Line #30 Webcomic/SuperEffective


1	A ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''-based {{webcomic}} by [[Webcomic/VGCats Scott Ramsoomair]]. The series was not updated on a set schedule. The comic is a [[AffectionateParody humorous take]] on the plot of the ([[VideoGameRemake remakes]] of the) [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue first generation]] of ''Pokémon'' games (specifically, being based on the creator's run through his own ''[[VideoGame/PokemonFireRedAndLeafGreen Pokémon Fire Red]]'' game).
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3	The series went on an unscheduled hiatus along with ''VG Cats'' in 2018. In 2020, Scott stated that ''Super Effective'' would not continue. The website that hosted the comic does not work as of 2022. Archives can be found here: [[https://funnyjunk.com/channel/videogames/Vg+cats+super+effective+part+1+140/suyjLfh/ 1 to 40]], [[https://funnyjunk.com/channel/videogames/Vg+cats+super+effective+part+2+4168/DvyjLQi/ 41 to 68]], [[https://funnyjunk.com/channel/videogames/Vg+cats+super+effective+final+6986/avyjLni/ 69 to 86]].
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5	There is a nascent [[Characters/SuperEffective character sheet]]; please place tropes pertaining to characters shown in this work there.
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7	!!Tropes used in this work:
8	* AccidentalMisnaming: Professor Oak is gaslighted into thinking his grandson's name is Douche.
9	* AdaptationalVillainy: Pikachu is reimagined into an AxCrazy serial killer. Earlier, Red encounters a normal Pikachu, so it appears it's just that specific one.
10	* AnguishedDeclarationOfLove: The infamous Shorts Boy appears like this, trying to tell Green she's cute. He instead [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=59 spouts his infamous line]], causing his own FacePalm.
11	* BlatantLies: Viridian City's Gym Leader [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=12 is not trying to conquer the world, he's just getting his milk.]]
12	%% * BigDamnHeroes: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=42 Charmander versus the Zubat swarm.]]
13	* BrickJoke:
14	** On [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=13 page 14]] the old man that shows you how to catch Pokémon falls asleep. [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=18 Five pages later]] he wakes up and finishes what he was saying. [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=68 Fifty pages]] later, there's a story about this old man in the newspaper
15	** On [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=25 page 26]] the clerk at the Pokémon Mart reveals that repel is [[spoiler: actually his pee.]] A mere 42 pages later on [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=67 page 68]], Red uses this bit of trivia against Blue/Douche, who had coated himself in the stuff.
16	** The serial killer Pikachu that escaped Prison is caught by Green.
17	%% * DelayedReaction: Slowpoke of the "ThisJustIn" segments.
18	* DistractedByTheSexy: The lame dialog the Youngster spews about shorts is him making an idiot out of himself by Green's prettiness.
19	* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=50 "If we came from Mankeys... THEN WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MANKEYS?!"]]
20	* DownerEnding: Unintentionally, but the last page of the comic before it was discontinued is all of Red's Pokémon fainting and him blacking out, then waking up in a bathtub full of ice and two lines of stitches on the sides of his body where his kidneys were stolen.
21	* ElementalRockPaperScissors: Brock thinks it's funny that some Trainers chose a Fire-type starter before coming to his Gym first (Both of Brock's Pokémon are dual-type Rock/Ground, both of which have type advantages over the Fire-type, which in short would make for a humiliating defeat to Red's Charmander). He's utterly humiliated when he finds out Charmander can learn Metal Claw, possibly due to GenreBlindness as Charmander can for [-[=FireRed/LeafGreen=]-] but couldn't in the original games.
22	* {{Emoticon}}: Nurse Joy's facial expression exhibits traces of the [[http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/awesome-face-epic-smiley "Awesome Smiley"]] on [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=38 this page]].
23	* EnfantTerrible:
24	** Green, [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=29 who taunts older men with innuendo]] [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=37 and mows the tall grass wild Pokémon hide in.]].
25	** Also, rather than training her Bulbasaur [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=48 she just forces a couple dozen Rare Candies down its throat.]]
26	%% * EyesAlwaysShut: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=24 Lampshaded]] and [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=34 Subverted]].
27	%% * EyeTake:
28	%% ** ''[[EyesAlwaysShut Brock]]'' after [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=34 Red's Charmander defeats his Onix]].
29	%% ** Similar situation between a Hiker and Green, after Pikachu shivs the Hiker's Geodude.
30	%% * FacePalm:
31	%% ** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=43 Red hurt himself in the confusion.]]
32	%% ** Shorts Boy [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=59 does this]] after messing up an AnguishedDeclarationOfLove to Green.
