History Main / CombatByChampion

* One issue of ''ComicBook/{{Northlanders}}'' centers entirely around a bout like this. Two local lords whose families have been feuding for generations in a CycleOfRevenge, and it has caused so many losses on both sides that after the most recent atrocity that one committed against the other, they decide to have two champions fight instead of the small forces that they have left. [[MutualKill Both of the champions wind up dying in the duel]].

* The trope was common for a Roman soldier, at least early in the Republic's history. The Horatii vs the Curiatii (3 on 3), and the original Torquatus and Corvus/Corvinus were famous examples. And there was the idea of the ''spolia opima'' or Spoils of Honour, an enemy commander's armour taken from him in single combat by a Roman commander. Romulus was one of only three or four to ever take them.

* In the climax of ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'', [[spoiler: [[Characters/AmphibiaKingAndrias King Andrias]] launches his invasion of Earth]], but offers to call it off if Anne Boonchuy can defeat him in single combat. Since Anne has the advantage of [[spoiler:a SuperMode]], Andrias levels the playing field by showing up in a HumongousMecha and aiming to [[spoiler:stall her until she runs out of power]]. It ''almost'' works, but [[spoiler:the discovery of a letter from his former companion Lief [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone completely destroys his will to fight]] and he allows Anne to win, calling the invasion off]].

* In the climax of ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'', [[spoiler: [[Characters/AmphibiaKingAndrias King Andrias]] launches his invasion of Earth]], but offers to call it off if [[Characters/AmphibiaAnneBoonchuy Anne Boonchuy]] can defeat him in single combat. Since Anne has the advantage of [[spoiler:a SuperMode]], Andrias levels the playing field by showing up in a HumongousMecha and aiming to [[spoiler:stall her until she runs out of power]]. It ''almost'' works, but [[spoiler:the discovery of a letter from his former companion Lief [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone completely destroys his will to fight]] and he allows Anne to win, calling the invasion off]].

* In ''Literature/DonCamillo'' this is how the feud between the Filotti and Della Bruciata families ends: when [[StarCrossedLovers Gina Filotti and Mariolino Della Bruciata, unable to marry because of their families]], [[DrivenToSuicide almost commit suicide]], Don Camillo decides he has enough of the feud and ''orders'' the patriarchs, also fathers of Gina and Mariolino, to solve their feud in a fistfight then and there so that nobody will object to their children being married by the bishop (who's due to visit soon), or he'll break their heads. Since [[BadassPriest Don Camillo can and will enact his threat]], the family heads take the safer route and fight.

* In ''Literature/DonCamillo'' this is how the feud between the Filotti and Della Bruciata families ends: when [[StarCrossedLovers Gina Filotti and Mariolino Della Bruciata, unable to marry because of their families]], [[DrivenToSuicide almost commit suicide]], Don Camillo decides he has enough of the feud and ''orders'' the patriarchs, also fathers of Gina and Mariolino, to solve their feud in a fistfight then and there so that nobody will object to their children being married by the bishop (who's due to visit soon).

* The ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' novel ''Wolves on the Border'' has the Kuritans fight a series of honour duels against Wolf's Dragoons in this manner rather than a full scale battle. At least to start with anyway.
** This is also a common part of Clan culture in that universe. Because of their emphasis on individual honor and glory, there's a strong tendency to keep forces as small as possible (while still achieving one's objectives, of course) and settle disputes in single combat between champions every so often. Perhaps the most famous example was Natasha Kerensky's bid to take the planet Gunzburg with a single warrior...
** In the short story "Three Points of Pride" a planet without an official garrison attempts to defend their world from Clan Ghost Bear in an American Football game. They lose 84 to 3 against the Clan's 2.5-meter tall Elementals.

* ''Series/ItsAboutTime'': In "The Champ", the neighbouring tribe of "painted ones" is threatening a war that would certainly destroy the tribe Mac and Hec are staying with. Mac and Hec convince Boss and the leader of the painted ones to forego to the war in favour of a fight between a champion of each tribe. Gronk is chosen to be champion of the tribe. . . and HilarityEnsues.

* The Clans in ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' have built an entire system and protocol revolving around Combat by Champion. Opposing factions will "bid" down their forces to the minimum practical amount, selecting a few of their best warriors who meet in a proxy battlefield called the "Circle of Equals". Pretty much every big dispute in Clan life is ultimately solved by a few champions killing each other to decide who's right. These battles are known as Trials, with various types. Trials of Position have Clan warriors fighting for rank, Trials of Possession have Clans fighting for a place or resource, Trials of Refusal have one Clan disputing the actions of another, etc. During the early months of their invasion of the Inner Sphere, they even try this with Inner Sphere forces. The IS factions, not being [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Proud Warrior Race Guys]] like the Clans, of course lie about what the number and disposition of their forces. HilarityEnsues as the Inner Sphere takes full advantage of the Clans' honor and naivety at every turn. There were two major exceptions though: [[ChurchMilitant ComStar]] declared and won the Trial of Possession for Earth against the Clans fair and square; and when the IS finally arrived at the Clans' doorstep, Victor Steiner-Davion declared a Trial of Refusal against the Clans invading the Inner Sphere, and also won that fairly, which ended the Clan Invasion.

* ''Film/PrinceCaspian'' had Peter offering single combat against Miraz. He wounds Miraz, but lets Caspain decide Miraz's fate. Caspian spares Miraz, but one of his advisers kills Miraz with a Narnian arrow to make it look like Narnia cheated. In both the film and the book, the duel is actually a feint. Peter and Caspian know they can't defeat Miraz's army, and the duel is merely to distract Miraz (by challenging his honor) until Aslan arrives. In the book Peter doesn't give the choice to Caspian, but the advisers still kill Miraz and frame Peter for using "dirty tactics."

** The battle in the beginning, Boagrius is set to fight against Achilles, but dies within seconds.

* Near the end of ''Archangels: The Saga'', the BigBad challenges God's decree that the human soul he's been trying to damn has been taken out of his reach forever. God responds to this challenge is by summoning Michael the Archangel to battle the BigBad in a one-on-one fight. [[spoiler:Michael and the Demon's base powers are evenly matched, but when they each draw on the power of their master (God for Michael; Lucifer for the Demon), Michael ends up winning because ''his'' master is the stronger of the two]].