Sandbox / Schmuck Bait Check

Though Schmuck Bait is defined as a blatantly-obvious trap, I've seen a fair bit of misuse for ordinary tricks and traps that most people wouldn't see coming. This wick check is to determine the extent of this misuse and if it's bad enough to merit further action.

80 out of 6444 wicks will be checked, counting its two redirects Shmuck Bait and Obvious Trap.

Wicks checked: 80/80.

Correct use (25/80, 31.25%)

1. Awesome.Freakazoid: * Waylon Jeepers approaches Freakazoid and asks him if he'd like to see something "straaange and mysticaaaal?" Freakazoid, without hesitating for a nanosecond:
   Freakazoid: NOOOOOOOO!!! GET OUTTA HERE WITH THAT WATCH! LAY OFF THE POOR BEAVERS, WILL YA?!? SHEEEESH! YOU'RE A CREEP! GO AWAY! WE WERE ALL HAVING A GOOD TIME UNTIL YOU SHOWED UP, JEEPERS! UUUUUUUUGH! GO HAVE SOME COFFEE, WITH CREAM, OR SOMETHING! BECAUSE I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING: THIS IS A HAPPY PLACE!!

   Potholed in another example. It's clear that saying "yes" would be a bad idea.

2. Characters.Borderlands 2 Vault Hunters: * Schmuck Bait: Uses his turret as this while capturing a bounty before the game starts, stating that it’s a storage deck unit that contains money. His capturers comply by opening it, which gets them killed. Also invoked in-game when using his Action Skill:
   "Hey, stand in front of this!"

   Getting close to the turret is obviously a very bad idea.

3. Characters.The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild Monsters And Mooks: * Schmuck Bait: A Talus' weak spot is an ore deposit that will periodically drop valuable minerals. Trying to pick them up can leave Link wide open for the Talus to attack. Thankfully, they don't despawn and you can safely pick them up after it falls. Going for the goodies in the middle of a fight is a tempting, but clearly bad idea.
4. Cracked.Tropes I To Z: * Schmuck Bait: Occasionally inserted in the form of warnings not to follow a link. From "5 Candies You Hated Getting Every Halloween":
   Don't make our mistake and look up "Fun Dip" on Urban Dictionary.
   
   Trust us. Don't.

   Gives a warning, and clearly suggests bad consequences for ignoring it.

5. EvilTwin.Literature: * Discussed in the humorous NATURE SF story "How to configure your quantum disambiguator". Of course, a goatee reference is present either. ^note  In NO case, push the red button! Potholed in another example referencing an in-universe obvious bad thing to do.
6. Headscratchers.The Black Phone: ** All part of his little 'naughty boys' game, most likely. He leaves them potential weapons, the Schmuck Bait of the door being unlocked at night, and gives them a warning of his entry and starts off approaching them unarmed, likely in hopes that they will start fighting him. And then he can use that as his excuse for beating and killing the 'naughty boy', venting any rage The Grabber has onto the victim. It also plays into the 'breaking them mentally' part of his little MO. Giving them chances to think they've got a chance, only to overpower them in the end and making them feel hopelessness again. Linked in another example. Seems to be the "too good to be true" kind of bait.
7. Headscratchers.Yandere Simulator: * Why does the player have the option of threatening Genka if doing so gives them an instant game over?
   • Rule of Funny. Also, there might be a situation where it works, or is planned for later.
   • Schmuck Bait. I mean what did you think would happen? It also serves as a bit of characterisation for her, she's not a coward and she can be pushed too far. Linked in a Headscratcher. Seems applicable - it's basically a stupid choice that players can select if they want to see what happens.
8. Literature.Book Of Proverbs: * Obvious Trap: Proverbs 1:17 says "surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird" in regard to those seeking to rob people through violence. A warning to avoid things you know won't end well, so applicable.
9. Recap.One Piece Skypiea Arc: * Shmuck Bait: When the crew get to Skypiea, they run into a toll gate and are asked to pay 1,000,000,000 Extols to enter (Extols being the Skypiean's equivalent of Beris). When the crew reveal that don't have that much, she lets them in anyway but fails to tell them they would be branded as criminals for doing so. Seems to be the "too good to be true" type of bait.
10. Quotes.Trap Is The Only Option: -> "This couldn't be a more obvious trap if there was a sign that said 'Free Cookies'!"
    — Kevin, Ben 10: Alien Force

    Potholed in a quote that references blatantly-obvious traps.

