Line #150 Main/PriceOfPowerIndex


1	Nothing is free. With these MagicAndPowers tropes, the powers involved come with strings attached. For the concept as a whole, see PowerAtAPrice.
2
3	----
4	[[index]]
5	* AddictionPowered: If the power alone doesn't cost you, using it in conjunction with all the downsides addiction usually brings will.
6	* AddictiveMagic: Withdrawal is likely the least of your problems with this one. Overdosing and collateral fallout is what you need to worry about.
7	* {{Aesoptinum}}: The number of caveats and exemption clauses messing with laser-guided Aesops involves cannot be understated.
8	* AgeWithoutYouth: You can't die, but you continue to age until there is little left.
9	* AmbitionIsEvil: Trying to climb the social ladder tends to knock everyone else down a rung; therefore, it is evil and shouldn't be done.
10	* ArmorAndMagicDontMix: Mages can't wear armor.
11	* ArmoredButFrail: High defense, but low health.
12	* ArtifactOfAttraction: You'll be compelled to kill for it and be killed over it.
13	* ArtifactDomination: Use it at the risk of your own free will.
14	* ArtifactOfDeath: Use it at risk of death.
15	* ArtifactOfDoom: Use it at risk of becoming evil.
16	* AssimilationBackfire: Be careful what you absorb or take over, or you could get hurt.
17	* AwesomeButImpractical: Power with requirements or drawbacks so high you're better off with [[BoringButPractical less powerful but reliable]] methods.
18	* BeneficialDisease: When a disease grants you superpowers or immunity.
19	* TheBerserker: You fight like a man possessed, feeling neither pain nor fear, but [[LeeroyJenkins any sense of tactics goes out of the window with them]], and woe betide any that stand in your way, be they FriendOrFoe.
20	* BlackMagic: Very powerful magic, at a moral and material price.
21	* BlessedWithSuck: You'll think it's worth it, but it isn't.
22	* BlindSeer: You may be a seer, but you have no physical sight. [[DisabilitySuperpower On the other hand, your other senses will be forged in the fire.]]
23	* BloodMagic: To get oomph, somebody or some creature is going to have an ouchy day.
24	* BloodIron: Same as above, but you get a weapon.
25	* BribingYourWayToVictory: How much in RealLife dollars are you willing to pay for a Top Tier deck in a CCG, or for enhanced equipment in an MMO?
26	* BrokenAce: Your great skill, powers, and social standing come at the expense of a crap social life and personal issues.
27	* CantStayNormal: You just want to be normal? Too bad.
28	* CastFromCalories: You'll have to eat a lot of big meals to keep using spells.
29	* CastFromExperiencePoints: Magic fueled by permanently weakening yourself (i.e., sacrificing XP or stat points).
30	* CastFromHitPoints: Magic fueled by sacrificing your current health (i.e., causing your body damage).
31	* CastFromLifespan: Magic which shortens the user's lifespan.
32	* CastFromMoney: These powerful powers require in-game money to work.
33	* CastFromSanity: Magic fueled by weakening the user's mental health, whether temporarily or permanently.
34	* CastFromStamina: You need to be physically fit to use many spells at a time.
35	* ClingyMacguffin: Throw it away, and it will come back.
36	* ClippedWingAngel: Eventually, the "new form" turns out to be a bust.
37	* CloneDegeneration: You can clone a person, but the clone won't be as good as the original.
38	* CloseRangeCombatant: You can handle things up close, but you're useless at a distance.
39	* ComebackMechanic: Being ahead of the other players means you make the other players stronger.
40	* ConditionalPowers: When the power comes with something you must (or must not) do.
41	* TheCorruption: Uncanny powers are just a symptom of a malignant infection.
42	* CranialPlateAbility: When a character acquires new abilities thanks to a steel piece implanted (accidentally or via surgery) in their head.
43	* CripplingOverspecialization: Really, really good at one thing; [[AwesomeButImpractical really, really bad]] at everything else.
44	* CursedItem: That sword may be powerful but you might want to be careful about the side effects.
