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*** Except for that one time in "Too Many Pinkies"(S3E3)When she destroyed massive amounts of Pinkie clones, which do have minds of their own.
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*** Except for that one time in "Too Many Pinkies"(S3E3)When Pinkies" (S3E3) when she destroyed massive amounts of Pinkie clones, which do have minds of their own.
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* ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]],'' Season 1 uses constant surveillance on Jack Bauer to make sure he doesn't disobey the terrorists' orders (his family is at stake and they will die instantly if he disobeys.)
* ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]],'' Season 1 uses constant surveillance on Jack Bauer to make sure he doesn't disobey the terrorists' orders (his family is at stake and they will die instantly if he disobeys.)
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*
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*** Except for that one time in "Too Many Pinkies"(S3E3)When she destroyed massive amounts of Pinkie clones, which do have minds of their own.
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* In ''MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', Twilight Sparkle is the personal student of Princess Celestia, the ruler of the realm and essentially a physical goddess. Any trouble Twilight cannot handle on her own could potentially be taken care of simply by contacting her teacher. However, due to her deep-seated fear of disappointing Celestia, she never resorts to this, and instead tries to do everything by herself.
** Twilight's considerable powers and skills are often kept in check by her strong morals; she's never resorted to killing even mindless parasprites, never uses brute force unless physically threatened, and tries for the diplomatic approach as often as possible. In addition, while her magic is extremely powerful, she often messes up spells she's not fully familiar with, which can make things worse.
** Twilight's considerable powers and skills are often kept in check by her strong morals; she's never resorted to killing even mindless parasprites, never uses brute force unless physically threatened, and tries for the diplomatic approach as often as possible. In addition, while her magic is extremely powerful, she often messes up spells she's not fully familiar with, which can make things worse.
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* One of your characters has awesome magic powers? Knock 'em out. Worked in ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''. Alternatively, someone sticks a RestrainingBolt on them, or they lose their powers for a bit (recurring fun in ''InuYasha'').
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* One of your characters has awesome magic powers? Knock 'em out. Worked in ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''. Alternatively, someone sticks a RestrainingBolt on them, or they lose their powers for a bit (recurring fun in ''InuYasha'').
''Manga/InuYasha'').
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* {{Inuyasha}}'s Miroku has what is basically a miniature black hole in his hand which can suck in and destroy even ridiculously powerful beings. For no reason besides the fact that he's not the main character, he is poisoned if he sucks in venomous insects or toxic gas. It is also established that if he uses this too much, it will eventually swallow him whole. Immediately after he joins the main cast the villain calls up a swarm of giant wasps that protect basically everything that has to do with the main plot.
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* {{Inuyasha}}'s Manga/{{Inuyasha}}'s Miroku has what is basically a miniature black hole in his hand which can suck in and destroy even ridiculously powerful beings. For no reason besides the fact that he's not the main character, he is poisoned if he sucks in venomous insects or toxic gas. It is also established that if he uses this too much, it will eventually swallow him whole. Immediately after he joins the main cast the villain calls up a swarm of giant wasps that protect basically everything that has to do with the main plot.
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* One of the better external limiters is from ''Series/TheGreatestAmericanHero''. Ralph is given a super suit by benevolent aliens who know he will not abuse its powers, which are in the instruction manual which accompanies the suit. Naturally, almost as soon as the aliens leave, he loses the manual. The aliens later give him a second instruction manual...which he also loses quickly.
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* In the first series finale of ''KimPossible'', ''So The Drama'', Kim gains a battle suit that allows her to literally do anything. It makes another appearance when the series is renewed but it becomes hijacked and becomes a case of HoldingBackThePhlebotinum. It makes a couple more appearances, then mega geek Cousin Larry gets a hold of it. [[WildMassGuessing Kim probably let him keep it after that.]]
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* In the first series finale of ''KimPossible'', ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'', ''So The Drama'', Kim gains a battle suit that allows her to literally do anything. It makes another appearance when the series is renewed but it becomes hijacked and becomes a case of HoldingBackThePhlebotinum. It makes a couple more appearances, then mega geek Cousin Larry gets a hold of it. [[WildMassGuessing Kim probably let him keep it after that.]]
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* In ''SluggyFreelance'', Torg could probably solve many of the problems he faces with [[CoolSword Chaz]], but doing so would require the blood of someone innocent to activate it. Of course, he never thinks to collect a vial or two from anyone in the DoL, or to simply cut himself.
* ''LastRes0rt'' has Jigsaw Forte, who can read minds and transform into a SuperpoweredEvilSide which can handle most of her problems... except for that pesky "being under constant surveillance on a RealityShow" thing, and if she actually reveals she's a vampire, she'll end up hunted down.
* ''LastRes0rt'' has Jigsaw Forte, who can read minds and transform into a SuperpoweredEvilSide which can handle most of her problems... except for that pesky "being under constant surveillance on a RealityShow" thing, and if she actually reveals she's a vampire, she'll end up hunted down.
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* In ''SluggyFreelance'', ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'', Torg could probably solve many of the problems he faces with [[CoolSword Chaz]], but doing so would require the blood of someone innocent to activate it. Of course, he never thinks to collect a vial or two from anyone in the DoL, or to simply cut himself.
*''LastRes0rt'' ''Webcomic/LastRes0rt'' has Jigsaw Forte, who can read minds and transform into a SuperpoweredEvilSide which can handle most of her problems... except for that pesky "being under constant surveillance on a RealityShow" thing, and if she actually reveals she's a vampire, she'll end up hunted down.
*
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* In SluggyFreelance, Torg could probably solve many of the problems he faces with [[CoolSword:Chaz]], but doing so would require the blood of someone innocent to activate it. Of course, he never thinks to collect a vial or two from anyone in the DoL, or to simply cut himself.
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* In SluggyFreelance, ''SluggyFreelance'', Torg could probably solve many of the problems he faces with [[CoolSword:Chaz]], [[CoolSword Chaz]], but doing so would require the blood of someone innocent to activate it. Of course, he never thinks to collect a vial or two from anyone in the DoL, or to simply cut himself.
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* In the first series finale of KimPossible, ''So The Drama,'' Kim gains a battle suit that allows her to literally do anything. It makes another appearance when the series is renewed but it becomes hijacked and becomes a case of HoldingBackThePhlebotinum. It makes a couple more appearances, then mega geek Cousin Larry gets a hold of it. [[WildMassGuessing Kim probably let him keep it after that.]]
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* In the first series finale of KimPossible, ''KimPossible'', ''So The Drama,'' Drama'', Kim gains a battle suit that allows her to literally do anything. It makes another appearance when the series is renewed but it becomes hijacked and becomes a case of HoldingBackThePhlebotinum. It makes a couple more appearances, then mega geek Cousin Larry gets a hold of it. [[WildMassGuessing Kim probably let him keep it after that.]]
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*** ''Example:'' In ''SilentHill1'', the protagonist Harry wouldn't leave even if he could since his daughter Cheryl is lost in the monster filled town.
