History Main / NextTierPowerUp

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' has quite a few of these. When [[BigBad Hawk Moth]] gives someone else the ability to power him up, Master Fu says he was worried Hawk Moth would eventually discover this workaround. Then there are the power ups in the grimoire: the heroes gain new forms to handle different environments (such as water and space) while the villains figure out how to fix the Peacock Miraculous so that using it stops [[CastFromHitPoints hurting the user]], whereupon Hawk Moth starts using it regularly and upgrades himself to Shadow Moth. And then both sides realize their powers are only limited by their imaginations. The outer limits of power are hinted at when [[BewareTheNiceOnes sweet, lovable]] [[FairyCompanion Tikki]] uses her [[AnthropomorphicPersonification power of creation]] to create an [[GiantFood Earth-sized]] [[ImpossiblyDeliciousFood galette]] that, had it not [[BigDamnHeroes been intercepted quickly]], would have [[ColonyDrop fallen to Earth]] - all because of [[DeliciousDistraction Tikki's sweet tooth]].

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' has quite a few of these. When [[BigBad Hawk Moth]] gives someone else the ability to power him up, Master Fu says he was worried Hawk Moth would eventually discover this workaround. Then there are the power ups in the grimoire: the heroes gain new forms to handle different environments (such as water and space) while the villains figure out how to fix the Peacock Miraculous so that using it stops [[CastFromHitPoints hurting the user]]. And then both sides realize their powers are only limited by their imaginations. The outer limits of power are hinted at when [[BewareTheNiceOnes sweet, lovable]] [[FairyCompanion Tikki]] uses her [[AnthropomorphicPersonification power of creation]] to create an [[GiantFood Earth-sized]] [[ImpossiblyDeliciousFood galette]] that, had it not [[BigDamnHeroes been intercepted quickly]], would have [[ColonyDrop fallen to Earth]] - all because of [[DeliciousDistraction Tikki's sweet tooth]].

Done well often results in a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome; however, if the new ability is poorly introduced, lacks proper build up, or is forgotten about after one use and this happens too much it [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools risks]] mutating into NewPowersAsThePlotDemands. The [[HumongousMecha mecha series]] equivalent is the MidSeasonUpgrade. This trope is the greatest weapon of a SmallStepsHero. Contrast OneSuperOnePowerset, which is more common in Western media than in the East.

** It's also mentioned that Kotarou has the same ability as the Saiyans mentioned above - that is, after being defeated he comes back stronger.

* In ''LightNovel/HighschoolDxD'', a [[EmpathicWeapon Sacred Gear]] exposed to [[PsychoactivePowers particularly intense emotions]] can evolve into a devastatingly powerful form called a Balance Breaker - so named because it allows its wielder to [[OffTheRails step outside of boundaries imposed on humans by God]], making it effectively a real-life GameBreakingBug. Initially forbidden by both angels and demons, by the present day Balance Breakers [[GoodBadBugs are sought after by both sides]], and many characters have unlocking or [[EvolvingWeapon improving]] one as a crux of their CharacterArc.

* ''Literature/TheLockedTomb'': {{Necromancer}}s who become Lyctors gain inexhaustible magical power, perfect awareness of {{Life|Energy}} and death energies, a massive HealingFactor, {{Biomanipulation}}, swordfighting expertise, and [[TheAgeless agelessness]]. [[spoiler:[[{{Deuteragonist}} Harrowhark]] and [[{{Foil}} Ianthe]]]] begin ''Literature/HarrowTheNinth'' with these powers, having gained Lyctordom in the climax of ''Literature/GideonTheNinth''.

* Since ''Series/KamenRiderV3'', Franchise/KamenRider has the general formula of the Riders getting their powers, learning how to use the many alternate weapons and forms provided by their TransformationTrinket, undergo CharacterDevelopment right before getting a MidSeasonUpgrade then finally get their ultimate SuperMode form shortly before the finale. SerialEscalation with the summer movies providing an extra optional form.

