Semantic Superpowers often seem like this initially, before the implications of just how broadly they can be applied become clear.Ī Sub-Trope of Improvisational Ingenuity.Ĭompare Magikarp Power, which truly is useless at first, but eventually ascends to extreme power through hard work and/or patience. See also the Inverse Law of Complexity to Power, which can be why these powers become useful. Sister Trope to Lethal Harmless Powers, where normally useful but inoffensive powers turn out to be able to really hurt others. The video game version is usually a Lethal Joke Character, and sometimes Difficult, but Awesome. Especially ironic if another character had, or could have had the same ability before, but decided that it was useless.

Might be An Aesop to make the most of what you have. Might involve a Chekhov's Classroom on the lines of: 'Sure, my only power is to control X. Sometimes the character does not realize the usefulness of the skill until later, in which case it is a Chekhov's Skill. Sometimes justified with the powers only becoming effective over time, or that they are only effective under certain conditions - however then they pay off handsomely. note For instance, an aquatic hero might seem useless out of water, but their superhuman swim speed, ability to withstand crushing ocean pressures, and ability to see and hear clearly in the murky depths means they possess heightened agility, strength, and senses (in addition to any other fishy powers they might possess like razor claws or bioelectricity), all of which can serve them just as well on dry land. Occasionally the main power isn't the awesome part, it's the Required Secondary Powers needed to have it work in a remotely logical way. Usually, a type of skill reapplication: the power has utilities which no one but the Weak, but Skilled hero recognizes. Somehow they manage to Curb Stomp Nigh Invulnerable foes. In the world full of Reality Warpers and Elemental Powers, they won a heart. The character decided to play the Superpower Lottery and ended up at the bottom of the superpower scale.

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