Line #77 Main/AnchoredAttackStance


1	Some attacks have significant recoil that prevent them from being used safely and effectively, so they require the user to anchor oneself securely before firing or figuring out a way to counteract the recoil (in cases of mecha, by using thrusters).
2
3	To show how powerful these attacks are, multiple anchors may be used, and some of them may come loose during the attack itself, or the ground where the attack takes place crumbles under the recoil.
4
5	A DualModeUnit may have this, usually for an artillery mode, and also require a TransformationSequence.
6
7	May be related to MissingBackblast and/or LawOfInverseRecoil. Might involve StanceSystem. This trope justifies DoNotRunWithAGun. If the anchor is another character who holds onto you and aims you at the target, you're an EquippableAlly. Someone who's ''always'' in this stance is a MightyGlacier.
8
9	Compare SentryGun, turrets that you have to anchor to a surface (floor, wall, ceiling) to work; contrast RemovableTurretGun. Also compare ChargedAttack, BladeBrake, and SwordPlant. See also StationaryEnemy.
10
11	----
12	!!Examples:
13
14	[[foldercontrol]]
15
16	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
17	* ''Anime/TheBigO'': [[spoiler:The Big O's Final Stage]] requires it to anchor itself to the ground before firing its {{BFG}} ChestBlaster.
18	* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': In order to counter her bankai's tremendous recoil, Sui-Feng has to anchor herself to a large stationary object by wrapping a heavy metal sash around it, making her largely immobile. The one time we see her doing this is against Baraggan, where she wraps the sash around the building she's standing on, and even then, the force of the bankai's explosion is so great that it blows the building away and tears the sash apart, sending Sui-Feng flying.
19	* ''Anime/TheBraveExpressMightGaine'' provides an example of what happens when a BFG is used and this trope ''isn't'' in play, as despite digging his heels in Great Might Gaine in Perfect Mode still gets forced backwards by the kickback of firing the Perfect Cannon at full power, and the mecha only just manages to retain his footing once all's said and done.
20	* ''Anime/BraveCommandDagwon'', part of the same series as ''Might Gaine'', similarly has Fire Dagwon get blown back an enormous distance by the recoil of firing the Infinity Cannon. Power Dagwon, the upgrade to Fire, shows off both his incredible strength and the utility of his shoulder-mounted backhoe by using it as a brace that lets him fire the Infinity Cannon without moving an inch.
21	* In ''Anime/TheLawOfUeki'', many of the titular character's Celestial weapons are used this way. As he is both a Celestial and a power user, Ueki's Celestial weapons are infused by his power to turn trash into trees, meaning they are summoned as trees and typically are in a form literally rooted to the ground.
22	* ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaReflection'' takes this to RuleOfCool levels with Fate's finishing attack against Levi when she uses binding spells to anchor her weapon to her own [[InstantRunes magic circle]] (which is floating in the air).
23	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamThe08thMSTeam'': while the Gundam Ground Type can use its 180mm Cannon while not anchored, it can plant its shield on the group to act as an elevated firing position. The Ez8 has anchoring equipment on its knees that can plant itself on the ground for stability when using the same weapon.
24	* ''Anime/AfterWarGundamX'': Gundam Virsago stretches out its arms and digs its claws into the ground before firing its Chest Break cannon.
25	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'': Gundam Flauros' Shelling Mode transforms it into a quadruped stance with its shields used to anchor itself to the ground to absorb the recoil of its BackpackCannon.
26	* In ''Anime/{{Mazinkaiser}}'' episode 3, Kouji isn't skilled enough to handle Mazinkaiser's [[ChestBlaster Fire Blaster]] attack as its amazing recoil knocks the machine on its butt. When he goes to finish off Dr. Hell's latest monster, he asks Sayaka and Boss to use their machines to brace Mazinkaiser. Thankfully, by the next episode, this problem is solved.
27	* ''Manga/OnePiece'': Luffy creates the Gum Gum Windmill at Arlong Park, where he twists his body into a coil and then allows himself to unwind while holding a target to spin them at a dizzying rate. The attack successfully takes out [[{{Kaiju}} Moomoo]] and a large chunk of Arlong's forces, but Luffy also finds he can't pull his feet free easily.
28	* ''Anime/SSSSDynazenon'' has [[spoiler:Kaiser Gridknight, who uses the Dynamic Cannon as a ShoulderCannon. The recoil is so great that the combination has to deploy the claws of Dyna Rex on its heels to anchor itself to the ground, just so it's not blown away from the blast.]]
29	* ''Anime/SSSSGridman'': Buster Borr's treads are used to stabilize Full Power Gridman when using the Twin Buster Grid Beam.
