History Main / PowerUpgradingDeformation

* In ''Manga/BlackClover'', Dante's Body Magic lets him regenerate even his entire torso, but it has his flesh grotesquely reform himself into a powerful muscled giant. Dante himself states that he'd rather not use it because he hates how ugly it is when he regenerates or transforms.

* In ''Manga/{{Claymore}},'' this is how the titular {{Super Soldier}}s are made, grafting in a piece of demon flesh to give them some of its powers, but they eventually succumb to TheCorruption, if they don't give in to their SuperpoweredEvilSide.

* Similarly to the ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' example in Visual Novels below, Lancer of Black in ''Literature/FateApocrypha'', who is UsefulNotes/VladTheImpaler, has the ability to tap into [[{{Dracula}} the legends surrounding him]] to transform into a vampire. In this form, he has an '''immense''' amount of raw power (the strength of a Servant in this series is greatly influenced by their fame, and Dracula's legend [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade has far outgrown the fame of the man he was inspired by]]), but he also turns into something inhuman in both body [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity and mind]]. Vlad himself '''absolutely hates''' this ability and refuses to use it, as he believes these legends tarnish his true legacy.

* The Zoanoids in ''Manga/{{Guyver}}'' are basically mutated humans whose new (revolting) forms are always tailored to give them a specific strength or super attack. [[MonsterLord Zoalords]] are however higher on the BishonenLine and look far less ugly than their underlings. This seems to be at least partly design philosophy rather than anything inherent to the process. Later developments give us the relatively more human-looking Bio-Freezer, Libertus and Griselda zoanoid forms.

** In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademiaVigilantes'', the Villain Factory kidnaps people and performs numerous surgeries that mutate them and make their Quirks permanently active. They're powered up as a result, but can't ever return to their previous human appearance.

* The Tavoo/Taboo race in ''Manga/{{Psyren}}'' all have a core known as an Illuminus, which heightens their psionic abilities, but often disfigures them to the point of not even looking human anymore, usually taking on an [[BeeAfraid insectoid]] appearance instead. The few exceptions are the high-ranking W.I.S.E. members, [[DoubleStandard and several others such as Tatsuo and Alfred]].
* Similar to the ''Claymore'' example, if the [[spoiler:Magical Girls]] of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' fall into DespairEventHorizon, they will turn into [[spoiler:[[EldritchAbomination Witches]]]]. This is actually a {{subver|tedTrope}}sion, since [[spoiler:Witches]] lose their sanity and acts purely on instinct, making them less effective in actual combat.

* Following ''ComicBook/TheDeathOfSuperman'', Franchise/{{Superman}} is given a massive power boost when the Eradicator's HeroicSacrifice restores his powers. However, doing so caused him to caused his body to start bulking up and lose control of his strength. He fixed this by having the Parasite drain away the excess power, but doing this turned him from a normal humanoid with a purple body to a leech-like creature.
* The Thing of the ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'' is perhaps one of Creator/MarvelComics' most iconic examples. After passing through a cloud of cosmic radiation he grew a [[SuperToughness super tough rock-like hide]] and SuperStrength to match. The downside is that unlike Reed, Sue and Johnny he ''can't'' turn his powers on and off, and is always the same huge frightening rock monster; an issue which has caused him no end of grief and in [[ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour some continuities]] even suicide attempts.
* In ''Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk'', Dr. Banner transforms into a giant green rage monster and has SuperStrength.
* In the ComicBook/New52 [[ComicBook/AnimalMan2011 reboot]] of ''ComicBook/AnimalMan'', Buddy Baker now actually physically changes shape when he uses animal powers. The transformations are NOT pretty.
* In ''ComicBook/TheNewUniverse'' in general and ''Comicbook/{{DP7}}'' in particular, [[MassSuperEmpoweringEvent the White Event]] makes people suddenly have power-related mutations, many of which are like this. Moreso minor characters than the main ones, which [[CursedWithAwesome for all their complaints are really not that bad]].
* ''ComicBook/UltimateMarvel'':
** ''ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour'': Reed Richards, in his identity as The Maker, [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11/114265/2282692-urr__3_.jpg distorted his skull]] into an odd shape to better reconfigure his neural structure. Similarly, Rhona Burchill, the Ultimate version of The Mad Thinker, has a deformed skull from transplanting extra brain matter [[spoiler:from her brother]] into it.
** ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen2001'': While taking the drug Banshee, Angel manifests a more avian physiology, becoming a humanoid eagle creature.

* In ''Fanfic/{{Origins}}'', a ''Franchise/MassEffect''/''Franchise/StarWars''[[spoiler:/''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}''/''Franchise/{{Halo}}'']] MassiveMultiplayerCrossover, this is discussed by an ex-Cerberus Phantom. The cybernetics process turns skin blue, leaves hardware sticking out, blood tends to seep out and cake in places, etc. In exchange, her weak biotics are massively enhanced (the Systems Alliance believed making such minimal talents military-grade to be excessively risky). Implied to apply to all Cerberus troops to some extent, as her engineer friend is just as ugly as she is.

* In ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'', the disciples of [[EldritchAbomination Dormammu]] (such as Kaecilius) tap into the power of the Dark Dimension, at the cost of having their skin around the eyes to decay and turn purple. Strange is quick to note to Kaecilius that Dormammu's "blessing" seems like a crapshoot.