45	* CursedWithAwesome: A power that is paid forward. You'll think it isn't worth it, but it is.
46	* CurseThatCures: A sick or injured character is cured as a side effect of a {{Curse}}.
47	* CyberneticsEatYourSoul: Upgrading your hardware [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman downgrades your humanity]].
48	* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: A powerful ability with a terrible cost.
49	* TheDarkArts: Skills deemed forbidden for any of a number of reasons. [[EvilIsNotAToy Usually good ones]].
50	* TheDarkSide: [[EvilIsEasy Easy power]] at the expense of [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope morality]].
51	* DeadlyUpgrade: Eventually your new form will kill you.
52	* DealWithTheDevil: Never obtain magic from malevolent/mysterious entities or TheTrickster.
53	* DeusExitMachina: You are written out of any story [[StoryBreakerPower that you could anticlimactically solve]].
54	* DifficultButAwesome: The payoff is spectacular, but actually ''accomplishing'' it takes some wrangling.
55	* DirtyMindReading: You can read minds, but you're {{Squick}}ed out by what you see.
56	* DisabilityImmunity: Rather than granting you powers to compensate, you are protected from something that would harm more able individuals.
57	* DisabilitySuperpower: Power at the price of one or more faculties.
58	* DivertingPower: Boosting one system by depowering another.
59	* DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength: When you can't judge how much power you're using.
60	* DoubleEdgedBuff: A status effect that provides both a positive and negative effect to the target.
61	* DrunkOnTheDarkSide: Superpowers are addictive.
62	* DrunkWithPower: Similar to the above, just with power derived from authority.
63	* ElementalRockPaperScissors: Every ability is strong against one type and weak against another, usually in a cycle or in {{foil}} pairs.
64	* EmpathicHealer: Your HealingHands take the pain from another and inflict it on yourself.
65	* EmptyLevels: When the power actually makes your character weaker or increases the difficulty disproportionately.
66	* EquivalentExchange: If you want great power, prepare to make a great sacrifice. Nothing is free, you know.
67	* EverythingButTheGirl: You can do ''anything'' except win over your OneTrueLove.
68	* EvilIsNotAToy: Powerful, yes. On your side? ''No''.
69	* ExplosiveOverclocking: Pushing the Phlebotinum beyond its safety limits can be hazardous.
70	* EyeOfNewt: Magic requires magical components.
71	* FantasticFragility: Building in weaknesses to boost power.
72	* FragileFlyer: Sacrificing sturdiness for flight.
73	* FragileSpeedster: Sacrificing defense for mobility.
74	* FuelMeterOfPower: Superpowers are a finite resource. Don't use them all up.
75	* GatheringSteam: You pack a punch... once you get going that is.
76	* GlassCannon: You can dish it out, but can't take it.
77	* AGodAmI: Power will make you think that you're invincible. Regardless of whether or not it's true, you're gonna have a lot of enemies.
78	* GodJob: The power of a god comes with correspondingly large duties.
79	* GodsNeedPrayerBadly: The powers of a god require worship to maintain.
80	* HealingMagicIsTheHardest: Using magic to heal serious injuries is considerably more difficult or costly than other forms of magic.
81	* HeartIsAnAwesomePower: Weak in itself; amazing in its applications, but only if you have the imagination.
82	* HeroicFatigue: The strain of using your power to help others wears you down physically and emotionally.
83	* HulkingOut: Anger allows you to attain immense strength, but now [[TheBerserker anger also controls you]].
84	* ImHavingSoulPains: Too painful to use this power for long.
85	* ImmunityDisability: Because sometimes being immune to something may be a detriment instead.
86	* InsertPaymentToUse: It'll let you use it, but you have to pay with [[LifeEnergy lifeforce]], money, or some other form of currency.
87	* InvisibleStreaker: You have invisibility, but the power does not affect your clothes, requiring you to strip naked to avoid being seen.
88	* InvisibilityWithDrawbacks: Turning invisible comes with problems, such as becoming blind, or limitations, such as becoming visible upon attacking.
