History Main / LightningBruiser

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[[quoteright:350:[[TankGoodness https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Challenger_2.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Before you ask, yes, [[CrazyAwesome that tank is]] [[MultiTrackDrifting doing a wheelie]].]]

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: a [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]], [[UnskilledButStrong technique]], [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]], or [[WeakToMagic magical resistance]] are some of the challenges these characters can face, as would be a high resource cost that prevents them from seeing much use. Sometimes, the Lightning Bruiser may be balanced by being [[BoringButPractical less interesting than its counterparts]]: it hits fast and hard, and it can take a punch, but it doesn't do much else. In fighting games, they are typically balanced by unsafe, situational, or just generally poor approach options and inadequate or nonexistent defensive options; they can get in, but they have trouble actually capitalizing on it, and they can take a hit, but they can't do much to keep themselves from getting hit. If it's a game that incorporates CombatDiplomacyStealth, they [[CripplingOverspecialization may be locked into combat]] and rely on their teammates to fulfill the other niches. On the other hand, TheHero might be one of these, and is simply much more powerful than everyone else. Lightning Bruisers are relatively common as video game protagonists for this very reason - it explains why they're capable of taking down hordes of enemies single-handedly.

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]], [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]], [[WeakToMagic magical vulnerability]], or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face. Sometimes, the Lightning Bruiser may be balanced by being [[BoringButPractical less interesting than its counterparts:]] it hits fast and hard, and it can take a punch, but it doesn't do much else. In fighting games, they are typically balanced by unsafe, situational, or just generally poor approach options and inadequate or nonexistent defensive options; they can get in, but they have trouble actually capitalizing on it, and they can take a hit, but they can't do much to keep themselves from getting hit. If it's a game that incorporates CombatDiplomacyStealth, they [[CripplingOverspecialization may be locked into combat]] and be reliant on their teammates to fulfill the other niches. On the other hand, TheHero might be one of these, and is simply much more powerful than everyone else. Lightning Bruisers are relatively common as video game protagonists for this very reason - it explains why they're capable of taking down hordes of enemies single-handedly.

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]],[[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]], [[WeakToMagic magical vulnerability]], or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face. Sometimes, the Lightning Bruiser may be balanced by being [[BoringButPractical less interesting than its counterparts:]] it hits fast and hard, and it can take a punch, but it doesn't do much else. In fighting games, they are typically balanced by unsafe, situational, or just generally poor approach options and inadequate or nonexistent defensive options; they can get in, but they have trouble actually capitalizing on it, and they can take a hit, but they can't do much to keep themselves from getting hit. If it's a game that incorporates CombatDiplomacyStealth, they [[CripplingOverspecialization may be locked into combat]] and be reliant on their teammates to fulfill the other niches. On the other hand, TheHero might be one of these, and is simply much more powerful than everyone else. Lightning Bruisers are relatively common as video game protagonists for this very reason - it explains why they're capable of taking down hordes of enemies single-handedly.

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]] or [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]] or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face. Sometimes, the Lightning Bruiser may be balanced by being [[BoringButPractical less interesting than its counterparts:]] it hits fast and hard, and it can take a punch, but it doesn't do much else. In fighting games, they are typically balanced by unsafe, situational, or just generally poor approach options and inadequate or nonexistent defensive options; they can get in, but they have trouble actually capitalizing on it, and they can take a hit, but they can't do much to keep themselves from getting hit. On the other hand, TheHero might be one of these, and is simply much more powerful than everyone else. Lightning Bruisers are relatively common as video game protagonists for this very reason - it explains why they're capable of taking down hordes of enemies single-handedly.

The Lightning Bruiser is an {{Archetype}} that sets itself apart from the competition in that it is able to take and give a lot of damage and can move quickly. When considering strength, speed, and toughness, the Lightning Bruiser does not trade off one advantage for another the way, say, the FragileSpeedster trades off durability for speed, the GlassCannon trades durability for power, or the MightyGlacier trades mobility for power.

