Abilities in video games typically give the user some sort of benefit; a particularly powerful ability will sometimes come with drawbacks for the sake of game balance. And then there are some abilities that are nothing but downsides.

These types of abilities can come in multiple forms. They might be passive abilities that weaken the user in some way. Others might be active abilities that either harm the user, help the enemy, or both. Still others might come in the form of items that have negative effects on the user.