History Main / PlotDevice

* The third act of [ARG/MITMysteryHunt MIT Mystery Hunt 2022] involved repairing the [https://puzzles.mit.edu/2022/round/plot-device/ "Plot Device"]. This fits the literary theming as the parts come from 10 different areas of Bookspace (each representing a different literary genre), and this also fits literally as the device is powered by a battery pack.

* Dr. Bill Ernoehazy, an ''WebOriginal/OrionsArm'' contributor'', wrote another story with a FasterThanLightTravel system called the [[http://www.kheper.net/topics/scifi/grading.html#note Plott-deVice drive]].

* ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade'': Vampires of 3rd Generation or older (that is, effectively, those vampire that predates Noah's Ark) have "Plot Device" as a power. The game clarifies that these vampires can do whatever the plot needs them to be able to, as long as it can be vaguely construed as fitting with their defined power-set.

->''"This movie has so many contrived plot devices that Wiki/TVTropes deserves to be in the credits as lead writer."''

* In ''Literature/TheSecretKingdom'', [[OncePerEpisode once per book]], the main characters have to collect one of these.

* In ''Literature/TheSecretKingdom'', [[OncePerEpisode once per book]], the girls have to collect one of these.

* In ''Literature/TheSecretKingdom'', OncePerBook, the girls have to collect one of these.

* In ''TabletopGame/TheDresdenFiles'' RPG, certain characters are noted as being "plot device level" characters. Most of them are considered {{Plot Device}}s because they're so ridiculously powerful that no PlayerParty would ever reasonably be able to take them on directly, making stats meaningless, and thus would have to outmanuever, work around, or run away from them; these include the [[TheFairFolk Faerie Queens]], [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Angels]], and [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Dragons]]. A handful, however, are noted as being a PlotDevice because they're so far down on the other side of the scale that they can only really provide one specific and specialized purpose, such as Elidee, a tiny pixie--even by pixie standards--who shows up briefly in one book to serve as a guide/flashlight for Dresden.

* One ''ComicBook/CaptainMarVell'' comic, starring Genis-Vell, featured a very clever Kree fellow named "Plaht," whose "device" cleared away several plot inconveniences.

* The ''Literature/LordsOfTheUnderworld'' series has PandorasBox, which is the only way the titular immortals can be [[FinalDeath killed]]. The Lords- not being interested in dying- search for it.

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Whenever someone uses the term derisively they often mean that something is being used as a [[TheGimmick gimmick]] (or worse, an AssPull) to HandWave resolutions to PlotHoles in a way that breaks the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.

Subtropes:

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-->'''Janice''': Oh man, what can we do?
-->'''Floyd''': Well if this were the movies...
-->'''Dr. Teeth''': [[BreakingTheFourthWall Which it is!]]
-->'''Floyd''': Then we'd think of some clever plot device.
-->'''Scooter''': [[EurekaMoment Like painting their car so Doc Hopper and his men can't recognize it!]]