Basic Trope: A code word or phrase is used to direct forces in battle.
- Straight: An order is issued. The unit(s) addressed respond with a maneuver.
- Exaggerated: At the start of a fight, the order is given. The entire fleet engage in an entirely pre-scripted battleplan lasting several hours.
- Downplayed: The order describes a basic defensive formation for use when command is still figuring out what to do. More verbose tactical instructions follow.
- Justified:
- The codes cover a broad range of options, or there are only a few possibilities.
- Alternatively, a maneuver is used to obfuscate the real plan identified with that code phrase.
- Using codes strikes a balance between disguising one's orders should the enemy be listening in but also allowing for a measure of brevity (pilots can be replaced between missions without great loss in ability, thus saving time necessary to train them)
- Inverted: "Go left! No, a little more... Now shoot!"
- Subverted: "Attack pattern is as follows: James, flank left..."
- Double Subverted: The entire instruction as above is the name for a super secret attack pattern.
- Parodied: "Attack Pattern Delta One Nine Two Gamma Foxtrot Three Zulu Seven!"... which is basically "You, Get Me Coffee".
- Zig Zagged: The heroes go into "attack pattern alpha", which is just gobbledygook to seem prepared, but it really is a battle plan that just seems random, but it really is, since the heroes have ditched their old playbook once it was stolen.
- Averted:
- Orders are given in a more contextual nature.
- There are no orders. The commander simply lets everyone use their best judgment.
- Enforced: The movie is Backed by the Pentagon, and the filmmakers are inspired by real-life tactics.
- Lampshaded: "Who names these attack patterns?"
- Invoked: The heroes spend time training and use a football playbook for inspiration.
- Exploited: The enemy has been listening in on the heroes' communications and studying their prior battles. When the heroes call out their attack pattern, the enemy knows what to expect.
- Defied: The heroes are aware their enemies can adapt to any rigid pattern, so they purposely use Bash Brothers style intuitive teamwork and encourage each other to think outside the box.
- Discussed: "I'm embarrassed by our battle formation names, it's like a football coach, an otaku and a five year old pasted random words together."
- Conversed: "Ooh, they must be about to use their Finishing Move! They yelled out Attack Pattern Alpha!"
- Implied: Shown from the enemy's perspective, the heroes go into what looks like a prearranged set of maneuvers, and the enemy realizes that the heroes have a plan of attack.
- Deconstructed: The force suffers a crippling defeat due to over-reliance on predefined battle scenarios.
- Reconstructed: As the force is rebuilt, it is trained to think on it's feet more, and the attack patterns become more fluid. The codes now describe general patterns, but individuals and subcommanders have far more leeway.
- Played For Laughs: The heroes decide to have Fun with Acronyms, and call for Attack Pattern Kilo India Lima Lima.
- Played For Drama: In the present situation, the specified attack pattern is a Suicide Mission.
Deploy protocol Omega Seven Tulip to return to Attack Pattern Alpha.
