History Main / MinoredInAssKicking

* In ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'', Galatea is primarily an [[GadgeteerGenius inventor]] and a schemer, but as Riboflavin [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20101026.html painfully]] learned, given sufficient incentive she will prove that "There's a significant difference twixt [[FriendToAllLivingThings my sister]] and I. ''I'' understand how my ''[[CuteMonsterGirl claws]]'' work."

* Hank [=McCoy=], AKA ComicBook/{{Beast|MarvelComics}} of the ComicBook/XMen has always been a [[GeniusBruiser capable fighter belying a brilliant mind]], regardless of the media portraying him. Yet his incarnation in ''WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen'' states early on that he's "a pacifist by nature." Push comes to shove, however, he'll knock you down.

** The First Doctor's companion, Barbara. Usually, Ian would be the ActionHero, the Doctor would be the CrazyAwesome-clever one, and Barbara would be the insightful-clever one who would pick up on things the Doctor was too arrogant or unobservant to notice. However, she'd get physical on occasion — she knocks a {{Mind Control}}led Ian off his feet in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS1E5TheKeysOfMarinus The Keys of Marinus]]", kills a bunch of nasty alien brains in the same story, battles super-fast growing foliage, kills a Dalek by running over it in a speeding lorry, shoots a "sand beast" in the face with a rocket, [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu kills a Lovecraftian monstrosity]]...

* Downplayed with John Franchise/{{Rambo}} as he can be ruthless and vengeful, but he does often look for a diplomatic solution when he can.

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' has a number of these but Albireo and Negi are probably the foremost examples.

* ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}!'''s [[NobleDemon Luck Gandor]], as the social face and "strategy" of the [[TheMafia Gandor family]], prefers talking his way through situations, and reads poetry in his spare time. Having a philosophical bent doesn't mean that he's not capable of some [[DisproportionateRetribution remarkable]] [[AndThisIsFor feats of]] [[GrievousHarmWithABody badassery]] when [[TranquilFury properly]] [[PapaWolf motivated]], however.

* Comicbook/{{Loki}} is often considered a GlassCannon or SquishyWizard by either Asgardian standards (though he has SuperStrength and amazing endurance [[NormalFishInATinyPond in comparison to mortals]]) and at other times just by ''Thor's'' standards. However, he has physically (or mostly physically) outfought several opponents, most recently the Dsir during the ComicBook/{{Siege}} event. He also changes weapons more than most ''Thor'' characters, his main ones being a whip, sword, or halberd.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* In ''[[Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob The Inexplicable Adventures of Bob]]'', Galatea is primarily an [[GadgeteerGenius inventor]] and a schemer, but as Riboflavin [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20101026.html painfully]] learned, given sufficient incentive she will prove that "There's a significant difference twixt [[FriendToAllLivingThings my sister]] and I. ''I'' understand how my ''[[CuteMonsterGirl claws]]'' work."

* Rabbi Russell Stone, the protagonist of ''VideoGame/TheShivah'', manages to talk a knife-welding crook, send to kill him, into a fist-fight. The would-be assassin laughs at the challenge, thinking that the Rabbi is just a harmless, old Jew, until Stone's right fist hits his face, and the Rabbi reveals that he used to be in a boxing league before proceeding to completely beat up the crook.

* Son Gohan! ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' being the show that it is, he doesn't get much of a chance to show off his intelligence, so he tends to hide more behind his pacifism.

** {{Filler}}s of the {{Anime}} and the {{The Movie}}s do show his smart side, being able to read complex entomology book ''and'' building a sand-surfer/Nice Boat (with complex equations to calculate its dimensions and proportions) ''before turning 5''. Seriously, if he doesn't define ChildProdigy, who knows what does!

