Antagonist Abilities are "unfair" powers that inherently prevent TheHero from winning easily against a villain, and can force them to resort to an OutsideTheBoxTactic.

Antagonist Abilities are almost always an antithesis to HeroicSpirit. The pattern is simple: where TheProtagonist needs to take risks and be brave, the antagonists do not need to do the same and can afford to be cowardly. If the hero worked hard to be powerful, the antagonists made a DealWithTheDevil. Where the hero struggles and suffers for his power, there is little to no downside at all for the antagonist. One clear example is when the antagonist's power turns the protagonist's against them, or [[InterfaceScrew makes them unable to use it effectively]].

Powers of this nature primarily serve as a {{Foil}} for the aforementioned HeroicSpirit. It's an effective way of demonstrating that EvilIsEasy in a fight. It also serves as a good way to make the hero an underdog, because the {{Conflict}} is rigged from the beginning.

Just to be clear, let's summarize the conditions that create this trope:

# The hero is strong or skilled, but needs a lot of effort to use their abilities to the fullest.
# The antagonist's ability ''does not'' match the hero with similar strength, skill, or effort. It prevents, detects, avoids, deflects, sabotages, steals, or otherwise compromises the hero's abilities in indirect (and often, greatly unsatisfying) ways.

This is often a case of ProtagonistCenteredMorality, because it requires that the audience identify with the hero and know what makes the way they fight heroic, skillful, risky or courageous. [[BadPowersGoodPeople Even if the good guys have an ability on this list]], it's usually with [[GoodIsImpotent restrictions or rules]] that don't apply to the antagonist, a weakness to help antagonists get around it, or it's pitted against another ability listed which specifically counters it. Often, the villain wants to steal those powers for himself, for these very reasons, knowing that they'll be far more deadly than the hero ever was.

This is not to be confused with BadPowersBadPeople, which is more about powers that are cruel or inherently harmful to others. While it can overlap with this trope, this is more about powers that are considered more "unfair" in a fight. These powers may [[MonsterThreatExpiration phase out the longer they're on screen.]]

When this happens in a VideoGame, it leads to an SNKBoss that invokes MyRulesAreNotYourRules. See also HardWorkHardlyWorks and StorybreakerPower.

!!{{Sub Trope}}s include:

[[index]]
!!! The Big Ones
* CompleteImmortality: Control over one's own death, or major injury.
* MetaPower: Control over an opponent's abilities.
* MindControl: Control over an opponent's mind.
* PeoplePuppets: Control over an opponent's body.
* RealityWarper: Control over reality itself.
* SpaceMaster: Control over space itself.
* TimeMaster: Control over time itself.
* TouchOfDeath: Control over death itself.

!!!Versus Melee
* DetachmentCombat
* {{Intangibility}}
* MultiArmedAndDangerous
* PressurePoint
* RubberMan
* SizeShifter

!!! Versus Magic, Energy and Projectiles
* AntiMagic
* AttackReflector
* DeflectorShield
* EnergyAbsorption
* ManaDrain
* ResistantToMagic

!!!Versus Stealth
* AuraVision
* CrystalBall
* SinisterSurveillance
* SuperSenses

!!!Versus Detection
* ChameleonCamouflage
* {{Invisibility}}
* InvisibilityCloak
* PerceptionFilter
* StealthExpert
* VoluntaryShapeshifting

!!!Versus Defenses
* ArmorPiercingAttack
* SpeedBlitz
* UnblockableAttack

!!!Versus Healing or Endurance
* AcidAttack
* PoisonousPerson
* WoundThatWillNotHeal

!!!Versus Mobility or Range
* AlwaysAccurateAttack
* DeathFromAbove
* {{Flight}}
* LongRangeFighter
* VillainTeleportation
* WeaponizedTeleportation
* YouWillNotEvadeMe

!!!Versus Single Combat
* AsteroidsMonster
* AttackAnimal
* AttackDrone
* FlyingWeapon
* HydraProblem
* SelfDuplication
** GeminiDestructionLaw
* ShootTheMedicFirst
* StormOfBlades
* SummonMagic
* TrapMaster

!!!Versus Defeat Itself
* ActuallyADoombot
* AsLongAsThereIsEvil
* FightingAShadow
* HealingBoss
* {{Immortality}}
* JokerImmunity
* NoManOfWomanBorn (until the prophecy-fulfilling one comes along)
* OrganAutonomy (if either the body or the organ don't need each other to function)

!!!Versus Everything
* AdaptiveAbility
* BodySnatcher
* CombatClairvoyance
* DamageReduction
* DispelMagic
* EmotionControl
* EnergyAbsorption
* FromASingleCell
* GuardianEntity
* HealItWithBlood
* HyperspaceArsenal
* InstantArmor
* InstantWinCondition
* InvulnerableAttack
* KeystoneSuperpower
* KillOneOthersGetStronger
* LifeDrain
* LiquidAssets
* LivingAphrodisiac
* MakeThemRot
* MasterOfIllusion
* MobileMenace
* NoSavingThrow
* NoSell
* OneHitKill
* TheParalyzer
* PlagueMaster
* PoisonousPerson
* PowerCopying
* PowerNullifier
* PowerParasite
* PowersDoTheFighting
* SmokeOut
* TheStormbringer: The character doesn't summon the storm, the storm itself follows them wherever they go.
* TakenForGranite
* ThinkingUpPortals
* TimeStandsStill
* VoodooDoll
* WalkingWasteland
* WindsOfDestinyChange
* WorldWreckingWave
[[/index]]

'''Please do not put examples on this page.''' This is such a common trope that any examples should be placed on the appropriate Trope and Work pages.
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