* A variation in ''Film/OzTheGreatAndPowerful''. While Theodora is already a witch, she doesn't really use her powers much, especially the destructive ones. It's not until her scheming sister Evanora convinces her to eat an apple that would take away her ability to love that Theodora turns into the Wicked Witch of the West we all know. The transformation also turns her skin green and gives her a pointy nose.
* In ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'', Davy Jones and his crew are immortal, but have spent so long neglecting their job of {{Psychopomp}} for the dead at sea that they've become [[HalfHumanHybrid half-morphed into sea creatures]]. On the plus side, they're now fully amphibious. It's not clear if their ability to walk through walls/teleport from ship to ship is part of their curse, but it's a great plus either way. By the fifth movie, Will has likewise begun to turn into a sea creature. [[spoiler:His son and Barbossa's daughter manage to break the curse, and Will returns to Elizabeth.]]
* In the live-action ''Film/StreetFighter'' movie, the project behind creating Blanka is basically an attempt at creating mutant {{Super Soldier}}s and brainwashing them.

* In ''Literature/TheElricSaga'', human soldiers pledging allegiance to Chaos gradually turn into monstrosities who are part-man, part animal. This makes them harder fighters but at the expense of human intellect and intelligence.
** Creator/MichaelMoorcock returns to this theme in the ''[[Literature/TheHistoryOfTheRunestaff Hawkmoon]]'' books, where the elite legions of [=GranBretan=] are human in form but wear realistic beast-masks according to their animal totem. And behave accordingly. Here, the degradation is more symbolic and internalized. And just as terrible.
* In ''Literature/AMacabreMythOfAMothMan'', both the titular Moth-man and Ozzy were horrifically mutated (they both used to be normal guys), but also became much more powerful as a result.

* In ''Series/Runaways2017'', as seen in ''Film/{{Doctor Strange|2016}}'', tapping into the power of the Dark Dimension causes the skin around the wielder's eyes to blister and decay. Nico Minoru accidentally finds this out the hard way, without realizing what she is doing.

* In Myth/CelticMythology, Cúchulainn's ríastrad (battle frenzy, sometimes translated as "warp spasm") makes him extremely strong but also transforms him into a hideous monster. The ''Táin Bó Cúailnge'' spends '''four paragraphs''' describing his transformed appearance in elaborate detail.

* For a LighterAndSofter version, the Child of the Sun in ''TabletopGame/ChuubosMarvelousWishGrantingEngine'' can gain skills and minor powers by sprouting additional tendril-limbs. These powers tend to be based on the hopes and dreams of other player characters.
* Several examples in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. The one most easily available to players is probably the race of shifters and saurian shifters, who can a few times per day become more animalistic, improving their stats in addition to another bonus such as a bite attack or a swim speed.
* Infernals in ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'' have access to the Malfeas charms "By Rage Recast" and "Devil-Tyrant Avatar Shintai". When the Infernal's anima banner flares, Rage Recast means they manifest a selection of mutations from a library it grants them -- because after the first couple of rounds you really want the guy running on radiation and crazy to gain an extra two feet of height and sprout batlike wings. The [[OneWingedAngel Shintai]] is even more extreme, manifesting the entire library at once - which, at high Essence, can provide a great many fangs, tentacles and horns.

* Bio-Borgs in ''TabletopGame/{{Rifts}}''. Through the rather horrible magical art known as Bio-Wizardry, the [[EldritchAbomination Splugorth]] can transform mortal beings with a number of magical augmentations to turn them into living weapons. They get their name because they're basically an organic version of a mechanically enhanced cyborg. Most of them are of the BodyHorror variety, though a lot of them can be hidden with some effort, and some are completely internal. But since this augmentation is normally performed on slaves, the Splugorth don't really care what the result looks like, and the slave doesn't get any say in the matter.

* In ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade'', a Gangrel's animal features can be this, [[DependingOnTheWriter depending on the Storyteller]]. For example, permanent claws might be practical for a variety of reasons, but big ones don't exactly look that great on humans. Antlers could also be used as a defense, but try hiding those.
* Just about every Chaos mutation in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' and ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', since these mutations include things like CombatTentacles, pincers, extra mouths, cancerous growths...
** In 40K, most augmetics (metal replacement parts, ranging from bionic eyes to replacement arms to [[ComicBook/SpiderMan Doctor Octopus]]-[[SpiderLimbs style dendrites]]) are rather crude and ugly (ork versions are even worse). The Adeptus Mechanicus see the replacement of flesh with metal as the ultimate way to better themselves, so naturally they get the worst reactions from normal humans.
** Even becoming a Space Marine, the de facto "heroes" of the 40K universe, involves some pretty gruesome procedures, like the addition of extra organs, genetic modifications that lead to superhuman size and musculature, metallic/ceramic replacements for your skeleton, and an implanted "second skin" that interfaces with your PoweredArmor. Worse still, many of these upgrades are based on non-renewable implants that have to be harvested from dead Space Marines so they can be passed on to new recruits!

* The Transmetals of the ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'' toyline gain organic aspects in their robot modes (e.g. [[TheCaptain Optimus Primal]] and [[KidHero Cheetor]] sport fur on their chests) and mechanical aspects in their beast modes. They're much more powerful than regular Maximals and Predacons as a result, and even gain a tertiary "transport" mode that allows them to travel faster (e.g. [[BigBad Megatron]] gains hoverjets, allowing him to fly in his T-rex mode, while Rattrap can fold up his legs in rat mode, turning him into an approximation of a hot rod racer).
** The Transmetal 2 upgrade is even closer to this trope, as exemplified by Cheetor's Transmetal 2 form being hunched over with visible engines on his back. Megatron's upgrade into a dragon form makes him much more powerful, but he loses his right arm (replaced with the dragon's head).
* In the fifth story line of ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'', the Toa Metru are captured and injected with [[TheCorruption Hordika venom]], which turns them into [[BeastMan half-animals]]. {{Downplayed|Trope}} in that while greatly increasing their physical strength, it also degrades their elemental abilities to some extent. The real downside, however, is they can't use any masks of power.

