This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Working Title: The Handicap: From YKTTW
Peteman: Is Sid's Chandelier dropping on Buffy this or just plain good tactical thinking? If you're hopelessly outmatched, why shouldn't you go the sneak attack? I mean, how many times has Batman taken down Superman?
Earnest: I'm inclined to say both, actually. The trope encompasses characters getting injured or affected in ways that limit them from using their full abilities, and that includes being attacked/debuffed by enemies. Breaking a martial artists arm, using an ancient power siphoning artifact, pepper spraying a Serial Killer, or handcuffing/immobilizing a character in general are good ways of leveling the playing field. Generally, this trope is about the less Ass Pull-y ways of keeping dramatic tension intact. So yeah, I suppose the Batman Gambit would fit here as a way of enacting this trope.
KJMackley: It's kind of like what is the difference between Sid dropping a chandelier and Lex Luthor using Kryptonite? Just because chandeliers aren't Buffy's Kryptonite Factor doesn't mean it doesn't serve the same dramatic purpose. ...By the way, I started this YKTTW trope but I never actually launched it, so imagine my surprise when I see everything already taken care of...months later.
originally from lost and found
- Looking for a trope for 'plot related weakness' such as when in the second final fantasy film where one of the good guys fights the bad guy to stand still and then stands still long enough to get shot. Or when a game character is paralysed or weakened to stop them interfering with the plot (oblivion -paralysed, F.E.A.R - bullet time time removed)
Would these be examples of Drama-Preserving Handicap ?
