History WesternAnimation / Slugterra

* SequelHook: After the Shane Gang saves Slugterra, Eli declares that they're going to save [[spoiler: his dad]].

** In "Mission Improbable", we get TheAlcatraz, which is actually named [[Series/HogansHeroes Stalag-mite 17]]. And Pronto's response to an impending avalanche is... [[LooneyTunes whipping out a comically tiny umbrella.]]

** "[[Film/DawnOfTheDead Dawn of the Slug]]". It's even set in a mall. At least till TheReveal that OurZombiesAreDifferent.

** In "Inheritance", we get [[TheLordOfTheRings a circular device that lets you see the Shadowclan coming when worn, but unfortunately it draws them like ants to sugar AND could drive you mad when worn for too long.]]

* BaitAndSwitch: "The Slug Run". The one mechabeast racer depicted as TheAce and having some Blakk tech seems the most likely to be working for Blakk; it's actually Pronto's UnknownRival, depicted as a SmallNameBigEgo.

* IllHaveTwoBeersToo: Pronto in a cavern famous for its chocolate root beer floats in "A Distant Shore":

* BaitAndSwitch: "The Slug Run". The one mechabeast racer depicted as TheAce and having some Blakk tech seems the most likely to be working for Blakk; it's actually Pronto's UnknownRival, depicted as TheTedBaxter.

** The King of Sling, the TedBaxter beaten by Trixie in episode 2, gets his own episode down the line.

** The TedBaxter Molenoid from "The Slug Run" returns for "Keys to the Kingdom".

* TedBaxter: Molenoid Sedo and the King of Sling [[spoiler:are opposite versions - King is reformed eventually, but Sedo is working for Blakk.]]

** Combined with CallBack in "Keys to the Kingdom" when Pronto drops the title of the episode the TedBaxter Molenoid first appeared in ("The Slug Run").

** In "Mission Improbable", we get TheAlcatraz, which is actually named [[HogansHeroes Stalag-mite 17]]. And Pronto's response to an impending avalanche is... [[LooneyTunes whipping out a comically tiny umbrella.]]

** "Thrill of the Game" has the Gamemaster, [[{{Film/Saw}} who traps our heroes and forces them to play his game.]] They even set up the SadisticChoice.

* Wedgie: Pronto gets these constantly.

* SequelHook: After the ShaneGang saves Slugterra, Eli declares that they're going to save [[spoiler: his dad]].

* HangingJudge: The judge who sentences Pronto to prison for spitting out gum in "Mario Bravado". The sets out to free Pronto and all of the other unjustly imprisoned prisoners.

* [[spoiler: LaserGuidedKarma: The corrupt judge in ''Mario Bravado'' was put away by his own draconian laws. It looked like his underlings really enjoyed taking him in when that occurred]].

** In "A Distant Shore", Eli comes across a [[TheBookOfEli book]] that's really part of his legacy, an important Shane artifact with the secret of the surface world. [[SubvertedTrope Sadly, Eli chose to torch it rather than carry it with him on his adventures.]]

* HangingJusdge: The judge who sentences Pronto to prison for spitting out gum in "Mario Bravado". The sets out to free Pronto and all of the other unjustly imprisoned prisoners.

** "The Slug Run" has a chicken-type mechabeast [[VideoGame/FinalFantasy which may look familiar for other reasons.]]

* AndTheAdventureContinues: [[spoiler:The third season ends with Blakk, his minions and the Dark Bane banished. Eli decides to stay in Slugterra and seals the drop just before the Shane gang faces against Blite riding a dinosaur. This is the series finale, at least until {{the movie}}.]]

* NeverMyFault: The Gamemaster in "Thrill of the Game", doesn't reveal all the rules of his game till it's too late, still accuses the Shane Gang of ''cheating''.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Will Shane managing to convince the Slugs to abandon Blakk may have stopped him from forcing people to sign over their lands for the Slugterran Express, but it is what ultimately led him down the path to Ghoul slugs.

* OurGhoulsAreCreepier: Ghoul slugs are pure evil (being corrupted by Dr. Blakk), and [[SuperPoweredEvilSide more powerful versions of their original species]]. They're vicious, and named after a comment made by Eli after seeing one for the first time.
* OurZombiesAreDifferent: There was a ghoul-hypno slug that turned everyone into brainwashed zombies that stole stuff for the caster in the episode ''Dawn of the Slugs''. The fun thing is, it was set in a mall ''and'' the slug's master is a straight-up Voodoo witch doctor named Mr Saturday, covering ''both'' zombie archetypes in one go.
* ParrotPetPosition: Burpy often spends more time on Eli's shoulder than in its canister.
** The pirate captain does this for his lizard.

** One slug's power is to ricochet off surfaces before reaching a target.

* PowerIncontinence: Dr. Blakk's Ghoul slugs had this at first. He fixed it.

