History Recap / GravityFallsS2E13DungeonsDungeonsAndMoreDungeons

** The bit involving ''DD&MD'''s DorkAge in the 90s winds up factoring into the climax where Probabilitor reveals the version of the game being used is "the controversial 1991-1992 edition", which includes the later-banned Impossibeast. [[invoked]]

* DorkAge: The 90s were one for ''Dungeons, Dungeons and More Dungeons'' when it was renamed ''Diggity Dungeons & All That!'' [[invoked]]

* AbsenteeActor: This is the first time that Grenda appears without Candy.

* GameBreaker: In-universe. The Impossibeast could only be defeated with a perfect 38 die roll, and was banned in subsequent editions.

* NegatedMomentOfAwesome: When Probabilitor appears and announces his intentions to eat Dipper and Ford's brains, Ford's response is to whip out a gun. "Your math is no match for my gun, you idiot!" Unfortunately for Ford, he was wrong.

-->'''Mabel:''' Give him time, haha! ''[[HumorDissonance Heyooo!]]'' ''({{beat}}'' Nah, you got me! ''(lies down)'' [[JerkassRealization You got me.]]

* BodyHorror: Mabel summons a "centaur-taur" -- a creature made up of two fused horse bodies, with the top half's legs stiffly protruding into the air. In response, Stan says he's confused and proud of Mabel at the same time.

** The Mystery Shack is "Closed for Repairs".

** The town is rebuilding from the gravity anomalies from "Not What He Seems".

* NotSoDifferent: Ford and Dipper start to bond over their mutual love of ''Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons''.

* SoProudOfYou: Stan after Mabel creates her Centaur-taur.

* RealityEnsues: While Mabel and Stan teasing Dipper is mostly lighthearted and as a form of ToughLove, Dipper reveals that he is hurt by their words and actions.

As the town recovers from the gravity anomalies caused by the Universe Portal, Dipper rediscovers his favorite game, a tabletop RPG called ''[[TitleDrop Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons]]''. However, Mabel is turned off by the copious amount of mathematics involved, Soos prefers a form of LARP called Foam-and-Cardboard Legitimate Outdoor Role-Play (FCLORP), and Stan finds the idea of rolling dice outside of Vegas laughable. But when he stumbles into the underground lab, he meets someone who shares his love of ''DD&MD''; the reclusive Author, Ford Pines. Nerds of two generations quickly bond over dice rolls and graphs, during which Dipper asks what Ford has been doing since returning to Earth. Instead of answering the question, Ford shows off a souvenir from across the dimensions, an Infinity-Sided Die; when rolled, '''anything''' can happen. Because of how dangerous it could be, Ford keeps it safely tucked away in a cheap case with the other dice.

* YankTheDogsChain: As Dipper puts it, he's been waiting all summer to find the Author of the Journals, and now the Author, his great-uncle, is shutting him out. Subverted later on, as Dipper did get to bond with his great-uncle over a game, and the latter even fills him in on an important secret.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar:
** Ford nearly kills a monster onscreen, or at least subdues it long enough to stash it in a jar.
** Probabilitor makes it clear that he's going to eat Dipper and Ford's brains, and even measures them.
** Poor Dipper is changed into a pointy-eared hero who wears nothing under his tunic. He covers his crotch when he realizes.
-->'''Dipper:''' There'd better be [[GoingCommando something protective under this tunic]]. '''Oh no''', there isn't!
** It's implied that Grenda killed the ogre with her sofa.
** The Hot Elf is implied gay, having a flaming accent.

* RealityEnsues: While Mabel and Stan teasing Dipper is mostly lighthearted and as a form of ToughLove. Dipper reveals that he is hurt by their words and actions.

** The Hot Elf is a parody of [[Film/LordOfTheRings Legolas]].

* ConspicuousCG: The various dice whenever rolled.

-->'''Mabel:''' Give him time, haha! ''[[HumorDissonance Heyooo!]]'' ''({{beat}}; Dipper looks away)'' Nah, you got me! ''(lies down)'' [[JerkassRealization You got me.]]