33	* FakeDifficulty: Lampshaded. The comic pretty much [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=71 points out]] how cheap it is of the game to have an encounter with Blue ''right'' outside of Mt. Moon, meaning that the player's Pokémon are all weakened and unprepared for battle (meaning that they get their asses kicked). It should be noted, however, that this doesn't happen in the games. The player's next battle with Blue in the games (after Professor Oak's lab and optionally, Route 22) doesn't occur until Cerulean City and the player can heal their Pokémon at the Pokémon Center first.
34	%% * FearfulSymmetry: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=61 The Zubat vs Zubat battle.]]
35	* FunnyBackgroundEvent: In the first panel of [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=73 strip #74]], the word "penis" is spelled out in Unown writing on the chalkboard.
36	%% * GlitchEntity: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=11 In this stri-[=GUFY3W4578GTWUFBIOEUDOFJOE45=]#%219^&$nnnnnnnnnnn]]
37	%% * GoryDiscretionShot: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=84 SHIV SHIV STAB SHIV]]
38	* HelloInsertNameHere: Parodied with Blue, or as Red named him, [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=1 DOUCHE]].
39	* HeroicBSOD: Red snaps from fury when he spots a Pikachu but [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=21 notices that he's out of Poké Balls]].
40	* InnocentInnuendo: Brock wants to go with Red on his journey and breed. Red couldn't run away fast enough.
41	** Not so innocent with Green, who does it to get a rise out of people and get them in trouble with {{Paedo Hunt}}ers like Professor Oak.
42	* InsaneTrollLogic: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=50 This strip]] has the old man believing that the theory of evolution is wrong because Mankeys still exist despite the fact that humans evolved from Mankeys.
43	* KindaBusyHere: Red's attempt to sneak past a swarm of sleeping Zubat is interrupted by [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=41 a call from his mother]].
44	* LampshadeHanging: Happens on [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=67 page 68]], with Douche remarking that it seemed like Red was in Mt. Moon FOREVER. It took Red ''three'' real life years to get through that cave.
45	%% ** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=75 "That's not what 'double' means!"]]
46	* LateToTheRealization: The Slowpoke News will report on subjects that happened over anywhere between half a year and 3 DECADES earlier. Somehow, its [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=53 2nd installment]] managed to be accidentally accurate by claiming that Steve Jobs was stepping down from head of the company for "health reasons".
47	%% * LaughTrack: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=7 Ratata was just pretending to be caught!]]
48	* LevelGrinding: [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] and [[DiscussedTrope discussed]]. [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=30 After watching him shuffle around the same patch of grass for hours on end,]] [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=31 two NPC trainers wonder if Red has gone insane.]]
49	* LiteralMetaphor: "[[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=17 Smell ya later!]]" Shortly afterwards, Blue suddenly comes back and does just that.
50	* TheLoad: In spite of Clefairy wanting to come with Red and catching itself and provoking a Team Rocket agent into battle, it only used Double Slap once and the other two times, ignored Red's orders in favor of using Metronome which gave it Rest the first time and Splash the second time.
51	* MythologyGag:
52	** [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries ahem...]] [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=57 "Prepare for trouble."]]
53	** The [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=54 Clefairy]] Red finds in Mt. Moon appears to be wearing a small Moon Stone, like the one Ash meets in ''Manga/TheElectricTaleOfPikachu''.
54	* NoJustNoReaction:
55	** Red's response to Brock's request to tag along on his journey so that they can breed.
56	** Also-- "''It's my'' '''''PEE'''''..." a revelation of how [[EncounterRepellant Repels]] are made.
57	* ObliviousMockery: Brock, [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=23 while standing next to Red]], who just happens to have chosen fire:
58	-->'''Brock''': You know, some people actually come here choosing FIRE as their starter Pokémon. Crazy, huh?
59	* OnlySaneMan: To some extent, Red is the human character who seems to make the most sense. Prof. Oak is forgetful, his assistant is a pedophile, Green is an EnfantTerrible, the Old Man is a geezer who complains about the term "evolution", Brock is creepy, the Team Rocket grunt tries to enforce his decrees by Pokémon battles, the pokémaniac is all too willing to battle someone who just untied him, and Red's Pokédex can't get over its juvenile sense of humor. About the only characters that have more sanity than Red are those two kids on Page 32 (see LevelGrinding above).
60	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=4 Douche has a moment here, pointing out how getting kids to do Pokémon research is dangerously irresponsible.]] But overall, he's a petty, obsessive asshole to Red. In addition, he also points out that it's perfectly clear Red isn't directing ''any'' of their rematch due to [[TheLoad Clefairy]] actively ignoring Red's order to use Double Slap in favor of using Metronome and getting Splash so Blue's leaving until Red gets his act together.
61	* OrganTheft: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=85 In case you wonder what happened when all your Pokémon fainted, and how you're suddenly in a Poke-Center.]]