11. VideoGame.Antichamber: * Schmuck Bait: In one room the ceiling says "Don't look down". If you look up at that, then down, the floor disappears. You are very clearly warned.
12. VideoGame.HROT: * Shmuck Bait: At one point in "E2M1: Točník Castle", the player finds a painting of a ghostly woman saying "Trust others, but be wary of whom you trust." If they turn their back on the painting, the White Lady emerges from it & starts throwing fireballs at them. Gives warning that the painting is dangerous.
13. VideoGame.Space Quest: Three separate wicks:
    • ** Space Quest I: Your escape pod has a button which is explicitly marked "DO NOT PRESS". If you do press it, you end up crashing into King's Quest I: Quest For The Crown (or Conquests of the Longbow in the remake), suffering fatal injuries in the process. Potholed in another example. Pressing the button despite the clear label is a bad idea.
    • * Schmuck Bait: "THIS BUTTON IS NOT TO BE PRESSED AT ANY TIME" in the first game's escape pod. Go ahead, press it… Gives a clear warning not to press it and indication that bad things happen if you do, though it could clarify what the bad things are.
    • * What Does This Button Do?: The emergency button in the escape pod labeled DO NOT PUSH. Potholed in another example. Again, clear warning that could be elaborated on more.
14. Creepypasta: * Schmuck Bait: These three examples do the same thing, they warn people about visiting a site. Clearly, doing so is a bad idea.
    • Don't visit the website in "clickreload", or else whatever is shown on the website will show up and kill you in one hour, unless you click Reload, which resets the timer and changes what is shown on the website. The only way to get out of having to click Reload every hour for the rest of your life is to get another schmuck to take the bait and go to the website, forcing them to click Reload forever instead of you. The website is here, by the way.
    • Merely reading They Are Watching Me. And Now They Are Watching You is enough to make Them come for you.
    • Also, do not watch Mereana Mordegard Glesgorv. Even though you can find the full video very easily, despite the story's claims. In fact, here it is.
15. Fanfic.Welcome To Sand Hands: * Schmuck Bait: On one route, you're given the choice to stick your head in a guillotine. It ends as well as you would expect. Valid
16. WorldOfWarcraft.Tropes A To B: * Big Red Button: Pothole. The example is valid
    • Mimiron from Ulduar is found in a workshop with a Big Red Button on the back, labeled "DO NOT PRESS". If you press it, it starts the encounter in Heroic mode. And Mimiron will berate you for pushing it.
17. Characters.Baldurs Gate Other Villains: * Shmuck Bait: Anyone who falls for Kangaxx asking him to reassemble his body kind of deserves to be imprisoned forever, but it's the only way to earn the single best ring in the series.
    Charname: Obviously I should beware offers from strange skulls in the future…

    Valid; clearly not a wise thing to do.

18. Anime.Lupin III The First: * Schmuck Bait: Multiple valid sub-bullets:
    • C'mon, Zenigata. Did you really think Lupin was really going to call you from the middle of nowhere because he finally decided to turn himself in? Seems like "too good to be true" bait.
    • Yes, Gerard, Hitler really has been conveniently proven alive right after you gain sole access to the Eclipse device, and he absolutely wants to meet you in an isolated location. This is definitely not a trick. "Too good to be true" bait again.
19. Recap.The Simpsons S 10 E 20 The Old Man And The C Student: * Schmuck Bait: Moe falls for Homer's spring-filled can of nuts immediately after seeing Lenny fall victim to the same thing. Valid; immediately obvious that it's a trick.
20. Funny.My Little Pony Equestria Girls Digital Series: * Fluttershy's ending is pure Schmuck Bait, as Fluttershy warns Pinkie (and by extension, you) before the choice pops up that her animals aren't allowed in the frozen yogurt shop. Sure enough, picking her almost immediately causes the animals to run amuck, forcing the store to close down. Particular highlights of this ending include Fluttershy's Oh, Crap! face as Pinkie opens the door to let her in, and Pinkie sitting on the curb in the aftermath lamenting that she'll have to go toppingless. Linked in another example. Valid.
21. Funny.Honest Trailers 2023 Episodes: ** Starring: 3-6-9 Bard Chris Pine (Edgin Darvis); Death... by Snu Snu (Holga Kilgore); If He's Lawful Good, Why Did He Steal the Movie? (Xenk Yendar); The Justice Society (Simon Aumar); Animorph (Doric); Oh the Hugh Grant'a'Thief (Forge Fitzwilliam); Wizards of Shaverly Place (Sofina); Every Franchise Needs a Thanos (Szass Tam); Gone Girl (Kira Darvis); Mini Cooper (Marlamin); AI Art... (shows Edgin with a stretched-out face); and Bad Dragon! Google It While You're at Work! (Themberchaud) Potholed in another example. Sarcastic in-universe recommendation indicating that you should not in fact do that.
22. VideoGame.Aquaria: * Kaizo Trap: During the playable epilogue that appears if you get all the memories, you can take damage from swimming into the thorns, and if you die you will be taken to the last save, which at the very least is before the final boss. However, it is extremely difficult for the player to die at this point unless they are trying to do so. Potholed in another example. Seems valid enough since you have to go out of your way to fall victim to it.
23. Quotes.Its A Wonderful Failure: ->In the years that follow, many stories are told of the hideous fate inflicted on the Judas Captain. None are fully true, for no living tongue has the words to so precisely convey such depths of suffering.
    
