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A superhero or supervillain has a weakness, has PowerIncontinence, is a BadassNormal, but still just a normal person. But wait! Here's this KryptoniteProofSuit[=/=]PoweredArmor[=/=]ProtectiveCharm etc. that can fix that!

Not going to happen. StatusQuoIsGod.

This trope deals with the FridgeLogic that inevitably arises as superpowered beings and thus the various means to create those beings become more and more commonplace in a particular fictional universe, it also means that ways to remove {{Kryptonite Factor}}s, turn {{Badass Normal}}s into {{Empowered Badass Normal}}s, or just ways to make a hero or villain more effective and unstoppable in general pile up, yet despite this those beings will stay with the same powers and abilities they've had pretty much since their creation.

For instance, if a hero has water based powers and a weakness to electricity, expect them to rarely if ever wear rubber when fighting an opponent that uses it, or if the hero is a HandicappedBadass in a universe where plenty of examples of healing magic that can fix anything, has good or better than the original prosthetics, PoweredArmor, etc. that are common or even easily accessible, don't expect them to ever use them.

This trope doesn't necessarily have to involve weaknesses or disabilities either. If a Super is already powerful and could use various means to become even more powerful, and doesn't, that also fits this trope.

Part of the issue seems to be that western comics (DC, Marvel) in particular are especially beholden to StatusQuoIsGod: the company owns the characters, the characters are part of a larger shared setting, and as writers come and go, characterization can only change gradually. By contrast, in Manga and more independent works, there is typically an overall narrative that a single writer is trying to convey. That's why NextTierPowerUp [[Administrivia/FormerTropeNamer was once called]] ''{{Shonen}}'' Upgrade: it's not that ComicBook/SpiderMan never gets new powers, it's that he has to lose them within the year, or [[ContinuityLockOut new readers]] might be confused.

If the power-up involves PowerAtAPrice, the GodzillaThreshold, or any other sort of negative consequences, are rare and difficult to pull off, or unique, it is justified and thus Administrivia/NotThisTrope. This trope only applies if there is no logical reason in universe for why either the heroes or the villains to only have the same powers and use the same gimmicks they always have despite not only the ability to make themselves better, but the fact that such abilities are common. This also includes when the Super refuses the improvement when offered.

Compare HoldingBackThePhlebotinum and NeverBeAHero.

Other causes may be ForgottenPhlebotinum, ForgotAboutHisPowers, or possibly even DependingOnTheWriter. Related to KryptoniteProofSuit. DisposableSuperheroMaker and SupermanStaysOutOfGotham are also related to this trope.

