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4[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/GunstarHeroes https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/no_fire.png]]]]
5%%
6An ability or a situation that prevents the use of items. If the character's power mostly comes from his or her items, this can be a ''serious'' threat to them, even if they're high-level, and possibly one of the only ways to bring them down.
7
8See also: NoGearLevel and MooksAteMyEquipment. In a world where superpowers come from equipment, a PowerNullifier has the same effect.
9
10----
11!!Examples:
12[[foldercontrol]]
13
14[[folder:Card Games]]
15* A number of cards in the ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'' CardGame do this: Jinzo, Royal Decree, Prohibition and Naturia Bamboo Shoot, just to name a few.
16[[/folder]]
17
18[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
19* ''TabletopGame/BurgleBros'': The Bust loot card prevents the holder from using any tool cards.
20* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': in 1st and 2nd Edition the Wand of Negation could prevent magic items from using their spells and spell-like functions.
21[[/folder]]
22
23[[folder:Video Games]]
24* ''VideoGame/AzureDreams'': Anorexia ability prevent monsters from eating consumables (i.e., the kind that heals HP or cures status ailments). They are mildly GoddamnedBats when they appear as enemies, and ''completely useless'' when they are your allies.
25* ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'':
26** Attempting to access the item screen during an Alfheim portal challenge? You'll be greeted with [[http://lparchive.org/Bayonetta/Update%2055/2-items.png this]]. [[spoiler:Angel Slayer, the Lost Chapter, takes place entirely within Alfheim, and this restriction is not lifted.]]
27** Because items lower your score, the entire ''game'' is this when going for Platinum trophies and the like.
28** You also can't use items while fighting the {{superboss}}, [[spoiler:Father Rodin]].
29* ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac: Repentance'': The section of the Mines or Ashpit leading to Knife Piece 2 removes the player character's items while inside, [[spoiler:forcing them to avoid Mother's Shadow at base stats]]. Since most items are passive upgrades, this overlaps with NoGearLevel, but even consumables, bombs, and activated items are removed in this sequence.
30* ''VideoGame/BugFables'':
31** When the team fights Astotheles, leader of the DesertBandits, he would prevent them from using any items by destroying them the moment they pull it out in order [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen to keep the fight fair]]. He would even free himself from any paralyzing status effect (Freeze, Numb or Sleep) just to destroy an item.
32** Also, Mimic Spiders and [[spoiler:Delilah of Team Slacker]] both can inflict the Sticky status effect that seals off item use with their attacks, with gluey bubbles in case of the former and one of the ''[[MoreDakka many]]'' projectiles fired from the latter's {{BFG}}.
33* In ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', there are a number of enemies who have the ability "Lock-All", which prevents the player from using items or techniques. The enemies that do this are all {{Metal Slime}}s, having high evasion rates, giving lots of experience, and (in some cases) dropping rare items.
34* The White Seal floors in ''VideoGame/DarkChronicle'' do this for healing items.
35* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has the throwable "Lloyd's Talismans", which disable the use of [[HealingPotion Estus Flasks]] in a limited area. While computer-controlled enemies that use Estus are somewhat rare and generally don't have so much health that it makes a difference, they are almost a requirement when invading in [=PvP=] to keep your foe from just running away and chugging Estus every chance they get (though if someone deliberately sought out invaders to duel it's generally agreed they shouldn't be doing this anyway).
36* In ''VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry [[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]]'', the new Gods Must Die difficulty disables all consumable items and Green Orbs, making it impossible to heal Dante or Vergil should they take any damage. This is just one of many reasons why it's considered HarderThanHard.
37* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
38** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', one of the random effects that can be activated while you're fighting in the Golden Saucer Arena is the deactivation of your Item-command.
39** TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' has restrictions on what command can be used in battle, and the restrictions can be broken by defeating the bosses in it (not too hard if you know what you're doing). The restrictions include No [[SummonMagic GF]], No Magic, and No Item.
40** For much of the lifespan of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' food buffs were considered very important to have up while exping,[[note]]generally accuracy for melee and mana regen for mages[[/note]] and players who refused to buy and use food would find it difficult to get invited to parties. Then came the 3rd expansion, ''Treasures of Aht'Urgan'', and its Colibri birds. These little buggers had an attack that would strip players of food buffs. That's right, they'd apparently fly right down your throat and rip the food out of your stomach.
41** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'', the climb up the Pharos tower requires you to make a sacrifice before proceeding up the second section (which is five floors and one BossBattle). One of the sacrifices you can choose is to give up your Items command. The boss fight against Exodus also has this as a static effect.
42** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', one of the random floor effects that can occur during the special dungeons Palace of the Dead and Heaven-on-High disables items. [[spoiler:Fortunately, the item that removes random floor effects [[DevelopersForesight is exempt from this]].]]
43* Particularly JustForFun/{{Egregious}} example in ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic IV'': if a monster or character has protection from magic, they will also be unable to drink potions. So the choice is between brutally mauled by magic but able to heal, or brutally mauled by fangs/claws/fists/whatever but unable to heal.
44* ''VideoGame/TheImpossibleQuiz'' occasionally gives you "Skip" items that lets you bypass a question, but some questions disable Skips. [[spoiler:It doesn't matter. You need all seven skips to complete the final question.]] The sequel allows you to use Skips freely again (except on the last question), but there are a few questions with a bomb that can disable the Fusestopper [[note]]an item that allows you to destroy bombs so they cannot explode and give you a Game Over[[/note]], meaning you must deal with the bomb in the question.
45* ''VideoGame/{{Judgment}}'': The game's {{superboss}}, [[spoiler:Shin Amon]], will try to steal Yagami's phone in the fight's early phases, making you unable to access your item menu (or pause) for the rest of the fight. You can still use items (up to 3) assigned to the D-pad shortcuts before this happens, but you can't swap these.
46* The first phase of the final boss fight in ''VideoGame/KonjikiNoGashBellMakaiNoBookmark'' disables the inventory ''and'' unequips all bookmarks. The inventory is enabled for the third phase, but you'll need to manually reequip your bookmarks.
47* ''VideoGame/TheLastFederation'', if the player challenges Burlust warlord into a duel, his special abilities are disabled.
48* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
49** In most games, there are items that cannot be used in all places. The most common example of this is not being allowed to use weapons when you're in someone's house. Many games in the series also feature 'cursed' enemies who often have blue flames or smoke (dark purple in ''Skyward Sword''). Instead of burning Link, they will restrict the usage of his items for as long as the effect lasts.
50** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'': The FinalBoss has a downplayed version. Ganon knocks Link's Master Sword out of his hand, effectively making him unarmed. Link can still use other items like the bow, hammer, bombs and even [[InfinityPlusOneSword his other sword]] if you managed to get it.
51** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' disables all items when you use a transformation mask to assume another form with bottled items being the only exception to the rule.
52** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'': The Gohma, Kalle Demos, Jalhalla, and Molgera rematches in Ganon's Tower take away any and all items that were not present in your inventory at the time of the initial battle. Link's bottle collection is left intact, however.
53** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'': Item usage as a whole is disabled during the very last fight of the Take 'Em All On! minigame.
54** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'':
55*** The [[PoisonMushroom Cursed Medal]] considerably [[MoneyMultiplier increases the drop rate of money and treasures]], but you can't open your Adventure Pouch to use items like your bottles or shield.
56*** The BossRush mode of the game disables the use of all items in your pouches except for a shield.
57* The SNES adaptation of ''Manga/MagicKnightRayearth'' features the Forest of Silence as in the manga and anime, but in addition to preventing the use of magic, it also (somehow) blocks the use of items.
58* ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'':
59** In ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'', the Boos in Bowser's castle can steal command blocks from the brothers during a battle. Depending on which block is stolen, the brothers can't jump, use their hammers or use their hand powers for the next turn. The same happens during the battles with Popple.
60** The {{superboss}} of ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory'', [[spoiler:Bowser X]], temporarily steals your special attacks as you use them.
61** The {{superboss}} in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam'', [[spoiler:Bowser Jr.]], does the same. Also, in the dream arena battles, your items are replaced with a predetermined and limited inventory, and the turn limit discourages item usage. This is inverted with Thunder Sass, who you're supposed to beat with counterattacks, and thus you can't use anything ''except'' items. If you don't want to use one, you can idle to make him attack again.
62* In ''VideoGame/MarioParty9'', one event lets the current captain temporarily seal all the other player's special dice, keeping them from using them for their next turn.
63* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', your weapons are de-activated when you enter the Nuclear Warhead Storage hangar, and being spotted in there is a guaranteed GameOver since not only can you not fight back but they lock you in and flood the place with gas if you're spotted.
64** In ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'', the Final Battle [[spoiler: against Senator Armstrong]] will only let you use Jetstream Sam's sword. Not only is it the only thing capable of actually harming Armstrong, but the big guy already made [[WreckedWeapon quick work of Raiden's sword]]. No items (except for healing), no subweapons, and no other boss weapons.
65* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' has the "stench" status, which prevents you from using items that you use on yourself. Tossing a Deodorant or stepping into another player's active Deodorant cures it. Expect to get stenched frequently when fighting Congala, who {{fart|illery}}s and [[DungFu throws excretement]] like no tomorrow.
66* In ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed: Hot Pursuit'' (the one by Creator/CriterionGames), the Racers can activate a Jammer weapon that not only prevents Cops within the radius of the Jammer's effect from using any weapons, but also makes the minimap disappear for Cops, reveals any Roadblocks called in beforehand and causes any Spike Strips deployed beforehand (by Cops, of course) to disappear.
67* In many {{Roguelike}}s, if an equipped item (a wielded weapon or worn piece of armor/jewelry) is cursed then it can't be removed. While the equipped cursed item can still be used like normal, this prevents the player from swapping in a different piece of equipment of the same type. Some games go further and take equipment layers into account: in ''VideoGame/NetHack'', if you're wearing cursed gloves then you'll be unable to change which rings you're wearing on your hands, since you can't take off your gloves to get at your bare fingers.
68* ''VideoGame/PaperMario'':
69** During the final fight with Bowser in the first ''VideoGame/{{Paper Mario|64}}'' game, Bowser could stomp Mario and prevent him from using items, jump attacks, or hammer attacks for a couple of turns. The Spy Guy's hammer attack can do the same thing.
70** ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' has a battle arena where random conditions must be followed to win a match. The inability to use items is one of those conditions. Note that you can still use the items and win the fight, but you won't progress to the next rank if you do.
71** ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'': When Mario falls into Rustle Burrow, he's stripped of some of his inventory items. You can't use your hammer until you find it again, and Kersti is stuck in a spider web, so you can't paperize or use the Battle Spin. Both of these are regained by the end of the level, though.
72** In ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheOrigamiKing'', you can't use Fire or Ice Flowers against Tape during its second form. It'll turn its roll so that the projectiles pass through it. Similarly, you're not allowed to use Mushrooms to heal during the BossRush on Scuffle Island or the theater battles, although you're warned of this. This same restriction applies while fighting the [[spoiler:Paper Mistake Buzzy Beetle]] towards the end of green streamer and the bucket-carrying Shy Guys in the Fire Vellumental Cave, and you're ''not'' informed of this beforehand. In the former case, your item will be burnt and wasted, while in the latter, Olivia tells you that you can't heal "for some reason".
73* ''VideoGame/PersonaQShadowOfTheLabyrinth'': The boss of the Group Date Cafe, the Merciful Clergyman, casts "vows" that the party members must obey. If you go against them, you're immediately hit with a very powerful attack. These vows restrict you from using skills, items, or physical attacks. However, they wear off after a turn or two.
74* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
75** The moves Embargo and Magic Room for any items and Heal Block for any held healing items (since Generation V), and the ability Unnerve for held Berries. The moves Knock Off and Corrosive Gas disable the target Pokémon's held item for the rest of the battle, even if they are switched out.
76** Several more "competitive" battle environments disallow the use of any items on your Pokémon, with the only assistance allowed being held items. This included all battles against other players until ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'', which introduced a "Wonder Launcher" option to include items in battle.
77* In ''VideoGame/RaidouKuzunohaVsKingAbaddon'', one possible bad result of the Luck Roulettes is not being able to use items.
78* The final battles in ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'' both disable your weapons and have you dodge their BulletHell for 60 seconds.
79* In ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'', [[OnceAnEpisode there will be at least one level in each game]] (aside from the first level, obviously), where Ratchet will have to do without Clank. This can be an unexpected hindrance because at the point these levels occur, the player will be very used to using Clank's Heli-Pack/Thruster Pack boosts to get around and cross gaps, [[DamnYouMuscleMemory resulting in some unexpected deaths]].
80* In ''VideoGame/SaveTheLight'', you can't access your items if Steven faints in battle. There's also an enemy in the Pyramid Temple that [[BanditMook steals the Cheeseburger Backpack from your party]], preventing you from using items until you defeat it. [[spoiler:Because during this stage, only Connie and Peridot can use the Backpack, Greg, Amethyst, and Pearl are forced to go without items for their leg of the dungeon.]]
81* During the Temple Ruins dungeon in ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts1'', Yuri and Zhuzhen are forced to split off from Alice and Margarete and have their ability to use items confiscated (hopefully you've leveled Zhuzhen enough so that he's learned his healing spell). Alice and Margarete, meanwhile, have their skills sealed. Later, Yuri and Zhouzen have ''their'' skills sealed off, but don't get the ability to use items back until they get out of the dungeon. This isn't a complete case, though, since you can still use items outside of battle (though the game pretends otherwise).
