History Main / NoSelfBuffs

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'': The [[EvilSorcerer witch doctor]] Facilier mentions this as a reason he has to work his schemes through others despite being able to turn a man into a frog, summon shadowy demons to do his bidding, etc. While his LivingShadow can manipulate objects for him, and he can cast illusions that affect other people to further his own goals, this only works so long as it's what they think they want.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' and its sequels/spin-off TV series, the Genie's power is much greater when granting wishes for others than when doing things for himself. The former lets him wield "super-phenomenal cosmic power", while the latter only lets him use "semi-phenomenal nearly-cosmic power." One really powerful individual with chaos powers was described as a "genie who could grant his own wishes.", [[WrongContextMagic which scares the hell out of Genie]]. Since Genie is a free genie after the first movie, technically everything he does is for himself rather than granting the wishes of others, which explains why he is weaker.

Strangely often, the magician, witch, wizard, [[ReligionIsMagic cleric]], EvilSorcerer, MadScientist, [[AnAdventurerIsYou support class]] or the like have the ability to bestow strange and amazing transformations, alterations, [[MagicAndPowers powers]] and [[MagicEnhancement enhancements]] on other people, for whichever reason, but are unable to use this ability to directly benefit themselves.

This is a plot device and a video game balancing mechanic: it means the enchanter/caster/[[VideoGame/CityOfHeroes Defender]]/whatever requires other people to move things along, and prevents him from [[GameBreaker making everything trivial]] [[StoryBreakerPower with his own power]]. Exceptions can result in a very powerful character.

Strangely often, the magician, witch, wizard, [[ReligionIsMagic cleric]], EvilSorcerer, MadScientist, [[AnAdventurerIsYou support class]], etc. have the ability to bestow strange and amazing transformations, alterations, [[MagicAndPowers powers]] and [[MagicEnhancement enhancements]] on other people, for whichever reason, but are unable to use this ability to directly benefit themselves.

* ''Manga/FairyTail'': Wendy's Sky Dragon Slayer Magic includes HealingHands as part of the package, but she can't heal herself directly. Particularly noticeable since she ''can'' use her own [[MagicEnhancement Enchantments]] on herself.

** This is a NecessaryDrawback in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden'' and the remake ''VideoGame/FireEmblemEchoesShadowsOfValentia'', because healing magic in those games is CastFromHitPoints instead of consumable staves. A healer who ''could'' heal themselves would basically have [[GameBreaker unlimited magic.]] That said, it's common to have two healers "scratch each other's backs" to the same effect, especially once they learn healing spells that affect more than one unit like Fortify. They also get the [[LifeDrain Nosferatu]] spell which lets them refuel on enemy HP instead.

** The Balmwood Staff from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'', which has to be used as an item to do so. The Rally skills don't work on the user either.