History Main / KnowsTheRopes

** Jolyne Cujoh in ''Manga/StoneOcean'' is able to use her Stand, Stone Free, to unravel her body into string. She uses this ability to create nets, bindings, communication devices, pickpocket other people, and to transport herself and others around an area. Fittingly, she also has a [[ArachnidAppearanceAndAttire spider motif]].

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'': Lassos do no damage, but, like other Entangling weapons, can [[StatusAilment snare]] their targets, rendering them unable to take any action other than try to free themselves. They're not common weapons, so characters need special training to wield them effectively.

* The heroine of ''Film/TheThunderingSword'' (played by kung-fu queen Creatpr/ChengPeiPei) has a lengthy fight scene, where she's not supposed to kill or hurt anyone, despite her enemies being armed with swords. So instead she grabs a long coil of rope, and expertly ties all of them together after a short fight.

* ''ComicBook/{{Firestorm}}'' villain Slipknot fights with ultra-durable ropes, which he uses to strangle, grapple with, or immobilize his opponents.

* ''Literature/ThePhantomTheOpera'': Erik travelled throughout the world after running away from home when young. During his travels, he visited India, where he learned to kill people using the Punjab lasso. The Punjab lasso that Erik wields is "curiously made from catgut"; the only way to escape it is to keep one's hand raised to eye level, thus preventing the loop from closing.

* In ''ComicBook/JudgeColt'', Colt's part-time bailiff and travelling hangman Jesse Stone knows his way around a rope. In #2, after emptying his gun during an ambush, he pulls out his hangman's rope and uses it like a lasso: dropping the noose around the neck of one his attackers and choking him into submission.
* In ''ComicBook/{{Critter}}'', Lasso Lass, a member of the superhero team The In Crowd, uses a high-tech lasso as her WeaponOfChoice.
* ''ComicBook/RulahJungleGoddess'': In "Satyrs of Satan!" (''Zoot Comics'' #13b), Rulah battles a Mongol princess named Zenpha who is an expert with the lariat.

* Jack Sparrow in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' applies this attitude to the ropes and pulleys that hold together the ship's rigging. His SignatureMove involves setting off a chain reaction in the rigging that eventually lets him grab a rope and pull himself out of an undesirable situation.

* ''Film/DayOfTheEvilGun'': When they are being pursued on horseback by the Apache, one brave lassos the Winchester out of Warfield's saddle boot, while another lassos his revolver out of his hand.

* ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'': Mariel fights with "Gullwhacker", a length of heavy rope with large, hard knots at the ends that make it an effective bludgeoning weapon. When she first washes up on the beach with IdentityAmnesia and the rope tied to her, she uses it as an ImprovisedWeapon out of necessity, but later designs several other versions and even [[TheyCallHimSword names herself after it]].
* In the ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'', an alternative name for the Patron God of Assassins, Cotillion, is "the Rope", which is his chosen weapon. The way its use is described in battle is reminiscent of a variably long whip, although him being the Patron of Assassins a garrotte is another possible use for it. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] considering Cotillion is a PhysicalGod and has [[CastingAShadow shadow magic]] at his disposal to aid with his rope's efficiency.

* The titular character of ''Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'' uses the opera house's stage rigging to terrorize the main cast.

* Sam Porter Bridges from ''VideoGame/DeathStranding'' uses ropes to parry attacks and bind enemies; useful, since every dead body summons a [[OurGhostsAreDifferent Beached Thing]] that can quite literally annihilate cities.

* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfPenAndPaper2'': Implied by the TasteOfPower character:
--> *sigh* I forgot to equip my Lasso of Anti-RageQuit. There goes my XP.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' contains a possible variant - the Metalbending Police use prehensile steel cables as their main weapon while on duty.

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[[quoteright:350:[[Manga/OnePiece https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/one_piece_paulie_rope_action.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:They did [[JustForPun knot]] see that coming.]]