82* One mission of ''VideoGame/Sly3HonorAmongThieves'' has the surprisingly GenreSavvy villain steal the gang's laptop. Without it you can't access [=ThiefNet=] to sell stolen treasures or buy new powerups, being limited to using what you currently have until you complete said mission.
83* Picking Roo in ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage 3'' prevents you from using any weapons until you switch to another character. Makes sense, since he's a BoxingKangaroo.
84* In ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'', Bowyer shoots arrows to disable buttons on your controller, thus preventing Mario from either attacking, casting spells or using items. Later, in the Moleville Mines, Croco will challenge you to a fight. After he loses half of his HP, he will steal all of your items, and you won't be able to use them again until you defeat him.
85** In the remake, the rematch against Johnny has Mario fight him as a DuelBoss (although his active party members can instead give him buffs for that battle), and items are not allowed in this fight. Also, [[spoiler: Culex 3D]] can randomly disable a button like Bowyer do.
86* There are several sections of ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'' where Shadow Mario steals Mario's FLUDD (water-shooting device), thus preventing him from hovering and forcing him to stick with his basic physical abilities like jumping.
87* All boss fights in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld2YoshisIsland'' disables your items to prevent you from cheesing the battles.
88* The Arenas in most games of the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' prohibit item use.
89** Equipping the Barbatos Ring in ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' or using a piece of equipment with the "Barbatosian" quality in ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces'' also prevents you from using items. They're named after the infamous [[VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny2 Barbatos Goetia]], who ''[[LimitBreak really]]'' [[BerserkButton doesn't like it]] when you use items while fighting him.
90** Barbatos' boss fights throughout the series are essentially this. Oh you can use items if you dare, he'll just immediately toss a hard hitting spell at you in the original ''Destiny 2'', or a specially made Mystic Arte for such an occasion in other games.
91* ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2's'' Medieval Mode takes away the ranged weapons of all but three classes (Scout, Sniper, and Medic with the Flying Guillotine, Huntsman, and Crusader's Crossbow respectively) and forces everyone to fight with melee weapons. [[ImprobableWeaponUser Stick grenades and car batteries are still allowed in though]]. As it's not a huge focus of development, this can make tremendous differences in the value of the class. For instance, it hurts the Engineer tremendously since he doesn't get any of his buildings, and his low health and subpar weapon damage turn him into a JokeCharacter nobody plays unless they're trolling.
92* The Cursed status effect in ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}'' prevents the player from using any items ''including'' weapons, leaving the player mostly helpless. Thankfully it only lasts for a very short while.
93* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'': The Backpack upgrade in the expansion gives most ground units a pair of item slots to carry additional items (heroes only having six slots). However, non-hero units can't use the items they're given, nor do they get the boosts or auras. It's possible to allow this, but telling them to pick up a stat-boosting powerup has a tendency to crash the game.
94* ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'': one possible mission condition for sorties is restricting the player to use one type of weapon. It is explained in-universe as interference prevent the use of other weapons.
95* ''VideoGame/TheWonderful101'' also restricts item usage in Kahkoo-regah. Unlike Bayonetta, there's no message if you attempt to access the item screen. You're just denied access to that section of the menu if you pause the game. [[spoiler:And once again, the special Operation 101 contains the same restriction.]]
96* ''VideoGame/YsVITheArkOfNapishtim'' has Catastrophe mode, which prevents the player from using items in boss battles. The only items that can be used outside of boss fights are the nerfed Capla Waters and [[RareCandy stat boosting seeds]]. Additionally, all consumables from chests are replaced by Capla Waters and any consumables from enemy drops are used up immediately.
97[[/folder]]
98
99[[folder:Other Examples]]
100* In ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'': [[Franchise/{{MortalKombat}} Goro]] vs. [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Machamp]], after Goro pulls out his Shokan Blades and attacks Machamp with them, the Pokémon uses Knock Off to knock away the blades, stripping Goro of his weapons for the rest of the fight.
101* PlayedForLaughs in ''[[WebAnimation/AwesomeSeries Metal Gear Awesome 2]]'' when Snake gets to the Nuclear Warhead Storage Building and is told by Naomi that she's disabled all his weapon usage, as mentioned prior. Snake quickly gets spotted, can't defend himself, and is ''brutally gunned down'' much to Naomi's chagrin.
102--> '''Naomi:''' Oh... I guess that ''was'' kind of stupid...
103[[/folder]]

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