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* ''ComicBook/GreenLantern'': Justified by Green Lantern's power ring. The creations made with the ring as as non-lethal as he wants them to be, so swords don't actually cut flesh, bullets and cannon balls don't kill. Effectively, it's like deliberately wielding WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes-type weaponry that incapacitates and hurts ("Ow!") without doing any actual ''injury''.

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* ''ComicBook/GreenLantern'': Justified by Green Lantern's power ring. The creations made with the ring as are as non-lethal as he wants them to be, so swords don't actually cut flesh, bullets and cannon balls don't kill. Effectively, it's like deliberately wielding WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes-type weaponry that incapacitates and hurts ("Ow!") without doing any actual ''injury''.
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Fixed a typo


'''Outrageous Lime''': Why's it called Stinger Mode? ''(gets struck buy two small lasers)'' '''AGH OW!''' \\

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'''Outrageous Lime''': Why's it called Stinger Mode? ''(gets struck buy by two small lasers)'' '''AGH OW!''' \\
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Edited the wording of the note in the page quote for clarity. I personally think the note itself is completely unnecessary, but maybe non-native English speakers would be helped by it, so I'm not just deleting it.


'''Bud''': Oh please, I have Stinger Mode to make sure nobody gets hurt. [[note]] she means the mode cannot cause physical injuries, but not exactly any sort of pain [[/note]] \\

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'''Bud''': Oh please, I have Stinger Mode to make sure nobody gets hurt. [[note]] she means the mode cannot cause physical injuries, but [[note]]meaning no one can be actually injured, not exactly any sort of pain [[/note]] that it's painless[[/note]] \\

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* Batarangs from ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' qualify, at times sharp enough to cut steel, other times they only knock you out. Occasionally they blow up in your face. A diagram in one book showed that the front "round part" is hard and blunt, perfect for knocking thugs out. The back part with all the spiky bits is razor-sharp. Batman can throw it so that whichever end he wants strikes the target.
* ComicBook/CaptainAmerica's shield is like this, DependingOnTheAuthor. Sometimes the edges are portrayed as razor-sharp, other times blunted.
* Justified by ComicBook/GreenLantern's power ring. The creations made with the ring as as non-lethal as he wants them to be, so swords don't actually cut flesh, bullets and cannon balls don't kill. Effectively, it's like deliberately wielding WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes-type weaponry that incapacitates and hurts ("Ow!") without doing any actual ''injury''.
* ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}'s arrows and his way of using them. Though traditionally Hawkeye abhors killing, in later years he has become a victim of the "darker and edgier" trend of superheroes. In his most recent appearances, however, Hawkeye tries to avoid killing people but doesn't flinch at leaving his enemies paralyzed, perhaps for life.
* ComicBook/NikolaiDante's [[ImpossiblyCoolWeapon Huntsman 5000 rifle]] is like this. It fires the optimum ammunition to eliminate its target at any time, but Nikolai's used it to shoot to wound on occasion.
* Justified in ''Comicbook/ThePunisher2099'' where Jake Gallows has a futuristic bat that can vary density with the flick of a switch, thus changing how lethal his weapon is.
* Justified in ''Comicbook/ThePunisherPurgatory''. Punisher [[EmpoweredBadassNormal has been granted]] divine weaponry that responds to his thoughts, making him able to just point and shoot as he pleases.

