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Could be Power Source. Having trouble finding the other examples I'm looking for that fit better. Remember an 80s cartoon where the guardian has to stay in a cave to receive his powers or they'll quickly fade. Another example is a fantasy series where tree elves gain strength from their World Tree, so they become superhuman if they stay close. And the idea of tree nymphs or other nature spirits beings bonded to a specific thing. Can't find them, though.
Yes, it does seem connected to the basic idea of the Power Source, but it seems clearly differentiated enough, and used often enough, to merit its own trope.
If we can get a few more examples, I think we have a YKTTW on our hands.
Well, examples are one of the reasons to make a YKTTW in the first place, but;
- In Quantum Conundrum you can only shift to a given dimension if the area you're in has the relevant battery in place in a generator. Otherwise you're just a kid with a fancy glove.
I think you're thinking of a version of Place of Power.
Edited by Pyrite Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.Examples:
in the early 90's Xmen series, Storm's powers don't work away from a living biosphere (IE, she can't fly, shoot lightning bolts, all that good stuff in the vacuum of space, even if she is wearing a spacesuit).
Captain Planet's powers are limited to Earth specifically, preventing him from fighting opponents in actual outer space.
In the Earthsea Trilogy, while most magic seems to work everywhere (at least, travelling wizards never seem to have any problems), The wizard Vetch remarks that some spells he learned on the wizard isle of Roke don't work on his home island, while local wizards perform other spells he was never taught on Roke.
In The Lord Of The Rings, the Ring becomes more powerful (and elvish magic less) the closer they get to the Crack of Doom.

Do we have a trope for local magic and/or superpowers? To clarify, a person has some kind of abnormal/supernatural ability, but it can only function in a specific area (usually their home, but it would be an interesting variation to see someone discover theirs by travelling).
The example that started me thinking about this is in The Chronicles Of Prydain, where the cauldron-born (are those class V zombies, btw?) are generally indestructible, but get weaker and weaker the farther they get from Annuvin. I'm sure we could find some other instances, though.