joke of a martial artist.]]
* Rebecca Stone from ''WebVideo/DemoReel'' comes off at first as a ditzy {{Cloudcuckoolander}} with no empathy and no clue how to look after pets. Turns out? She's a GunNut security guard who won't hesitate to beat the shit out of anyone who hurts her best friends.
* Goku from ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' is a ManChild whose IdiotHero tendencies from the [[Anime/DragonBallZ original series]] get taken to ludicrous heights. That said, he's still Goku, and can mop the floor with the most powerful warriors in the universe without breaking a sweat.
** [[HoldYOurHippogriffs HFIL]], this doesn't just extend to Goku. Nappa, Vegeta, Frieza, the Androids, even Cell all have their moments of incompetence that get balanced out by their moments of badassery. And that's just to name a few.

* Paul of ''WebVideo/LoadingReadyRun''. Ridiculously techy, he can make anything from time machines to nerf rocket launchers from the junk in his garage.
* Essentially the entire core cast of ''WebVideo/{{Mega64}}'', but special mention should go to Sean and Horatio. Do ''not'' make them mad.
* When he's not reviewing movies, WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic is a mix of TheDitz and a loser. But apparently he's a good enough gamer to absolutely whup [[WebVideo/TheAngryJoeShow Angry Joe's]] ass at ''Marvel Vs. Capcom''.
* In ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'' Caboose is usually a complete idiot who loads his gun with crayons and keeps killing his teammates, however in episode 40 Caboose thought about everything that made him angry (spiky kittens, Red bull and Babies) and was able to kill every single one of the flag obsessed zealots in about 10 seconds.
** This also happens to Tucker. He's as useless as anybody else until he gets his sword and, even then, he only shows brief moments of competence. However, in the final few episodes of the Blood Gulch Chronicles, [[spoiler:he manages to defeat Wyoming and Gamma, quickly becomes a master sniper, and actually proves to be a pretty good leader for the blue team (a job which he was too lazy to accept previously). By the time he reappears in Recreation, he's mastered his sword as well and is able to destroy C.T.'s Warthog with one well-timed swipe]]. At this point, he's one of the most competent non-freelancer characters in the series.
*** All without losing his ("Bow Chicka Bow Wow") annoying/endearing original personality traits.
*** Not to mention [[spoiler:going toe to toe with Tex, Maine, more Texes, and now running through an active battlefield with no cover, cutting down soldiers and not taking a single hit]]. At this point, the "non-freelancer" part is redundant. He's one of the most competent characters in the series.
*** Bear in mind the amount of pain and major injuries he's sustained during the entire series. Early on [[spoiler:he takes a rocket to the back and still manages to recover; an alien ambushes and attacks him brutally, yet he recovers quickly afterwards; not long after he goes through the (excruciating) miracle of giving birth to an alien baby]]. He even manages to crack wise while Tex is beating his ass, suggesting he can shrug off her punches better than most non-freelancers.

* ''{{WebAnimation/RWBY}}'':

* Subverted with [[spoiler:Arthur Williams]] in ''Roleplay/SurvivalOfTheFittest'', who shoves aside his shyness and fear, charging an armed player in order to save a hostage, and gets shot in the face for his trouble. Paul Smith, also from ''Survival of the Fittest'' is usually a ChivalrousPervert, pretty goofy and laid back -- very much a comic relief character. However, from time to time, he almost seems to "switch on" and become one hell of a lot more dangerous. And try ''lethally'' dangerous.

* LetsPlay/TheRunawayGuys: [[LetsPlay/NintendoCapriSun Tim]] tends to die the most in games because he's usually not paying enough attention to the screen because of his sleep apnea. However, he ''excels'' in their ''Wheel Of Fortune'' side series, with many a good guess being met with Jon and Emile telling him that he needs to get on the show. One particular highlight is him solving the puzzle (Denzel Washington) with only ''ONE LETTER REVEALED.''
* From ''Podcast/WelcomeToNightVale'', the bumbling [[SitcomArchNemesis Steve Carlsberg]] of all people. In episode 49, [[spoiler:when Kevin suggests that Steve's wheelchair-bound step-daughter needs "fixing", an enraged Steve picks up Kevin by his lapels and throws him through one of the Old Oak Doors]].
* Inevitable ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'' example: Generator (Jade Sinclair) looks like a joke character, with her [[CuteButPsycho adorable child-like appearance]], [[MadScientist silly-looking techno-toys]], endless pranks, and love of Franchise/HelloKitty. She is also the battle-hardened tactical genius who gives the combat instructors nightmares, strikes fear in the hearts of super-powered school bullies, and once wiped out a Syndicate hard-site pretty much single-handedly.
* Tristan from ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries''. A [[TheDitz ditz]] to the max - however, as he puts it, "My voice gives me super strength!"
** "Yeah, I can break necks with my mind."

