In fantasy novels, a badass main character is often defined by their courage. They are not afraid to step into the unknown. For instance, Lyra in 'His Dark Materials' ventures into different worlds without hesitation. Their skills also matter. A character like Legolas in 'The Lord of the Rings' has amazing archery skills that make him stand out. And their growth throughout the story is important. Frodo starts as a somewhat naive hobbit but grows into a hero. This transformation and the challenges they overcome on the way are what make them badass.
Jaqen's mysterious nature makes him badass in fanfics. He doesn't reveal much about himself or his motives. Writers can play with this mystery, and readers are always left guessing what he'll do next. Also, his loyalty to certain things or people, when it shows up in fanfics, adds to his badassery.
Frodo Baggins from 'The Lord of the Rings' is a badass in his own way. He undertakes a seemingly impossible task of destroying the One Ring, facing countless perils along the way. He has a quiet strength and an unwavering resolve. Rand al'Thor from 'The Wheel of Time' is another. He has the power to channel the One Power and is fated to either save or destroy the world. His journey is filled with battles, both internal and external, which he bravely faces.
Maybe his extraordinary skills. For example, if he has amazing combat abilities like being able to defeat multiple opponents single - handedly. This would definitely make him seem like a badass.
His attitude. Percy in fanfiction often has a 'don't mess with me' attitude. He doesn't shy away from a fight and is always ready to stand up for what he believes in. He'll face any opponent, no matter how powerful, without hesitation.
His unwavering determination is another factor. No matter how tough the situation is, Adrien in fanfictions doesn't give up. He is willing to risk everything to protect the people he loves and the city he lives in. This strong will and selfless attitude are what make him a truly badass character in many fanfictions.
Definitely 'Red Rising' by Pierce Brown. Darrow, the main character, starts from a lowly position in a color - coded society and rises up through his badassery. He endures intense training and battles against powerful enemies. 'The Broken Empire' trilogy by Mark Lawrence is also a great example. Jorg Ancrath is a character who doesn't shy away from violence and does whatever it takes to achieve his goals, which makes for some very badass storytelling. And 'The Kingkiller Chronicle' (even though it's not fully complete) is a wonderful badass fantasy novel. Kvothe's adventures, his magic - using skills, and his overall character development are all aspects that contribute to its badass nature.
Their independence. Badass female detectives don't rely on others. For example, like Lisbeth Salander in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', she goes her own way, uses her unique skills to get to the bottom of things. She doesn't wait for permission or help from male counterparts.
The strong female characters. They are not the typical damsels in distress. Instead, they take charge of their own lives and destinies. For example, in 'Ms. Marvel', Kamala Khan uses her powers to help her community while also dealing with her own identity as a young Muslim - American woman.
In fanfiction, Ash is often made a smart badass through his battle strategies. He might use unique combinations of Pokémon moves and abilities that others haven't thought of. For example, he could analyze his opponent's weaknesses quickly and act on it.
In fanfiction, Percy can be made into a badass by giving him extraordinary magical abilities. For example, he might be able to perform complex spells with ease that others struggle with.