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*** ''Example:'' In ''SilentHill1'', ''VideoGame/SilentHill1'', the protagonist Harry wouldn't leave even if he could since his daughter Cheryl is lost in the monster filled monster-filled town.
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Dewicking Dying Like Animals so it can be cut
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Peer pressure, social responsibility and [[ThickerThanWater family duty]] all serve as ways to force a character to do (or not do) something. A sufficiently honor bound character would follow the lead of the community and its laws, but a rebel can be hemmed in by the ObstructiveBureaucrat, the distrust of AllOfTheOtherReindeer, and fight against a populace that is DyingLikeAnimals. Outside enforcement like police, bosses, criminals or the army can dissuade certain actions as a way of threatening heroes into complying.
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Peer pressure, social responsibility and [[ThickerThanWater family duty]] all serve as ways to force a character to do (or not do) something. A sufficiently honor bound character would follow the lead of the community and its laws, but a rebel can be hemmed in by the ObstructiveBureaucrat, the distrust of AllOfTheOtherReindeer, and fight against a populace that is DyingLikeAnimals.getting slaughtered. Outside enforcement like police, bosses, criminals or the army can dissuade certain actions as a way of threatening heroes into complying.
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* ''Example:'' In ''{{Neverwhere}}'', the heroes and ThoseTwoBadGuys run into each other in a marketplace. Normally, they would have fought to the death, but the [[TruceZone market truce]] meant the bad guys had to be civil or face death by mob.
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* ''Example:'' In ''{{Neverwhere}}'', ''Literature/{{Neverwhere}}'', the heroes and ThoseTwoBadGuys run into each other in a marketplace. Normally, they would have fought to the death, but the [[TruceZone market truce]] meant the bad guys had to be civil or face death by mob.
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* In SluggyFreelance, Torg could probably solve many of the problems he faces with [[CoolSword:Chaz]], but doing so would require the blood of someone innocent to activate it. Of course, he never thinks to collect a vial or two from anyone in the DoL, or to simply cut himself.
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** ''Example:'' [[{{Batman}} The Riddler]] is obsessed with leaving clues at his crimes, first as a boast and then as a mental disorder. He literally ''couldn't'' avoid leaving a clue. He also couldn't reveal the identity of the Batman after he learned it, because a riddle that everyone knew the answer to is useless.
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** ''Example:'' [[{{Batman}} [[Franchise/{{Batman}} The Riddler]] is obsessed with leaving clues at his crimes, first as a boast and then as a mental disorder. He literally ''couldn't'' avoid leaving a clue. He also couldn't reveal the identity of the Batman after he learned it, because a riddle that everyone knew the answer to is useless.
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** ''Example:'' In ''TheDeadZone'' Johnny has [[PsychicPowers psychometry]] from a post car-crash coma, but also has a constant limp that requires him to use a cane. Considering how often he has to outrun danger, this is a serious problem for him.
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** ''Example:'' In ''TheDeadZone'' ''Series/TheDeadZone'' Johnny has [[PsychicPowers psychometry]] from a post car-crash coma, but also has a constant limp that requires him to use a cane. Considering how often he has to outrun danger, this is a serious problem for him.
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Can You Hear Me Now has been split into Super Cell Reception and Cell Phones Are Useless. Bad examples and Zer Context material is being deleted.
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** '''External:''' Aside from mundane and personal reasons, there are magical ones. A {{curse}} that makes it so they CannotSpitItOut, or makes them entirely [[Film/TheMatrix unable to speak]]. [[CanYouHearMeNow Faulty telephones]], a loud environment, and having one or both gagged or deafened can also work for a time.
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** '''External:''' Aside from mundane and personal reasons, there are magical ones. A {{curse}} that makes it so they CannotSpitItOut, or makes them entirely [[Film/TheMatrix unable to speak]]. [[CanYouHearMeNow [[CellPhonesAreUseless Faulty telephones]], a loud environment, and having one or both gagged or deafened can also work for a time.
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* Superman: Why else is [[KryptoniteIsEverywhere kryptonite everywhere]]?
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* Superman: {{Superman}}: Why else is [[KryptoniteIsEverywhere kryptonite everywhere]]?
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* ''TheDresdenFiles'' generally takes pains to have Harry explain why he can't use certain spells or abilities or resources. One of the more common limitations is when Harry is dealing with either humans or monsters who've taken human shields, as the First law of Magic is that you ''cannot'' kill a mortal with magic directly. Other Laws of Magic deal with other particularly nasty uses of magic, such as [[BalefulPolymorph transforming bodies,]] [[MindControl mental magic]], or binding living creatures to one's will. Other times, Harry specifies that while he would ordinarily use a type of magic or call someone for backup or information, but he can't for a particular reason.
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* ''TheDresdenFiles'' ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' generally takes pains to have Harry explain why he can't use certain spells or abilities or resources. One of the more common limitations is when Harry is dealing with either humans or monsters who've taken human shields, as the First law of Magic is that you ''cannot'' kill a mortal with magic directly. Other Laws of Magic deal with other particularly nasty uses of magic, such as [[BalefulPolymorph transforming bodies,]] [[MindControl mental magic]], or binding living creatures to one's will. Other times, Harry specifies that while he would ordinarily use a type of magic or call someone for backup or information, but he can't for a particular reason.
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** Also, when Harry displays new abilities, it is carefully justified, neatly avoiding an AssPull and a DeusExMachina.
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* [[InheritanceCycle Eragon]] cannot use magic to kill his wizard opponents because just before they die, they might kill him too; he has to first [[MindControl control their minds]]. If he is fighting soldiers they are usually [[AWizardDidIt protected by one of the aforementioned wizards]].
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* [[InheritanceCycle [[Literature/InheritanceCycle Eragon]] cannot use magic to kill his wizard opponents because just before they die, they might kill him too; he has to first [[MindControl control their minds]]. If he is fighting soldiers they are usually [[AWizardDidIt protected by one of the aforementioned wizards]].
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* In ''LightNovel/ToAruMajutsuNoIndex'', Index has a magical robe called the Walking Church that renders her immune to virtually all attacks. One of the first things that happens is Touma destroys it to prove the power of his AntiMagic right hand.
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* In ''LightNovel/ToAruMajutsuNoIndex'', ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'', Index has a magical robe called the Walking Church that renders her immune to virtually all attacks. One of the first things that happens is Touma destroys it to prove the power of his AntiMagic right hand.
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What? How would it not be?
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** This is intentional in the story though.
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FridgeLogic is a cruel mistress and deadly force. It can destroy WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief in seconds, as a viewer realizes the heroes (or villains) could easily and quickly succeed if they took a certain action within their power.
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*** ''Example:'' In ''DarkCity'', John Murdock can't use his powerful abilities because the experiments that caused them gave him [[EasyAmnesia almost]] [[HowDoIShotWeb complete amnesia]].
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*** ''Example:'' In ''DarkCity'', ''Film/DarkCity'', John Murdock can't use his powerful abilities because the experiments that caused them gave him [[EasyAmnesia almost]] [[HowDoIShotWeb complete amnesia]].
