Unleashing the Power of Practicality in Fiction

In fiction, the final battle is often the climax of the story, the moment that everything has been leading up to. Typically, audiences expect to see grandiose displays of visually impressive weaponry and intricate schemes. However, sometimes the most effective approach is a simple one. This is where the Boring but Practical trope comes in - it highlights characters who prioritize practicality over showmanship.

Each genre has its own unique flavor, and authors can use various elements to add that extra spice to their work. For example, fantasy stories can incorporate magic or rich lore into the main character's swordplay, while science fiction authors may include complex physics terminology to make their explosives seem more impressive. However, deliberately choosing to omit these elements can also make a powerful statement.

The Boring but Practical trope refers to a practical solution or strategy that may lack uniqueness, flash, or engagement, but gets the job done efficiently. This trope is linked with the idea of a problem-solving tool having some significant drawback. For instance, in a martial arts movie, the audience may want to see the protagonist perform flips and spins, but grappling the opponent may be more effective. Similarly, a massive armored mecha in a sci-fi story may appear unstoppable, but it may not be feasible to use it in most settings. Moreover, while many superheroes possess incredible powers, sometimes, an ordinary person performing a simple action can save the day. Boring but Practical strategies often demonstrate their brilliance in the final, dramatic conflict. It can be a humorous or moral moment in the story.

In many shonen anime series, the protagonist often relies on a simplistic, all-purpose technique to win fights, while their peers showcase more interesting special moves. However, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure stands out by describing its characters' powers in novel-length detail. Despite this, the protagonists still tend to rely on traditional punch ghosts. This trope is also present in Dungeons & Dragons, where the Human Fighter is often considered the most boring option due to their lack of unique abilities. However, this simplicity allows for a massive amount of customization and flexibility in gameplay. As a result, the Human Fighter is a popular choice among players, particularly new ones, who can easily slot them into any team and give them a fun backstory or comedic affectation.

In the character action genre, games like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry focus on defeating enemies in visually stunning ways. These games include a Style Meter that rewards players for using multiple weapons and stringing together long combos. However, some players choose to ignore these features and opt for a simpler solution. Despite featuring several cool weapons, Bayonetta 2's default set of handguns, Love is Blue, remains the most effective. Similarly, in Devil May Cry 3, many players have beaten 90% of the obstacles using just one dive kick attack, including the most exciting duel in the game. While this approach may cheat players out of most of the fun, it's still an option for those who only want to reach the end.

Utilizing practical options may not be the most exciting choice, but it can still be a valuable one. Despite lacking the glamour of magic or other flashy tactics, successfully winning a challenging battle through practical means can be commendable. This approach serves as a reminder to onlookers that they too can achieve their goals by utilizing the resources available to them. The Boring but Practical trope is a testament to the fact that with the right mindset, anyone can turn their dreams into reality.