** These levels are when spellcasters gain 3rd, 6th and 9th level spells. 3rd level grants classic wizardly powers like fireballs which are the first big damage aoe spells, healers are now able to bring back the dead at this level too. 6th level provides a new tier of magical power with bigger and bigger jumps between spell levels from this point on, Disintigrate in particular can one-shot anything below bosses. 9th level spells grant godlike power to all casters. The ability to travel anywhere at all short of a god's own house, or summon anything save said God from those places. The power to level cities with a single spell, or to transform into a Dragon, or to stop time is unlocked. Finally, the Wish spell is here. This is the point at which casters become literal reality warpers. Anything is possible with Wish, the only limits being what the DM is willing to permit.[[/folder]]

* In ''VideoGame/{{Vindictus}}'', you can get the power to transform into a Dark Knight or Paladin. Once you get enough training in transformed mode, you unlock a second transformation with an AP cost but even larger bonuses.
* ''VideoGame/{{LaTale}}'' has this with its third jobs, where you're infused with the power of the goddess Series.

* Being the equivalent of an interactive anime (With even more references than VideoGame/BlazBlue), ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' under goes quite a few new transformations of this nature thanks to his anger. A more traditional version is [[spoiler: Asura getting the Karma Fortress Mantra Reactor implanted into him and activated by Yasha, allowing him to use his wrath without harming himself, and super charging his already immense powers at base form up to insane levels, along with gaining a new ''planet-sized'' form known as Asura the Destructor, where he basically becomes a HumongousMecha.]]
* Played with in ''VideoGame/ZettaiHeroProject''. Your generic, [[HelloInsertNameHere nameless]], [[ThisLoserIsYou pathetic]] protagonist has to learn several cliché hero traits such as the PowerOfLove in order to upgrade from [[HenshinHero Unlosing Ranger]] to ''True'' Unlosing Ranger. [[spoiler:When the WhamEpisode reveals that the protagonist has a backstory and is actually an IronWoobie {{Determinator}}, the parody you've been expecting turns out to be genuinely [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome.]]]]
* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia2'', Ludger's Chromatus SuperMode is initially triggered involuntarily. He eventually learns how to activate at it will, which is when it becomes usable in battle, and from there, it evolves at key points in the story, initially only granting him a lance and armor on his arms, but eventually graduating to a full suit of armor. [[spoiler: It also turns out that repeated use of it is life-threatening.]]
* ''VideoGame/MegadimensionNeptuniaVII'' has a new form for the [=CPUs=], appropriately called Next Form, where, in CPU mode, they change into an even more powerful version of themselves at the cost of one level of the [[LimitBreak EXE]] gauge. It also allows use of their respective strongest attacks, a DeathOrGloryAttack that does massive damage, but also depowers them to their weakest form. Doubly so in Neptune's/Next Purple's case, an [[IaijutsuPractitioner Iaijutsu]] [[SingleStrokeBattle Single Stroke Attack]].

* The ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' series has armor upgrades for X, which expand his capabilities significantly. In most games, getting an armor upgrade instantly grants you better abilities: typically, arm upgrades improve the X-Buster weapon, body upgrades improve X's defense, leg upgrades improve X's mobility, and head upgrades provide various enhancements depending on the game. ''VideoGame/MegaManX5'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManX6'' are the main outliers, as X can't use new armor until he gains all four components, but with the tradeoff of being able to use one of two different sets of armor: one that improves mobility and and special weapon usage, and one that improves defenses and X-Buster power.

* Besides the standard EvolutionPowerUp all monsters can go through in ''VideoGame/{{Evolve}}'', they have a secondary method. Exposure to large amounts of minkowski radiation, the kind produced by Patterson tech, induces massive mutations. This drastically alters their physiology, sometimes inducing weaknesses to produce new strengths or just completely replacing their existing abilities with new ones.