62	* OrphanedEtymology: The Pokedex lists Pikachu as a "Mouse", something that shouldn't exist given that all the living creatures in-universe are Mons. Lampshaded [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=80 by Green]].
63	* PaedoHunt: Professor Oak doesn't take kindly to his assistant approving of Green's looks.
64	-->'''Oak''': SHE'S TEN, YOU SICK FUCK!!
65	* ThePowerOfFriendship: Red tries to forcefully capture Clefairy, but it escapes and looks sternly back at him. Can't blame a guy for trying... Clefairy shrugs it off and willingly captures itself afterward. Too bad it only does something useful in battle ''once''.
66	%% * RageQuit: What Red does when Douche picks a [[ElementalRockPaperScissors water-type]] moments after getting a [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=2 fire-type]].
67	%% * RareCandy: Green dumps an ''ENTIRE'' case into her Bulbasaur.
68	%% * SeniorSleepCycle: The Old Man in Viridian City.
69	%% * ShoutOut:
70	%% ** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=20 This one]] to ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', and [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=38 the health-care debate and the Awesome Smiley]].
71	%% ** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=56 It belongs]] [[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade in a museum!]]
72	%% ** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=6 Here's one]] alluding to ''Franchise/JurassicPark'', Specifically the second movie. Raptor in the grass? Clever girl.
73	%% ** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=51 This one]] references the ongoing ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' versus ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'' [[DuelingShows "debate"]][=/=]FandomRivalry, coupled with a TakeThat to the latter series.
74	%% ** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=10 And this]] is one to ''Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey''.
75	* TheSilentBob:
76	** Subverted. Red may play this trope straight, but WordOfGod says that the addition of the Pokédex allows the main character to have a voice (even if it is one he very rarely agrees with). And other characters act like Red talked to them.
77	-->'''Douche:''' We need to have a bit of a talk here, Red. So keep quiet.
78	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=67 This comic]] shows Red is perfectly capable of speech as he whispers to Douche about the nature of Repel Spray. We don't get to see what he says though.
79	* SilentProtagonist: Red, who never says a word.
80	* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Green, the only female main character.
81	%% * SoMuchForStealth
82	%% * TakeThat:
83	%% ** [[spoiler: To ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}''.]] [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=51 Who's That Pokémon?]]
84	%% ** Also one to [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=38 private healthcare]].
85	* TalkingIsAFreeAction: Subverted. While Douche is busy monologuing about their rivalry, [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=16 Red takes the chance to win the battle]].
86	* TantrumThrowing: Red snaps when a Zubat keeps making his Pokémon confused and chucks a pokeball at it in [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=44 frustration]].
87	%% * TitleDrop:
88	%% ** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=33 Page 34]] when Charmander gets a CriticalHit on Geodude.
89	%% ** And on [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=70 Page 71]] when Pikachu escapes the prison.
90	* UngratefulBastard: A mild example with the Super Nerd Red rescued from Team Rocket. He offered Red a fossil...only if Red battles him first. Naturally, Red tied him back up and made on his way. It helps that Red is very much an AudienceSurrogate at this moment, as anyone who has played the games wanted to clock the guy in the jaw.
91	* ThisJustIn: As delivered by Slowpoke whenever a famous person dies, utilizing DelayedReaction.
92	%% * UnitConfusion: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=24 This comic.]]
93	* UnsoundEffect: This comic loves using them. It's ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', after all.
94	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=3 Wiggle Wiggle]]
95	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=7 Laughter Applause]]
96	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=9 Shake]] [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=45 Shake]]
97	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=22 SOCK!]]
98	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=30 Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle]]
99	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=33 RAPED]]
100	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=34 Rock Blocked]]. Now that's just pushing it.
101	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=48 BIDOOF!]]
102	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=49 Dee Doot Doo!]]
103	** [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=54 POOCH!]]
104	* UrbanLegendOfZelda [[invoked]]: [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=8 A famous one is referenced here.]]
105	-->'''Scott:''' Down+A, Down+B, Up+b, etc... Personally I only pressed Down+B. In all it did '''nothing'''... [[PlaceboEffect But it felt like it did... To me.]] :(
106	%% (Trope-slashing isn't allowed)* VideogameCrueltyPotential[=/=]VideogamePerversityPotential: Running themes with naming. Red [[HelloInsertNameHere names his rival]] "Douche," and his Pokédex tends to suggest perverse or simply childish names for the Pokémon Red captures. So far, his Pidgey is named Butts ("Butts used Gust!"), but he's decided against naming Metapod Penis ("Penis used Harden!"). Then there's Green's reaction to Oak's revelation that the only Pokémon he has left for her is a Bulbasaur.
107	* YoungerThanTheyLook: Green is a bit more developed than her being 10 would suggest (though it's possible she's older, as her age is stated by the somewhat senile Professor Oak).
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Context Webcomic / SuperEffective