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** ''Example:'' [[{{Batman}} The Riddler]] is obsessed with leaving clues at his crimes, first as a boast and then as a mental disorder. He literally ''couldn't'' avoid leaving a clue. he also couldn't reveal the identity of the Batman after he learned it, because a riddle that everyone knew the answer to is useless.
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** ''Example:'' [[{{Batman}} The Riddler]] is obsessed with leaving clues at his crimes, first as a boast and then as a mental disorder. He literally ''couldn't'' avoid leaving a clue. he He also couldn't reveal the identity of the Batman after he learned it, because a riddle that everyone knew the answer to is useless.
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*** ''Example:'' Several episodes of ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' create a lot of anxiety by removing her powers, such as being hypnotized into thinking she's a Victorian lady, drugged into losing her super strength, or pinned under a chandelier.
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*** ''Example:'' Several episodes of ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' create a lot of anxiety by removing her powers, such as being hypnotized into thinking she's a Victorian lady, drugged into losing her super strength, or pinned under a chandelier.
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* One of your characters has awesome magic powers? Knock 'em out. Worked in ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''. Alternatively, someone sticks a RestrainingBolt on them, or they lose their powers for a bit (recurring fun in ''InuYasha'').
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* One of your characters has awesome magic powers? Knock 'em out. Worked in ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''. Alternatively, someone sticks a RestrainingBolt on them, or they lose their powers for a bit (recurring fun in ''InuYasha'').
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*** ''Example:'' In both versions of ''Film/HouseOnHauntedHill'', the mansion has deadbolts, iron reinforced windows, and all are on a time lock. No one gets out before the party is over.
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*** ''Example:'' In both versions of ''Film/HouseOnHauntedHill'', the original ''Film/HouseOnHauntedHill1959'' and [[Film/HouseOnHauntedHill1999 its remake]], the mansion has deadbolts, iron reinforced windows, and all are on a time lock. No one gets out before the party is over.
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Folderized and added Index example.
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FridgeLogic is a cruel mistress and deadly force. It can destroy WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief in seconds, as a viewer realizes the heroes (or villains) could easily and quickly succeed if they took a certain action within their power.
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FridgeLogic is a cruel mistress and deadly force. It can destroy WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief in seconds, as a viewer realizes the heroes (or villains) could easily and quickly succeed if they took a certain action within their power.
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** This is intentional in the story though.
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FridgeLogic is a cruel mistress and deadly force. It can destroy WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief in seconds, as a viewer realizes the heroes (or villains) could easily and quickly succeed if they took a certain action within their power.
So why don't they? Why did the author feel the need to have them [[{{Railroading}} do things the hard way?]] Often it's done to preserve the drama and sense of urgency in the plot, because there would be no story, or story worth telling, if they solved their problem easily.
If the author knows what they're doing, they'll take pains to point out why the heroes (or villains) cannot or will not take that step. Stopping the DeusExMachina can be simple or complex, and may deal with physical limitations or mental, emotional, or moral ones (even ''technically'' laudable ones, such as "[[ThouShaltNotKill refuses to take a life]]" -- though in practice that's [[TheFarmerAndTheViper not such a good thing]] [[UngratefulBastard all the time]]).
The most basic way of implementing these restrictions are Internal and External means. Internal restrictions are ones inherent to a character (personality, morality, skills, talent) and those that are [[TheFettered self-imposed]], like vows to help others, not kill, that sort of thing. External restrictions are ones that the environment imposes on the characters, be it in material restrictions or injuries. They might have their means of travel restricted, communications cut off, equipment damaged or disabled. Or they may be wheelchair bound, have a broken arm, a PowerLimiter or reality itself somehow disallows an action, among other possibilities.
As you can see, though this guide has DeusExMachina in the name, it covers situations that completely normal people could solve. For your reading convenience, they have been divided into topic sections covering how to stop characters from doing specific things, as well as specific types of impediments.
MindOverManners is a subtrope.
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[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Don't do that!]]
* [[ClosedCircle How To Keep Your Hero From Just Walking Away]]
** '''Internal:''' Give them a sense of obligation or indebtedness, or some other emotional reason to stay. If they're helped by a GoodSamaritan, [[ThePowerOfLove fall]] for a [[HookerWithAHeartOfGold soiled dove]], a DeterminedWidow, or any other LoveInterest, or the antagonist [[ItsPersonal makes it personal]] are all good reasons (note that if they are staying to help, you need to give the person being helped a reason to stay, too, so we don't ask why the hero didn't just bring them along while he left).
*** ''Example:'' In ''SilentHill1'', the protagonist Harry wouldn't leave even if he could since his daughter Cheryl is lost in the monster filled town.
** '''External:''' Make it impossible for them to leave by putting them in a ClosedCircle, or making it worth their while to stay. Like having someone offer them money, or putting them in house arrest so that leaving is undesirable.
*** ''Example:'' In both versions of ''Film/HouseOnHauntedHill'', the mansion has deadbolts, iron reinforced windows, and all are on a time lock. No one gets out before the party is over.
* [[PoorCommunicationKills How To Maintain Lack Of Communication]]
** '''Internal:''' Mistrusting other characters (with reasons to not trust them!); BeingWatched or some other surveillance.
*** ''Example:'' In ''RanmaOneHalf'', both Ranma and Akane are too stubborn to honestly admit their romantic feelings for each other, and prone to (almost willfully) misreading situations to think the worst of each other.
** '''External:''' Aside from mundane and personal reasons, there are magical ones. A {{curse}} that makes it so they CannotSpitItOut, or makes them entirely [[Film/TheMatrix unable to speak]]. [[CanYouHearMeNow Faulty telephones]], a loud environment, and having one or both gagged or deafened can also work for a time.
*** ''Example:'' In the fable of the ''Six Swans'' or ''The Swan Brothers'', the only way their sister can cure them of their [[BalefulPolymorph transformation into swans]] is to weave them sweaters while being completely silent. This leads the prince who loves her into being susceptible to her wicked stepmother convincing him she doesn't love him.
* [[DeusExitMachina How To Keep Someone]] [[DramaPreservingHandicap From Using His Awesome Powers]]
** '''Internal:''' Self imposed limits to avoid collateral damage are also workable. Of course, the GodzillaThreshold will still have to be crossed at one point. Authors should not cheat viewers of a gun demonstration after showing them ChekhovsGun.
*** ''Example:'' In ''DarkCity'', John Murdock can't use his powerful abilities because the experiments that caused them gave him [[EasyAmnesia almost]] [[HowDoIShotWeb complete amnesia]].
** '''External:''' This includes advice for justifying the Mentor's refusal to do the job himself, since he obviously has greater power than the rest of the cast. Having the environment be an AntiMagic, or an enemy so powerful they can [[NoSell ignore the hero's powers]]. Or hire [[MageKiller a person who specializes in it]] and let him do whatever he wants. For a climactic battle, consider setting up an environment that requires the full use of said powers just to function normally (and show what happens to normal people).
*** ''Example:'' Several episodes of ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' create a lot of anxiety by removing her powers, such as being hypnotized into thinking she's a Victorian lady, drugged into losing her super strength, or pinned under a chandelier.
