Power Limiter: Difference between revisions

Power limiters can [[Drama-Preserving Handicap|lighten the load]] on the [[Sorting Algorithm of Evil]], or maybe just to give new characters a chance to shine. Releasing these limiters in time of need may be difficult; if the limiting was [[Willfully Weak|voluntary]], it's [[Always Need What You Gave Up]]... then again, if the controls are in their hands, it's a non-issue. [[I Am Not Left-Handed|Releasing a previously unmentioned power limiter]] can provide a last minute save against a particularly powerful [[Big Bad]]. Of course, [[Ass Pull|this can be done badly,]] especially if there were no [[Foreshadowing|clues]] that the limit was in place.

 

 

 

See also [[Restraining Bolt]], [[Weaksauce Weakness]], [[Cover-Blowing Superpower]], [[I Am Not Left-Handed]] and [[Holding Back the Phlebotinum]].

 

 

* The first two seasons of ''[[Lyrical Nanoha|Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' featured 10-year-old girls with insane [[Power Levels]] exceeding the power meter of [[Over Nine Thousand|1,000,000 points]], and then introduced many other characters able to match them. When the series proved popular enough to go on to a [[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS|third season]], government-required power limiters were introduced to knock them down several ranks, with them only able to use full power when authorized by a high-ranking Bureau member.

** The new recruits have power limiters of their own; after getting their devices, they have a four-stage limiter set on them, which restricts how much power and what abilities they can use. One stage typically gets removed just before every major battle, so they can more easily get accustomed to their devices.

** In the aftermath of ''StrikerS'' Lutecia and Agito are also given limiters, reducing them to mage rank D for the duration of their probation.

* Alucard from ''[[Hellsing]]'' uses the "Control Art Restriction System", which divides his powers into levels. Considering how ridiculously overpowered he is, enemies tend not to be [[Blood Knight|worthy enough]] to have him unlock any levels. When he reaches Level Zero, <s>''run''</s> kill yourself.

** Fortunately, he can't go full-power on his own accord - full release requires approval from Integra Hellsing. Mostly.

*** Freeza has an interesting variation: his transformations. His final and most powerful form is his natural state: all of his weaker forms are deliberately designed to keep his power in check. It's obvious why: when he finally does go all-out against Goku, he starts strong, almost evenly matched, but quickly burns out and loses power at a drastic rate.

** Rock Lee from ''[[Naruto]]''. He jumps on top of a structure and reveals leg weights, then undoes them, prompting those watching to remark on the futility of casting off a few leg weights. He then tosses them aside, where they gently fall to the ground... and land with a thunderous ground-cracking slam while Rock Lee takes off, showing that he has more than doubled his already-unique fighting speed.

*** Similarly enough, Hiei himself wears 2 limiters. His headband suppresses his Jagan's demon energy, while the bandages suppress the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, with ''very'' good reason; without said limit, Hiei's demon energy was so powerful, if his aura were to clash with Bui's, the resulting reaction was said by Kurama to be powerful enough to destroy the entire stadium.

*** It was revealed in the Dark Tournament arc that Yusuke was given "spirit cuffs" by Genkai because his constant effort to overcome it would buff up his spirit energy.

* ''[[Bleach]]'' has several examples. Shinigami aren't allowed to release their swords into either shikai or bankai without permission. This applies to both Soul Society and the living world. The damage they can wreak is too much to contemplate without power limiters. As a result, they also have a further limit on their power. To protect humans in the living world, shinigami of captain and vice-captain ranks have to wear a limiter that reduces their power by 80% in the form of a tattoo of their division's symbolic flower. They again can't release this without express permission.

** [[Ax Crazy|Kenpachi]] normally wears a parasitic [[Eyepatch of Power|eyepatch]] that was specially designed to [[Energy Absorption|guzzle some of his energy]]. This limits the amount of energy he can use in battle to [[Blood Knight|prevent him]] from dispatching his opponents too fast. He wears it on purpose in order to make his fights more challenging.

** Ikkaku possesses bankai but hides it. Even when he finally enters bankai, he doesn't power straight into its full form the way other bankai-wielding shinigami do. He first has to re-engage the fight with the active, but weakly powered, bankai until he makes a first cut. Once his bankai has made a cut in the opponent, the bankai begins to wake up. Once the dragon crest on the highest blade turns fully red, Ikkaku is finally allowed access to the proper power level of a bankai.

** Findor Carias' mask. He becomes more powerful the more he chips it away, and can apparently match his power to that of certain Shinigami ranks, although Hisagi points out that he underestimate's a captain's strength.

