Area of Effect: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}} |
{{trope}} |
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Some effects, rather than having a single target, affect everything within a given area. This area is the "area of effect", and attacks/buffs that work this way are called area of effect attacks/buffs. Popular in [[Tabletop Games]] and [[Strategy Game]]s, area of effect attacks are very useful for taking out large numbers of weak enemies simultaneously. However, they'll usually avert [[Friendly Fireproof]], adding another layer of strategy to their use. They aren't necessarily offensive in nature, either—healing or protection abilities often work in an area of effect as well. |
Some effects, rather than having a single target, affect everything within a given area. This area is the "area of effect", and attacks/buffs that work this way are called area of effect attacks/buffs. Popular in [[Tabletop Games]] and [[Strategy Game]]s, area of effect attacks are very useful for taking out large numbers of weak enemies simultaneously. However, they'll usually avert [[Friendly Fireproof]], adding another layer of strategy to their use. They aren't necessarily offensive in nature, either—healing or protection abilities often work in an area of effect as well. |
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[[Super-Trope]] to [[Splash Damage]], but while splash damage falls off the farther away you get from the center of the attack, area of effect attacks affect everything in its area equally. Supertrope to [[Herd-Hitting Attack]]. See also [[Splash Damage Abuse]], when an Area Of Effect is abused to get enhanced performance out of the ability. |
[[Super-Trope]] to [[Splash Damage]], but while splash damage falls off the farther away you get from the center of the attack, area of effect attacks affect everything in its area equally. Supertrope to [[Herd-Hitting Attack]]. See also [[Splash Damage Abuse]], when an Area Of Effect is abused to get enhanced performance out of the ability. |
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== Tabletop Games == |
== Tabletop Games == |
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* ''[[Dungeons |
* ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' is the [[Trope Maker]], having included areas of effect (typically in the form of dragons' breath and certain magic spells) since its very first edition. |
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* ''[[Champions]]'' has Area Of Effect as a Power Advantage. It's used to turn regular single target attacks into this. |
* ''[[Champions]]'' has Area Of Effect as a Power Advantage. It's used to turn regular single target attacks into this. |
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* In the ''Star Fleet Battles'' [[Tabletop Game]], the ISC's Plasmatic Pulsar Device divides its damage over several shield sections, affecting each equally. |
* In the ''Star Fleet Battles'' [[Tabletop Game]], the ISC's Plasmatic Pulsar Device divides its damage over several shield sections, affecting each equally. |
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* These are ubiquitous in wargames, where area of effect determines what pieces are hit by artillery shells, spells, and similar attacks. Sometimes, the distance from a certain point on the table is measured instead to see if something is affected. ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]]'' and ''[[Warhammer |
* These are ubiquitous in wargames, where area of effect determines what pieces are hit by artillery shells, spells, and similar attacks. Sometimes, the distance from a certain point on the table is measured instead to see if something is affected. ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]]'' and ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]'' have several round plastic templates and two "flame blast" templates (dragon breath, flamethrowers, "napalm," etc). [[Flames Of War]] uses a similar plastic piece for representing bombardment. |
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* ''[[Paranoia]]'' sees fit to warn about these in the "Tips for Traitors" section: "Never let the guy with the area-of-effect weapon take far left or right flank. The temptation to turn and wipe out the rest of the team in one go is just too much." |
* ''[[Paranoia]]'' sees fit to warn about these in the "Tips for Traitors" section: "Never let the guy with the area-of-effect weapon take far left or right flank. The temptation to turn and wipe out the rest of the team in one go is just too much." |
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[[Category:Strategy Game Tropes]] |
[[Category:Strategy Game Tropes]] |
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[[Category:Game Tropes]] |
[[Category:Game Tropes]] |
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