History Main / AmplifierArtifact

* ''Franchise/{{Mistborn}}'' series by Creator/BrandonSanderson:
** Duralumin works like this for an Allomancer's powers, causing them to expend all the metals they are currently burning in one explosive burst.
** Later books in the series introduce nicrosil, which can be used to amplify another Allomancer's powers in the same way as duralumin is used for one's own. This can either be used to buff allies or unexpectedly hit enemies with more power than they can handle.

* Jon-Tom's dual-necked, guitar-like duar in Creator/AlanDeanFoster's ''Literature/{{Spellsinger}}'' series is sometimes this, sometimes not. In the first few novels, it's implied that duars are fairly common instruments in the series' AlternateUniverse setting (in the first book, Jon-Tom picks his up from a sack of musical instruments dropped by by a fleeing merchant, and his companions act as if it's a common item), and it merely functions as a [[MagicFeather focal point]] for his latent magical powers. In later novels, however, it's indicated that the magic comes from the duar ''itself'', which has been [[{{retcon}} retconned]] into a rare and valuable item, and Jon-Tom's facility with it is more practice than anything else.\\\
On the other hand, there are quite a few inconsistencies between the first books and the later ones, including a number of increasingly obvious and basic errors such as the names (and number) of Mudge & Weegee's kids changing from one book to the next, so it may just be that Foster didn't remember (or keep very good notes on) what he'd written in the previous volumes. Alternately, considering some of the world-shaking effects Jon-Tom achieves with his duar in the first few books, it's conceivable that the instrument ''became'' magically-empowered as a result of these events. At least one of his feats, the summoning of M'nemaxa, can be performed only once in a wizard's lifetime, which would explain why he can't just repeat the process to enchant another duar.

* ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'': Aleister Crowley's Blasting Rod acts like this, amplifying any object's or being's native power to ten times what their opponent thinks it is. On its own, it's a fairly simple item, but since it's spoken of as a super-powerful magical weapon being used by one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world, people immediately think of it as extremely powerful to begin with, which it then amplifies even further. Even worse, during rematches, the Blasting Rod will increase the power to ten times what the opponent remembered from the first fight.
* ''Manga/ACertainScientificRailgun'' has a mysterious sound file called Level Upper. When people listen to it, ordinary people gain esper powers and espers get their powers amplified... for a short time, after which they fall into a coma.

* Several objects or substances in ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}''. Antidermis, the substance that makes up the Makuta species, acts as a sort of steroid to Brutaka's race. The Nui Stone drains the elemental energies of nearby beings, giving its owner more power. There are also elemental masks that can enhance the extant elemental powers of their wearers, and the Mask of Elemental Energies can even replenish them. The Mask of Fate unlocks the physical potential of their bearers -- it boosts their athletic abilities to their limits but doesn't allow feats that the wearer's species would be physically unable to perform.
** The [[InsistentTerminology Toa Tools]] are also typically depicted like this.

* ''Webcomic/EerieCuties'' has an artifact that stimulates [[HornyDevil succubus]] powers. Three guesses at how ''that'' [[http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/normal_pair looks]]?

** In [[VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt2 the second game]], Eden Adepts use book-shaped artifacts as part of their FairyTaleMotif. They were made from a combination of reverse-engineering Sumeragi's Glaives without the PowerLimiter aspect [[spoiler:courtesy of Zonda]] and [[spoiler:physical manifestations of [[MagicMusic The Muse]] Septima, which can empower other Adepts.]]

** In [[VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt2 the second game]], Eden Adepts use book-shaped artifacts as part of their FairyTaleMotif.
** In VideoGame/LuminousAvengerIX, the artifact takes the shape of shirt pins shaped like feathers, thus the Adept bosses are collectively called Winged Warriors in Japanese dub and Falcons in English.

** Aside from those "most adepts", we have the likes of Nova from the first game and Zed from the third, who are so immensely powerful they can devastate their enemies ''without'' using AmplifierArtifact. Nova is an especially noteworthy case as he's able to use his powers even when he is sealed with ''three'' Glaives as opposed to one like everyone else in Sumeragi.

* The ''TabletopGame/{{FATE}}'' system goes out of its way to avoid this by making any item a mechanically separate game element unmodified by other items, and any aspect of an overly complicated item similarly count as a mechanically separate item.

[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
* Wrestling/PaulBearer's urn seemed to be this for Wrestling/TheUndertaker.
[[/folder]]

** The Ring of Wizardry provides bonus [[VancianMagic spell slots]], but only to an arcane spellcaster who already has slots of that level.

* The FATE system goes out of its way to avoid this by making any item a mechanically separate game element unmodified by other items, and any aspect of an overly complicated item similarly count as a mechanically separate item.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' specifically has two primary amplifiers: pearls of power, which increase a caster's magical stamina allowing more spells to be cast in a day than usual, and metamagic rods, which increase the actual power and effect of spells cast using them a number of times per day. Other classes occasionally get something similar where their class makes the item stronger (the Paladin's holy avenger is still an excellent magical sword in any other hands) but that's typically explained as the item having portions of its power locked away from the unworthy rather than this trope.

* To avoid a list of 20 billion entries, let's just say: nearly all of them, and move on. Since any item that grants a bonus to anything (well, anything that's ''beneficial'' anyway) qualifies as one. This is in fact one of the peculiarities of Tabletop [=RPGs=], deriving especially from ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. In the fantasy fiction the original {{RPG}}s were based on, amplifier artifacts are the exception, not the rule, with most magical items and artifacts granting new abilities rather than enhancing existing ones, but in these games, by far the most common magic item ability is "pluses". While useful for game balance, it's directly responsible for the style of gameplay that amounts to constantly questing for more items to give you better pluses, and many people feel it makes magic items rather bland. Video games inherited this style of magic items directly from Tabletop [=RPGs=].