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* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': Batarangs from ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' qualify, at times sharp enough to cut steel, other times they only knock you out. Occasionally they blow up in your face. A diagram in one book showed that the front "round part" is hard and blunt, perfect for knocking thugs out. The back part with all the spiky bits is razor-sharp. Batman can throw it so that whichever end he wants strikes the target.
* ComicBook/CaptainAmerica's ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'': Captain America's shield is like this, DependingOnTheAuthor. Sometimes the edges are portrayed as razor-sharp, other times blunted.
* ''ComicBook/GreenLantern'': Justified by ComicBook/GreenLantern's Green Lantern's power ring. The creations made with the ring as as non-lethal as he wants them to be, so swords don't actually cut flesh, bullets and cannon balls don't kill. Effectively, it's like deliberately wielding WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes-type weaponry that incapacitates and hurts ("Ow!") without doing any actual ''injury''.
* ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}'s ''ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}'': Hawkeye's arrows and his way of using them. Though traditionally Hawkeye abhors killing, in later years he has become a victim of the "darker and edgier" trend of superheroes. superheroes (particularly notable when he unhesitatingly killed Bruce Banner during ''ComicBook/CivilWarII''). In his most recent appearances, however, Hawkeye tries to avoid killing people people, but doesn't flinch at leaving his enemies paralyzed, perhaps for life.
--> '''Hawkeye''': ''He'll '''live'''. Not '''well''' but he'll live.''
* ComicBook/NikolaiDante's ''ComicBook/NikolaiDante'': Nikolai's [[ImpossiblyCoolWeapon Huntsman 5000 rifle]] is like this. It fires the optimum ammunition to eliminate its target at any time, but Nikolai's used it to shoot to wound on occasion.
* 'ComicBook/ThePunisher'':
**
Justified in ''Comicbook/ThePunisher2099'' where ''ComicBook/ThePunisher2099'', as Jake Gallows has a futuristic bat that can vary density with the flick of a switch, thus changing how lethal his weapon is.
* ** Justified in ''Comicbook/ThePunisherPurgatory''.''ComicBook/ThePunisherPurgatory''. Punisher [[EmpoweredBadassNormal has been granted]] divine weaponry that responds to his thoughts, making him able to just point and shoot as he pleases.



* In the comics, Comicbook/{{Wolverine}}'s claws are lethal, and can cut through almost any material as easily as a hot knife through butter. In fighting games like the ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom'' series, ''VideoGame/MarvelNemesisRiseOfTheImperfects'' or ''VideoGame/XMenNextDimension'', his claws basically act as extensions of his fists.

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* In the comics, Comicbook/{{Wolverine}}'s ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}'s claws are lethal, and can cut through almost any material as easily as a hot knife through butter. In fighting games like the ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom'' series, ''VideoGame/MarvelNemesisRiseOfTheImperfects'' or ''VideoGame/XMenNextDimension'', his claws basically act as extensions of his fists.
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* In ''LightNovel/{{Durarara}}'', Celty can manifest a massive scythe that can cut through anything she chooses, possibly including souls. However, she's the nicest character on the show, so when she cuts people, they just fall unconscious.

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* In ''LightNovel/{{Durarara}}'', ''Literature/{{Durarara}}'', Celty can manifest a massive scythe that can cut through anything she chooses, possibly including souls. However, she's the nicest character on the show, so when she cuts people, they just fall unconscious.



* In ''LightNovel/HighSchoolDXD'', Kiba's Sword Birth only seems to be effective against mooks, that is when he actually uses it.

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* In ''LightNovel/HighSchoolDXD'', ''Literature/HighSchoolDXD'', Kiba's Sword Birth only seems to be effective against mooks, that is when he actually uses it.
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TheHero is doing his usual thing: battering {{mooks}} left and right with his trusty {{Phlebotinum}} Sword and leaving them [[NonLethalKO out cold]]. Except for that one mook who he clearly just gutted. With the same sword and with the same moves. How?

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TheHero is doing his usual thing: battering {{mooks}} left and right with his trusty {{Phlebotinum}} [[AppliedPhlebotinum Phlebotinum]] Sword and leaving them [[NonLethalKO out cold]]. Except for that one mook who he clearly just gutted. With the same sword and with the same moves. How?
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* In ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'', Pokémon attacks never kill humans even though they're said to be ''[[Main/InformedAbility very powerful]]''.

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* In ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'', ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'', Pokémon attacks never kill humans even though they're said if they are shown to be ''[[Main/InformedAbility very powerful]]''.destroy buildings, mountains, forests, and mechas.
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Restoring since this trope seems to fit more, considering the weapon was not used against the protagonist

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* in ''Anime/ChargemanKen'', Ken's Alpha Gun has a tranquilizer mode, that can put a lion to sleep. However, the tranquilizer mode disintegrates Juralian aliens Ken fights against.
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wrong trope


* in ''Anime/ChargemanKen'', Ken's Alpha Gun has a tranquilizer mode, that can put a lion to sleep. However, the tranquilizer mode disintegrates Juralian aliens Ken fights against.
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* in ''Anime/ChargemanKen'', Ken's Alpha Gun has a tranquilizer mode, that can put a lion to sleep. However, the tranquilizer mode disintegrates Juralian aliens Ken fights against.


