History Main / CounterpartCombatCoordination

** The original Justice Lords episode has the teams fight their counterparts, more or less. [[spoiler:Franchise/TheFlash fought Lord!Superman as the other Flash died causing the lords to form. Superman was off getting permanent help (from [[ComicBook/LexLuthor his personal nemesis]], naturally). Batman and Lord!Batman had a one-one one fight earlier on.]]
** In the later episode "Divided We Fall", this was yet again the standard, with "Brainthor/Luthoriac" constructs designed to resemble the Lords (adding a Flash counterpart). As it turns out, Flash, Batman and [[ComicBook/MartianManhunter J'onn]] beat their counterparts pretty much instantly. Superman and Franchise/WonderWoman have to trade partners because Superman can't kill his own[[note]]as it changed to resemble Luthor, Lord!Superman's killing of Luthor also causing the BadFuture described above[[/note]], while Franchise/GreenLantern John Stewart and [[ComicBook/{{Hawkman}} Shayera]] swap and [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything rather transparently]] let loose some old [[BelligerentSexualTension frustration]]. Of course, we can never be too sure if J'onn beat his clone, because they both shapeshifted into the same thing.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'', Starfire, Beast Boy and Cyborg get stuck fighting evil copies of themselves. They eventually decide to switch targets after they start losing their {{Mirror Match}}es. Cyborg fights Beast Boy since his animal forms are unable to damage Cyborg's metal body. Starfire fights Cyborg, using DeathFromAbove, since Cyborg cannot fly. Beast Boy fights Starfire, using his multiple animal forms to evade Starfire's ranged attacks.

** In the later episode "Divided We Fall", this was yet again the standard, with "Brainthor/Luthoriac" constructs designed to resemble the Lords (adding a Flash counterpart). As it turns out, Flash, Batman and [[ComicBook/MartianManhunter J'onn]] beat their counterparts pretty much instantly. Superman and Franchise/WonderWoman have to trade partners because Superman can't kill his own[[note]]as it changed to resemble Luthor, Lord!Superman's killing of Luthor also causing the ForWantOfANail BadFuture described above[[/note]], while Franchise/GreenLantern John Stewart and [[ComicBook/{{Hawkman}} Shayera]] swap and [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything rather transparently]] let loose some [[UnresolvedSexualTension old]] [[BelligerentSexualTension frustration]]. Of course, we can never be too sure if J'onn beat his clone, because they both shapeshifted into the same thing.

[[quoteright:324:[[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cs1.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:324:Bringing {{mirror match}}es to a whole new level.]]

* Near the end of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'', each character faces off against their equivalents: [[TheBigGuy Bowser]] fights [[TheBrute O'Chunks]], Peach fights [[DarkChick Mimi]], [[TheLancer Luigi]] fights [[TheDragon Dimentio]] and naturally, [[TheHero Mario]] fights [[BigBad Count Bleck]].

-->'''Pepper:''' "Blot! Take a look! He's a grown man, but with the strength of a ''baby!"''

** {{Discussed}} in "The Last Adventure!". When Gyro and Manny are sneaking around F.O.W.L.'s base, they run into the Phantom Blot and Pepper. Gyro tries to talk his way out of fighting them by explaining that they're the "science guys" and they should be looking for the "magic guys". Pepper isn't phased by his logic and proceeds to beat him up.
-> "Blot! Take a look! He's a grown man, but with the strength of a ''baby!"''

-> "Hey look! He is a grown adult, but is weak as a child!

* Near the end of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'', each character faces off against their equivalents: [[TheBigGuy Bowser]] fights [[TheBrute O'Chunks]], [[TheChick Peach]] fights [[DarkChick Mimi]], [[TheLancer Luigi]] fights [[TheDragon Dimentio]] and naturally, [[TheHero Mario]] fights [[BigBad Count Bleck]].

** {{Discussed}} in "The Last Adventure!". When Gyro and Lil' Bulb are sneaking around F.O.W.L.'s base, they run into the Phantom Blot and Pepper. Gyro tries to talk his way out of fighting them by explaining that they're the "science guys" and they should be looking for the "magic guys". Pepper isn't phased by his logic and proceeds to beat him up.

** In the later episode "Divided We Fall", this was yet again the standard, with "Brainthor/Luthoriac" constructs designed to resemble the Lords. As it turns out, Flash, Batman and [[ComicBook/MartianManhunter J'onn]] beat their counterparts pretty much instantly. Superman and Franchise/WonderWoman have to trade partners because Superman can't kill his own[[note]]as it changed to resemble Luthor, Lord!Superman's killing of Luthor also causing the ForWantOfANail BadFuture described above[[/note]], while Franchise/GreenLantern John Stewart and [[ComicBook/{{Hawkman}} Shayera]] swap and [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything rather transparently]] let loose some [[UnresolvedSexualTension old]] [[BelligerentSexualTension frustration]]. Of course, we can never be too sure if J'onn beat his clone, because they both shapeshifted into the same thing.

* Many fights in ''Manga/OnePiece'' function along these lines, to the point where once combatants on both sides are known, it can be predicted who will have each fight. Most crews fought by the protagonists, for example, seem to have a clear (physical fighter) leader, a knife nut, and another physical fighter, to match up with Captain Luffy, swordsman Zoro and [[ExtremityExtremist kicking guy]] Sanji. The Blackbeard Pirates are expected to have this kind of fight with the Straw Hats, thanks to the number of analogues. Though lately, Oda has been switching up the formula to keep it from getting too stale or predictable.