* The Wiki/{{SCP|Foundation}}-914 acts this way on its "Fine" and "Very Fine" settings. Just pray that it doesn't manage to overshoot...

** [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-248 SCP-248]] are stickers from a corporation that produces [=SCPs=]. These stickers have "110%" printed on them, and attaching them to anything will boost performance to, you guessed it, a 110% percent. This also includes senescence (i.e. [[PowerAtAPrice wear and tear]]).

* In ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', urban legend held that the State Alchemists' pocket watches, engraved with the Fuhrer's Seal, enhanced the power of the bearer's alchemy. They don't actually do anything, though -- they're just watches. In [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist the 2003 anime version]], though, some of them contain [[spoiler:[[PoweredByAForsakenChild unfinished Philosopher's Stones]]]].

* The Elder Artifacts in ''VideoGame/RuneScape'' are partial versions of this. In addition to acting as sources of power from which the gods draw their godhood, each artifact seems to have a specific function. There are 12 in all.
* The Tome of Power in ''{{VideoGame/Heretic}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Hexen}} II'' is a [[DoorStopper dictionary-sized]] black book with a skull on the cover. It has the magical property of enhancing the user's weapons for a limited time, changing their behavior in varying degrees[[labelnote:examples]]the Phoenix Rod and Meteor Shaft, rocket launcher-like weapons, respectively become a flamethrower and start shooting whirlwinds full of smoldering rock that trap enemies and can go through walls; the Crossbows of both games merely fire more bolts per shot at a faster rate; most melee weapons simply deal increased damage[[/labelnote]] but in almost all cases dramatically increases the damage per attack. The downside is that it burns out after one single use, and copies aren't very common, so especially early on, it could be TooAwesomeToUse.
* Magic Amplifiers in ''VideoGame/{{Ryzom}}'' are gloves that are used primarily by Magic users to increase the power (and decrease the casting time) of their spells, whether they be offensive Elemental Magic spells or defensive Healing spells.
* Near the end of ''Videogame/JadeEmpire'', it is revealed that the amulet you've been reassembling and allows you to use Essence Gems is simply an amplifier for the powers inherent within you as a Spirit Monk, which is why at that point you no longer need it. However, in the hands of others, it is still a powerful mystical artifact.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'': Ganon's Triforce of Power usually acts like this, enhancing his already impressive physical strength and immense magic power to quite literally god-like levels. Zelda's Triforce of Wisdom is also hinted to be the source of her own powerful magics and is probably the only reason she can affect Ganon after he's been weakened. Curiously the Triforce of Courage never seems to do the same for Link, though it ''does'' canonically make him '''''unstoppable'''''.

* This is the effect that being {{touched|ByVorlons}} by the Sovereign of Sorrow in ''Webcomic/CaptainSNES'' gives. A given's sprite's abilities will be greatly enhanced, at the cost of [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity soul-crushing sorrow]]
* The MagiTek Implants in ''Webcomic/ElfBlood'' generally do not add new abilities to their host, but rather improve upon their existing natural talents. Examples include a Sympathetic Magic booster to improve the effects of spells and enhanced strength.
* ''Webcomic/EerieCuties'' has an artifact that stimulates [[HornyDevil succubus]] powers. Three guesses at how ''that'' [[http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/normal_pair looks]]?
* Tedd's [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2013-01-21 gauntlet]] in ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', acts like a capacitor, it drains and stores his limited magic energy over a long period of time then, when he needs a power boost, it gives it back all at once.
* In ''Webcomic/ZachMannAndSD'', S.D.'s hat amplifies how fast he heals. Unfortunately, it also amplifies his stupidity...
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', being based on ''D&D'', has most common magic items being of this kind. Notably, Roy's Belt of Giant Strength, Elan's Belt of Charisma, or V's Ring of Wizardry. This is Lampshaded by Haley with a Potion of Glibness: she takes it from Elan to use herself because while it would make him a good liar, she's already a good liar so it will make her an ''utterly amazing'' liar.
* ''Webcomic/UnicornJelly'': A teenage girl is stabbed to death by a crystalline lifeform and resurrected by the title character. The crystals that penetrate her brain act as multi-cellular fiber-optics, making her a super-genius but emotionally deadened. She ends up saving Transmyltania's human civilization.
* ''Webcomic/CucumberQuest'' has the Hocus Crocus, a flower rumored to multiply a person's magical capabilities by the number of years it took to bloom. This is generally considered a joke because the Hocus Crocus blooms once a year... until one specimen appears that took two. [[spoiler:It works, incidentally.]]

* The cybaspheres from the web fiction serial ''Literature/DimensionHeroes'' both give the heroes new powers, as well as amplifying their old ones.
* The self-ware black scythe from ''Literature/TrintonChronicles'' can act as this to some people.

* The Archmage in ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' uses three magic items to accomplish both amplify his powers and gain new ones. The Phoenix Gate to teleport and time travel, the [[GreatBigBookOfEverything Grimorum]] to give him many more spells, and the Eye of Odin to boost his natural magic power and let him handle the first two without having a SuperPowerMeltdown. Guess which one was the key to defeating him?