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* In ''Anime/LycorisRecoil'', one scene has Chisato shooting non-lethal bullets which penetrate through a metal car's door, yet when she attacks the enemies in the next scene, the non-lethal bullets don't penetrate through them, only knock them out.
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->'''Question''': How does Bud train without hurting anyone? \\
'''Harley''': '''She doesn't.''' \\
'''Bud''': Oh please, I have Stinger Mode to make sure nobody gets hurt. [[note]] she means the mode cannot cause physical injuries, but not exactly any sort of pain [[/note]] \\
'''Outrageous Lime''': Why's it called Stinger Mode? ''(gets struck buy two small lasers)'' '''AGH OW!''' \\
'''Bud''': 'Cause it just stings. Get it?
-->-- ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain''
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* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'': Beatrix's Climhazzard and Stock Break attacks freely switch between doing normal damage and doing exactly enough damage to set HPToOne depending purely on the story.

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* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'': Beatrix's Climhazzard and Stock Break attacks freely switch between doing normal damage and doing exactly enough damage to set HPToOne HPTo1 depending purely on the story.
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* Justified by ComicBook/GreenLantern's power ring. The creations made with the ring as as non-lethal as he wants them to be, so swords don't actually cut flesh, bullets and cannon balls don't kill. Effectively, it's like deliberately wielding WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes-type weaponry that incapacitates and hurts ("Ow!") without doing any actual ''injury''.
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* The eponymous Binding Blade from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade'' is, evidently, only as strong as the resolve of its wielder. When Hartmut, one of the generals of [[GreatOffscreenWar The Scouring]], found that the leader of the dragons was really just a frail, broken girl being used against her will, he didn't have the heart to kill her outright, opting instead to knock her out with the sword, and sealing her away.

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* The eponymous Binding Blade from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade'' is, evidently, only as strong as the resolve of its wielder. When Hartmut, one of the generals of [[GreatOffscreenWar The Scouring]], found that the leader of the dragons was really just a frail, broken girl being used against her will, he didn't have the heart to kill her outright, opting instead to knock her out with the sword, and sealing her away. [[spoiler:This is reflected in gameplay, where in order to get the GoldenEnding Roy needs to deal the finishing blow to Idunn with the Binding Blade, so as to avoid killing her]].

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%% Please start a new thread if you'd like to suggest a new image.
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Energy attacks are great for this because the audience has no idea of what it's like to be hit by a ki blast and as a result, it can do whatever it needs to do. Additionally, energy attacks often depend on how fine the user's control of the technique is - obviously there is skill involved in swinging a sword too, but a sword is objectively sharp whereas the hero may only have gathered enough energy for a haphazard, ineffective blast that time.

This is where an obsession with {{Power Level}}s can be a disadvantage - if you've given the audience a statistic that says the character should be able to do (or withstand) a stronger attack than that, they're going to start asking questions if they then couldn't.

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Energy attacks are great for this because the audience has no idea of what it's like to be hit by a ki blast and as a result, it can do whatever it needs to do. Additionally, energy attacks often depend on how fine the user's control of the technique is - -- obviously there is skill involved in swinging a sword too, but a sword is objectively sharp whereas the hero may only have gathered enough energy for a haphazard, ineffective blast that time.

This is where an obsession with {{Power Level}}s can be a disadvantage - -- if you've given the audience a statistic that says the character should be able to do (or withstand) a stronger attack than that, they're going to start asking questions if they then couldn't.



* In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'', characters routinely hit opponents who have ordinary human levels of durability with SuperStrength punches that can shatter rock, [[HavingABlast explosions]] that can carve trenches in reinforced concrete, or [[PlayingWithFire blasts of fire]] that burn through brick walls and don't even necessarily knock the target off their feet, much less inflict any serious injuries.



* In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'', characters routinely hit opponents who have ordinary human levels of durability with SuperStrength punches that can shatter rock, [[HavingABlast explosions]] that can carve trenches in reinforced concrete, or [[PlayingWithFire blasts of fire]] that burn through brick walls and don't even necessarily knock the target off their feet, much less inflict any serious injuries.
* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power [[note]]For reference, the Blaster single-handedly destroyed a member of the main cast before ''with one shot'', forcing the Autobots to have his [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation in order to save him[[/note]]. However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords (nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).

