History Main / OneSuperOnePowerset

* Averted with ''VideoGame/InFamous2''. While in the first game, Cole is stuck with his lightning powers and nothing else, ''inFAMOUS 2'' allows Cole as part of the storyline to use a machine to copy either fire or ice powers from two other superpowered people, depending on his alignment.

* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}

* One early episode of ''Series/{{Angel}}'' had the title character acquire a ring that grants vampires immunity to sunlight and makes them all but invulnerable. Wow, Angel, you'd be able to do a lot of good with that ring, wouldn't you? Certainly he could, but during the episode, many evil vampires try forcibly taking it from him, and he realizes that as long as it continues to exist, they're going to keep trying, and [[EvilOnlyHasToWinOnce if they succeed just once, the world is screwed]]. Between that and the threat of him losing his soul and becoming Angelus again, he decides it's better to destroy the thing.
* ZigZagged in ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier''. Sam "Falcon" Wilson received Captain America's shield from Steve Rogers at the end of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', but chooses to give it up at the start of the series: he donates it to a superhero exhibit at the Smithsonian, only for the US government to turn around and hand it to a new Cap, John Walker. Walker is later removed, and Sam takes back both the shield and the title of Captain America, on top of using a vibranium version of his wingsuit.

* Averted with ''VideoGame/InFamous2''. While in the first game Cole is stuck with his lightning powers and nothing else, ''inFAMOUS 2'' allows Cole as part of the storyline to use a machine to copy either fire or ice powers from two other superpowered people, depending on his alignment.

* ComicBook/{{Batman}} is the head of Wayne Enterprises, has fought against and alongside many superpowered beings that possess advanced technology, use magic, and have reliable and effective mutagens. Despite this, he has been, and most likely always will be, only a mere BadassNormal CrazyPrepared genius detective. This is usually justified by any [[EmpoweredBadassNormal powers he does happen to acquire]] either [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity going to his head]] or simply not being something he feels he needs to keep long-term.

* ComicBook/{{Superman}} and Comicbook/{{Supergirl}} have a weakness to {{Kryptonite|Factor}}. They also have access to {{Kryptonite Proof Suit}}s. You'd expect them to wear it pretty much all the time or at least line their costumes with lead to reduce the effects. However, Clark or Kara bring it out only when they're fighting a villain that specifically uses Kryptonite as a weapon and expect it in advance. It's because the suit is fragile relative to the power levels of both Kryptonian heroes and many of their foes. What they have done on more than one occasion is try to get rid of the Kryptonite since it's supposed to be rare [[KryptoniteIsEverywhere but more just keeps showing up]].
* Barbara Gordon -ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}- becomes crippled by ComicBook/TheJoker in ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', and remains crippled from then on until the ''ComicBook/New52'' reboot. This is despite the fact that people with superpowers that can heal any injury, PoweredArmor, Magic, and others exist all over the DC Universe that can fix or replace her legs with but a phone call. In fact, Batman himself had his spine broken in ''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}'', but quickly recovered. This is given the somewhat hamfisted justification that Barbara deliberately refuses to embrace the metanatural options she has for undoing her spinal damage because she doesn't want to be "special" compared to all the other crippled humans in the setting. [[ComicBook/Batgirl2011 Even after she is cured]], she is shown {{wangst}}ing over it.
* Following ''The Other'' arc, ComicBook/SpiderMan acquired enhanced strength, the ability to communicate with spiders, organic webbing, and retractile stingers in his wrists, among other powers. Post-''ComicBook/BrandNewDay'' he's gone back to his original powers, and the augmented ones have gone to his clone Kaine. This was justified by the vastly negative reaction Spidey's fans had to his new powerset, which ranged from "nonsensical" (spider-talking, retractile stingers) to "obvious cash-ins on the movies" (organic webbing).

* Franchise/{{Batman}} is the head of Wayne Enterprises, has fought against and alongside many superpowered beings that possess advanced technology, use magic, and have reliable and effective mutagens. Despite this, he has been, and most likely always will be, only a mere BadassNormal CrazyPrepared genius detective. This is usually justified by any [[EmpoweredBadassNormal powers he does happen to acquire]] either [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity going to his head]] or simply not being something he feels he needs to keep long-term.

* Franchise/{{Superman}} and Comicbook/{{Supergirl}} have a weakness to {{Kryptonite|Factor}}. They also have access to {{Kryptonite Proof Suit}}s. You'd expect them to wear it pretty much all the time or at least line their costumes with lead to reduce the effects. However, Clark or Kara bring it out only when they're fighting a villain that specifically uses Kryptonite as a weapon and expect it in advance. It's because the suit is fragile relative to the power levels of both Kryptonian heroes and many of their foes. What they have done on more than one occasion is try to get rid of the Kryptonite since its supposed to be rare [[KryptoniteIsEverywhere but more just keeps showing up]].