    It is also more accurately said that somewhere in the Second Empire of Hands stands an ivory shrine, established in gratitude. It soon ceases to be visited, and is quickly lost to the weeds."
    
    "You fade away into history.
    Game Note: You were warned not to return to London
    —Sunless Sea, making good on its threats

    Potholed in a quote. You were, in fact, warned that it was a bad choice.

24. Stupidity Is the Only Option: * In the Distant Village area of Hollow Knight, everywhere seems to webbed up by spiders. There are piles of corpses webbed up with spiders, and the Dream Nail reveals their last thoughts were of a surprise betrayal. Then you come upon a bench, surrounded by very odd-looking characters just keep repeating the same few words, telling you they're your friends and urging you to rest. Falling for the Schmuck Bait is the only way to get to a monster's lair. Linked in another example. It's a trap you have to fall for, but an obvious one nonetheless.
25. Characters.Codex Equus Federal Republic Of Ponyland: * Get Out!: Ponyland in this universe did this to a significant portion of the Deep South after the 'Wall Street Coup', the 'Second Ponyland Civil War' and the 'Second Great War', having simply had enough of them after the states and Pony population — which had already attempted to secede and destroy the republic once before back in 1860-1864 with the Southron Confederacy and the 'First Ponyland Civil War' over slavery — threw their allegiances to Coup Plotters, and then to the freaking Reichists when Reichist Germaney launched a surprise incursion into Ponyland from the Gulf of Mexicolt in 1942, and even afterwards continued a campaign of insurgency and terrorism which made reintegration of the states and territories back into union nearly impossible. Ponyland responded by abandoning most of the offending states (except for important infrastructure and strategic locations), quarantine the region behind fences, barbwires, minefields and bunker, and simply let them descend into barbarism, anarchy and savagery within the 'Deep South Exclusion Zone' — give or take a few aerial carpet bombings, special forces raids and forced population deportations whenever vindictive insurgents from that place cause trouble — and using the Exclusion Zone as a massive kill-zone for indiscriminate use of WMDs ordinances whenever alien invaders or foreign powers arrived and land in the suspiciously-convenient undefended area to establish a bridgehead. It was not until during one of the presidencies of Lady Liberty a dozen generations after the fact they were reintegrated back into the union, but by then the whole region had became one giant desolated and depopulated ruin, all traces of their once proud (and prejudiced) culture and society gone with the wind. Potholed in another example, referring to a "too good to be true" type of bait.

Misuse (19/80, 23.75%)

