I’ve always been a sucker for those "one-man army" moments in video games—where a single character can mow down entire hordes like a hot knife through butter. But some developers took that idiom and made it literally true. Instead of just being a powerhouse, these heroes (and villains) can create clones, illusions, or full-blown copies of themselves to turn a lone wolf into a pack. Looking back at TheGamer’s 2022 list, I still marvel at these nine characters who pull off the ultimate party trick. In 2026, with remasters and retro revivals at an all-time high, let’s dive into the art of becoming a literal army.

9 Link – The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords

Talk about quadruple the trouble! Link doesn’t just rely on the Master Sword here; the enchanted Four Sword splits him into four identical Links—green, blue, red, and purple. Each works independently, but when they coordinate, they unleash powerful formation attacks that make boss fights a breeze. Even in 2026, Four Swords remains a go-to for co-op chaos.

8 Gemini Man – Mega Man 3

Ah, the classic “why have one robot when you can have a holographic battalion?” Gemini Man’s whole gimmick is dazzling enemies with his Gemini Laser and a swarm of holograms. The catch? Those clones are all smoke and mirrors—no physical punch. I like to think Dr. Wily was just cutting corners, hoping to build an army on the cheap. Back in my NES days, this guy made me scratch my head.

7 Dreamy Luigi – Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

In the wacky dream world, Luigi pulls a rabbit out of his Sombrero—an endless tide of Luiginoids! These little guys swarm foes and can even merge into a colossal Luigi statue. It’s pure cartoonish brilliance that reminds me why I love the Mario & Luigi series. And honestly, who doesn’t want an army of Luigi clones cheering you on?

6 Timothy Lawrence – Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Handsome Jack’s shady deal with Timothy Lawrence gave us Digi-Jacks—holographic body doubles packing wrist blasters and shotguns. It’s like having a whole squad of cocky mini-Jacks that draw fire and dish out pain. The lore behind it always gets a chuckle: trading student debt for virtual backup. That’s a deal many of us might still consider in 2026.

5 Maxwell – Don’t Starve

Maxwell’s Shadow Puppets are a double-edged sword, literally and mentally. Using the Codex Umbra, he fractures his sanity to summon copies that mine, chop, and fight. Overdo it, and you’ll be dealing with nightmare creatures faster than you can say “Constant.” It’s a grim reminder that cloning yourself isn’t always a walk in the park.

4 Emily Kaldwin – Dishonored 2

Emily’s Doppelganger ability is the perfect tool for stealthy chaos. At first, it’s a simple distraction, but upgraded, it can slit throats and fight alongside you. The moment you leave a clone behind to choke out a guard while you’re already across the map is pure, unadulterated satisfaction. Corvo must have taught her well—though she certainly made it her own.

3 Ryu Hayabusa – Ninja Gaiden 2

Old-school ninja trickery at its finest. In the NES classic, a power-up let Ryu spawn duplicates that mirrored his every slash. It turned a single sword into a three-hit blender. Sadly, modern Ryu has shelved this trick, but for those of us who remember the 8-bit days, it’s a fond memory that makes us feel like true shinobi.

2 Meepo – Dota 2

Meepo’s “Divided We Stand” is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward ability. Each clone shares stats and can farm independently, letting him skyrocket in levels. But here’s the kicker: if one Meepo goes down, the whole crew keels over. It’s a white-knuckle experience that separates the pros from the scrubs. In 2026, Meepo still haunts my ranked games.

1 Mergo’s Wet Nurse – Bloodborne

Topping the list is the nightmare fuel that is Mergo’s Wet Nurse. This Great One envelops the arena in purple fog and pulls a sinister duplicate out of thin air. The twin sickles swing in perfect, deadly harmony, often vanishing and reappearing behind you. Facing one is enough to make your blood run cold; facing two is the stuff of Yharnam legend. Even in 2026, it’s a boss fight that still gives me the shivers.

From holographic trickery to soul-splitting magic, these nine characters prove that two (or four, or a dozen) heads are better than one. They’ve each left a mark on gaming history, and in 2026, their legacy continues to inspire new mechanics and nostalgic replays. Which one would you trust to back you up—or run like hell from?

As gaming continues to evolve, these characters not only enrich the narratives of their respective games but also inspire players to explore new strategies and gameplay styles. Whether you're revisiting these iconic titles or diving into them for the first time, the thrill of mastering such unique abilities remains a core part of the experience. Each character's ability to multiply themselves adds a fascinating layer of gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.

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