History Main / UselessWithoutPowers

This kind of characters may be very competent and powerful with their superpowers, the drawback of being so powerful is that they become completely dependent on them. So much in fact that they are unable to face any situation without them, becoming useless against any kind of opponent, even the random low-level mooks; or worse they become a DistressedDude / DistressedDamsel.

While some characters become [[BroughtDownToBadass are still badass]] when BroughtDownToNormal, that doesn't happen to ''these'' characters.

* In an issue of ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'' [[CrisisCrossover crossing over]] with ''ComicBook/SecretWarsII'', the Beyonder gives Matt Murdock his sight back. Murdock assumes that this will make him an even better crimefighter, but he can't adjust (including losing his HyperAwareness) and gets the Beyonder to take back the "gift".

* This applies to wizards, sorcerers and other spellcasting-focused classes in ''DungeonsAndDragons'' and ''{{Pathfinder}}'': antimagic is a major KryptoniteFactor to them as it strips them of their spellcasting and other supernatural powers, making them as useful as mere commoners in combat situations due to their low base attack bonus and hit points. It's worse for those who built their entire skill set around spells and supernatural abilities without at least investing in mundane skills since losing their magic means losing everything they have.

* This is generally true for [[HalfHumanHybrid hanyou]] in ''Manga/InuYasha''. Once a month, they lose their demonic powers and become [[BroughtDownToNormal pure human beings]] (conversely, they also turn into pure [[{{Youkai}} youkai]] when they are in [[SuperPoweredEvilSide severe pain or their lives are in danger]]). Whether they are completely useless is probably different from hanyou to hanyou, but they are just as strong as humans, and thus much weaker [[SuperStrenght than they are otherwise]]. Both Koga and Inuyasha say that most hanyou hide in fear on the day they lose their powers so their enemies will not find them.

** Jinenji is hiding under a blanket when he becomes human. He is so big and strong that he would probably [[StoutStrenght not be a weakling]] as a human being.

Relates to YoureNothingWithoutYourPhlebotinum and DisabilitySuperpower. Can be defied through BoxingLessonsForSuperman. Inversion of PowerLossMakesYouStrong.

* It's shown in ''WesternAnimation/Ducktales2017'' that the BornLucky Gladstone Gander doesn't seem to have any of the skills people need to get them through life because his luck makes it so that everything turns out all right for him in the end. This is why he calls his family when [[spoiler: he becomes the prisoner of a luck vampire, who sees him as [[SupernaturallyDeliciousAndNutritious an all-you-can-eat buffet]].]]

* ''ComicBook/JLAActOfGod'': The comic depicts ''all'' superheroes with powers as being like this. For example, Superman becomes a moping depressive after he loses his Kryptonian powers. However, some former superheroes, like Wonder Woman, still try to help out as {{Badass Normal}}s.

* It's shown in ''WesternAnimation/Ducktales2017'' that the BornLucky Gladstone Gander doesn't seem to have any of the skills people need to get them through life because his luck makes it so that everything turns out all right for him in the end. This is why he calls his family when [[spoiler: he becomes the prisoner of a luck vampire, who sees him as [[SupernaturallyNutritiousAndDelicious an all-you-can-eat buffet]].]]

While some characters become become a BadassNormal when BroughtDownToNormal, that doesn't happen to ''these'' characters.

->'''Clark''': Blood. It's my blood. Maybe we ought to hire a bodyguard from now on.
->'''Lois''': I don't want a bodyguard. I want the man I fell in love with.
->'''Clark''': I know, Lois. I wish he were here.

While some charcters become become a BadassNormal when BroughtDownToNormal, that doesn't happen to ''these'' characters.

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

* In an issue of ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'' [[CrisisCrossover crossing over]] with ComicBook/SecretWarsII the Beyonder gives Matt Murdock his sight back. Murdock assumes that this will make him an even better crimefighter, but he can't adjust (including losing his HyperAwareness) and gets the Beyonder to take back the "gift."

[[folder: Film ]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'': Superman, Martian Manhunter, Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman had their powers stolen by some androids. After this they became completely useless against the villains and dependant on the local {{Badass Normal}}s in order to regain their powers.
* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': This describes Katara in a nutshell. As long as she's able to bend water, she's a force to be reckoned with. Take that away from her, and she's helpless. This is because, unlike Aang and the others, she lacks secondary skills such as martial arts or weapons training. So she's fully reliant on her waterbending.
** In the Omashu episode, Ty Lee blocked Katara's chi, which robbed her of the ability to bend, leaving her defenseless against Mai. [[spoiler: Good thing Sokka was there to cover for her.]]
** Toph suffered from a mild case of this where metal was concerned [[spoiler: until she learned how to bend that too]]. Like all earthbenders, she must remain in contact with solid ground or have an ample supply of earth to work with. No doubt, this was the reason the Fire Nation housed them in metal prisons over open water.

