| abstract | - Put practically: If the minions are smart, the boss must be an idiot. If the boss is smart, then his subordinates are stupid. This is seen mostly in dramatic animated shows and comedy as a kind of counterbalance to keep the overall effectiveness of a faction moderate without being too dangerous or easy. On the comedy side, the inherent inequality and dysfunction of a group with such a large breach in abilities is a comedy goldmine. Expect to see competent leaders ask "Why am I surrounded with incompetents?" and competent underlings to sigh at their boss' stupidity. In the event everyone in the faction is dumb, they're likely a Goldfish Poop Gang designed to be the Butt Monkey everyone laughs at and maybe sympathizes with a little. In the rare event everyone in it is competent, then they're likely going to be understaffed, the ground level Mooks/Redshirts are less than effectual, or they are disadvantaged in some other way.
* Competent supporters: Beleaguered Assistant, Hypercompetent Sidekick, Reliable Traitor, Sidekick Ex Machina.
* Incompetent leaders: Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain, Pointy-Haired Boss, General Failure.
* Competent leaders: Reasonable Authority Figure, Dangerously Genre Savvy.
* Incompetent supporters: Minion with an F In Evil, Cowardly Sidekick, Goldfish Poop Gang, Surrounded by Idiots. If, instead, everybody takes turns being stupid, then they're passing around the Idiot Ball. For extra laughs (or groans) can be overlapped inversely with Distribution of Ninjutsu: the more competent someone is, the weaker they are in combat. Sub-trope of Too Many Cooks Spoil the Soup. Examples of Conservation of Competence include:
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