* The basis for Splicers in the first two ''VideoGame/BioShock'' games. Specifically, they were users of a [[LEGOGenetics gene-modifying substance]] called ADAM, and along with the many cosmetic uses that it can be applied to, specially-prepared batches can give the user superpowers in the form of plasmids; unfortunately, abuse of the substance has resulted in [[PsychoSerum addiction, disfiguration, and insanity]]. The main characters can also suffer a few of the tamer side-effects when they have plasmids equipped: [[PlayingWithFire Incinerate!]] clearly burns the wielder's hand; [[AnIcePerson Winter Blast]] causes icicles to grow through the user's flesh (complete with blood); finally, [[BeeBeeGun Insect Swarm]] results in a mixture of nasty-looking stings across the hand (in Jack's case) or a honeycomb forming out of the palm (in Delta's case).

* In ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'', one of [[TheBerserker Krieg's]] ultimate abilities is "Release the Beast", in which if he activates his action skill when at 1/3 of his health, he transforms into a [[GiantMook Badass Psycho]]: His torso and right arm grow in size while his left arm shrivels up into a tiny stump. During this state, his melee damage and damage resistance are massively increased.
* Mutating in ''VideoGame/{{Cataclysm}}'' carries this as a downside. Each mutation has a visibility and ugliness rating, and visibly mutated players may have a harder time talking with other survivors.
* Dr. N. Brio's appearances in the ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'' series usually involve him drinking [[PsychoSerum mutagen]] and turning into a [[HulkMashUp hulking green monster]] (though by the time of ''Crash: Mind Over Mutant'', it seems like he needs the mutagen to ''keep'' from transforming). [[spoiler:At the end of ''Mind Over Mutant'', Dr. Cortex samples the mutagen himself, with similar results.]]
* This comes up in ''VideoGame/DeusEx''; some cyborgs dislike the protagonist because they had to sacrifice their ability to look normal (thanks to the fairly obvious nature of their implants) while the protagonist's nanomachine based augments have barely any cosmetic effects (not to mention rendered them obsolete).

* In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'':

** Backstory and supplementary material of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'' mentioned that Nero obtained his Devil Bringer arm from a shoulder injury that transformed his arm into hard, demonic flesh, but it came along with the benefits of a PowerFist (mostly SuperStrength). This gets inverted by the end of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5''; [[spoiler:Nero regains his Devil Bringer arm and most powers stored within it after the old one was torn off by Vergil, but the new arm manages to match itself with his "human" appearance, and only becomes demonic flesh when he's in Devil Trigger form]].
* In ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'', everyone infected by the demon virus has access to demon form, which is stronger than human form. Said demon form ranges from looking vaguely humanoid (most of the main characters), to slimes, to animalistic, to the [[EldritchAbomination worst looking of]] ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' [[EldritchAbomination demons]].
* Consuming the magical monster meals you cook in ''VideoGame/DungeonMunchies'' grants you incredible powers and useful buffs... at the cost of horribly mutating your zombie player character, giving him fish tails, giant insect wings, or a grotesquely muscular arm. (Yes, singular.) Your necromancer/boss Simmer also gives you "employee benefits" in the form of "Forced Surgery," attaching an extra pair of feet to your own, extra arms around your waist for climbing, or a new posterior with a compressed air tank built in.
* Becoming a ghoul in the ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' universe. The main perks are immortality and [[RadiationImmuneMutants radiation immunity]], at the cost of [[TechnicallyLivingZombie looking like a rotting corpse]] due to radiation exposure. Though the upgrade only applies for the lucky ghouls that retain their memories and sentience.

** Veran of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle of Ages]]'' has three OneWingedAngel forms ''beyond'' her true form as an evil fairy, but as they are rather grotesque -- being [[BigCreepyCrawlies giant insects with her face]] -- she's loath to use them until backed into a corner.
* In ''[[VideoGame/NexusWar Nexus Clash]]'', handing out power-granting deformations is the life mission of the Evil Elder Power [[BodyHorror Tholaghru]], when he/she/it isn't doing it to the landscape itself. The [[FlunkyBoss Wyrm Master]] gets it the worst, but anyone who pledges to Tholaghru gets a deformed abomination growing inside of them which hatches from their corpse if they die.
* A number of human enemies from the ''Monster Girl Quest'' series experiment on themselves (or on others) to gain the same attacking capabilities as monsters, by infusing their bodies with monster DNA to sprout CombatTentacles.
* {{Downplayed|Trope}} in ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', where ThePowerOfFriendship allows some [[EvolutionPowerUp fully-evolved]] Pokémon to undergo a further transformation called "Mega Evolution". Unlike regular Evolution, Mega Evolution usually results in a Pokémon that's still recognizable as its original species, but with parts of its body becoming bulky and overgrown (and occasionally a ShapeshifterMashup of previous forms). This reflects the nature of the process as a temporary SuperMode rather than [[EvolutionPowerUp a normal stage in their lifecycle]]. Some Pokémon become this when you apply FridgeLogic. For example, the mushroom parasite covering Paras completely takes over it when it evolves. It's even portrayed in the sprite art as having pupil-less zombie eyes.
* {{Deconstructed|Trope}} in ''VideoGame/ReadOnlyMemories''. Jess, a cancer patient, was able to recover from her condition via experimental gene therapy. Unfortunately, the genes in question were mostly derived from insects, causing her appearance to become bug-like and frightening, to the point where she lost her job. Fortunately, later therapies replaced the insect genes with cat genes, allowing her a much less horrifying visage. However, she is still traumatized and bitter over how quickly her life fell apart while she was a half-insect hybrid.