** When Yumichika releases his sword it rather uselessly splits from one to four blades. Then it's revealed this is a fake shikai and even name. He deliberately calls his sword by a loathesome nickname to hide his [[Almighty Janitor|true abilities]] without anyone noticing; this works because the fake name pisses his sword off, thus, it actively refuses to help him until he calls the sword by its [[Say It|proper name]]. His real release is a snaking mass of unbreakable flower vines that [[Energy Absorption|drains]] an opponent to death. His fake shikai gives him no abilities, forcing him to fight against enemy special abilities with [[Determinator|only base skill and resolve]]. However, his real shikai is so powerful that he's achieved a [[Curb Stomp Battle|single-strike victory]] every time he's used it. The reason he won't use it is because it [[Cover-Blowing Superpower|breaks]] his division's [[Blood Knight|code of conduct]] for him to even possess the [[Functional Magic|power]] let alone actually [[Magic Knight|use it]].

* In ''[[Saiyuki]]'' the "good" youkai of Shangri-La generally wear jewelry-like power-limiters to keep them human-shaped and closer to human-strength when in mixed company. After the Minus Wave, very few youkai are sane enough to even think about wearing limiters. Two of the protagonists wear limiters nearly all the time: Goku's diadem and Hakkai's ear cuffs. (Goku's is many, many times stronger than a standard youkai limiter due to his [[Super-Powered Evil Side]]). Hakkai at full youkai strength scares the shit out of even his friends and he's more susceptible to Minus Wave influence without the ear cuffs. Goku's unlimited form is strong enough to be a direct threat to Heaven and Sanzo's the only non-god who can put the diadem back on. In both cases, if and when the limiters come off, you'd best run and not look back.

** There's also {{spoiler|Tsukune's Holy Lock, which keeps Moka's blood in his veins from turning him into a mindless massacre machine.}}

** And {{spoiler|Moka's older half-sister Kahlua, who wears a pair of cross earrings. Removing the right earring [[One-Winged Angel|transforms her right arm into razor-sharp wings]]. It remains to be seen what removing the other earring would do.}}

* Kyo of ''[[Fruits Basket]]'' has a power limiter in the form of a bracelet; if it comes off he transforms into his monstrous "true form."

* Abel Nightroad in ''[[Trinity Blood]]'' is the only [[Our Vampires Are Different|Crusnik]] who can release his powers in three stages (40%, 80%, and 100%). These restrictions are self-imposed, following a [[My God, What Have I Done?]] moment long before the series' begin.

* Peacemakers in ''[[Scrapped Princess]]'' have four "modes": compressed {{spoiler|(when they look and behave like ordinary little kids)}}, normal {{spoiler|(adult mages of tremendous powers)}}, limited battle form {{spoiler|(levitating monstrosities that level entire cities within minutes)}}, and fully released form {{spoiler|(clearly [[Over Nine Thousand]] and forbidden to use inside the atmosphere)}}.

* Power Limiters are essential in ''[[Zettai Karen Children]]'', as the girls' powers at their max can wreck an entire city block. At first, they were in the form of chokers, but Minamoto's persuasion changed them to a bracelet, earring and ring - much more stylish and less degrading. However, the limiter can only be deactivated when the emergency levels are at their highest.

* Parodied twice in ''[[Sayonara, Zetsubou-sensei]]''. In one instance, Harumi's glasses are revealed to have a tremendous weight and prevent her from exercising her full athletic potential (and she's an amazing athlete with the glasses on). The terminology used to describe them is a [[Shout-Out]] to the [[Restraining Bolt]] for mecha in ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''. On another occasion, Nozomu is challenged by Lee Nakanao who is a parody of the stock Rival/ [[Worthy Opponent]] of shounen fighting anime. Lee is a [[White-Haired Pretty Boy]] with an [[Eyepatch of Power]], and when providing stats on him, the manga indicates that the eyepatch restrains his full power and he'd go berserk if he removed it.

* Yuki Nagato from ''[[Haruhi Suzumiya]]'' requests permission from her boss to use her powers, and later adds a second layer of restriction in the form of Kyon.

 

 

== Comic Books ==

** Also, in the original Phoenix storyline in the comics, Jean unconsciously put blocks on her vast cosmic power to keep it at a level she could handle. Then, Mastermind started removing them. [[A God Am I|BAD move]].

** Also, Cyclops' goggles, which keep his uncontrollable [[Eye Beams]] under wraps. If he takes his glasses off completely and opens his eyes fully he's a match for even ''Juggernaut'' (for a little while, anyway) and once ''atomized'' a Sentinel. The bad news is that it means destroying everything else in the area too, so he doesn't do it often.

* Similar to Jean Grey, in the post-[[Cosmic Retcon|Zero Hour]] ''[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]'', blocks were put on the higher levels of Saturn Girl's telepathy when she was a child. When the blocks came off years later, she started using her powers without realizing it.