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!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* Justified in ''Manga/BusoRenkin''. Using a different kakugane from your normal one just produces the same buso renkin with different styling. Likewise homunculi can't gain new powers; all they can do is train to use the ones they already have more effectively. However, the SortingAlgorithmOfEvil averts this; normally the most dangerous monster is a humanoid homunculus with a kakugane; this gives them all the benefits of both homincili and buso renkin (animal types are still limited to their animal instincts, and have to stick to natural weapons). [[spoiler:Subverted with Kazuki, whose kakugane is eventually revealed to be a special black kakugane that produces a new buso renkin with different abilities.]]
* ''Manga/OnePiece'' has a good example, too: Similar to the ''Buso Renkin'' example above, Devil's Fruit abilities are stated to never get stronger per se, but you can ''discover'' new and better ways to use them. It is also a rule that you can only use one, that you'll die if you try to gain a second, but Blackbeard seems to have found a way around that.
* Played straight by most of the eponymous warriors in ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'', who develop their special yoki techniques early in their careers and rely mainly on them for the rest of their lives. Completely averted, however, by the main heroine, Clare, who keeps picking up various techniques as the story progresses and thus gets to play in the highest supernatural league despite having relatively weak yoki potential.
** Possibly justified, since most warriors with signature techniques are powerful enough to not encounter opponents that would necessitate improvement. In general, the trope is averted by [[spoiler:the Seven Ghosts, due to their 7 years' time hiding and training: Miria develops a less youki-based phantom technique, ridding herself of the number-of-uses restriction she had before; Helen learns Jean's drill sword technique, building off of her own extendible arm technique; Deneve adopts Undine's dual-wielding combat style, supplementing her amazing recovery powers; Tabitha gains youki-sensing abilities akin to "God-Eye" Galatea; Cynthia learns the youki-synchronizing technique and develops a healing technique; Yuma gets good at throwing swords like javelins, and many chapters later is also able to learn Cynthia's healing technique; and Clare, as mentioned above, gains a variety of techniques throughout the series.]] Other than that, however, almost no introduced characters develop their abilities or styles, or adopt new ones.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'':
** Batman is the head of Wayne Enterprises, has fought against and alongside many superpowered beings that possess advanced technology, use magic, and have reliable and effective mutagens. Despite this, he has been, and most likely always will be, only a mere BadassNormal CrazyPrepared genius detective. This is usually justified by any [[EmpoweredBadassNormal powers he does happen to acquire]] either [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity going to his head]] or simply not being something he feels he needs to keep long-term.
-->'''[[WesternAnimation/TheBatman Robin]]:''' So, how was it? Using that ring [Green Lantern's]?\\
'''Batman:''' Not my style.
** [[ComicBook/{{Batgirl}} Barbara Gordon]] was crippled by ComicBook/TheJoker in ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', and remained crippled from then on until the ''ComicBook/New52'' reboot. This is despite the fact that people with superpowers that can heal any injury, PoweredArmor, Magic, and others exist all over the DC Universe that can fix or replace her legs with but a phone call. In fact, Batman himself had his spine broken in ''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}'', but quickly recovered. This is given the somewhat hamfisted justification that Barbara deliberately refuses to embrace the metanatural options she has for undoing her spinal damage because she doesn't want to be "special" compared to all the other crippled humans in the setting. [[ComicBook/Batgirl2011 Even after she is cured]], she is shown {{wangst}}ing over it.
* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Following ''The Other'' arc, Spider-Man acquired enhanced strength, the ability to communicate with spiders, organic webbing, and retractile stingers in his wrists, among other powers. Post-''ComicBook/BrandNewDay'' he's gone back to his original powers, and the augmented ones have gone to his clone Kaine. This was justified by the vastly negative reaction Spidey's fans had to his new powerset, which ranged from "nonsensical" (spider-talking, retractile stingers) to "obvious cash-ins on the movies" (organic webbing).
* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'': Superman and Comicbook/{{Supergirl}} have a weakness to {{Kryptonite|Factor}}. They also have access to {{Kryptonite Proof Suit}}s. You'd expect them to wear it pretty much all the time or at least line their costumes with lead to reduce the effects. However, Clark or Kara bring it out only when they're fighting a villain that specifically uses Kryptonite as a weapon and expect it in advance. It's because the suit is fragile relative to the power levels of both Kryptonian heroes and many of their foes. What they have done on more than one occasion is try to get rid of the Kryptonite since it's supposed to be rare [[KryptoniteIsEverywhere but more just keeps showing up]].
* ''ComicBook/XMen'':
