History Main / FakeSpecialAttack

->''' Narrator:''' [[CastingAShadow Final Dark Sunshine]] - Though the spell looks stylish, [[HealingShiv it's actually a recovery spell.]]
->''' [[TheHero Nike]]:''' Oh yeah! That was lucky!
->''' [[BlackMage Kukuri]]:''' That was nice.
->''' [[TheRival Raid]]:''' Oh, damn it! I was so concerned about how stylish the spell was that I didn't bother to ask about the effects.

* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', Don Kanonji's "Kanonji-Style Final Super Attack: Kanonball" is a tiny ball of energy that creates a surprisingly powerful explosion on impact. However, [[PainfullySlowProjectile it moves about as fast as a snail]], making it almost impossible to hit enemies with, and Kanonji isn't strong enough to threaten [[VillainPedigree anything after the first arc]].

* Richer's Item Crash attack in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' is based on what sub-weapon is currently equipped. The key occupies the sub-weapon slot, but is only used to open doors. If you hit the Item Crash button with the key equipped, Richter starts his normal, PowerFloats power-up animation, but then falls back to the ground with a big '''?''' floating over his head.

** The skeleton brothers both have one: Papyrus's [[spoiler: gets stolen by a dog]] and [[spoiler: Sans's is literally nothing. Subverted in that doing nothing actually proves to be pretty darn effective.]]

So the big FightScene is kicking off, and Bob is going to use a seemingly powerful SpecialAttack. It often has an ominous name, and sometimes a CombatCommentator says "OhCrap".

* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' has Shadow Madarame's ultimate move, "Madara-Megido". Most people who have played the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series would be worried to see a Megido attack that hits everyone, especially this early in the game... except that this particular variant does ''pitiful' damage when it hits. Turns out that this plagiarising artist's own art really does suck.

* Yoshio from ''Franchise/TokimekiMemorial 1'' has a LimitBreak in his repertoire during the excursion trip battle phase, the "Great Yoshio Kick". He tries to make it sound and look cool, but it not only does zero damage on the opponent, it also breaks Yoshio's leg and put him out of the remainder of the fight.

* "The Ex-Wife" bunker buster installed on the War Machine suit in ''Film/IronMan2''. After all the hype (and a brief [[TechnologyPorn launch sequence]] with massive backblast) it just bounces off.

* The skeleton brothers in ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' both have one: Papyrus's [[spoiler: gets stolen by a dog]] and [[spoiler: Sans's is literally nothing. Subverted in that doing nothing actually proves to be pretty darn effective.]]

* Yori of ''Webcomic/NoNeedForBushido'' has a technique [[http://noneedforbushido.com/2002/comic/7/ so totally foolproof]] he has refused to use it until now. The Super Secret Special Technique...run away!

[[folder: Videogame ]]

* ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha Street Fighter Alpha 2]]'': Dan Hibiki's Chohatsu Densetsu (literally, "Legendary Taunt") is a [[LimitBreak Super Combo]] that's true to its name; all he does is a series of taunts that not only wastes your super meter, it also leaves you open to attack. It's especially worthless in Capcom vs SNK 2, where taunting will cause your opponent's super meter to charge, so all you're doing by using the move is making your opponent ''more dangerous.''
** In Street Fighter Alpha 3, he also gets the Chohatsu Shinwa ("Mythical Taunt"), which is a ''level 3'' super attack (i.e., requiring a full super meter and draining it all) that does nothing but replace all Dan's normal attacks with zero-damage taunts for a while or until Dan gets hit.
** Subverted in Street Fighter 4, as you can very quickly cancel out of the Chohatsu Densetsu into an actual Ultra Combo. It's very likely to catch your opponent off guard...at least [[ItOnlyWorksOnce the first time]] they see it.

[[quoteright:349:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_fake_special_attack2.png]]

* Usopp from ''Manga/{{OnePiece}}'' abused the hell out of this trope early part in the story. Yelling out a rubber band attack that made opponents flinch was used as an escape tool. His 10 ton hammer is just a balloon with two frying pans attached at the ends. Post time skip, however, his arsenal has [[TookALevelInBadass become a legitimate threat]].
* The Thousand Years of Death, from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', looks like you're about to use a powerful [[SupernaturalMartialArts Jutsu]] but is really just [[AssShove Kancho]].

-->'''Iron Man:''' Hammer tech?
-->'''War Machine:''' (dejectedly) Yeah.

* The "Vulcan death grip" in Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries.
* The "crimson force field" in Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration. Something of a subversion, in that it was intended as a bluff that didn't actually do anything.

So the big FightScene is kicking off, and Bob is going to use a seemingly powerful SpecialAttack. It often has an ominous name, and sometimes a CombatCommentator says “OhCrap”.

When the attack is actually used… it’s far less than impressive. The alleged FingerPokeOfDoom really is just a poke. The [[OneWingedAngel "ultimate" transformation]] is just a [[FanService bikini-clad]] [[AttractiveBentGender girl]]. The {{BFG}} shoots RedBoxingGloves or is an oversized water gun. The supposed DeathRay is just TheNudifier. Part or all of the attack is an illusion. ''All'' Bob's power is in his huge BattleAura and he's bluffing. The lightshow is just a distraction from something else, like a VillainExitStageLeft. [[OverlyLongGag The... no, I'm done.]] In any case, the attack has a humorous non-effect.