* Albert Cranston in ''[[PS238]]'' is implied, early on, to have one of these around his head. Apparently they limit his (apparent) telekinetic abilities to a level where he is barely able to press a keyboard button with his mind, and it seems that he is keeping the fact that he is even able to do this a secret from the remaining staff, implying it was meant to be a [[Power Nullifier]].

** That's exactly what it's for. Governmentally-enforced, no less.

** In Generations, Kara Kent wore a red sunlight pendant during early childhood when her powers started manifesting. Lois had previously worn the same pendant when she was pregnant with Kara to keep the Kryptonian infant from damaging her.

* [[The Spectre]]'s power is severely limited when sealed in a mortal host. The Spectre still has near-omnipotent power but can only use it to punish murderers (and not every murderer at that). During the Day of Vengeance event the Spectre was between hosts and fell prey to Eclipso's manipulations and decided that magic was an affront to the Presence's will and had to be destroyed. The Spectre declared war on all magic in the universe. And pretty much won. Without anything holding him back, the Spectre [[Baleful Polymorph|turned Phantom Stranger into a mouse]], forced Blaze and Satanus to flee for their lives, kicked a souped up Captain Marvel's ass, killed Shazam in the place where he was strongest, and killed all of the Lords of Order and Chaos. Unfortunately for the Spectre that last one was the final straw for the Presence. The Presence promptly demonstrated the difference between near-omnipotent and omnipotent power by sealing the Spectre into his new host.

 

== Fairy Tales ==

* Done by choice in the ''Taltos'' novels of the [[Dragaera]] series, where {{spoiler|Sethra Lavode}} is revealed to be one and the same with {{spoiler|Kiera the Thief}}, and in this persona achieved success with hard work and minimal use of magic, refusing to use any resource or knowledge she didn't gain as {{spoiler|Kiera}}, even though in her true form she is an equal to the gods. Her explanation was simply that she got bored.

* In the ''[[Fingerprints]]'' series, Rae's [[Psychic Powers]] initially drive her into a mental institution. In later books, she starts putting wax on her fingertips as a sort of improvised Power Limiter to keep other peoples' thoughts out of her head, since [[Power Incontinence|she can't turn her ability off]].

* In [[Mistborn]] Vin's {{spoiler|earring acts like this since it's really a Hemalurgic spike that blocks her from absorbing the mist and becoming Preservation. If you're fighting her and she loses that earring somehow, get ready to have your ass handed to you on a tray.}}

 

== Live Action TV ==

* In ''[[Kamen Rider Kiva]]'', Wataru (the titular hero) has his {{spoiler|[[Dhampyr]] and}} Rider abilities are chained in two ways: symbolically in that being a {{spoiler|[[Half-Human Hybrid]] denies him most of the powers of his vampiric heritage}}, and literally with the chains adorning Kiva's armor that bring its power down to manageable levels. When he unlocks [[Super Mode|Emperor Form]], the [[Transformation Sequence]] actually begins with one of his sidekicks shattering the chains.

* In ''[[Mahou Sentai Magiranger]]'' [[Sixth Ranger|Hikaru]] ends up having to put a time limit on the main team's [[Super Mode|Legend Modes]] so that they don't [[Power At a Price|lose their humanity]].

 

 

== Tabletop Games ==

** Similarly, Wystan Frauka, [[Ravenor]]'s Blank, has a power limiter which can turn off his psychic blanking effect. Which is handy, when the hero is a powerful psychic...

 

** Rugal Bernstein and Krizalid have first forms wherein they wear a tuxedo for Rugal or a huge coat for Kriz. Once they come off...well, [[SNK Boss|don't say we didn't warn you]]. Rugal's tux is probably worn by Rugal for laughs, where as Kriz's coat is unexplained but could be this. Rugal flings his off, and Krizalid burns his, BTW.

* ''[[Street Fighter]] 3'''s Oro willingly wears one of his arms in a sling while fighting as to use both would run the risk of killing his opponent due to his sheer power. During one of his [[Limit Break|Super Arts]], however, he removes the arm and beats the crap out of the opponent.

* The gold rings on [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Shadow the Hedgehog]]'s wrists act as a limiter. It was barely implied in the games, however in ''[[Sonic X]]'' he takes them off in certain desperate situations. In the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (comics)|comic]] he takes them off to fight Enerjak, warning the people of New Mobotropolis to "clear the area" and giving Nicole difficulty in maintaining the city.

