Stupidity-Inducing Attack: Difference between revisions

This trope can take many forms. It can be temporary or permanent. It can be achieved through magic, surgery, or weaponised [[Phlebotinum -Induced Stupidity]]. It can have any number of degrees of severity, ranging from simply taking the edge off the victim's reasoning to full-on infantilisation or even reducing them to a drooling vegetable. Finally, depending on the work's tone, it can either be [[Played for Laughs]] or be a potent source of [[Nightmare Fuel]].

A [[Stupidity -Inducing Attack]] also has a variety of uses. It can be a means of control, a way to neutralise a troublesome [[Guile Hero]] or [[Chessmaster]], or even a particularly sadistic torture method or [[Fate Worse Than Death]] (especially if [[And I Must Scream|the victim's aware of what's happening to them]]). Some characters, in fact, use it to boost their own knowledge and intellect via a form of [[Vampiric Draining]], though this is not strictly necessary to the trope. Whatever the case, though, removing some IQ points from the target must be a deliberate purpose of the attack, not just a side-effect.