* How to rein in errant {{Phlebotinum}}.
** '''Internal:''' The character doesn't trust the phlebotinum, either because he's a [[LuddWasRight luddite]], or because of some deep seated hate stemming from a DarkAndTroubledPast. Using plot solving phlebotinum thus requires they use great willpower or reach a difficult epiphany.
*** ''Example:'' Perseus in the 2010 ''ClashOfTheTitans'' won't use either his powers ''or'' a divinely gifted sword because he hates the gods for having killed his adoptive family. Only when his lover Io is mortally wounded does he accept his divine heritage and use it.
** '''External:''' ItOnlyWorksOnce, it's dangerous PsychoSerum or ToxicPhlebotinum, there were NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup, it was a DisposableSuperheroMaker, and in general making it PowerAtAPrice. Be careful to avoid ReedRichardsIsUseless if you can.
*** ''Example:'' In ''Film/PrinceOfPersiaTheSandsOfTime'', the time rewinding dagger only works with the Sands of Time, and getting it is very difficult, requiring going underground in the city of Alamut.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:General Internal Limitations]]
Aside from these specific topics, there are a lot of general '''Internal''' limits a hero or villain can self impose. Something they voluntarily choose not to do, or do in a certain way. This can work remarkably well both as a tool for [[CharacterizationTropes characterization]] ''and'' a plot complication. However, you should take care not to make the restriction come out of the blue or be ridiculous. It's one thing for a hero to refuse to kill out of regret for having accidentally killed a friend in anger, it's another entirely for them to give some half baked excuse not to off the OmnicidalManiac who's MadeOfEvil 'just because'.
But what happens when the {{Antihero}} or CardCarryingVillain show up? These types do not play by the rules... except they ''do''. [[{{Ubermensch}} Their]] [[BlueAndOrangeMorality own]] [[BadassCreed rules]], that is. As TheUnfettered, both may refuse to bow to the same constraints as normal people do, but that does not mean they are without some guiding intelligence and under some consideration. Be they an {{Ubermensch}}, stylish villain or gritty loner, they are by no means exempt from Internal constraints.
Here are a few common ways for heroes and villains limit themselves.
!!Moral and Emotional:
* '''Heroes:''' May choose to be TheFettered and live to a strict moral code, with all the attendant FlawExploitation that will result in. ThouShaltNotKill, IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim, and other considerations likely stay his hand from outright killing a villain. However, smaller things like not stealing, hurting innocents, fighting dirty or destroying things needlessly may also seriously complicate their efforts.
** Heroes who are prone to this: KnightInShiningArmor, TheCape
** ''Example:'' {{Superman}}, for all his unstoppable power, can fail to foil a crime because he will not ever use lethal force due to his respect for life and a latent fear of abusing his powers.
* '''Villains:''' They may practice EvenEvilHasStandards and pick and choose a handful of moral lines they will not cross. Killing ''can'' be one of these, interestingly enough. Or they may have (had) a relationship with the hero that makes hurting them a very difficult proposition; {{Noble Demon}}s will be loathe to [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim shoot the hero]], and [[WeCanRuleTogether may even dream of having them join their evil cause]].
** Characters who may do this: AffablyEvil, AntiVillain, BigBadFriend, HarmlessVillain, NobleDemon, WellIntentionedExtremist.
** ''Example:'' Hannibal Lecter from the film version of [[TheSilenceOfTheLambs Hannibal]] had such a powerful obsession (love?) with agent Starling that he couldn't bear to harm her, resorting to cutting off his own hand to escape capture rather than hers.
!!Personality and Character:
* '''Heroes:''' Even {{antihero}}es who are fine with killing probably require some kind of prompt to do so, like a villain crossing the MoralEventHorizon or a [[ProtagonistCenteredMorality personal threshold]]. A villain who is wise to these may well skirt "over" the heroes radar to avoid this treatment, or manipulate the hero into facing enemies he will not willingly harm. Providing said heroes with a MoralityPet (and the hero with a reason to ''listen'' to their pet) applies here as well.
** Heroes who are prone to this: HitmanWithAHeart, JerkWithAHeartOfGold.
** ''Example:'' [[TrinityBlood Father Abel Nightroad]] is a [[FoodChainOfEvil vampire eater]], and could easily mop the floor with most anyone. However, he enjoys being treated like a human and limiting collateral damage, so he usually accomplishes missions from behind a veil of ObfuscatingStupidity.
* '''Villains:''' If the villain is an OmnicidalManiac with a [[EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor bad sense of humor]], or even a SerialKiller, their actions will be informed by their manias. Maybe they have ComplexityAddiction and refuse to do evil acts without flair or 'just because', or their mental disorder (sometimes both are one and the same) mandates they can only kill people whose name ends with S on Tuesday, not Wednesday. Then again, a LawfulEvil villain may not want to compromise their standards ("morals" is a bit too strong a word here).
** Villain who are prone to this: NobleDemon.
** ''Example:'' [[{{Batman}} The Riddler]] is obsessed with leaving clues at his crimes, first as a boast and then as a mental disorder. He literally ''couldn't'' avoid leaving a clue. he also couldn't reveal the identity of the Batman after he learned it, because a riddle that everyone knew the answer to is useless.
!!Physical and Mental:
* '''Mental:''' Heroes or villains may be further constrained from taking an action by, put bluntly, not thinking of it. They might not be that bright, or their personality (see above) isn't an observant or creative one. Or if they are book smart, they aren't clever or deductive, so they put the clues together or come up with a foolproof plan. Then again, a clever, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type might be too much of TheDitz to use their short term genius to problems that aren't immediate, or a meticulous [[TheChessmaster Chessmaster]] [[SpannerInTheWorks can't predict]] [[DidntSeeThatComing the unpredictable]]. Other sure fire ways of doing this are to give them a distraction: a DistressedDamsel who [[DistractedByTheSexy keeps them occupied]] intentionally or not, or a villain manipulating them into a MacGuffinDeliveryService, so they don't think to question if they're doing the right thing.
** ''Example:'' [[Comicbook/TheAvengers The Absorbing Man]] can turn his body into anything he wants, but his low IQ and limited imagination means he rarely does anything more than turn into a hard substance to bash the heroes.
* '''Physical:''' Giving a character an injury can be a great way to not just keep them housebound, but start the plot itself. Other physical limits include ankle bracelets (''Disturbia'') or the more exotic PowerLimiter.
** ''Example:'' In ''TheDeadZone'' Johnny has [[PsychicPowers psychometry]] from a post car-crash coma, but also has a constant limp that requires him to use a cane. Considering how often he has to outrun danger, this is a serious problem for him.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:General External Limitations]]
'''External''' limitations are those the setting or environment place on the characters and their actions. These can take a wide variety of forms, for example a character could be prevented from [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim shooting an enemy]] by having a gas leak make it suicidal. Or the setting itself may be designed to keep a character from doing something, either by punishing the action or inhibiting it. For example, a hero who has access to awesome future technology can't use it without breaking the {{Masquerade}}, or a villain with the power to kill enemies with voodoo dolls risks attracting the attention of killer flying time monkeys. As this last one shows, you do have to be careful to keep it believable.