30	* In ''Anime/ZoidsChaoticCentury'' and ''Anime/ZoidsNewCentury'', this is required for the Geno Saurer, Geno Breaker, and Berserk Fury to fire their WaveMotionGun, the Charged Particle Cannon. The recoil is so great that they would otherwise topple over. However, the Geno Breaker was shown to counter this by using its rear thrusters while firing, allowing it to use the Charged Particle Cannon in the air or on the ground, and to swivel without destroying its ankles.
31	[[/folder]]
32
33	[[folder:Literature]]
34	* In ''Literature/TheBandsOfMourning'', Ranette gives Wax an extremely overpowered shotgun, designed to be used against enemies with SuperToughness. Wax has to increase his weight before firing the gun, or he'll be knocked flying by the recoil.
35	* ''Literature/HighSchoolDxD'': [[MultiformBalance One of]] Issei's [[ChessMotifs Illegal Move Triaina]] forms, Welsh Blaster Bishop, replaces the wings of his DraconicHumanoid armour with a pair of huge {{Backpack Cannon}}s that can fire a WaveMotionGun ([[{{Homage}} modelled after]] that of the [[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam Double X]]), and adds clawed "fingers" to his knees that extend to embed themselves in the ground before firing. However, after [[AllYourPowersCombined uniting all three Triaina forms into Cardinal Crimson Queen]], its SuperToughness allows him to fire the cannons without bracing (and its altered wing structure means he can even use them while flying).
36	* ''Literature/InvadersOfTheRokujyouma'': Theia's [[BattleBallgown "Combat Dress"]], introduced in volume 16, incorporates a JetPack and AntiGravity hardpoints, letting her zip around at high speeds while hex-wielding {{BFG}}s. So it's saying something when the heavily-armoured [[MightyGlacier Guardian Yellow]] loadout includes a weapon with recoil so intense (described as a gunpowder cannon with a railgun for a barrel) that she ''still'' needs to anchor herself in the ground before she can fire it.
37	* ''Literature/KnightsAndMagic'': the [[CapedMecha cape-like structures]] on the Goldleo and Jilbatiga come equipped with hidden spikes that extend into the ground as anchors before they fire their [[WaveMotionGun Blast Howling]] attack.
38	[[/folder]]
39
40	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
41	* ''Franchise/KamenRider'':
42	** In ''Series/KamenRiderKabuto'', the FinishingMove ''Maximum Hyper Cyclone'' has such tremendous recoil that Kabuto must create a backblast with [[TimeStandsStill Hyper Clock Up]] in order to withstand it[[note]]Although this is the only use of Hyper Clock Up where no TimeStandsStill effect occurs, presumably because of its use for this trope[[/note]].
43	** ''Series/KamenRiderZeroOne'': Vulcan's SuperMode "Rampage Vulcan" is covered in animal sculptures representing [[AllYourPowersCombined the ten Progrise Keys which were combined to create it]], though [[MultiformBalance normally it can only tap into a few of their powers at a time]]. Its [[FragileSpeedster "Rampage Speed"]] mode can extend a single wing from the Falcon sculpture to grant Vulcan {{Flight}}, while [[MightyGlacier "Rampage Power"]] makes him so heavy that his steps crack the ground. His LimitBreak "Rampage All [[PunchPackingPistol Blast]]" anchors itself before firing by activating both of these at once, with the Falcon wing extending to stab itself into the ground.
44	** ''Series/KamenRiderGotchard'': Fire Gotchard upgrades all of Gotchard's basic forms with the addition of a gigantic jetpack capable of making him move fast enough to FlashStep. When he wants to move even faster than that for his FinishingMove, he extends an array of chains to pin him to the ground long enough to let the jetpack fully rev up, with the chains eventually shattering from the strain and letting him kick the enemy fast enough to send them both flying miles away in seconds. Gotchard has a heat shield to protect him from the air friction of moving that quickly...in the form of the enemy, who isn't so lucky and gets vaporized.
45	* In the ''Series/TokusouSentaiDekaranger'' movie, Dekaranger Robo's [[MechaExpansionPack "Full Blast Custom" configuration]] outfits it with a [[{{BFG}} "Blast Launcher"]] and a ballistic shield with mounted [[GatlingGood Gatling guns]]. For its FinishingMove, it [[DeployableCover jams the shield into the ground]] and uses it as a brace so it can fire the Launcher at full power.
46	[[/folder]]
47
48	[[folder:Video Games]]
49	* ''VideoGame/{{Starcraft}}'' has multiple [[DualModeUnit Dual Mode Unit]] that fill this requirement:
50	** The iconic Siege Tanks look like normal (if double-barreled) tanks out of the factory, but can deploy into an immobile artillery gun with enormous range and damage.
