corbomite bluff

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The corbomite bluff is a fictional strategic deception used by Captain Kirk in Star Trek to convince an enemy that the Enterprise is protected by a deadly retaliatory substance called "corbomite."

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Statements (30)

Predicate Object
instanceOf fictional strategic deception
plot device
tactic in Star Trek
appearsInEpisode "The Corbomite Maneuver" NERFINISHED
appearsInWork Star Trek: The Original Series NERFINISHED
associatedWithCharacterTrait Kirk's ingenuity
Kirk's risk-taking
associatedWithTheme psychological warfare
using intellect over force
claimedProperty destroys attacker if Enterprise is destroyed
reflects any destructive energy back on attacker
describedAs deadly retaliatory substance
enemyTargeted Balok NERFINISHED
enemyVessel First Federation starship Fesarius NERFINISHED
fictionalSubstanceName corbomite
firstAiredInYear 1966
franchiseMedium television
hasLegacy became a well-known example of Kirk's tactics
referenced in later Star Trek discussions and analyses
languageOfOrigin English
narrativePurpose to save the Enterprise from destruction
originatesFromFranchise Star Trek NERFINISHED
primaryFunction deterrence
strategic deception
threatEffect creates fear of retaliation
discourages enemy attack
truthStatusInCanon a complete bluff
usedByCharacter Captain Kirk NERFINISHED
James T. Kirk NERFINISHED
usedOnStarship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) NERFINISHED

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Star Trek (original series episode "The Corbomite Maneuver") plotDevice corbomite bluff
subject surface form: The Corbomite Maneuver