1. Characters.Hatchetfield The Black And White: * Schmuck Bait: From the moment she appeared it was obvious to the audience that "Lex" was not to be trusted, although you can't blame someone in Hannah's position for wanting to believe. Less a specific trap and more a generally treacherous character. I think another trope like Obvious Judas would be more appropriate.
2. Characters.Wagnaria: * Schmuck Bait: Is quite easily duped, such as failing to recognize Aoi in episode 6 of season 3 after she puts on the wig Souta wears as Kotori a moment after seeing her. He then wonders if Souma is his big brother too after Aoi makes that claim. No specific traps mentioned. More an example of Super Gullible.
3. Film.Identity Thief: * Schmuck Bait / Bavarian Fire Drill: Diana poses as an identity protection agent and asks for all of Sandy's basic information to steal his identity. Which is actually a common method of identity theft. Slash-separated from another trope, and seems more the second trope than the first.
4. NightmareFuel.Tomb Raider 2013: * Some preview and review articles have mentioned that some of this game's particular death animations are EXTREMELY gruesome. The Kotaku review, in particular, has a very, VERY disturbing impalement animation planted in their review. Potholed in another example. Seems shoehorned in.
5. Series.Supermarket Sweep: * Schmuck Bait: The pound-of-coffee/dollar's-worth-of-candy bonuses, originally worth $100 each, were definitely worth stopping for until rising grocery prices reduced them into this trope. Somewhat remedied for the last two seasons (2001-03), where they each doubled to $200, albeit with only one of the two available in each sweep.
   ** Exaggerated in the 2020 revival, in which the equivalent bonus areas (thus far, a flower stand and a coffee counter) are manned by "employees" who dawdle and waste the contestants' time. Fortunately, there is a variant of the coffee bonus where the contestants control their own destiny by looking for a coffee cup with their name on it. Seems less like an obvious trap and more just a bonus that's not worth it.
6. VideoGame.Arcaea: * Bait-and-Switch: Nono Shibusawa's skill states that you get 2,525 fragments when you get an EX rank or higher. This seems hilariously broken...until you unlock her and see that her Frag stat is 0.5, or a x0.01 multiplier. Meaning you actually only get 25 Fragments. That said, she isn't entirely Schmuck Bait, as she's on the same map as Regulus (MDA-21), who is further up the map and is a legitimate Infinity +1 Sword. If you're thinking of leveling Nono up to raise her Frag stat, don't bother, because it will never increase. Linked in another example. Seems more like an optional Joke Character than a blatant trap.
7. VideoGame.The Legend Of Heroes Trails Into Reverie: * Schmuck Bait: During Rean's duel against Zoa-Gilstein, players are automatically partnered up with Altina, whose first art gives the mech one Perfect Craft Reflect. Using this art causes Zoa-Gilstein to use its bow that deals multi-hit damage and the craft reflect will only reflect one hit while the rest passes through. Doesn't quite seem "too good to be true" while also not being clearly warned against.
8. WhatAnIdiot.Live Action TVV To Z: * Wolf Hall Pothole and misuse. It less like a trap and more like a case of master manipulation; Reverse Psychology is even potholed as well on the same example.
   • George Boleyn stands trial, accused of treason and incest with Anne. Cromwell hands him a bit of paper and says not to read it aloud, only to answer if he recognizes the words on it.
     You'd Expect: Being on trial for his life, for him to read what the words are and answer no.
     Instead: He reads it and then speaks the words out loud: insults against Henry's manhood. Then he realizes the court is not laughing with him and hastily says that they aren't his words and he doesn't own them. Cromwell's reply? "You do now."^note As with Mark, this would not have actually helped—Cromwell had more up his sleeve. But George certainly made it easy for him.
9. VisualNovel.The Price Of Flesh: * Schmuck Bait: If you drink the water in the fissure, a member of Derek's gang will go after you. No mention of obvious warning signs; from context, it seems like just a trap.
10. Funny.The 100 Girlfriends Who Really Really Really Really Really Love You 02: * Hahari orders the most expensive antique she could find to impress Yaku. And it just happens to be a massive jar that can house multiple people. Complete with a ladder and a cushion inside of it. Potholed into another example. Not sure how this is supposed to be a trap at all, let alone an obvious one.
11. Characters.The Sinking City: Two separate wicks, both misuse:
    • * Schmuck Bait: Anna sends you down to meet with the EOD's leader after you do her a favor. She, instead, has her followers try to murder you. Seems to be just a regular trap.