* ''Anime/TransformersCybertron'':
** "[[ByThePowerOfGrayskull Cyber Key Power!]]" A Transformers in this can gain temporary power boosts, in various forms, by using his or her Cyber Key. Additional or bolstered weapons, turbothrusters, and the like. However, their fuel consumption is typically increased. An interesting form of this trope. Cyber Keys should not be confused with their bigger MacGuffin - AppliedPhlebotinum hybrid cousins, the Cyber ''Planet'' Keys. (Sadly the toymakers at Hasbro made this very mistake. Were they even allowed anywhere NEAR the episodes?)
** Mini-Cons did this as well, which was why they were so sought after. Most unlocked new abilities or weapons in robot mode, but in vehicle mode they were often said to increase speed as a bonus.
** Powermasters did this in G1... except in most Japanese continuities, where the large robot body was non-sentient and controlled entirely by the Powermaster partner.
** This is one of the many functions the Matrix of Leadership has served in the various iterations of the franchise.
*** The [=AllSpark=] sometimes serves a similar function.
* Starmetal in ''WesternAnimation/ConanTheAdventurer'' amplifies magic-users power.
* The Eliacube in ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'', a piece of {{Precursor}} tech which exponentially increases the power of magical abilities at the cost of LifeEnergy ([[PoweredByAForsakenChild not necessarily the user's]]).

* The Series Five brain implants in ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGalaxyRangers'' didn't give the title heroes their particular abilities; they just amped up what the Rangers already had. This was aptly demonstrated in the BroughtDownToNormal episode "The Power Within".
* Cyborg of ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'' once had a super-processing chip named the Max-7 installed to increase his speed, strength, and intelligence. Unfortunately, he overloaded it and had to have it removed. The biggest problem with the chip was that, as he kept overclocking it to increasing his abilities and intelligence... [[CyberneticsEatYourSoul he did so at the expense of his humane characteristics, essentially turning him into an emotionless robot]]. Overloading it into uselessness restored him to normal.
* ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983'':
** In "Evil-Lyn's Plot", it is revealed that He-Man's chest harness is made of coridite, a substance that amplifies strength. Skeletor makes an amulet out of coridite that makes him strong enough to grapple with He-Man, at least until He-Man manages to destroy it.
** In "The Games", Skeletor unveils a device called the Evilgizer, which is said to increase the evil of its target. He uses it on his dimwitted henchman Spikor, who becomes chosen as Evil's Champion in a contest by the Bendari. Oddly, it didn't affect his personality or power level at all.

* The Kaiburr Crystal in the Franchise/StarWarsLegends novel ''Literature/SplinterOfTheMindsEye'' can greatly increase the Force ability of any Force user who touches it. However, it only worked so long as the crystal remained near the temple of its origin.
* Several in the Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse.
** In ''Literature/StarTrekTheLostEra'', there are the masks upon which Oralian recitation masks are based. The mask in ''Well of Souls'' is the best example. Useless to those who are not psi-sensitive, it enhances and focuses the talents of empaths and latent telepaths. It is designed to allow members of its planet's ruling family to enhance their psi talents to the degree that their mind can serve as a vessel for the spirit lifeform Uramtali. Without the mask, these talents would no longer be adequate, as the ruler's genes were diluted by centuries of inbreeding. In the ''Literature/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineRelaunch'', there's the ''pagh'varam'' (Bajoran for "soul key") which also serves to boost latent telepathy. It's actually a fragment of a Bajoran Orb of the Prophets.
** The Selakar from ''Literature/StarTrekDepartmentOfTemporalInvestigations'' use crystals that amplify their psionic talents.
* Jon-Tom's dual-necked, guitar-like duar in Creator/AlanDeanFoster's ''Literature/{{Spellsinger}}'' series is sometimes this, sometimes not. In the first few novels, it's implied that duars are fairly common instruments in the series' AlternateUniverse setting (in the first book, Jon-Tom picks his up from a sack of musical instruments dropped by by a fleeing merchant, and his companions act as if it's a common item), and it merely functions as a [[MagicFeather focal point]] for his latent magical powers. In later novels, however, it's indicated that the magic comes from the duar ''itself'', which has been [[{{retcon}} retconned]] into a rare and valuable item, and Jon-Tom's facility with it is more practice than anything else.\\\
On the other hand, there are quite a few inconsistencies between the first books and the later ones, including a number of increasingly obvious and basic errors such as the names (and number) of Mudge & Weegee's kids changing from one book to the next, so it may just be that Foster didn't remember (or keep very good notes on) what he'd written in the previous volumes. Alternately, considering some of the world-shaking effects Jon-Tom achieves with his duar in the first few books, it's conceivable that the instrument ''became'' magically-empowered as a result of these events. At least one of his feats, the summoning of M'nemaxa, can be performed only once in a wizard's lifetime, which would explain why he can't just repeat the process to enchant another duar.

* This is what [[spoiler:the ''shadowlight'']] does in ''[[Literature/CiaphasCain Duty Calls]]''. Exposure to it awakens latent psyker abilities, but without proper containment, it warps you to death.
* The children's novel, ''Literature/TheHedgeWizard'', is about a young boy who set out to become a wizard. He turns out to have no real talent for magic but is revealed to function as one of these, greatly amplifying the magical power of any other wizard(s) he is in contact with or any spell he joins in casting (spells he tries to cast on his own are usually either weak or backfire-prone)
* Bluestone is essential to the Singers in ''Literature/TheEchoriumSequence'', as it amplifies their [[MagicMusic Songs of Power]]. Its evil counterpart khiz-crystal shares this property.
* ''Literature/TheGirlWhoWouldBeKing'' has a stone carved with three rings and a raven, which increases Bonnie and Lola's power when they're in contact with it. [[spoiler:Bonnie eventually discovers that it's not the stone itself that amplifies their powers, but the symbol carved on it]].
* ''Literature/TheSpellmongerSeries'' has Irionite/Witchstone, an incredibly rare form of amber that can amplify magical energy by a ridiculous degree. It is so powerful that just owning a piece basically makes you more powerful than every non-irionite owning mage on the planet.
* The Dominion Jewel in ''Literature/SongOfTheLioness''. It's been used through history as a tool by [[TheGoodKing benevolent rulers]] and tyrants alike.

