History Main / MaskOfPower

Compare EvilMask, HatOfPower, RingOfPower, CrystalSkull.

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[[folder: Comic Books]]

[[folder: Fan Fiction]]

[[folder: Film]]

* The ''Franchise/{{Halloween}}'' series. Especially in [[Film/{{Halloween 1978}} the first film]]; Michael doesn't kill anyone except when wearing a mask. In the intro he only froze when his dad removed his clown mask, and later when Laurie knocks his mask off he takes the time to put it back on, giving her a better chance of escaping. First thing he does before starting his spree is steal the mask, but not for disguise since he never takes it off and few people would recognize him. In [[Film/HalloweenII1981 the sequel]], he still wears the mask (getting an innocent lookalike killed) and is discovered to have scrawled ''Samhain'' (basically, Halloween) on the wall of the mask store he robbed, suggesting he somehow links dressing up with murdering people; he becomes the Boogeyman.

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Live Action TV]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games]]

[[folder: Toys]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

* The Masqerenes from Masqerada: Songs and Shadows are carnival-like masks that grant ElementalPowers, they were created by [[AbusivePrecursors Precursors]] and, as it later turns out, the reason they were wiped out. Masqerenes require a HumanSacrifice to create and killing a person using one destroys the Masqerene too. The Precursors originally used [[HumanResources prisoners]] to make them but as the Masqerenes kept getting destroyed the population rebelled out of fear they might be used as raw materials next.

* Marvel Comics #1000 is a MilestoneCelebration of Marvel's eighty years in publication that's an anthology of various characters throughout its history. Through it is a running story of Jimmy Woo, Night Thrasher and the Blue Marvel investigating an ancient conspiracy centering around an artifact known as the Eternity Mask. Appearing to be a black cloth mask, that occasionally shines like a star field, it was created by sorcerers in Medieval England to give lowborn peasants equal power to Arthur's Knights. The mask, made from Eternity itself, subsequently has the ability to make any who wears it the equal of whoever they stand against. For someone already powerful this isn't noticeable but for any underdog it gives them at least a fair chance to win in any fight.

* The Literature/{{Discworld}} novel ''Literature/{{Maskerade}}'' plays with this trope very well, with a running theme of alter egos and masks revealing someone's true self. First, we see a mysterious Ghost who, while wearing his mask, is intelligent, worldly, supremely confident, and capable of incredible feats of swordplay and agility. With his mask off, he's[[spoiler:Walter Plinge]], a total nobody and ExtremeDoormat with an AmbiguousDisorder who works at the Opera because he loves it. When the Witches find the identity of the Ghost, Granny Weatherwax uses her famed 'Headology' to give him an 'invisible' mask to reveal his true self-confident self. It's imaginary... [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane probably]]. Like many things Granny does, it's intentionally ambiguous. Also like many things Granny does, it works.

* in''Series/PowerRangersWildForce'': The Mask of Zen-Aku grants great power, at the cost of also granting a SuperpoweredEvilSide.

[[caption-width-right:270:[-Hey, there's an inscription... ''[[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings One mask to rule them all, one mask to find them. One mask to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them...]] ''[[SchmuckBait Eh. Probably nothing.]]-] ]]

* The Shakalaka from ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' wear masks both to conceal their faces and also as weapons of war. The King Shakalaka, for instance, can lob fire from the BBQ Spit he wears on his head. Also, both Cha-Cha (''Tri'') and Kayamba (''Tri Ultimate'', change personality and behavior based on the masks they wear. The Ancient Mask enshrined in Moga Village serves as an important item in the hunt for the Ceadeus, as it produces oxygen from the water it takes in. Unfortunately for the Wyverian Craftsman and Junior, all the stuff that makes this possible makes it too small for a human to wear.