    • * Schmuck Bait: Believes the Redemption Church will give him immortality. They intend to Kill and Replace instead. No indication that he has any reason to believe they wouldn't.
12. Characters.Dota 2 Universal A To M: ** Using Relocate to its fullest potential is also very difficult, as you'll always need to keep an eye out for potential ganks, Tether someone and teleport near or onto where you want to gank after a channeling time. However you also have to be wary if other enemies are missing, as they could be baiting you out. However, it is one of the only two skills in the game which can give global presence to any ally (the other being Underlord's Fiend's Gate, whose cooldown is significantly longer). Using Relocate to bring you and your lane partner behind unsuspecting enemies in either your own or another lane globally is a huge deal. This can be used to get your carry fed very quickly if your team is competent and you communicate your intentions. In addition to this, Relocate can be used in a big fight to bring someone to the fight who didn't get there in time, pull someone out who's about to die, or take someone back to heal quickly during the fight. Relocate requires you to be very cognisant of how your team is doing in a fight and what's needed most. 'Potholed into another example. Seems more like a regular trick.
13. VideoGame.Ragnarok Battle Offline: * Schmuck Bait: Go ahead, pick the Stage EX-1 with your fresh new character and see what happens. Just because it has a 1 in its stage count and a difficulty rating of 2, that doesn't mean it's equal in difficulty to the Sograt Desert. Just a regular trick, not a blatantly obvious one. You'd expect a game to be honest about its difficulty ratings.
14. Manga.Heat: * Schmuck Bait: Ishikura tells Hong that Karasawa had tried to convince him to betray Hong, but when the two arrive at Karasawa's cell to punish him, Ishikura just locks Hong inside and waits as he's beaten to a pulp. No indication that there was anything obvious about the trick.'
15. VideoGame.World Of Assassination Trilogy: * Schmuck Bait: Almost everyone will check out any noises they hear, and pick up any placed coins/weapons 47 has interacted with. You can place a coin on a ledge, throw something to get someone to investigate, and push them off once they notice and try to pick up the coin, for example. They're not idiots though, so trying this while they are watching won't work. Seems less Schmuck Bait and more just plain bait.
16. VisualNovel.One Night Stand: * Schmuck Bait: Given that you are prompted to look through Robin's stuff while she is out of her room, there's quite a few: Four subbullets, all various levels of misuse or poor context:
    • One of the first pockets contains a loyalty card with information about her including what is apparently her name. Turns out all the information is fake and if you never bothered to check any other info in her wallet, you will call her by this fake name which immediately clues her in that you were looking in her wallet. Not immediately obvious it's fake, and you won't make the mistake if you know better.
    • On the flipside, if you tell Robin that you don't remember anything from the night, and then look through her wallet or laptop to figure out her name, you will then drop her name in the next conversation. The same result as before will trigger. No indication that you can know this will happen beforehand.
    • Asking too many personal questions after investigating items in Robin's room such as her teddy bear, jewelry, wine bottle, and medication on her nightstand is liable to set her off and cause her to kick you out. Some possible warning, but not entirely clear from context.
    • Trying to sneak out of the house turns into a Luck-Based Mission to unlock the door. This can lead to Robin catching you in the act, leading to a really awkward conversation. No indication that it's going to go wrong beforehand.
17. Headscratchers.The Nightmare Before Christmas: ** Maybe Jack is a child of Death and a Toon? At the fansite someone suggested that Jack has strap-on balls. I've already bought the Brain Bleach. Potholed in a Headscratcher. Seems shoehorned in.
18. Funny.Zero Punctuation 6: * Yahtzee then has fun with the ridiculous physics in the game:
    Yahtzee: What’s different on the gameplay front is that now we have to worry about freezing to death on top of air, food, water and paying the electricity bill — although it's only a factor when we're on land. For some reason, all the seawater on this ice planet is pleasant jacuzzi temperature! Another wonderful survival tip from the world of survival games: if you’re in below zero temperatures, immediately make yourself as wet as possible. That’ll certainly help.