** The J'avo from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil6'' look almost entirely human, save for having [[EyesDoNotBelongThere a few extra eyes where eyes should not be]], but have a nasty habit of sprouting big nasty insect-like body parts to replace their existing body parts if injured. Some even seem to be able to spontaneously trigger the mutation.

** Manuela Hidalgo from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheDarksideChronicles'' also {{avert|edTrope}}s this -- despite being infected with the T-Virus, [[MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter she still looks beautiful]]. The only drawback is that [[MyBloodRunsHot Manuela's blood burns when exposed to oxygen]], but she can also FeelNoPain to compensate.

* In the main ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series, human-demon fusion is quite likely to leave you like this, in ''IV'', some of the poor bastards who chose to become Demonoids were hit with ''Fusion Errors''. If you're not careful with Reds, in the same game, you will end up as a shambling undead. Or worse. Technically speaking, [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne the Demi-Fiend]] is also an example, as the parasite warped his body into that of a demon, even if he still closely resembles his human form, the horn he got was noted by WordOfGod to be a primitive sensory organ that grants him much of his demonic power, and the {{Power Tattoo}}s are actually lines of demonic lymph coursing through his body.
* The monsters of ''VideoGame/SoulSacrifice'' suffer this regularly. From tragic figures, unfortunate victims, to monsters from the get-go, there is no shortage of humans that are transformed into horrific, gut-churning, nightmare-inducing monsters, just enough human traits left for you to know what they once were. The sorcerers who exterminate them for a living are not spared, either, as their right arms can gradually grow more corrupted and inhuman because of the magic they use, and this is not even going into the Black Rites which totally sacrifice a body part like their ''skin'' for great power.
* In many ''Franchise/StarWars'' games, descending deeper and deeper into the Dark Side often results in the player character's skin becoming pale and fallow, with visible dark veins. In ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', a Sith player character can encounter a member of the Dark Council (the leaders of the Sith Empire) and observe that she's actually very attractive, especially for someone so powerful in the Dark Side (for comparison's sake, several Sith rely on illusions to make themselves look better than they really do). She jokingly responds that if she could only teach others her secret, it would make an excellent recruiting tool (since many Force users point out the deformation as a reason they don't want to dabble in the Dark Side).

* Short-lived ''Webcomic/SidekickGirl'' villain Dr. Wright was obsessed with making everyone right-handed. He ''tried'' to do this trope by injecting his right arm with a SuperSerum... promptly screwing up his center of mass enough that he couldn't stand and ultimately requiring the limb be amputated.
* In ''Webcomic/{{Sidekicks}}'', some supublics suffer from deformations when their superpower manifest, due to their genetics (and other factors).

* The splicers in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' used genetic engineering to become {{Half Human Hybrid}}s, which generally while animalistic weren't ugly. When their boss fights Terry, he doses himself with a bunch of different serums and goes OneWingedAngel, becoming a huge, powerful, agile creature that retains his human intelligence. Terry manages to defeat him by giving him ''more'' doses of random drugs, pushing him into ClippedWingAngel territory, as he becomes more dangerous but also less stable.

* Every ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' cartoon had the MutagenicGoo which made them more human-like, while also mutating humans into uglier mutants. Quite notable ones include Baxter Stockman (who was transformed into a fly-man) and the 2012 incarnation of the Super Shredder, which discarded the usual "giant Shredder with larger spikes" for "mutated humanoid that almost looks like [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Doomsday]]".

** ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'': While taking the drug Banshee, Angel manifests a more avian physiology, becoming a humanoid eagle creature.

** In 40K, most augmetics (metal replacement parts, ranging from bionic eyes to replacement arms to [[Franchise/SpiderMan Doctor Octopus]]-[[SpiderLimbs style dendrites]]) are rather crude and ugly (ork versions are even worse). The Adeptus Mechanicus see the replacement of flesh with metal as the ultimate way to better themselves, so naturally they get the worst reactions from normal humans.

** It could be argued that Ganon going from a Gerudo man to a blue boar between ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'' was the result of this, but the real flip came in the time before ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' when Ganon stopped being a biological organism and turned into a wave of destruction across Hyrule known as "the Calamity Ganon".

* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' runs on this. The boss will inevitably be a normal human who becomes a grotesque abomination mere minutes before the battle starts. Often happens more than once per game.
** The various Tyrant-type monsters will undergo mutations to gain muscle mass, new appendages, or grow in size either spontaneously or in response to serious injury. The result makes them a hell of a lot stronger and harder to kill, but it also makes them much more unpredictable and harder to control. To combat this Umbrella tends to fit them with large overcoats designed to prevent and limit these mutations, and it is ''not'' pretty if those coats get destroyed or burned off. [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 T-00/Mr. X]] sprouts a pretty nasty set of claws and suddenly starts [[LightningBruiser moving a hell of a lot faster]], while [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis Nemesis]] sprouts CombatTentacles and the ability to take a lot more punishment.

