User blog comment:StrangerThanTad/Clichés/@comment-25941663-20170512194030

In my opinion, cliches aren't problematic on their own, but in context. When you are using a cliche, you are a) making your story predictable and b) people might "roll their eyes" at the abused orphan with red colored irises and green hair.

Both are problems that you have to deal with. If you deal with them adequately, you will have a good story in your hand. If not, you will have a bad one. Essentially, you can use cliches, but you have to "mask" their deficiencies.