What Are The Most Overused Tropes In Fantasy Fiction? - Jon Cronshaw (2024)

Welcome to the whimsical world of fantasy literature, where dragons soar, magic reigns supreme, and originality often goes on an extended holiday.

As we embark on this journey, it’s worth noting that fantasy, in its insatiable appetite for the mystical and the mythical, has developed a bit of a sweet tooth for certain narrative tropes.

These tropes are like the high street chains of the literary world – no matter where you go, there they are, serving up the same familiar fare with only the names changed to protect the not-so-innocent.

In this exploration, we’re not just skimming the surface; we’re diving headfirst into the depths of the genre’s most beloved (and berated) conventions.

From the omnipresent ‘Chosen One’, burdened with saving the world (and carrying the plot), to the ever-convenient ‘Deus ex Machina’, swooping in to tie up those pesky plot holes, we’ve got them all lined up.

Think of this as your guidebook to the well-trodden paths of fantasy fiction.

As we venture through this enchanted realm, we’ll take a gander at each trope with a discerning eye and a notepad full of snide remarks.

So, sharpen your swords (or wits, as the case may be), summon your familiars, and prepare for a tour of fantasy’s most overworked narrative devices.

Spoiler alert: it’s a journey filled with more predictability than a fortune teller’s playbook, but who knows? You might just find a dragon or two worth fighting along the way.

Contents:

• The Chosen One.
• The Magic Sword.
• The Dark Lord.
• The Wise Old Mentor.
• The Damsel in Distress.
• The Orphan Hero.
• The Love Triangle.
• The Horde of Mooks.
• The Big Damn Heroes.
• Deus Ex Machina.

1. The Chosen One: Destiny’s Favourite Child

Meet ‘The Chosen One’, the character who’s been handpicked by fate, destiny, or a particularly cryptic prophecy to save the world.

It’s a wonder how fate always seems to have a favourite, often neglecting basic character development in favour of a glorified birthright.

Because why bother with complex character arcs when you can simply be ‘chosen’?

2. The Magic Sword: Overcompensating Much?

Then we have the ‘Magic Sword‘, the all-powerful weapon that’s often the only thing standing between our hero and certain doom.

It’s quite miraculous how these swords always end up in the right hands, isn’t it?

Never mind that the protagonist goes from zero to hero in a flash – all thanks to a glorified piece of metal.

Talk about being overpowered!

3. The Dark Lord: Because Evil Needs a Hobby

Ah, ‘The Dark Lord’, the embodiment of all things evil, typically with a penchant for world domination or destruction.

It’s almost as if these villains walked straight out of a Villainy 101 class, complete with a sinister cloak and a lacklustre backstory.

Predictable? Yes.

Original? As much as reheated tea.

4. The Wise Old Mentor: Because Who Needs Google?

Of course, what’s a fantasy story without ‘The Wise Old Mentor‘?

This is the character who’s lived through everything and has all the answers, neatly bypassing the protagonist’s need for self-discovery.

They’re like walking, talking encyclopaedias, but with more wrinkles and cryptic advice.

5. The Damsel in Distress: Saving the Princess, Again

Next, we have the ‘Damsel in Distress’, often a princess with an alarming tendency to get kidnapped.

It’s almost as if their sole purpose in life is to be rescued, thus providing our hero with a convenient quest.

Their character depth is as shallow as a puddle, but who needs depth when you’ve got a pretty face, right?

6. The Orphan Hero: A Sob Story with a Sword

Enter ‘The Orphan Hero’, a protagonist whose parents have conveniently been written out of the plot, usually in the most tragic way possible.

This character is on a quest not just for adventure, but to find their place in a world that’s already handed them a rather rough start.

It’s a heart-wrenching story, if only it weren’t as overused as a medieval tavern’s ale mug.

7. The Love Triangle: Because Why Choose?

Next up, ‘The Love Triangle’, the classic romantic tangle where our protagonist must choose between two swoon-worthy love interests.

It’s the literary equivalent of a soap opera, with more angst and star-crossed glances than a teenage diary.

Nothing says ‘complex character development‘ like being unable to decide who to smooch, right?

8. The Horde of Mooks: Cannon Fodder Galore

Behold ‘The Horde of Mooks’, a mass of nameless, faceless minions sent to their doom with the regularity of clockwork.

These poor souls are less ‘threatening adversaries’ and more ‘sword practice’.

Their sole purpose? To make our hero look good while barely breaking a sweat.

If only real problems were so easily dispatched.

9. The Big Damn Heroes: Just in the Nick of Time

And then there’s the ‘Big Damn Heroes’, a group of characters who swoop in to save the day just when all seems lost.

Their timing is impeccable, their skills unmatched, and their ability to steal the spotlight from the protagonist is downright uncanny.

Who needs a well-constructed plot when you have friends in high places?

10. The Deus ex Machina: The Lazy Writer’s Best Friend

Finally, we come to ‘The Deus ex Machina’, the literary equivalent of a magic wand wave to resolve any plot crisis.

It’s the narrative ‘get out of jail free’ card, often involving a god, a machine, or some other contrivance that comes out of nowhere.

Why bother tying up loose ends when the universe can just intervene on your behalf?

A Twist on the Tale – The Art of Subverting Tropes

These top ten most overused tropes are the threads that have been woven and re-woven into the fabric of storytelling.

But here’s the twist – these tropes are not inherently the villains of our tale.

In fact, when acknowledged and approached with a wink, they can be the secret ingredients to a rich and compelling narrative.

The key lies not in shunning these tropes but in understanding them, recognising their presence, and then, most intriguingly, playing with them.

A trope can be a foundation, a starting point from which a story can diverge into uncharted territories.

Subverting a trope, flipping it on its head, or giving it a fresh coat of paint can transform the familiar into something startlingly original.

Imagine a ‘Chosen One’ who refuses the call, a ‘Magic Sword’ that’s more trouble than it’s worth, or a ‘Damsel in Distress’ who’s the mastermind of her own kidnapping.

These twists make the narrative more than just a regurgitation of the same old stories – they turn it into a conversation with the reader, a playful dance of expectations and surprises.

In the hands of a skilful writer, these overused tropes can be the stepping stones to deeper, more meaningful storytelling.

They can add layers of complexity and humour, making the story more engaging and, dare we say, more enchanting for the reader.

It’s a delicate balance, like seasoning a dish – just enough can enhance the flavour, but too much can overwhelm it.

So, to all the aspiring fantasy writers out there, don’t shy away from these tropes.

Instead, invite them in, offer them a seat, and then tell them the story they weren’t expecting to hear.

After all, the best tales are those that feel familiar but leave us marvelling at their ingenuity.