What Makes a Good Badass?

Everyone loves a good badass, and, let’s admit it, our genre is full of them! But what makes a successful badass and how do they fit into our stories?

Well, first off, it’s worth noting that this is going to be an extremely subjective article, as what works for one reader will never work for all. But there are certain kinds of badass characters that do seem to connect instantly with readers, and others that spark almost universal hatred.

What is a Badass?

Let’s start by asking what it means to be a badass. As with many other labels (grimdark, epic fantasy, Mary Sue, etc.), it’s not easy to pin it down exactly (and it wouldn’t be very badass if it were that easy to pin down, would it?). Badass is about actions and skill but also about feeling and attitude – a character who does what it takes, whatever it takes, who doesn’t accept defeat, who is calm and unshakeable in the face of danger, focussed and usually highly skilled, who follows their own rules. The badass is that character who shows up and you know that now you’re gonna see some results.

A Badass Plays on Difficulty Level: Extreme

However, it’s not all about succeeding. I think it’s actually very important for a badass to have visible limits, and for them to understand those limits themselves. There are badasses who swan in and effortlessly mow down their enemies, and there are the kind who are too arrogant or stupid to see their own weaknesses, but I would argue that this does not make the best kind of badass. There has to be danger, a genuine chance of losing, to show a character’s bravery, focus and determination.

Instead, those characters who know that they might fail, or even that they will fail, but refuse to give up anyway, who stoically plan how to best make the situation work for them – now that’s a badass. The characters who will take on the bully who no-one else is willing to stand up to, not because they are tougher than the bully or because they know they will win, but because they know it’s the right thing to do…badass.

But…simply facing the danger may not be enough. I believe that an important element of badassery is extremity. A badass tends not to do things by halves. They will face any danger if they have to and keep fighting even if they have no chance of winning, but they will always do it with style. The badass way is usually the extreme way – the way that the rest of the characters may never have contemplated or even dreamed of taking.

Perhaps my favourite example of this kind of badass is the witch Agnes Nutter from Terry Pratchett’s and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens. Agnes’s help curing the village’s illnesses attracts the attention of the Witchfinders. When the mob arrives, Agnes is calmly waiting for them. She is led to the stake and burned alive, a fate that she knows she cannot escape. Little do her executioners realise that she has concealed 80 pounds of gunpowder and 40 pounds of roofing nails in her petticoats.

Equal Opportunity Badassery

Badasses in the fantasy genre tend to do a lot of fighting, it’s true. Often the fate of the world, or at least of the city, or at the very least of a large bag of gold, is at stake. But being a badass certainly doesn’t have to be about fighting. A badass lawyer will think outside the box as she strikes with devastating arguments. The badass baker will try unexpected and daring flavour combinations to win the bake-off.

Badassery is not confined to any gender or race or situation in life. It’s not confined to any subgenre or type of story. It’s not even restricted by career choice – there are badass doctors, archaeologists, milliners, woodcutters, knitters, anything. Often the best badasses are the unexpected ones. The beekeeper who wins the beekeeping competition may be badass, but the beekeeper who uses her beekeeping skills to thwart the evil warlord when no-one else can or dares…she’s a badass I’ll never forget.

Badass, not a Bully

Badasses can turn unlikeable very easily. The do-what-it-takes attitude and a certain disregard for authority – typical hallmarks of the badass – can make for a fun and exciting character, but when exaggerated can lead to an arrogant, unlikeable kind of badass who treats everyone poorly and leaves destruction in his or her wake. This might still make for an interesting character, of course, but if the other characters in the book insist on treating him or her like a great hero who can do no wrong, then it’s quickly going to get unrealistic and frustrating for the reader. A badass doesn’t need to be a nice person – successful badasses can be likeable or unlikeable, but it’s important that we are shown enough evidence either way. Simply being a badass is not enough to ensure the reader, and especially the other characters, will love them.

A badass does not have to be mean; they are not bullies. In fact, I tend to think the better badasses are the ones who put others or even the whole world ahead of themselves. But badasses don’t have to be shiny good paladins of justice either. They can breaks rules and endanger people, and they can have unappealing and off-putting traits. The most important thing is that they stay true to themselves. A badass who doesn’t care about other people will sacrifice anyone in the pursuit of their goals. A badass who doesn’t believe in killing will stop at nothing to win the day while saving as many lives as possible.

Badasses Are All About the Showing, Not the Telling

Remember that golden writing rule, “Show, Don’t Tell”? This is vital when it comes to badassery. If the author tells us someone is badass but doesn’t show it, then it’s just not going to work. Similarly, there’s only so much boasting the badasses themselves can get away with. Confidence and cockiness is fine, but there is a fine line. Trying too hard is definitely not badass.

But this leads me to a point that is probably going to be more controversial. General good writing advice does not always apply to the badass. A fully rounded character, while normally a vital element of a story, may actually impact on his or her badassness (shush, it’s a word). The more that we know their thoughts, fears, grumbles, prejudices, hopes and opinions, the more real they become, and so the less they feel like an icon, or a phenomenon or force. There is a reason that badasses are often the enigmatic, silent type. In this case, badasses often work best as side characters or villain’s henchmen. They also work well as mysterious characters who become fleshed out and develop into real people later in a series.

However, I do think the fully formed badass can and does work, though it is much harder to write. This kind of badass will tend not to be the silent mysterious type, though this can sometimes be achieved by providing a companion character who gives the reader insight into his taciturn friend. Instead, they display their fears and inner feelings for the reader to see and criticise, but push through and achieve awesomeness anyway. No doubt this is a very subjective point – is a certain amount of shallowness/mystery needed for a badass to retain the essential elusive element of badassery? Can you still consider a character a true badass once you have been inside their head?

That ‘Oh Yes!’ Moment

I believe that when it comes to the badass, it helps to limit the amount of badassery on show. When there are fewer badasses in the story, and a limited number of truly badass moments, then each one counts more and is more impressive. Too much badassery can become diluted badassery.

What we are looking for is that “Oh yes!” moment. The badass makes whatever they do, however they do it, seem like the most amazing, awesome moment in the story, whether it is a fight, a cooking contest, a debate, delivering a baby, painting or driving. It’s that triumphant moment, for heroes or for villains, a moment of utter disbelief or air-punch satisfaction.

And now, I feel like I’ve typed the word ‘badass’ so many times that it’s lost all meaning, so I’m going to turn it over to you. What does badass mean to you? Are there any specific characters that you think are badasses, and what works or doesn’t work about them? Do you have a favourite badass? Tell us in the comments!

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