History Main / PowerNullifier

** In the Internship Arc, a Yakuza group called the Shie Hassakai develop a special bullet that can nullify Quirks. At first the effect only works for a short period, but eventually they manage to create a variety that can permanently DePower anyone it hits. [[spoiler:The bullets are created by extracting the blood out of a [[PoweredByAForsakenChild tortured girl named Eri]], who has a quirk that allows her to "[[SemanticSuperpower Rewind]]" anything she touches to a previous state.]]

Related to PowersAsPrograms. For nullfying the effects of supernatural powers rather than preventing someone from using them, see AntiMagic. If the power has already been used, DispelMagic can remove the effects. PowerLimiter is a weaker version. NoSell is when a character ignores, not nullifies, another's powers. {{Mage Killer}}s often weaponize this ability, as they do with AntiMagic. See also the KryptoniteProofSuit, which can be used to resist {{Weaksauce Weakness}}es. A type of MetaPower.

* The ''Fanfic/ResurgenceSeries'' reveals that Bella Swan's immunity to Edward's telepathy is actually the first manifestation of her primary ability to negate the powers of others; Sylar can cut her with his telekinesis and Peter copies her power as usual, but characters like Hiro and Elle can’t affect her with their powers, and Sylar’s intuitive aptitude had trouble identifying the exact nature of Bella’s ability. As she learns more about her own ability, Bella learns that she can even "turn off" the abilities of other evolved humans, including ‘blocking’ Peter’s access to Sylar’s intuitive aptitude while leaving the rest of his powers unaffected and [[spoiler:permanently preventing Becky from using her invisibility]].

* One of Zin's fugitives used a ray gun style device on Cole in ''Series/{{Tracker}}'', nullifying his Cirronian abilities until Mel discovered she could power him back up.

* In the first ''Literature/{{Ravenor}}'' book, the villains clamp a psionic nullifier unit onto Ravenor’s force chair while his mind is [[AstralProjection occupied elsewhere]]. Since he’s a crippled burn victim who relies on his psychic powers to do anything at all, including operating his chair, this renders him helpless until his allies remove the device.

** Houriki in general, which has the ability to purify and/or seal things, especially Youki. The biggest example of this is Mt. Hakurei, which would instantly purify any youkai that gets too close to it except Kanna, who, as she represents nothingness, has no youki of her own. Inu-Yasha was instantly turned into a human once he got too close, while Sesshoumaru was able to ''temporarily'' resist the purification due to his sheer power but ultimately had to leave.
* ''{{Franchise/Gundam}}''
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'' has the Trial System built into the Nadleeh/Seraphim. When it's switched on, every mobile suit connected to Veda shuts down while it's active. It doesn't sound so bad but when you realize that in Season 2, Veda was controlled by the BigBad who used it with every single mobile suit he and his underlings built. That could easily become a StoryBreakerPower. On the other hand, said bad guy's control of Veda meant that he could forcibly disengage the Trial System remotely. So naturally, it's rarely used until the series finale where it simultaneously puts every single {{mook}} out of commission as soon as the BigBad no longer has access to Veda.
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamTheWitchFromMercury'' features Antidote, a jamming field employed by Grassley-manufactured mobile suits to shut down the [[BrainComputerInterface GUND-Format]] which gives Ad Stella Gundams their edge over other suits. While devastating during the attack on Folkvanger during the series's prologue episode it's later revealed that a Gundam pilot can brute force their way past the jamming by drawing on higher [[{{Synchronization}} Permet Scores]], albeit to levels usually harmful to the pilot.

** Standing water paralyzes Devil Fruit users and prevents them from actively using their powers, but it doesn't ''necessarily'' negate their powers. This becomes important when Luffy is trapped underwater; his neck can still [[RubberMan be stretched]] to reach the surface for air if it is pulled by someone else.