* {{Pun}}: The word "slug" is used in three ways. The creatures look like upright cartoon slugs, they're used as ammunition (like shotgun slugs), and the phrase "Slug it out" is used as a series motto ("slug" meaning a hard blow/hit, as in "slugfest" or "slugger").

** ''The Return'': [[spoiler: The Enigmo slug allows those hit with it to see the slug's aura to see which are compatible for a Fusion Shot]].

* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: The slugs, of course! When below 100mph, that is.

** The Shadowclan are [[Franchise/XMen dark-skinned humanoids with tails and the ability to teleport.]]

* SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic: Although not completely explained, the Slugs' process of shapeshifting has been analyzed enough for [[AppliedPhlebotinum application as a power source]] for the Mecha Beasts and to be wholly replicated in Robo-Slugs. It's even been named, Molecular Transference.
* SuperMode: Not the slugs when they shoot out and change, but [[spoiler:launching them from a vehicle ''already going at 100mph makes them evolve further!'']]
* SuspiciouslySpecificDenial: ''The World Beneath Our Feet, Part 2''. Eli wins his first match of the tournament and goes to find Pronto watching another match. Pronto says [[BlatantLies he's certainly not looking for another job in case he lost]].

* TakenForGranite: "No Exit". Neurotox slug (Which is a ghouled up version of a neotox slug) uses it toxic gas to turn opponent to stone until our heroes figure out how to reverse that effect.

* TournamentArc: Not really an arc, but the two part series premiere follows Eli through a tournament as he gets a hang of slugslinging and gathers a variety of new slugs.
* TranslatorCollar: Eli found that the device that was in a chest could have the listener speak to the Shadow Clan. However, it causes great mental pain to do so. The head of the Clan even said that most can't handle it, though he hinted that Eli might someday.
** Eli seems to be getting better at handling it, he has used it several times since his first time and hasn't shown as much strain.
* TrickArrow: Having a variety of slugs in your arsenal helps with strategy; punching, net launcher, bolas, taser, smoke cloud...

* UnorthodoxReload: Diablos simply slams his blaster on his own bandolier to load a cartridge. So does Boss Ember, except his shells are all on his back.
* VampiricDraining: One episode has a Dark Bane monster that feeds off the energy of slugs and humans to stay in Slugterra.

* WaterIsAir: Averted with slug-slinging. Slug-slinging is still possible underwater, but unless you have a slug suited for water, you need a torpedo tube for them to gain enough speed to transform. Fire-typed like Burpy are ineffective in an underwater environment.
* WaxOnWaxOff: Played straight in "Mario Bravado" when Eli has to master the ultimate trick shot... by working a pizza place. Granted it's a pizza place that involves slugslinging for ultra-fast preparation time.
* Wedgie: Pronto gets these constantly! Sometimes by Kord!
* WhamEpisode: “Back to Blakk”. In it we learn Blakk’s origins, how Burpy came to be with Eli’s dad (he used to be one of Blakk’s slugs, but he knocked his cartridge out of place so Blakk couldn't fire at Will Shane, allowing will to get Blakk’s slugs to defect, saying that no slug would ever aid him again), and what led Blakk to create the Ghouls.
** In the end, Blakk is rescued by Nacho, who used the Gattler to create a portal to the Deep Caverns and release four Dark Bane with him!

** [[spoiler: What is the Game Master going to do?]]
** [[spoiler: What happened to Blakk's minions, like Twist, Lock, Lode, Cece and John Bull?]]

* AbortedArc: [[spoiler:Twist]] was clearly shown to have misgivings about the things he was expected to do as Blakk's new apprentice, implying a possible redemption somewhere down the road. But this was not to be, as he fell OutOfFocus during season three, and his final appearance depicted him springing a trap on the Shane Gang, with no remorse whatsoever.

* ActionPrologue: The series opens in the middle of a battle between Will Shane and Dr. Blakk. This happens again in Keys to the Kingdom

* AllTrollsAreDifferent: "You'll never find someone more loyal, honest, and brave than a cave troll." And they're known as the best engineers, crafting many of the passageways used in Slugterra. Though the website refers to "cave troll rage".
* AluminiumChristmasTrees: "Mario Bravado". Spitting and chewing gum really are against the law... in Singapore.

* ArtisticLicenseStatistics: Mario Bravado to Eli Shane. "Remember, 90% of trick shooting is half mental." Eli gives him a look.

* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: Pronto in the episode ''Mario Bravado'' explaining how his (nonexistent) crime organization will bust him out of jail.

* BrickJoke: In "Slugball", the commentators' comments on dedicated ring technicians leads to a GilliganCut to the actual technicians discussing how to get rid of mustard stains. Later on, Kord's near impossible goal is described by one commentator as "my favourite day after the time I got that mustard stain out of my pants!"
* BulletTime: All over the place. Bear in mind these 'bullets' take a little more animating than most.

