History Main / LimitedUseMagicalDevice

* The Octavo in the first ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novels is a tome that was used to create the world; it has eight spells left in it (one of which escaped and inhabited an unwilling wizard), which have to be spoken at the correct time in order for [[spoiler: the Discworld to spawn a litter of baby Discworlds]]. After this is done, the spells disappear.

* ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'': The Returned are a living version. Each [[CameBackStrong Comes Back Strong]] from death with supernatural powers and potential to gain more, but the core ability of the Divine Breath animating them is to [[HeroicSacricice sacrifice their life]] to heal any illness or injury in another. Lightsong reflects on the paradox that the same people who worship them as {{Physical God}}s are constantly petitioning them for their glorious death.

->'''Blinky:''' Ah! Powers of this device are limited to [[RuleOfThree three rules]]. According to the inscription, if my Salickacious is correct, the first is that only one person can step outside of time.\\

* ''ComicBook/XMen'': A minor character is a mutant whose power is related to the tattoos he has on his body. He can "activate" the tattoo to use its power, but afterwards it'll disappear. He has multiple kinds of tattoos, from one shaped like lightning bolt (allowing him to wield lightning and move super fast for a while) to even the logo of the Phoenix (allowing access to Phoenix Force's godlike power). [[spoiler:It's revealed that that guy is not a mutant - rather, his tattoo artist is the real mutant who never knew his own ability.]]

Compare and contrast SpellBook, which is usually non-consumable and permanently teaches the reader one or more spells. Compare BreakableWeapons for melee weapons with this trait.

* In most installments of the ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' series prior to ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'', most spellbooks can only be used for a set amount of times before breaking.

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** The spell scrolls are a textbook example, allowing a single free casting of the contained spell even if the caster would not normally have enough [[{{Mana}} Magicka]] or a high enough skill level to do so. Incidentally, the eponymous Elder Scrolls themselves are an {{aversion}}, being ridiculously powerful [[TomeOfEldritchLore cosmic artifacts]] that, when they can be read at all (it takes either years of training or special LostTechnology), do not disappear.
** Magical items other than scrolls come in three types: constant effect (e.g. an article of clothing that increases magicka), cast on use (e.g. a stave that shoots fireballs), or cast on hit (for weapons such as {{Flaming Sword}}s). The latter two have a limited number of charges and become inert when they're expended, but may be refilled with soul gems and the Soul Trap spell.

* ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'' has single use crystals that can be used to cast spells the characters don't know yet.
* ''VideoGame/CryptOfTheNecrodancer'' has a few of these, including a Freeze Enemies scroll and a Scroll of Need, which gives you an item that you need.

* ''VideoGame/KirbySqueakSquad'': You can find some "Copy Ability Scrolls" from certain treasure boxes in the game; each of them enhances one of your copy ability, usually in the form of giving you one extra move.

* ''VideoGame/PathOfExile'' follows the ''VideoGame/DiabloII'' model and has only two types of scrolls, Scroll of Wisdom (Identify) and Portal Scroll, but with a few twists. First, both types serve as PracticalCurrency, since in-game vendors don't accept gold as payment. Secondly, early game enemies rarely drop whole Scrolls of Wisdom, so you'll have to put them together from five Scroll Fragments. Lastly, you can skip Portal Scrolls entirely if you find the colorless Portal
* ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'' has single use crystals that can be used to cast spells the characters don't know yet. gem, which takes up one active skill slot but frees up some inventory space.

** The scrolls are a textbook example, allowing a single free casting of the contained spell even if the caster would not normally have enough [[{{Mana}} Magicka]] or a high enough skill level to do so. Incidentally, the eponymous Elder Scrolls themselves are an {{aversion}}, being ridiculously powerful [[TomeOfEldritchLore cosmic artifacts]] that, when they can be read at all (it takes either years of training or special LostTechnology), do not disappear.

* ''Webcomic/{{Erfworld}}'': It's scrolls appears to be single use. It's [[https://wiki.erfworld.com/TBFGK_17 here]] in the caster's hands, then [[https://wiki.erfworld.com/TBFGK_18 it's gone]].

** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'': Magical items other than scrolls come in three types: constant effect, cast on use (e.g. a ring that shoots fireballs), or cast on hit (for weapons such as {{Flaming Sword}}s). The latter two have a limited number of charges and become inert when they're expended, but may be refilled with soul gems and the Soul Trap spell.

** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'': Magical items other than scrolls come in three types: constant effect, cast on use, or cast on hit (for weapons such as {{Flaming Sword}}s). The latter two have a limited number of charges and become inert when they're expended, but may be refilled with soul gems and the Soul Trap spell.

** Magical items other than scrolls come in three types: constant effect, cast on use, or cast on hit (for weapons such as {{Flaming Sword}}s). The latter two have a limited number of charges and become inert when they're expended, but may be refilled with soul gems and the Soul Trap spell.

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* ''VideoGame/{{Ragnarok Online}}'':

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** D&D is the TropeCodifier; its scrolls allow spellcasters to cast the contained spell once without using a spell slot, after which the writing on the scroll is erased and the scroll becomes magically inert. Unlike many later examples, the caster must still be able to cast spells of the proper type ([[MutuallyExclusiveMagic arcane or divine]]); a MagicallyIneptFighter can't use a scroll to cast fireballs. Also, many scrolls contain more than one spell (even the weakest can hold up to three).

* Many magical items such as wands or rings have a limited number of "charges", some of which are consumed every time the spell within the item is cast. Once the charges are consumed the item becomes useless.