* Used ''twice on the same character'' in ''[[Tales of the Abyss]]''. A piece of [[Applied Phlebotinum]] is used to bring Jade down 30 levels so he wouldn't be spectacularly overleveled for most of the game. Later, through a sidequest or two, you learn that Jade's eyes are where his ability to use fonic artes is most concentrated, and his glasses prevent all the fonic energy from going out of control and destroying him and whatever he happens to be standing by. ([[The Glasses Come Off|The glasses do come off]] for the final battle against the [[Big Bad]], however...)

* In ''[[Super Robot Wars]]'', pretty much every [[Super Robot]] used by the Shadow-Mirrors is able to deactivate its power limiter by reciting a code word or phrase, i.e. "Code: Kirin". This is never used as a plot point, however, just an implied powerup during the characters' strongest attacks.

* In [[God Hand]], Gene wears the Deistic brace on his god hand so that he can keep control over the awesome power it contains. {{spoiler|The braces, along with Gene's other arm, are removed for the final fight.}}

** Machoke's belt is also an example, preventing it from expending all its power at once.

** It is also implied that the Pokeballs themselves act as a power limiter in Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl.

* Star Ocean's 2 final boss Indalecio used his daughter Filia as a limiter on his power. If, after reaching the final level of Fienal, the player decides to trek all the way back to Central City, do a private action and encounter Filia again, Indalecio will find her and kill her, removing his limiter. With limiter off, he's almost unstoppable.

* In [[God of War]] 3, Hercules starts out as a [[Mighty Glacier]], but when Kratos pulls off his armor and weapons, he becomes much faster, turning into a [[Lightning Bruiser]].

* [[Fate/stay night]]'s Heaven's Feel scenario has Shirou {{spoiler|losing an arm and having Archer's arm (and Magic Circuits) grafted on (supposed to be impossible, [[My Future Self and Me|but...]])}}, which would kill him if he used it much at all, thus forcing him to utilize a magical shroud to block it off. HF also reveals that {{spoiler|Rider}} has been under a power limiter the whole time as well. If not for the limiter, the ability they block might accidentally kill everyone around her. With it off, she gains increased abilities as well.

* In [[Strange Journey]], [[Bonus Boss|Alilat]] served as one of these. While now Metatron can siphon a bit of his power back, it means now [[That One Boss|Demiurge]]'s power lines just got unclogged...

* In [[Phantasy Star Online]] there's actually an item named [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Limiter.]] Once you get 20,000 kills with it equipped, it can become an Adept.

* Deathwing from ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' ''Cataclysm'' has massive elementium plates welded onto his body to keep his own power from tearing him apart. He's still noticably "leaking" power despite them, and is in constant agony.

** When the final battle comes, you tear off the plates to defeat him {{spoiler|only for his body to transform into an [[Eldritch Abomination]] capable of single-handedly killing any of the other Aspects and ending the world in a minute flat}}.

 

 

* Kili's [[Power Tattoo|tattoos]] in ''[[The Dragon Doctors]]'' limit her shaman powers and protect her from [[I See Dead People|insanity through dead people]]. Note that she's still the best shaman in the world, and her tattoos would ''[[Power Nullifier|completely negate]]'' the powers of a normal shaman.

* Eclair from ''[[Dragon Mango]]'' is always seen wearing armor, which fits her concept as she is a swordfighter. But it's also made of iron, which hurts and weakens an elf (which she is) by its mere touch! She is also a graduate of swordfighting style with an insanely dangerous training method (most students either flee, die or go insane long before completing training) focused on enduring the touch of iron. When she goes up against an extremely powerful enemy, she drops the armor to unleash her ''full'' potential.

* Kin in [[Goblins]], as part of her enslavement to [[Complete Monster|Dellyn]], has been fitted with a magical leash that supresses her magic abilities and prevents her from harming anyone else if the leash is being held.

* In [[Rescuing Dara]], like in [[Pokémon]], Chivais' Everstone prevents her from evolving, which would make her an even more powerful fighter than she already is.

 

== Web Original ==

* The villain, Wolf from [[The Descendants]] has an 'inhibitor' that let's him control his were-wolf like transformations. Unlimited, he turns into a [[Big Badass Wolf]] but is much dumber.

 

== Western Animation ==

* Jafar is defeated in the first ''[[Aladdin (Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' movie by the limits of being a genie. "Phenomenal cosmic powers... itty-bitty living space."

 

== Real Life ==

** [[Cats Are Mean|Until the cat learns to silence the bell with a paw.]]

* Several real life training methods involve limiting ones power. While most people will think of weighted clothes (vest, ankles, gloves), there is also running underwater, sled dragging, or even practicing certain things at night when your eyes are not as useful.

* Boring ordinary example would probably be Speed Limits. Most vehicles on the road can likely go faster than the legal limit.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Magic and Powers]]

[[Category:Power]]