The Worf Effect can be a powerful tool for showing how powerful a new character is, but there are multiple pitfalls. These pitfalls are common, even in the originators of the trope. However, they can severely compromise the effectiveness of the trope
Overusing it on the same character.
With rare exception, overuse of the Worf Effect on a singular character is less likely to make the opposition seem powerful, and more likely to make the character seem weak. Take
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic for instance. The princesses
Celestia and Luna get defeated too often by the season's antagonist. The end result is that they are said to be so powerful, but
never get to show it off, which could make some wonder if they really are that powerful.
Consistent use of The Worf Effect on the heroes
Similar to the above example, consistently using the Worf Effect on the heroes not only can make them look weak, but it also makes them look like
they never learn anything. If the heroes received a powerup and learned new tricks, and suddenly
they won't work, it feels as if all the effort made to attain them didn't really amount to anything. This is a mistake made by
Bleach. When introduced, the soul reapers (Especially captains and their lieutenants) were able to flat out
floor the cast - but once they were allied with them, they
consistently lose fights, or their powers that are surprisingly powerful (ie Rojuro's Bankai or Ichibei's powers) end up simply being
no selled.
Use of the Worf Effect too early
The Worf Effect needs to be used on characters whose power is well established. If a character gets worfed before their power can be properly established, it seems less like the character's opposition is strong, and more like the character is a wimp. This is a mistake
Ben 10 makes multiple times. One example is
Humungousaur getting worfed by a Highbreed, in the former's first appearance. Not as bad as
Ultimate Waybig's first appearance. His only appearance in the franchise is him getting worfed by
Dagon.