* In ''Literature/TheLicaniusTrilogy'', Augurs and Gifted can use concentration Vessels, which allow them to concentrate better. This in turn allows them to design better concentration Vessels, which allows them to concentrate even better, and so on.

* ''Literature/RetiredWitchesMysteries'': Molly's amulet, inherited from her mother and said to be a gift from a lesser sea god (which is proven to be the case in book 2), which enhances her magic.

* ''Franchise/PowerRangers''
** Various versions of the Battlizers (typically only valid when used by the Red Rangers).
** On top of that are the [[Franchise/SuperSentai Sentai]] SWAT Mode, the Megatector, Super Geki Claw, the [=InrouMaru=], the Miracle Headders, and the GB Custom Visor most recently.

* One of the reasons that ''TabletopGame/OldWorldOfDarkness'' was famously a min/maxer's paradise is that almost all game lines had a skill that turned a relatively common substance, usually the basic fuel for powers, into this. Vampires without celerity needed blood to live and had to burn it up to use powers. Vampires with celerity burned blood to take extra turns, letting them use all of their powers (including basic ones like "sharp teeth") several times before the enemy even acted.

* Wayne in ''VideoGame/LostPlanet'' had an attachment for his device to help him unleash the full potential of the mechs in the game. For no reason other than the plot he didn't put it on when he first received it and didn't use it until the final boss. Lucky too [[spoiler: as it wiped his memory.]]
* The Tenno's Warframes in ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'' are not the source of the Tenno's power, rather a suit that amplifies (and possibly controls) the powers the Tenno received when they were [[spoiler: tortured in the Void by the Orokin.]]
* The Ray Sphere from ''VideoGame/InFamous'', the device that started it all [[spoiler:kills everyone in a six-block radius to accelerate the development of the user's powers.]]

* The Yatgy Stone in ''VideoGame/Nocturne1999'' is an artifact that massively increases a vampire's power, while rendering him immune to normal vampiric weaknesses. The heroes set off on a mission to reclaim it from a vampire lord who's recently stolen it. They succeed, only to lose the stone to its original vampiric owner, who (unlike the vampire who took it from him) thankfully doesn't have any apocalyptic plans for it.
* In ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'' Kitanji gives his Reapers O Pins, which are supposed to make them stronger [[spoiler:This is a subversion. All it does is let them be mind controlled.]]

* From ''VideoGame/SystemShock2'' we have various implants that increase various stats and skills. The PSI-Amplifier from the same game is technically this.
* [[AllThereInTheManual According to the backstory]], the Psi Emitters in ''VideoGame/StarCraft'' amplify the "signature" of a telepath, allowing them to be heard over huge distances, at least by the Zerg. Also, Protoss [[PowerCrystal Khaydarin crystals]] amplify the user's psionic abilities in various ways, such as the Zealots' bracers, which allow them to form Psi Blades.
* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'':
** Chaos Emeralds. It's been commented by the writers of SEGA that they don't simply grant new powers, but amplify what one already had, as well as modify a few powers occasionally.
** The Chaos Emeralds had the Amplifier Artifact treatment pulled on themselves by the master Emerald to form the Super Emeralds.
%% ** The series is almost built around them when you throw in almost every other collectible item. The World Rings, Sacred Swords, Sol Emeralds, etc, etc...

* The Evokers from ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' only work if someone has the "potential" to summon a Persona to begin with, [[spoiler:even if that potential is artificially induced.]] The Evoker just makes things much easier. [[VideoGame/Persona4 Later]] [[VideoGame/Persona5 games]] in the series completely eschew the evokers, but also show that the process for ''controlling'' a Persona are much more dangerous as a result[[note]]In ''Persona 4'', Personas can manifest naturally as is the case for the protagonist, but most people are at danger of being overwhelmed by the part of themselves that they deny, and in ''Persona 5'', gaining control of a Persona is anything but gentle: it requires being pushed to the absolute limit of what you're willing to accept, and then manifests as a mask that you have to ''tear off your face'', painfully and bloodily[[/note]], implying that the Evokers are a means of forcing Persona manifestation on those with the potential (each subsequent game also inevitably features fewer Persona-users than ''Persona 3'').
** Evokers also serve another purpose: they can force a Persona to manifest in the real world, in broad daylight, at any time. The Investigation Team didn't even know that was a possibility when they meet the members of SEES when [[spoiler: Fuuka provides assistance from outside the TV world]] in the finale of ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena''.