* Compared to the rest of the ''Franchise/{{Justice League| of America}}'' Franchise/{{Batman}} is a "weak" BadassNormal. Most of the time he's the one who puts together the available information to figure out who the bad guys are, what their plan is, and how best to foil it... but when it comes time to fight, he's one of (if not ''the'') most dangerous leaguers to face.
** The White Martians found this out the hard way, even AFTER Franchise/{{Superman}} clued them in:
--->'''Protex:''' He's only one man!
--->'''Superman:''' The most dangerous man on Earth...
*** Each member of the League took out a White Martian. Batman beat FOUR!
** Hell, the entire Bat family is made of this. Even in a wheelchair, [[HandicappedBadass Oracle is still more than capable of defending herself]]!

* Comicbook/{{Loki}} is often considered a GlassCannon or SquishyWizard by either Asgardian standards (though he has SuperStrength and amazing endurance in comparison to mortals) and at other times just by ''Thor's'' standards. However, he has physically (or mostly physically) outfought several opponents, most recently the Dsir during the ComicBook/{{Siege}} event. He also changes weapons more than most ''Thor'' characters, his main ones being a whip, sword, or halberd.

* In ''Literature/TheSagaOfDarrenShan'', Kurda Smahlt is the one character like this in a mountain full of ProudWarriorRaceGuy vampires. He's a [[ActualPacifist pacifist]] and prefers not to fight unless he has to... and a vampire can't refuse a challenge during the Festival of the Undead.

* Dallben and Coll of ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain'' are both this. Coll is a RetiredBadass, while Dallben spends most of his time napping, grouching about young people these days, and occasionally doing a bit of light meditation... and when someone invades his home in Book 5, he shows just why he's "the most powerful enchanter in Prydain" and one of two {{Big Good}}s.
* Paul Blofis, father-in-law of the titular hero of ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians,'' seems at first like a pretty cool and laid-back guy, even if he is a [[TakeThat math teacher.]] Then, during the FinalBattle, he picks up a sword from a fallen hero and defeats a dracaena in a one-on-one duel, brushing it off as having done Shakespeare in college and picked up a little swordplay. It should be noted that due to the [[WeirdnessCensor Mist]], he ''literally can't even see it properly.''

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''

** Mr. Spock of ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' fame was a Crouching Scholar. As a half Vulcan, he was much stronger than his human peers, had combat training, could [[TapOnTheHead nerve pinch]] most enemies into submission, and aside from bantering with [=McCoy=] never [[SmugSuper lorded his abilities over anyone.]] This is made very apparent in ''Film/StarTrek2009'', where [[spoiler:when Kirk manages to ''break'' Spock's BerserkButton, he is thrashed from one end of the bridge to another and is very nearly choked to death (Kirk did this to make Spock realize he was not in the best state to command a ship]]. In [[Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness the sequel]], [[spoiler:he proceeds to go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge and go toe-to-toe with OneManArmy SuperSoldier ''Khan Noonien Singh'', who had previously massacred an entire platoon of Klingons single-handedly and was only mildly annoyed at Kirk's best attempt to beat him up. He even fully used the nerve pinch to make Khan ''suffer.'' The only reason Spock didn't kill him was because Khan's blood could revive Kirk.]].

* Canas of ''VideoGame/FireEmblem: Blazing Sword'' is an easily-missed, slightly klutzy and very calm shaman who spends his days studying and traveling to learn more about the dar- sorry, ''[[InsistentTerminology arcane]]'' arts. Recruit him and train him up, and he'll be able to take down the final boss in a turn or two on his own.

* Sans from ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' is just a LazyBum who happens to be [[spoiler: RightHandMan to Asgore]], but is [[spoiler: the FinalBoss of the KillEmAll path. the BigBad Flowey who is the most powerful character in the game besides Sans, is scared of him and apparently [[OffscreenMomentofAwesome Sans caused Flowey to hit the Reset Button multiple times.]] Also he is a genius who figured out that the world was stuck in a GroundbogDayLoop ''without having RippleEffectProofMemory''.]] HiddenDepths ''indeed''.
* Citan Uzuki of ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' is an eccentric OmnidisciplinaryScientist, [[TheMedic the main healer for much of the game]], very polite...and an almost [[GameBreaker game-breakingly]] powerful fighter with bare hands or a sword. [[spoiler: He is also a secret agent.]]
** A viable combat strategy for some of the latter giant robot fights is to remove Citan from his robot and hit the [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever giant enemy]] with his sword.

