| abstract | - This is a type of monster that is immune to starvation and dehydration, it may not even have to sleep or breathe. Much like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going and going. Perpetual Motion Monsters are either explicitly supernatural, a set super advanced Mecha-Mooks, or both. Science savvy characters may discuss how implausible it is that the walking dead in a Zombie Apocalypse, despite craving brains, can keep walking 24/7 for years or longer without any kind of sustenance. Compounded by that fact that though decayed they never actually rot enough to stop posing a threat. Frequently, The Professor / Mad Scientist will fear (or marvel) at the potential these thermodynamic law breaking monsters represent. This is the whole idea behind undead armies in any setting-- they are weak but fearless and while slow, they can march 24/7 with no supply lines, all while assimilating the enemies' fallen. This is usually a Justified Trope for Ghosts, Dem Bones, and Elemental Embodiments since they aren't really biologically based, so they don't need traditional food sources. Although, they may need some other form of energy or material as a Power Source (like prayers or lighter fluid), thus averting this trope. For Mecha-Mooks and other technology based creatures they usually incorporate some near infinite Power Source (or a means to tap into an external one) and some form of Regeneration. It's worth noting that a character with the right type of Immortality who eats and drinks can still be a Perpetual Motion Monster-- or rather, a Perpetual Motion Man. Their form of immortality specifically preventing them from dying due to starvation and dehydration (though they probably won't enjoy it). Such a character can make for a truly Implacable Man-- nothing can keep him from his goal, not even the ravages of time! For extra threat, the Perpetual Motion Monster is also usually unaffected by dismemberment (except for the "annoyance" of a lost limb, though a needle and thread can solve that). For extra extra threat, it's also a Super-Persistent Predator; since being a Perpetual Motion Monster means it doesn't actually need to eat except for the pleasure of it, it can afford to go to the ends of the Earth in pursuit of that one tasty hero-sized morsel. Compare Automaton Horses (not the mechanical variety), where this is noted as one of the features that make fictional horses unusual. Compare Forgot to Feed the Monster when this is averted. Related to The Insomniac type 4 (doesn't need to sleep). A Sub-Trope of The Needless. Examples:
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