    Potholed in a quote. I think Sarcasm Mode is more applicable here.

19. Recap.Cowboy Bebop 2021 S 1 E 2 Venus Pop: * Schmuck Bait: When Spike and Jet discover the man supplying explosive to construction sites is called Theodore (aka Teddy), they wonder if it really is that easy. Nope. No indication of any obvious traps; just underestimating someone because of their name.

Potholes referring to the example itself (14/80, 17.5%)

1. Characters.CXRP And R Pers: * Berserk Button: Go ahead, flirt with Eva. Actually, anything that make Eva even slightly uncomfortable is enough to get Death Glares. Potholed in another example. Part of the example itself rather than in-universe.
2. Characters.TS 2 Strangetown: * Tangled Family Tree: See the Curious' entry below. Try to make sense of it. More about the phrasing of the example than the example itself.
3. IntercourseWithYou.Rock: ** "Cuckoo For Caca" is about coprophilia, or scat. Look it up if you REALLY want. Potholed in another example. References the example's phrasing rather than the song itself.
4. Last Note Nightmare: * "Black Angels" by George Crumb, while surreal overall, is something of an inversion. The first section, Night of the Electric Insects, features multiple screeching violins playing loudly then softly then loudly again. It's so terrifying that it will keep you up at night. Not to be listened to while reading the Nothing Is Scarier section. Potholed in another example. The Schmuck Bait is in the example itself rather than the work.
5. VideoGame.Copy Kitty: Two separate wicks:
   • ** Darkshine Leethee. Just keep shooting it while it deploys its barrier... Potholed into another example. More a comment on the way the example is written than part of the example.
   • ** Oh, and try reading its database entry. Just try it. Potholed into another example. Again, more commenting on the way the example is written than part of the example itself.
6. VideoGame.Roadkill: * Optional Traffic Laws: Pfff. Like the Sentinels care anyway. Just don't crash into their cars. They don't like that. Potholed into another example. Referencing the way it's written rather than anything in-universe.
7. VideoGame.STALKER: * Impairment Shot: If you drink vodka, your screen will slowly sway side to side and become blurry for several seconds. Now if you drink as much as 15 or even more, you're going to experience a trip far worse than the 'Shrooms effect from Rise of the Triad; in other words, your camera will sway violently and the screen will frequently flash white every few seconds, and it's going to take a LONG while for the effects to dissipate. You'd better not do this while in the middle of combat, an impending emission, or an important mission, as you'll get SPECTACULARLY screwed. Potholed in another example. The bait is part of the example text rather than something in the game.
8. YMMV.Scarlet Heart: * Fandom Heresy: Go up to a Scarlet Heart fan and say you think Moon Lovers is better than the original series. Go on. Try it. Even fans of the remake almost universally agree the original is better. Potholed in another example. Referencing the way the example is phrased rather than the example itself.
9. WebVideo.Escape The Night: * Call-Back: A lot - try having a Drinking Game with that in mind. Pothole. Appears to be part of joke
10. Funny.Zero Punctuation 4: * Using "Unit 731" as an example of Japanese Quirkiness. Pothole. Part of a joke.
    Yahtzee: Gosh, the Japanese are quirky, aren't they? Just look up Unit 731. Even Japan's atrocities are quirky. Hey, that's not where a human arm goes!
11. YMMV.Other Halves And Other Tales: * Funny Moments: Pothole. part of a joke.
    • Also, what happens when Cloud mentions to Sora that if you lick a metal pole, your tongue sticks to it? And the numerous other ways of entertaining themselves - balancing Keyblades on your nose, for example.
12. TruthInTelevision.A To C: * Brain Freeze: Eating cold food too quickly will give you one. You can even try it right now if you’re eating ice cream. Potholed in another example referencing how it's written.
13. BritishEnglish.English Slang G To L: ** Just visit Newcastle-upon-Tyne on a weekend. Go on, I dare you. Potholed in another example referencing how it's written.
14. VideoGame.Bit Life: * Everyone Hates Fruit Cakes: Go ahead, give somebody a fruitcake as a gift. They’ll surely love you for it! Potholed in another example, referencing the way it's written rather than anything in-universe.

ZCE (5/80, 6.25%)

1. Fanfic.Vineyard Shrine: * Shmuck Bait: The Temple of Dionysus under construction. Vandalizing it is a bad idea, right Empire Eighty Eight? Partial context example. Says that vandalizing the temple is a bad idea, but doesn't say what clear in-universe indications of it there are.
2. VideoGame.Fantasy Quest: * Schmuck Bait: Some of the suicidal options. Doesn't say anything about what said "suicidal options" are or do.
3. Recap.Infinity Train Seeker Of Crocus The Elephant Teapot Car: * Schmuck Bait: Larkspur states it's ill-advised to read into a kore's mind. Chloe nearly tries to test it out but everyone else tells her to leave before we learn what would happen if Chloe used the cloak's ability. ZCE. There is no way to determine if this was a bait because the example doesn't explain why she shouldn't read into Kore's mind or what might happen if she does.
4. Film.The Neverending Story: * Forbidden Fruit: Mr. Coriander's describing of the book to Bastian is either this trope or Schmuck Bait, given his smile when Bastian takes it. Pothole and ZCE. Lacks any context to be sure if it's a valid example.'
5. WesternAnimation.Raggedy Ann And Andy A Musical Adventure: %%* Schmuck Bait: The "WELCOME" sign on the entrance to Sir Leonard Looney's funhouse. Commented-out ZCE.