* Franchise/XMen: Professor Xavier has tried many times to restore the use of his legs, but when he does succeed, [[StatusQuoIsGod he becomes crippled again before long]].
* Most times that a superhero or supervillain is held prisoner, there is a PowerNullifier in action. Most of the prisoners [[CardboardPrison find a way to get rid of them]], but they seem to work well in their original purpose. So, what about the heroes who [[IJustWantToBeNormal want to be normal]]? There is an easy way for Comicbook/{{Cyclops}} to get rid of the sunglasses, for the freaky-looking mutant to seem like a regular joe, or for Comicbook/{{Rogue}} to have a lot of sex: just try the new mutant trend, the power-nullifier collar, and do as you want! And if you need your powers for something, just take off the collar and that's it. Usually justified as paranoia about how an individual could hack or steal the nullifier and use it against the super when they need it.

* ''ComicBook/JubileeMarvelComics'': The title character was one of the mutants {{depowered}} by the ''Decimation'' event in 2006, and lost her original power set of pyrotechnic energy blasts. She returned as a [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman tech-based hero]] named Wondra who worked with the ComicBook/NewWarriors, and then in 2010 she became (of all things) a [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampire]] in the ''ComicBook/CurseOfTheMutants'' storyline that lasted a good eight years. Then, at the beginning of 2018, her original power set and mutant status was restored. Many here happy with it, mainly because turning her into a vampire was mostly done to cash in on the ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' fad more than anything else and it made little sense to keep her the same after said series faded from public consciousness.

* Averted with ''VideoGame/{{inFAMOUS 2}}''. While in the first game Cole is stuck with his lightning powers and nothing else, ''inFAMOUS 2'' allows Cole as part of the storyline to use a machine to copy either fire or ice powers from two other superpowered people, depending on his alignment.
[[/folder]]

-->'''[[WesternAnimation/TheBatman Robin]]:''' So, how was it? Using [[GreenLanternRing that ring]]?\\

Compare HoldingBackThePhlebotinum, ThemeDeck, and NeverBeAHero.

* ''{{ComicBook/Jubilee}}'': The title character was one of the mutants {{depowered}} by the ''Decimation'' event in 2006, and lost her original power set of pyrotechnic energy blasts. She returned as a [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman tech-based hero]] named Wondra who worked with the ComicBook/NewWarriors, and then in 2010 she became (of all things) a [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampire]] in the ''ComicBook/CurseOfTheMutants'' storyline that lasted a good eight years. Then, at the beginning of 2018, her original power set and mutant status was restored. Many here happy with it, mainly because turning her into a vampire was mostly done to cash in on the ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' fad more than anything else and it made little sense to keep her the same after said series faded from public consciousness.

* Barbara Gordon -Comicbook/{{Batgirl}}- becomes crippled by Comicbook/TheJoker in ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', and remains crippled from then on until the ''ComicBook/{{New 52}}'' reboot. This is despite the fact that people with superpowers that can heal any injury, PoweredArmor, Magic, and others exist all over the DC Universe that can fix or replace her legs with but a phone call. In fact, Batman himself had his spine broken in ''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}'', but quickly recovered. This is given the somewhat hamfisted justification that Barbara deliberately refuses to embrace the metanatural options she has for undoing her spinal damage because she doesn't want to be "special" compared to all the other crippled humans in the setting. Even after she is forced to be cured, she is shown {{wangst}}ing over it.

* Strongly averted in ''Villains Inc.'' (sequel to ''Literature/WearingTheCape''). Astra finds herself outclassed and consequently [[spoiler: follows Ajax' example, leveling up by adding armor to her costume and even using Ajax' maul to increase her ability to Hit Things]].

* Strongly averted in Villains Inc. (sequel to ''Literature/WearingTheCape''). Astra finds herself outclassed and consequently [[spoiler: follows Ajax' example, leveling up by adding armor to her costume and even using Ajax' maul to increase her ability to Hit Things]].

* ComicBook/{{Jubilee}} was one of the mutants {{depowered}} by the ''Decimation'' event in 2006, and lost her original power set of pyrotechnic energy blasts. She returned as a [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman tech-based hero]] named Wondra who worked with the ComicBook/NewWarriors, and then in 2010 she became (of all things) a {{Vampire}} in the ''ComicBook/CurseOfTheMutants'' storyline that lasted a good eight years. Then, at the beginning of 2018, her original power set and mutant status was restored. Many here happy with it, mainly because turning her into a vampire was mostly done to cash in on the ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' fad more than anything else and it made little sense to keep her the same after said series faded from public consciousness.

