Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/46185
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

While the other answers cover options well, there are some "soft, yet badass" tropes writers can look at:

## Embrace Girlishness

**[Agent Peacock](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AgentPeacock)**

While this trope is more for male characters, it implies someone who is so completely confident in themselves, that they simply don't bother to look masculine.

To quote TV Tropes:

> Their pretty looks and girly behaviour are an indicator of their prowess—they go through the exact same trials as the scarred, unshaven, macho-looking tough guys, and do it without messing their hair or breaking a nail.
> 
> Some characters use their femininity to maintain an element of surprise. (E.g. "No one suspects the flamingly camp hairdresser of being a super soldier.")

## Loooking Physically Powerful

**[Girly Bruiser](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GirlyBruiser) + [Statuesque Stunner](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StatuesqueStunner)/[Brawn Hilda](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BrawnHilda):**

While women don't build huge muscles, they can still look physically tough, with height or just mass. Unlike the chiseled 'amazonian' look, the statuesque stunner has the build of a basketball player.

## Relies on Non-Physical Traits

**[Guile Hero(ine)](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GuileHero)**

Judy Hopps of Zootopia is a straight example of this. Instead of being tougher, she tries to outwit other characters.

You can crank this up, make someone who is politically adept or manipulative. You can have a brilliant general who wins Sun Tzu or Machiavellian way, by deceiving the enemy. There's the Lex Luthor style villain, who builds layers of protection around themselves, such that even physically invincible enemies can't touch them.

**[Badass Pacifist](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BadassPacifist)**

She can also someone who can completely defeat someone without any use of violence. She may get two warring factions to work together. She could also be similar to Hiccup of _How to Train Your Dragon_, who builds things and learns to swing the enemies to her side. In Fallout, an extremely charismatic and intelligent character can even convince the boss to kill himself.

**[Plucky Girl](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PluckyGirl)**

When a man is [determined](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Determinator), they are played as stubborn and relentless. But the feminine kind of relentless is in the form of optimism. This is Princess Poppy of Trolls, or Anna of Frozen. Even when she gets beaten down, she charges ahead, optimistic and idealistic.

She doesn't necessarily have to be sweet though. Vanellope of Wreck It Ralph is snarky doesn't avoid violence, but is still undeniably girlish.

**[The Dark Chick](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DarkChick)**

The villain version of badass feminine is to subvert all the feminine qualities. She integrates herself well into the social ladder. She is empathic and understands people well. But she uses that skill to manipulate others and sow discord.

Often one of the big two bosses. Either the boss behind the boss, or the second in command. Again, there's an example from

> Zootopia

## Maternal Traits

**[Mama Bear](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MamaBear)**

Probably as _feminine_ as it gets - when someone they're protecting is being threatened, females of most species will rip apart the threat.

**[Team Mom](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TeamMom) or [All-Loving Hero(ine)](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AllLovingHero)**

The woman can be straight up nurturing. Either facing something hateful and countering it with love. Or they can be part of a rowdy group (e.g. Wendy of Peter Pan) and provide them with a feminine touch.

Original score: 3