* In ''[[Literature/TheShipWho The Ship Who Won]]'', the titular ship Carialle eventually figured out how to prevent magic from being worked. [[spoiler:This was MagicFromTechnology, and the spells were made using microwave transmissions. After identifying the individual frequencies used, Carialle could jam them.]] The mages could still use their magic at least once.

%%%%* ''Literature/TheShapeshifter'' has one of these with a built in ExplosiveLeash [[spoiler:implanted in the back of the [=COLAs'=] skulls.]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea}}'':

* ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}'' has the Overseers, who wield special music boxes that prevents Corvo from using his powers. However, that does not stop him from blowing their brains out with a pistol.
** In ''VideoGame/Dishonored2'', the music boxes only get a brief mention [[spoiler:when the Overseers of Dunwall mobilized ''en masse'' to depose Empress Delilah, who as a witch is an affront to their religion.]] As above, they're useless against Delilah's new MechaMooks.
*** In the same game is the "Crack in the Slab" mission. Aramis Stilton's manor is ''so'' filled with Void energies that Emily/Corvo's Void powers are useless there. Instead, the Outsider gives them a device called the Timepiece, which allows them to travel between the present and a fateful day in the past.

** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' You can make your own power nullifier by enchanting an item with the [[StatusEffects 'silence']] effect, the trick is getting an enemy to wear it...
* A non-mobile variant in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV''. After years of research (aided by [[spoiler:[[BigBad Ardyn Izunia]] and [[MadScientist Verstael Besithia]]]], the Niflheim Empire managed to develop Wavebreaker, an AreaOfEffect radio station that outputs frequencies along specific wavelengths to neutralise [[SpontaneousWeaponCreation Lucian weaponry]], warping, and elemental magic within its radius. It is stated to have been used during the siege of Insomnia, where it was able to weaken Lucis' barrier, as well as its [[LivingStatue immortal guardians]]. Noctis and his friends encounter one in [[spoiler:[[ThatOneLevel Zegnautus Keep]], leaving them mostly helpless as the party's weapons cannot be summoned.]] Luckily, Noctis happens to be carrying the [[LastDiscMagic Ring of the Lucii]], which happens to be immune to Wavebreaker, and he later finds [[CoolSword King Regis' sword]], with [[spoiler:[[TearJerker Ravus' body near it]]]].
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXVI'' has fetters, manacles that keep any Bearer from casting magic. They're strong enough to even keep Dominants in check so they can't turn from human into an [[OneWingedAngel Eikon]].
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'':

* In ''VideoGame/GuildWars'' Mesmers can drain an enemies energy, interrupt spells that are being cast and even entirely disable spells from being used for a time.

* In ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam'', Antasma has the unique ability to separate Dreamy Luigi from Mario and imprison him within one of his Antasmunchies. This lowers Mario's stats and leaves him with only his basic jump attack, so freeing Luigi ASAP is in one's best interest, though locating him isn't always an easy task...

** The Damping tech power in the first game acts as a nullified against all of an opponent's biotic and tech abilities for up to a minute. This usually leaves them vulnerable and defenseless, especially biotics, who can lock you down with Throws otherwise.
** In the third game's multiplayer sections as well as a combat simulator arena in the Citadel DLC, we have the Seeker Plague deployed by the Collectors. This seeker plague similarly renders you unable to use any of your biotic, tech or even combat and defensive powers till you or a squadmate shoots them off you. What is notable is that the Seeker Plague is actually a heavily ''nerfed'' version of the Seeker Swarm from the second game. That Seeker Swarm paralyzed you in stasis for a long time.

* In ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'':

* ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}:''
** In ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'', [[GadgeteerGenius Jeff's]] Counter-PSI unit prevents an enemy from using any [[PsychicPowers PSI]] power for the remainder of the battle. His Neutralizer machine, when used in battle, nullifies all {{Status Buff}}s and nerfs (on both allies and enemies), while his Shield Killer machine nullifies an enemy's shield for the rest of the battle.
** The PSI power "PSI Block" of ''VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' prevents the target from using any of their PsychicPowers for the remainder of the battle.

