History Main / TellMeHowYouFight

* In ''VisualNovel/WorldEndEconomica'', Barton can read Hal's style through his trades. He knows that Hal's [[TheKirk an intuitive type who does his homework and checks the financial papers, but ultimately trusts his own read of the market sentiment when making a big ride]], and he can also pick out the fact that Hal teamed up with a "quant," that is, [[TheSpock a math person who relies on a statistical program to grind out steady successes]]. Barton himself doesn't look at the numbers much at all; his talent lies in [[TheMcCoy figuring out where a company is going by reading the people]], a trick he shows Hal.

* In ''VisualNovel/WorldEndEconomica'', Barton can read Hal's style through his trades. He knows that Hal's [[TheKirk an intuitive type who does his homework and checks the financial papers, but ultimately trusts his own read of people when making a big ride]], and he can also pick out the fact that Hal teamed up with a "quant," that is, [[TheSpock a math person who relies on a statistical program to grind out steady successes]].

* Used in VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords through the Echani sisters who serve Atris, particularly the youngest who stows away on your ship. As Echani view combat as a language, they spot things in both the Exile's fighting styles and Atton's that reveal much about them, including the first big hint that Atton is far more volatile and dangerous the Han Solo {{Expy}} he appears to be. Part of the Handmaiden's motivation for coming along is that, with the Jedi being al but wiped out, she hopes to at least learn and remember their fighting techniques, akin to a linguist trying to find the last handful of native speakers.

* ComicBook/{{Taskmaster}}, who can [[DittoFighter perfectly mimic]] [[AwesomenessByAnalysis any physical movement he sees]], absolutely refuses to even ''look'' at ComicBook/MoonKnight, citing the latter's absolute refusal to dodge as literally physically painful to observe. Moon Knight, it turns out, falls into the Suicidal Tactics as described above, mostly because a.) he [[DependingOnTheWriter may or]] [[FlipFlopOfGod may not]] be a god/extradimensional [[MindScrew something]] simply inhabiting a meatsuit he doesn't particularly care about, b.) even if it ''is'' his body, he's died often enough that non-fatal damage just [[MajorInjuryUnderreaction isn't that big a deal anymore]], and/or c.) his god is literally in his corner and [[ResurrectedForAReason just won't let him stay dead]], so what's the point of delaying the inevitable by trying to avoid damage that he knows won't kill him anyway?

* ComicBook/{{Taskmaster}}, who can [[DittoFighter perfectly mimic]] [[AwesomenessByAnalysis any physical movement he sees]], absolutely refuses to even ''look'' at ComicBook/MoonKnight, citing the latter's absolute refusal to dodge as literally physically painful to observe. Moon Knight, it turns out, falls into the Suicidal Tactics as described above, mostly because a.) he [[DependingOnTheWriter may or]] [[FlipFlopOfGod may not]] be a god/extradimensional [[MindScrew something]] simply inhabiting a meatsuit he doesn't particularly care about, b.) even if it ''is'' his body, he's died often enough that non-fatal damage just [[MajorInjuryUnderreaction isn't that big a deal anymore]], and/or c.) his god is literally in his corner and [[ResurrectedForAPurpose just won't let him stay dead]], so what's the point of delaying the inevitable by trying to avoid damage that he knows won't kill him anyway?

* '''CallingYourAttacks''': Suggests arrogance and confidence (or MagicalGirl-ness).

* '''Quick, Elegant Strikes:''' Character settles the dispute with one or two sudden, swift punches. This style often shows that a character is refined, often royalty, and usually very arrogant as well. See also FingerPokeOfDoom. A GradualGrinder may finish this way.

* '''[[PerfectPlayAI Can't Touch This]]:''' Character actually does little to harm the enemy, choosing instead to just defend himself and [[DeadlyDodging use the enemy's own strength against him]], often humiliating him in the process. Style focuses on [[CounterAttack intercepting and countering attacks]], occasionally grounding the opponent with a precision strike to a PressurePoint. Character using this style is often wise and does not fear his opponent; there's a good chance on him being MartialPacifist.

* '''VictoryByEndurance:''' Simply outlasting the opponent, sometimes by way of psychological warfare (annoying them to the point where they reveal their ace in the hole prematurely). The default methodology of a WeakButSkilled fighter; always loses to an IncreasinglyLethalEnemy.

--->'''Saber:''' [[spoiler:Sir]]... [[spoiler:Lancelot]]...

* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', as part of the ShownTheirWork, ''everyone'' is this, as each of the four bending arts is based on a martial arts style with a specific philosophy. Airbenders are pacifists, flowing with opponents' moves and with an emphasis on dodging, and lacking any killing blows[[note]]Which is not to say they ''can't'' kill if sufficiently motivated.[[/note]]. Waterbenders also have a lot of flowing movements and turn their opponents' strength against them. Firebending is extremely aggressive, and Earthbending requires solid footing and as much forcefulness as the rock it commands. You can also see noticeable variations of the same style in different users:

* '''Quick, Elegant Strikes:''' Character settles the dispute with one or two sudden, swift punches. This style often shows that a character is refined, often royalty, and usually very arrogant as well. See also FingerPokeOfDoom.

* In ''Manga/DragonBall'', especially ([[CerebusSyndrome ironically]]) the early parts, this shows in most characters. [[TheHero Goku]] himself has "[[IdiotHero the mind of a child]]" and so uses an extremely simplistic style, jumping straight at his enemies and just punching them. When he uses special attacks, they're usually either just normal attacks with {{Kiai}}, [[MartialArtsDoNotWorkThatWay really weird physical stunts]] or [[KamehameHadoken Kamehameha]].

* ''Series/{{Leverage}}'': As shown by the quote at the top of the page, this trope was used as a frequent RunningGag, where Hitter Elliot Spencer would identify opponents or weapons using minor details. %%There is also a clear signal in the respective fighting styles of each of his teammates that reflects back on their default M.O.

*** In fact; Zuko, Azula and Iroh all use the same style, but even someone without actual training can tell that they're extremely different. Zuko is very stiff and aggressive, [[MagnificentBastard Azula]] is ridiculously cool and precise, and [[BadassGrandpa Iroh]] is relaxed yet terrifyingly powerful.

You can tell a lot about a person by the way he fights. This is when a character's fighting style reflects his personality. Similar to WeaponOfChoice except here, it's not so much what you use as how you use it.

** This is part of the [[PlanetOfHats cultural hat]] of the near-Human[[ProudWarriorRace Echani]]. They use combat as a form of communication, and say you do not know someone unless you have fought them. Part of that stems from a genetic oddity where same-sex siblings look almost identical to an outsider. An Echani would be able to tell the siblings apart by how they move, and especially by how they fight.

* ''Series/{{Leverage}}'': As shown by the quote at the top of the page, this trope was used as a frequent RunningGag, where Hitter Elliot Spencer would identify opponents or weapons using minor details. %%There's also a clear signal in the respective fighting styles of each of his teammates that reflects back on their default M.O.

* '''LongRangeFighter''': Shines from a distance, fails horribly at close combat. The implication here is that the character is too physically frail, smart and/or cowardly to attempt getting close and personal, so they will rely on magic, PsychicPowers, KiAttacks, [[RubberMan extendable limbs]] or whatever gives them the reach advantage to take down the opponent. Alternately, it means that the fighter's [[GuysSmashGirlsShoot a woman]], for whom this is somewhat expected, especially a ProperLady.

* '''VictoryByEndurance:''' Simply outlasting the opponent, sometimes by way of psychological warfare (annoying them to the point where they reveal their ace in the hole prematurely).

* ''Series/{{Leverage}}'': As shown by the quote at the top of the page, this trope was used as a frequent RunningGag, where Hitter Elliot Spencer would identify opponents or weapons using minor details.

** The few times they were forced to fight hand-to-hand, Sailor Uranus and Neptune went for [[CombatPragmatist extremely brutal moves]], if very precise and quick, fitting for both their arrogance, Neptune's refinedness, and the fact [[IDidWhatTheyHadToDo they care very little for collateral damage as long as the world is saved]].

* ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'' is full of this trope. From [[GoodIsNotSoft Kenshiro's]] deadly (and explosive) pressure-point style, to [[DirtyCoward Jagi's]] [[CombatPragmatism 'anything goes' style]], to [[DarkMessiah Raoh's]] keen analysis mixed with overwhelming force and [[SmugSuper Souther's]] [[AssKickingStance stance-less style]] that cripples opponents for life, practically ''every'' major named character has a unique fighting style with a centuries-old history that reflects their personality. Even the {{mooks}} count, in that [[AttackAttackAttack their haphazard 'in your face' style]] reflects how they're all hapless CannonFodder.