** Surprisingly, [[spoiler: Tarvek.]] Even his own bodyguard's mouth was hanging open when it turned out [[spoiler: he can match even with Gil]], to the point that they both just collapsed in exhaustion (and illness) at the end of a brawl that was ''supposed'' to just be a staged one.

* Kevyn from ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary''. A scientist and engineer who would really be happiest messing around with cutting edge technology. Happens to wear antimatter grenades as epaulets, one of which might as well be a nuke.
** Technically, they both may as well be nukes. The one he [[spoiler: threw at the tank]] just used up most of its destructive power to get through the shield first.

* Hank [=McCoy=], AKA Beast of the ComicBook/XMen has always been a [[GeniusBruiser capable fighter belying a brilliant mind]], regardless of the media portraying him. Yet his incarnation in ''WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen'' states early on that he's "a pacifist by nature." Push comes to shove, however, he'll knock you down.

-->-- ''Literature/TacticsOfMistake'' by Creator/GordonRDickson

For this guy, [[HiddenBadass fighting ability is secondary]]. They're MissionControl, TheFace, TheTeamBenefactor, anything except outright combat, and so they are assumed to be a NonActionGuy. Then in a special situation, they show how physically mighty they are. After displaying this prowess in combat, they go back to being the unassuming Scholar. Both characters and audiences might forget he's stronger than the LightningBruiser because their "major" is in something else.

* ''{{Series/Bones}}'': Brennan primarily uses her brains in her work, but do not underestimate her in a fight. Booth May be the military guy, but Brennan is an accomplished martial artist and she has no problem getting physical with people who threaten her or her family.

For this guy, [[HiddenBadass fighting ability is secondary]]. They're MissionControl, TheFace, TheTeamBenefactor, anything except outright combat, and so they are assumed to be a NonActionGuy. Then in a special situation, they show how physically mighty they are. After displaying this prowess in combat, goes back to being the unassuming Scholar. Both characters and audiences might forget he's stronger than the LightningBruiser because their "major" is in something else.

* Rafiki from ''Disney/TheLionKing''. He's not a fighter, but when push comes to shove, he can more than hold his own.

*** Let us not forget Soundwave, who got into exactly 5 fights in the show and won 3 of them. The two he lost: shot out the air by an upgrade Optimus Prime (though this may have been part of a BatmanGambit for him given what happens later); and trapped in the Shadowzone (which he had no experience with and no way to combat) by Jack, Miko, and Raf. The three he won: handing Airachnid her skidplate so hard she never seemed truly intimidating ever again; incapacitating [[TheBigGuy Wheeljack]] in a struggle for the Resonance Blaster; and knocking out Bulkhead, Smokescreen, and Fowler before kidnapping Ratchet, all without breaking a sweat.

* ''LightNovel/TrinityBlood'': A bit of a throwaway scene in the Anime of has an elderly GadgeteerGenius and resident [[TheSmartGuy Smart Guy]] in the church anti vamp squad beset by a dozen zombie vampire assassins who are like vampires, but much more powerful. We cut to other adventurers, and when we cut back they're all dead on the floor while he calmly lights a pipe.

* : Sans from ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' is just a LazyBum who happens to be [[spoiler: RightHandMan to Asgore]], but is [[spoiler: the FinalBoss of the KillEmAll path. the BigBad Flowey who is the most powerful character in the game besides Sans, is scared of him and apparently [[OffscreenMomentofAwesome Sans caused Flowey to hit the Reset Button multiple times.]] Also he is a genius who figured out that the world was stuck in a GroundbogDayLoop ''without having RippleEffectProofMemory''.]] HiddenDepths ''indeed''.

* : Sans from ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' is just a LazyBum who happens to be [[spoiler: RightHandMan to Asgore]], but is [[spoiler: the FinalBoss of the KillEmAll path. the BigBad Flowey who is the most powerful character in the game besides Sans, is scared of him and apparently [[OffscreenMomentofAwesome Sans caused Flowey to hit the ResetButton multiple times.]] Also he is a genius who figured out that the world was stuck in a GroundbogDayLoop ''without having RippleEffectProofMemory''.]] HiddenDepths ''indeed''.