51	** Lurkers can only attack while burrowed, leaving them invisible but unable to move. While burrowed, they can attack with subterranean spikes over very long distances.
52	** In ''VideoGame/LegacyOfTheVoid'', the Liberator has a similar mechanic: it can move and attack air units, or hover and attack any enemies in a target area for long range.
53	* In ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration 2nd'', the [[TheFourGods BuJakuOh]]'s final attack has it extend its BackpackCannon to great length, then deploy a set of claws that anchor it into the ground, becoming a giant humanoid artillery platform.
54	* In ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsZ 3'', the Asclepius's final attack has it anchor itself with ''dimensional portals'' from which it draws power for its {{BFG}}.
55	* In ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' the Dragonslayer's Greatbow has to be anchored in the ground to be fired, since it was made large enough to... well... slay dragons.
56	* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'':
57	** ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSun'':
58	*** The [[NGOSuperpower Brotherhood of Nod]] utilizes the uncreatively named "Artillery" unit. Unable to fire while moving, they were capable of deploying to gain a, quite frankly, ridiculous range. Before nerfs to their damage this range, along with their accuracy, made them flat-out {{Game Breaker}}s.
59	*** The ''Firestorm'' expansion adds a triple-barrelled version for the GDI. It does less damage per shot, but fires more quickly.
60	** ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberiumWars'':
61	*** The [[UnitedNationsIsAsuperpower Global Defense Initiative's]] 'Juggernaut' and 'Behemoth' {{Chicken Walker}}s are triple-barreled Artillery platforms . The elevated position of their enormous barrels gives them amazing range, but they cannot fire on the move and need to deploy stabilizers before firing. Worth noting that they can begin walking instantaneously, retracting stabilizers as they move, it's the deploying that takes time.
62	*** The Brotherhood of Nod makes use of the 'Spectre' Artillery platform. This is a dual-mode vehicle which is usually quite speedy and {{Invisibility Cloak}}ed. But upon wanting to fire it anchors six spider-like legs into the ground, a process that takes several seconds, loses its invisibility cloak, and only then can it fire its ''massive'' cannon.
63	** The Chinese Nuke Cannon in ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerGenerals Generals]]'' has to deploy four anchors on the ground before it can raise its cannon and fire, and it has to lower the cannon and withdraw the anchors to move again. This is CompetitiveBalance at its finest: this lack of immediate mobility compensates for its superior firepower compared to USA and GLA's own long-range artillery units[[note]]the Nuke Cannon's shells deal considerable base damage ''and'' contaminate the terrain with DamageOverTime, and unlike Tomahawk and SCUD missiles, shells are impossible to shoot down; they also fly much faster than the missiles[[/note]].
64	** ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3: Uprising'' gives the Allies the Pacifier, a hovering parody of the Terran Siege Tank that also floats on water (although its immobile, long-range bombardment form can only be used on land).
65	* In ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'', the chapter where you play as Edward Roivas features an [[{{BFG}} elephant gun]] as a hidden weapon you can get by saving his servants from the monster stalking the mansion. When you aim it, he'll take a moment to steady himself and adjust his feet to stay stable. [[RecoiledAcrossTheRoom Firing it before this will knock him on his arse]].
66	* In ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'', Xerath the Magus Ascendant is an EnergyBeing whose [[LimitBreak Ultimate]] ability lets him root himself to the ground and deliver a devastating magical barrage from a [[LongRangeFighter punishingly great distance]].
67	* Series [=EV2=] in ''VideoGame/DungeonDefenders2'' does this to use her Proton Charge attack. Being a robot, her legs transform for a four point balance.
68	* ''VideoGame/{{Fairyside}}'': The "Large bat" boss needs to stay still while firing its projectiles.
69	* Sion/Eltnum from ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood''/''Videogame/UnderNightInBirth'''s Barrel Replica LimitBreak has her anchoring herself with multiple Etherlite chains to the ground before firing a massive laser from her handgun.
70	* ''Videogame/{{Elsword}}'': Rena and Chung have their own "Siege Mode" skills where they stand completely still while firing stronger shots from her bow and his {{BFG}}.
71	* The Laser Tracer from ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankSizeMatters'' is "[[WaveMotionGun a vehicular-sized laser cannon]] retrofitted [[{{BFG}} to be carried by a single person.]]" Firing it requires the user stand still in exchange for more offensive power than anything except the [[InfinityPlusOneSword R.Y.N.O.]]