** ComicBook/ProfessorX has tried many times to restore the use of his legs, but when he does succeed, [[StatusQuoIsGod he becomes crippled again before long]].
** Most times that a superhero or supervillain is held prisoner, there is a PowerNullifier in action. Most of the prisoners [[CardboardPrison find a way to get rid of them]], but they seem to work well in their original purpose. So, what about the heroes who [[IJustWantToBeNormal want to be normal]]? There is an easy way for Comicbook/{{Cyclops|MarvelComics}} to get rid of the sunglasses, for the freaky-looking mutant to seem like a regular joe, or for Comicbook/{{Rogue}} to have a lot of sex: just try the new mutant trend, the power-nullifier collar, and do as you want! And if you need your powers for something, just take off the collar and that's it. Usually justified as paranoia about how an individual could hack or steal the nullifier and use it against the super when they need it.
** ComicBook/{{Jubilee|MarvelComics}} was one of the many mutants {{depowered}} by the ''Decimation'' event in 2006, and lost her original power set of pyrotechnic energy blasts. She returned as a [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman tech-based hero]] named Wondra who worked with the ComicBook/NewWarriors, and then in 2010 she became (of all things) a [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampire]] in the ''ComicBook/CurseOfTheMutants'' storyline that lasted a good eight years. Then, at the beginning of 2018, her original power set and mutant status were restored. Many here were happy with it, mainly because turning her into a vampire was mostly done to cash in on the ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' fad more than anything else and it made little sense to keep her the same after said series faded from public consciousness.
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[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Literature/TheReckonersTrilogy'': Played straight and ''inverted''. All Epics have a specific powerset, and the powers are usually at least thematically related (though not always). The interesting part is that in the rare cases of two Epics having an identical powerset (mostly with twins), it soon became apparent that there is literally one powerset that they are both using at the same time. Whenever one of them uses their powers, the other suffers great pain and can sense the location where the power is being used. Therefore, twin Epics almost always murder each other sooner rather than later. Furthermore, [[spoiler:this turns out to be the secret between the MagicPoweredPseudoscience of "motivators." A minor cell culture of an Epic is put in an incubator that motivates it with a carefully calibrated electrical charge. The powers themselves apparently can't tell the difference between a tiny cell culture and a real person, so with the right electrical charge it will produce the power just as easily as a real Epic. The only problem is that living Epics can sense that as well, so motivators are made almost exclusively from dead Epics]].
* ''Literature/WearingTheCape'': Due to the way powers are obtained, this is almost universal. People "break through" when in an [[TraumaticSuperpowerAwakening incredibly stressful and life-threatening situation]], and receive powers to deal with the situation, based on [[PersonalityPowers what they consider an appropriate response]], plus [[RequiredSecondaryPowers whatever they need to survive their new powers]]. Therefore, powers generally follow some very clear types and trends. One of the easiest ways to prove you're not a shapeshifter is to demonstrate a power besides shapeshifting--shapeshifters with anything like SuperStrength or PlayingWithFire are so rare as to be functionally nonexistent.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* One early episode of ''Series/{{Angel}}'' had the title character acquire a ring that grants vampires immunity to sunlight and makes them all but invulnerable. Wow, Angel, you'd be able to do a lot of good with that ring, wouldn't you? Certainly, he could, but during the episode, many evil vampires try forcibly taking it from him, and he realizes that as long as it continues to exist, they're going to keep trying, and [[EvilOnlyHasToWinOnce if they succeed just once, the world is screwed]]. Between that and the threat of him losing his soul and becoming Angelus again, he decides it's better to destroy the thing.
* ZigZagged in ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier''. Sam Wilson/The Falcon received Captain America's shield from Steve Rogers at the end of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', but chooses to give it up at the start of the series: he donates it to a superhero exhibit at the Smithsonian, only for the US government to turn around and hand it to a new Cap, John Walker. Walker is later removed, and Sam takes back both the shield and the title of Captain America, on top of using a vibranium version of his wingsuit.
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[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* At least two superhero games, ''TabletopGame/{{Champions}}'' and ''TabletopGame/VillainsAndVigilantes'', have specifically advised players not to significantly change their PC hero's powers. ''Champions'' has also advised players to not get rid of their {{PC}}'s weaknesses, because they help to define the character.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:VideoGames]]
* Averted with ''VideoGame/InFamous2''. While in the first game, Cole is stuck with his [[ShockAndAwe Lightning]] powers and nothing else, ''inFAMOUS 2'' allows Cole as part of the storyline to use a machine to copy either [[PlayingWithFire Fire]] or [[AnIcePerson Ice]] powers from two other superpowered people, depending on his karmic alignment (Fire is Evil, Ice is Good).
** Averted harder in ''VideoGame/InFamousSecondSon'', in which [[PowerCopying Delsin]] gains [[SuperSmoke Smoke]], [[LightEmUp Neon]], [[HardLight Video]], and [[DishingOutDirt Concrete]] powers over the course of the plot.
** That said, every other [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividual Conduit]] in the series plays this trope straight.
[[/folder]]

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