History Main / TheSmartGuy

* Swapping knowledge for wisdom. An older MentorArchetype, or the WiseBeyondTheirYears OnlySaneMan who can keep a cool head, think their way around problems that seem to big to solve, and give really good advice.

[[folder:Literature]]
* Though not actually a Five Man Band, in the Harry Potter books Hermione Granger is the brains of her trio. She knows spells beyond normal standards in school, gets top marks on everything, and basically used her knowledge to save her friends' lives over and over. Her catchphrase? "I read about it in (book)."
* TheSmartGuy/LiveActionTV
* TheSmartGuy/VideoGames
* TheSmartGuy/WesternAnimation
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* TheSmartGuy/LiveActionTV
* TheSmartGuy/VideoGames
* TheSmartGuy/WesternAnimation

* On the group Team Kimba in the ''WhateleyUniverse'', Phase is probably the smart one, even if Chaka seems to be best at coming up with ideas in the middle of a fight. Phase is over-educated for a freshman in high school, is most likely to use the big words, and is a smart aleck too. The SmartGuy they go to for gadgets is Bugs, who is a HotScientist.

'''Aang:''' You're the idea guy.\\

If the Smart Guy happens to be big and strong, he's a GeniusBruiser.

If the Smart Guy happens to be big and strong, he's a GeniusBruiser

* ''WebComic/MagickChicks'': [[StudentCouncilPresident Faith]] recognized [[{{meganekko}} Sandi's]] talents as a {{technopath}}, when she was young, and [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/she_looks_out_for_us helped her learn to properly control her abilities.]] Now, she's so adept at her gift that she can [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/slipped_past_our_defenses predict the probability of future events with 97.09% accuracy]]; so long as she has all the available data. What's more, the cast page of the comic's print edition describes her as "a living {{Google}}", which is why Faith chose her as her personal secretary and is genuinely surprised whenever Sandi ''[[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/the_dollar_store can't]]'' find intel on something.

* Swapping knowledge for wisdom. A MentorArchetype, or the OnlySaneMan who can keep a cool head, think their way around problems that seem to big to solve, and give really good advice.

In terms of relationships, The Smart Guy may be part of a LittleGuyBigBuddy duo with TheBigGuy, since their [[BetaCouple contrast doesn't lead to fights]] as often as TheHero and TheLancer. Alternatively the smart guy can act as a loyal sidekick under TheLeader, to contrast with TheLancer whose force of personality and vocal dissent is more of a partner on equal footing.

* [[GadgeteerGenius Techies]] who have great skill with technology and engineering, in order to build and repair devices for TheTeam. As you push towards pure sci-fi they may have an innate higher reasoning capacity than normal humans, either because they're of an alien race or they're robotic and have technology literally as part of their bodies.
* The MadScientist (wizard in fantasy) who conducts all kinds of experiments to help the team. Like the techie, you can find them in the lab coming up with new {{Phlebotinum}} that does whatever the plot needs it to.

* Swapping book-smart genius for street-smart [[{{Trickster}} cleverness]]. A DeadpanSnarker detective or StreetUrchin; who has traded in knowledge and intelligence for know-how and intel. They figure out mysteries, track down foes, and get into hard to reach places.

With a personality range from the introverted and weird TVGenius, the highly technical [[TheSpock Spock]], to the impossible cool HollywoodNerd, the smart guy is better defined by the skills he brings to the table rather how he acts. Common types that you can mix and match on your way to OmnidisciplinaryScientist are:

Unlike other members of the team, the smart guy is more defined by the skills he brings to the table rather than his personality. Common types that you can mix and match on your way to OmnidisciplinaryScientist are:

* Swapping knowledge for wisdom. A MentorAchetype, or the OnlySaneMan who can keep a cool head, think their way around problems that seem to big to solve, and give really good advice.