Other (17/80, 21.25%)

1. Cursed Item: After a hard encounter spent hack-and-slashing some goblins, you rummage through their loot and find a suspiciously ornate-looking treasure chest. And what should be inside but a Slashmaster +15 sword? That's a whole +1 better than your precious Slashmaster +14! Eager to try out your new find, you toss aside your old sword and hoist the new one over your head. Suddenly, like the divine voice of the gods, a lightning bolt crackles down out of the clear sky and strikes you. No, it doesn't give you new powers — it just really, really hurts. And it doesn't stop. It seems every time you lift this magnificent new sword above chest height, you invite a painful shock, anytime, anywhere — even in the depths of a dungeon surrounded by rock a mile beneath the surface. Also, you can't drop it. Ever. Especially not to pick up another sword that won't shock you any time you try to raise it. Potholed in the trope description.
2. Film.Escape Room 2019: Two separate wicks:
   • * Cooked to Death: The first room, made to appear like a waiting room, is in fact an oven-like death trap. If the players turn a temperature dial on the door to 451 (which isn't even necessary to beat the room), giant fans start blowing hot air and the ceiling and walls will slowly turn into massive oven coils and the chandelier into a top-down gas stove. Potholed in another example. Turning the dial up is an obviously bad idea.
   • * Schmuck Bait: In a room containing magazines all portraying deadly fires and books about burning, the players are subtly invited to turn the oven dial beneath the broken door handle to turn the room into a literal oven. Careful examination shows that it's entirely possible to make it through the room without ever activating the trap. Similarly, the water fountain that players would naturally be tempted to drink from to deal with the heat has an exact water level needed to escape the room alive (unless you snuck in a hip flask). The oven dial is obviously a trap. The fountain less so.
3. Funny.Mass Vexations: * Any time Wrex makes Art lose The Game. It's also a bit of a Player Punch. Potholed into another example. Not clear if it applies.
4. Headscratchers.Star Trek V The Final Frontier: * There is a toilet in the brig that warns: "DO NOT USE WHILE IN SPACEDOCK". So... why would there be a problem with this? Maybe it's just sadistic Schmuck Bait for the rule breakers in the brig? And nobody gives a crap when they need to take a crap, of course. Potholed in a Headscratcher, discussing the possibility of it being an obvious bad idea.
5. Funny.Not For Broadcast: ** Special mention goes to Raj's joke.

   Graham: Ah, so is he a good cyclist, is he Rishik?
   Raj: Why are you asking me? You can ask him.
   Graham: I'll ask him, okay! Setting something up, okay! Rishik, are you a good cyclist, mate?
   Raj: Why are you talking to him? He's only a puppet.
   Graham: Don't set up a joke like that if you're not gonna follow it through.
   Booth Girls: [giggling in the background]

   Potholed in a quote. Doesn't seem applicable at the point it's potholed, but could be for the overall obvious-trick setup.'''