* : Sans from ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' is just a LazyBum who happens to be [[spoiler: RightHandMan to Asgore]], but is [[spoiler: the FinalBoss of the KillEmAll path. the BigBad Flowey who is the most powerful character in the game besides Sans, is scared of him and apparently [[OffscreenMomentofAwesome Sans caused Flowey to hit the ResetButton ''multiple'' times.]] Also he is a genius who figured out that the world was stuck in a GroundbogDayLoop ''without having RippleEffectProofMemory''.]] HiddenDepths ''indeed''.

* : Sans from ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' is just a LazyBum who happens to be [[spoiler: RightHandMan to Asgore]], but is [[spoiler: the FinalBoss of the KillEmAll path and the [[BigBad ''Flowey'']] is scared of him and apparently Sans caused Flowey to hit the ResetButton ''multiple'' times. Also he is a genius who figured out that the world was stuck in a GroundbogDayLoop ''without having RippleEffectProofMemory''.]] HiddenDepths ''indeed''.

* : Sans from ''VideoGame/Undertale'' is just a LazyBum who happens to be [[spoiler: RightHandMan to Asgore]], but is [[spoiler: the FinalBoss of the KillEmAll path and the [[BigBad ''Flowey'']] is scared of him and apparently Sans caused Flowey to hit the ResetButton ''multiple'' times. Also he is a genius who figured out that the world was stuck in a GroundbogDayLoop ''without having RippleEffectProofMemory''.]] HiddenDepths ''indeed''.

* Minor character [[WomanInWhite Shinobu Kojo]], from ''[[Film/TheStreetfighter Sister Streetfighter]]'', may be a ballerina, but she's quick to aggressively defend those under her protection from any dangerous person or group of people, as seen when she and Tina Long, who had earlier shown up on a tip from the former's boyfriend, Sonny Hibachi, double-team on a group of Kaki's {{Mooks}}.

For this guy, fighting ability is secondary. They're MissionControl, TheFace, TheTeamBenefactor, anything except outright combat, and so they are assumed to be a NonActionGuy. Then in a special situation, they show how physically mighty they are. After displaying this prowess in combat, goes back to being the unassuming Scholar. Both characters and audiences might forget he's stronger than the LightningBruiser because their "major" is in something else.

* Comicbook/{{Loki}} is often considered a GlassCannon or SquishyWizard by either Asgardian standards (though he has SuperStrength and amazing endurance in comparison to mortals)and at other times just by ''Thor's'' standards. However, he has physically (or mostly physically) outfought several opponents, most recently the Dsir during the ComicBook/{{Siege}} event. He also changes weapons more than most ''Thor'' characters, his main ones being a whip, sword, or halberd.

* Mr. Miyagi from ''Film/TheKarateKid'' fits this trope along with MartialPacifist. Despite being an Okinawan karate master and highly decorated U.S. UsefulNotes/WorldWarTwo veteran, Daniel finds him spending his old age working as the South Seas apartment complex's maintainence man while enjoying peaceful hobbies such as cultivating bonsai trees. He teaches Daniel karate in a way that heavily emphasizes restraint and self-control, and only fights on the vey rare occasions where self-defense is justified. Despite this, he can still fight so well that he wins using a minimum of force. He beats John Kreese without even really fighting him, basically letting the man beat himself up.
* Downplayed with John Rambo as he can be ruthless and vengeful, but he does often look for a diplomatic solution when he can.

* Kahlan Amnell of the ''Literature/SwordOfTruth'' is somewhere between this and a borderline BadassNormal. Her father taught her everything he knew about fighting, and he was a king who was unequaled in the Midlands at bringing war.

* ''{{Series/Bones}}'': Brennan primarly uses her brains in her work, but do not underestimate her in a fight. Booth May be the military guy, but Brennan is an accomplished martial artist and she has no problem getting physical with people who threaten her or her family.