-->'''Mabel:''' Give him time, haha! ''[[HumorDissonance Heyooo!]]'' ''({{beat}})'' Nah, you got me! ''(lies down)'' [[JerkassRealization You got me.]]

* BlackComedyBurst: After Grenda hits the ogre with a couch, Stan assures a concerned Mabel that since it's a fantasy setting, he's not actually dead... then leans down to tell Grenda there's no cops in the forest, and they take this incident to their graves.

** The bit involving DD&MD's DorkAge in the 90s winds up factoring into the climax where Probabilitor reveals the version of the game being used is "the controversial 1991-1992 edition", which includes the later-banned Impossibeast.

* CalvinBall: Apparently this is how ''DD&MD works'' -- you roll the dice and make up your spells. Once Dipper and Ford explain this, Stan and Mabel are able to hold their own against Probabilitor.

* DorkAge: [[invoked]] The 90s were one for ''Dungeons, Dungeons and More Dungeons'' when it was renamed ''Diggity Dungeons & All That!''

** Soos boasts that ''DD&MD'' is too nerdy for him, then runs off to indulge in some ''Foam-and-Cardboard Legitimate Outdoor Role-Play'' in his grandma's backyard.
** This:
--> '''Probabilitor''': I'm not here to play games! Now, to the forest for the ultimate game!

* ThisIsGonnaSuck: In contrast to the below, Dipper reacts with dismay when Stan agrees to play with Probabilitor to save Dipper and Ford.

* VillainousValor: Although Probabilitor chooses editions of the games where the odds are tipped in his favor, he plays by the rules and is forced to accept his loss.

* WhamEpisode: Played with. While the main plot is way sillier than the plots from previous two episodes, the episode does end with a rather major reveal: Stan bringing Ford back created an inter-dimensional rift that could permanently damage the fabric of reality if left unchecked, just like Ford warned about in the Journals. Ford then warns Dipper to tell no one about it, not even Mabel.

As the town recovers from the gravity anomalies caused by the Universe Portal, Dipper rediscovers his favorite game, a tabletop RPG called Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons. However, Mabel is turned off by the copious amount of mathematics involved, Soos prefers a form of LARP called Foam and Cardboard Legitimate Outdoor RolePlay, and Stan finds the idea of rolling dice outside of Vegas laughable. But when he stumbles into the underground lab, he meets someone who shares his love of DD&MD; the reclusive Author, Ford Pines. Nerds of two generations quickly bond over dice rolls and graphs, during which Dipper asks what Ford has been doing since returning to Earth. Instead of answering the question, Ford shows off a souvenir from across the dimensions, an Infinite-Sided Die; when rolled, ''anything'' can happen. Because of how dangerous it could be, Ford keeps it safely tucked away in a cheap case with the other dice.

The next day, Stan, Mabel and Grenda prepare to watch the season finale of ''Duck-Tective'', only to find that Dipper and Ford's Dungeon crawl has taken over the TV room. An argument between the two Stans erupts over who deserves the room, during which Stan loses his patience and throws the dice bag across the room, causing the Infinite-Sided Die to roll out. The Die brings the mascot of Dungeons Dungeons and More Dungeons to life, a math-themed sorcerer called Probabilitor the Annoying! With his magic, Probabilitor captures and takes Dipper and Ford to the forest, intent on eating their brains. ("It's what I do." "It's his thing!") Stan, Mabel, and Grenda gear up and follow after him.

