Power Degeneration: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

The causes can vary. It may be that the process used to make the [[Cloning Blues|Clone]], [[Half-Human Hybrid]] or genetically enhanced character with [[Super Soldier]] powers had an [[Clone Degeneration|inadvertent]] (or intentional) [[Flawed Prototype|design flaw]] (or "birth defect") that slowly [[Cast From Lifespan|reduces their lifespan]], limiting their lives to years or ''months.'' Other times it's related to having somehow gained [[Stock Super Powers]]. Maybe it was thanks to [[Psycho Serum]], or the machine/amulet that gave them their powers was broken. Lastly, the powers may just inherently damage the body when used, either as a mystical [[Equivalent Exchange|price]] or because they are not designed for human use (or rather, the body wasn't given the [[Required Secondary Powers]] to handle using the primary ones). Whatever the case, the result is the same: acute [[Heroic RROD|"hardware failure"]] as the body tears itself up from the inside. If they're lucky, they won't cause a [[Superpower Meltdown]] that takes out the city.

* Chamber, one of the ''Generation X'' mutants had an explosive power that blew off his jaw and upper chest prior to joining the team. Using his power slowly widened the explosive area, he near literally had part of his face and chest "on fire".

* In a ''[[Captain America (comics)]]'' storyline [[Discontinuity|we'd otherwise rather forget]], Cap's [[Super Serum]] was actually breaking down and taking his body with it. What might have been an interesting turn of story led directly to both the horrible "Iron Cap" storyline and the [[Face Heel Revolving Door|defection]] of Diamondback (who secretly agreed to go back to work for the bad guys in exchange for Cap's cure).

* Due to the poisonous nature of adamantium, [[Wolverine]]'s skeleton and claws slowly kill him on those occasions when his mutant powers are disabled. And he can't use the claws, either, for obvious blood-loss-from-the-hands reasons.

* An ''[[Outer Limits]]'' episode has a scientist accidentally develop a serum that appears to give people (and monkeys) a [[Healing Factor]] (a monkey took a dose of cyanide without a problem). The [[Corrupt Corporate Executive]] refuses to reveal the miracle to the world but [[Professor Guinea Pig|uses it on himself]] to cure a hereditary disease. However, the scientist then realizes that the serum doesn't give you healing powers after all but merely forces the cells to use up all their energy on healing, leaving behind a withered husk. The executive (his brother) is destined to spend the rest of his days on life support.

** In hindsight, the executive's decision shows that [[Straw Man Has a Point]], although for a different reason.