History Main / HomingLasers

* ''ComicBook/NewGods'': Darkseid's [[EyeBeams Omega Beam]] can do this. {{Justified|Trope}} in that he is ''canonically'' a god.

* ComicBook/{{Darkseid}}'s [[EyeBeams Omega Beam]] can do this. {{Justified|Trope}} in that he is ''canonically'' a god.
* In [[Franchise/MarvelUniverse Marvel]], the beams produced by the [[ComicBook/{{Galactus}} Ultimate Nullifier]] are capable of homing in on an individual target in an entirely separate star system.

[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]

* As previously mentioned, {{ComicBook/Darkseid}}'s EyeBeams follow the target. In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Franchise/{{Batman}} became the first human to dodge them, which earned Darkseid's respect.

* In [[MarvelUniverse Marvel]], the beams produced by the [[ComicBook/{{Galactus}} Ultimate Nullifier]] are capable of homing in on an individual target in an entirely separate star system.

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* ''Anime/NadiaTheSecretOfBlueWater'' has these as one of the Nautilus' primary armaments. Of course, the director was Creator/HideakiAnno (who also made the TropeNamer, ''Anime/{{Gunbuster}}'' several years earlier).

* Numerous examples exist in the ''Anime/EurekaSeven'' universe, including the Devilfish and The END.
** The same goes for the ''Anime/EurekaSevenAo'' universe, particularly where the [[EldritchAbomination Secrets]] are concerned. It gets [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] at one point.
* ''Anime/{{Zegapain}}'' also features these, in the form of the Hraesvelgr's "missiles", which despite their name appear to be simple chunks of HardLight with no known internal computation systems, aerodynamic properties or explanation of how or why they are capable of following targets other than RuleOfCool.
* ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'' has {{Magitek}} looking bullets of HardLight that curve a multitude of times to seek out their target, even flying through ''keyholes'' to get at their victims.

* Downplayed in several fleet battle scenes of the ''Anime/GallForce'' OVA, where ships fire lasers out at an angle, which then angle again to hit their targets.
* Krillin from ''Franchise/DragonBall'' did this with [[KiManipulation Ki blasts]] in his World Tournament match against Piccolo.
** Frequent in the franchise, especially once ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' begins and the number of characters able to use energy blast-style attacks skyrockets. Somewhat more justified than most because the blasts are connected spiritually to the firer.

* In Literature/DateALive Mana Takamiya uses these when [[CurbStompBattle fighting]] the spirit known as [[CodeName Nightmare]]. She has limited [[RealityWarper reality warping]] tech that is used to do it.
* The ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' franchise has Nanoha's Axel Shooter, a magical BeamSpam whose every movement she can control, allowing her to track and shoot down multiple targets at once.
* ''Anime/KillLaKill'' has [[BeamSpam LOTS of these]] coming from Nonon Jakuzure's Symphony Regalia Mk. II, that are made out of [[RuleOfCool music]]!
* ''Anime/WolfsRain'': The laser-like weapons installed in the Nobles' airships fire beams that can be seen to zig-zag en route to their targets.
* Anime/DigimonAdventure2020: [[MonsterOfTheWeek MetallifeKuwagamon]] can fire homing beams from its FingerFirearms, with each able to track a different target. [=WereGarurumon=] can fire a similar attack from his {{Swiss Army Weapon}}s while in [[SuperMode Sagittarius Mode]], which upgrades to a barrage of homing {{Freeze Ray}}s when he evolves to [=MetalGarurumon=].
* PlayedForLaughs in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearl'' with the RunningGag where Ash's Gible's Draco Meteor attack would fail to execute properly and inexplicably only ever hit Dawn's Piplup. When Dawn's TeamMom Togekiss comes into the picture, she would hit it back and it would change course to focus on Gible [[GuiltByAssociationGag and Ash]].

[[folder:Films - Animated]]

[[folder:Films - Live Action]]

* One of the earliest examples of homing lasers in video games is Creator/{{Taito}}'s ''[[VideoGame/RaySeries RAY Series]]'' starting with ''[=RayForce=]''. You (and a partner) take control of a SpaceFighter capable of firing multiple homing lasers at once. Some enemies and bosses can shoot homing lasers as well.
* SITER SKAIN's ''VideoGame/TheTaleOfAlltynex'' series of {{doujin|Soft}} shoot 'em ups loves this trope as much the ''RAY'' series.
** In ''VideoGame/AlltynexSecond'', a [[VideoGameRemake remake]] of the little-known FM Towns game ''ALLTYNEX'' by the same creator, you take of a fighter that transform into a semi-mecha that can use homing laser along with a [[SpreadShot vulcan cannon]], [[LaserBlade beam]] [[DualWielding swords]], and a WaveMotionGun. The same goes for the original FM Towns game.
** In ''VideoGame/RefleX'', which is also a remaking of a PC game called ''Reflection'' (that's also [[FreewareGames freeware]]), your ship can ''reflect'' them.
** ''VideoGame/{{Kamui}}'' has bosses like the ALLTYNEX OS that uses them, too. If you use your [[WaveMotionGun Lightning Blade]], you can reflect them back at enemies.
* Edelweiss' ''VideoGame/EtherVapor'' has a fighter craft called the Ex-tio that uses a weapon that fires an endless (albeit fairly average in fire power) barrage of homing lasers, which like in the ''RAY'' series is needed [[TwoAndAHalfD to shoot stuff in the background]].
* The eponymous Silverguns of ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun'' have a combination of weapons that activates the ship's lock-on homing lasers.
** The final boss of its SpiritualSuccessor, ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'', will fire these in alternating polarities and [[TennisBoss you must absorb them to shoot it back]]. Get good at it, [[DynamicDifficulty and it will begin to throwing in bullet spam with it]].