* ''VideoGame/{{Dragonfable}}'': You have multiple Elemental Orbs, Weapons of Doom, the Dragon Amulet, etc.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Dominions}}'', many magical artifacts are of this nature, doing such things as assisting casting or lessening magic resistance.
* Most of the items in ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' (and, one might imagine, other MultiplayerOnlineBattleArena games with similar fantasy trappings) work like this. Despite looking like ordinary weapons and equipment, they have their effects regardless of whether they would be physically possible to wield simultaneously. For example, among the Infinity Edge, The Bloodthirster, and the Phantom Dancer items, four swords are depicted; yet completely humanoid, two-armed champions are able to take advantage of them all simultaneously while attacking with guns or bows.
** It's theorized but unconfirmed that it's the [[NonEntityGeneral Summoners]] instead who hold and utilize the power of the game's items. This would hold true with the trope, as the Summoner would be using these artifacts to boost the power of their summoned [[{{Mon}} Champions]] in-game.
* The Elder Artifacts in ''VideoGame/RuneScape'' are partial versions of this. In addition to acting as sources of power from which the gods draw their godhood, each artifact seems to have a specific function. There are 12 in all.
* [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Artifacts]] in the ''VideoGame/{{STALKER}}'' series. Spawned from [[RealityIsOutToLunch anomalies scattered around the Zone]], they have varying effects. Some will increase your [[SprintMeter stamina]] regeneration rate, others will give you a HealingFactor or DamageReduction properties, but they all have at least one negative side effect, usually increasing your weakness to some sort of damage or emitting radiation into your body. Wearing the right ones can turn you into a LightningBruiser -- which you'll need [[DeathWorld in the Zone]].
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDarkWitch'', Tres crystals can amplify Zizou's abilities.
* The Tome of Power in ''{{VideoGame/Heretic}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Hexen}} II'' is a [[DoorStopper dictionary-sized]] black book with a skull on the cover. It has the magical property of enhancing the user's weapons for a limited time, changing their behavior in varying degrees[[labelnote:examples]]the Phoenix Rod and Meteor Shaft, rocket launcher-like weapons, respectively become a flamethrower and start shooting whirlwinds full of smoldering rock that trap enemies and can go through walls; the Crossbows of both games merely fire more bolts per shot at a faster rate; most melee weapons simply deal increased damage[[/labelnote]] but in almost all cases dramatically increases the damage per attack. The downside is that it burns out after one single use, and copies aren't very common, so especially early on, it could be TooAwesomeToUse.
* Magic Amplifiers in ''VideoGame/{{Ryzom}}'' are gloves that are used primarily by Magic users to increase the power (and decrease the casting time) of their spells, whether they be offensive Elemental Magic spells or defensive Healing spells.
* Near the end of ''Videogame/JadeEmpire'', it is revealed that the amulet you've been reassembling and allows you to use Essence Gems is simply an amplifier for the powers inherent within you as a Spirit Monk, which is why at that point you no longer need it. However, in the hands of others, it is still a powerful mystical artifact.
* The Amplifier in ''VideoGame/{{Unreal|I}}'' is a modal battery that boosts your energy weapons' power. A powered-up and fully upgraded Dispersion Pistol can one-shot a [[EliteMooks Skaarj Lord]].
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'': Ganon's Triforce of Power usually acts like this, enhancing his already impressive physical strength and immense magic power to quite literally god-like levels. Zelda's Triforce of Wisdom is also hinted to be the source of her own powerful magics and is probably the only reason she can affect Ganon after he's been weakened. Curiously the Triforce of Courage never seems to do the same for Link, though it ''does'' canonically make him '''''unstoppable'''''.
* Many ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' have hold items that only work for them, most notably the Light Ball, designed to give [[SeriesMascot Pikachu]] a massive boost in Special Attack. They may grant simple stat boosts or in the case of Mega Stones, and Z-Crystals, grant a [[SuperMode Mega Evolution]] or a [[DesperationAttack powerful one-time attack]].

* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' reveals Dante's signature sword Rebellion to be this in contrast to the Yamato. While alone it's just a BFS that can focus Dante's immense power to cleave through demons and devils alike, it's true potential is to [[spoiler:unite and amplify Dante's power,]] taking him from being able to challenge [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]] with RealityWarper abilities and ThePowerOfCreation to full PhysicalGod status himself, along with the sword evolving and fusing with Dante’s power to form [[spoiler: [[InfinityPlusOneSword Devil Sword Dante]] ]] and unlocking his true demonic form, [[spoiler:the Sin Devil Trigger.]]

* In ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached'', the Vasyn turns out to be capable of vastly amplifying spells cast through it. So does Paul, for that matter.
* Turns out the Moon Dial in ''Fanfic/FutariWaPrettyCureBlueMoon'' does more than just [[RetGone erase people from existence]] and reset time. [[spoiler:Kainatrol, after erasing Eiender,]] commandeers it late in the story and undergoes a huge usefulness boost. The only thing it won't work on is somebody with one of its [[DismantledMacGuffin pieces]], though its effectiveness in general is in question considering [[spoiler:the existence of echoes]].
* In ''Fanfic/SweetiesMansion'', Sweetie was given a box that contains a power of an [[WingedUnicorn alicorn]] by the ghost of Madame Fleur so she could use it [[spoiler:to bring back Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy from being trapped in paintings.]]

