Overkill 479070 224789213 2008-07-10T12:37:43Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other {{unreferenced|date=May 2008}} {{otheruses}} '''Overkill''' is the use of [[excessive force]] or action that goes further than is necessary to achieve its goal. For example, using a [[sledgehammer]] to crack a [[hazelnut]], or shooting an [[ant]] with a [[shoulder-launched missile weapon|rocket launcher]] would be overkill. ==Nuclear weapons== ''Overkill'' is especially used to refer to a [[nuclear weapon|destructive nuclear capacity]] exceeding the amount needed to destroy an enemy.[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/overkill] The term was probably coined in the 1940s and was in common use during the [[Cold War]] era, referring to the [[arms race]] between the [[United States]] and the [[Soviet Union]]. Both nations possessed (and still possess) more than enough nuclear weapons to destroy one another many times over &mdash; nuclear overkill. ==Criminology== In [[criminal profiling]], the term "overkill" refers to the wounds or mutilations inflicted by offenders (especially [[serial killer]]s), which go beyond what is necessary to kill the victim. Such wounds are often inflicted ''[[post mortem]]''. This often occurs when the attacker is completely out of control i.e. a blind [[rage]] or the proverbial [[red mist]]. Alternatively, the deed may be done calmly in order to satisfy the control/possession fantasies of the assailant. A classic example would be a frenzied [[stabbing]] where the victim has suffered a very high count of abdominal wounds. ==In movies== In a critical sense, overkill might be considered a close relative of [[overacting]] and [[overdramatizing]]. For example, in most modern horror films, such as ''[[Friday the 13th (film)|Friday the 13th]]'', most of the killing is quickly [[cliché]]d, and is always overkill. For instance, when someone has fallen three stories onto the pavement, it would be overkill to hack them up with a [[chainsaw]]. In Transformers, (post 1987) Overkill was one of Soundwave's later Cassettes. ==In video games== <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:2006-09-26_23h20m54.png|thumb|PC-Game - [[Alien Shooter 2]], [[Flamethrower]] Overkill]] --> Overkill is a common feature in many video games. In some games, such as ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'', "overkill" is made part of the battle system; finishing off an enemy with a very high-damage attack may give bonus rewards after battle. Overkill is also one of the killing spree medals in ''[[Halo 2]]'', and is awarded for killing 25 opponents in a row without dying. It is available in all multiplayer game types. Overkill is also a medal and Achievement in "[[Halo 3]]", and is obtained by killing 4 opponents within 4 seconds of each other; it is equivalent to the Killtacular award from the previous Halo games. It is available in all multiplayer game types, however the Achievement associated with it can only be obtained in a Ranked Free for All Playlist over Xbox Live. In ''[[Call of Duty 4]]'' Overkill is a tier 2 perk that lets the player carry two main weapons. In [[first-person shooter]]s, overkilling a character will often result in [[gibs|gibbing]] that character. Overkill is the name of Vice's HSDM in [[The King of Fighters 2002]]. ==In Music== A [[Motörhead]] album [1979] and song from the album Overkill. Lyrics written by Lemmy (Ian Fraser Kilmister). [[Overkill (band)]] is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in [[New Jersey]]. The band has been active since 1984, releasing 15 studio albums, 2 EPs, 2 live albums and a "covers" album. [[Queen (band)]] use the word "Overkill" in the famous song [[The Show Must Go On (Queen song)]]. [[Colin Hay]] has a song named "Overkill". This song is in the first episode of [[Scrubs (TV series)]] season 2. [[de:Overkill]]