Search/Recent Changes
DBTropes
...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!

Challenging the Chief

 Challenging the Chief
type
FeatureClass
 Challenging the Chief
label
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief
page
ChallengingTheChief
 Challenging the Chief
comment
To be the man, you've got to beat the man.
A society has a ritual challenge system that determines who's strong enough to be the leader.
There can be variations on how ritualized the challenge is. Sometimes a spontaneous fight could occur and then everybody makes sure everybody else hangs back to let the two duke it out. On other occasions, the right to challenge may need to be specifically invoked, maybe with a particular phrase. In such a case you can very well expect the crowd to make a collective intake of breath and you get double points in the TV Tropes Drinking Game if the challenged chief was walking away but then stops and slowly turns around. There also may or may not be a strict rule that the loser has to die. If there is, you may get The Hero in an ethical quandary if they believe Thou Shalt Not Kill.
You'll also get wider variations on the effect on the plot. For instance, in a case which has shades of You Kill It, You Bought It, it may be an outsider, often Mighty Whitey, becomes chief of a community by winning a duel against the previous chief, or just by killing them without knowing about the tradition. This will tend to pop up at the beginning to generate a plot or find a way to get a character into a society that should, by logic, wish to kill him on sight.
You also get the concept being used as a way for being able to stop an enemy horde when outnumbered. They use this rule in the enemy culture to just challenge the ruler and then make everything hinge on that one fight. If The Hero wins, he gets to order the enemy horde to go home. Occasionally, The Hero has to be told about this rule by some helpful tribe member or he'll make the challenge and then there'll have to be a bit of conversation about whether he gets to do so.
When the duel is to solve some other disagreement than leadership, it's Combat by Champion.
A community with such a cultural tradition is usually portrayed as as Proud Warrior Race Guys where Asskicking Leads to Leadership. They will also frequently approve of certain methods of attaining a Klingon Promotion. This trope might justify Decapitated Army.
 Challenging the Chief
fetched
2024-04-18T01:16:14Z
 Challenging the Chief
parsed
2024-04-18T01:16:14Z
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to ActionGirl: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to AsskickingLeadsToLeadership: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to BloodKnight: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to CoolSword: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to DeadGuyJunior: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to NotWorthKilling: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to TheArchmage: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to TheHero: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to VancianMagic: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to WarcraftIII: Not an Item - UNKNOWN
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to WarhammerFantasy: Not an Item - UNKNOWN
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to WretchedHive: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingComment
Dropped link to boisterousbruiser: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Challenging the Chief
processingUnknown
WarhammerFantasy
 Challenging the Chief
processingUnknown
WarcraftIII
 Challenging the Chief
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Challenging the Chief / int_11b7db91
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_11b7db91
comment
In the Adventure Time episode "The Silent King", Finn becomes the new king of the goblins after driving off the old one.
 Challenging the Chief / int_11b7db91
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_11b7db91
featureConfidence
1.0
 Adventure Time
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_11b7db91
 Challenging the Chief / int_135f4195
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_135f4195
comment
In Dune, the trope is followed, but the usage subverted. Paul Atreides refuses to face Stilgar, the chief of the Fremen sietch Paul belonged to, in ritual combat because they both knew Paul would win and Paul wanted Stilgar to remain chief of the sietch as Paul went to war for the whole planet Arrakis.
 Challenging the Chief / int_135f4195
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Challenging the Chief / int_135f4195
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dune
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_135f4195
 Challenging the Chief / int_15ac5735
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_15ac5735
comment
At the end of the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, M'Baku shows up to challenge again at the coronation of Queen Shuri, only this time, he wins by default, as Shuri didn't even show up.
 Challenging the Chief / int_15ac5735
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_15ac5735
featureConfidence
1.0
 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_15ac5735
 Challenging the Chief / int_1cc09117
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_1cc09117
comment
In Bleach, Kenpachi Zaraki gained his position as Captain of Squad 11 by walking in and killing the last captain; Shinigami rule states that this works if done in front of 200 witnesses. This is apparently the normal method of transferring leadership in the Eleventh Division, the winner not only gaining a Captain's rank but also the hereditary title of "Kenpachi". While technically this rule can apply to the captain of any division, only the Eleventh actually uses it.
 Challenging the Chief / int_1cc09117
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_1cc09117
featureConfidence
1.0
 Bleach (Manga)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_1cc09117
 Challenging the Chief / int_22d74b2e
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_22d74b2e
comment
King Bucko Bigbones has a standing offer for anyone to take his office in Lord Brocktree... if they beat him in three challenges. Dotti does so in order to blackmail him into assistance, but she probably didn't need to - he has a longstanding grudge against Ungatt Trunn, so he likely would have helped anyway.
 Challenging the Chief / int_22d74b2e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_22d74b2e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Redwall
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_22d74b2e
 Challenging the Chief / int_26ef42e7
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_26ef42e7
comment
In Kevin & Kell, Frank Mangle challenges R.L. as CEO of Herdthinners Inc. Then Kell breaks the fight up before someone gets killed, and this is interpreted as her defeating both of them, so she gets made CEO.
 Challenging the Chief / int_26ef42e7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_26ef42e7
featureConfidence
1.0
 Kevin & Kell (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_26ef42e7
 Challenging the Chief / int_2a590d91
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_2a590d91
comment
In Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Butch had apparently stated prior to the events of the film that anyone who wanted to could challenge him for leadership. Butch set this rule because he thought nobody would ever take him up on it, but early in the film the biggest, meanest member of his gang does just that. Through a combination of Guile and being willing to fight dirty, Butch manages to win despite the fact that he shouldn't have had a chance in the fight. Enjoy it for yourself
 Challenging the Chief / int_2a590d91
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_2a590d91
featureConfidence
1.0
 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_2a590d91
 Challenging the Chief / int_2e3e7ac2
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_2e3e7ac2
comment
In an episode of Justice League, Superman is transported to the distant future. After being attacked by a pack of mutant wolves, he challenges their alpha, and is next seen using the wolves like sled dogs and wearing the alpha's hide like a cape.
 Challenging the Chief / int_2e3e7ac2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_2e3e7ac2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Justice League
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_2e3e7ac2
 Challenging the Chief / int_30d28009
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_30d28009
comment
In Wolf of the Plains, Temujin becomes khan of both the Olkhun'ut and Kiryat clans by killing their respective khans.
 Challenging the Chief / int_30d28009
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_30d28009
featureConfidence
1.0
 Conqueror
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_30d28009
 Challenging the Chief / int_383c39a5
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_383c39a5
comment
With This Ring: Upon discovering the militaristic and cannibalistic Citizenry, the Renegade is willing to just exterminate them all, but Wonder Woman would prefer to attempt diplomacy. Which in this case means challenging their leader, Astarte, to single combat, in order to claim Astarte's position and attempt to steer the Citizenry into more constructive avenues. Wonder Woman wins, despite Astarte having comparable divine strength, because Astarte isn't used to fighting people at their level, which Wonder Woman is. Astarte makes it pretty clear, though, that there are limits on how far the Citizens will actually follow their leader; if she simply ordered them all to stop eating people, they would kill her and move on.