Like the FragileSpeedster, the Lightning Bruiser is well-suited to ConfusionFu; unlike a FragileSpeedster it can also use [[AttackAttackAttack a more direct approach]] without needing to rely on HitAndRunTactics to stay safe. The classic FlyingBrick SuperHero archetype is usually a LightningBruiser. Compare and contrast {{Acrofatic}} and MasterOfAll, with which it may also overlap. Compare and contrast also JackOfAllStats, which is similarly well-rounded but not exceptional in any particular area in the way a Lightning Bruiser is.

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]] or [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]] or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face. Sometimes, the Lightning Bruiser may be balanced by being less interesting than its counterparts: it hits fast and hard, and it can take a punch, but it doesn't do much else. In fighting games, they are typically balanced by unsafe, situational, or just generally poor approach options and inadequate or nonexistent defensive options; they can get in, but they have trouble actually capitalizing on it, and they can take a hit, but they can't do much to keep themselves from getting hit. On the other hand, TheHero might be one of these, and is simply much more powerful than everyone else. Lightning Bruisers are relatively common as video game protagonists for this very reason - it explains why they're capable of taking down hordes of enemies single-handedly.

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]] or [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]] or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face. Sometimes, the Lightning Bruiser may be balanced by being less interesting than its counterparts: it hits fast and hard, and it can take a punch, but it doesn't do much else. On the other hand, TheHero might be one of these, and is simply much more powerful than everyone else. Lightning Bruisers are relatively common as video game protagonists for this very reason - it explains why they're capable of taking down hordes of enemies single-handedly.

-->-- ''Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian - "Xuthal of the Dusk"''

When adding examples, keep in mind: '''This trope only exists relative to other characters in universe.''' A statement that a character is strong, fast, and durable does not define them as a Lightning Bruiser; most {{Action Hero}}es already demonstrate those qualities. A character is a Lightning Bruiser if they are explicitly stated to be strong'''er''', fast'''er''', '''''and''''' tough'''er''' than most of the other characters, or if it is stated explicitly that another character is a FragileSpeedster or a MightyGlacier. As such this trope is ''not'' part of CompetitiveBalance unless a character is PurposelyOverpowered or has other secondary drawbacks.

When adding examples, keep in mind: '''This trope only exists relative to other characters in universe.''' A statement that a character is strong, fast, and durable does not define them as a Lightning Bruiser; most {{Action Hero}}es already demonstrate those qualities. A character is a Lightning Bruiser if they are explicitly stated to be strong'''er''', fast'''er''', '''''and''''' tough'''er''' than most of the other characters, or if it is stated explicitly that another character is a FragileSpeedster or a MightyGlacier. As such this trope is ''not'' part of CompetitiveBalance unless a character is unbalanced.

Like the FragileSpeedster, the Lightning Bruiser is well-suited to ConfusionFu; unlike a FragileSpeedster it can also use [[AttackAttackAttack a more direct approach]] without needing to rely on HitAndRunTactics to stay safe. The classic FlyingBrick SuperHero archetype is usually a LightningBruiser. Compare and contrast {{Acrofatic}} and MasterOfAll, with which it may also overlap. Compare and contrast also JackOfAllStats, which is similarly well-rounded but not exceptional in any particular area in the way a Lightning Bruiser is. If a Lightning Bruiser is so powerful that it can mow down anything in its path, it's TheJuggernaut.

Like the FragileSpeedster, the Lightning Bruiser is well-suited to ConfusionFu; unlike a FragileSpeedster it can also use [[AttackAttackAttack a more direct approach]] without needing to rely on HitAndRunTactics to stay safe. The classic FlyingBrick SuperHero archetype is usually a LightningBruiser. Compare and contrast {{Acrofatic}} and MasterOfAll, with which it may also overlap. Compare and contrast also JackOfAllStats, which is similarly well-rounded but not exceptional in any particular area in the way a Lightning Bruiser is.

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]] or [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]] or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face. Sometimes, the Lightning Bruiser may be balanced by being less interesting than its counterparts: it hits fast and hard, and it can take a punch, but it doesn't do much else.

