Drama usually has a signal for the audience just before a big dramatic FightScene. Something that says "Pay Attention! Exciting battle ahead". Can prelude asskicking by either the Hero or by the Villain, although usually it's done for the Hero.
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!!The following Tropes are methods of signaling this:
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* AmbiguouslyTrained: A character is implied to have military training, but it's not clear if they do.
* AndThisIsFor: A character announces their intent to attack by declaring to the enemy that the imminent attack is intended as retribution on behalf of someone the enemy caused harm.
* AsskickingPose: Character poses in a way that makes it clear they're ready to fight.
* AttackPatternAlpha
* BattleStrip: Character takes off some of their clothes before fighting.
* BeingWatched
* BewareTheNiceOnes: A nice character proves that they can be very violent if they want to be.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: If a person tends to be quiet, there's a good chance that they are dangerous.
* BewareTheSillyOnes: A seemingly inept goofball of a villain proves that their silliness does not mean that they are harmless.
* BigHeroicRun: The hero runs very fast to save someone, fight someone, deliver critical information, or other reasons.
* BookSnap: Character snaps a book closed in order to deal with someone who needs to get their ass kicked.
* BringIt
* ByThePowerOfGrayskull: Character activates their powers by saying a specific word or phrase.
* ChewBubblegum
* CirclingMonologue: Villain walks circles around the hero during negotiations.
* ClickHello
* TheCoatsAreOff: Shit gets real when a character takes off their BadassLongcoat.
* CombatPragmatist: Character does whatever is necessary to win the fight, even if it means resorting to tactics that can be seen as unsporting.
* DareToBeBadass
* DramaticGunCock
* EmpathicEnvironment: Weather reflects the mood.
* FalseInnocenceTrick: An incapacitated stranger feigns innocence to trick some poor sap into freeing them.
* FanningTheKnives: Because what says 'Danger' better than flaunting a drawer's worth of knives in hand?
* FighterLaunchingSequence: Rev up the CoolPlane / [[CoolStarship starfighter]] / [[TravelCool whatever]], there's ass-kicking about to occur.
* FisticuffProvokingComment: The point in a dispute when verbal violence escalates to physical violence.
* TheGlassesComeOff
* TheGlovesComeOff: Deciding not to hold back one bit when defeating the enemy has become priority number one.
* HesBack: A character who has fallen into a depression recovers and gets back into the fight.
* IAmYourOpponent
* ImminentDangerClue
* InTheNameOfTheMoon
* IntimidationDemonstration
* ItHasBeenAnHonor: Character informs their allies that they enjoyed working with them prior to entering a battle they may not survive.
* KineticClicking: The "click" sound effect is often used in moments of action because it evokes dynamic motion.
* KirkSummation
* KnuckleCracking
* LauncherMove: An attack that makes the opponent be in mid-air and vulnerable.
* LeaveHimToMe
* LetsFightLikeGentlemen: Combatants lay down ground rules before fighting.
* LetsGetDangerous: When the situation becomes dire enough that a flawed or goofy character gets competent and down-to-work.
* LockAndLoadMontage: A montage showing the characters equipping and readying their weapons for some action.
* MeditationPowerup
* MyNameIsInigoMontoya: Introducing yourself to the person you're about to fight so they know just who they are messing with.
* NoMoreHoldingBackSpeech
* NoSell: An attack has no effect whatsoever on the targeted opponent.
* OneHandedShotgunPump
* PitifulWorms: A character insults their opponent by calling them "insect" or something similar, which will often be a signal that they are about to effortlessly beat the crap out of their enemy.
* PreAsskickingOneLiner: A character says something badass before beating someone up.
* PunchPunchPunchUhOh: A character tries to beat someone up, only for their blows to do nothing to their opponent. OhCrap
* RedAlert: Alarms, sirens, dramatic lighting, and [[BridgeBunny bridge bunnies]] manning the battle stations before a fight.
* TheRestShallPass: One good guy takes on an opponent alone, telling the rest to keep moving.
* ShutUpHannibal: The villain makes fun of the hero for being idealistic and the hero replies with a rebuttal on why their idealism has merits.
* ShutUpKirk: The hero shames the villain for being bad and the villain responds by saying that he doesn't care.
* AStormIsComing: An incoming storm Foreshadows the progress of the plot.
* ThemeMusicPowerUp: Theme music plays during the hero's awesome moments.
* ThrowingDownTheGauntlet
* TiredOfRunning: It's time to stop running and start kicking ass.
* TrenchCoatWarfare
* TwangHello: An arrow as a signal of another character's presence.
* VaguenessIsComing
* YouWouldntLikeMeWhenImAngry
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