** Averted with Jill and Sherry, who were infected with T-Virus and C-Virus respectively but thanks to some BioAugmentation they developed antibodies to their infection and remained human, Jill even got superhuman powers and Sherry a HealingFactor.
** Manuela Hidalgo from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheDarkSideChronicles'' also {{avert|edTrope}}s this -- despite being infected with the T-Virus [[MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter she still looks beautiful]]. The only drawback is that Manuela’s blood burns when exposed to oxygen, but she can also FeelNoPain to compensate.
** Also initially {{averted|Trope}} with BigBad Wesker, whose [[SuperSerum prototype virus]] which activated after his death only gave him [[RedEyesTakeWarning red]] [[AnimalEyes cat-like eyes]] but otherwise didn't alter his appearance. However, ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' reveals he needs a frequent and precise dose of the virus running through his body to keep him human-looking. Played straight in the FinalBattle where Wesker absorbs Ouroboros and becomes monstrous.

* In ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'', everyone infected by the demon virus has access to demon form, which is stronger than human form. Said demon form ranges from looking vaguely humanoid (most of the main characters), to slimes, to animalistic, to the [[EldritchAbomination worst looking of]] ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' [[EldritchAbomination demons]].* Consuming the magical monster meals you cook in ''VideoGame/DungeonMunchies'' grants you incredible powers and useful buffs... at the cost of horribly mutating your zombie player character, giving him fish tails, giant insect wings, or a grotesquely muscular arm. (Yes, singular.) Your necromancer/boss Simmer also gives you "employee benefits" in the form of "Forced Surgery," attaching an extra pair of feet to your own, extra arms around your waist for climbing, or a new posterior with a compressed air tank built in.

* Played with in ''Manga/DragonHalf''. Mink is told that if she undergoes a second shedding, she'll become incredibly powerful, but a hideous monster will appear. Fearing that this means that she will turn into a monster, she tries to avoid a second shedding. Finally in the climax she is forced to undergo the second shedding to become strong enough to defeat Azatodeth, and the monster appears [[spoiler:as a birthmark on her butt]].
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'':
** [[spoiler:Envy]] does this a lot, and the results are ''horrifying''. They can become a [[spoiler:giant, eight-legged, reptile with masses of pulsating human bodies fused into their skin]]. They become much more powerful in this form, and [[spoiler:Envy]] themself has remarked that they can't exactly pull any punches that way. However, they use it only when someone pisses them off, as it turns out it's actually [[spoiler:their true form, and they hate it]].
** Greed[[spoiler:/Ling]] also has this to a lesser extent with his Ultimate Shield, however, he rarely covers the entirety of his body since it replaces his normally attractive face with a much more monstrous, fanged one.
* The Zoanoids in ''Manga/{{Guyver}}'' are basically mutated humans whose new (revolting) forms are always tailored to give them a specific strength or super attack. [[MonsterLord Zoalords]] are however higher on the BishonenLine and look far less ugly than their underlings. This seems to be at least partly design philosophy rather than anything inherent to the process. Later developments give us the relatively more human-looking Bio-Freezer, Libertus and Griselda zoanoid forms.

* The Tavoo/Taboo race in ''Manga/{{Psyren}}'' all have a core known as an Illuminus, which heightens their psionic abilities, but often disfigures them to the point of not even looking human anymore, usually taking on an [[BeeAfraid insectoid]] appearance instead. The few exceptions are the high-ranking W.I.S.E. members, [[DoubleStandard and several others such as Tatsuo and Alfred]].

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'':
** The Nomu are ordinary people who have been forcibly modified through an unknown procedure and had numerous Quirks implanted in them. The result is a monstrous being with no free will, an exposed brain, eyes implanted in that brain, and beak-like mouths.
** Villain Muscular takes HulkingOut to its grotesque logical conclusion. Instead of growing thicker muscles under the skin, he gains full control of his musculature, stretching or spawning extra layers and using long fibers like tendrils. He can even encase himself in a writhing mass of muscle for defense.
** In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademiaVigilantes'', the Villain Factory kidnaps people and performs numerous surgeries that mutate them and make their Quirks permanently active. They're powered up as a result, but can't ever return to their previous human appearance.
* ''Manga/MusukoGaKawaikuteShikataganaiMazokuNoHahaoya'': Demons have the ability to "demonize" or "demonify", which transforms parts of their body and increases their power. The process varies slightly from demon to demon, but generally involves arms and legs becoming much more scaly and reptilian-looking in nature. One way to gauge a demon's power is by how much of their body they can demonize at once. Main character Lorem is able to change her entire body.
* Similarly to the ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' example in Visual Novels below, Lancer of Black in ''Literature/FateApocrypha'', who is UsefulNotes/VladTheImpaler, has the ability to tap into [[{{Dracula}} the legends surrounding him]] to transform into a vampire. In this form, he has an '''immense''' amount of raw power (the strength of a Servant in this series is greatly influenced by their fame, and Dracula's legend [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade has far outgrown the fame of the man he was inspired by]]), but he also turns into something inhuman in both body [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity and mind]]. Vlad himself '''absolutely hates''' this ability and refuses to use it, as he believes these legends tarnish his true legacy.

* In ''ComicBook/TheNewUniverse'' in general and ''Comicbook/{{DP7}}'' in particular, [[MassSuperEmpoweringEvent the White Event]] makes people suddenly have power-related mutations, many of which are like this. Moreso minor characters than the main ones, which [[CursedWithAwesome for all their complaints are really not that bad]].