* Each animal mask (besides the one you start out with) that can be worn in ''VideoGame/HotlineMiami'' grants a different bonus, like starting out with a specific weapon, being able to issue [[OneHitKill one-hit kills]] with your [[GoodOlFisticuffs bare fists]], or [[JokeItem reading everything in poorly-translated French]]. [[GameplayAndStorySegregation This really only extends to the gameplay]], though, as the game's relatively grounded setting makes it unlikely the masks truly give special abilities to the wearer. Given that most of the game is seen ThroughTheEyesOfMadness, the masks' "powers" might be just part of the player character's hallucinations.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' has the Mask of Truth, which grants the wearer the power to speak to Gossip Stones. The other masks, however, don't have any special powers except repel some minor enemies.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' has 28 collectible masks (including the Boss Remains which allow Link to refight a boss without the need to complete a dungeon again), and many of them grant the wearer some sort of power, ranging from "one specific type of enemy will talk to you instead of attacking" to "transformation into one of the other races (Zora, Deku, or Goron)" to granting minor abilities such as enhanced speed or invisibility. If you get all the masks by the end of the game, you receive the Fierce Deity mask that's an InfinityPlusOneSword that turns you into a PhysicalGod and makes the FinalBoss fight a CurbStompBattle in your favor. Since the Fierce Deity just turns you into a white-haired version of adult Link with some warpaint and a {{BFS}}, plus its immense power and purposefully vague history (it's hinted to be potentially as bad as Majora itself) there's a lot of speculation about where it came from. Then there's the [[EvilMask titular mask]] itself, acting as a SealedEvilInACan that corrupts whoever wears it. [[spoiler: It doesn't actually need someone to wear it, though -- once Skull Kid is of no more use, it fights you under its own power, becoming humanoid in the process.]]
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' has the Hero's Mask, which lets you see enemies' HP (if you can figure out how to equip it).
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' has the Thunder Helm, a fancy golden mask worn by Urbosa and later by Riju that gives them complete immunity from lightning, with the latter also using it to generate a larger lightning-proof field that Link can travel in as they battle Vah Naboris. [[spoiler:Riju will give the Thunder Helm to Link after Vah Naboris is purified if he also completes all the quests given by Gerudo Town inhabitants.]]
* There's also ''VideoGame/{{Splatterhouse}}'', whereas by donning the 'Terror Mask', seemingly normal Rick Taylor turns into a badass with a habit of [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu punching out Cthulhu]] and every punches turned everything he touches into [[MadeOfPlasticine plasticines]]. The mask is also alive with a mind too. [[spoiler:In fact, it's trying to use Rick to TakeOverTheWorld. Though eventually Rick has amassed enough power to kick its behind through a BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind.]]
* The Mask of the Wraith, from ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaWarriorWithin'', allows a person to exist twice in the same timeline.
* Gabranth in ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' goes from slow, weak and vulnerable in his normal mode to fast, powerful and deadly in his EX Mode. One of the graphical changes between the two modes consists of Gabranth putting his helmet on.

* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' has the Masks of the Dragon Priests, all of which come with a powerful enchantment and a high armor rating. In addition, there is the Masque of [[TricksterGod Clavicus Vile]], which doubles as a helmet.
* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has Pinwheel, who wears three of them. The player can obtain these masks, each of them offering unique status buffs.
* Jack of Blade's Mask from ''{{Videogame/Fable}}''. [[spoiler: He ''is'' the Mask, and possesses the main character if you choose not to destroy it in the Lost Chapter.]]
* ''VideoGame/YsMemoriesOfCelceta'' has the plot-important Mask of the Sun and Mask of the Moon. The villains also have power-enhancing masks that are usually used to make brainwashed soldiers more powerful, but a few characters wear one willingly.
* In ''VideoGame/Persona5'', the heroes' Personas, {{Anthropomorphic Personification}}s of their own personalities that allow them to use FunctionalMagic, transform into customized masks when not in use. They can be summoned with one hand upon the mask, and their very first summoning requires removing the mask itself... [[TearOffYourFace along with a sizable chunk of the skin behind it]]. It heals quickly, thankfully.
* This a reccuring theme in ''{{VideoGame/Utawarerumono}}'' and the [[Videogame/UtawarerumonoItsuwariNoKamen sequel duology]]. First with Hakuowlo, whom has a mask glued to his face which happens to [[spoiler:contain a god, one who is responsible for the decline of humanity and the rise of their animal-eared creations]]. Next with the 4 "akuruka", which grant their users immense power (and the power to transform into a giant monster) but eventually consume their user [[spoiler: (they are based on Hakuowlo's mask and are significantly weaker than it)]]. Eventually, [[spoiler: Haku, the protagonist, gets his hands on one of the masks and finds out that the masks grant normal humans even more of their power but are fused to their user's face in return (they were meant to be used by normal humans and not demihumans).]]
* In ''VideoGame/{{Sundered}}'', the boss Dominion is an EvilSorcerer whose magical powers seem to come from his three masks. As soon as he puts one on, all three of them start glowing, his throne sprouts tentacles, and he begins casting his spells.
* The Mask of Dark Earth from the "Rumble Down Under" level of ''VideoGame/Sly3HonorAmongThieves'' certainly counts. It overlaps significantly with EvilMask due to it's tendency to latch onto unsuspecting hosts and [[ThePowerOfHate feed off their negative emotions]], making them [[MakeMyMonsterGrow grow huge]], powerful, and extremely aggressive -- all of which causes the host to die in a short span of time.
* The Masqerenes from Masqerada: Songs and Shadows are carnival-like masks that grant ElementalPowers, they were created by [[AbusivePrecursors Precursors]] and, as it later turns out, the reason they were wiped out. Masqerenes require a HumanSacrifice to create and killing a person using one destroys the Masqerene too. The Precursors originally used [[HumanResources prisoners]] to make them but as the Masqerenes kept getting destroyed the population rebelled out of fear they might be used as raw materials next.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}''} has Mask of Thousand Faces that allows the wearer to look like another person. Powerful characters can make items, including masks, that grant powerful bonuses.