After defeating Probabilitor's one guard, the trio find the wizard's camp. There, Probabliitor declares a Dungeons, Dungeons and More Dungeons battle royal to decide the conflict, turning Dipper, Ford, and some ogres into game characters, with Stan and Mabel playing. The two players are at a loss what to do, until Dipper and Ford tell them the game involves not just math, but risk and imagination. Stan and Mabel realize that they are in their element, and use their own skills to defeat Probabilitor at his own game. With the wizard thwarted, the family watches the finale of ''Duck-Tective''

* AesopAmnesia: Parodied when Dipper ponders obsessing over Wendy again while playing D&D&MD with Gompers, and then averted as he loses his dice.
* AffablyEvil: The Probabilitor. Although he is a villain and wants to eat Dipper and Ford's brains, he genuinely enjoys playing DD&MD and tells Stan that the game is fun. He also plays by the rules, while choosing a game edition that's to his advantage.

* AnythingButThat: Stan's initial reaction to having to play Dungeons, Dungeons & More Dungeons with Probabilitor.
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: Ford describing the possible outcomes of the infinity-sided die to Dipper.

* BadassCreed: DD&MD has one that both Dipper and Ford know by heart.

* BishieSparkle: The Elf when he removes his hood.
* BlackComedyBurst: After Grenda hits the ogre with a couch, Stan assures a concerned Mabel that since it's a fantasy setting, he's not actually dead... then leans down to tell Grenda "there's no cops in the forest", and that they have to take this to their graves.
* BlatantLies: "The rules [to Dungeons, Dungeons, and Dungeons] are simple" says Dipper, as he pulls out a massive rule-book that's the first of many volumes.
* BodyHorror: Mabel summons a centaur-taur -- a creature made up of two fused horse bodies, with the top half's legs stiffly protruding into the air -- onto the board. Stan, upon seeing it, says he's confused and proud of Mabel at the same time.
* BreatherEpisode: To an extent--though it ends with some important plot points, and does show that Dipper and Mabel's bond is starting to fracture due to both twins' insecurities.
* BrickJoke:
** The bit involving DD&MD's DorkAge in the 90s winds up factoring into the climax where Probabilitor reveals the version of the game being used is "the controversial 1991-1992 edition", which includes the banned Impossibeast.

* CallBack: Ford finally reveals that he destroyed the portal and why he was angry with Stan for restarting it: it opened up an interdimensional rift that he has contained in a glass ball that resembles a snowglobe with hazard tape. [[ForeShadowing Let's hope that the ball never breaks]]...
* CalvinBall: Apparently this is how DD&MD works -- you roll die and make up attacks. Once Dipper and Ford explain this, Stan and Mabel start to crush Probabilitor.
* CharacterDevelopment: In all of the characters, but most importantly Ford when it's revealed he destroyed his "life's work" -- the portal -- to keep the world safe.

* ChekhovsGun: It's subtle, but Stan starts to chew on bubblegum as they start the game with Probabilitor. When Stan needs to roll a 38, he manages it thanks to a chewed up wad of bubblegum.

** After playing DD&D with Gompers, Dipper hits a low point and wonders if he should crush on Wendy again.

* CoolSword: Mabel imagines a pair of Fire Swords for Dipper and Ford.

* CuttingTheKnot: When the Ogre gave the group a list of {{Impossible Task}}s, Grenda simply hits the ogre with the couch.
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: Stan imagines a "Shield of Shielding".
* DefrostingIceQueen: Ford as he first plays with Dipper, and then when he and Dipper are trapped in Probabilitor's game. He's actually having fun when Mabel gives him bouncy shoes.

* DorkAge: [[invoked]] The 90's were one for DD&MD when it was renamed "Diggity Dungeons & All That".

* EvilTwin: ''Ducktective'' has one, who plans to murder his brother in the hospital.

* FlamingSword: "Hot flamy sword!"

* GameBreaker: In-universe. The Impossibeast could only be defeated with a perfect 38 roll, and was banned in subsequent editions.

-->'''Dipper:''' There'd better be [[GoingCommando something protective under this tunic]]... Oh '''no''', there isn't!

* GoingCommando: Dipper realizes that his character costume has nothing underneath the tunic and becomes mortified.

* HehHehYouSaidX: Mabel and Stan get a laugh out of the DD&MD rulebook's use of "buttress".
* TheHeroDies: Implied in-universe with ''Ducktective'', who says he's going to the "big pond in the sky."