72	* In ''[[Videogame/MechWarrior MechWarrior Living Legends]]'', the Long Tom Artillery Tank and its lesser brother the Thumper must be anchored down before firing their massive cannons. The Long Tom can smite a medium mech from across the map, while the Thumper can pump out constant high velocity cannon fire. In other tanks or HumongousMecha, deploying or crouching makes establishing a MissileLockOn ''much'' faster and is all-but required for the Arrow IV cruise missiles.
73	* In ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders'' whenever Jehuty whishes to use the [[WaveMotionGun Vector Cannon]] it has to anchor itself to any solid surface it can find before it can fire. This can be whatever cliffs that happen to be around or a battleship, sometimes the very same battleship Jehuty is aiming at.
74	* Bahamut's [[LimitBreak Overdrive]], Megaflare in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. He braces his (normally bipedal) body against the ground while digging his claws into the ground to absorb the recoil. Even so, the ensuing blast (which is bigger than he is) still pushes him back slightly.
75	* ''VideoGame/ShantaeHalfGenieHero'': The Super Mega Puff keeps Shantae in place, so the arrow keys that are usually used to move her around, can instead be used to designate in which direction she fires the electricity.
76	* Samus uses her suit's built-in jet pack as retrorockets when firing her [[WaveMotionGun Zero Laser]] in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'', presumably to keep herself from being blown away by the massive recoil.
77	* In the Switch version of ''VideoGame/PokkenTournament'', Blastoise's Burst Attack entails using the [[ArmCannon Arm Cannons]] in their Mega Evolved form to create ice anchors to hold themself in place while using their large shell cannon to unleash a WaveMotionGun-scale Hydro Pump blast.
78	* In ''VideoGame/RingOfRed,'' [[SpiderTank 4-Legged AFW's]] deploy stabilizers from their legs when aiming. This ranges from fold-out toes to entire extra feet. Some models even have a firing shovel that folds down.
79	* ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'': The Voidrig Necramech's Guard Mode braces it on the ground to handle the recoil of its Arquebex archguns.
80	* ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar'': In the first game, the Tau empire has access to [=XV88=] Broadside battlesuits, which in this game need to anchor themselves to the ground when they switch from their small missile launchers to their devastating railguns.
81	* ''VideoGame/HaloWars'':
82	** The Cobra armored car is a CaptainErsatz of ''[=StarCraft=]''[='=]s siege tank. It sports a pair of light railguns, but its special ability locks it down and unfurls a single, larger railgun so powerful that its ''entire turret assembly'' recoils backwards upon firing. Its first upgrade gives it a set of fold-out armor plates for extra protection when locked down.
83	** Captain Cutter has the "Elephant" [[BaseOnWheels Mobile Mini-Base]] as his special unit, which inverts this: it's an anchored ''defense'' stance. It can deploy itself to bring a set of autocannon turrets to bear on the enemy, and churn out squads of Marines, flamethrowers, and a trio of SPARTAN-II SuperSoldiers.
84	* ''VideoGame/ShantaeAndTheSevenSirens'': The Cactus enemies prepare their attack by SuckingInLines and staying in one place, giving Shantae ample warning and an ability to accurately predict where the spikes that will be fired will go.
85	[[/folder]]
86
87	[[folder:Web Original]]
88	* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}''
89	** Ruby has to perform a SwordPlant when she wants to aim [[SinisterScythe Cresent Rose]] properly since [[RecoilBoost she specifically designed the recoil to be powerful enough to augment her melee attacks]].
90	** The Ace Op Huntress Elm has a semblance that allows her to extend her aura like roots into the ground, literally planting herself on the spot for either more leverage to swing her massive hammer or fire it in rocket launcher mode, or just tank a hit and restrain an assailant.
91	[[/folder]]
92
93	[[folder:Western Animation]]
94	* Trevor Belmont from ''WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017'' does this against [[spoiler:The visitor in S3, when he uses both the Vampire Killer and the Morningstar, when normally he is more of user of ConfusionFu.]]
95	[[/folder]]
96
97	[[folder:Real Life]]
98	* TruthInTelevision. Artillery pieces have anchors to keep them stable as they fire.
99	* In non-combat roles, smaller excavators often have it as well to steady themselves in case they dig up something big or heavy enough to tip them.
100	* The 15th century Wall Gun (also called an arquebus, haakbus, hackbut, hook gun, or caliver), was equipped with a lug or hook intended to latch onto a castle's walls for defensive fighting.
101	* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Soldiers#Dog_Soldiers Cheyenne Dog soldiers]] supposedly anchored themselves to the ground during battle by sticking their Sacred Arrows through the back-aprons of their loincloths.
102	[[/folder]]

Context Main / AnchoredAttackStance