* In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'', Dante gets a power-up of his own when [[spoiler:he runs himself through on a broken piece of his sword, Rebellion. His subsequently absorbing the Devil Sword Sparda unlocks a new form of his [[SuperMode Devil Trigger]] ability: ''Sin'' Devil Trigger. At the same time, he also gains a new, more powerful sword: Devil Sword Dante. Vergil, similarly, gains his own Sin Devil Trigger after [[SplitPersonalityMerge V and Urizen are re-merged]]. Additionally, while Nero doesn't gain a Sin Devil Trigger, his own Devil Trigger fully unlocks in the game's final climax, allowing him to enter a super form of his own like Dante and Vergil (as an upgrade to his DT in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'', which functioned more akin to a FightingSpirit).]]
* Starting from the third ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey'' game, characters gain access to subclasses, usually after the second or third stratum (out of six, five of which are needed to minimally complete the game). Subclassing allows a character to learn the skills of another class while retaining their original class; for example, an offensive caster-type class can subclass as a healer-type class and learn healing skills that their base class does not have access to while still being able to cast magic attacks that they've already learned, or a frontline damage-focused class can subclass as a tank-type class and learn some buffs and passives to improve their survivability, especially if [[GlassCannon they don't have much in the way of defense]] otherwise. ''Etrian Odyssey V'' swaps out subclassing in favor of [[PrestigeClass Legendary Titles]], in which a character can take up one of two mutually-exclusive extensions to their class's TechTree.

* This happened to the Light Warriors in ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'' when they got their class changes, complete with [[FrillyUpgrade new, but similar costumes.]]

All true Next Tier Power Ups bring [[GameChanger a shift in the status quo]], a handoff in the caliber of villain the series will deal with. [[SortingAlgorithmOfEvil Villains of the past will now be entirely outclassed on their next appearance]], if they even get one. Most should just take some time off, [[CharacterLevel and find some low level monsters to beat up]], or [[TrainingFromHell train]], generally for a story arc or two [[TookALevelInBadass before they come back]]. The status quo is reset to a new higher level compared to previous parts of the story, and the character grows.

** Similar to [[spoiler: Kira]] in part 4, ''Manga/VentoAureo'' has two characters gain additional abilities from a Stand Arrow:

** This is actually averted for Devil Fruits, the major source of powers in the series. People have access to all their power when they first eat the fruit, and any improvement is only figuring out how to use the power better. When Luffy created the gears, he found out an esoteric use for his existing abilities rather than inventing a new ability.

* ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' has the Ten Heightenings. In addition to being used to fuel Awakening magic, holding BioChromatic Breaths grants various passive boons. The Heightenings mark places where either a boon reaches its peak, or a new power is unlocked. Since individual Breaths vary slightly in potency, the exact number of breaths needed to reach each Heightening is somewhat variable.

'''Goku:''' And this...\\

'''Goku:''' ''[begins powering up]'' ''is... TO GO...'' '''EVEN FURTHER...''' '''''BEYOND!'''''

* ''Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure'': Super Silhouette, Heartcatch Orchestra, and ''finally'' the Mugen Silhouette. That last one is best described as ''Franchise/PrettyCure'' [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann''. HCPC is one of the most Shounen-y straightly-played MagicalGirl shows ever.

'''Goku:''' ''[begins powering up]'' ''is... TO GO...'' '''EVEN FURTHER...''' '''''BEYOND!'''''\\

'''Goku:''' And this...
'''Master Roshi:''' W-what's he doing?!
'''Goku:''' ''[begins powering up]'' ''is... TO GO...'' '''EVEN FURTHER...''' '''''BEYOND!'''''

'''Goku:''' And this... ''[begins powering up]'' ''is... TO GO...'' '''EVEN FURTHER...''' '''''BEYOND!'''''

* [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Tsukune]] from ''Manga/RosarioToVampire'' receives one in the form of an {{emergency transformation}}. He has gained the powers of a vampire, subsequently received training from [[TheAce Inner Moka]], and most recently [[spoiler:had his body modified so that he can fight on par with [[TheDragon Akuha]]. [[TookALevelInBadass It worked]]]].

* ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' introduced Mega Evolution, the ability for select Pokémon to temporarily reach a new, more powerful form through ThePowerOfFriendship ([[GameplayAndStorySegregation according to the lore at least]]).