[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* ''VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial'':
** In ''Tokimeki Memorial 2'', when Sou-Banchou, the leader of Hibikino Town's {{Delinquents}}, turns into his [[TurnsRed Giant Form]], he gains the "Chou-Gankiri" (Super Insight) ability, which nullifies your [[LimitBreak Sports Club Hi-Ougi]] should you have one.
** In ''Tokimeki Memorial 4'', the Skill "Heart Unlocking Technique" / "Kokoro no Kaijoujutsu" negates the girls' negative Skills, such as Satsuki's [[WellExcuseMePrincess "Noble" / "Kouki"]], and Tsugumi's [[{{Tsundere}} "Tsun"]] Skills.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
** Disruptions in ElementalPowers of the series' Benders occur during temporary meteorological events. [[PlayingWithFire Firebenders]] and [[MakingASplash Waterbenders]] draw their power from the sun and moon, respectively. When solar or lunar eclipse occurs, the affiliated Benders lose their powers for its duration. It's also possible to stop Waterbending for good by destroying the moon through its [[NatureSpirit totemic spirit]] (which, while easier than it sounds in this setting, is not a good idea, as it will enrage the moon's partner, the ''[[MakingASplash Ocean]]'').
** In the series finale "Sozin's Comet", [[spoiler: Aang ''permanently'' does this to Ozai, using energy-bending he learned from a giant Lion Turtle.]]
** BadassNormal martial artist Ty Lee has learned to [[TheParalyzer disable]] the ElementalPowers of Benders by striking {{Pressure Point}}s to block the flow of ''chi'' (resulting in considerable pain for some of her victims). In SequelSeries ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', Ty Lee's ''chi''-blocking technique is employed by [[AntiMagicalFaction Anti-Bending Faction]], the Equalists. TheLeader of the Equalists, Amon, [[spoiler:claims to be able to permanently remove bending, with the implication he uses the same technique Aang used. In actuality, he's using a form of Bloodbending.]]
* On ''WesternAnimation/BuzzLightyearOfStarCommand'', Zurg manages to turn off Mira's powers by setting her in a box that disrupts her concentration whenever she tries to use her powers. Since concentration is required, well....

* In the animated version of ''[[WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperHeroes2006 Legion Of Super Heroes]]'' this was Nemesis Kid's power.

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'', inhibitor collars are often placed on criminals with powers, in order to nullify those powers. Sometimes these collars are voluntarily worn by people who fear PowerIncontinence. These collars are made to nullify specific powers, ie. if you are given a collar that is made to nullify flight and super strength, it won't inhibit psychic abiilties.

** It later appears in "Slumbering with the Enemy". Mojo Jojo threw it at the title superheroes in said episode to reduce them to normal little girls, though this [[SnapBack obviously doesn't affect subsequent episodes, since the Girls themselves inexplicably get their powers back for the next episode]].

* In ''[[Literature/TheShipWho The Ship Who Won]]'', the ship figured out how to prevent magic from working. [[spoiler:This was MagicFromTechnology, and the spells were made using microwave transmissions.]] The mages could still use their magic at least once.

* In the animated version of ''WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperHeroes'' this was Nemesis Kid's power.

* In ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'', Leech's power extends to more than shutting down powers: it can shut down ''anything.'' When he used it to its fullest, a good chunk of the city lost power. Like movie Leech, he can also undo physical mutations, such as Spyke's permanent bone-armor vanishing, restoring his Season 1 appearance until the effect ended.
* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'', inhibitor collars are often placed on criminals with powers, in order to nullify those powers. Sometimes these collars are volunttarily worn by people who fear PowerIncontinence. These collars are made to nullify specific powers, ie. if you are given a collar that is made to nullify flight and super strength, it won't inhibit psychic abiilties.