* The Thing of the ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'' is perhaps one of Creator/MarvelComics' most iconic examples. After passing through a cloud of cosmic radiation he grew a [[SuperToughness super tough rock-like hide]] and SuperStrength to match. The downside is that unlike Reed, Sue and Johnny he ''can't'' turn his powers on and off, and is always the same huge frightening rock monster; an issue which has caused him no end of grief and in [[ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour some continuities]] even suicide attempts.
* Following ''ComicBook/TheDeathOfSuperman'', Franchise/{{Superman}} is given a massive power boost when the Eradicator's HeroicSacrifice restores his powers. However, doing so caused him to caused his body to start bulking up and lose control of his strength. He fixed this by having the Parasite drain away the excess power, but doing this turned him from a normal humanoid with a purple body to a leech-like creature.
* ComicBook/UltimateMarvel

* In ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'', Davy Jones and his crew are immortal, but have spent so long neglecting their job of {{Psychopomp}} for the dead at sea that they've become [[HalfHumanHybrid half-morphed into sea creatures]]. On the plus side, they're now fully amphibious. It's not clear if their ability to walk through walls/teleport from ship to ship is part of their curse, but it's a great plus either way. By the fifth movie, Will has likewise begun to turn into a sea creature. [[spoiler:His son and Barbossa's daughter manage to break the curse, and Will returns to Elizabeth]].

* In the live-action ''Film/StreetFighter'' movie, the project behind creating Blanka is basically an attempt at creating mutant {{Super Soldier}}s and brainwashing them.
* A variation in ''Film/OzTheGreatAndPowerful''. While Theodora is already a witch, she doesn't really use her powers much, especially the destructive ones. It's not until her scheming sister Evanora convinces her to eat an apple that would take away her ability to love that Theodora turns into the Wicked Witch of the West we all know. The transformation also turns her skin green and gives her a pointy nose.

* In ''Literature/TheElricSaga'', human soldiers pledging allegiance to Chaos gradually turn into monstrosities who are part-man, part animal. This makes them harder fighters but at the expense of human intellect and intelligence. Creator/MichaelMoorcock returns to this theme in the ''[[Literature/TheHistoryOfTheRunestaff Hawkmoon]]'' books, where the elite legions of [=GranBretan=] are human in form but wear realistic beast-masks according to their animal totem. And behave accordingly. Here, the degradation is more symbolic and internalized. And just as terrible.

* Just about every Chaos mutation in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' and ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', since these mutations include things like CombatTentacles, pincers, extra mouths, cancerous growths...
** In 40K, most augmetics (metal replacement parts, ranging from bionic eyes to replacement arms to [[Franchise/SpiderMan Doctor Octopus]]-[[SpiderLimbs style dendrites]]) are rather crude and ugly (ork versions are even worse). The Adeptus Mechanicus see the replacement of flesh with metal as the ultimate way to better themselves, so naturally they get the worst reactions from normal humans.
** Even becoming a Space Marine, the de facto "heroes" of the 40K universe, involves some pretty gruesome procedures, like the addition of extra organs, genetic modifications that lead to superhuman size and musculature, metallic/ceramic replacements for your skeleton, and an implanted "second skin" that interfaces with your PoweredArmor. Worse still, many of these upgrades are based on non-renewable implants that have to be harvested from dead Space Marines so they can be passed on to new recruits!
* Infernals in ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'' have access to the Malfeas charms "By Rage Recast" and "Devil-Tyrant Avatar Shintai". When the Infernal's anima banner flares, Rage Recast means they manifest a selection of mutations from a library it grants them -- because after the first couple of rounds you really want the guy running on radiation and crazy to gain an extra two feet of height and sprout batlike wings. The [[OneWingedAngel Shintai]] is even more extreme, manifesting the entire library at once - which, at high Essence, can provide a great many fangs, tentacles and horns.

* In TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade, a Gangrel's animal features can be this, [[DependingOnTheWriter depending on the Storyteller]]. For example, permanent claws might be practical for a variety of reasons, but big ones don't exactly look that great on humans. Antlers could also be used as a defense, but try hiding those.
* Bio-Borgs in ''{{TabletopGame/Rifts}}''. Through the rather horrible magical art known as Bio-Wizardry, the [[EldritchAbomination Splugorth]] can transform mortal beings with a number of magical augmentations to turn them into living weapons. They get their name because they're basically an organic version of a mechanically enhanced cyborg. Most of them are of the BodyHorror variety, though a lot of them can be hidden with some effort, and some are completely internal. But since this augmentation is normally performed on slaves, the Splugorth don't really care what the result looks like, and the slave doesn't get any say in the matter.

* ''TabletopGame/PrincessTheHopeful:'' This is a core part of the Darkness's stock in trade. Many [[LovecraftianSuperpower Umbrae]] have hideous deformation as the drawback, and even quite a few [[TheDarkArts Calignes]] do horrific things to their user's bodies. And of course, there are the Cataphractoi, and their [[OneWingedAngel Dark Transformation]] power, which transforms the normally human-shaped Cataphract into a hideous but extremely powerful monster.

** Whenever Dante and Vergil tap into their demon blood aka activate [[SuperMode Devil Tigger]] they turn into [[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a3/2e/ea/a32eeae70b596f607535627ba0313270.jpg armored insectoid humanoid demons]]. Dante, in particular, gets more a variety of monstrous Devil Triggers in the later titles. Even Lucia from the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry2 second game]] becomes much less attractive in her DT. Averted with Trish and to a lesser extent [[spoiler: Nero from ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' as the former just gets a BattleAura and latter whose Devil Trigger is much more handsome than his father and uncle's transformations]].