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'':

* [[AllThereInTheManual Canonically speaking]], the penultimate fight in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters '97'' pit the Japan Team against their elemental counterparts from the New Faces[=/=]{{Orochi}} Team: [[PlayingWithFire Kyo faced Chris]], [[ShockAndAwe Benimaru fought against Shermie]], and [[DishingOutDirt Daimon tangled with Yashiro]]. When defeated, Yashiro and Shermie simply commit suicide to give their energy to Chris, prompting [[SealedEvilInACan Orochi's]] resurrection.

** '''Doraemon and Suneo vs. Hyde''': {{Gadgeteer Genius}}es vs. EvilGenius, with Hyde taking on the gang with his DrillTank. Doraemon had a RummageFail as always, but Suneo uses his powers to turn a pile of random junk and turn it into a ''spaceship'' in three seconds and counter Hyde's weapons.

* {{Justified|Trope}} in Wrestling/{{TNA}}'s World Cup(not to be confused with their World ''X'' Cup, which is not an example). Every team that enters has one wrestler for each of TNA's title belts, which means that aside from the "no limits" X title, all heavyweights weights will fight other heavyweights, every TagTeam other tag teams, each woman other women etc.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'', Starfire, Beast Boy and Cyborg get stuck fighting evil copies of themselves. The eventually decide to switch targets after they start losing their {{Mirror Match}}es. Cyborg fights Beast Boy since his animal forms are unable to damage Cyborg's metal body. Starfire fights Cyborg, using DeathFromAbove, since Cyborg cannot fly. Beast Boy fights Starfire, using his multiple animal forms to evade Starfire's ranged attacks.

* Many fights in ''Manga/OnePiece'' function along these lines, to the point where once combatants on both sides are known, it can be predicted who will have each fight. Most crews fought by the protagonists, for example, seem to have a clear (physical fighter) leader, a KnifeNut, and another physical fighter, to match up with Captain Luffy, swordsman Zoro and [[ExtremityExtremist kicking guy]] Sanji. The Blackbeard Pirates are expected to have this kind of fight with the Straw Hats, thanks to the number of analogues. Though lately, Oda has been switching up the formula to keep it from getting too stale or predictable.

[[quoteright:324:[[Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cs1.png]]]]

* [[DefiedTrope Defied out of necessity]] in ''Manga/MedakaBox'' when the four main characters come across the four doppelgangers that guard the entrance to the Shiranui village. When the doppelgangers become copies of the four, they spend the first round battling their lookalike counterparts, only to realize that they'll be locked in a permanent stalemate if they do so due to MutualDisadvantage. They thus decide to swap opponents and inflict a CurbStompBattle on the doppelgangers, with [[SuperPowerLottery Medaka]] overpowering Zenkichi, [[BadassNormal Zenkichi]] outskilling Kumagawa, [[RealityWarper Kumagawa]] sealing away Ajimu, and [[TheOmnipotent Ajimu]] overwhelming Medaka.

* [[DefiedTrope Defied out of necessity]] in ''Manga/MedakaBox'' when the four main characters come across the four doppelgangers that guard the entrance to the Shiranui village. When the doppelgangers become copies of the four, they spend the first round battling their lookalike counterparts, only to realize that they'll be locked in a permanent stalemate if they do so due to [[MutualDisadvantage]]. They thus decide to swap opponents and inflict a CurbStompBattle on the doppelgangers, with [[SuperPowerLottery Medaka]] overpowering Zenkichi, [[BadassNormal Zenkichi]] outskilling Kumagawa, [[RealityWarper Kumagawa]] sealing away Ajimu, and [[TheOmnipotent Ajimu]] overwhelming Medaka.

->'''Red Ranger:''' It's finally arrived! A showdown versus the Psycho Rangers! Let's get em, guys!
->'''Green Ranger:''' Ow! Dude!
->'''Red Ranger:''' Oh, sorry Green, I was aiming for Psycho Green. Wait, why's Psycho Yellow punching himself in the face? Alright, ''time out'', all '''10''' of us!
-->-- [[JokingMode Not actual dialogue from]] ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace''

!!Examples

[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'', Starfire, Beast Boy and Cyborg get stuck fighting evil copies of themselves. The eventually decide to switch targets after they start losing their [[MirrorMatch MirrorMatches]]. Cyborg fights Beast Boy since his animal forms are unable to damage Cyborg's metal body. Starfire fights Cyborg, using DeathFromAbove, since Cyborg cannot fly. Beast Boy fights Starfire, using his multiple animal forms to evade Starfire's ranged attacks.

* In ''{{WesternAnimation/RWBY}}'', RWBY (plus Qrow) end up facing against an elite group of Huntsmen known as the Ace-Ops. However, only [[SuperSpeed Ruby]] and [[WindsOfDestinyChange Qrow]] face off against Ace-Ops with similar powers. [[BattleCouple Blake and Yang]] face off against Vine and Elm. This leaves [[InstantRunes Weiss]] to battle against [[TheParalyzer Marrow]], neither matching in theme ''or'' powers.