- "You didn't beat me. You ignored the rules of engagement. In a fair fight, I'd kill you."
"That's not much incentive for me to fight fair, then, is it?" - ― Will Turner and Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl)
- "George, remember everything I taught you about Queensbury Rules and fighting fair?"
"Uh-huh."
"Well, now's a good time to forget it!" - ― Ape and George (George Of The Jungle)
- "Only a moron would bring a sword to a gun fight."
- ― Skulduggery Pleasant (Skulduggery Pleasant)
- "That's where the caped crowd always misses the point. Some enemies you charge head-on. Others you shoot through the head with a high-powered Skrull sniper rifle from four miles away."
- ― Frank Castle/The Punisher (Marvel Comics)
- "Nothing is true; everything is permitted."
- ― The Assassin Brotherhood's Maxim (Assassin's Creed)
- "You are free to call us cowards once you are dead!!! The one who survived is the victor!!!"
- ― Dagama (One Piece)
- "Pillaging, slaughtering, you name it, we do it. No one here is going to hold you back from doing whatever the hell you want. Anything and everything goes, All in the name of victory."
- ― Kan Ki (Kingdom)
The ability to embody the combat pragmatist archetype.
Also Called[]
- Dirty Fighting
Properties[]
The character is an advantage-seeker. They are defined by their willingness to win by any means necessary. Strategically, they are very much unpredictable and can be considered dishonorable compared to more moralistic fighters. However, they are definitely not cowardly, being more opportunistic and inventive when the odds are stacked against them. Essentially, these characters are much more realistic when it comes to non-fictional representations of battle and war.
Associated Powers[]
- Absolute Unpredictability
- All Adaptations (Varies)
- Adoptive Muscle Memory
- Advantage Creation
- Attack Prediction
- Brawling Mastery
- Cheating Mastery
- Combat Perception
- Combat Specialism
- Defense Prediction
- Enhanced Combat Mastery
- Enhanced Intelligence
- Enhanced Survivability
- Improbable Weapon Proficiency
- Killing Mastery
- Opportunity Sense
- Martial Arts Mastery
- Military Mastery
- Ninjutsu Mastery
- Path to Victory
- Predictability Manipulation
- Stealth Combat
- Strategy Manipulation
- Superpower Replication
- Tactical Analysis
- Tactical Genius
- Unpredictability
- Weapon Proficiency
Relationships[]
- Adventurer
- Assassin
- Badass
- Bounty Hunter
- Fragile Speedster
- The smarter speedsters improvise against tougher opponents.
- Hitman
- Mercenary
- Ninja
- Outbreak Survivalist
- Rebel
- Setup Fighter
- Soldier
- Spy
- Thief
- Treasure Hunter
- Trickster
Flaws/Weaknesses[]
- Users can still be outmatched by far superior opponents, regardless of odds.
Known Users[]
See also: Combat Pragmatist Never Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight
Anime/Manga/Manhwa
- Jeok Lee-Geon (Absolute Regin)
- Jin Sohan (A Dance of Swords in the Night)
- Erwin Smith (Attack on Titan)
- Eren Yaeger (Attack on Titan)
- Azumi (Azumi)
- Balalaika (Black Lagoon)
- Revy (Black Lagoon)
- Ginjo Kujo (Bleach)
- Sousuke Aizen (Bleach)
- Kisuke Urahara (Bleach)
- Shunsui Kyōraku (Bleach)
- Godou Kusanagi (Campione)
- Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass)
- Jet Black (Cowboy Bebop)
- Hei (Darker Than Black)
- Children of Wammy's House (Death Note)
- L Lawliet
- Near
- Mello
- L (Death Note)
- Light Yagami (Death Note)
- Piccolo (Dragon Ball series)
- Vegeta (Dragon Ball series)
- Future Trunks (Dragon Ball series)
- Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail)
- Gray Fullbuster (Fairy Tail)
- Riyo Reaper (Gachiakuta)
- Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell)
- Jin Sakai (Ghost of Tsushima): optional
- Gintoki Sakata (Gintama)
- The Goblin Slayer (Goblin Slayer)
- Kim Suho/Lloyd Frontera (The Greatest Estate Developer)
- Ihwa, the Hero Killer (Hero Killer)
- Engen/Smiling Man (Hero Killer)
- Issei Hyoudo (Highschool DxD)
- Yuto Kiba (Highschool DxD)
- Lee Jaha (Return of the Mad Demon)
- Cheongmyeong (Return of the Blossoming Blade)
- Pyo Wol (The Reaper)
- Dan Yuseong (Infinite Leveling: Murim)
- Zhen Ziqiang (Legend of Asura – The Venom Dragon)
- Joseph Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
- Kars (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part II: Battle Tendency)
- Giorno Giovana (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part V: Golden Wind/Vento Aureo)
- Diavolo (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part V: Golden Wind/Vento Aureo)
- Various Characters (Kingdom)
- Arsène Lupin III (Lupin III)
- All For One (My Hero Academia)
- Momo Yaoyorozu (My Hero Academia)
- Nine (My Hero Academia)
- Jin Taekyung (Murim Login)
- Various Shinobi/Ninja (Naruto/Boruto series)
- Hidden Rain Ninja
- Hidden Sound Ninja
- Itachi Uchiha
- Kakashi Hatake
- Konan
- Madara Uchiha
- Naruto Uzumaki
- Obito Uchiha
- Sasuke Uchiha
- Tenten
- Yoichi Nagumo (Sakamoto Days)
- Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)
- Kumoko/Shiraori (So I'm a Spider, So What?/Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?)
- Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
- Marshall D. Teach/Blackbeard (One Piece)
Krieg (One Piece)
- Crocodile (One Piece)
- Donquixote Doflamingo (One Piece)
- Sakazuki/Akainu (One Piece)
- New Fish-Men Pirates (One Piece)
- Manager Kim (PTJ Universe)
- Merlin (Nanatsu no Taizai/The Seven Deadly Sins)
- Shirou Yusa (Shinza Banshou series)
- Loid Forger/Twilight (SPY×FAMILY)
- Rimuru Tempest (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken/That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
- Lee Oreum (Ultra-Alternate Character)
- Hyuk Musang (World’s Greatest Senior Disciple)
- Murong Geomhwa (World’s Greatest Senior Disciple)
Cartoons/Comics
- Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Danny Fenton/Phantom (Danny Phantom)
- Bruce Wayne/Batman (DC Comics)
- The Joker (DC Comics)
- Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (DC Comics)
- Midnighter (DC Comics/WildStorm)
- Various Characters (The Order of the Stick)
- Rick Sanchez (Rick and Morty)
- Lord Shen (Kung Fu Panda 2)
- Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes)
- Fa Mulan (Mulan)
Mythology/Religion/Folklore
- David (The Bible)
- Jason (Greek Mythology)
Literature
- Slytherin House students (Harry Potter)
- Narcissa Malfoy
- Salazar Slytherin
- Severus Snape
- Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort
- Abraham Van Helsing (Dracula)
- Count Dracula (Dracula)
- Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes Series)
Live Television/Movies
- The Man With No Name (The Dollars Trilogy)
- Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)
- John Rambo (Rambo)
- Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
- Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones)
- Bounty Hunters (Star Wars)
- Asajj Ventress
- Boba Fett
- Cad Bane
- Fennec Shand
- CIS Generals/Leaders (Star Wars)
- Admiral Trench
- General Grievous
- Clone Troopers (Star Wars)
- Clone Squad 99/The Bad Batch
- Han Solo (Star Wars)
- Mandalorians (Star Wars)
- Bo-Katan Kryze
- Din Djarin
- Jango Fett
- Sabine Wren
- The Armorer
- Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Thrawn (Star Wars Canon/Legends)
- Padme Amidala (Star Wars)
- Sith (Star Wars)
- Count Dooku
- Darth Maul
- Darth Sidious/Palpatine
- Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker
- Wilhuff Tarkin (Star Wars)
- Bryan Mills (Taken)
- Terminators (Terminator)
- James Bond (James Bond series)
- Mike Ehrmantraut ("Better Call Saul")
Video Games
- Renee "Wraith" H. Blasey (Apex Legends)
- Revenant (Apex Legends)
- The Assassin Brotherhood & Templar Order (Assassin's Creed)
- Crash Bandicoot (Crash Bandicoot)
- Isaac Clarke (Dead Space)
- Carl "CJ" Johnson (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas)
- Protagonist characters (The Elder Scrolls)
- Protagonist characters (Fallout)
- Noctis Lucis Caelum (Final Fantasy XV)
- Kratos (God of War)
- Agent 47 (Hitman)
- Vanitas (Kingdom Hearts series)
- Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid)
- Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
- Dark-type Pokémon (Pokémon)
- Hisuian Samurott
- Poison-type Pokémon (Pokémon)
- Wolf/Okami/Sekiro (Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice)
- Various Characters (Mortal Kombat)
- Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog)
- Kaliyo Djannis (Star Wars: The Old Republic)
- Link (The Legend of Zelda)
- Counter Guardian EMIYA (TYPE-MOON)
- Gilgmesh (TYPE-MOON)
- Kiritsugu Emiya (TYPE-MOON)
- Robin Hood (TYPE-MOON)
- Starkiller/Galen Marek (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed)
Gallery[]
Anime/Manga/Manhwa[]
Eren Yaeger (Attack on Titan) resolved himself to do whatever is necessary to save his people, including manipulating his half-brother, betraying his friends, and destroying the entire world.
Sosuke Aizen (Bleach) can come up with any pragmatic advantages and plans for his goals to overthrow the Soul King.
In the past, Vegeta (Dragon Ball series) would take any advantages available to him, including killing civilians or even allowing himself to be fatally wounded in order get a Zenkai boost.
Lacking innate talent, Issei Hyodou (Highschool DxD) relied on pragmatism, using abnormal ways that is considered foolish to fight even managed to best combat geniuses like Vali and Cao Cao.
