History Main / PsychicStrangle

* In ''Series/StargateSG1'' the Priors of the Ori sometimes do this to their enemies. Their DarkMessiah Adria is more direct about it, simply snapping a Jaffa's neck with her mind at one point.
* {{Discussed|Trope}} in the ''Series/BabylonFive'' episode "Mind War". Talia's former mentor talks about using a gentler form than normal as a way to assassinate without leaving clues behind: simply telekinetically close off the carotid arteries to starve the brain of oxygen, then release the pressure after the target dies. That's ''if'' it was possible to get a relatively stable telekinetic that ''didn't'' have qualms about that sort of thing....

* In ''Videogame/StarCraftIIHeartOfTheSwarm'', the Anti-hero Kerrigan pulls this on the BigBad Arcturus Mengsks son, Valerian, in a fit of rage - and while her hand is used in gesture as it is being done, there's no physical contact between the two.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Baron Ashbury in Shadowfang Keep has the ability Asphyxiate, which holds the entire party off the ground and strangles them nearly to death with a contemptuous, "This is just too easy," but then he heals them so he [[CruelMercy can keep tormenting them]].

** Anakin, Asajj Ventress and Savage Opress all frequently resort to choking their opponents through the Force. Anakin mainly uses it when his BerserkButton (his loved ones being endangered) is pushed. He also prefers it as an interogation techique, such as in "Brain Invaders", while questioning Poggle the Lesser, who proved to be immune to his JediMindTrick. For Ventress, it seems more like a finishing and/or desparation attack, used only when she feels either confident with the outcome of the confrontation, or utterly outmatched. As for Savage, it's more-or-less his SignatureMove, he killed more people this way, than with his lightsaber. He's fine with the "normal" bare-handed NeckSnap as well. Dooku also used the Force to choke his enemies a couple of times.

* In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Rosalina]] uses these as her grab in a non-villanous variation, since this is coming from someone who is [[BigGood the complete opposite of a villain]].

-> '''Admiral Motti:''' Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. ''(Vader turns and slowly walks toward him, raising his hand.)'' Your [[SarcasmMode sad devotion to that ancient religion]] has not helped you conjure up the stolen [[{{Zeerust}} data tapes]], or given you clairvoyance enough to find the [[LaResistance Rebels']] hidden fort-- ''(suddenly starts gasping for air)''\\

--> -- ''Franchise/StarWars Episode IV: Film/ANewHope''

* In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Rosalina]] uses these as her grab. Slightly odd, considering it's coming from someone who is [[BigGood the complete opposite of a villain]].

** Darth Vader is the TropeCodifier, having originally done this in ''Film/ANewHope'' to Admiral Motti. This wasn't the ''first'' time he'd done it, either: In the prequels, [[spoiler: when he becomes convinced that Padme betrayed him, he chokes her]]. Using it on Adm. Kendal Ozzel in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' establishes he doesn't even need to be in the same room to do it.
** Luke Force chokes a pair of Gamorreans to gain entrance to Jabba's palace in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi''.

* This is a power available to Biomancer Psykers in ''DarkHeresy'': They will the target's trachea to close, and it does so. Notably, it has no controllable off-switch and can't be dismissed by the psyker once started. Psykers hoping to pull a Vader with it had better either intend for their target to die, or hope the GM lets them succeed at a willpower check at a critical moment.

* In ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' Anakin, Asajj Ventress and Savage Opress all frequently resort to choking their opponents through the Force. Anakin mainly uses it when his BerserkButton (his loved ones being endangered) is pushed. He also prefers it as an interogation techique, such as in "Brain Invaders", while questioning Poggle the Lesser, who proved to be immune to his JediMindTrick. For Ventress, it seems more like a finishing and/or desparation attack, used only when she feels either confident with the outcome of the confrontation, or utterly outmatched. As for Savage, it's more-or-less his SignatureMove, he killed more people this way, than with his lightsaber. He's fine with the "normal" bare-handed NeckSnap as well. Dooku also used the Force to choke his enemies a couple of times.

* In ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' Anakin, Asajj Ventress and Savage Opress all frequently resort to choking their opponents through the Force. Anakin mainly uses it when his BerserkButton (his loved ones being endangered) is pushed. He also prefers it as an interogation techique, such as in "Brain Invaders", while questioning Poggle the Lesser, who proved to be immune to his JediMindTricks. For Ventress, it seems more like a finishing and/or desparation attack, used only when she feels either confident with the outcome of the confrontation, or utterly outmatched. As for Savage, it's more-or-less his SignatureMove, he killed more people this way, than with his lightsaber. He's fine with the "normal" bare-handed NeckSnap as well. Dooku also used the Force to choke his enemies a couple of times.

* Anakin Skywalker [[RuleOfThree again]], this time in the ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' episode "Brain Invaders" where he does this as a JackBauerInterrogationTechnique on Archduke Poggle the Lesser. The phrase "I find your lack of faith disturbing" is sorely lacking in this scene.

* This is a power available to Biomancer Psykers in ''DarkHeresy'': They will the target's trachea to close, and it does so. Notably, it has no off-switch: Psykers gambling on pulling a Vader with it had better either intend for their target to die, or hope the GM lets them succeed at a willpower check at a critical moment.