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* As Fred points out in WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooLegendOfThePhantosaur, hypnosis can't make a person do something they wouldn't (or couldn't) do without it. Which means Shaggy really is fully capable of wiping the floor with that biker gang (as seen in the video example). He's just too frightened and peace-loving to fight back normally.

[[folder:Real Life]]
* The Cast Members at [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Disney World]]. They're a bunch of endlessly-smiling employees in funny outfits and costumes who talk about magic and being "on stage" at work, they're seemingly just hospitality and entertainment workers, and some of Ride/JungleCruise operators joke that they couldn't get into college. On 9/11, with barely 10 minutes' notice of the emergency, they safely evacuated every single theme park using a "human wall" and without causing a panic, ''and'' kept guests at the hotels relatively calm and occupied in the aftermath.
* Clowns are used to invoke this trope, when one realizes they are not simply comic reliefs, but are often actually quite capable acrobats. An egrogious and recent example is Henry Ayala, known as "the Prince of Clowns" who is extremely funny as a clown and extremely capable as tightrope walker, with he and his team of tightrope walkers and acrobats -the Troupe Ayala- winning the second prize at the 44th Festival de Monte-Carlo for their stunts.
* UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga was nicknamed the "Fool of Owari" in his youth, due to his bizarre behavior and disregard for his rank in society. Then came the Battle of Okehazama, where Nobunaga led an army of a paltry 3,000 against the warlord Imagawa Yoshimoto and his 25,000 soldiers, ''[[CurbStompBattle and won]]'', placing him in a key position to unite all of Japan under his rule. After that, [[FromNobodyToNightmare no one dared call him a "fool"]].
* Xu Zhu was known as "Tiger Fool" or "Sleeping Tiger". Noted to be a kind, humble, and quiet man off the battlefield, in battle, he turned from gentle giant into terrifying figure, often compared to a tiger.

** [[HoldYOurHippogriffs HFIL]], this doesn't just extend to Goku. Master Roshi, Nappa, Vegeta, Frieza, the Androids, even Cell all have their moments of incompetence that get balanced out by their moments of badassery.

Then someone pushes the [[BerserkButton right button]] at the right time [[labelnote:translation:]] the ''wrong'' button at ''any time at all''[[/labelnote]] and things suddenly change. The goofy smile disappears. [[GlowingEyesOfDoom Their eyes start glowing.]] An [[BattleAura aura of energy]] surrounds them. [[ChunkyUpdraft Little pieces of rock start floating up from the ground.]] And they proceed to demonstrate the fine art of the CurbStompBattle on everyone involved.

* To a lesser extent then Deadpool, Wade's frequent [[VitriolicBestBuds Vitriolic Best Bud]], [[Characters/AvengersEnemies Taskmaster]] often falls into this DependingOnTheWriter (depending on if he's getting TheWorfEffect or not; if so, he'll be treated as TheDreaded). Quite often, heroes and other types will assume Taskmaster is a JokeVillain, by virtue of his overly gimmicky costume that's built on RuleOfCool to the point of AwesomeButImpractical, and the fact he's often a DirtyCoward who'd rather duck out of a fight he knows he'll lose than see it through. But, he's a WalkingArmory of weapons that replicate some of the most famous BadassNormal heroes in the Marvel Universe, while his photographic reflexes make him an expert with virtually every fighting style, weapon, or skill. He regularly researches fighting techniques to mimmic, and as he's learnt from so many heroes who punch above their weight, so can he, often fighting heroes who are significantly more powerful than him but still putting up a real threat.