 Challenging the Chief / int_383c39a5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_383c39a5
featureConfidence
1.0
 With This Ring (Fanfic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_383c39a5
 Challenging the Chief / int_39fe00f1
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_39fe00f1
comment
In Dragon Age: Inquisition, one possible way to get rid of a group of cultists is to craft a necklace they consider sacred and beat their leader in single combat, resulting in the cultists pledging their service to you. It helps that their leader was an asshole, so they're happy to follow someone more heroic.
 Challenging the Chief / int_39fe00f1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_39fe00f1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dragon Age: Inquisition (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_39fe00f1
 Challenging the Chief / int_3c5675b
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_3c5675b
comment
In the Black Panther comic books, there's an annual event where every citizen of Wakanda has the right to challenge T'Challa for both the Black Panther identity and leadership of the country. There's also an ancient tribal clause that grants the right to challenge Black Panther to one-on-one combat, and if the challenger wins, they become the new Black Panther.
 Challenging the Chief / int_3c5675b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_3c5675b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Black Panther (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_3c5675b
 Challenging the Chief / int_405243c7
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_405243c7
comment
The 100: There is a variation in season 3. Queen Nia of the Ice Nation challenges Lexa's position as the Grounder Commander and selects her son to fight Lexa in a Trial by Combat. However, neither Nia nor Roan can become the new Commander if Lexa is defeated: the title will instead descend onto one of the Nightbloods. Nia hopes that Ontari, an Ice Nation Nightblood, will become the new Commander.
 Challenging the Chief / int_405243c7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_405243c7
featureConfidence
1.0
 The 100
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_405243c7
 Challenging the Chief / int_49ad83ee
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_49ad83ee
comment
World of Warcraft also has this, particularly for the Orcs and the Horde in general. This is called a Mak'Gora, an old orcish ritual, that has been seen by the players three times, all of them involving the Hot-Blooded Garrosh Hellscream. Two of the fights were challenges made on the fly and the duel did not follow the formal rules, but has been seen in detail once, done the old way: both participants are allowed one weapon of choice. The weapon is to be blessed by a shaman in full view of the audience and both participants, to prevent cheating. No armour is allowed. The fight is to the death.
Before the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, Garrosh disagrees with Thrall's decision on how to deal with the undead threat, and challenges Thrall for leadership of the Horde. It looks like Garrosh will win, until the fight is interrupted by an undead attack, which changes Thrall's mind.
Garrosh ultimately becomes warchief, and is himself challenged by Cairne Bloodhoof. It is however a ploy - Cairne intended to lose in order to cement Garrosh's wildly unpopular leadership and save the Horde from civil war. Garrosh's weapon was poisoned, unbeknownst to both fighters, and he ends up killing Cairne.
Garrosh, disgraced and deposed as warchief and now a warlord of the Iron Horde, is challenged by Thrall. Garrosh starts to gain an advantage until Thrall stops fighting like a warrior and calls on his shamanistic powers, at which point Garrosh is knocked helplessly into the air, seized by a giant hand of lava, and fried by lighting.
A fourth Mak'Gora is seen at the end of the Battle for Azeroth war campaign. Tired of all the death the recent Horde-Alliance war has caused, Varok Saurfang challenges Sylvannas Windrunner for the position of Warchief, hoping to avoid a bloody battle with a single death. When Varok gains the upper hand, Sylvannas kills him with magic, which also forfeits the Mak'Gora, and she flees afterwards.
 Challenging the Chief / int_49ad83ee
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_49ad83ee
featureConfidence
1.0
 World of Warcraft (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_49ad83ee
 Challenging the Chief / int_4d1ba412
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_4d1ba412
comment
The Adventures of Dr. McNinja villain Frans Rayner at one point intends to "kill the President, thereby becoming the President." He doesn't seem to care that it doesn't actually work that way, stating that he'll convince people that it does.
The Doctor himself points out exactly why this wouldn't work: As a foreigner, Frans is ineligible to serve as President! Ha!
 Challenging the Chief / int_4d1ba412
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_4d1ba412
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Adventures of Dr. McNinja (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_4d1ba412
 Challenging the Chief / int_5003bfe4
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_5003bfe4
comment
Of Fire and Stars: In order to become monarch of Zumorda, a challenger must defeat first two successive champions and then the current monarch herself. In Inkmistress we see how Invasya had done this centuries ago to become queen.
 Challenging the Chief / int_5003bfe4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_5003bfe4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Of Fire and Stars
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_5003bfe4
 Challenging the Chief / int_50bcf7a6
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_50bcf7a6
comment
In Homestuck, the title of HER IMPERIOUS CONDESCENSION is inherited this way. It's genetic; those with royal blood have to challenge the current IMPERIOUS CONDESCENSION upon reaching maturity. And those of royal blood are compelled to fight one another too.
 Challenging the Chief / int_50bcf7a6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_50bcf7a6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Homestuck (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_50bcf7a6
 Challenging the Chief / int_514df02a
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_514df02a
comment
In Heavy Metal 2000, the Big Bad Tyler kills the king of a tribe of lizard people and takes his place as their leader. The King actually initially kills Tyler after he challenges him, but having Resurrective Immortality has its perks.
 Challenging the Chief / int_514df02a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_514df02a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Heavy Metal 2000
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_514df02a
 Challenging the Chief / int_53a73ca0
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_53a73ca0
comment
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: As seen in the video example, Maul challenges Pre Vizla to combat with the leadership of an entire planet at stake. As "only the strongest shall rule Mandalore." Maul ends up winning, though Vizla did put up a decent fight.
 Challenging the Chief / int_53a73ca0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_53a73ca0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Wars: The Clone Wars
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_53a73ca0
 Challenging the Chief / int_5755b96a
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_5755b96a
comment
Played with several times in The Order of the Stick.
When they encounter a band of thieves in the forest, Haley challenges their leader - an eighteen-year-old sorceress - for control of the gang. She fails miserably. Then the bandit leader's father (and predecessor) challenges her; since the sorceress is out of spell uses for the day she is easily vanquished. And then Durkon arrives and accidentally knocks out the bandit leader...
Subverted in this strip. Annoyed with the lengthy and embarrassing Initiation Ceremony for a hobgoblin tribe, Redcloak learns that a shortcut is to defeat the current chief. So he insta-kills the guy running the ceremony with a Slay Living spell. When he thinks to double check whether that actually was the chief, the guy standing behind him with a big feathery headdress and jewelled sceptre quickly responds in the affirmative rather than fight Redcloak, who would probably kill him just as easily.