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* Franchise/SpiderMan utilizes his webbing like this as much as he uses it to actually, web things like a traditional spider. It particularity noticeable in the video games, where's it's often uses to make [[EpicFlail Epic Flail]] out of rubble or unfortunate mooks, as well as slingshots to launch Spider-man at enemies at high speed.
* Slipknot of Franchise/TheDCU fights with ultra-durable ropes, which he uses to strangle, grapple with, or immobilize his opponents.
* Franchise/WonderWoman's magical Lasso of Truth is her most iconic weapon. Her sidekicks [[ComicBook/WonderGirl Donna Troy and Cassie Sandsmark also use lassos of their own.]]
* Franchise/{{Batman}} made frequent use of this fighting style prior to ''Film/Batman1989'' and subsequent adaptations making the GrapplingHookPistol his IconicItem. Particularly notable in 70's-90's era Batman, where a batrope attached to a batarang (combining this trope and BattleBoomerang) was used both to facilitate a BuildingSwing when required, as well as to entangle and ensnare Bat-foes as needed.

** Joseph Joestar prefers to fight with rope and string in ''Battle Tendency'' when he's not relying on ImprovisedWeapon ConfusionFu. He first uses a network of string to manipulate Straizo into blowing himself up with a dozen grenades. Next, he outsmarts Esidisi by using a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cut_and_restore_rope_trick cut and restore rope trick]] to allow him to land the finishing blow, and lastly turns around a battle with Kars with another rope trick and plenty of misdirection. Joseph continues this trend in ''Stardust Crusaders'' when he gains the vine-like Stand called Hermit Purple.
** Also in ''Stardust Crusaders'': Kakyoin's Stand, Hierophant Green, is able to unravel its body into long ropes. These ropes can function as normal bindings (like during the fight with Wheel of Fortune) or as spears (as Tower of Gray found out), but the fight with DIO reveals that Kakyoin can also use these ropes as tripwires that fire off powerful Emerald Splashes whenever they're touched.
** Jolyne Cujoh in ''Stone Ocean'' is able to use her Stand, Stone Free, to unravel her body into string. She's used this ability to create nets, bindings, and communication devices, to pickpocket other people, and to transport herself and others around an area. Fittingly, she also has a [[ArachnidAppearanceAndAttire spider motif]].

* Jack Sparrow in ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' applies this attitude to the ropes and pulleys that hold together the ship's rigging. His SignatureMove involves setting off a chain reaction in the rigging that eventually lets him grab a rope and pull himself out of an undesirable situation.

* ''WesternAnimation/LegendOfKorra'' contains a possible variant - the Metalbending Police use prehensile steel cables as their main weapon while on duty.

* Like her pony counterpart, Applejack of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'' is prompt to use a lasso when needed. She keeps it with her in {{Hammerspace}} at all times, even in a formal dress.

Characters like this tend to be along the lines of TheSmartGuy, TheSneakyGuy, TheChessmaster, and the CombatPragmatist thanks to the levels of complexity and deception that their rope tricks demand. [[BrainsAndBondage This can also have several implications.]]

* Vanessa Enoteca from ''Manga/BlackClover'' uses Thread Magic, letting her form magical string that's virtually invisible to entangle enemies, move them like puppets, and even seal wounds. She later develops the power of the red thread of fate, making destiny favor her companions to have them avoid attacks.

Characters like this tend to be along the lines of TheSmartGuy, TheSneakyGuy, TheChessmaster, and the CombatPragmatist thanks to the levels of complexity and deception that their rope tricks demand. [[BrainsAndBondage This can have several implications.]]

* Percy’s ship control powers in ''Fanfic/SonOfTheWesternSea'' extend to controlling ropes with his mind which allows him to bind his opponents in ropes, toss them huge distances and make those same ropes immune to damage. [[MundaneUtility Or he can just use them to lift things around the ship]].

[[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Has nothing to do with]] TheRoper (though they might carry one) or cigars.

* Sion in ''MeltyBlood'' wields, along with a pistol, the Etherlite. The thread is invisible to the naked eye but virtually indestructable, and she can use it as a MindProbe to read other people's minds. She can use it like a [[WhipItGood whip]] or trip up or pull the opponent in combat.

* ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'': The

** Jolyne Cujoh in ''Stone Ocean'' is able to use her Stand, Stone Free, to unravel her body into string. She's used this ability to create nets, bindings, and communication devices, to pickpocket other people, and to transport herself and others around an area. Fittingly, she also has a [[AnimalMotifs spider motif]].