* The potion Twilight is working on in ''WebAnimation/DoubleRainboom'' seems to be this. It enhances a pony's special talent to ludicrous extremes, allowing them to pull off feats they normally couldn't. Needless to say, Rainbow Dash can't resist giving it a try, and it ends up increasing her speed and durability to the point where she ''smashes through the ceiling of Twi's tree home'' by accident after she tries it out, flies around the town at incredible speeds even for her, allows her to fly into ''low orbit'', and gives her the strength to pull off the titular double rainboom [[spoiler:that proceeds to ''tear open a wormhole to another universe''.]] Granted, [[spoiler: it does have the nasty side effect of temporarily taking away a pony's natural abilities after it starts to wear off,]] but it still manages to be an {{exaggerat|edTrope}}ion of this trope. Considering what happens later in the animation, it's been [[WildMassGuessing theorized]] that said potion is actually [[spoiler:an unstable form of [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls1998 Chemical X]].]]
%% * The Light Prognosticus from ''Fanfic/TheEndOfEnds''.
* The SelfInsert Fanfic ''Fanfic/TheNewMath'' has amplifier artifacts in the form of Devices, which boost the ability of a mage to create and power spells.
* The soulstone horns from ''[[FanFic/BloomingMoonChronicles The Blooming Moon Chronicles]]'' allow ponies to use magic which they would not have been able to use before, and in some cases, act as prosthetics.

* While the Butterfly Miraculous usually gives powerless people superpowers, since EveryoneIsASuper in ''Fanfic/MyMiraculousAcademia'', Izuku uses it to amplify their preexisting abilities.
* The [[spoiler: Golden Arrow Pins]] worn by student council members in the Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers HighschoolAU fanfiction ''Fanfic/{{Outcast}}'' amplify the wearer's natural abilities to a super-human degree. They were designed to help student council members serve the school by bringing out their best qualities -- [[spoiler: so a teenager like Russia is strong enough to fold metal with his bare hands, America's charisma and courage turn him into a peerless leader, and England's spiritual sensitivity evolves into full-blown "black magic" that lets him contact the dead and cast spells.]]
* The machine Nathaniel had Burner make in ''Fanfic/LuzBelosPrincessOfTheBoilingIsles'' enhances his magic to God-Mode levels, this being his cheat to try and become more powerful than Emperor Belos.

* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTalesTheMovieTreasureOfTheLostLamp'': The villain Merlock possesses an emerald amulet that, when used in conjunction with the [[GenieInABottle Genie's lamp]], lifts the ThreeWishes restriction, essentially giving him limitless RealityWarper powers by proxy.

* ''Film/Aquaman2018'': The Trident of Atlan boosts Arthur's aquatic telepathy to the point [[spoiler:he can command legions of the Trench and make the shark mounts turn on their riders]].

* The Kaiburr Crystal in the Franchise/StarWarsLegends novel ''Literature/SplinterOfTheMindsEye'' can greatly increase the Force ability of any Force user who touches it. However, it only worked so long as the crystal remained near the temple of its origin.
* '' Literature/TheWheelOfTime'': ''angreal'' and ''sa'angreal'', magical LostTechnology that boosts the amount of power a channeler can draw upon. They usually have buffers to prevent the user from going too far, but not always. The latter are just a stronger variety of the former. The strongest are a [[GenderRestrictedAbility male-female]] pair whose combined capacity could crack open the planet; when they finally get put into use, every channeler on the planet can sense it. The runners-up include the sword ''Callandor'' (usable by men, primarily wielded by [[TheChosenOne Rand]]), Vora's wand (usable by women, primarily wielded by Egwene) and the scepter ''Sakarnen'' (usable by men, wielded by [[spoiler: Demandred]]).
* Aside from its other powers as a soul-eating, universe-annihilating supersword, [[Literature/TheElricSaga Stormbringer]] boosted Elric's magical and physical strength, compensating for the Albino Emperor's own fragile health.
* In ''Literature/WorldOfPtavvs'' by Creator/LarryNiven, Kzanol the Slaver attempts to retrieve his amplifier helmet, which will increase his natural ability to control the minds of a relatively few slaves to the point where he will be able to mentally control ''the entire solar system.''
* The Lens of Arisia, from Creator/EEDocSmith's ''Literature/{{Lensman}}'' series, fits this trope. Kim Kinnison has vast psychic powers on his own after being converted into a [[spoiler:Second-Stage lensman]], but his Lens gives him vastly hugely mind-bogglingly big psychic powers.
* In Creator/MarionZimmerBradley's ''Literature/{{Darkover}}'' stories, [[PowerCrystal matrix crystals]] could greatly increase psionic abilities.
* All wands (most notably the Elder Wand) in ''Literature/HarryPotter'' amplify the strength of a wizard.
* Any jewel in the ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' can be turned into such an artifact. Just load them up with energy, and you can draw on that energy later to boost your power.

* The ''Literature/YoungWizards'' series has the ''Book of Night with Moon'', a supernatural book which describes the entirety of existence. Rather than increasing the strength of the spells a wizard casts, it makes it so that even the most complex and difficult of spells are easy to cast. However, some spells did receive a power boost just from being cast near the book, such as the time shift spell working better than expected.

