The Smart Guy

This is the one on The Team that uses their head. As the intelligent one, they come in when the team needs deep analysis, clever tactics, or there's highly technical work to be done. They are always be prepared, sometimes Crazy-Prepared. Even under pressure they can whip up a plan at a moments notice. The Smart Guys will be at the computer doing Rapid-Fire Typing. Expect some fancy talk and Techno Babble from these characters. Usually a support unit, they may leave the action stuff to the others. Of course, Weak, but Skilled is always in effect for these guys. Can be expected to play a mean game of chess. Physically they tend to be small in stature. If not tall and skinny, then short, especially if they're the youngest of The Team. Sometimes the Smart Guys are more street savvy than they appear. Those who follow the path of the Badass Bookworm are just as physically capable as they are mentally. They remain firmly planted as the Smart Guy, but are just as ready to jump in as everyone else. The results are often impressive, and usually have the advantage of surprise. Who expects the little guy with glasses to be an asskicker? With a personality range from the introverted and weird TV Genius, the highly technical Spock, to the improbably cool nerd, the smart guy is better defined by the skills they bring to the table rather how they act. Common skills that you can mix and match on your way to Omnidisciplinary Scientist are: Techies who have great skill with technology and engineering. They build and repair devices for The Team, and can hack in to any computer system. They may be hot wiring the terminal or disarming the bomb while the rest hold off the baddies. The Mad Scientist who conducts all kinds of experiments to help the team. Like the techie, you can find these characters in the lab coming up with new Phlebotinum that does whatever the plot needs it to. Wizards and mages can be equivalent in fantasy, and less frequently a priest if spirits and spirituality play a big role. The booksmart guys. The guys whose Elite School Means Elite Brain. The walking encyclopedia who can always do even more research on the situation or analyze enemy weaknesses. They get the job of Mr. Exposition to break down plot, lore, or what the heck just happened to other teammates (and the audience.) The Straw Vulcan might just prattle on too long and get ignored, but a direct idea guy can be an invaluable planner and even direct the group. Swapping book-smart genius for Street Smart cleverness. The thief archetype, detective or Street Urchin who has traded in knowledge and intelligence for know-how and intel. These people figure out mysteries, track down foes, and get into hard to reach places. Sometimes they're just rascals that outsmart their foes through sheer creativity or ingenuity, while making a fool out of them in the process. If they're good with tech too you get a Playful Hacker. Swapping knowledge for wisdom. An older Mentor Archetype, or the Wise Beyond Their Years Only Sane Men who can keep a cool head, think their way around problems that seem too big to solve, and give really good advice. Other common powers include: In fantasy and superhero settings, they tend to be Weak, but Skilled. This can manifest as magic ability, Psychic Powers, or Super Intelligence. If they're a Gadgeteer Genius, they will build and customize their own weaponry, such as Powered Armor, vehicles, or being one of the few gun users. In a magical setting they may use spells or a Magic Staff. If martial arts are the go to, they may use a Martial Arts Staff or an elegant sword. Their Elemental Powers are typically part of Fire, Ice, Lightning. Fire as the 'birth of science' for curious types. Ice (or water) as the cold ivory towers of education and learning for bookish ones. Lightning to go along with machines for techies. Or they could be non-elementals that rely on practical knowledge if they lack the spiritual aptitude for magic. While it was always a more gender balanced archetype in general, a wave of STEM/media partnerships brought an influx of many a coding and gadgeteering Smart Girl in The New '10s. In terms of relationships, The Smart Guy may be part of a Little Guy, Big Buddy or Brains and Brawn duo with The Big Guy, the latter emphasizing a contrast between intelligence and strength. They also make great sidekicks or advisors to The Leader, without all the conflict a full Lancer brings. In an ensemble, the Smart Guy is usually the last character to have a Love Interest. When they do, expect a subplot about the geek's unrequited feelings towards an unattainable cooler love interest. Younger Smart Guys may have a cute Puppy Love plot with someone their own age, or a Precocious Crush on someone much older. In most cases where the geek's love interest is not "out of their league", they tend to be little more than a Distaff Counterpart. If there's a Robot Buddy or an alien on the team, they're usually The Smart Guy. If the Smart Guy happens to be big and strong, he has enough of The Big Guy elements to be a Genius Bruiser. Otherwise, he's a Badass Bookworm. If you're looking for the Evil Counterpart, regardless of team structure, that's The Evil Genius. Oh, and he's also part of the Four-Man Band in a comedy ensemble. Not to be confused with the series Smart Guy.