 Challenging the Chief / int_5755b96a
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Challenging the Chief / int_5755b96a
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Order of the Stick (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_5755b96a
 Challenging the Chief / int_59da62aa
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_59da62aa
comment
In Fallout: New Vegas, according to Benny, this was how he became the chief of the Boot Riders raider gang (before they became the Chairmen). He challenged the then-chief to a knife fight and took advantage of the fact that he was naturally faster than him.
 Challenging the Chief / int_59da62aa
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_59da62aa
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fallout: New Vegas (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_59da62aa
 Challenging the Chief / int_5c66fff9
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_5c66fff9
comment
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of The Betrayer has frost giant jarls decided this way. The ex-jarl you meet notes that he was beat by a weak but clever giant who challenged him after he was fatigued from the last fight. One option for the quest to get rid of them is to become the Jarl (and get a +1 charisma bonus for free) of the (self) exiled giants by beating ALL of them in a king of the hill fight.
 Challenging the Chief / int_5c66fff9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_5c66fff9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Neverwinter Nights 2 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_5c66fff9
 Challenging the Chief / int_5d2848bb
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_5d2848bb
comment
In Sam & Fuzzy, this is how the Ninja Mafia works - at least, this is how it works if you kill the entire Ruling Council (so none of the official successors are left alive). Sam, as the only survivor of the murder of the previous Ruling Council (although it was actually his ex-girlfriend who did this, killing herself in the process), is therefore considered the rightful Ninja Emperor - and becomes the focus of all the plotting that comes with it.
 Challenging the Chief / int_5d2848bb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_5d2848bb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Sam & Fuzzy (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_5d2848bb
 Challenging the Chief / int_5e9ea81e
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_5e9ea81e
comment
The Kingdom of Wakanda in Black Panther has a system in which during the coronation ceremony, nobles with royal blood from each of the five constituent tribes are given the opportunity to challenge the crown prince in a fight to the death/submission. The winner becomes the new king of Wakanda. By the time of the film, the challenge ritual seems to have become a minor point of formality kept for tradition's sake. When M'Baku actually challenges T'Challa for the throne, everyone is genuinely shocked. Erik, as T'Challa's long-lost cousin, is able to challenge T'Challa later, but although he appears to win after throwing T'Challa off a waterfall, T'Challa's survival and return to the fold a few days later triggers a brief civil war, T'Challa observing that the challenge was technically never completed as he didn't yield and he clearly isn't dead.
At the end of the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, M'Baku shows up to challenge again at the coronation of Queen Shuri, only this time, he wins by default, as Shuri didn't even show up.
 Challenging the Chief / int_5e9ea81e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_5e9ea81e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Black Panther (2018)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_5e9ea81e
 Challenging the Chief / int_60570997
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_60570997
comment
In S.S.D.D. the Collective of Anarchist States is a meritocracy, a lower ranking "adviser" has the right to challenge a higher advisor's decision and if their colleagues agree they get promoted. In the "Tower of Babel" arc the First Adviser and most of her cabinet take advantage of this when it looks like they're headed for a full war with the CORE by allowing the dumbest one on the cabinet to win a challenge and running across the border while he's still confused.
 Challenging the Chief / int_60570997
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_60570997
featureConfidence
1.0
 S.S.D.D. (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_60570997
 Challenging the Chief / int_63ed830c
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_63ed830c
comment
Joked about in Touhou Koumakyou ~ the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil when Cute Witch Marisa asks Ninja Maid Sakuya whether the position of Chief Maid works like this. It doesn't.
 Challenging the Chief / int_63ed830c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_63ed830c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Touhou Koumakyou ~ the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_63ed830c
 Challenging the Chief / int_705bb59a
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_705bb59a
comment
The Sabbat of Vampire: The Masquerade has this in place for certain positions in their power structure. In at least one book, the Storyteller was encouraged to add whatever arcane stipulations or requirements he saw fit, in order to emphasize how unorganized the Sabbat was (the sample: "You can't challenge the Archbishop now - it's not the third night after the new moon!").
 Challenging the Chief / int_705bb59a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_705bb59a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Vampire: The Masquerade (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_705bb59a
 Challenging the Chief / int_70814599
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_70814599
comment
Stargate SG-1:
In an early episode, Carter has to challenge the chief of an alien society in order to win her freedom. It's supposed to be a fight to the death, but she beats him without killing him.
On a couple of different occasions ("The Warrior", "Birthright") we see the Jaffa right of "joma secu" by which a Jaffa challenges the current leader to a fight to the death for leadership of the tribe. In "Birthright" the challenger loses but is spared. In "The Warrior" the challenger wins, because it's Teal'c.
 Challenging the Chief / int_70814599
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_70814599
featureConfidence
1.0
 Stargate SG-1
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_70814599
 Challenging the Chief / int_70959613
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_70959613
comment
Kung Fu Hustle. Sorta. When The Beast breaks Brother Sum's neck, he apparently becomes the leader of the Axe Gang but it's more the fact that the gang is not averse to following the lead of someone who can kill them all with his slippers. However the old boss apparently defeated an entire gang just by killing the leader so maybe it is part of an established trend.
 Challenging the Chief / int_70959613
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_70959613
featureConfidence
1.0
 Kung Fu Hustle
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_70959613
 Challenging the Chief / int_73d7930f
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_73d7930f
comment
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, episode "Tacking Into The Wind", where the Klingon Chancellor Gowron is screwing things up during the Dominion War, mismanaging the Klingon battle efforts to humiliate and disgrace the popular General Martok (who he fears will challenge him for leadership). In truth, Martok is too honorable and loyal to the Empire to even consider trying to take control for himself. After some harsh truths from Dax about Klingon politics, Worf realizes that SOMEONE has to challenge Gowron on honorable grounds (such as calling him on intentionally mismanaging the war out of fear for losing his position). Worf does challenge him, wins, becomes the next Chancellor, but almost immediately passes the torch to the most honorable and capable Klingon he knows (as well as his friend and mentor), General Martok.
 Challenging the Chief / int_73d7930f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_73d7930f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_73d7930f
 Challenging the Chief / int_7460586f
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_7460586f
comment
Archer becomes a pirate king after this trope happens. Another pirate tries to oust him by using an Elite Mook as a stand in, citing the pirate code as allowing this. Archer accepts the challenge, and shoots him.
 Challenging the Chief / int_7460586f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_7460586f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Archer
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_7460586f
 Challenging the Chief / int_74f7210c
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_74f7210c
comment
The Gorons in The Legend of Zelda series have a culture revolving nearly entirely around physical strength. The strongest and toughest Goron is the tribal chieftain, no exceptions. This comes into play in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, wherein the Gorons will not allow you to enter their mines until you beat one of their elders in a sumo contest (which is actually impossible to win unless you cheat with the iron boots).
