History Main / RocketTagGameplay

* The ''{{Unreal}}'' games have the [=InstaGib=] modifier, where every player was equipped only with [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin insta-gibbing weapons]] and effectively unlimited ammo.

[[YourMileageMayVary This trope doesn't]] ''[[YourMileageMayVary have]]'' [[YourMileageMayVary to be a bad thing]]. Fast-paced battles tend to be more exciting than longer and tedious ones, and they may require less LevelGrinding.

* High-level gameplay in the ''{{Disgaea}}'' series and other NipponIchi strategy [=RPGs=]. Due to the way attack vs. defence is calculated damage increases exponentially as levels rise, so more or less any battle over level 500 or so means you either kill your opponent in one shot or die in their response attack.
** Note: Mostly true in ''{{Disgaea 3}}'' and even more so in ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea 4|A Promise Unforgotten}}''. ''{{Disgaea 2}}'' is actually much better balanced regarding offense and defense, with tanks actually being viable.

** ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3.5 edition is often accused of Rocket Tag gameplay. Not only because damage outstrips hit points (and [[http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19872838/Little_Red_Raiding_Hood:_A_Tale_of_38;_Guide_to_the_3.5_Dragoon Hood]] is merely one example), but because of an excess of spells which instantly kill or cripple their targets. In fact, it was possible for every one of a caster's spells of 4th level or higher to be very direct "instant win" spells. For example, ''solid fog'' meant standard movement was limited to 5', or 20' if the target ran as fast as he could in a straight line. ''Evard's black tentacles'' tried grappling all creatures in the area and usually succeeded. Add ''stinking cloud'' to taste, which prevents those who fail their Fortitude save from acting and you have yourself a killer combo. At level 7. In ''core''. (In general, spells of level 3 and below can't plain win fights like this, but a failed save against a ''grease'' or ''color spray'' or ''glitterdust'' or ''web'' means you're pretty much screwed while the caster's friends & minions quickly beat you to death.)

** ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3.5 edition is often accused of Rocket Tag gameplay. Not only because damage outstrips hit points (and [[http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19872838/Little_Red_Raiding_Hood:_A_Tale_of_38;_Guide_to_the_3.5_Dragoon Hood]] is merely one example), but because of an excess of spells which instantly kill or cripple their targets. In fact, it was possible for every one of a caster's spells of 4th level or higher to be very direct "instant win" spells. For example, ''solid fog'' meant standard movement was limited to 5', or 20' if the target ran as fast as he could in a straight line. ''Evard's black tentacles'' tried grappling all creatures in the area and usually succeeded. Add ''stinking cloud[/i] to taste, which prevents those who fail their Fortitude save from acting and you have yourself a killer combo. At level 7. In ''core''. (In general, spells of level 3 and below can't plain win fights like this, but a failed save against a ''grease'' or ''color spray'' or ''glitterdust'' or ''web'' means you're pretty much screwed while the caster's friends & minions quickly beat you to death.)

** ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3.5 edition is often accused of Rocket Tag gameplay. Not only because damage outstrips hit points (and [[http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19872838/Little_Red_Raiding_Hood:_A_Tale_of_38;_Guide_to_the_3.5_Dragoon Hood]] is merely one example), but because of an excess of spells which instantly kill or cripple their targets. In fact, it was possible for every one of a caster's spells of 4th level or higher to be very direct "instant win" spells. For example, <i>solid fog</i> meant standard movement was limited to 5', or 20' if the target ran as fast as he could in a straight line. <i>Evard's black tentacles</i> tried grappling all creatures in the area and usually succeeded. Add <i>stinking cloud[/i] to taste, which prevents those who fail their Fortitude save from acting and you have yourself a killer combo. At level 7. In <i>core</i>. (In general, spells of level 3 and below can't plain win fights like this, but a failed save against a <i>grease</i> or <i>color spray</i> or <i>glitterdust</i> or <i>web</i> means you're pretty much screwed while the caster's friends & minions quickly beat you to death.)
** And if you're a Shadowcraft Mage, then with the right build, you can use a <i>level 0 spell</i> (<i>silent image</i> with the Gnome Illusionist substitution level) and Heighten it to make it do what was just described. Or cast <i>miracle</i>s.
** At mid and high levels, defenses tend to be binary. If you aren't flat-out immune (or they got unlucky and missed), you're going <i>splat!</i> in one round or even one hit. Pretty much no exceptions.
** If you plan to play a mid level or high level caster/manifester against a non-caster/manifester, expect to win because you have <i>options</i>. Even if the game is stacked against you, then you <i>are</i> about as smart in real life as your character is, right?

** ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3.5 edition is often accused of Rocket Tag gameplay. Not only because damage outstrips hit points (and [[http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19872838/Little_Red_Raiding_Hood:_A_Tale_of_38;_Guide_to_the_3.5_Dragoon Hood]] is merely one example), but because of an excess of spells which instantly kill or cripple their targets. In fact, it was possible for every one of a caster's spells of 4th level or higher to be very direct "instant win" spells. For example, [i]solid fog[/i] meant standard movement was limited to 5', or 20' if the target ran as fast as he could in a straight line. [i]Evard's black tentacles[/i] tried grappling all creatures in the area and usually succeeded. Add [i]stinking cloud[/i] to taste, which prevents those who fail their Fortitude save from acting and you have yourself a killer combo. At level 7. In [i]core[/i]. (In general, spells of level 3 and below can't plain win fights like this, but a failed save against a [i]grease[/i] or [i]color spray[/i] or [i]glitterdust[/i] or [i]web[/i] means you're pretty much screwed while the caster's friends & minions quickly beat the victim to death.)
** And if you're a Shadowcraft Mage, then with the right build, you can use a [i]level 0 spell[/i] ([i]silent image[/i] with the Gnome Illusionist substitution level) and Heighten it to make it do what was just described. Or cast [i]miracle[/i]s.
** At mid and high levels, defenses tend to be binary. If you aren't flat-out immune (or they got unlucky and missed), you're going [i]splat![/i] in one round or even one hit. Pretty much no exceptions.
** If you plan to play a mid level or high level caster/manifester against a non-caster/manifester, expect to win because you have [i]options[/i]. Even if the game is stacked against you, then you [i]are[/i] about as smart in real life as your character is, right?

** ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3.5 edition is often accused of Rocket Tag gameplay. Not only because damage outstrips hit points (and [url=http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19872838/Little_Red_Raiding_Hood:_A_Tale_of_38;_Guide_to_the_3.5_Dragoon]Hood[/url] is merely one example), but because of an excess of spells which instantly kill or cripple their targets. In fact, it was possible for every one of a caster's spells of 4th level or higher to be very direct "instant win" spells. For example, [i]solid fog[/i] meant standard movement was limited to 5', or 20' if the target ran as fast as he could in a straight line. [i]Evard's black tentacles[/i] tried grappling all creatures in the area and usually succeeded. Add [i]stinking cloud[/i] to taste, which prevents those who fail their Fortitude save from acting and you have yourself a killer combo. At level 7. In [i]core[/i]. (In general, spells of level 3 and below can't plain win fights like this, but a failed save against a [i]grease[/i] or [i]color spray[/i] or [i]glitterdust[/i] or [i]web[/i] means you're pretty much screwed while the caster's friends & minions quickly beat the victim to death.)

** ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3.5 edition is often accused of Rocket Tag gameplay. Not because damage outstrips hitpoints, but because of an excess of spells which instantly kill or cripple their target. In fact, it was possible for every one of a caster's spells of 4th level or higher to be very direct "instant win" spells, and every spell of 3rd level or lower some lesser version capped by hit dice.
** Although offensive stats still do usually outstrip defensive stats. Which includes damage, but also means hitting in the first place and other things.

* High-level gameplay in the ''{{Disgaea}}'' series and other NipponIchi strategy RPGs. Due to the way attack vs. defence is calculated damage increases exponentially as levels rise, so more or less any battle over level 500 or so means you either kill your opponent in one shot or die in their response attack.

** ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3.5 edition is often accused of Rocket Tag gameplay. Not because damage outstrips hitpoints, but because of an excess of spells which instantly kill or cripple their target.

* Most FirstPersonShooter games with a "sniper" class will often revolve around being able to spot and pick off enemy snipers before being spotted and shot oneself.

** Note: Mostly true in ''{{Disgaea 3}}'' and even more so in ''{{Disgaea 4}}''. ''{{Disgaea 2}}'' is actually much better balanced regarding offense and defense, with tanks actually being viable.

* High-level gameplay in the ''{{Disgaea}}'' series. Due to the way attack vs. defence is calculated damage increases exponentially as levels rise, so more or less any battle over level 500 or so means you either kill your opponent in one shot or die in their response attack.

This trope can happen due to various reasons; Higher offensive stats than defensive ones, an abundance of OneHitKill moves, etcetera.

** Note: Mostly true in {{Disgaea3}} and even more so in {{Disgaea4}}. {{Disgaea2}} is actually much better balanced regarding offense and defense, with tanks actually being viable.

* {{Pokemon}}, especially in earlier generations, has a metagame role called the "Sweeper." The purpose of this monster is to one-shot the entire opposing team due to a high speed stat, insane damage, and good coverage on the ElementalRockPaperScissors table. The best counter for a Sweeper? A faster sweeper that can one-shot it.

* In ''{{Disgaea}} 1'', attack stats go way higher than defence, so by the time characters are at their highest levels, the first to hit wins.

* DevilMayCry has a Sudden Death mode where a single attack will kill both Dante and any enemy.Including bosses.
* KingdomHeartsReCoded has the HP Cheat bonus which increases rewards obtained while lowering Sora and the enemies' HP. And yes, if it gets turned UpToEleven it leaves everything and everyone with only one HP.

* In ''TronLegacy'', [[DeadlyDisc disc hits]] are generally {{One Hit Kill}}s.

* The ''UnrealTournament'' games have the [=InstaGib=] modifier, where every player was equipped only with [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin insta-gibbing weapons]] and effectively unlimited ammo.