* HisNameReallyIsBarkeep: The Hot Elf is actually referred to as such by Probabilitor, meaning it's likely his character name or designation.

** Soos boasts that DD&MD is too nerdy for him, then runs off to indulge in some Foam-and-Cardboard Legitimate Outdoor Role-Playing in his grandma's backyard.

** Lampshaded when Ford reveals that he keeps the Infinity Die in a cheap plastic box along with his regular dice.

* InsignificantLittleBluePlanet: Probabilitor refers to Earth as "Dimension 46'\"
** And no, the "'\" is not a typo. He says "Forty-Six Apostrophe Backslash."

* {{LARP}}: Soos engages in "Foam and Cardboard Legitimate Outdoor Role-Playing" (or "FCLORP" for short) with Toby, Blubs and Durland in his abuelita's backyard, leaving him absent for most of the episode. Toby even yells [[CallingYourAttacks "Fireball! Fireball!"]] when casting spells, referencing a notorious Internet video [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ekugPKqFw of a LARP group in Massachusetts]].
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: As mentioned in SelfParody below, most of the conversation around ''Ducktective'' involves gentle ribbing of both [[TakeThatAudience the fanbase]] and [[SelfDeprecation the show itself]]; Mabel and Grenda find the sudden reveal of a twin brother a "rip-off" (Soos even saw it coming a year ago), and Stan bristles when Ford calls it a kids' show.
-->'''Stan:''' ''(suddenly furious)'' ''Ducktective'' has a big mystery element, and a lot of humor that goes over kids' heads!
* MagicAmpersand: Dungeons, Dungeons & More Dungeons, a game first seen in "[[Recap/GravityFallsS2E12ATaleOfTwoStans A Tale of Two Stans]]"
* MundaneUtility:

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Stan tossing Ford's die bag on the ground causes the Infinity Dice to be rolled, which summons Probabilitor in real-life (which could've been averted if Ford hadn't been so careless with it in the first place. See IdiotBall above).
* NegatedMomentOfAwesome: When Probabiltor appears and announces his intentions to eat Dipper and Ford's brains, Ford's response is to whip out a gun. "Your math is no match for my gun, you idiot!" Unfortunately for Ford, he was wrong.
* NotSoDifferent: Ford and Dipper start to bond over their love of Dungeons, Dungeons & More Dungeons.
* ObfuscatingStupidity: Stan claims that Probabilitor's smarts were no match for his "dumb luck"; he then reveals that he fixed the roll with chewing gum.

* PlayingATree: Durland is relegated to playing a fortress in the FCLORP group. He's still pretty happy about it, though.
* PointyEars: The Elf and later Dipper and Ford.
* PoorCommunicationKills: Because Ford is his normal close-mouthed self and Stan doesn't want Dipper to know about the deal between the brothers, Dipper thinks that Grunkle Ford is shutting him out of his dangerous yet interesting work. Eventually averted by the end of the episode; Stan mellows enough to let Dipper and Ford hang out, and Ford confides in Dipper about the consequences of the portal.

* SelfDeprecation: The season finale of ''Ducktective'' involves the twist reveal of Ducktective's twin brother. Every member of the Pines family and Grenda boos at the TV, calling the twist clichéd and predictable.
* SelfParody: ''Ducktective'' apparently shares many tropes with ''Gravity Falls,'' including ParentalBonus jokes that Stan mentions, a PeripheryDemographic, and a plot twist involving Ducktective's twin brother.
* SeriousBusiness: If we can believe Grunkle Ford, at least nine thousand dimensions have versions of DD&MD, one dimension came up with reality-warping die, and several wound up banning them. Probabilitor even plays the game starring him as the antagonist, using banned characters and older editions.
* ShaggyDogStory: Everyone tries to get Dipper to watch the ''Ducktective'' finale, but Dipper is too obsessed with a game that only one other person is into. Once Dipper watches the finale, it ends up being a colossal disappointment for all of them because the ending is predictable.