 Challenging the Chief / int_74f7210c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_74f7210c
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Legend of Zelda (Franchise)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_74f7210c
 Challenging the Chief / int_7559ae0b
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_7559ae0b
comment
Dune:
In Dune, the trope is followed, but the usage subverted. Paul Atreides refuses to face Stilgar, the chief of the Fremen sietch Paul belonged to, in ritual combat because they both knew Paul would win and Paul wanted Stilgar to remain chief of the sietch as Paul went to war for the whole planet Arrakis.
It's played straight in the latter books; Chapterhouse: Dune particularly for the Honored Matres. First Logno ascends by killing Dama, but her reign is short lived when Murbella easily takes her out using a combination of Bene Gesserit training and Honored Matre speed.
 Challenging the Chief / int_7559ae0b
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Challenging the Chief / int_7559ae0b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dune (Franchise)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_7559ae0b
 Challenging the Chief / int_755b343f
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_755b343f
comment
Brutes in Halo vie for power this way. One of the tie-in novels, Halo: Contact Harvest, reveals that this is how Tartarus (The Dragon of Halo 2) got his position. Specifically, the chief was his uncle, and he was never prouder of Tartarus than when he killed him.
 Challenging the Chief / int_755b343f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_755b343f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Halo (Franchise)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_755b343f
 Challenging the Chief / int_7988cb68
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_7988cb68
comment
In the Mass Effect verse, this is typically how regime changes happen on Tuchanka. Should he survive Mass Effect and claim chieftain-ship over effectively all of Tuchanka, Wrex fully expects this to happen to him some time eventually. And hopes it's Grunt who does it.
In the first game, Wrex asks several squadmates about the possible outcome of a duel between them and Shepard. Kaidan protests that he can't fight his superior, making Wrex remark that this is precisely why Shepard would win. Tali instead asks a counter-question whether krogan always size up their superiors for a fight; his answer is a Blunt "Yes" with a tone as if he was stating the most obvious thing in the world.
Mass Effect: Andromeda:
The villain of the Elaaden arc challenges Nakmor Morda, head of the krogan settlers, to determine who should lead, apparently forgetting this is how Morda got in charge herself. She wins handily, and as an extra insult decides her opponent is Not Worth Killing.
The Charlatan, shadowy leader of the Collective, challenges Sloan Kelley for leadership of Kadara, in an isolated cave, far from any witnesses. He's prepared to cheat to win, and has a sniper waiting to kill her. Whether he succeeds is up to Ryder.
 Challenging the Chief / int_7988cb68
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_7988cb68
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mass Effect (Franchise)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_7988cb68
 Challenging the Chief / int_7d8e6e5e
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_7d8e6e5e
comment
In Till We Have Faces, Queen Orual fights as the champion of a foreign prince in a duel against his brother to decide which of the two should be king of their country. The whole dueling bit was wholly Orual's idea as a way to prove her worth to the other kingdom, to establish herself as the queen, and to distract herself from her all-consuming guilt.
 Challenging the Chief / int_7d8e6e5e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_7d8e6e5e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Till We Have Faces
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_7d8e6e5e
 Challenging the Chief / int_817acecf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_817acecf
comment
In Fables, Mowgli finds a wolf pack who might know where to find the missing Bigby. The wolves won't talk, so he challenges the alpha male for leadership. It works.
 Challenging the Chief / int_817acecf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_817acecf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fables (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_817acecf
 Challenging the Chief / int_854aece7
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_854aece7
comment
In Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Ratchet inadvertently becomes the new Space Pirate Captain after defeating Captain Slag. However, at the end of the game, it is hinted Rachet then gave the title to Captain Qwark.
 Challenging the Chief / int_854aece7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_854aece7
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_854aece7
 Challenging the Chief / int_88b580f0
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_88b580f0
comment
Garou society in Werewolf: The Apocalypse works like this. Their code of laws states that "any leader may be challenged in a state of peace" but that "no leader may be challenged in a time of war." Naturally, many leaders try to declare a perpetual state of war after defeating their predecessor.
 Challenging the Chief / int_88b580f0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_88b580f0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Werewolf: The Apocalypse (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_88b580f0
 Challenging the Chief / int_8dfe59d3
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_8dfe59d3
comment
In Dawn of the Planet of the Apes this is how Caesar retakes his position as leader of the apes from Koba, after surviving Koba's false flag assassination attempt. The apes want to be ruled by "the strongest" so Caesar has to prove he is stronger than Koba..
 Challenging the Chief / int_8dfe59d3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_8dfe59d3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_8dfe59d3
 Challenging the Chief / int_8f794c68
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_8f794c68
comment
In Wings of Fire, the usual method of royal succession is for a daughter, granddaughter, sister or niece of the queen to challenge her to a duel to the death and win.
 Challenging the Chief / int_8f794c68
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_8f794c68
featureConfidence
1.0
 Wings of Fire
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_8f794c68
 Challenging the Chief / int_90c73dda
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_90c73dda
comment
In Animorphs, a key tenet of the Andalite military is that any soldier can challenge any action their superior wishes to take, even down to the cadets (though a cadet needs a superior officer to support their challenge), which then results in a trial to determine the outcome. Frivolous challenges are kept in check, however, since losing means disgrace AND having your tail blade chopped off.
This is also slowly cultivated as a bit of a conflict between Action Girl Rachel and the team's leader, Jake. It's not too bad at first, but as Rachel slowly sinks into Blood Knight and later Sociopathic Soldier territory, it becomes more and more of a defining point between them.
 Challenging the Chief / int_90c73dda
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_90c73dda
featureConfidence
1.0
 Animorphs
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_90c73dda
 Challenging the Chief / int_90e2f673
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_90e2f673
comment
BattleTech: The Clans, being a Proud Warrior Race, use Trial by Combat as a common way for the ruling warrior caste to settle disputes and grudges. Seeking advancement or the removal of an incompetent-looking immediate superior by challenging them for their position is explicitly allowed as long as protocol is observed (and can often pass even if it's not, depending on circumstances), with the only caveat being that your superior's superior has to permit it. In case of challenging a sitting Khan (the supreme commander of a Clan's military) over half of the Clan Council (which is made up of 1,000 of the Clan's most senior warriors and officers) has to support your right to the challenge (strictly speaking the vote is on whether or not to sack the current Khan in favour of the challenger, but Khans are expected to invoke a Trial of Refusal against their challenger should they lose the vote).
 Challenging the Chief / int_90e2f673
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_90e2f673
featureConfidence
1.0
 BattleTech (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_90e2f673
 Challenging the Chief / int_97218fa4
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_97218fa4
comment
The trope made an earlier appearance in Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, where Ratchet battled an amnesiac Captain Qwark, who had somehow become a tribal chief on a jungle planet.
