History Main / EmpoweredBadassNormal

* In the early years of his published existence, JimmyOlsen was a [[TagalongKid sidekick]] who's only ability was a watch that let him call {{Superman}} for help. Then, in the pages of Jimmy's own title, the writers decided to have him TakeALevelInBadass by giving him superpowers of his own. Trouble was, the power-ups never seemed to take, and they seemed to become [[MotiveDecay wackier with each attempt]]. Over the years, Jimmy went through spats of being a [[SuperSpeed speedster]], a [[{{Telepathy}} telepath]], a RubberMan, a [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolf]], a [[SpikesOfDoom human porcupine]], a [[{{Kaiju}} giant turtle]], and a [[BourgeoisBohemian hippy]], [[FantasyKitchenSink just to name a few]]. By the time the title was cancelled, they had abused the BadassAbnormal trope so throughly, the title itself had come to feel like an extremely meta subversion.

** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' reveals that Wesker [[spoiler:along with the other Wesker children, though he supposedly was the only survivor,]] was a subject of Project W, the first and greatest of Umbrella's experiments. He was indoctrinated with Oswell Spencer's beliefs and treated with the Progenitor Virus since early childhood. He was a BadassAbnormal all along.

** The Sentinels in ''VideoGame/{{Resistance}} 2'', a team of [[BadassAbnormal Badass Abnormals]] who all survived the infection through the [[TheVirus Chimeran Virus]] and thus have the same abilities as Hale.

* [[AntiVillain Macbeth]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' is a BadassAbnormal twice over. During his initial lifetime, he was a highly skilled swordsman and all-around warrior, but had [[BadassNormal no superhuman abilities]]. Following a bargain with the Weird Sisters and Demona, he gained virtual immortality, and then at some point between his medieval backstory and first appearance in the present storyline, he also learned sorcery, becoming a MagicKnight.
** Owen could probably count, although more from the viewer's standpoint--he was [[spoiler:actually [[TheFairFolk Puck]]]] for the whole series, but came off as a BadassNormal BattleButler until revealing himself near the end of season two.

* In ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}: The Animated Series,'' Aladdin winds up getting possessed by Mozenrath and fighting for control of the body. In the middle of the fight, he blocks Mozenrath's magic with [[ThePowerOfLove his spirit's own mystical power]] and wins a BeamOWar with Mozenrath. Unusually for a BadassAbnormal, this is never seen again, and it's heavily implied that he can't use it outside his body.

* Both Mohinder and Ando in ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' spend the first two seasons struggling to keep up in a world of superhumans. They do okay all things considered -- even facing the BigBad, Sylar, a couple of times and living to tell of it, which many characters with powers can't say. But in Volume 3 they both get powers, letting them hold their own.

* Igor Dolinsky in ''Literature/NightWatcher'' is a half-vampire at most (well, [[OurVampiresAreDifferent it's rather more complicated than that]], but as far as his power vis-a-vis that of the regular vampires he fights is concerned this usually holds), but being WeakButSkilled and something of a {{Determinator}}, he definitely meets this trope, effectively being a MagicKnight. Also, his mind powers may not be innately as strong as those of normal vampires, but he has trained them better and uses them much more efficiently than they usually seem to do.
* In ''Literature/InFuryBorn'' Alicia Devries is a highly decorated [[SemperFi ex-marine]], [[SpaceMarine ex-cadre]] genius of literally superior genetic stock. After spending the first half of the book establishing her as a BadassNormal, she then becomes possessed by a demi-goddess of vengeance and shortly after bonds with the AI of an experimental warship. It is good.

** Becoming a Clan Leader works this way. They start out as normal warriors like everyone else [[note]]Normal warrior = Major badass[[/note]], but when they become a leader, they receive [[BackFromTheDead nine lives]], the powers of [=StarClan=], and ay other gift the authors decide to give them.
* In the Literature/InheritanceCycle, Eragon becomes a half-Elf, half-Human as the result of an ancient ritual, giving him magic and swordplay skills he previously lacked.

* The Sisters of Battle of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' are for all intents and purposes normal humans, albeit [[TrainingFromHell trained to elite levels]], and equipped with PowerArmor, and a [[{{BFG}} Boltgun]]. Their faith in the God-Emperor though is ''so'' strong that it gives them incredible powers on par with psionics (only explicitly ''not'' warp derived, therefore without possibility of invoking Perils of the Warp). These used to be so good that many players preferred to design their army ''specifically'' around Acts of Faith to make a competitive list, although the sixth edition codex has kicked the entire faction down to mediocre.

** Tsukune is probably a straighter example. In the beginning he wasn't that impressive at a glance, but he was courageous enough to [[TakingTheBullet shield his]] [[OurMonstersAreDifferent stronger friends]] from attacks so often you have to wonder [[MadeOfIron what he's made of]] [[{{Determinator}} to keep getting up like that]]. Then he gets his EmergencyTransformation ShonenUpgrade, and this trope breaks loose.