!!Physical Environment:
The geographical area the hero is in can be used to make their choices a lot more limited. The section ''How to keep a character from leaving'' already details how to use it to cut them off from escape and help, but the environment can also be used to make things like fighting, thinking, or even talking hard if not impossible. All you have to do is arrange it so that what you don't want them doing is naturally impossible. For example: two if the hero could normally beat up or catch their enemy, having the hero run into the bad guy in a night club full of strobe lighting, [[FacelessMasses lots of]] InnocentBystanders, and impossibly loud music makes it a lot harder for the hero. To that end, consider engineering the story or scene to take place somewhere that is hard to see, hear, or think in (the aforementioned club would be a poor place for any hero in his cups to make an important decision).
* ''Example:'' In ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'', Khan would have easily blown up the damaged Enterprise in a fair fight, but the crew moved the fight into a place where [[GeoEffects neither had the advantage]].
!!Social:
Peer pressure, social responsibility and [[ThickerThanWater family duty]] all serve as ways to force a character to do (or not do) something. A sufficiently honor bound character would follow the lead of the community and its laws, but a rebel can be hemmed in by the ObstructiveBureaucrat, the distrust of AllOfTheOtherReindeer, and fight against a populace that is DyingLikeAnimals. Outside enforcement like police, bosses, criminals or the army can dissuade certain actions as a way of threatening heroes into complying.
* ''Example:'' In ''{{Neverwhere}}'', the heroes and ThoseTwoBadGuys run into each other in a marketplace. Normally, they would have fought to the death, but the [[TruceZone market truce]] meant the bad guys had to be civil or face death by mob.
!!Setting / World:
Beyond making the immediate area force or stop an action, the setting itself can be engineered to keep the characters in line. This can be done by altering the "default" settings from RealLife to make the plot work, characters can be made to act differently than they would in the real world. For example, if the fictional city the characters inhabit doesn't accept recordings from wiretaps as valid evidence, then it justifies their trouble with bringing down a crime boss. This manipulation can be used not just on legal or social laws, but also ''physical'' ones. In a setting with MagicAndPowers, making it so the {{Phlebotinum}} that gives the heroine and BigBad powers [[AntiMagic only works]] in the DarkWorld, so neither can attack each other in the {{Muggle|s}} world with a decisive edge. With this kind of limitation, remember to be [[MagicAIsMagicA consistent]] and to state the limitation early enough that it doesn't become an AssPull.
* ''Example:'' In ''XxxHolic'', Yuko is a very, ''very'' powerful mage, but due to a complicated system of EquivalentExchange, she can't help Watanuki with his problems without massively indebting him to her.
[[/folder]]
----
!!Media examples
[[AC:Multiple media]]
* One of your characters has awesome magic powers? Knock 'em out. Worked in ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''. Alternatively, someone sticks a RestrainingBolt on them, or they lose their powers for a bit (recurring fun in ''InuYasha'').
[[AC:AnimeAndManga]]
* {{Inuyasha}}'s Miroku has what is basically a miniature black hole in his hand which can suck in and destroy even ridiculously powerful beings. For no reason besides the fact that he's not the main character, he is poisoned if he sucks in venomous insects or toxic gas. It is also established that if he uses this too much, it will eventually swallow him whole. Immediately after he joins the main cast the villain calls up a swarm of giant wasps that protect basically everything that has to do with the main plot.
* Lina Inverse from LightNovel/{{Slayers}} can perform the Giga Slave, a spell which is literally capable of destroying ANYTHING, including gods. The reason she doesn't perform it more often? Because destroying anything is just a small subset of what the spell is truly capable of doing, which is [[ApocalypseHow destroying everything.]] This is generally handled fairly well in the story, with the spell and Linas ability to cast it introduced surprisingly early on, and it's use is a central plot element to the first three seasons. [[spoiler: In season one, after she performs it, a [[CloningBlues Copy Rezo]] wants it cast at him so that he can prove he's stronger than the original. She manages to find an alternative solution, however. In season two, the entire point of the events of the story was to manipulate Lina into casting the spell so that one of the settings strongest demons can bring about TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. In season three, it is never actually cast, but a large portion of the season is built around finding another way to defeat the BigBad that isn't nearly so risky to existence. Even as they are preparing their 'safer' alternative, it's still mentioned that if their plan doesn't show any sign of working, she's ready to cast the spell as a last resort.]]
[[AC:ComicBooks]]
* Superman: Why else is [[KryptoniteIsEverywhere kryptonite everywhere]]?
* [[Comicbook/{{Watchmen}} Dr. Manhattan]]: It just so happens that the one [[TheOmnipotent almost completely omnipotent character]] in the story is [[AllPowerfulBystander also almost completely apathetic]], so he spends his time looking at elemental particles and doing whatever the government tells him instead of, say, secretly defusing all nuclear weapons in the world to avert the threatening apocalypse that fuels the plot. Also, the only things that are mentioned as actually beyond his powers to do are to stop ''all'' Soviet nuclear missiles if they were fired at the USA at once, and to see and reveal the conclusion of the plot clearly.
[[AC:FanFics]]
* In Yudkowsky's ''FanFic/HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality'', there is an excellent example of an external geographic limitation: it is explicitly stated that the direction of time cannot be changed inside Azkaban. This prevents any FridgeLogic concerning why Harry doesn't just use his Time-Turner to get out of a bad situation, as he had already demonstrated a willingness to do on numerous previous occasions.
** And before that, the Time-Turners themselves. In canon, we were never given any rules about their limits. Here, any individual Time-Turner can only be used six times a day, and no combination of Time-Turners can take anyone or anything back more than six hours. Not to mention that it always turns into a StableTimeLoop.
[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* [[InheritanceCycle Eragon]] cannot use magic to kill his wizard opponents because just before they die, they might kill him too; he has to first [[MindControl control their minds]]. If he is fighting soldiers they are usually [[AWizardDidIt protected by one of the aforementioned wizards]].
* ''TheDresdenFiles'' generally takes pains to have Harry explain why he can't use certain spells or abilities or resources. One of the more common limitations is when Harry is dealing with either humans or monsters who've taken human shields, as the First law of Magic is that you ''cannot'' kill a mortal with magic directly. Other Laws of Magic deal with other particularly nasty uses of magic, such as [[BalefulPolymorph transforming bodies,]] [[MindControl mental magic]], or binding living creatures to one's will. Other times, Harry specifies that while he would ordinarily use a type of magic or call someone for backup or information, but he can't for a particular reason.
[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]],'' Season 1 uses constant surveillance on Jack Bauer to make sure he doesn't disobey the terrorists' orders (his family is at stake and they will die instantly if he disobeys.)
* In ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', River Tam possesses phenomenal [[WaifFu physical combat abilities]] and PsychicPowers. She has both internal and external reasons to not use these to solve everything, because she is both insane and the majority of her combat abilities are buried beneath her insanity until they are triggered by subliminal messaging.