** The name and setting of the titular RPG Dipper and Ford play is, obviously, an AffectionateParody of [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons Dungeons & Dragons]], with a lot more emphasis on the "strategy" elements (Dipper even calls it "D & D, & More D" at one point), while the change of format to a board game that comes alive references works like ''Literature/{{Jumanji}}'' and ''Literature/{{Zathura}}''.
** The fairy Stan swats on his shoulder squeaks [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime "Hey, look, listen!"]].

** Dipper chasing a die and falling down through the Mystery Shack is an homage to [[Literature/AliceInWonderland Alice]] falling down the rabbit hole.

** The end of ''Ducktective''[='=]s season arc involves [[Series/{{Dallas}} a cliffhanger in which the main character has been shot by an unknown assailant and lies convalescing in the hospital]].

-->'''Probabilitor:''' [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin It is what it sounds like!]]
** Probabilitor forces the Pines to [[Franchise/{{Saw}} play a potentially deadly game with him.]]
** The typeface of the '90s logo for DD&D is the same as ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir''.
** Probabilitor's ogres resemble the goblins and orcs from the Creator/RankinBass animated versions of WesternAnimation/TheHobbit and WesternAnimation/TheReturnOfTheKing.
* SiblingRivalry: Stan and Ford's argument over who gets the room.
* SkewedPriorities: When Probabilitor takes away Ford and Dipper to eat their brains, Grenda wants to watch ''Ducktective'', and Stan ponders whether they should wait for long enough for the brain-eating to "even out" Ford's intelligence before they rescue him.
* SoProudOfYou: Stan after Mabel creates her Centaurtuar.

* SwissCheeseSecurity: Probabiltor only has one ogre guard the forest.
* TapOnTheHead: Subverted. Grenda knocks an ogre out with her couch, probably killing him; Stan says they will take this to their graves.
* TakeThat: Dipper refers the 90s as "dark times". Also, every single non-dramatic moment involving DDM&D (and even some of the dramatic ones) is a joke at the expense of pen and paper role-playing games and those who play them, though the ribbing comes across as mildly [[AffectionateParody affectionate]].
* TalkToTheFist: The ogre guarding the forest tries to set a series of [[ImpossibleTask impossible tasks]] to invoke YouShallNotPass. Grenda simply knocks him out with the armchair she's carrying.

* ThisIsGonnaSuck: In contrast to the below, Dipper reacts with dismay when Stan agrees to play with Probalitor to save Dipper and Ford.
* ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman: Stan's experience with gambling and cons (because he cheats to win) and Mabel's big imagination makes them able to play DD&MD when they learn "risk and imagination" are involved.
* TotallyRadical: The... ill-advised 90's redesign of "Dungeons, Dungeons and More Dungeons", ''Diggity Dungeons & All That!'', with Probabilitizzle.

* YankTheDogsChain: As Dipper puts it, he's been waiting all summer to find the Author of the Journals, and now the Author, his great-uncle, is shutting him out. Subverted later on, as Dipper did get to bond with his great-uncle over a game, and the latter even fills him in on an important secret.
----

* ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaMan: Stan's experience with gambling and cons (because he cheats to win) and Mabel's big imagination makes them able to play DD&MD when they learn "risk and imagination" are involved.

-->'''Dipper:''' There'd better be something [[GroinAttack protective under this tunic]]... Oh '''no''', there isn't!

* WhamEpisode: Played with. While the main plot is way sillier than the plots from previous two episodes, the episode does end with a rather major reveal: Stan bringing Ford back created an inter-dimensional rift that could permanently damage the fabric of reality if left unchecked, just like Ford warned about in the Journals. Ford then warns Dipper to no one about it, not even Mabel.

* ShaggyDogStory: Everyone tries to get Dipper to watch the ''Ducktective'' finale, but Dipper is too obsessed with a game that only one other person is into. Once Dipper watches the finale, it ends up being a colossal disappointment for him because the ending is predictable.