 Challenging the Chief / int_97218fa4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_97218fa4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_97218fa4
 Challenging the Chief / int_9acdda28
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_9acdda28
comment
Implied that most warrens in Watership Down work this way.
 Challenging the Chief / int_9acdda28
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_9acdda28
featureConfidence
1.0
 Watership Down
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_9acdda28
 Challenging the Chief / int_9e2f90f4
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_9e2f90f4
comment
The Marines in One Piece are not so...barbaric to use such a method. Unfortunately, the conflict over the Fleet Admiral position degenerated into a variation of this between Aokiji and Akainu, with no small part due to their opposing ideologies and the fact that they hated each other. The feud was so bad, that the higher-ups just went ahead and had the two fight a Duel to the Death on the barren island of Punk Hazard to get the position filled already. Apparently things were too bitterly divided for anybody to bring up a more reasonable compromise like "Hey, this Kizaru guy is an Admiral too, does anybody object to him?" The winner would be Akainu, but he spared Aokiji's life in a rare moment of sympathy, and the latter proceeded to ditch the Marines, having no desire to serve under his rival or a form of justice he was opposed too... though he still covertly serves the World Government as a spy among the Blackbeard Pirates, with his very public falling out providing a perfect cover story.
 Challenging the Chief / int_9e2f90f4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_9e2f90f4
featureConfidence
1.0
 One Piece (Manga)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_9e2f90f4
 Challenging the Chief / int_9f3bc7e3
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_9f3bc7e3
comment
In Generation Kill, Evan Wright discusses the emphasis that Marines place on physical fitness and combat skill. One of the Marines, Sergeant Rudy Reyes, is the undisputed martial artist master in his platoon, and as a result, is constantly being ambushed by his fellow marines, hoping to gauge their own skills against his (it is implied that their skills are measured in terms of how long it takes them to lose the fight they started). Then again, all of the Marines in the Force Recon platoon Evan Wright is shadowing are constantly ambushing each other in mock-combat to keep each other sharp.
 Challenging the Chief / int_9f3bc7e3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_9f3bc7e3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Generation Kill
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_9f3bc7e3
 Challenging the Chief / int_9f89a5f0
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_9f89a5f0
comment
Subverted in the Pokémon core games. When you challenge the champion, and win, you are declared the new champion. Some Key NPC's treat you as such, and you are granted access to Champion-only areas; but when you return to the Pokemon League, the old Champion is still there, often using the same lines as earlier. You aren't expected to stay there and defend the title, probably due to the idea being boring for the player. Played straight in Pokémon Sun and Moon, in which after becoming Champion you can have Title Defense battles against various characters looking to supplant you. Also played straight in Pokémon Sword and Shield, where Leon actually retires and converts Rose Tower into a battle facility.
 Challenging the Chief / int_9f89a5f0
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Challenging the Chief / int_9f89a5f0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Pokémon (Franchise)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_9f89a5f0
 Challenging the Chief / int_a183d57f
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_a183d57f
comment
Parodied in an episode of Futurama, with Fry challenging the leader of a post-apocalyptic society of children to what is essentially a skateboard race. Fry wins, but the leader just holds him at gunpoint. His victory over a small child is denigrated further by the revelation that the society is in fact a LA creche.
 Challenging the Chief / int_a183d57f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_a183d57f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Futurama
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_a183d57f
 Challenging the Chief / int_a8348fd0
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_a8348fd0
comment
In Steve Perry's Matador series, this is how succession in the Musashi Flex (a sort of ongoing loosely-organized martial arts tournament) works. Anyone in the top ten of the rankings can challenge the top-ranked person, and if they win, they automatically become number one, regardless of their previous ranking.
 Challenging the Chief / int_a8348fd0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_a8348fd0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Matador Series
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_a8348fd0
 Challenging the Chief / int_a8ca932d
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_a8ca932d
comment
A completely accidental case in Swords: the final battle of the Swor'nament is Joyeuse vs the Sword Tapir. Thing is, between the beginning of the tournament and the final battle, behind the scenes events caused both Joy's father and brother to die, making her Queen of Hiltshire at the final battle...and because the Sword Tapir defeats her in one-on-one conflict, that makes him the new King of Hiltshire.. After her initial shock, Joy takes her loss in stride and decides to leave Hiltshire to find Harpe and warn her that her father became the Demon King.
 Challenging the Chief / int_a8ca932d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_a8ca932d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Swords (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_a8ca932d
 Challenging the Chief / int_a9b8d90c
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_a9b8d90c
comment
Played with in Curvy, after the girls are rescued/trapped by a pirate ship, and one of them tries to challenge the leader under "the universal pirate code". "There is no universal pirate code. Try getting caught by a different romanticized version of a criminal organization next."
 Challenging the Chief / int_a9b8d90c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_a9b8d90c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Curvy (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_a9b8d90c
 Challenging the Chief / int_aa740ba8
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_aa740ba8
comment
It's played straight in the latter books; Chapterhouse: Dune particularly for the Honored Matres. First Logno ascends by killing Dama, but her reign is short lived when Murbella easily takes her out using a combination of Bene Gesserit training and Honored Matre speed.
 Challenging the Chief / int_aa740ba8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_aa740ba8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Chapterhouse: Dune
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_aa740ba8
 Challenging the Chief / int_ae8d22f6
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_ae8d22f6
comment
Werewolf: The Forsaken has in its backstory that the children of Father Wolf eventually challenged and slew him for his role as protector of the world. This had serious repercussions. Notably, while the other two Pure Tribes hold this against the Forsaken to this day, the Predator Kings don't. After all, Father Wolf wasn't living up to his role as alpha, so his children had every right to challenge him and claim the role for themselves. If they killed him, then it was his time to die.
 Challenging the Chief / int_ae8d22f6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_ae8d22f6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Werewolf: The Forsaken (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_ae8d22f6
 Challenging the Chief / int_b37304ba
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_b37304ba
comment
In The Heroes of Olympus, this is how the Amazons get their queens. This comes back to bite them when their Queen, who would side with the Romans (who happen to be led by her sister), is challenged by a Gaea-backed usurper who keeps on coming back to life whenever she is killed, who could win through simple attrition and learning from her mistakes each time. Fortunately, the condition causing the usurper to come back to life (namely, the god of death being taken captive) is corrected and she is eventually killed for good.
 Challenging the Chief / int_b37304ba
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_b37304ba
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Heroes of Olympus
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_b37304ba
 Challenging the Chief / int_b3b15bc1
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_b3b15bc1
comment
X-Men: The Animated Series: In order to get Callisto to leave the X-Men alone, Storm challenges her to a fight for leadership of the Morlocks. Storm wins, though in a much Lighter and Softer version than her comic counterpart, who did so by stabbing Callisto through the heart.