[[AC:VideoGames]]
* In ''VideoGame/TheReconstruction'', [[spoiler:Rulian]] is stripped of his [[spoiler:necromancy]] powers by [[spoiler:Tezkhra]] accidentally. If not, he probably could have simply [[spoiler:resurrected the millions who were killed during the rise of the Lord-God, making the ending much less of a downer and allowing an easy reconstruction.]]
[[AC:{{Webcomics}}]]
* ''LastRes0rt'' has Jigsaw Forte, who can read minds and transform into a SuperpoweredEvilSide which can handle most of her problems... except for that pesky "being under constant surveillance on a RealityShow" thing, and if she actually reveals she's a vampire, she'll end up hunted down.
** Also, she's only just turned into a vampire, so she's still learning how to control most of her powers -- right now, she can't turn off her mind reading, which means that if everyone starts thinking at once (or one person's mind starts going a mile a minute), she's susceptible to overload.
[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* In the first series finale of KimPossible, ''So The Drama,'' Kim gains a battle suit that allows her to literally do anything. It makes another appearance when the series is renewed but it becomes hijacked and becomes a case of HoldingBackThePhlebotinum. It makes a couple more appearances, then mega geek Cousin Larry gets a hold of it. [[WildMassGuessing Kim probably let him keep it after that.]]
----
So why don't they? Why did the author feel the need to have them [[{{Railroading}} do things the hard way?]] Often it's done to preserve the drama and sense of urgency in the plot, because there would be no story, or story worth telling, if they solved their problem easily.
If the author knows what they're doing, they'll take pains to point out why the heroes (or villains) cannot or will not take that step. Stopping the DeusExMachina can be simple or complex, and may deal with physical limitations or mental, emotional, or moral ones (even ''technically'' laudable ones, such as "[[ThouShaltNotKill refuses to take a life]]" -- though in practice that's [[TheFarmerAndTheViper not such a good thing]] [[UngratefulBastard all the time]]).
The most basic way of implementing these restrictions are Internal and External means. Internal restrictions are ones inherent to a character (personality, morality, skills, talent) and those that are [[TheFettered self-imposed]], like vows to help others, not kill, that sort of thing. External restrictions are ones that the environment imposes on the characters, be it in material restrictions or injuries. They might have their means of travel restricted, communications cut off, equipment damaged or disabled. Or they may be wheelchair bound, have a broken arm, a PowerLimiter or reality itself somehow disallows an action, among other possibilities.
As you can see, though this guide has DeusExMachina in the name, it covers situations that completely normal people could solve. For your reading convenience, they have been divided into topic sections covering how to stop characters from doing specific things, as well as specific types of impediments.
MindOverManners is a subtrope.
----
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Don't do that!]]
* [[ClosedCircle How To Keep Your Hero From Just Walking Away]]
** '''Internal:''' Give them a sense of obligation or indebtedness, or some other emotional reason to stay. If they're helped by a GoodSamaritan, [[ThePowerOfLove fall]] for a [[HookerWithAHeartOfGold soiled dove]], a DeterminedWidow, or any other LoveInterest, or the antagonist [[ItsPersonal makes it personal]] are all good reasons (note that if they are staying to help, you need to give the person being helped a reason to stay, too, so we don't ask why the hero didn't just bring them along while he left).
*** ''Example:'' In ''SilentHill1'', the protagonist Harry wouldn't leave even if he could since his daughter Cheryl is lost in the monster filled town.
** '''External:''' Make it impossible for them to leave by putting them in a ClosedCircle, or making it worth their while to stay. Like having someone offer them money, or putting them in house arrest so that leaving is undesirable.
*** ''Example:'' In both versions of ''Film/HouseOnHauntedHill'', the mansion has deadbolts, iron reinforced windows, and all are on a time lock. No one gets out before the party is over.
* [[PoorCommunicationKills How To Maintain Lack Of Communication]]
** '''Internal:''' Mistrusting other characters (with reasons to not trust them!); BeingWatched or some other surveillance.
*** ''Example:'' In ''RanmaOneHalf'', both Ranma and Akane are too stubborn to honestly admit their romantic feelings for each other, and prone to (almost willfully) misreading situations to think the worst of each other.
** '''External:''' Aside from mundane and personal reasons, there are magical ones. A {{curse}} that makes it so they CannotSpitItOut, or makes them entirely [[Film/TheMatrix unable to speak]]. [[CanYouHearMeNow Faulty telephones]], a loud environment, and having one or both gagged or deafened can also work for a time.
*** ''Example:'' In the fable of the ''Six Swans'' or ''The Swan Brothers'', the only way their sister can cure them of their [[BalefulPolymorph transformation into swans]] is to weave them sweaters while being completely silent. This leads the prince who loves her into being susceptible to her wicked stepmother convincing him she doesn't love him.
* [[DeusExitMachina How To Keep Someone]] [[DramaPreservingHandicap From Using His Awesome Powers]]
** '''Internal:''' Self imposed limits to avoid collateral damage are also workable. Of course, the GodzillaThreshold will still have to be crossed at one point. Authors should not cheat viewers of a gun demonstration after showing them ChekhovsGun.
*** ''Example:'' In ''DarkCity'', John Murdock can't use his powerful abilities because the experiments that caused them gave him [[EasyAmnesia almost]] [[HowDoIShotWeb complete amnesia]].
** '''External:''' This includes advice for justifying the Mentor's refusal to do the job himself, since he obviously has greater power than the rest of the cast. Having the environment be an AntiMagic, or an enemy so powerful they can [[NoSell ignore the hero's powers]]. Or hire [[MageKiller a person who specializes in it]] and let him do whatever he wants. For a climactic battle, consider setting up an environment that requires the full use of said powers just to function normally (and show what happens to normal people).
*** ''Example:'' Several episodes of ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' create a lot of anxiety by removing her powers, such as being hypnotized into thinking she's a Victorian lady, drugged into losing her super strength, or pinned under a chandelier.
* How to rein in errant {{Phlebotinum}}.
** '''Internal:''' The character doesn't trust the phlebotinum, either because he's a [[LuddWasRight luddite]], or because of some deep seated hate stemming from a DarkAndTroubledPast. Using plot solving phlebotinum thus requires they use great willpower or reach a difficult epiphany.
*** ''Example:'' Perseus in the 2010 ''ClashOfTheTitans'' won't use either his powers ''or'' a divinely gifted sword because he hates the gods for having killed his adoptive family. Only when his lover Io is mortally wounded does he accept his divine heritage and use it.
** '''External:''' ItOnlyWorksOnce, it's dangerous PsychoSerum or ToxicPhlebotinum, there were NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup, it was a DisposableSuperheroMaker, and in general making it PowerAtAPrice. Be careful to avoid ReedRichardsIsUseless if you can.