* The Orbital Frames of ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders'' are known for mixing this with BeamSpam, particularly Jehuty and Anubis.
* G.rev's hybrid of ShootEmUp-[[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]]-FightingGame series ''VideoGame/SenkoNoRonde'' features some mechs known as Rounders with homing laser weaponry (e.g. Changpo's Citronette or Lili's Brinstä), even more so with certain [[SuperMode B.O.S.S.]] Shells and in-game bosses.

* The ''Franchise/{{Predator}}'' uses a Plasma Caster that shoots Plasma bolts. It follows the laser sight built into his helmet and in the ''Franchise/AlienVsPredator'' games, the bolt actually homes in on the target. Very useful against those fast-moving aliens!
** Even though it's not a laser, but a plasma bolt, almost every mod for the games removes the homing capability because the PLASMA CASTER DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!

* E-102 Gamma in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', as well as Tails and Eggman from ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', are equipped with homing lasers that behave extremely similarly to ''Panzer Dragoon[='=]s''. However, they are platformers with mostly static targets, and not rail shooters where the targets would inevitably go out of range of their own volition. To counter this, the targeting laser eventually dies out, losing your lock on every target, requiring players to lock onto all targets within a short timeframe if they want to fire anything.

* Terra's weapon from ''VideoGame/MegaManV'', Spark Chaser. Not only it homes on your enemies, but a single laser can hit multiple times.

* ''VideoGame/{{Solatorobo}}'': The Titano-Machinas' lasers bend at right angles before going to the target.
* In ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'', the final [[AppliedPhlebotinum Blue Eco]] Mod for Jak's [[MorphWeapon Morph Gun]] is the Needle Lazer. You don't even need to aim the gun at your enemies because the laser bullets will find them for you.

* ''VideoGame/{{Axelay}}'' had several examples of bending/homing lasers.
* The ''VideoGame/AreaFlat'' series has homing lasers both used by the player and enemies.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Rez}}'', this is your only weapon. Its successor, ''VideoGame/ChildOfEden'', added a rapid fire beam, but kept the homing laser as your primary method of attack.
* ''VideoGame/{{Raiden}} II'' has the purple Plasma Laser. When fully charged, it will lock onto any available target and coil all over the screen.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Kolibri}}'', one available weapon is a laser that curves around to hit enemies.
* Lasers in ''VideoGame/SidMeiersStarships'' certainly act like regular lasers, requiring a direct line of sight and reducing in effectiveness if there's something in the way. However, the animation shows them weaving around and braiding themselves on the way to the target. The plasma cannons, on the other hand, are short-range, direct fire, and ''don't'' deviate once fired.
* Blaster bolts in ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' tend to change their trajectories and home in on their targets. This might not be noticeable to a force user who casually deflects bolts with their lightsaber, but use a MoreDakka class like the Trooper, and it will become evident. The total reverse of ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy.
* ''VideoGame/{{Dogyuun}}'' has the purple and red weapons. The purple laser curves into enemies, while the red laser homes in via 90-degree turns.
* In ''VideoGame/RapidReload'', the player weapon "H" is a homing laser that fires in serpentine bursts.
* The player's robots in the ''VideoGame/ExZeus'' series are armed with homing missiles that can pull off some crazy twists and turns as they home-in on their target, sometimes even spiral their way to them.
* ''VideoGame/PhantomBrave'': The skill "Ancient Mist" is a homing laser-style attack.
* ''VideoGame/EarthDefenseForce'': Wing Diver/Pale Wing(in Japan), have several weapons that are homing lasers that lock onto and pursue enemies.
* ''VideoGame/ArcAngle'': Your character's method of 'attack' uses a cone of light which converts enemy bullets into "Holy Bullets" that resemble orbs of light. Said Holy Bullets then [[AttackReflector home back in on sender]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Einhander}}'':
** [[SpiderTank Gecko]], the third MiniBoss attacks almost exclusively with laser attacks, one of which is a long yellow homing laser that will chase the player around.
** The FinalBoss of has two variants of this. Blue ones will constantly chase you for a period of time, red ones will slow to a crawl as they attempt to chase you before suddenly speeding up but losing most of their homing function. It becomes problematic when the boss decides to use both of them together.
* ''VideoGame/{{Mechcommander}}'' calculates whether a shot will hit when it is fired. The graphical effect will then play appropriately regardless of what is happening around it. This can result in lasers and autocannon shells chasing a fast-moving mech across the map, including around corners and far out of what should be their effective range.
* ''VideoGame/{{Genetos}}'': The StartingEquipment of the Sub-Weapon slot, literally called "Homing Laser". Its description:
--> Locks on enemies and shoots automatically-guided lasers. Required a short amount of time until fire.