 Challenging the Chief / int_b3b15bc1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_b3b15bc1
featureConfidence
1.0
 X-Men: The Animated Series
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_b3b15bc1
 Challenging the Chief / int_b5a2b326
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_b5a2b326
comment
In The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, several factions require you to defeat the current leader in order to take their place, including the Fighters' Guild, the Mages' Guild, and Houses Redoran and Telvanni, although it is not the supposed usual approach for any of them but Telvanni (for whom, along with the Fighters', it is more of a Klingon Promotion) — there is a peaceful way to become head of the Mages' Guild, but it is both harder to find out and, depending on interpretation, either leaves you co-head of the Guild along with an idiot, rather than sole head, or at least lets the idiot keep a prestigious title. Interestingly, the Morag Tong inverts the usual approach to this trope. "Challenging the chief" is, per their rules, the standard way to become the leader. However, the current leader is perfectly fine stepping aside when it's time for you to take the reigns.
 Challenging the Chief / int_b5a2b326
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_b5a2b326
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_b5a2b326
 Challenging the Chief / int_b6afc77f
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_b6afc77f
comment
True Potential: Iwa has the tradition of the "Yama no Osu", where a shinobi with enough public support can challenge the Tsuchikage to a non-lethal duel for the position. It is how MÅ« became Tsuchikage. It may also be team-fight. Suzumebachi challenges and beats Onoki by using a resurrected MÅ« as her partner, before going against tradition and killing him. Kurotsuchi uses the appalled crowd to challenge her in return right on the spot, beating her and becoming Tsuchikage herself.
 Challenging the Chief / int_b6afc77f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_b6afc77f
featureConfidence
1.0
 True Potential / Fan Fic
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_b6afc77f
 Challenging the Chief / int_b6d7b1e1
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_b6d7b1e1
comment
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: This is how advancement in the military of the Eastern Empire works, as they're firm believers of Asskicking Leads to Leadership. Indeed, to become the commander of one of the military divisions, you are expected to be capable of defeating anyone and everyone under your command, so this system helps in proving your credentials. Rank-based duels where lower-ranked members challenge their superiors for their positions are common, but also have strict regulations in order to avoid spiraling into uncontrolled Klingon Promotion, backstabbing, and bloodbaths. A third party must arbitrate, witnesses must be present for certification, duels are forbidden during military maneuvers, and if you challenge someone and lose or kill your opponent, you have to wait a year before challenging again in order to discourage the act of losing valuable human resources (while your higher-ranked defender can kill the challenger with no penalty under the idea of a fatal You Are Not Ready). This is how Yuuki Kagurazaka is able to catapult himself from fresh addition to the Composite Division to its commander in less than a year of joining the Empire.
 Challenging the Chief / int_b6d7b1e1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_b6d7b1e1
featureConfidence
1.0
 That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_b6d7b1e1
 Challenging the Chief / int_bb9e8e93
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_bb9e8e93
comment
In the Chanur Novels, Hani men challenge each other for lordship of clans made up of female and juvenile male relatives. One ongoing plot thread involves questioning the traditional dogma that this is all men are good for; another involves attempts by Pyanfar’s ambitious son to conquer first Mahn and then Chanur. Contrary to genre convention it never occurs to anyone to involve Token Human Tully in this practice, and his biggest direct contribution to such politicking is to hock Chekhov’s perfume bottle at one pair of combatants, delaying things long enough for cooler heads to prevail.
 Challenging the Chief / int_bb9e8e93
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_bb9e8e93
featureConfidence
1.0
 Chanur Novels
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_bb9e8e93
 Challenging the Chief / int_bcadd7cb
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_bcadd7cb
comment
Warhammer 40,000:
Fenrisian Wolves. According to the background, the only way for a Space Wolf Marine to get a pack to follow him is to become the pack leader- by killing the previous one (as part of that ritual of manliness, usually. Doing it with a gun doesn't work.).
Orks decide their leaders based on single combat ranging from low cunning to high explosives, but usually pit fighting. They do this because orks consider skill in combat more important than any real leadership capability, intelligence or strategic merit. Orks being orks, though, there isn't a formal system (formality being a foreign concept to orks) in place for managing challenges, though as a rule the Large and in Charge nature of Ork biology means that few Orks can even consider challenging a nob significantly larger than they are. Notably, they aren't required to be one-on-one, although ganging up isn't allowed (they'd have to share power, another thing orks don't understand). When a high-ranking ork boss dies, a free-for-all is the usual result. This can be used to great effect against them: the Siege of Perlia, for instance, collapsed when Cain inadvertently challenged the Warboss to a duel and won, causing a fight to break out among the subordinate clan bosses — who were promptly roasted by a flamer, courtesy of Imperial reinforcements. Each clan boss's own court of nobs broke into infighting in a similar manner, and the whole Waaagh! was broken up in jig time by the Imperial Guard counterattack.
Some of the more honorable followers of Khorne subscribe to this belief, since much like the Orks they and their god revere combat and bloodshed (especially bloodshed) above all else. However, since they are almost literal Blood Knights who fight amongst themselves almost more than they do with the other factions, the vast majority operate on the principles of Klingon Promotions and general backstabbing.
 Challenging the Chief / int_bcadd7cb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_bcadd7cb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Warhammer 40,000 (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_bcadd7cb
 Challenging the Chief / int_bfd7c6e0
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_bfd7c6e0
comment
In Drowtales, Sarv'swati Vel'Sharen expands her clan's armies by doing this. She challenges a Black Sun chief. He's shown to be sexist by the standards of the universe, especially given that most of the drow societies are matriarchies, but he admits defeat once he is beaten and puts his troops under her command.
 Challenging the Chief / int_bfd7c6e0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_bfd7c6e0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Drowtales (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_bfd7c6e0
 Challenging the Chief / int_c18d15ca
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_c18d15ca
comment
In Starcraft II Legacy Of The Void Alarak challenges Ma'lash, the leader of the Tal'darim to a psionic duel known as "Rak'shir", in which one must force the other into a pit. During the duel, while their allies can't directly attack the opponent, they can be bolstered psionically by nearby units, meaning that your goal is to escort Alarak and take out any enemy units helping out Ma'lash.
 Challenging the Chief / int_c18d15ca
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_c18d15ca
featureConfidence
1.0
 StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_c18d15ca
 Challenging the Chief / int_c4282b71
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_c4282b71
comment
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic The dragons have a ritual of having a challenge match every few years to determine the new Dragon Lord. Spike actually wins but passes the position to Ember, the previous leader’s daughter.
 Challenging the Chief / int_c4282b71
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_c4282b71
featureConfidence
1.0
 My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_c4282b71
 Challenging the Chief / int_c43df4d8
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_c43df4d8
comment
In the Doctor Who story Ghost Light, the villainous Josiah plans to murder Queen Victoria under the delusion that the British monarchy works like this.