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* In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'', characters routinely hit opponents who have ordinary human levels of durability with SuperStrength punches that can shatter rock, [[HavingABlast explosions]] that can carve trenches in reinforced concrete, or [[PlayingWithFire blasts of fire]] that burn through brick walls and don't even necessarily knock the target off their feet, much less inflict any serious injuries.
* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power [[note]]For reference, the Blaster single-handedly destroyed a member of the main cast before ''with one shot'', forcing the Autobots to have his [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered transferred to a new body in a very dangerous operation in order to save him[[/note]]. However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords (nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).



* The titular ''Literature/TheSwordOfTruth'' works this way - the sword can only cut if the wielder believes the target is an enemy [[spoiler:except in its super-mode that he unlocks near the end of the first book]]. The [[AWizardDidIt wizard]] who gave Richard the sword stresses that the user doesn't have to be ''right'' in their beliefs, they merely have to believe. Which is why wizards agonize over who gets the title that the sword goes with.

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* The titular ''Literature/TheSwordOfTruth'' works this way - -- the sword can only cut if the wielder believes the target is an enemy [[spoiler:except in its super-mode that he unlocks near the end of the first book]]. The [[AWizardDidIt wizard]] who gave Richard the sword stresses that the user doesn't have to be ''right'' in their beliefs, they merely have to believe. Which is why wizards agonize over who gets the title that the sword goes with.



* Par for the course in ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', where different authors have different ideas of how powerful a weapon should be. For instance, [[DisintegratorRay gauss flayers]] -- the codex that introduced them had a human get completely flayed by a shot to the legs and dying of shock, ''Dead Men Walking'' has them completely reducing targets to dust, and ''Literature/CiaphasCain'' is able to survive a shot with just the loss of the affected extremity.



* Par for the course in ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', where different authors have different ideas of how powerful a weapon should be. For instance, [[DisintegratorRay gauss flayers]] - the codex that introduced them had a human get completely flayed by a shot to the legs and dying of shock, ''Dead Men Walking'' has them completely reducing targets to dust, and ''Literature/CiaphasCain'' is able to survive a shot with just the loss of the affected extremity.



* ''{{VideoGame/Undertale}}'': The human's attacks in general seem to abide by this on the Neutral Route, and most egregious in a run where you keep one or two weapons equipped throughout. Any attempts to bring down [[spoiler:Toriel]] to low HP will result in critically hitting and killing [[spoiler:her]], but even using the same weapon as you did that with in the final [[spoiler:[[InterfaceScrew conventional]]]] bossfight of the run, it will instead bring said boss down to [[LastChanceHitPoint inches from doom]] and allow said boss to be spared or slain at your whim. Partly [[JustifiedTrope justified]] however due to the fact that [[spoiler:Human attacks are so powerful against Monsters only because of KillingIntent; It's likely that the protagonist just didn't ''want'' to immediately kill their opponent in this instance.]]



* ''{{VideoGame/Undertale}}'': The human's attacks in general seem to abide by this on the Neutral Route, and most egregious in a run where you keep one or two weapons equipped throughout. Any attempts to bring down [[spoiler:Toriel]] to low HP will result in critically hitting and killing [[spoiler:her]], but even using the same weapon as you did that with in the final [[spoiler:[[InterfaceScrew conventional]]]] bossfight of the run, it will instead bring said boss down to [[LastChanceHitPoint inches from doom]] and allow said boss to be spared or slain at your whim. Partly [[JustifiedTrope justified]] however due to the fact that [[spoiler:Human attacks are so powerful against Monsters only because of KillingIntent; It's likely that the protagonist just didn't ''want'' to immediately kill their opponent in this instance.]]



* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' sometimes run into this with characters' built-in guns. Typically they didn't do any significant damage, except against [[{{Mooks}} Vehicons]], but in one instance Megatron used Dreadwing's gun to [[spoiler: kill its owner with a single shot]], and it was '''NEVER''' presented as being that powerful before. Megatron's own gun has shot Bulkhead in the back and dealt no lasting damage; in the final episode, it's able to [[spoiler: kill Bumblebee]] with the first shot- the other two or three were because Megatron is a giant dick.

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* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' sometimes run into this with characters' built-in guns. Typically they didn't do any significant damage, except against [[{{Mooks}} Vehicons]], but in one instance Megatron used Dreadwing's gun to [[spoiler: kill its owner with a single shot]], and it was '''NEVER''' presented as being that powerful before. Megatron's own gun has shot Bulkhead in the back and dealt no lasting damage; in the final episode, it's able to [[spoiler: kill Bumblebee]] with the first shot- shot -- the other two or three were because Megatron is a giant dick.