* Spikard Rings from ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfAmber'' -- incredibly powerful rings of ancient and mysterious origins, connected to multiple sources of magic powers located around TheMultiverse, that allow their users to create any magical spells they need in an instant - more practical and powerful than most magic in the universe. Merlin theorizes that at full power a person armed with one can even damage manifestations of Pattern and Lorgus. However [[spoiler: they seem to be addictive and can be themselves targeted by any magic - Dara and Mandor enhance a spikard, set for Merlin to pick, with mind-controlling spells and it would work, if Bleys hadn't replaced it with another spikard]].
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': A wizard's "focus" is an item enchanted in such a way that makes casting spells easier. They aren't required, but most wizards carry at least one around anyway. Harry's full toolkit involves a staff (for most spells), a blasting rod (the fire spell he uses for most direct "kaboom" attacks. ''Can'' be done with staff, but the rod's better as it's specifically designed to channel that one fire spell into a tight beam of DeathRay.), a shield bracelet (force field for protection), force-collecting rings (every time he moves some kinetic energy is collected. He can release it as a powerful shockwave.), and a pentacle necklace (often uses it as flashlight. However, with faith-based magic the symbol's gotta be something you believe in; a symbol of magic works for him as a cross would work for a Christian against [[OurVampiresAreDifferent some breeds of vampire]] among other things.) All these simply make it easier to call up and direct power; he's had to use many spells without the appropriate focusing tools, but finds it much more difficult, draining, and harder to control. He gets a bit better at it as time goes on, and these days is almost ''never'' lucky enough to have his full arsenal at hand. Also, [[spoiler:Elaine]] carries a chain, and [[spoiler:Molly]] carries a pair of wands.
** The strongest wizard seen thus far, [[spoiler: Ebenezer [=McCoy=]]], carries only a staff. But Harry is absolutely ''astounded'' by what that wizard is capable of. [[spoiler: In ''Peace Talks'', they come to blows, and Harry holds his own ''only because'' [=McCoy=] is holding back. When they fight together, Harry can barely handle one or two of their attackers. [=McCoy=] handles the other ''eleven''. And when restrained, ''still'' helps Harry when he's overwhelmed.]] ''That's'' the power of a centuries-old wizard.
* ''Literature/TheEmpiriumTrilogy'': Eliana forges a casting in the hopes that it'll help her tap into the [[SentientCosmicForce empirium]] more easily. It doesn't work that well at first, but as she slowly accepts her abilities, she obtains more control over them.

* ''Literature/TheZombieKnight'' features Haqq's shield. When used by a [[CameBackStrong servant]], it boosts their [[MadeOfIron passive defense]] to match that of Abbas Saqqaf, a powerful Sandlord servant who helped make the thing. The more powerful you are, the longer you can safely use it at a stretch. For Hector, that currently works out to...six minutes per day. Although even without using its power, [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe it's still an awesome shield]].

* In ''Literature/LoyalEnemies'', the Staff of Fertility is an elven artifact that amplifies their already inherent ability to [[GreenThumb shape the natural world]] around them and allows them to grow their city naturally. The downside is that it also acts as a CosmicKeystone for their part of Ash Grove and thus, its theft is a really big deal. It's shaped like a non-assuming piece of wood.

* In ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', urban legend held that the State Alchemists' pocket watches, engraved with the Fuhrer's Seal, enhanced the power of the bearer's alchemy. They don't actually do anything, though -- they're just watches. In [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist the 2003 anime version]], though, some of them contain [[spoiler:[[PoweredByAForsakenChild unfinished Philosopher's Stones]]]].
* ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'':
** The [[MineralMacguffin Relics]], super-high energy crystals from . The one implanted in [[spoiler:[[MysteriousWaif Vivio]]]] in particular was mentioned in [[AllThereInTheManual Japanese DVD inserts]] to not only boost her magic on its own but to also allow her to connect to the Saint's Cradle and fuel herself with nigh-infinite power. And yes, as [[spoiler:''[[SpinOffspring ViVid]]'']] revealed, her [[spoiler:[[OlderAlterEgo Adult Form]]]] is inherent to her and not something given to her by the Relic.
** The Unison Devices: cute little foot-high flying ArtificialHuman girls who can [[FusionDance synchronize]] with magic-users to boost their powers and add elemental effects. So far, we've only seen two, Reinforce Zwei and Agito.

* The "Meteor Shard", a PlotDevice recovered from Hell's Gate that changes hands a few times in ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack''. Towards the end of the first series, Amber breaks it in pieces among her followers and uses the bulk of it to power the network of Dolls that guide Hei through the Gate, but later she spontaneously pulls the complete Shard out of her pocket due to the [[RealityIsOutToLunch strange properties of the Gate]]. Then, Hei uses it to [[spoiler:enhance his power to RealityWarper levels, enabling him to alter matter on a quantum level]]. In backstory, one such thing was used to [[spoiler:make a good chunk of South America completely inaccessible]].
* In ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'', [[CheerfulChild Yellow]] is a human example, as when [[BewareTheNiceOnes she]] [[BerserkButton gets]] [[UnstoppableRage angry]], her team of usually wimpy Pokemon has their levels jump up to the mid-80s in response.