* ''Film/SupermanII''. While at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman gives up his superpowers so he can be with Lois Lane. When they return to civilization, he runs into a bully who beats him up badly. Watch it [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRRFMrzTYpE here]].
-->'''Clark Kent:''' [To Lois] Maybe you ought to hire a bodyguard.
-->'''Lois:''' I don't want one. I want the man I fell in love with.
-->'''Clark:''' I know, Lois. I wish he were here.

* In the end of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'', Hayate becomes the most powerful human mage in the multiverse. However, outside of Unison with Reinforce, she is just a crippled nine-year-old girl. It is especially evident in the last scene, [[spoiler:where she is unable to even reach Reinforce in attempt to prevent her HeroicSacrifice despite only being a few feet away]]. She gets better during TimeSkip, however.

Relates to YoureNothingWithoutYourPhlebotinum and DisabilitySuperpower. Can be defied through BoxingLessonsForSuperman.

* In the end of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'', Hayate becomes the most powerful human mage in the multiverse. However, outside of Unison with Reinforce, she is just a crippled nine-year-old girl. It is especially evident in the last scene, [[spoiler:where she is unable to even reach Reinforce in attempt to prevent her HeroicSacrifice despite her only being a few feet away]]. She gets better during TimeSkip, however.

* In the end of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'', Hayate becomes the most powerful human mage in the multiverse. However, outside of Unison with Reinforce, she is just a crippled nine-year-old girl. It is especially evident in the last scene, [[spoiler:where she is unable to even reach Reinforce in attempt to prevent her HeroicSacrifice]]. She gets better during TimeSkip, however.

* In the end of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'', Hayate becomes the most powerful human mage in the multiverse. However, outside of Unison with Reinforce, she is just a crippled nine-year-old girl. It is especially evident in the last scene, [[spoiler:where she is unable to even reach Reinforce in attempt to prevent her SuicideByCop]]. She gets better during TimeSkip, however.

This kind of characters may be very competent and powerful with their superpowers, the drawback of being so powerful is that they become completely dependant on them. So much in fact that they are unable to face any situation without them, becoming useless against any kind of opponent, even the random low-level mooks; or worse they become a DistressedDude / DistressedDamsel.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': [[BigBad Amon]]'s ability to take away a bender's powers leaves everyone he de-bends completely and totally helpless from the very moment they're [[BroughtDownToNormal depowered]]. This, despite that bending is based on real martial arts.

* This happens to Storm from the ''ComicBook/XMen'' when she loses her powers.

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLegendOfKorra'': Similar to the ''The Last Airbender'' example above, but taken UpToEleven. [[BigBad Amon]]'s ability to take away a bender's powers leaves everyone he de-bends completely and totally helpless from the very moment they're [[BroughtDownToNormal depowered]]. This, despite that bending is based on real martial arts.

* ''ComicBook/JLAActOfGod'' depicts ''all'' superheroes with powers as being like this.

* In an issue of ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'' [[CrisisCrossover crossing over]] with SecretWarsII the Beyonder gives Matt Murdock his sight back. Murdock assumes that this will make him an even better crimefighter, but he can't adjust (including losing his HyperAwareness) and gets the Beyonder to take back the "gift."
* This happens to Storm from the ''ComicBook/{{X-Men}}'' when she loses her powers.

!Examples

[[AC:Anime and Manga]]

[[AC:Comic Books]]

[[AC:Film]]

[[AC:Live Action TV]]

[[AC:Video Games]]

[[AC:Western Animation]]

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLegendOfKorra'': Similar to the ''The Last Airbender'' example above, but taken UpToEleven. [[BigBad Amon]]'s ability to take away a bender's powers leaves everyone he de-bends completely and totally helpless from the very moment they're [[BroughtDownToNormal depowered]]. This, despite that bending is based on real martial arts.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'': Superman, Martian Manhunter, Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman had their powers stolen by some androids. After this they became completely useless against the villains and dependant on the local BadassNormals in order to regain their powers.

-->'''Kreia:''' Yes, and what are they without the Force? Take the greatest Jedi Knight, strip away the Force, and what remains? They rely on it, depend on it, more than they know. Watch as one tries to hold a blaster, as they try to hold a lightsaber, and you will see nothing more than a woman – or a man. A child.