*** In ''[[Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy Dark Force Rising]]'', an enraged Mara Jade tries to kill [[BigBad Grand Admiral Thrawn]] this way. It doesn't work properly due to her lack of Force training: Thrawn is more confused by it than anything else.

* {{Discussed|Trope}} in the ''Series/BabylonFive'' episode "Mind War". Talia's former mentor talks about using a gentler form than normal as a way to assassinate without leaving clues behind: simply telekinetically close off the carotid arteries to starve the brain of oxygen, then release the pressure after the target dies. That's ''if'' it was possible to get a completely sane telekinetic...

* Anakin Skywalker [[RuleOfThree again]], this time in the ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' episode "Brain Invaders" where he does this as a JackBauerInterrogationTechnique on Archduke Poggle the Lesser.

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/20130403-10160481-vader1_4062.jpg]]

** Darth Vader is the TropeCodifier, having originally done this in ''Film/ANewHope'', to Admiral Motti. This wasn't the ''first'' time he'd done it, either: In the prequels, [[spoiler: when he becomes convinced that Padme betrayed him, he chokes her]].

*** In ''Literature/OutboundFlight'' the power-mad Jedi Master Jorus C'baoth tries to murder him this way from another ship. He's only saved by Jorj Car'das hitting a BigRedButton Thrawn set up earlier, [[spoiler:which sets off fighter droids carrying radiation bombs that kill most of the crew of ''Outbound Flight''.]]

* [[Franchise/StarWars Anakin Skywalker]] again, this time in the ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' episode "Brain Invaders" where he does this as a JackBauerInterrogationTechnique on Archduke Poggle the Lesser.

* In Videogame/StarcraftIIHeartOfTheSwarm, the Anti-hero Kerrigan pulls this on the BigBad Arcturus Mengsks son, Valerian, in a fit of rage - and while her hand is used in gesture as it is being done, there's no physical contact between the two.
* In ''{{Runescape}}'', one of the abilities for mages is "Asphyxiate." The PlayerCharacter reaches out with his/her magical power, and chokes the life from the target over a few seconds.

Also referred to as a "[[StarWars Force Choke]]."

[[AC: Anime and Manga]]

[[AC:Film]]
* Darth Vader of ''Franchise/StarWars'' fame is the TropeCodifier, having originally done this in ''Film/ANewHope'', to Admiral Motti.
** And that wasn't the ''first'' time he'd done that. In the prequels, [[spoiler: when he becomes convinced that Padme betrayed him]].
** And yet before that, to show he had ways of making Archduke Poggle talk.

[[AC: Literature]]

** [[MagnificentBastard Grand Admiral Thrawn]] had this done to him unsuccessfully on two separate occasions.

[[AC:Live Action TV]]

[[AC: Video Games]]

[[AC: Web Original]]
* ''Main/DisRapsForHire'': In the second episode of season 2, Bryce Wissel is throwing Corn nuts at [=EpicLLOYD=] ([[WebVideo/EpicRapBattlesOfHistory of ERB fame]]) while he's reading the youtube comment that inspires the rap of the episode. After reading the comment he gains the ability to Psychic Strangle Bryce out of ''pure rage'', and takes it a step further by slamming him into the walls, and throwing Bryce at a ScreamingWoman.

* ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' has a variation. When Moira attacks Eric, he deflects the gullets she fires, one of which hits Charles in the back. In a rage, Eric magnetically uses a metal necklace chain to strangle her, but Charles manages to talk him down.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Baron Ashbury in Shadowfang Keep has the ability Asphyxiate, which holds the entire party off the ground and strangles them nearly to death, with a contemptuous, "This is just too easy," but then he heals them so he [[CruelMercy can keep tormenting them]].

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Baron Ashbury in Shadowfang Keep has the ability Asphyxiate, which holds the entire party off the ground and strangles them nearly to death, but then heals them so he [[CruelMercy can keep tormenting them]].

* ''Main/DisRapsForHire'': In the second episode of season 2, Bryce Wissel is throwing Corn nuts at EpicLLOYD ([[WebVideo/EpicRapBattlesOfHistory of ERB fame]]) while he's reading the youtube comment that inspires the rap of the episode. After reading the comment he gains the ability to Psychic Strangle Bryce out of ''pure rage'', and takes it a step further by slamming him into the walls, and throwing Bryce at a ScreamingWoman.

** And yet before that, to show he had ways of making Archduke Poggle talk. This troper thought that the line "I find your lack of faith disturbing" was sadly lacking from that scene.

* Darth Vader of ''StarWars'' fame is the TropeCodifier, having originally done this in ''ANewHope'', to Admiral Motti.

* ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' has a variation. When Miora attacks Eric, he deflects the gullets she fires, one of which hits Charles in the back. In a rage, Eric magnetically uses a metal necklace chain to strangle her, but Charles manages to talk him down.

[[caption-width-right:257: Darth Vader never did it this casually.]]

[[quoteright:250: http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130403-10160481-vader1.jpg]]