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* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power [[note]]For reference, the Blaster single-handedly destroyed a member of the main cast before ''with one shot'', forcing the Autobots to have his [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation in order to save him[[/note]]. However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).

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* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power [[note]]For reference, the Blaster single-handedly destroyed a member of the main cast before ''with one shot'', forcing the Autobots to have his [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation in order to save him[[/note]]. However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind swords (nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).
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Compare with InverseLawOfUtilityAndLethality and InverseLawOfSharpnessAndAccuracy. Contrast with StunGuns, which are something a bit different, and NerfArm. See also: BloodlessCarnage, CouldHaveBeenMessy.

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Compare with InverseLawOfUtilityAndLethality and InverseLawOfSharpnessAndAccuracy. Contrast with StunGuns, which are something a bit different, and NerfArm. See also: BloodlessCarnage, CouldHaveBeenMessy.
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* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power [[note]]For reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed a member of the main cast before ''with one shot'', forcing him to have its [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation in order to live[[/note]]. However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).

to:

* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power [[note]]For reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed destroyed a member of the main cast before ''with one shot'', forcing him the Autobots to have its his [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation in order to live[[/note]].save him[[/note]]. However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power (for reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed a member of the main cast before ''with one shot'', forcing him to have its [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation in order to live). However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).

to:

* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power (for [[note]]For reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed a member of the main cast before ''with one shot'', forcing him to have its [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation in order to live).live[[/note]]. However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power (for reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed a member of the main cast before, forcing him to have its [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation). However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).

to:

* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power (for reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed a member of the main cast before, before ''with one shot'', forcing him to have its [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation).operation in order to live). However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[BFS Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power (for reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed a member of the main cast before, forcing him to have its [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation). However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).

to:

* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[BFS [[{{BFS}} Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power (for reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed a member of the main cast before, forcing him to have its [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation). However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
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*''Anime/TransformersArmada'': The [[BFS Star Saber]] is a pretty bad example of this. In its early appearances, its strong enough to slice [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Starscream's]] own sword and its said to be the equal of the [[WaveMotionGun Requiem Blaster]] in terms of power (for reference, the Blaster single-handedly nearly-killed a member of the main cast before, forcing him to have its [[OurSoulsAreDifferent spark]] transfered to a new body in a very dangerous operation). However, later episodes, the Star Saber seems much weak than before, as Optimus is fully capable of blocking the blade with his hands several times, while Starscream is capable of blocking it with one of his swords(nevermind the fact the Saber previously sliced his swords like nothing).
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** Phasers justify this by having multiple intensities, including a stun setting. Although some have noticed a tendency, regardless of other circumstances, for the lethality of phasers to be inversely proportional to the importance of the character they're being fired at. Similarly, the "kill" setting may or may not vaporize the target depending on the situation.

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** Phasers justify this by having multiple intensities, including a stun setting. Although some have noticed a tendency, regardless of other circumstances, for [[InverseDialogueDeathRule the lethality of phasers to be inversely proportional to the importance of the character they're being fired at.at]]. Similarly, the "kill" setting may or may not vaporize the target depending on the situation.
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[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain'': Bud is capable of controlling the intensity of her [[AttackDrone laser drones]] to some extent, which allows her to practice on her friends without hurting anyone. Unfortunately, since even the lowest setting (which she's named [[https://www.sleeplessdomain.com/comic/qa-time-2 "stinger mode"]]) still... well, stings, none of her fellow training club members are all that eager to be used for target practice. She's eventually seen training with [[MakingASplash Undine]], who floats water bubbles around for Bud to shoot down instead.
[[/folder]]
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** Amusingly, ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemFates Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest]]'' also does this during the earlier chapters, and it's actually [[DiscussedTrope discussed]] and inevitably [[DeconstructedTrope deconstructed]]; during an early game raid against the Ice Tribe, new recruits [[{{Chuunibyou}} Odin]] and [[{{Sadist}} Niles]] are explicitly ordered by [[PlayerCharacter the Avatar]] to hold back their killing shots. While Odin balks at not being able to do his super-flashy moves, Niles takes it as a challenge to cause as much pain without inevitably killing the enemy, [[NoJustNoReaction understandably causing the Avatar to balk at the notion]]. However, even though it's worked the first time, [[spoiler:the utterly corrupt nature of Nohr's government and the fact that NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished [[RealityEnsues is in full effect that the Avatar just prolongs their deaths than actually saves them]]. This eventually triggers the Avatar's CharacterDevelopment, who is forced to choose between their ideals and ensuring as few casualties as ''realistically'' possible, knowing to do that a plan must be put to overthrow said corrupt government even if everyone hates them for it]].