Since his youth, Joseph Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) has mixed his intelligence and wit with a variety of equipment to catch his opponents off guard.
With his Quirk, All For One (My Hero Academia) can steal the quirks of others, just to counter his opponents. This has made him both highly dangerous and nigh unstoppable.
Renowned for his deceptive tactics, Itachi Uchiha (Naruto) was able to face down powerful shinobi like Orochimaru, Deidara, and Kakashi Hatake on equal ground with superb and incredible mastery over potent genjutsu.
Known as the Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake (Right) (Naruto) could learn the jutsu of his opponents with his Sharingan, being able to quickly mimic them.
Overtime, Sasuke Uchiha (Left) and Naruto Uzumaki (Right) (Naruto) gained soo many skills and jutsu, neither one could best the other.
As a shinobi and warrior from over 100 years ago, Madara Uchiha (Naruto) was legendary for his quick, adaptive combat style.
Tenten (Naruto) stored multiple varieties of different ninja tools, that were as versatile as she was.
Ninja from the Hidden Sound (Naruto) had a variety of different weapons and Jutsu. This made them both unique and memorable opponents.
Many Hidden Rain Ninja such as Pain (Naruto) didn't adhere to one specific Chakra Element, thus they took advantage of multiple other techniques to succeed.
Obito Uchiha (Naruto) almost died fighting the equally creative Konan. Unfortunately for her, he survived a continuous explosion via Izanagi.
"Foul-Play" Krieg (One Piece) lives up to his moniker for his pragmatic ideals by using any means necessary to achieve victory.
Crocodile (One Piece) strives to achieve victory at all costs, whether it be sacrificing even his subordinates or eschewing honor in combat.
Donquixote Doflamingo (One Piece) uses any means to gain the advantage, whether to falsify his resignation from the Warlords or destroying the entire Dressrosa to kill all his enemies.
Sakazuki (One Piece) is willing to use any means to win, such as deceiving Squard or taunting Ace about Whitebeard in order to gain the advantages.
Hody Jones (One Piece) and his New Fish-Men Pirates crew are pragmatists in that they would use any methods to overwhelm mankind, including drug abuse and destroying the entire Fish-Man Island.
Merlin (Seven Deadly Sins) mixes her power of Infinity with her mastery of magic to a point that others consider her strength unfair.
Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime) cleverly used his wide range of abilities to his advantage.
Despite being both a Genius and having the local police on his side, L (Death Note) wasn't above using unorthodox methods in order to catch his culprits.
Cartoons/Comics[]
Literature[]
Live Television/Movies[]
As a Mandalorian, Din Djarin (Star Wars) could take on groups of enemies with skills and tools alone.
Despite just being a Senator, Padme Amidala (Star Wars) could handle herself in a fight, to the point where she even tricked General Grievous once.
Many CIS Leaders like General Grievous (Star Wars) used dirty tactics during the Clone Wars. However Grievous was also notably a notorious coward, as during his battle with Nahdar Vebb, Grievous shot him while being in a blade lock.
Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) gets the better of Kendra with dirty tactics, such as digging her nails into her skin and hair pulling.
Ace Ukiyo/Kamen Rider Geats (Kamen Rider Geats) true to his fox motif will use anything to win even lie to his allies.
Video Games[]
Shay Cormac (Assassin's Creed: Rogue) is an Assassin-turned Templar, that became just as ruthless as his cohorts.
Shirou Yusa (Shinza Banshou series) possesses the Sense of Foreknowledge, which allows him to remain calm in any situation and use everything around him to his advantage.
Counter Gaurdian EMIYA (TYPE-MOON) is a pragmatist with weapons for every situation and is willing to take underhanded methods to get results.
Gilgamesh (TYPE-MOON) can use his Gate of Babylon to fire off an uncountable number of specialized weapons, allowing him to overwhelm nearly any opponent regardless of his/her defenses.
Kiritsugu Emiya (TYPe-MOON) was known as the Magus Killer for his willingness to use any method necessary to kill other ages.
When push comes to shove, Jin Sakai (Ghost of Tsushima) would use even dishonorable tactics if it meant success, despite originally being a Samurai.
Compared to its Unovan counterpart, Husuian Samurott (Pokémon) will do anything in order to win, even resort to dirty tactics.
Videos[]
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - The Final Duel (1966 HD)
Even in a standoff, The Man with No Name, aka Blondie, fixed the duel towards his favor beforehand.
Balalaika's Revenge
Disgraced, Balalaika (Black Lagoon) mercilessly has Hansel shot dead, in honor of her fallen comrades.
Assassin's Creed Revelations - Official E3 Trailer
As a veteran Assassin, Ezio Auditore (Assassin's Creed Revelations) escapes his own execution.
Darth Maul & Savage Opress VS Darth Sidious-2
As a Sith, Darth Sidious (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) fights with relentless ferocity, sparing no opportunity for neither Maul nor Savage.
























































