Ability, skill, bonus, extra effect, I don't care what you're calling it. The point is you only get it with all the pieces. If the hat of hatliness gives +1 attack and the sword of swordliness gives +1 attack and you wear them together and get +2 attack, it's not this trope. If you get a +1 gearliness bonus for wearing both of them, for a total of +3 attack, then it's this trope. It's pretty simple.

edited 10th Feb '13 12:46:59 AM by troacctid

The description is really broad also because it's not exclusively about games.

We're not disagreeing on what the trope means, or how broadly it applies, just the use of the word "ability"—it has a pretty specific meaning in the context of games such that most examples of the trope wouldn't seem to qualify based on the current write-up. A broader word like "benefit" wouldn't throw gamers for a loop.

edited 10th Feb '13 7:28:03 PM by Ironeye

Bumping this to get it resolved. Have we come to a conclusion about "ability"? It seems silly to hold this topic open just for one word.