I like power systems that have a set of clearly established, (nearly) immutable rules. This trope is about characters doing something that "feels" like cheating, but still play within the rules. It is almost like the authors prospective answers to readers going "☝️🤓If \*power system\* works like this, Why doesn't \*character\* just do this??"

  
**1 & 2. Roy Mustang & Solf J. Kimblee (among others), Full Metal Alchemist:**  
☝️🤓 If most characters need alchemy circles and hand motions to use their powers, why don't they just carry the alchemy circles around on their hands?

The answer is that they do.

  
**3: Kurapika, Hunter x Hunter:**

☝️🤓If your Nen gains more power with more restrictions placed upon yourself, why don't you just put \*extreme condition\* and just kinda avoid triggering it?

  
Kurapika wants to slay the criminal gang called Phantom Troupe, so he placed a restriction on his ability that will kill him if he uses it on anyone besides the Troupe, gaining immense power in that specific match-up.

  
**4: Gon, Hunter x Hunter:**

☝️🤓 If \*character\* wants to go out with a bang, can't they just sacrifice everything they have for a temporary power-up?

  
Although it certainly wasn't an easy feat, Gon does just that, essentially sacrificing his future to slay the foe before him. The ordeal left him looking like a raisin afterwards.

[Loved trope] Min-maxing the power system