* [[TransformersAnimated Sari Sumdac]]. A BadassNormal in her initial [[spoiler: mostly human]] form, [[spoiler: once she gets an upgrade to seeming more machine than human, she gets nifty hand blasters and a processing unit boosted even beyond the Cybertronian standard! Not to mention temporary weapons generation.]]

** It was shown in flashbacks that even as a child, Ace was ''extremely'' badass. [[spoiler:Being [[InTheBlood the son of Gold Roger]] might have something to do with that]]. His eating the [[PlayingWithFire Flame-Flame]] fruit only upped his badassness.

* Captain Jack Harkness from ''Series/DoctorWho'' and ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'' is this. He starts out a badass former time-agent who can easily keep up with the Ninth Doctor in terms of action. But then he dies. And is brought back. Permanently.

* Any supernatural characters from ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'', including Stefan, Damon, Katherine, Klaus, Bonnie, etc.

* Akane Tendo from ''[[RanmaOneHalf Ranma 1/2]]'' has gotten this on occasion:

* Any supernatural creatures from ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'', including Stefan, Damon, Katherine, Klaus, Bonnie, etc.

** It was shown in flashbacks that even as a child, Ace was ''extremely'' badass. [[spoiler:Being [[InTheBlood the son of Gold Roger]] might have something to do with that]]. His eating the [[PlayingWithFire Flame-Flame]] fruit only upped his badassness.

He may find some new AppliedPhlebotinum, or discover a new power [[EleventhHourSuperpower lurking within himself]]. Perhaps a sudden revelation reveals some [[ChangelingFantasy otherworldly origin]] in his background, or he has [[TouchedByVorlons an encounter with mysterious beings that leaves him forever changed]]. Or perhaps his badassness just escalates [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower beyond the limits of normal humanity]]. Either way, an upgrade of this type may be required just so the BadassNormal won't [[CantCatchUp become completely irrelevant]] compared to his superpowered comrades. If the SortingAlgorithmOfEvil leaves him too far behind, and his role seems to be reduced to [[TheWorfEffect getting his ass handed to him]], he may otherwise have to be PutOnABus so he doesn't [[TheLoad get in the way]].

* Comicbook/IronMan gave himself technology based super powers with the 'extremis' virus after deciding he wasn't fast enough to keep up. In addition to speeding up his ability to control his suits by mental link it also allowed him to mentally link with other pieces of technology as well, often leading to 'I hacked it while standing here talking to you' asspulls.

* {{WesternAnimation/TeenTitans}} really liked this trope, although it was played with twice in that the character getting the power-up already had powers.
** Cyborg hacks Brother Blood's brains and takes over his psychic powers. It's a one-shot deal.
** [[spoiler:Slade]] when he returns from the dead with flame powers [[spoiler:given to him by the demon Trigon]]. He lost them.
** The Titans other than Raven when she gives them some of her power to help fend off [[spoiler: Trigon]].

* In ''InFuryBorn'' Alicia Devries is a highly decorated [[SemperFi ex-marine]], [[SpaceMarine ex-cadre]] genius of literally superior genetic stock. After spending the first half of the book establishing her as a BadassNormal, she then becomes possessed by a demi-goddess of vengeance and shortly after bonds with the AI of an experimental warship. It is good.

* Depending on player choices, ''MassEffect's'' Commander Shepard can be this by the second game. A non-biotic Shepard is a BadassNormal in the first game, but Cerberus adds upgrades in the second. Regardless of class selection, Shepard is given a reinforced skeleton, enhanced senses, tougher skin, increased strength and stamina and virtual immunity to toxins.

Keep in mind that to qualify as a BadassAbnormal, a character must spend a significant amount of screen time as a BadassNormal before gaining his upgrade. For example, Hal Jordan of the ''Comicbook/GreenLantern'' series starts off as a BadassNormal (he's an Air Force pilot) but gets his powers so early in the story that he cannot be considered a BadassAbnormal. Likewise, fellow Green Lantern John Stewart used to be a member of [[SemperFi another Corps]], but that wasn't even brought up until decades after his introduction. If the power upgrade is a part of the character's origin story, then he doesn't count as a BadassAbnormal. If the character only uses his powers in extreme circumstances, he probably FightsLikeANormal.

'''Important Note:''' EmpoweredBadassAbnormal is a trope that specifically deals with a BadassNormal who gains superpowers. It does ''not'' mean "{{Badass}} with superpowers." There are plenty of other {{Badass}}-related tropes to deal with those. Please help us fight this TropeDecay.

'''Important Note:''' BadassAbnormal is a trope that specifically deals with a BadassNormal who gains superpowers. It does ''not'' mean "{{Badass}} with superpowers." There are plenty of other {{Badass}}-related tropes to deal with those. Please help us fight this TropeDecay.