* In ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'', everyone infected by the demon virus has access to demon form, which is stronger than human form. Said demon form ranges from looking vaguely humanoid (most of the main characters), to slimes, to animalistic, to the [[EldritchAbomination worst looking of]] ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' [[EldritchAbomination demons]].
* In the main ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series, human-demon fusion is quite likely to leave you like this, in ''IV'', some of the poor bastards who chose to become Demonoids were hit with ''Fusion Errors''. If you're not careful with Reds, in the same game, you will end up as a shambling undead. Or worse. Technically speaking, [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne the Demi-Fiend]] is also an example, as the parasite warped his body into that of a demon, even if he still closely resembles his human form, the horn he got was noted by WordOfGod to be a primitive sensory organ that grants him much of his demonic power, and the {{Power Tattoo}}s are actually lines of demonic lymph coursing through his body.
* Dr. N. Brio's appearances in the ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'' series usually involve him drinking [[PsychoSerum mutagen]] and turning into a [[HulkMashUp hulking green monster]] (though by the time of ''Crash: Mind Over Mutant'', it seems like he needs the mutagen to ''keep'' from transforming). [[spoiler:At the end of ''Mind Over Mutant'', Dr. Cortex samples the mutagen himself, with similar results.]]
* ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'' has this as ''du jour'' -- nearly half the passive items upgrade Isaac at the cost of visually maiming him. For example, a coat hanger goes straight through Isaac's head, to increase the firing rate of his tears; a lead pencil [[EyeScream goes into his eye]] to make him fire a periodic burst of tears; and most Devil Room items turn Isaac's appearance ashen-skinned if not outright demonic. The sole exception is Angel Room hardware, that rarely worsen Isaac's appearance.
* In ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'', one of [[TheBerserker Krieg's]] ultimate abilities is "Release the Beast", in which if he activates his action skill when at 1/3 of his health, he transforms into a [[GiantMook Badass Psycho]]: His torso and right arm grow in size while his left arm shrivels up into a tiny stump. During this state, his melee damage and damage resistance are massively increased.

* {{Downplayed|Trope}} in ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', where ThePowerOfFriendship allows some [[EvolutionPowerUp fully-evolved]] Pokémon to undergo a further transformation called "Mega Evolution". Unlike regular Evolution, Mega Evolution usually results in a Pokémon that's still recognizable as its original species, but with parts of its body becoming bulky and overgrown (and occasionally a ShapeshifterMashup of previous forms). This reflects the nature of the process as a temporary SuperMode rather than [[EvolutionPowerUp a normal stage in their lifecycle]]. Some Pokémon become this when you apply FridgeLogic. For example, the mushroom parasite covering Paras completely takes over it when it evolves. It's even portrayed in the sprite art as having pupil-less zombie eyes.
* A number of human enemies from the ''Monster Girl Quest'' series experiment on themselves (or on others) to gain the same attacking capabilities as monsters, by infusing their bodies with monster DNA to sprout CombatTentacles.
* Veran of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle of Ages]]'' has three OneWingedAngel forms ''beyond'' her true form as an evil fairy, but as they are rather grotesque -- being [[BigCreepyCrawlies giant insects with her face]] -- she's loath to use them until backed into a corner.
* In ''[[VideoGame/NexusWar Nexus Clash]]'', handing out power-granting deformations is the life mission of the Evil Elder Power [[BodyHorror Tholaghru]], when he/she/it isn't doing it to the landscape itself. The [[FlunkyBoss Wyrm Master]] gets it the worst, but anyone who pledges to Tholaghru gets a deformed abomination growing inside of them which hatches from their corpse if they die.
* Consuming the magical monster meals you cook in ''VideoGame/DungeonMunchies'' grants you incredible powers and useful buffs... at the cost of horribly mutating your zombie player character, giving him fish tails, giant insect wings, or a grotesquely muscular arm. (Yes, singular.) Your necromancer/boss Simmer also gives you "employee benefits" in the form of "Forced Surgery," attaching an extra pair of feet to your own, extra arms around your waist for climbing, or a new posterior with a compressed air tank built in.
* It could be argued that Ganon going from a Gerudo man to a blue boar between ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'' was the result of this but the real flip came in the time before ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' when Ganon stopped being a biological organism and turned into a wave of destruction across Hyrule known as "the Calamity Ganon".
* Becoming a ghoul in the ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' universe. The main perks are immortality and [[RadiationImmuneMutants radiation immunity]], at the cost of [[TechnicallyLivingZombie looking like a rotting corpse]] due to radiation exposure. Though the upgrade only applies for the lucky ghouls that retain their memories and sentience.

* Short-lived ''Webcomic/SidekickGirl'' villain Dr. Wright was obsessed with making everyone right-handed. He ''tried'' to do this trope by injecting his right arm with a SuperSerum... promptly screwing up his center of mass enough that he couldn't stand and ultimately requiring the limb be amputated.
* ''Webcomic/EmpireHunt'': Charks are a special alchemic implant that allow a person to transform into a fantasy creature based on their imagination. Not only is their physical form fully-functional, their stats scale based on their new forms. The downside is that their original forms develop permanent rotten blisters across their entire bodies that make them look like Deadpool at best. Most chark users consider this to be WorthIt - unless, of course, they're forced to take a Chark and then die as an ugly hulking monster for some noble's blood sports.

* The splicers in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' used genetic engineering to become {{Half Human Hybrid}}s, which generally while animalistic weren't ugly. When their boss fights Terry, he doses himself with a bunch of different serums and goes OneWingedAngel, becoming a huge, powerful, agile creature that retains his human intelligence. Terry manages to defeat him by giving him ''more'' doses of random drugs, pushing him into ClippedWingAngel territory, as he becomes more dangerous but also less stable.
* ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad'' sees a Neosapien who contracted [[BodyHorror Automutation Syndrome]] become a shapeshifter who disguises himself as a prisoner to attack Exofleet.