* One early episode of ''Series/{{Angel}}'' had the title character acquire a ring that grants vampires immunity to sunlight and makes them all but invulnerable. Wow, Angel, you'd be able to do a lot of good with that ring, wouldn't you? He destroys it by the end of the episode, [[StatusQuoIsGod deeming it "too powerful".]] Somewhat justified in that Angel had just experienced that: (a) he could have the ring forcibly taken from him by vampires who were perfectly happy to use it for evil, and (b) so long as the ring continued to exist, the bad guys would keep coming for it until one finally succeeded. There's also the threat of him losing his soul and becoming Angelus again, in which case the ring really would be too powerful.

* Justified in ''Manga/BusoRenkin''. Using a different kakugane from your normal one just produces the same busou renkin with different styling. Likewise homunculi can't gain new powers; all they can do is train to use the ones they already have more effectively. However, the SortingAlgorithmOfEvil averts this; normally the most dangerous monster is a humanoid homunculus with a kakugane; this gives them all the benefits of both homincili and busou renkin (animal types are still limited to their animal instincts, and have to stick to natural weapons). [[spoiler:Subverted with Kazuki, whose kakugane is eventually revealed to be a special black kakugane that produces a new busou renkin with different abilities.]]
* ''Manga/OnePiece'' has a good example, too: Similar to the ''Busou Renkin'' example above, Devil's Fruit abilities are stated to never get stronger per se, but you can ''discover'' new and better ways to use them. It is also a rule that you can only use one, that you'll die if you try to gain a second, but Blackbeard seems to have found a way around that.

* Justified in ''Manga/BusouRenkin''. Using a different kakugane from your normal one just produces the same busou renkin with different styling. Likewise homunculi can't gain new powers; all they can do is train to use the ones they already have more effectively. However, the SortingAlgorithmOfEvil averts this; normally the most dangerous monster is a humanoid homunculus with a kakugane; this gives them all the benefits of both homincili and busou renkin (animal types are still limited to their animal instincts, and have to stick to natural weapons). [[spoiler:Subverted with Kazuki, whose kakugane is eventually revealed to be a special black kakugane that produces a new busou renkin with different abilities.]]

Part of the issue seems to be that western comics (DC, Marvel) in particular are especially beholden to StatusQuoIsGod: the company owns the characters, the characters are part of a larger shared setting, and as writers come and go, characterization can only change gradually. By contrast, in Manga and more independent works, there is typically an overall narrative that a single writer is trying to convey. That's why NextTierPowerUp [[Administrivia/FormerTropeNamer was once called]] ''{{Shonen}}'' Upgrade: it's not that SpiderMan never gets new powers, it's that he has to lose them within the year, or [[ContinuityLockOut new readers]] might be confused.

* Following ''The Other'' arc, Franchise/SpiderMan acquired enhanced strength, the ability to communicate with spiders, organic webbing, and retractile stingers in his wrists, among other powers. Post-''ComicBook/BrandNewDay'' he's gone back to his original powers, and the augmented ones have gone to his clone Kaine. This was justified by the vastly negative reaction Spidey's fans had to his new powerset, which ranged from "nonsensical" (spider-talking, retractile stingers) to "obvious cash-ins on the movies" (organic webbing).

If the power-up involves PowerAtAPrice, the GodzillaThreshold, or any other sort of negative consequences, are rare and difficult to pull off, or unique, it is justified and thus NotThisTrope. This trope only applies if there is no logical reason in universe for why either the heroes or the villains to only have the same powers and use the same gimmicks they always have despite not only the ability to make themselves better, but the fact that such abilities are common. This also includes when the Super refuses the improvement when offered.

* Franchise/{{Batman}} is the head of Wayne Enterprises, has fought against and alongside many superpowered beings that possess advanced technology, use magic, and have reliable and effective mutagens. Despite this, he has been, and most likely always will be, only a mere BadassNormal CrazyPrepared genius detective.

[[/folder]]

----

* Franchise/{{Superman}} and Comicbook/{{Supergirl}} have a weakness to {{Kryptonite|Factor}}. They also have access to {{Kryptonite Proof Suit}}s. You'd expect them to wear it pretty much all the time or at least line their costumes with lead to reduce the effects. However, Clark or Kara bring it out only when they're fighting a villain that specifically uses Kryptonite as a weapon and expect it in advance. It's because the suit is fragile relative to the power levels of both Kryptonian heroes and many of their foes. What they have done on more than one occasion is try to get rid of the Kryptonite since its supposed to be rare [KryptoniteIsEverywhere but more just keeps showing up]].

* Franchise/{{Superman}} and Comicbook/{{Supergirl}} have a weakness to {{Kryptonite|Factor}}. They also have access to {{Kryptonite Proof Suit}}s. You'd expect them to wear it pretty much all the time or at least line their costumes with lead to reduce the effects. However, Clark or Kara bring it out only when they're fighting a villain that specifically uses Kryptonite as a weapon and expect it in advance. It's because the suit is fragile relative to the power levels of both Kryptonian heroes and many of their foes. What they have done on more than one occasion is try to get rid of the Kryptonite since its supposed to be rare but more just keeps showing up.