89	* InvoluntaryShapeshifter: You can assume different forms, but you cannot always control '''when''' you assume them.
90	* IntangiblePrice: Does a treasured childhood memory sound like a fair price?
91	* KeystoneArmy: Your power depends entirely on this particular trinket. Guard it round the clock or say goodbye.
92	* LevelScaling: Power that comes at a price of increased difficulty.
93	* LimitedUseMagicalDevice: You can use the spell, until the item's power runs out.
94	* LinearWarriorsQuadraticWizards: Wizards take longer to gain power, but gain more power in the end.
95	* LivingBattery: The living power supply pays the cost.
96	* LogicalWeakness: A weakness because of a power that actually makes logical sense.
97	* LonelyAtTheTop: The more powerful you are, the more isolated and lonelier you'll be.
98	* LongRangeFighter: Great at dealing with things from a distance, useless up close.
99	* LovecraftianSuperpower: Your power does bad things to reality.
100	* LoveSacrificedForPower: Your power requires the HumanSacrifice of someone precious to you.
101	* MadOracle: You can see the future but can't relate to the present.
102	* MagicallyIneptFighter: Strong in physical combat but has weak magic, if any at all.
103	* MagicIsAMonsterMagnet: Using magic draws the wrong sort of attention.
104	* MagicKnight: A fighter who can cast, but usually isn't as good at melee as a pure warrior or as good at magic as a pure wizard.
105	* MagicMustDefeatMagic: Magic makes you invincible. It also makes your enemies invincible.
106	* MagikarpPower: This character or ability can be ''very'' useful... if you bother to [[LevelGrinding grind for it]].
107	* MasterOfNone: Not bad at any one thing, but not really good at anything either.
108	* TheMedic: You can use magic or items defensively (healing, [[StatusEffects Spe]][[StatusBuff lls]]) but often at the expense of damage output, and your vital role on the team makes you [[ShootTheMedicFirst likely to be targeted early]].
109	* MightyGlacier: Sacrifices mobility for strength.
110	* AMindIsATerribleThingToRead: You can read minds, but it's very disturbing.
111	* MoneyIsExperiencePoints: Want to get those upgrades and abilities? Better spend in-game money to earn them.
112	* MultiformBalance: When each of your forms has a power set suited for particular tactics and situations.
113	* OathboundPower: You can only use the power as long as you adhere to a specific creed.
114	* OneHeroHoldTheWeaksauce: A character whose power ''doesn't'' have a price, in a world where everyone else's powers do.
115	* OneWingedAngel: Physical power at the cost of your physical form.
116	* OnlyFleshIsSafe: Offensive powers don't affect living organic matter.
117	* PainAndGain: You get stronger as you receive damage.
118	* ThePaladin: Good in a battle (especially against TheUndead) and has plenty of WhiteMagic power, but lacks offensive magic skills and is often [[ObstructiveCodeOfConduct constrained by a code]].
119	* PentUpPowerPeril: When your power builds up inside you and you have to release it regularly, lest it harm you.
120	* PhlebotinumOverdose: When AppliedPhlebotinum is something you can eat or drink, taking too much will be very bad for your health.
121	* PhysicalAttributeSwap: To get a particular physical trait, you need to receive it or steal it from someone else.
122	* PopularityCycle: The price of being popular is that you'll inevitably lose it at some point.
123	* PowerAtAPrice: The general concept of power coming at a price. Supertrope to the other tropes on this list.
124	* PowerBornOfMadness: Madness causes power.
125	* PowerDegeneration: Having superpowers will accelerate your aging and kill you.
126	* PoweredByAForsakenChild: It requires an ethically repulsive component to function.
127	* PowerfulButInaccurate: Hits hard, when you can land it.
128	* PowerIncontinence: Limited control over destructive or inconvenient powers.
129	* PowerLossMakesYouStrong: The flip side. By ''losing'' a superpower, you ''gain'' something. Namely, [[TookALevelInBadass extreme badassery]].
130	* PowerSource: They may need to be refilled frequently.
131	* PowerStrainBlackout: You faint after using your powers.