 Challenging the Chief / int_c43df4d8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_c43df4d8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Doctor Who
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_c43df4d8
 Challenging the Chief / int_c511c682
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_c511c682
comment
Asterix:
Asterix and the Big Fight: In order to destroy Asterix's village, the Romans call a Roman-loving Gaul chief to fight Vitalstatistix, using the fact that the druid Getafix is currently neutralized. Vitalstatistix manages to win without the magic potion by running around the ring and eventually punching the exhausted adversary - but he refuses to take control of his village, which then go back from Gallo-Roman to regular Gaul.
In Asterix and Caesar's Gift, Caesar grants the deed to the village to an ignoble retired legionary as a prank, who in turn trades it for a jar of wine. The new deed-owners go to the village, and eventually end up challenging Vitalstatistix to an election. Geriatrix also gets in on the action, but nobody pays attention to him.
 Challenging the Chief / int_c511c682
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_c511c682
featureConfidence
1.0
 Asterix (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_c511c682
 Challenging the Chief / int_c59ec4c1
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_c59ec4c1
comment
In the In Name Only Film of the Book of The Postman, in the Holnist Clan/Army, "Law 7: any clansman may challenge for leadership of the clan." The "laws of eight" are given to us in the first third of the movie. They very much become a Chekhov's Gun.
 Challenging the Chief / int_c59ec4c1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_c59ec4c1
featureConfidence
1.0
 In Name Only
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_c59ec4c1
 Challenging the Chief / int_c70a1171
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_c70a1171
comment
Conan the Barbarian took over a pirate ship this way in "The Pool of the Black One", as by the law of the Red Brotherhood, anyone who kills the captain of a ship becomes the new captain.
 Challenging the Chief / int_c70a1171
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_c70a1171
featureConfidence
1.0
 Conan the Barbarian (Franchise)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_c70a1171
 Challenging the Chief / int_c88ea794
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_c88ea794
comment
In Nation this is how the cannibalistic Raiders work. The villain of the piece ends up in charge of them via the "outsider becomes chief" route and since it's a Alternate History 1860s setting, he feels like it's a natural result of being Mighty Whitey. However this then bites him in the butt when the hero uses the rule for the "fight the leader, stop the horde" method.
 Challenging the Chief / int_c88ea794
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_c88ea794
featureConfidence
1.0
 Nation
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_c88ea794
 Challenging the Chief / int_cf69b21e
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_cf69b21e
comment
Dinobot invokes this twice in Beast Wars. The first time, after being booted from the Predacons, heads for the Maximals and challenges Optimus Primal. Their match gets interrupted by the other Predacons and Primal keeps his position. He attempts this again when Primal is killed at the end of the first seasons, but Rhinox puts the kibosh on that fast.
 Challenging the Chief / int_cf69b21e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_cf69b21e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Beast Wars
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_cf69b21e
 Challenging the Chief / int_d0c8185a
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_d0c8185a
comment
The Chronicles of Riddick has the "You keep what you kill" principle embedded in Necromonger religion, which leads to this trope occurring for Riddick after he kills the Lord Marshall.
 Challenging the Chief / int_d0c8185a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_d0c8185a
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_d0c8185a
 Challenging the Chief / int_d574d59b
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_d574d59b
comment
R.A. Salvatore's The Crystal Shard sees Wulfgar challenging the leader of his native tribe so that he can lead the barbarians against the Big Bad. In order to make the challenge in the first place, you must prove your right "by blood or by deed". He shows off the horns of an ancient white dragon he killed (with Drizzt's help) and gets a "by deed" chance.
 Challenging the Chief / int_d574d59b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_d574d59b
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Icewind Dale Trilogy
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_d574d59b
 Challenging the Chief / int_d6423831
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_d6423831
comment
In the John Carter of Mars series, Green Martians determine all their ranks by You Kill It, You Bought It, but for jeds (lords) or jeddaks (kings), the entire council of the lord in question must agree to the challenge for it to be valid. In the first book Tars Tarkas challenges his tribe's Jeddak and beheads him in a single sentence; the drama in the scene came from John Carter insulting Tal Hajus far enough that the council agreed to allow the challenge.
 Challenging the Chief / int_d6423831
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_d6423831
featureConfidence
1.0
 John Carter of Mars
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_d6423831
 Challenging the Chief / int_d736423c
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_d736423c
comment
The Rigel Black Chronicles: Leo became the Rogue, king of the Lower Alleys, by besting all comers in single combat, and has to regularly defend his title from friendly or unfriendly hopefuls. The stated aim of this rule is to ensure that the king is prepared to defend his people:
 Challenging the Chief / int_d736423c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_d736423c
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Rigel Black Chronicles (Fanfic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_d736423c
 Challenging the Chief / int_d78f90c5
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_d78f90c5
comment
Dragon Ball Multiverse: In at least one universe, the Saiyan monarchy works like this, and, when no one believed him when he claimed Frieza would destroy them, Bardock takes advantage of this trope by challenging King Vegeta to combat and defeating him, making him king long enough to order the Saiyans to ambush Frieza and kill him.
 Challenging the Chief / int_d78f90c5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_d78f90c5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dragon Ball Multiverse (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_d78f90c5
 Challenging the Chief / int_dc3c2fce
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_dc3c2fce
comment
In the Dred Chronicles, this is the normal way you get to be a gang boss on the Prison Ship Perdition. Dred, the protagonist, did it to her predecessor to take power, and people try to do it to her.
 Challenging the Chief / int_dc3c2fce
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_dc3c2fce
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dred Chronicles
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_dc3c2fce
 Challenging the Chief / int_e2b86487
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_e2b86487
comment
In The Riftwar Cycle there is a mention of a moredhel chieftain who conquered another tribe (and assimilated it into his own) by killing their leader in a fair fight.
 Challenging the Chief / int_e2b86487
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_e2b86487
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Riftwar Cycle
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_e2b86487
 Challenging the Chief / int_eb3f3551
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_eb3f3551
comment
Mass Effect: Andromeda:
The villain of the Elaaden arc challenges Nakmor Morda, head of the krogan settlers, to determine who should lead, apparently forgetting this is how Morda got in charge herself. She wins handily, and as an extra insult decides her opponent is Not Worth Killing.
 Challenging the Chief / int_eb3f3551
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_eb3f3551
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mass Effect: Andromeda (Video Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_eb3f3551
 Challenging the Chief / int_ee221a4e
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_ee221a4e
comment
The Transformers (Marvel):
Played with when Shockwave retains leadership of the Decepticons by kicking Megatron's ass; however, Shockwave clearly didn't want to fight, because he's all about logic (which to him is "whatever will achieve the best outcome") and the Decepticons were at the time under danger from the outnumbered and wounded Autobots.