** In regards to the Saints themselves, their goal in the Sanctuary Arc was to awaken to the mystical [[EleventhHourSuperpower Seventh Sense]], which would allow them to perceive the [[BattleAura Cosmo]] of the faster-than-light Gold Saints and counterattack. In the [[BigBad Hades]] Arc, the objective was the ''[[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands Eighth]] Sense'', which grants them entrance into [[{{Hell}} the Hades]] while still being alive. Then, when facing Hades' [[TheDragon Dragons, Thanatos and Hypnos]], the overwhelming force of the Bronze Saints' Cosmo upgrades them (and their Cloths, see above) to godly levels]].

* ''Fanfic/AncientSins'': the whole main cast get upgrades to their already formidable powers, which allows them to do all kinds of cool stuff.

* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia2'', Ludger's Corpse Shell mode is initially triggered involuntarily. He eventually learns how to activate at it will, which is when it becomes usable in battle, and from there, it evolves at key points in the story, initially only granting him a lance and armor on his arms, but eventually graduating to a full suit of armor. [[spoiler: It also turns out that repeated use of it is life-threatening.]]

** In regards to the Saints themselves, their goal in the Sanctuary Arc was to awaken to the mystical [[EleventhHourSuperpower Seventh Sense]], which would allow them to perceive the [[BattleAura Cosmo]] of the faster-than-light Gold Saints and counterattack. In the [[BigBad Hades]] Arc, the objective was the ''[[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands Eighth]] Sense'', which grants them entrance into [[{{Hell}} the Hades]] while still being alive. Then, when facing Hades' [[TheDragon Dragons, Thanatos and Hypnos]], the overwhelming force of the Bronze Saints' Cosmo upgrades them (and their Cloths, see above) [[AGodAmI to godly levels]].

* ''Manga/KatekyoHitmanReborn'' has this, especially when the various rings start kicking in. Especially with [[TheHero Tsuna]], who gets glove and Box power-ups like nobody's business. [[spoiler: This comes back to bite him when fighting his father. Reborn tells Tsuna that he relied too much on his Next Tier Power Ups and not enough on his strength which he needs to defeat Iemitsu. He doesn't, but he does better after Reborn's motivational speech.]]

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' has several of these. Several characters are half-demons with superpowered demon forms to match. Anyone with a Pactio can supercharge their strength with magic as well as summon a powerful artifact. Negi himself has his BlackMagic. [[spoiler: Not to mention his own Pactio]].
** After being defeated in her rematch with Tsukiyomi, Setsuna eventually gets one of these in the Magic World arc [[spoiler:via her new Pactio formed with Konoka, which granted her a different Pactio Card than the one she got from Negi]].
** And then there is the ''[[YinYangBomb kanka]]'' technique Asuna (re)learns during the Mahora Festival Budoki.
** It's also mentioned that Kotarou has the same ability as the Saiyans mentioned above - that is, after being defeated he comes back stronger.

* ''FanFic/TheOneToMakeItStay'': After learning that [[spoiler:Luka figured out Marinette's secret]], Master Fu begins researching and preparing for a special ritual for Ladybug and her allies to partake in. Said ritual grants the participants special powers as civilians, ''without'' relying upon or requiring them to have their Miraculous or kwami on hand. Said powers include safeguards against being akumatized and the ability to [[LaserGuidedAmnesia erase memories related to the Miraculous or Guardians]], in order to protect their secret identities. This comes nestled in the middle of a WhamEpisode which [[GameChanger throws the status quo for a loop]].

** There are rare cases where someone who already has a superpower gets a second [[TraumaticSuperpowerAwakening trigger event]] giving them a completely new power. However, this leaves the recipient so psychologically screwed up that they rarely last long. Moreover, WordOfGod states that second trigger events are never plain upgrades; for instance, a pyrokinetic might gain a longer range but lose precision. Most capes get better over time through just practice and using their powers more intelligently. Late in the story it's explained that [[spoiler:the second trigger simply removes some of the limitations meant to protect the shard's host]].
** Some capes actually experience second triggers immediately after their first. The stress of triggering combined with the actual event pushing them over the edge twice. [[spoiler:Taylor triggered twice in the locker but never fully accessed her secondary power]].