132	* PowerUpgradingDeformation: You get loads of power, but it's because you got ugly add-ons.
133	* {{Pride}}: A high opinion of your abilities blinds you to your limits [[BreakTheHaughty until you fall]].
134	* PsychicNosebleed: Overuse or misuse of psychic powers results in physical injury.
135	* PsychoSerum: The same potion that gives you power takes away your sanity.
136	* QuantityVsQuality: The two are always inversely proportional.
137	* RealityWarpingIsNotAToy: When {{Reality Warp\|er}}ing proves hard to control.
138	* TheRedMage: Can use all kinds of magic, but [[MasterOfNone isn't the best at any of them]].
139	* RequiredSecondaryPowers: You need more powers just to deal with your "main" power.
140	* RoyalFavorite: Being a monarch's favorite definitely has its perks, but it also tends to paint a target on one's back.
141	* SacrificedBasicSkillForAwesomeTraining: You learn powerful, badass abilities at the expense of practical, everyday ones.
142	* SacrificialRevivalSpell: This spell can bring someone back to life, but it will kill you.
143	* SelfHarmInducedSuperpower: A superpower that's triggered only by causing damage to oneself.
144	* SensoryOverload: The drawback to certain SuperSenses.
145	* ShapeshifterModeLock: Inability to regain one's normal form.
146	* ShedArmorGainSpeed: Trading armor for speed.
147	* ShootTheMageFirst: High offense and low defense means you're going to get targeted more than anyone.
148	* ShootTheMedicFirst: The ability to heal allies means the savvy will take you out first.
149	* SituationalDamageAttack: This attack's damage will vary depending on how you set it up.
150	* SituationalSword: You can't always use it when you need to.
151	* SoulPoweredEngine: A living soul or LifeEnergy is used as fuel to power some sort of machine.
152	* SquishyWizard: Magical mojo but physical fragility.
153	* StoneWall: Can take it, but can't dish it out.
154	* StraightForTheCommander: You will be targeted early [[DecapitatedArmy in the hope that your army will fall into chaos without you]].
155	* SuperpowerDisability: A character with superpowers is given a disability as a result.
156	* SuperpoweredEvilSide: Your power comes with an alternate, nasty side.
157	* SuperPowerMeltdown: Losing control of superpowers results in mass destruction.
158	* SuperpowersForADay: Powers for the price of time. Powers may never be gained again.
159	* TeleportationWithDrawbacks: Limitations on the ability to teleport.
160	* TeleportersVisualizationClause: A teleporter must be able to clearly visualize their target.
161	* TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow: Knowledge is power, but WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity.
162	* TimeDissonance: You aren't in sync with the rest of causality.
163	* TooAwesomeToUse: Power in very limited supplies.
164	* TooFastToStop: For when you have SuperSpeed without [[RequiredSecondaryPowers Super Brakes]]...
165	* TooPowerfulToLive: You get offed because [[StoryBreakerPower nothing can stand up to your powers]].
166	* TransferredTransformation: To get a particular transformation, you need to receive it or steal it from someone else.
167	* TransformingConforming: A shapeshifter or other transforming character shares the weaknesses of their chosen form.
168	* UnexpectedlyRealMagic: The artifact you found does more than just ''look'' magical.
169	* UnhappyMedium: You're powerful but really unhappy.
170	* UnholyHolySword: It's TheMole of artefacts.
171	* VirginPower: You must remain a virgin to use your powers. Better hope no one finds out about that...
172	* WeakToMagic: When your power comes with a weakness to magical attacks and effects.
173	* WeaksauceWeakness: CompetitiveBalance taken to extremes to offset for winning the SuperpowerLottery.
174	* WeaponWieldsYou: To gain the weapon's (usually superior) fighting skills you have to give it control of your body.
175	* WhiteMagic: Not as powerful as BlackMagic, but less noxious.
176	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Power causes madness.
177	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility: You'll feel morally compelled to use power to help others.
178	* WonTheWarLostThePeace: The battle is over, but now you're trapped.
179	[[/index]]

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