A Handful for an Eye: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

 

[[File:handful 1725.png|link=The Order of the Stick|frame|[[Combat Pragmatist|Dirty tactics.]]]]

 

 

This is a simple yet effective method of improving your odds of victory. [[Combat Pragmatist|A character with no compunctions about cheating]], usually the villain, flings a handful of something into the eyes of their combatant for a temporary combat advantage.

* Several of the characters in ''[[Ranma ½]]'' have done this at one point or another; Ukyo used gunpowder-laced flour, Ranma used beer foam on the [[Orochi]] ([[Indy Ploy|as opposed to getting it drunk with the booze]],) Konatsu and Mousse used pepper bombs, etc.

* Subverted in ''[[Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple]]''. Minor character Alan Subishi gets in a fight with the absurdly powerful master Sakaki. Alan tries to throw sand in Sakaki's eyes. Sakaki swipes the air, and the wind from his attack blows it right back in Alan's face.

** In another episode, Touma throws a tube of grease from a toolbox at an enemy swordswoman. She instinctively slashes it, making the grease splatter into her eyes.

* Guts throws dirt in Griffith's face/eyes in their first battle in ''[[Berserk]]'' to try to get an advantage over him.

 

== Comic Books ==

* [[Jonah Hex]] does it while fighting mountain scum in ''Hex'' #4. (Given Jonah's penchant for fighting dirty, it would be surprising is this was the only time this trick was used in the various series.)

* Sonja does this Raven in the ''[[Red Sonja]]: Raven'' one-shot.

 

== Film ==

* In ''[[War, Inc.]]'', Hauser pours a bottle of hot sauce into Walker's eyes.

* Sherlock does this twice in ''[[Sherlock Holmes (film)|Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows]]''. During the opening sequence, he steals several handfuls of rice and beans from a market stall and later throws them into the faces of a group of thugs who attack him. Much later, he blows a cloud of tobacco ash into Moriarty's face as he lights his pipe, in order to distract him {{spoiler|so he can drag Moriarty over the edge of Reichenbach Falls}}.

 

== Literature ==

* In ''[[Temeraire]]'', enemy dragons are often fought off with pepper-guns. Mostly it just causes a [[Pepper Sneeze]], but unlucky dragons can be permanently blinded.

 

* In ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' episode ''[[Warrior of the Lost World]]'', during the big brawl scene, I think.

** In the episode ''[[Horror of Party Beach]]'', during the fight at the beginning. Quip the guys: "Oh, my radial keratotomy!"

* In the ''[[Baywatch]]'' episode "Pier Pressure", Hobie uses the trick to escape from a bully.

* In the ''[[Angel]]'' episode "I Will Remember You", Angel throws salt into the Mohra Demon's eyes.

 

== Newspaper Comics ==

* One of the [[Murder, Inc.]] members tries it on Modesty in the ''[[Modesty Blaise (comic strip)|Modesty Blaise]]'' arc "Sweet Caroline". However, Modesty is prepared for the trick and blocks the attack.

* Rangi does this to Lex Murphy in a ''[[Footrot Flats]]'' strip. Not having any sand available, he improvises by using a handful of dried sheep droppings.

 

== Professional Wrestling ==

** [[Vince McMahon]] threw dirt into [[The Undertaker]]'s eyes during their "Buried Alive" match.

 

 

* ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''.

** In the [[Dark Sun]]/World of Athas setting, gladiators are trained to use dirty tricks in combat, such as throwing sand in an enemy's eyes. These tactics are also used by Athasian halflings.

* ''[[Amber]] Diceless Role-Playing''. The Weapons part of the Other Factors in Combat section mentions heaving fluids, dirt or powder into an opponent's eyes during a fight.

* ''Starblazer Adventures'', based on the 1970s-80s British [[Comic Book]]''. The Blinding maneuver could involve throwing dirt in someone else's eyes.

 

== Theatre ==

* Happens in the offstage fight between Secutor and Retiarius in ''[[Androcles and the Lion]]''. Secutor enters from the arena covered in dust and asks if it is fair for Retiarius to win by throwing dust in his eyes. Caesar replies that there's no rule against it.

 

== Video Games ==

* A common detective item on modded [[Trouble in Terrorist Town]] servers is Pocket Sand, which allows them to blind assailants and gives them enough time to identify and kill them.

 

* ''[[Order of the Stick]]'' provides the page picture, with Roy hurling sand into Thog's eyes. After ''smashing a potion vial on his face'' didn't work.

* ''[[Dark Wings]]'' has minor villain Felde, who does this to Raven with flash-powder. The beauty of using flash-powder is that you can just toss it in your opponent's general direction and it'll still blind them.

 

== Western Animation ==

* Kron does this to Aladar with a handful of dirt in Disney's ''[[Dinosaur]]''.

* In the ''[[Thundercats]]'' episode "The Demolisher", The Demolisher pulls the [[Look Behind You!]] trick on Lion-O and attacks him when he turns around. The Demolisher mocks him for falling for the "oldest trick in the book", but Lion-O counters that there is an older trick and throws dirt in his eyes.

 

== Real Life ==

** Acid attacks are prevalent in countries like India and Pakistan, most are committed by boys rejected by girls.

 

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Trying to Catch Me Fighting Dirty]]

[[Category:Fight Scene]]

[[Category:Eye Tropes]]

[[Category:Just for Pun]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Handful for an Eye, A}}