This is the guy in the FiveManBand whose focus is on intellectual pursuits. This is TheTeam member who will always be prepared, sometimes CrazyPrepared. They will be at the computer doing RapidFireTyping. Expect some [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness fancy talk]] and TechnoBabble from this character. Because their role is about ideas, plans, and being MissionControl, they initially [[NonActionGuy leave the action stuff to the others.]] Of course, WeakButSkilled is always in effect for this guy.

Powers and skills common to the smart guy include:
* In modern settings, The Smart Guy often has great skill with technology and engineering, in order to build and repair devices for TheTeam. The GadgeteerGenius, MadScientist, and TheProfessor will often fill this role. If they're the protagonist, they'll be a ScienceHero. As you push towards pure sci-fi they have a tendency to be aliens, cyborgs, or robots. This shows an innate higher reasoning capacity than normal humans, either through their race or having technology literally part of their bodies.

* His knowledge will allow him to [[EnemyScan find enemy weaknesses]], do research about upcoming threats, and serve as MrExposition (sometimes with TheBigBoard in tow) in order to explain plot points to the less intelligent members of the team (and the audience). This may make them less of an OmnidisciplinaryScientist and more of TheStrategist.
* Other common variants of TheSmartGuy include:
** Swapping book-smart genius for street-smart [[{{Trickster}} trickiness]]. A DeadpanSnarker detective or StreetUrchin; who has traded in knowledge and intelligence for know-how and intel. They figure out mysteries, track down foes, and get into hard to reach places. As a 'thief' archetype he may specialize in knives.
** An OldMaster or TheMentor that brings years of experience and wisdom with them.
** Because of the prevalence of ShorterMeansSmarter, some teams go as far as to replace the smart guy with a ''small'' guy for the [[GeekPhysiques visual]] [[TagalongKid contrast]] [[MiniatureSeniorCitizen with the rest]] of TheTeam without being particularly more intelligent.

In an ensemble, the Smart Guy is usually the last character to have a LoveInterest if they even bother to give him one at all. When they do, expect a subplot about the geek's unrequited feelings towards an unattainable cooler love interest for Smart Guys around the same age as the rest of the cast. [[ChildProdigy Younger]] [[TeenGenius Smart Guys]] may have a cute PuppyLove plot with someone their own age, or a PrecociousCrush on someone much older.

* While not part of a FiveManBand, computer programmer Raimi definitely fulfills this function in ''BrokenSaints''.

''[{{beat}}]''\\

* The [[DishingOutDirt Toa of Earth]] (such as [[GeniusBruiser Onua]] or [[GadgeteerGenius Nuparu]]) tend to fill this role on their respective Toa teams in ''{{Bionicle}}''.

* Kevin Sandusky of ''Film/TropicThunder'' is the one who knows what is going on the most. He recognized the Heroin Processing plant, he can read the map, and [[spoiler: he's the only one of the actors who had actually read the script and the book.]]

* Bruce Banner in ''Film/TheAvengers''. While the "[[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk other guy]]" gets his share of action, Nick Fury brings Bruce into the plot specifically because he knows more about gamma radiation than anyone on the planet. Tony Stark, InsufferableGenius extraordinaire, doesn't even mind playing Bruce's assistant.
* Breaker from ''Film/GIJoeTheRiseOfCobra''.
** Lady Jaye from ''Film/GIJoeRetaliation''.
* Pete from ''[[Film/{{Neighbors2014}} Neighbors]]''.

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* Open to debate, since none of the characters are all that bright, but in RedvsBlue, Simmons is arguably the smartest member of either team when it comes to pure common sense.

This is the guy in the FiveManBand whose focus is on intellectual pursuits. This is TheTeam member who will always be prepared, sometimes CrazyPrepared. They will be at the computer doing RapidFireTyping. Expect some [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness fancy talk]] and TechnoBabble from this character. Because their role is about ideas, plans, and being MissionControl, they initially [[NonActionGuy leave the action stuff to the others.]]

* Other common variants of TheSmartGuy include