* ''VideoGame/MegaManZXAdvent'': As the Model A Mega Man, Grey's aptly-titled Homing Shot fires up to eight purple homing lasers at locked-on targets, while his counterpart Ashe's version visually resembles ChainLightning. [[spoiler:As [[FinalBoss Mega Man Model W]], [[BigBad Albert]] uses similar homing lasers, complete with targeting reticles.]]

* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': Twist can do it. As she says: “[[http://whateleyacademy.net/index.php/original-timeline/799-out-on-a-tether I can shoot these blasts of energy, and make them twist around and change directions in mid-air. In fact, that’s my codename. Twist]].”

[[folder:WesternAnimation]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'', the [[{{WesternAnimation/Ben10}} previous]] BigBad, Vilgax returns with new powers, including EyeBeams that do this.

[[folder:Asian Animation]]
* ''Animation/BoBoiBoy'': Gaga Naz, one of the members of the antagonistic Tengkotak gang from the first movie, is equipped with blasters which shoot homing lasers, which he uses to deal what he believes to be the finishing blow on the heroes during the fight in the factory.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* Darkseid uses his Omega Beam in ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague''.

* In LightNovel/DateALive Mana Takamiya uses these when [[CurbStompBattle fighting]] the spirit known as [[CodeName Nightmare]]. She has limited [[RealityWarper reality warping]] tech that is used to do it.

* While not an actual laser some military directed energy weapon researchers have theorized that magnetically contained plasma could act in the spirit of this trope by manipulating the magnetic field.

This is NOT simply BeamSpam, where so many beams are fired that the target will get hit solely because of the sheer number of beams (though there's no reason you can't [[SpamAttack spam homing lasers]]). It also excludes guns that auto-tracks to keep an otherwise normal, straight-flying beam on the target and any remote reflection, refraction or beam-bending/splitting devices that can be made to aim at a target. Also does not count if the beams simply bend randomly in-flight; they ''must'' actively chase the target(s) in question.

* In ''Rapid Reload'' for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation, the player weapon "H" is a homing laser that fires in serpentine bursts.

This is NOT simply BeamSpam, where so many beams are fired that the target will get hit solely because of the sheer number of beams (though there's no reason you can't [[SpamAttack spam]] [[UptoEleven homing lasers]]). It also excludes guns that auto-tracks to keep an otherwise normal, straight-flying beam on the target and any remote reflection, refraction or beam-bending/splitting devices that can be made to aim at a target. Also does not count if the beams simply bend randomly in-flight; they ''must'' actively chase the target(s) in question.

* G.rev's hybrid of ShootEmUp-[[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]]-FightingGame series ''VideoGame/SenkoNoRonde'' features some mechs known as Rounders with homing laser weaponry (e.g. Changpo's Citronette or Lili's Brinstä), [[UpToEleven even more so]] with certain [[SuperMode B.O.S.S.]] Shells and in-game bosses.

If a sci-fi work contains these, it's more than likely to be on the [[MohsScaleOfSciFiHardness softer side]] of the sci-fi spectrum.

Often causes the one on the wrong end to have an OhCrap moment, especially if they think the shooter has missed, and may be {{Lampshaded}} with "HowIsThatEvenPossible", depending on the [[MohsScaleOfSciFiHardness hardness]] of the setting. Or at least, how hard [[GenreBlindness they think]] it is.

* ''Animation/BoBoiBoy'': Gaga Naz, one of the members of the antagonistic Tengkotak gang from the first movie, uses homing lasers to deal what he believes to be the finishing blow on the heroes during the fight in the factory.

->'''''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3HQOEMs4uE&t=3m45s "HOOOMIIIIINNGU RREEEIIZAAAAAA!!!!!"]]'''''

[[quoteright:346:[[ComicBook/SupermanDoomsdayHunterPrey https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_bqeys_9.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:346:Watch your back, Doomsday.]]

[[quoteright:346:[[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_bqeys_9.jpg]]]]

* Lasers in ''SidMeiersStarships'' certainly act like regular lasers, requiring a direct line of sight and reducing in effectiveness if there's something in the way. However, the animation shows them weaving around and braiding themselves on the way to the target. The plasma cannons, on the other hand, are short-range, direct fire, and ''don't'' deviate once fired.

* ComicBook/{{Darkseid}}'s [[EyeBeams Omega Beams]] can do this. {{Justified|Trope}} in that he is ''canonically'' a god.

* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'': {{ComicBook/Darkseid}}'s [[EyeBeams omega beams]] can do this. {{Justified|Trope}} in that he is ''canonically'' a god.

* Diffraction. With suitable initial conditions, a laser beam, defined as the zone of space where the intensity is above a certain level, can be shaped using diffraction gratings so that it takes an oscillating or spiraling path. More recently (2012), this was extended to potentially arbitrary trajectories. ( https://www.osapublishing.org/ol/abstract.cfm?uri=ol-37-23-5003 )