* ''Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure'' has the Rainbow Bracelets, which give Cure Black and Cure White a pretty major boost to their abilities on top of granting access to the attack [[WaveMotionGun Rainbow Storm]].
** The sequel season, Max Heart, gives them the Sparkle Bracelets, which also provide a boost and greatly upgrade their [[AllYourColorsCombined Marble Screw]] attack.
* ''Manga/TheSevenDeadlySins'' has the Sacred Treasures of the Seven Deadly Sins. They don't increase the amount of power you have, but rather, how much of your own power you can draw out at a time. King describes their use best:
-->''Let's say this lake is the power of one of the Sins... If you use your palm, how much water would you be able to scoop? Right, no matter how much water you have, with just your bare hands, this is what you get. But if you use a weapon, you'd get something like a glass or mug's amount of power. And then... If you use a sacred treasure, you can get a house's worth of power. In other words, you could draw power incomparable with what you could before!!''
* ''Anime/SailorMoon'': This is explicitly the power of the Golden Crystal in the 1990s' anime. It can boost a sufficiently powerful individual's abilities to [[PhysicalGod godlike levels]]. [[spoiler: It also doesn't require a single user; it can respond to the wishes of an ''entire planet'', making humanity collectively strong enough to break the previous holder's MassHypnosis and destroy her {{Mook}} army.]]
* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', the Hougyoku grants incredible powers, but only up to what is possible (no matter how improbable) for the subject to achieve on his own. In other words, the subject's maximum potential.
* Most Sacred Gears in ''LightNovel/HighSchoolDXD'' have elements of this, but Issei's Boosted Gear is a textbook example. Boosted Gear doubles the user's power every ten seconds without limit, it's explicitly stated he could overpower God if he gets enough boosts. However, Issei's body is initially too frail to handle more than three or four boosts, and the base power it's doubling is minuscule to begin with. A big deal is made of the fact he has to work hard and make himself stronger before his Sacred Gear can really make him any more powerful.
* ''Manga/ACertainScientificRailgun'' has a mysterious sound file called Level Upper. When people listen to it, ordinary people gain esper powers and espers get their powers amplified... for a short time, after which they fall into a coma.
* ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'': Aleister Crowley's Blasting Rod acts like this, amplifying any object's or being's native power to ten times what their opponent thinks it is. On its own, it's a fairly simple item, but since it's spoken of as a super-powerful magical weapon being used by one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world, people immediately think of it as extremely powerful to begin with, which it then amplifies even further. Even worse, during rematches, the Blasting Rod will increase the power to ten times what the opponent remembered from the first fight.
* In ''LightNovel/TheMageWillMasterMagicEfficientlyInHisSecondLife'', catalyst are needed to use some spells or to make others easier. An example are Teleport rings, which make it possible to use movement spells easier.

* In ''Manga/WitchHatAtelier'' The ancient city had a magic mirror designed to amplify the effects of glyphs, with Qifrey describing it as ancient war magic. [[spoiler:A warmth stone meant only to warm skin ends up turning hot enough to melt gold, killing the people who were turned into it.]]
* The Wind Staff in ''Manga/DragonKnights'' functions this way for Cesia and her wind powers, even allowing her to ''resurrect people''.
* ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'': {{Nanomachine}} based HealingPotion from the {{Precursors}} called the Old World repair a human body based on a certain set of standards that, thanks to the Old World’s {{Transhuman}} augmentation, are stronger than a modern day humans. The way the potential of a SuperStrength DifferentlyPoweredIndividual is awoken is taking these while putting great stress on the body to make them repair it to those standards. For Akira, since he gets taught to use compressed time (more grounded BulletTime) using his transhuman brain, [[CastFromHitpoints using the ability causes brain damage]], so old world medicine fortifies his brain while healing it to make him able to use the ability better.

* ComicBook/DoctorStrange has some artifacts which function this way and others that do nothing he couldn't do without them (though it frees up his concentration or power to use the artifact rather than his own strength).

* In ''ComicBook/{{BPRD}}'', Liz uses an ancient Hyperborean thing that kinda looks like a light bulb with a spiky thing on top to amplify her [[PlayingWithFire pyrokinesis]] to the point where she can singlehandedly incinerate the mountain-sized Katha-Hem.
* Although it's technological rather than magical, Cerebro fits this role in ''ComicBook/XMen''. It boosts the range and, sometimes, the power level of Professor Xavier's telepathic abilities.
* ComicBook/WonderWoman has been shown from time to time using the Gauntlets of Atlas which multiply the wearer's strength and stamina tenfold. Given that Wonder Woman has Superman-class strength to begin with, she's devastating when she wears them. These were eventually passed on. She also used to have Sandals of Hermes that amplified her speed and gave her flight but [[PowerCreepPowerSeep her powers have been upgraded]] to include greater speed and flight.
** When ComicBook/{{Artemis}} became the new Wonder Woman in ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|1987}}: ComicBook/TheContest'', she was given the Gauntlets and Sandals to increase her strength and allow her flight while using the title.
* ComicBook/TheMightyThor has the Belt of Strength, which doubles his strength and endurance, and {{Mjolnir}}, which focuses Thor's innate ElementalPowers. The Belt is straight from the [[Myth/NorseMythology source material]]. If need be, Thor could increase the boosting effect by tightening the belt.

* The Sword of Acorns in ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'' had this ability when used by powered individuals, such as Mammoth Mogul and Ixis Naugus.
* The ComicBook/SilverSurfer can actually fly without his [[CoolBoard board]], but it's shown to be less effective and uncomfortable for him.

** Minicons did this as well, which was why they were so sought after. Most unlocked new abilities or weapons in robot mode, but in vehicle mode they were often said to increase speed as a bonus.

*** The Allspark sometimes serves a similar function.

** [[spoiler:The Crystal Heart]] from the third season premiere [[spoiler:provides a similar function. As long as the Crystal Empire's inhabitants keep their spirits up, their love and cheer power the Heart and allow it to protect the Empire.]]

** The Bewitching Bell from the final season is a unique combination of this and a PowerNullifier as it is able to steal the magic of one living creature, contain it, and give it to another. [[spoiler:The effects are shown when Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow use it to power themselves up, allowing them to {{Curb Stomp|Battle}} some of [[TheWorfEffect the most powerful characters in the series]]]].

* [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Artifacts]] in the ''VideoGame/{{STALKER}}'' series. Spawned from [[RealityIsOutToLunch anomalies scattered around the Zone]], they have varying effects. Some will increase your stamina regeneration rate, others will give you a HealingFactor or MadeOfIron properties, but they all have at least one negative side effect, usually increasing your weakness to some sort of damage or emitting radiation into your body. Wearing the right ones can turn you into a LightningBruiser - which you'll [[EverythingTryingToKillYou need to survive]] [[DeathWorld in the Zone]].