1. A clownish appearance

-His scruffy clothes, recorder and dishevelled hair make him look more like a bumbling eccentric than a powerful alien.
-Often acts confused, frightened or foolish to make others underestimate him.
-Uses humour and physical comedy to disguise how much he understands.

2. A master of deception

-Frequently pretends to know less than he does.
-Manipulates his enemies into revealing information or making mistakes.
-Uses misdirection and unexpected solutions to escape seemingly impossible situations.

3. Intelligence hidden beneath foolishness

-His apparent silliness conceals a sharp analytical mind.
-Quickly identifies weaknesses in his opponents' plans.
-In The Tomb of the Cybermen (1967), he remains alert to the dangers surrounding the expedition while others are drawn into the mystery of the Cybermen's tomb.

4. A strategist who plays the long game

-Often allows events to unfold while quietly working out how to turn them to his advantage.
-Prefers clever schemes and exploiting his opponents' assumptions to brute force.
-In The War Games (1969), he uncovers a vast operation involving abducted soldiers and ultimately seeks help from the Time Lords to stop it.

5. A mischievous but compassionate heart

-His playful personality makes him approachable and endearing to his companions.
-Beneath the jokes, he is deeply protective of those in danger.
-His trickery generally serves a purpose: protecting the innocent and defeating those who abuse their power.