*** ''Example:'' In ''Film/PrinceOfPersiaTheSandsOfTime'', the time rewinding dagger only works with the Sands of Time, and getting it is very difficult, requiring going underground in the city of Alamut.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:General Internal Limitations]]
Aside from these specific topics, there are a lot of general '''Internal''' limits a hero or villain can self impose. Something they voluntarily choose not to do, or do in a certain way. This can work remarkably well both as a tool for [[CharacterizationTropes characterization]] ''and'' a plot complication. However, you should take care not to make the restriction come out of the blue or be ridiculous. It's one thing for a hero to refuse to kill out of regret for having accidentally killed a friend in anger, it's another entirely for them to give some half baked excuse not to off the OmnicidalManiac who's MadeOfEvil 'just because'.
But what happens when the {{Antihero}} or CardCarryingVillain show up? These types do not play by the rules... except they ''do''. [[{{Ubermensch}} Their]] [[BlueAndOrangeMorality own]] [[BadassCreed rules]], that is. As TheUnfettered, both may refuse to bow to the same constraints as normal people do, but that does not mean they are without some guiding intelligence and under some consideration. Be they an {{Ubermensch}}, stylish villain or gritty loner, they are by no means exempt from Internal constraints.
Here are a few common ways for heroes and villains limit themselves.
!!Moral and Emotional:
* '''Heroes:''' May choose to be TheFettered and live to a strict moral code, with all the attendant FlawExploitation that will result in. ThouShaltNotKill, IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim, and other considerations likely stay his hand from outright killing a villain. However, smaller things like not stealing, hurting innocents, fighting dirty or destroying things needlessly may also seriously complicate their efforts.
** Heroes who are prone to this: KnightInShiningArmor, TheCape
** ''Example:'' {{Superman}}, for all his unstoppable power, can fail to foil a crime because he will not ever use lethal force due to his respect for life and a latent fear of abusing his powers.
* '''Villains:''' They may practice EvenEvilHasStandards and pick and choose a handful of moral lines they will not cross. Killing ''can'' be one of these, interestingly enough. Or they may have (had) a relationship with the hero that makes hurting them a very difficult proposition; {{Noble Demon}}s will be loathe to [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim shoot the hero]], and [[WeCanRuleTogether may even dream of having them join their evil cause]].
** Characters who may do this: AffablyEvil, AntiVillain, BigBadFriend, HarmlessVillain, NobleDemon, WellIntentionedExtremist.
** ''Example:'' Hannibal Lecter from the film version of [[TheSilenceOfTheLambs Hannibal]] had such a powerful obsession (love?) with agent Starling that he couldn't bear to harm her, resorting to cutting off his own hand to escape capture rather than hers.
!!Personality and Character:
* '''Heroes:''' Even {{antihero}}es who are fine with killing probably require some kind of prompt to do so, like a villain crossing the MoralEventHorizon or a [[ProtagonistCenteredMorality personal threshold]]. A villain who is wise to these may well skirt "over" the heroes radar to avoid this treatment, or manipulate the hero into facing enemies he will not willingly harm. Providing said heroes with a MoralityPet (and the hero with a reason to ''listen'' to their pet) applies here as well.
** Heroes who are prone to this: HitmanWithAHeart, JerkWithAHeartOfGold.
** ''Example:'' [[TrinityBlood Father Abel Nightroad]] is a [[FoodChainOfEvil vampire eater]], and could easily mop the floor with most anyone. However, he enjoys being treated like a human and limiting collateral damage, so he usually accomplishes missions from behind a veil of ObfuscatingStupidity.
* '''Villains:''' If the villain is an OmnicidalManiac with a [[EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor bad sense of humor]], or even a SerialKiller, their actions will be informed by their manias. Maybe they have ComplexityAddiction and refuse to do evil acts without flair or 'just because', or their mental disorder (sometimes both are one and the same) mandates they can only kill people whose name ends with S on Tuesday, not Wednesday. Then again, a LawfulEvil villain may not want to compromise their standards ("morals" is a bit too strong a word here).
** Villain who are prone to this: NobleDemon.
** ''Example:'' [[{{Batman}} The Riddler]] is obsessed with leaving clues at his crimes, first as a boast and then as a mental disorder. He literally ''couldn't'' avoid leaving a clue. he also couldn't reveal the identity of the Batman after he learned it, because a riddle that everyone knew the answer to is useless.
!!Physical and Mental:
* '''Mental:''' Heroes or villains may be further constrained from taking an action by, put bluntly, not thinking of it. They might not be that bright, or their personality (see above) isn't an observant or creative one. Or if they are book smart, they aren't clever or deductive, so they put the clues together or come up with a foolproof plan. Then again, a clever, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type might be too much of TheDitz to use their short term genius to problems that aren't immediate, or a meticulous [[TheChessmaster Chessmaster]] [[SpannerInTheWorks can't predict]] [[DidntSeeThatComing the unpredictable]]. Other sure fire ways of doing this are to give them a distraction: a DistressedDamsel who [[DistractedByTheSexy keeps them occupied]] intentionally or not, or a villain manipulating them into a MacGuffinDeliveryService, so they don't think to question if they're doing the right thing.
** ''Example:'' [[Comicbook/TheAvengers The Absorbing Man]] can turn his body into anything he wants, but his low IQ and limited imagination means he rarely does anything more than turn into a hard substance to bash the heroes.
* '''Physical:''' Giving a character an injury can be a great way to not just keep them housebound, but start the plot itself. Other physical limits include ankle bracelets (''Disturbia'') or the more exotic PowerLimiter.
** ''Example:'' In ''TheDeadZone'' Johnny has [[PsychicPowers psychometry]] from a post car-crash coma, but also has a constant limp that requires him to use a cane. Considering how often he has to outrun danger, this is a serious problem for him.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:General External Limitations]]
'''External''' limitations are those the setting or environment place on the characters and their actions. These can take a wide variety of forms, for example a character could be prevented from [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim shooting an enemy]] by having a gas leak make it suicidal. Or the setting itself may be designed to keep a character from doing something, either by punishing the action or inhibiting it. For example, a hero who has access to awesome future technology can't use it without breaking the {{Masquerade}}, or a villain with the power to kill enemies with voodoo dolls risks attracting the attention of killer flying time monkeys. As this last one shows, you do have to be careful to keep it believable.
!!Physical Environment:
The geographical area the hero is in can be used to make their choices a lot more limited. The section ''How to keep a character from leaving'' already details how to use it to cut them off from escape and help, but the environment can also be used to make things like fighting, thinking, or even talking hard if not impossible. All you have to do is arrange it so that what you don't want them doing is naturally impossible. For example: two if the hero could normally beat up or catch their enemy, having the hero run into the bad guy in a night club full of strobe lighting, [[FacelessMasses lots of]] InnocentBystanders, and impossibly loud music makes it a lot harder for the hero. To that end, consider engineering the story or scene to take place somewhere that is hard to see, hear, or think in (the aforementioned club would be a poor place for any hero in his cups to make an important decision).
* ''Example:'' In ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'', Khan would have easily blown up the damaged Enterprise in a fair fight, but the crew moved the fight into a place where [[GeoEffects neither had the advantage]].
!!Social:
Peer pressure, social responsibility and [[ThickerThanWater family duty]] all serve as ways to force a character to do (or not do) something. A sufficiently honor bound character would follow the lead of the community and its laws, but a rebel can be hemmed in by the ObstructiveBureaucrat, the distrust of AllOfTheOtherReindeer, and fight against a populace that is DyingLikeAnimals. Outside enforcement like police, bosses, criminals or the army can dissuade certain actions as a way of threatening heroes into complying.