* The Mask of Zen-Aku in ''Series/PowerRangersWildForce''. Grants great power, at the cost of also granting a SuperpoweredEvilSide.

* In the ''Series/{{Grimm}}'' ProWrestlingEpisode "The Silence of the Slams", an ancient Aztec ritual is used to create a luchador mask [[GenuineHumanHide from flayed Wesen skin]] that gives the wearer the powers of that Wesen. However, if used outside the ring, it proves to be a ClingyMcGuffin and WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' - There are a fair number of powerful mask magical items in various sourcebooks of 3.0/3.5 but in the Complete Scoundrel there also exists a prestige class whose sole purpose ''is'' this trope. The player gains the ability early on to forge masks of specified types that grant some degree of magical anonymity versus the player's alignment being felt out, as well as stat bonuses specific to the type.
* TabletopGame/{{Exalted}} has Mask of Thousand Faces that allows the wearer to look like another person. Powerful characters can make items, including masks, that grant powerful bonuses.
* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'':

** A similar mask - the Terrifying Mask of Eee! - is available in the current (8th edition) common magic items list. It also causes terror, but prevents the wearer from leading troops effectively. The Tomb Kings have the Death Mask of Kharnut, which is even more terrifying, and the High Elves have the Mask of the Merlord, which is not terrifying but does enable its wearer to move through aquatic terrain more easily. The Savage Orc Shaman Wurrzag ud ura Zahubu wears the Baleful Mask - a magical wooden mask in traditional cartoon witch-doctor style that shoots green lightning bolts from its eyes.

* In ''TabletopGame/{{Ironsworn}}'', [[OurElvesAreDifferent the firstborn]] conceal their faces behind ornate wooden masks rumored to contain magical powers. If a player characters forge a bond with the elves and receive a mask of elderwood, the player can take the Masked path asset. When a Masked Ironsworn wears this firstborn mask, they receive stat boosts to a chosen stat determined by the type of wood, which can even help the Ironsworn when facing death or desolation.

* The Visored in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' can increase their power tenfold by calling out their inner Hollow and wearing its mask in battle. The trope is also inverted in that Arrancar -- the polar opposite of Vizards -- are more powerful because they took their Hollow masks off.

** Ichigo's Hollow side definitely deserves a mention of its own, because when his [[SplitPersonalityTakeover hollow form takes over]] in his epic fight with [[AloofBigBrother Byakuya Kuchiki]], it started ''[[BodyHorror growing]]'' onto his ''face''. [[spoiler:Ironically, Ichigo's final and most powerful Hollowfication does away with the mask entirely, instead having his skin bleach white while gaining the mask lines on his face and the horns growing right out of his skull. This is meant to represent his "perfected" Hollowfication since he's finally at peace and one with his power.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMask'': Stanley still uses the Mask of Loki to become his alter-ego The Mask who is a good-hearted trickster and superhero but there have been others who wore it such as Evelyn who become her alter-ego Eve who is just like The Mask a crazy good-hearted woman and a superhero like him but Dr Neuman becomes a {{Ax Crazy}} supervillain when he wore it and Peggy becomes a [[ItsAllAboutMe egotistical woman]] but a {{Jerk with a Heart of Gold}} when she wears it.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMask'': Stanley still uses the Mask of Loki to become his alter-ego The Mask who is a good-hearted trickster and superhero but there have been others who wore it such as Evelyn who become her alter-ego Eve who is just like The Mask a crazy good-hearted woman and a superhero like him but Dr Neuman becomes a {{Ax Crazy}} supervillain when he wore it and Peggy becomes a [[ItsAllAboutMe egotistical woman]] but a {{Jerk with a Heart of Gold}}.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMask'': Stanley still uses the Mask of Loki to become his alter-ego The Mask who is a good-hearted trickster and superhero but there have been others who wore it such as Evelyn who become her alter-ego Eve who is just like The Mask a crazy good-hearted woman and a superhero like him but Dr Neuman becomes a {{Ax Crazy}} supervillain when he wore it and Peggy becomes a [[Its All About Me egotistical woman]] but a {{Jerk with a Heart of Gold}}.