* Strongly averted in Villains Inc. (sequel to WearingTheCape). Astra finds herself outclassed and consequently [[spoiler: follows Ajax' example, leveling up by adding armor to her costume and even using Ajax' maul to increase her ability to Hit Things]].

Part of the issue seems to be that western comics (DC, Marvel) in particular are especially beholden to StatusQuoIsGod: the company owns the characters, the characters are part of a larger shared setting, and as writers come and go, characterization can only change gradually. By contrast, in Manga and more independent works, there is typically an overall narrative that a single writer is trying to convey. That's why NextTierPowerUp [[RenamedTropes was once called]] ''{{Shonen}}'' Upgrade: it's not that SpiderMan never gets new powers, it's that he has to lose them within the year, or [[ContinuityLockOut new readers]] might be confused.

* Franchise/{{Superman}} has a weakness to {{Kryptonite|Factor}}. He also has a KryptoniteProofSuit. You'd expect him to wear it pretty much all the time or at least line his costume with lead to reduce the effects. However, he brings it out only when he's fighting a villain that specifically uses Kryptonite as a weapon and expects it in advance.
** Its because the suit is fragile relative to the power levels of Superman and many of his foes.
** What he has done on more than one occasion is try to get rid of the Kryptonite since its supposed to be rare but more just keeps showing up.
* Barbara Gordon becomes crippled by SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker in ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', and remains crippled from then on until the ''ComicBook/{{New 52}}'' reboot. This is despite the fact that people with superpowers that can heal any injury, PoweredArmor, Magic, and others exist all over the DC Universe that can fix or replace her legs with but a phone call. In fact, Batman himself had his spine broken in ''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}'', but quickly recovered. This is given the somewhat hamfisted justification that Barbara deliberately refuses to embrace the metanatural options she has for undoing her spinal damage because she doesn't want to be "special" compared to all the other crippled humans in the setting. Even after she is forced to be cured, she is shown {{wangst}}ing over it.
* Similar to the above, [[Franchise/XMen Professor Xavier]] is in much the same boat. However, unlike Barbara and most examples of this trope, he has tried many times to restore the use of his legs, but when he does succeed, [[StatusQuoIsGod he becomes crippled again before long]].
* Most times that a superhero or supervillain is held prisoner, there is a PowerNullifier in action. Most of the prisoners [[CardboardPrison find a way to get rid of them]], but they seem to work well in their original purpose. So, what about the heroes who [[IJustWantToBeNormal want to be normal]]? There is an easy way for Cyclops to get rid of the sunglasses, for the freaky-looking mutant to seem like a regular joe, or for Rogue to have a lot of sex: just try the new mutant trend, the power-nullifier collar, and do as you want! And if you need your powers for something, just take off the collar and that's it. Usually justified as paranoia about how an individual could hack or steal the nullifier and use it against the super when they need it.
* Following ''The Other'' arc, SpiderMan acquired enhanced strength, the ability to communicate with spiders, organic webbing, and retractile stingers in his wrists, among other powers. Post-''ComicBook/BrandNewDay'' he's gone back to his original powers, and the augmented ones have gone to his clone Kaine. This was justified by the vastly negative reaction Spidey's fans had to his new powerset, which ranged from "nonsensical" (spider-talking, retractile stingers) to "obvious cash-ins on the movies" (organic webbing).

* Justified in ''Manga/BusouRenkin''. Using a different kakugane from your normal one just produces the same busou renkin with different styling. Likewise homunculi can't gain new powers; all they can do is train to use the ones they already have more effectively. [[spoiler:Subverted with Kazuki, whose kakugane is eventually revealed to be a special black kakugane that produces a new busou renkin with different abilities.]]

Part of the issue seems to be that western comics (DC, Marvel) in particular are especially beholden to StatusQuoIsGod: the company owns the characters, the characters are part of a larger shared setting, and as writers come and go, characterization can only change gradually. By contrast, in Manga and more independent works, there is typically an overall narrative that a single writer is trying to convey. That's why NextTierPowerUp [[RenamedTropes was once called]] ''{{Shonen}}'' Upgrade: it's not that SpiderMan never gets new powers, it's that he has to lose them within the year, or [[ContinuityLockOut new readers]] [[ViewersAreMorons might be confused]].

* Similar to the above, [[Franchise/{{X-Men}} Professor Xavier]] is in much the same boat. However, unlike Barbara and most examples of this trope, he has tried many times to restore the use of his legs, but when he does succeed, [[StatusQuoIsGod he becomes crippled again before long]].