CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

MONSTER HUNTER



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HELPFUL TIP:

Using a trope or archetype helps readers quickly understand a character, but stopping there creates a weak and predictable figure. Instead, add depth with a unique backstory, emotional wounds, and related fears and flaws. You can also break expectations with an unusual job, relationship, secret, or positive trait.
DESCRIPTION:
A character whose role is to hunt down and neutralize or destroy a monster. The monster in question may be one the character is specifically qualified to eradicate, or the hunter may be more generalized, with the knowledge and tools to kill different kinds of enemies.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Ben Mears (Salem's Lot), Abraham Van Helsing (Dracula), Quint (Jaws), Father Damien Karass (The Exorcist)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADVENTUROUS, BOLD, CENTERED, CONFIDENT, COURAGEOUS, DECISIVE, FOCUSED, IDEALISTIC, INDEPENDENT, OBSERVANT, PASSIONATE, PATIENT, PERSISTENT, PROTECTIVE, RESOURCEFUL, RESPONSIBLE

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, CONFRONTATIONAL, CONTROLLING, FANATICAL, IMPATIENT, INFLEXIBLE, IRRATIONAL, MACHO, OBSESSIVE, PERFECTIONIST, RECKLESS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, STUBBORN, SUPERSTITIOUS, SUSPICIOUS

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being stubborn in their beliefs
Refusing to listen to reason
Not worrying about social hierarchies or who they might upset in their quest
Respecting traditions regarding the monster
Displaying authority and leadership in their role
Being obsessed with the monster
Having a strong protective streak for those who are vulnerable to the monster
Seeing this job as part of their destiny or purpose
Adaptability; thinking fast on the fly
Being willing to endure hardship to get the job done
Becoming a student of and authority on the monster
Being the only one who believes that the monster can be beaten
Being cynical about ever beating the monster
Being willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to destroy the monster
Being superstitious
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FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
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SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
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INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
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CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
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TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
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UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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