** The {{Transmetal2}} upgrade is even closer to this trope, as exemplified by Cheetor's {{Transmetal2}} form being hunched over with visible engines on his back. Megatron's upgrade into a dragon form makes him much more powerful, but he loses his right arm (replaced with the dragon's head).

* ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' has Vigors, later revealed to be derived from early Plasmids. Vigors are drinkable plasmids that give the user powers similar to the first two games and generally serve the same roles with Possession/Hypnotize, Murder of Crows/Insect Swarm, Shock Jockey/Elecro Bolt, etc. Other Tonics introduce new attacks that serve as support in combat like Bucking Bronco,[[note]]Levitates foes[[/note]] Return to Sender,[[note]]Pulls in bullets to create an explosive cluster[[/note]] and Undertow.[[note]]Creates a water tentacle to catch and throw your opponents[[/note]] All of these warp Booker's hands to match their abilities and they [[WhatCouldHaveBeen were going to]] cause people to turn into Vigor Junkies, people who turned into Splicers from excessive ingestion of Vigors but instead of tumorous growths they gained massive crystals growing out of their bones and skin. Characters such as the Zealots of the Lady and Cornelius Slate,[[note]]He was intended to be a moderate Vigor Junkie, which explains why he has those growths on his head[[/note]] while early artwork was integrated as Frosty Splicers, who overdosed on the "Old Man Winter" Plasmid.

[[folder: Real Life ]]

* ''LightNovel/HighSchoolDXD'': Issei sacrifices an arm to temporarily gain [[SuperMode Balance Breaker]]. This sacrifice is not actually losing the arm, it's that whenever the energy in the arm builds up too much it begins to look like a dragon's rather than human. Played even straighter later on. After being [[spoiler: being resurrected using the power of Ophis and Great Red]] Issei's true form is that of a [[spoiler:humanoid dragon]]. Normally Issei subconsciously uses his devil powers to shapeshift so that his appearance seems unaltered but on the rare occasions that this is blocked or dispelled the results are startling.

* Similarly to the ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' example in Visual Novels below, Lancer of Black in ''LightNovel/FateApocrypha'', who is UsefulNotes/VladTheImpaler, has the ability to tap into [[{{Dracula}} the legends surrounding him]] to transform into a vampire. In this form, he has an '''immense''' amount of raw power (the strength of a Servant in this series is greatly influenced by their fame, and Dracula's legend [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade has far outgrown the fame of the man he was inspired by]]), but he also turns into something inhuman in both body [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity and mind]]. Vlad himself '''absolutely hates''' this ability and refuses to use it, as he believes these legends tarnish his true legacy.

* In ComicBook/TheNewUniverse in general and ''Comicbook/{{DP7}}'' in particular, [[MassSuperEmpoweringEvent the White Event]] makes people suddenly have power-related mutations, many of which are like this. Moreso minor characters than the main ones, which [[CursedWithAwesome for all their complaints are really not that bad]].

* ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'' has this as the de jour -- nearly half the permanent items upgrade Isaac at the cost of visually maiming him. For example, a coat hangar [[EyeScream goes straight through Isaac's eye socket to increase the firing rate of his tears]].

A Power-Upgrading Deformation will make a character or creature much stronger but also make them look at the [[UncannyValley least inhuman]] and at the [[BodyHorror worst horrendous]] -- and the process isn't likely to be [[PainfulTransformation pleasant]] or [[TransformationHorror pretty]] either.

* ''Manga/{{Jagaaaaaan}}'': The [[HumanoidAbomination Fractured Humans]] gain [[LovecraftianSuperpower lovecraftian superpowers]] from the [[UncannyValley Frenzied Frogs]] which have to merge with them in order to happen. The power-up comes with a disturbing [[OneWingedAngel physical change]] that they can't control and makes them stand out like a sore thumb when among ordinary humans. That the change is permanent tends not to bother them, as they're [[UnstoppableRage far too out of their minds]] to care.

* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' has this as a staple of Phoenix hosts who turn/are turning to the dark side. While Phoenix hosts are unsettling enough to begin with, they look more or less as they normally do. A Dark Phoenix, on the other hand, even a baby one, is a HumanoidAbomination with features that sufficiently elongated to enter the UncannyValley, burning white GlowingEyesOfDoom, and cracks in the skin that reveal [[LightIsNotGood yet more burning white light]], implying that the host's physical form is merely the shell for something horrifying that's growing within. This is proven by [[spoiler:Surtur]], a fully-fledged example, who's long since graduated to EldritchAbomination -- and his empowered minions are arguably worse.

** In 40K, most augmetics (metal replacement parts, ranging from bionic eyes to replacement arms to [[Franchise/SpiderMan Doctor Octopus]]-[[SpiderLimbs style dendrites]]) are rather crude and ugly (ork versions are even worse). The Adeptus Mechanicus see the replacement of flesh with metal as the ultimate way to better themselves, so naturally they get [[UncannyValley the worst reactions]] from normal humans.

* Several examples in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. The one most easily available to players is probably the race of shifters and [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs saurian]] shifters, who can a few times per day become more animalistic, improving their stats in addition to another bonus such as a bite attack or a swim speed.

* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' runs on this. The boss will inevitably be a normal human who becomes a grotesque abomination mere minutes before gameplay starts. Often happens more than once per game.