Contrast TheWorfBarrage, which ''does'' do something big… which is ''then'' [[NoSell laughed off]]. JokeItem and JokeCharacter are the item/character versions. A ClippedWingAngel is a similarly [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] transformation, but is not always humorous. If all your fighting skill is like this, then WhatTheFuAreYouDoing. HeartIsAnAwesomePower is when a power - that would become this if used to attack directly - is put to creative and effective use. Can be {{Subverted}} with YouAreAlreadyDead, where the attack seems to do nothing, but its serious effects are about to be felt.

Because many of these attacks are played up as serious until TheReveal, expect minor spoilers.
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!!Examples

[[AC: Anime & Manga]]

** Naruto’s [[FanService Sexy Jutsu]] is similar. In this case, it is an actual Jutsu... but all it does is [[VoluntaryShapeshifting transform]] the user into a ShamelessFanserviceGirl.

* Most of Genma’s Anything-Goes Techniques, as well many other ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' moves.
** The Bakusai Tenketsu (Breaking Point), a FingerPokeOfDoom capable of shattering the target. It is only effective on rocks and dirt.
** The Saotome School Ultimate Attack/Finishing Move consists of distracting the opponent by pretending to use an ultimate technique, then running away to think of something better.
** Crouch of the Wild Tiger, which is just bowing down and begging for mercy.
** Howl of the Demon Dog, which is taunting your opponent from a safe distance.
** Cradle of Hell, which is an embarrassing, loving embrace.
** Both of the attacks used by Lin Lin and Lun Lun, which [[TheWorfEffect supposedly defeat powerful fighters offscreen]], but are really just bad mechanical constructs.

** The Happo Fire Burst [[ZigzaggingTrope zigzags this]]. For most of its introductory episode, it’s played up as a horrifically powerful KiAttack. Eventually, Happosai uses it. Genma and Soun panic. Ranma calls it out as mere fireworks. However, in later episodes it becomes Happosai's signature move and is rather effective ([[AshFace for the]] [[{{Slapstick}} genre]], anyway); the technique is implied to be ''conjuring'' these bombs [[KiAttacks from Ki energy]], which would make it a legitimately powerful technique, since it can [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight bring a bomb to a fistfight]].
* ''Anime/TigerAndBunny'': The eponymous duo have a special feature built into their PoweredArmor called "Good Luck Mode". Not only does it look cool, but it [[spoiler:does absolutely nothing else]].

[[AC: Film]]
* "The Ex-Wife" bunker buster installed on the War Machine suit in ''Film/IronMan2''. After all the hype (and a brief [[TechnologyPorn launch sequence]] with massive backblast) it just bounces off.

[[AC: Live-Action TV]]

[[AC: Videogame]]

[[AC: Webcomics]]
* Yori of ''Webcomic/NoNeedForBushido'' has a technique [[http://noneedforbushido.com/2002/comic/7/ so totally foolproof]] he has refused to use it until now. The Super Secret Special Technique...run away!

* Richer's Item Crash attack in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' is based on what sub-weapon is currently equipped. The key occupies the sub-weapon slot, but is only used to open doors. If you hit the Item Crash button with the key equipped, Richter starts his normal, PowerFloats power-up animation, but then falls back to the ground with a big '''[[RebusBubble ?]]''' floating over his head.

[[AC: Literature]]
* In the Literature/{{Discworld}} novel ''Discworld/{{Sourcery}}'', Nigel and Rincewind confront some very angry harem guards. Nigel then goes to demonstrate an impressive piece of swordplay "A triple orc thrust with a backflip". At first it looks impressive, right until the sword embeds itself in the ceiling.

** Naruto, Iruka and Konohamaru's team special, "Problem Children of the Hidden Leaf". The three hurl FuumaShuriken at the opponent, knocking them into the air. Then Naruto and Konohamaru... both use the [[AttractiveBentGender Sexy Jutsu]] on Iruka. The ensuing NoseBleed is so powerful Iruka is ''[[GrievousHarmWithABody propelled towards the opponent like a missile]], causing a heart-shaped fireworks explosion upon contact.'' Konohamaru and Naruto fist-bump over the successful prank. And Iruka gives them both a CranialEruption.

** Naruto, Iruka and Konohamaru's team special. The three hurl FuumaShuriken at the opponent, knocking them into the air. Then Naruto and Konohamaru... both use the [[AttractiveBentGender Sexy Jutsu]] on Iruka. The ensuing NoseBleed is so powerful Iruka is ''[[GrievousHarmWithABody propelled towards the opponent like a missile]], causing a heart-shaped fireworks explosion upon contact.'' Konohamaru and Naruto fist-bump over the successful prank. And Iruka gives them both a CranialEruption.
** [[CharacterizationTags Young!]]Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura's CombinationAttack. [[IdiotHero Naruto]] goes LeeroyJenkins, while [[TheRival Sasuke]] uses him as a GoombaSpringboard to land his own attacks. [[TheLoad Sakura looks like she's not going to do anything]], [[SubvertedTrope but then surrounds all three of them with a rope]]. [[HitFlash We're not shown]] [[NoodleIncident what happens next,]] but it ends in [[CallBack both Naruto]] and the opponent tied to a stump.

*** Her Ultimate Jutsu however - Severe Stinging Slap - is a subversion. It's an ArmourPiercingSlap... which leaves a [[StuffBlowingUp Paper Bomb]] on the target. Ouch. [[LampshadeHanging "Hah, sloppy!" indeed.]]