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** Amusingly, ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemFates Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest]]'' also does this during the earlier chapters, and it's actually [[DiscussedTrope discussed]] and inevitably [[DeconstructedTrope deconstructed]]; during an early game raid against the Ice Tribe, new recruits [[{{Chuunibyou}} Odin]] and [[{{Sadist}} Niles]] are explicitly ordered by [[PlayerCharacter the Avatar]] to hold back their killing shots. While Odin balks at not being able to do his super-flashy moves, Niles takes it as a challenge to cause as much pain without inevitably killing the enemy, [[NoJustNoReaction understandably causing the Avatar to balk at the notion]]. However, even though it's worked the first time, [[spoiler:the utterly corrupt nature of Nohr's government and the fact that NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished [[RealityEnsues [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome is in full effect that the Avatar just prolongs their deaths than actually saves them]]. This eventually triggers the Avatar's CharacterDevelopment, who is forced to choose between their ideals and ensuring as few casualties as ''realistically'' possible, knowing to do that a plan must be put to overthrow said corrupt government even if everyone hates them for it]].
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** Amusingly, ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemFates Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest]]'' also does this during the earlier chapters, and it's actually [[DiscussedTrope discussed]] and inevitably [[DeconstructedTrope deconstructed]]; during an early game raid against the Ice Tribe, new recruits [[{{Chuunibyou}} Odin]] and [[{{Sadist}} Niles]] are explicitly ordered by [[PlayerCharacter the Avatar]] to hold back their killing shots. While Odin balks at not being able to do his super-flashy moves, Niles takes it as a challenge to cause as much pain without inevitably killing the enemy, [[NoJustNoReaction understandably causing the Avatar to balk at the notion]]. However, even though it's worked the first time, [[spoiler:the utterly corrupt nature of Nohr's government and the fact that NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished [[RealityEnsues is in full effect that the Avatar just prolongs their deaths than actually saves them]]. This eventually triggers the Avatar's CharacterDevelopment, who is forced to choose between their ideals and ensuring as few casualties as ''realistically'' possible, knowing to do that a plan must be put to overthrow said corrupt government even if everyone hates them for it]].
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Added an extra example from Undertale.

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* ''{{VideoGame/Undertale}}'': The human's attacks in general seem to abide by this on the Neutral Route, and most egregious in a run where you keep one or two weapons equipped throughout. Any attempts to bring down [[spoiler:Toriel]] to low HP will result in critically hitting and killing [[spoiler:her]], but even using the same weapon as you did that with in the final [[spoiler:[[InterfaceScrew conventional]]]] bossfight of the run, it will instead bring said boss down to [[LastChanceHitPoint inches from doom]] and allow said boss to be spared or slain at your whim. Partly [[JustifiedTrope justified]] however due to the fact that [[spoiler:Human attacks are so powerful against Monsters only because of KillingIntent; It's likely that the protagonist just didn't ''want'' to immediately kill their opponent in this instance.]]
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Added a mention of Ghost of Tsushima, where you calm down Lady Masako by stabbing her 30 times with a katana.

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* ''VideoGame/GhostOfTsushima'': While your katana is normally quite lethal, at one point you duel Lady Masako to prevent her from killing someone she shouldn't as part of her RoaringRampageOfRevenge. After you hit her at least 20 times with a katana, she loses, admits you were right, and continues her mission with not a single scratch on her.
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* ''VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}}'': The Monado is incapable of cutting sentient beings born from the Bionis, represented in-game by only doing [[ScratchDamage 1 damage to them]]. [[spoiler: Hence why it's largely ineffective against Faced Mechons, which each have a Homs within. However, Zanza releases the Monado's power about midway through the game and makes it capable of damaging everything equally.]]

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* ''VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}}'': ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'': The Monado is incapable of cutting sentient beings born from the Bionis, represented in-game by only doing [[ScratchDamage 1 damage to them]]. [[spoiler: Hence [[spoiler:Hence why it's largely ineffective against Faced Mechons, which each have a Homs within. However, Zanza releases the Monado's power about midway through the game and makes it capable of damaging everything equally.]]

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