Like the FragileSpeedster, the Lightning Bruiser is well-suited to ConfusionFu; unlike a FragileSpeedster it can also use [[AttackAttackAttack a more direct approach]] without needing to rely on HitAndRunTactics to stay safe. The classic FlyingBrick SuperHero archetype is usually a LightningBruiser. Compare and contrast {{Acrofatic}}, with which it may also overlap. Compare and contrast also JackOfAllStats, which is similarly well-rounded but not exceptional in any particular area in the way a Lightning Bruiser is.

[[caption-width-right:350:Before you ask, yes, that tank is [[MultiTrackDrifting doing a wheelie]].]]

The Lightning Bruiser is an {{Archetype}} that sets itself apart from the competition in that it is able to take and give a lot of damage and can move quickly. When considering strength, speed, and toughness, the Lightning Bruiser does not trade off one advantage for another the way, say, the FragileSpeedster trades off durability for speed or the GlassCannon trades durability for power, or how the MightyGlacier trades mobility for durability.

The Lightning Bruiser is an {{Archetype}} that sets itself apart from the competition in that it is able to take and give a lot of damage and can move quickly. When considering strength, speed, and toughness, the Lightning Bruiser does not trade off one advantage for another the way, say, the FragileSpeedster trades off durability for speed or the GlassCannon trades durability for power.

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]] or [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]] or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face. Sometimes, the Lightning Bruiser may be balanced by being less interesting that its counterparts: it hits fast and hard, and it can take a punch, but it doesn't do much else.

When adding examples, keep in mind: '''This trope only exists relative to other characters in universe.''' A statement that a character is strong, fast, and durable does not define them as a Lightning Bruiser; most {{Action Hero}}es already demonstrate those qualities. A character is a Lightning Bruiser if they are explicitly stated to be strong'''er''', fast'''er''', '''''and''''' tough'''er''' than most of the other characters, or if it is stated explicitly that another character is a FragileSpeedster or a MightyGlacier.

When adding examples, keep in mind: '''This trope only exists relative to other characters in universe.''' A statement that a character is strong, fast, and durable does not define them as a Lightning Bruiser; most {{Action Hero}}es and {{Badass}}es already demonstrate those qualities. A character is a Lightning Bruiser if they are explicitly stated to be strong'''er''', fast'''er''', '''''and''''' tough'''er''' than most of the other characters, or if it is stated explicitly that another character is a FragileSpeedster or a MightyGlacier.

->''"He was never motionless or in the same place an instant; springing, side-stepping, whirling, twisting, he offered a constantly shifting target for their swords, while [[{{BFS}} his own curved blade]] sang death about their ears."''

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]] or [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]] or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face.

Note that being a Lightning Bruiser has nothing to do with [[ShockAndAwe using lightning-based attacks or magic]], though, on rare occasion, both tropes will apply to the same character.

The Lightning Bruiser is an {{Archetype}} that sets itself apart from the others in NecessaryDrawback in that he is able to take and give a lot of damage and he can move quickly. In the triangle of strength, speed, and toughness, the Lightning Bruiser does not trade off one advantage for another the way, say, the FragileSpeedster trades off durability for speed or the GlassCannon trades durability for power.

To prevent the character from becoming a GameBreaker or a StoryBreakerPower, the Lightning Bruiser may have [[NecessaryDrawback weaknesses]] beyond strength, speed, and toughness: [[CloseRangeCombatant lack of range]] or [[MagicallyIneptFighter magical capability]] or a high resource cost are some of the challenges these characters can face.

A Lightning Bruiser may also perform ConfusionFu. If he's good at everything, then he can throw everything at you, right? May also be a FlyingBrick. Compare and contrast {{Acrofatic}}, MusclesAreMeaningless.

When adding examples: keep in mind: '''This trope only exists relative to other characters in universe.''' A statement that a character is strong, fast, and durable does not define them as a Lightning Bruiser; most {{Action Hero}}es and {{Badass}}es already demonstrate those qualities. A character is a Lightning Bruiser if they are explicitly stated to be strong'''er''', fast'''er''', and tough'''er''' than most of the other characters, or if it is stated explicitly that another character is a FragileSpeedster or a MightyGlacier.