6. Laconic.Men In Black: —>Now, if you could just look right here... (flash) You never saw this laconic page at all, so please return to the unabridged version here. Part of a joke in the link to the unabridged version.
7. Recap.Pokemon S 15 E 40 The Mystery Of The Missing Cubchoo:
   I don't know, Cilan, I think you need to examine that Beartic a little closer.
   Potholed in a caption. Unsure if it's an in-universe quote or a troper commentary.
8. Series.Jackass: * Shmuck Bait: There's a porta-potty on the Jackass set. If you use it, they will hold the door shut and tip it over with you in it. Or rig it with paint bombs to cover you in paint as you sit down. Or push it down a hill. Or hit it with a car. Or God knows what else. Not sure what to make of it. I think it's "too convenient to be true on a prank show set", but it's not made explicit in the example.
9. StartOfDarkness.Video Games: * This occurs in the backstory of Fallout 4 for the Institute. Having sequestered themselves far below the Commonwealth for roughly a century while working on creating Ridiculously Human Robots to help rebuild civilization with, they were already pretty distrusted and regarded with suspicion by the residents of the Wasteland above, many of whom saw their offers of We Can Rule Together as Schmuck Bait. Eventually, the Institute decided to help the Commonwealth as a gesture of good will by secretly organizing the Commonwealth Provisional Government, an alliance of like-minded representatives of various settlements from across the Commonwealth that would come together and help organize the beginnings of a new society (similar to the creation of the New California Republic in Fallout 2). Unfortunately, unlike the historical Constitutional Congress they were based on, the members of the CPG were never able to come to a consensus and killed each other - leaving only the Institute's representative the Sole Survivor of the shootout. The Institute was then promptly blamed by the rest of the Commonwealth for their chance at a new society getting smashed to pieces. This set the Institute on their dark path to villainy, with them now regarding the Commonwealth as a lost cause full of unkempt savages only worthy of being used as tools in their quest to create a world that won't fall victim to Atomic Hate. At least, this is the version of the story that the Institute tells. Linked in another example. Describes in-universe perceptions.
10. VideoGame.The Legend Of Zelda A Link To The Past: * Schmuck Bait: "Curses to anyone who throws something into my circle of stones." You have to do it at least once to beat the game, though doing it again is rather funny. Unsure if valid; the example doesn't make it clear that the consequences of ignoring the warning are actually bad.
11. Film.Escape From LA: * Schmuck Bait: Two example, One valid and one misuse.
    • After entering Beverly Hills, Snake is confronted by a hooded figure who just stands there staring at him. Snake stares back for a few seconds before realizing the first figure was just allowing his partner to sneak on on Snake's side (the blind side even) and aim the net gun. Misuse. They're just exploiting Snake's blind side.
    • Some of Cuervo's goons abide by Snake's suggestion that they use "Bangkok rules" in their gunfight: nobody draws until a can thrown in the air hits the ground. Snake throws the can, then guns all the mooks down while they look up at the can. Valid
12. Brain Bleach: Six separate wicks:
    • The poor dear. She was just doing perfectly innocent research on old eroge.
      Potholed in image caption; doesn't seem relevant.
    • Will probably be necessary after seeing No Yay, Glurge, Fetish Retardant, a Gainax Ending, a Shock Site, Rule 34, Squick, or Fan Disservice (among many other things), or hearing Too Much Information. Often the result of Schmuck Bait, so always remember that You Do Not Want To Know can be a helpful warning. Mention of a related trope in description.
    • Compare with Scrubbing Off the Trauma (characters try to scrub away their guilt, disgust, or trauma), I Need a Freaking Drink (when characters want to get too blitzed to remember what they've seen), Kill It with Fire, These Are Things Man Was Not Meant to Know, Too Much Information, Schmuck Bait, or even its auditory cousin (Ear Worm). Listing of related tropes in description.
    • * In the Wolverine story arc in which he goes to Hell, there is a scene in which Emma Frost enters his mind and walks through a door marked "My Sexual Fantasies"; apparently, Logan's fantasy is a six-way involving Emma, Mystique, Psylocke, Spiral, and Squirrel Girl. Emma's reaction is: "Where... Where are those demons when you need them? I must die this instant." Potholed in another example; seems valid, being the kind of thing a mind reader would want to avoid.
    • —->Alex: Though, I am rather curious as to why she'd make it so you'd grow bigger when you blew on— AAAAAAUUGH! GOD IS DEAD AND SATAN JUST TOOK A PISS STRAIGHT INTO MY CEREBRUM TO CELEBRATE!! Potholed in a quote; seems shoehorned in.'
    • * From Hark! A Vagrant, when someone suggests to her to check out James Joyce's love letters to his wife. Leads to this exchange: Potholed into another example; doesn't seem immediately obvious that it's a bad idea in context.
13. TimeImmemorial.Tropes O To S: * Schmuck Bait Part of a listing of old tropes.
14. Characters.Jackie Chan Adventures Minor Villains: * Sublime Rhyme: The instructions for switching places with a person in terms of living-puppet.
    To free me of glitches and put you in stitches, this merry ape begs: Pull my leg.

    Potholed in another example. Not clear how obvious a trick it is.

15. Cunning Like a Fox: This stereotype is, to some extent, Truth in Television: Foxes do live in family groups like wolves, though they tend to hunt by themselves, and they are more known for stealing farm animals in the dark of the night than outright attacking them in broad daylight. The "crazy like a fox" part has roots in real fox behavior as well; red foxes have been known to jump around and act crazy to entice curious rabbits into coming closer. Potholed in the trope description. Not sure how much this is Schmuck Bait versus just plain bait.
16. Mystery Box: ->You're gonna choose the box, aren't you? (chuckles) Sucker. Potholed in The Stinger to suggest the prize is worthless.
17. WesternAnimation.Shrek Forever After: Two separate wicks:
    • * Magically-Binding Contract: Written by a malicious Literal Genie. Don't sign them. One special contract he gives out at one point promises what you want without any price at all, as long as it isn't about undoing any active contracts. Potholed in another example. Seems either "too good to be true" or just obviously-suspicious.
    • * Schmuck Bait: Donkey just after visiting the dragon's keep. Lampshaded by Shrek.
    Shrek: There's a stack of freshly made waffles in the middle of the forest! Don't you find that a wee bit suspicious?

    Badly worded to suggest that Donkey himself is the bait, but the quote does seem to line up.

---