In later issues two bands of Autobots lead by Grimlock and Fortress Maximus meet up and Grimlock immediately challenges Fortress Maximus to a physical contest to determine who will lead the combined group. Autobots consider this to be an archaic, even ceremonial law but it remains valid and Fort Max goes through with it.
 Challenging the Chief / int_ee221a4e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_ee221a4e
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Transformers (Marvel) (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_ee221a4e
 Challenging the Chief / int_eed321b1
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_eed321b1
comment
Ars Magica:
One prerequisite for the title of Archmage is to defeat a sitting Archmage at a challenge of their own design — sometimes a Wizard Duel, sometimes a bizarre Cooking Duel. The sitting Archmage isn't deposed, but after seven losses, they can't be challenged again and are widely seen as disgraced, so it's very bad form to challenge one who's suffered five or six losses.
House Tremere magi believe in Asskicking Leads to Leadership and have protocols to win leadership positions from the incumbent through a formal Wizard Duel. Downplayed as there are protocols: promotion by force is prohibited during emergencies, and magi also need to earn the right to issue the challenge — only a select few may actually challenge the Primus of the House.
 Challenging the Chief / int_eed321b1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_eed321b1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ars Magica (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_eed321b1
 Challenging the Chief / int_f01be35d
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_f01be35d
comment
In Raiders of Gor, Tarl Cabot kills the captain of a pirate ship for abusing a slave girl and discovers that doing so makes him the captain.
 Challenging the Chief / int_f01be35d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_f01be35d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Gor
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_f01be35d
 Challenging the Chief / int_f163bd9f
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_f163bd9f
comment
The Wolfriders in ElfQuest are another example. Though their leadership is usually inherited, tribe members can also challenge the chief and take over. The Go-Backs, at least later on in the series, appear to have the same thing.
 Challenging the Chief / int_f163bd9f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_f163bd9f
featureConfidence
1.0
 ElfQuest (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_f163bd9f
 Challenging the Chief / int_f309f886
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_f309f886
comment
In Orconomics, after Chief Zuthraka of the Guz'Varda Tribe admonishes his son Char for mistakenly causing their guests to believe them to be prisoners, Char finally gets angry and challenges his father for leadership, claiming that true Orcs should be a Proud Warrior Race instead of the Proud Merchant Race Zuthraka is trying to turn them into. Zuthraka handily defeats his son. Then, instead of executing him on the spot, as per those same old ways that Char loves so much, he spares him, but cuts off his beard (sign of maturity) as punishment.
 Challenging the Chief / int_f309f886
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_f309f886
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Dark Profit Saga
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_f309f886
 Challenging the Chief / int_f31ebb02
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_f31ebb02
comment
Hellboy II: The Golden Army had the "challenge the leader to stop the army" version down to a pat. After fighting the Golden Army for a few minutes, the heroes realize that there are far too many Mecha-Mooks for them to deal with, with the few they did destroy magically reassembling themselves anyway. Hellboy challenges the elven Prince Nuada to a duel for control of the Golden Army and since Hellboy's father is a member of Hell's nobility, he has that right. Nuada is actually winning the duel (dirtily) until his sister Nuala kills herself, their bound lifeforce also resulting in Nuada's death.
 Challenging the Chief / int_f31ebb02
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_f31ebb02
featureConfidence
1.0
 Hellboy II: The Golden Army
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_f31ebb02
 Challenging the Chief / int_f349915b
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_f349915b
comment
How the Minotaur Emperor in Dragonlance gets and keeps his job- Minotaurs settle almost all disputes through ritual combat, so the logical extension of this is that any warrior who has earned high enough distinction can challenge the Emperor for the throne. As a side-effect, this ensures that, as the Minotaurs feel it should, Asskicking Leads to Leadership.
 Challenging the Chief / int_f349915b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_f349915b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dragonlance
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_f349915b
 Challenging the Chief / int_f74b5f80
type
Challenging the Chief
 Challenging the Chief / int_f74b5f80
comment
In Babylon 5, the Narn appear to use this, with G'Kar periodically having to fend off threats to his authority over the Narns on the station. The Minbari have their own version, with a twist: the challenge is to stand in an increasingly lethal energy beam; the winner is the one who doesn't chicken out and leave the energy beam first. The position of the one who remained (and died) would be considered the superior one. However, when Delenn and Shakiri end up "battling" this way, Shakiri leaves the beam first. Shakiri's subordinate, Neroon, then wonders why Delenn doesn't leave the beam afterward, as they'd apparently discussed in the previous episode off-camera, only then learning that she meant to sacrifice herself for real. Not wanting to see this happen, Neroon enters the beam himself, removing Delenn from danger and remaining there himself. Then, just before expiring, Neroon announces his conversion from the Warrior Caste to the Religious Caste, thus giving them the victory.
 Challenging the Chief / int_f74b5f80
featureApplicability
1.0
 Challenging the Chief / int_f74b5f80
featureConfidence
1.0
 Babylon 5
hasFeature
Challenging the Chief / int_f74b5f80

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Challenging the Chief
processingCategory2
Authority Tropes
 Challenging the Chief
processingCategory2
Combat Tropes
 Age of Reptiles (Comic Book) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Phantom (Comic Strip) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Ancienverse / Fan Fic / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Super RWBY Sisters (Fanfic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Legend of Spyro: A New Dawn / Fan Fic / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Natural Selection (Fanfic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Origin of the Pixies (Fanfic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Pokemon: The Origin of Species (Fanfic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Desert Storm (Fanfic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Lunar Rebellion (Fanfic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The New Adventures of Invader Zim (Fanfic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Black Panther (2018) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Dune (2021) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Kung Fu Hustle / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Chronicles of Riddick (2004) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Grey / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Postman / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Warriors / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Dune (Franchise) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Chapterhouse: Dune / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Dune / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Halo: Contact Harvest / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 His Dark Materials / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 In Conquest Born / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 John Carter of Mars / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Matador Series / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Ronja the Robber's Daughter / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Secret Histories / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Space Wolf / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Tarzan of the Apes / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Book of the Named / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Heroes of Olympus / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Mark of the Horse Lord / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Riftwar Cycle / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Till We Have Faces / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Wings of Fire / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 ActionChatroom
seeAlso
Challenging the Chief
 Hayate × Blade (Manga) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 A Dynasty of Dynamic Alcoholism (Roleplay) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 MELKOR Rome Role Play Season One (Roleplay) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Frank Herbert's Dune / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The 100 / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Action Chatroom (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Crusader Kings (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Crusader Kings III (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Fallout 76 (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Final Fantasy X-2 (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Ruiner (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Rome: Total War (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 The Last Remnant (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 War for the West (Video Game) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Goblins (Webcomic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 S.S.D.D. (Webcomic) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Heavy Metal 2000 / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5 / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief
 X-O Manowar (Comic Book) / int_521144cf
type
Challenging the Chief