* ''Fanfic/JauneArcLordOfHunger'': Unlike most examples of this trope, the Mask of [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Nihilus]] doesn't even need to be worn in order to draw power from it. Simply claiming ownership over it was enough for Jaune to be granted Force-sensitivity. [[spoiler:It also gradually transforms Jaune into Nihilus himself and actually wearing the mask allows Nihilus's ghost to take control of Jaune's body.]]

* The titular mask from ''Film/TheMask''. It's noted in the film that this style of mask is meant to represent Loki, Norse {{Trickster god}}, and Stanley hypothesises that the spirit of Loki was banished into the mask and when Stanley uses it he becomes a harmless good hearted gangster called The Mask who is easy looking and who eventually uses his powers for good and becomes a superhero at the end of the film while the {{Big Bad}} uses the Mask of Loki for evil. The sequel''Film/SonOfTheMask'' shows that it was actually ''created'' by Loki.

* The titular mask from ''Film/TheMask''. It's noted in the film that this style of mask is meant to represent Loki, Norse {{Trickster god}}, and Stanley hypothesises that the spirit of Loki was banished into the mask and when Stanley uses it he becomes a harmless good hearted gangster called The Mask who is easy looking and who eventually uses his powers for good and becomes a superhero at the end of the film while the{{Big Bad}} uses the Mask of Loki for evil. The sequel ''Film/SonOfTheMask'' shows that it was actually ''created'' by Loki.

* The titular mask from ''Film/TheMask''. It's noted in the film that this style of mask is meant to represent Loki, Norse {{Trickster god}}, and Stanley hypothesises that the spirit of Loki was banished into the mask and When Stanley uses it he becomes a harmless good hearted gangster called The Mask who is easy looking and who eventually uses his powers for good and becomes a superhero at the end of the film while the{{Big Bad}} uses the Mask of Loki for evil. The sequel ''Film/SonOfTheMask'' shows that it was actually ''created'' by Loki.

* The titular mask from ''Film/TheMask''. It's noted in the film that this style of mask is meant to represent Loki, Norse {{Trickster god}}, and Stanley hypothesises that the spirit of Loki was banished into the mask. The sequel ''Film/SonOfTheMask'' shows that it was actually ''created'' by Loki.

Compare HatOfPower, RingOfPower, CrystalSkull.

** A full list: Shielding, Underwater Breathing, Levitation, Strength, Speed, XRayVision, Time, Life, Light, Shadows, Concealment, Translation, Illusions, Night Vision, Mind Control, Telekinesis, Fate, Spirit, Detection, {{Telepathy}}, Flight, Accuracy, Radar, Kindred, Summoning, Stealth, Gravity, Reanimation, Corruption, Hunger, Silence, Repulsion, Disruption, Time Duplication, Diminishment, Clairvoyance, Quick Travel ({{Teleportation}}), Emulation, Growth, Rahi Control (Animal Control), Regeneration, Truth, Dimensional Travel, Charisma, Alternate Futures, {{Psychometry}}, {{Intangibility}}, Possibilities, Elemental Energy, Mutation, Creation, Scavenging, Incomprehension, Adaptation, Sensory Aptitude, Aging, Undeath, Conjuring, Rebounding, Biomechanics, and Fusion.

** Ichigo's Hollow side definitely deserves a mention of its own, because when his [[SplitPersonalityTakeover hollow form takes over]] in his epic fight with [[AloofBigBrother Byakuya Kuchiki]], it started ''[[BodyHorror growing]]'' onto his ''face''.

* In ''WebVideo/MarioAndLuigiTheMask'', (a crossover between ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and ''Film/TheMask''), Luigi uses the same mask that was in The Mask to represent Loki, in order to become his alter ego, "The Green Thunder"

* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' had Kanohi Masks that granted powers to the wearer (who were usually Toa). In fact, they were a main theme until a {{retool}}, and the franchise could be the TropeNamer as "Masks of Power" was a common name for them from day one. Definitely in the "tropical mysticism" tiki-mask style, as the franchise had a number of Polynesian influences in its earliest days.