Editing Sobering Slap

{{Spell Infobox
|title = Sobering Slap
|image = 
|japanese = つっこみ (''VII'' only)<br> ツッコミ (''IX'', ''X'', ''XI'')
|romaji = Tsukkomi
|old = PointOut
|type = Skill
}}

'''Sobering Slap''' is the name of two distinct abilities in the {{DQSeries}}. 

In ''[[Dragon Quest IX]]'', ''[[Dragon Quest X|X]]'', and ''[[Dragon Quest XI|XI]]'', it is a restorative ability that slaps an ally out of confusion or wakes them up (much like [[Rude Awakening]] from ''VII''). In addition to curing confusion and sleep, it also cures beguilement and paralysis in X and XI.

In the ''[[Dragon Quest VII]]'', it prepares the user to counter a physical attack when attacked. It is similar to [[Follow Suit]] (Retaliate) from the original version of ''VII'' - however, unlike the latter ability, it only applies to physical attacks, not breath attacks and spells.

==Appearances==
==={{DQ3}}===
In the 2024 remake, Sobering Slap is learned by the [[Gadabout]] at level 9 and costs 4 MP.

==={{DQ7}}===
In the original Sony PlayStation version, Sobering Slap is learned by advancing to rank 4 as a [[Jester]] and rank 2 in the 3DS version. It prepares the user to launch a counter attack after being targeted by an enemy's physical attack. It is similar to [[Follow Suit]] (Retaliate) from the PS1 version, but only counters physical attacks, not breath attacks and spells. It costs no MP to use.

==={{DQ9}}===
This ability is learned with 32 skill points allocated into [[List of litheness skills in Dragon Quest IX|Litheness skill]].

==={{DQ10}}===
Sobering Slap is learned by Minstrels once again by investing 22 skill points into their Litheness skill. It costs 4 MP to use and has a 100% chance to awaken a sleeping party member and a 75% chance to remove paralysis, confusion, and beguilement boosted by the user's deftness.

==={{DQ11}}===
Sobering Slap can be learned by [[Sylvando]] through his ''Litheness'' panel for 8 points, but has already been learned by him when he joins the party. It can remove sleep, confusion, beguilement, or paralysis from one party member for 4 MP. Sylvando also uses this during his short stint as a non-playable ally early in the game.

==Etymology==
The Japanese name for this technique, ツッコミ ''tsukkomi'', is a reference to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai Manzai], a form of traditional Japanese comedy which involves there being two comedic performers. 

One of these two performers is the ''boke'', who acts foolish and/or says ridiculous things (similar to the "funny man" in Western double comedy acts). The other performer is the one delivering the "tsukkomi" to the boke's tomfoolery - which basically involves making funny commentary on the boke's behavior, or correcting their outrageous statements (similar to playing the "straight man" in Western comedy routines) - this generally leads to more confusion and/or stupidity from the boke, leading to additional opportunities for tsukkomi until the manzai act ends. 

Often times in manzai, the one delivering the tsukkomi is seen giving a '''Sobering Slap''' to their idiotic "boke" partner - which may be where the English localization for this skill derives.

The skill [[Pratfall]] is called ''boke'' in Japanese, so it could be seen as a counterpart to this skill.

==Trivia==
The two different versions of this technique are distinguished in Japanese by the use of hiragana for the counter ability in the remakes of Dragon Quest VII, and katakana for the restorative skill from IX - XI.

==See Also==
*[[Follow Suit]]
*[[Pratfall]]

{{clear}}

{{DQSkills}}
[[category:Skills]]
[[Category:Restorative skills]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest VII skills]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest IX skills]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest X skills]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest XI skills]]
[[Category:Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince traits]]