History Main / InvulnerableAttack

* Unlike ''GodOfWar'' where the enemies practice MookChivalry when Kratos is in a grab animation, in ''[=~Dante's Inferno~=]'' the enemies will continue trying to attack. However, as long as Dante has already started the kill animation anything that is not a grab will just pass harmlessly through.

There are two kinds of Invulnerable Attack, the first happens in games that have a ChargedAttack mechanic, and while it's charging the player is invulnerable to enemy attacks (though he might still suffer knockback). The second is when the charged attack executes, so while the overly long CGI plays out the player can take a nuke to the face without flinching.

* The "Boss starts charging, use the guard command" is used in a few fights in ''{{Persona 4}}'', because 4 introduced the "guard" command.
** Averted in ''{{Persona 3}},'' the best way to avoid The Hermit's charge attack is to score a critical hit and knock him out of it.
* In ''TheWorldEndsWithYou'', Shiki is invulnerable during her finisher.

* The Autopilot item in early ''{{Wipeout}}'' installments would take over control of your ship when activated, turning it into an AI drone for a few seconds. In this state, it would ''ignore wall collisions''. You could literally head directly towards a crash barrier or plummet towards the ground, activate autopilot at the last moment and flawlessly pull out of the dive or clip right through the wall on your way back to the ideal line. [[TropesAreNotBad Horribly averted]] in recent titles where you will actually crash in this situation; not only that, but the [[ArtificialStupidity autopilot]] does not know how to [[PinballProjectile activate the airbrakes]] around [[CompletelyMissingThePoint difficult corners]], which makes you wish the semi-godmode was reinstated.

* ''[=~Pokémon~=]'' has a variety of moves ("Dig", "Fly", "Dive", and "Bounce") that provide one turn of invulnerability to most attacks before striking the opponent on the next turn. This is moderately useful in single player, but less so in competitive multiplayer where a GenreSavvy opponent knows how to quickly counter or defend against the incoming strike.

* Most ShootEmUp games will make the player invincible while they use a SmartBomb. Taking advantage of this is generally an acceptable technique in some games. Especially the ''TouhouProject'' games, wherein it is a more basic survival method rather than a means of dealing damage.

[[foldercontrol]]

[[/folder]]

There are two kinds of Invulnerable Attack, the first happens in games that have a ChargedAttack mechanic, and while it's charging the player is invulnerable to enemy attacks (though he might still suffer knockback). The second is when the charged attack executes, so while the overly long CGI plays out the player can take a nuke to the face without flinching.

[[AC: RPG]]

[[AC: Action Games]]

[[AC: {{Platformer}}]]

[[AC:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

[[AC: ComicBooks]]

[[AC: Action Games]]

[[AC:Fighting]]

** Marth is invincible during the first 5 frames of his Dolphin Slash special attack. The first hitbox comes out on frame 5, so the attack is uninterruptible.

[[AC: {{Platformer}}]]
* ''{{Castlevania}}'' has this a lot. Typically when an Item Crash is used like Hydro Storm. In ''Lament Of Innocence'', unlockable character Joaquim would be invulnerable when using a powered move that created a [[WaveMotionGun massive beam]], this was invaluable because he had a very limited move set and could not dodge or block a lot of enemy attacks.

[[AC: RPG]]

[[AC: RacingGame]]

[[AC: ShootEmUp]]

[[AC: SurvivalHorror]]

----

[[AC: RacingGames]]
* Causing an opponent to crash in ''[[{{Burnout}} Paradise]]'' or ''NeedForSpeed Hot Pursuit'' causes the camera to pan to the disintegrating vehicle. During this time, your own car will drive itself and will be invulnerable to damage. It will even clip right through ''police roadblocks''.

A savvy player can use this to "block" otherwise unblockable and unavoidable area attacks. Even if the boss is ''also'' immune to the charged attack during his own "unavoidable attack", the player can save a boatload of health. Similarly, part of beating most bosses involved players learning to dodge or avoid the parts of their attack pattern where they're invulnerable.

Contrast MercyInvincibility. May result during a MeditationPowerup.

Contrast MercyInvincibility. May result during an OmazingPowerup.

* This is Anji's gimmick as well. Several of his attacks will automatically block incoming strikes, though only to the extent that a regular guard would.

* ''[=~Pokémon~=]'' [[AccidentalInnuendo has it both ways.]][[hottip:*:And no, we don't mean [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo Ruby and Sapphire]]. Geez, get your mind out of the gutter!]]
** Moves like Dig, Fly, Dive, and Bounce make you invulnerable for a turn (except for like one counterattack each)
*** Those counterattacks are Earthquake, Magnitude, and Fissure for Dig; Gust, Twister, Thunder, and Sky Uppercut for Fly and Bounce (both Flying-type moves); and Surf and Whirlpool for Dive. However, generally those attacks are never used, due to being heavy set-up bait as while you're invulnerable, you also can do nothing at the same time. (So if you use Dig, your opponent can switch to a flying type during your charge up turn, rendering your attack useless.)
** Other moves like Focus Punch that hurt for a ton will fail if the executing Pokémon is hit while preparing.
* Jumping in many FinalFantasy games makes the user invulnerable for a while, then letting them deliver DeathFromAbove (and deals more damage with a Spear).

* The "Boss starts charging, us the guard command" is used in a few fights in ''{{Persona 4}}'', because 4 introduced the "guard" command.

* In ''DragonBall Z'', sometimes things work on that same principle, but sometimes not. Many characters, usually the good guy, will not assault the enemy as he charges his attacks, typically because they're frozen in horror or disbelief. Other times, the character who's charging is totally vulnerable and needs the others to protect him (Goku needs this about every time he uses the Genki Dama).

Contrast MercyInvincibility.