* ''Example:'' In ''{{Neverwhere}}'', the heroes and ThoseTwoBadGuys run into each other in a marketplace. Normally, they would have fought to the death, but the [[TruceZone market truce]] meant the bad guys had to be civil or face death by mob.
!!Setting / World:
Beyond making the immediate area force or stop an action, the setting itself can be engineered to keep the characters in line. This can be done by altering the "default" settings from RealLife to make the plot work, characters can be made to act differently than they would in the real world. For example, if the fictional city the characters inhabit doesn't accept recordings from wiretaps as valid evidence, then it justifies their trouble with bringing down a crime boss. This manipulation can be used not just on legal or social laws, but also ''physical'' ones. In a setting with MagicAndPowers, making it so the {{Phlebotinum}} that gives the heroine and BigBad powers [[AntiMagic only works]] in the DarkWorld, so neither can attack each other in the {{Muggle|s}} world with a decisive edge. With this kind of limitation, remember to be [[MagicAIsMagicA consistent]] and to state the limitation early enough that it doesn't become an AssPull.
* ''Example:'' In ''XxxHolic'', Yuko is a very, ''very'' powerful mage, but due to a complicated system of EquivalentExchange, she can't help Watanuki with his problems without massively indebting him to her.
[[/folder]]
----
!!Media examples
[[AC:Multiple media]]
* One of your characters has awesome magic powers? Knock 'em out. Worked in ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''. Alternatively, someone sticks a RestrainingBolt on them, or they lose their powers for a bit (recurring fun in ''InuYasha'').
[[AC:AnimeAndManga]]
* {{Inuyasha}}'s Miroku has what is basically a miniature black hole in his hand which can suck in and destroy even ridiculously powerful beings. For no reason besides the fact that he's not the main character, he is poisoned if he sucks in venomous insects or toxic gas. It is also established that if he uses this too much, it will eventually swallow him whole. Immediately after he joins the main cast the villain calls up a swarm of giant wasps that protect basically everything that has to do with the main plot.
* Lina Inverse from LightNovel/{{Slayers}} can perform the Giga Slave, a spell which is literally capable of destroying ANYTHING, including gods. The reason she doesn't perform it more often? Because destroying anything is just a small subset of what the spell is truly capable of doing, which is [[ApocalypseHow destroying everything.]] This is generally handled fairly well in the story, with the spell and Linas ability to cast it introduced surprisingly early on, and it's use is a central plot element to the first three seasons. [[spoiler: In season one, after she performs it, a [[CloningBlues Copy Rezo]] wants it cast at him so that he can prove he's stronger than the original. She manages to find an alternative solution, however. In season two, the entire point of the events of the story was to manipulate Lina into casting the spell so that one of the settings strongest demons can bring about TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. In season three, it is never actually cast, but a large portion of the season is built around finding another way to defeat the BigBad that isn't nearly so risky to existence. Even as they are preparing their 'safer' alternative, it's still mentioned that if their plan doesn't show any sign of working, she's ready to cast the spell as a last resort.]]
[[AC:ComicBooks]]
* Superman: Why else is [[KryptoniteIsEverywhere kryptonite everywhere]]?
* [[Comicbook/{{Watchmen}} Dr. Manhattan]]: It just so happens that the one [[TheOmnipotent almost completely omnipotent character]] in the story is [[AllPowerfulBystander also almost completely apathetic]], so he spends his time looking at elemental particles and doing whatever the government tells him instead of, say, secretly defusing all nuclear weapons in the world to avert the threatening apocalypse that fuels the plot. Also, the only things that are mentioned as actually beyond his powers to do are to stop ''all'' Soviet nuclear missiles if they were fired at the USA at once, and to see and reveal the conclusion of the plot clearly.
[[AC:FanFics]]
* In Yudkowsky's ''FanFic/HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality'', there is an excellent example of an external geographic limitation: it is explicitly stated that the direction of time cannot be changed inside Azkaban. This prevents any FridgeLogic concerning why Harry doesn't just use his Time-Turner to get out of a bad situation, as he had already demonstrated a willingness to do on numerous previous occasions.
** And before that, the Time-Turners themselves. In canon, we were never given any rules about their limits. Here, any individual Time-Turner can only be used six times a day, and no combination of Time-Turners can take anyone or anything back more than six hours. Not to mention that it always turns into a StableTimeLoop.
[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* [[InheritanceCycle Eragon]] cannot use magic to kill his wizard opponents because just before they die, they might kill him too; he has to first [[MindControl control their minds]]. If he is fighting soldiers they are usually [[AWizardDidIt protected by one of the aforementioned wizards]].
* ''TheDresdenFiles'' generally takes pains to have Harry explain why he can't use certain spells or abilities or resources. One of the more common limitations is when Harry is dealing with either humans or monsters who've taken human shields, as the First law of Magic is that you ''cannot'' kill a mortal with magic directly. Other Laws of Magic deal with other particularly nasty uses of magic, such as [[BalefulPolymorph transforming bodies,]] [[MindControl mental magic]], or binding living creatures to one's will. Other times, Harry specifies that while he would ordinarily use a type of magic or call someone for backup or information, but he can't for a particular reason.
[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]],'' Season 1 uses constant surveillance on Jack Bauer to make sure he doesn't disobey the terrorists' orders (his family is at stake and they will die instantly if he disobeys.)
* In ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', River Tam possesses phenomenal [[WaifFu physical combat abilities]] and PsychicPowers. She has both internal and external reasons to not use these to solve everything, because she is both insane and the majority of her combat abilities are buried beneath her insanity until they are triggered by subliminal messaging.
[[AC:VideoGames]]
* In ''VideoGame/TheReconstruction'', [[spoiler:Rulian]] is stripped of his [[spoiler:necromancy]] powers by [[spoiler:Tezkhra]] accidentally. If not, he probably could have simply [[spoiler:resurrected the millions who were killed during the rise of the Lord-God, making the ending much less of a downer and allowing an easy reconstruction.]]
[[AC:{{Webcomics}}]]
* ''LastRes0rt'' has Jigsaw Forte, who can read minds and transform into a SuperpoweredEvilSide which can handle most of her problems... except for that pesky "being under constant surveillance on a RealityShow" thing, and if she actually reveals she's a vampire, she'll end up hunted down.
** Also, she's only just turned into a vampire, so she's still learning how to control most of her powers -- right now, she can't turn off her mind reading, which means that if everyone starts thinking at once (or one person's mind starts going a mile a minute), she's susceptible to overload.
[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* In the first series finale of KimPossible, ''So The Drama,'' Kim gains a battle suit that allows her to literally do anything. It makes another appearance when the series is renewed but it becomes hijacked and becomes a case of HoldingBackThePhlebotinum. It makes a couple more appearances, then mega geek Cousin Larry gets a hold of it. [[WildMassGuessing Kim probably let him keep it after that.]]
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