** King of Sling, the TedBaxter beaten by Trixie in episode 2, gets his own episode down the line.

* CastingAShadow: The Shadowclan.
* ChekhovsGun: Played with in "The Hard Part". A water stain on the map turnsout to be a leaking pipe - which doesn't do anything, but Eli's slugs get the drop on Boss Ember by dislodging an identical pipe to create a landslide of junk.

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: Normal slug canisters are blue (good and neutral slugslingers), while Ghouls come in red ones (evil or aligned with Dr. Blakk).

* CripplingOverspecialization: Eli's first real duel is with a guy who only uses Tazerlings. He's a one trick pony, but it ''is'' a pretty nice trick. He loses because Tazerlings [[spoiler:tend to misfire if they get tired out from overuse, shocking himself.]]
* CurseCutShort: In ''The New Kid Part 2'', when he realised he was about to get defeated, Diablos said "Oh..." before he got hit.

* DangerousSixteenthBirthday: Subverted - it's actually 15th, and Eli's choice entirely. Just, yknow, it's part of Will's last instruction.

** Dr. Blakk’s forces seem to be averting this, becoming more dangerous as the story goes on, what, with the [[MoreDakka Gatler]] (essentially a Ghoul-firing ‘’machine gun’’, the Titan tanks, and four Dark Bane to his group.

** [[spoiler:Twist]] has apparently taken his place.

* ElementalRockPaperScissors: Averted. Though slugs have an element, since they don't do direct battle their elements don't seem to make much of a difference.

* FamilyFriendlyFirearms: Showing kids pointing guns at people's heads is apparently OK when the ammunition is just so darn ''cute''!

* FunSize: The slugs, and even their larger destructive forms are still rather small.
* GangstaStyle: Derided by Eli when he sees it in a movie; He points out that holding a blaster sideways interferes with the trajectory.

* GottaCatchEmAll: Not a goal per se, but in official slugslinging rules, the winner is allowed to take one slug from the loser. Also played straight, since catching slugs in the wild is also a thing.

** At one point, Eli manages to use only a few slugs with powers his opponent considered weak to last until his other slugs got there.
* [[spoiler: HiddenDepths: Who knew Pronto was the KING of the Molenoids. Even the rest of the Shane Gang were surprised]].
** [[spoiler: Lock and Load let another Blakk minion attack his prison first, so they could analyze the defenses]].

** "The Slug Run" is filled with these - there's a bull, an elephant, a mole, a chicken, even a giant snake. Vance Bolt may be the only one whose mechabeast actually resembles a horse.

* ImprobableAimingSkills: Eli performs a near impossible shot with an Armashell slug he just obtained, after being told it would take weeks or longer to build a bond strong enough to get a slug to do exactly what he wanted with that much precision. It just went to show how quickly he builds a friendship with his slugs.

* JustAKid: Everyone's reaction to Eli in the first episode. And disappointment when expecting a Shane.

* LaserHallway: in "Mission Improbable", of course.

* LethalJokeCharacter: Flatulorincus can be just as effective as other slugs if used properly.

* TheMasquerade: One on both sides; Slugterra is kept in the dark about the surface and vice-versa, the only known link between the two is the Shanes and the lift they use to travel between them.

--->'''Eli''': Okay, guys; Quick, slick and sly.

!!Tropes:

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** Played straight with the Dark Bane.

* BigBadTeamup: "Return of the Elementals" has the Dark Bane fighters [[spoiler:led by Goon]] teaming up with [[spoiler: a beefed up Dr. Blakk]].

* EvilIsOneBigHappyFamily: Played straight and averted. While Blakk’s men and the Dark Bane seem to work together OK, villainous factions have clashed with each other.
** Ghoul slugs get DarkIsEvil, RedEyesTakeWarning and SpikesOfVillainy.

** Eli seems to be getting better at handling it, he has used it several times since his first time and hasn’t shown as much strain.

** [[spoiler: What precisely happened to Will Shane?]]

* AbnormalAmmo: [[{{Mons}} Slug]]slinging.

A refreshingly new spin on the Mons concept, this show is brought to you by the creators of ''WesternAnimation/DragonBooster'', ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'', ''WesternAnimation/HotWheelsBattleForce5'', and ''WesternAnimation/LeagueOfSuperEvil''. [[http://www.Slugterra.com/ Link to the official site]].

-->-- Series motto
[[quoteright:225:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/slugterra_1_5340.png]]

Now has a character page which is currently under construction.

* YouKilledMyFather: [[spoiler:Twist]]’s motivation: He wants RevengeByProxy on Eli because his dad, a criminal, fell into a chasm fleeing from Eli’s dad.