How can I limit overpowered superheroes so conflicts need strategy?

[SeekerOfTruth007]

I'm having the problem that super-heroes and super-villains usually have no real need of equipment or technology. Many of the conflicts are resolved by super-powers alone, and I'm not sure how to fix that in the story. There are only two scenes in my entire "nearly 30 chapters long book," where the heroes rely on technology rather than their own super-powers. Is this diverse enough, or should I think about this problem some more and introduce new artifacts and technology to the story?

I want the heroes to win through teamwork and trickery, even though they have a lot of raw power.

[AI Opinion]

If your heroes can brute-force every fight, readers feel no real tension. ⚡

You don’t need tons of gadgets, but you do need limitations. Give powers clear costs, counters, and blind spots. Make some threats immune or resistant to raw power, forcing characters to rely on planning, positioning, and support skills.

Technology, artifacts, terrain, politics, hostages, time limits, moral constraints, and incomplete information can all push them toward strategy and teamwork instead of just “hit harder.” Two tech-based scenes in 30 chapters sounds light, so I’d deepen variety: more problems that can’t be solved by punching, but by who knows what, when, and how.

[abc3643]

Consider a new angle...

For instance, consider what I call The Superman Problem...

I remember in 2002's "Spider-Man", Uncle Ben, played by the late, great Cliff Robertson, says to his nephew Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man): "With great power comes great responsibility."

Now, Superman has "great power"... the kind of power no one else has. He can solve problems than no one else can. THIS IS A BURDEN.

Why?

Let me explain using an example...

Suppose it's Super Bowl Sunday. It's early in the 4th Quarter and the Kansas City Chiefs are losing badly down by 38 points. The other team has the ball and it's not looking good... Clark Kent aka Superman was raised in Kansas so, of course, he's a Chiefs fan. He's watching the big game.

The phone rings... It's Batman. Gotham City didn't make the playoffs so he doesn't care about the Super Bowl and so he volunteered to man The Justice League Help Line. Some VIP from the government of the United Arab Emirates called pleading for help: In Dubai, the Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world - is on fire and the fire suppression system has failed. They have no way to stop the fire, so they call The Justice League hoping someone can help in time. Of course, the only person who can is Superman, thus Batman calls. Lois picks up the phone and hands it to Clark, "Clark, Bruce is on the line. He needs to talk to you and he says it's urgent."

Batman explains the situation. Thousands will die unless Superman can stop the fire.

Pissed, he becomes Superman and flies to Dubai. In 45 minutes, he puts out the fire and flies home to his and Lois's apartment in Metropolis.

He plops his ass back down in his comfy chair, beer in hand, and hears Mike Tirico say "Folks, you have just witnessed the greatest comeback in not just Super Bowl history, but football history! The Kansas City Chiefs have overcome a 38-point deficit in the 4th Quarter to win by scoring 42 points from a miraculous collection of special teams, defense causing turnovers in their favor including 3 pick sixes, and the amazing passing game of Patrick Mahomes! This is the sort of game that your kids, grandkids, and great grandkids will be asking you about in the decades to come! I have never witnessed anything like this and most likely none of us ever will again!"

Superman realizes that he just got fucked in life all because he's Superman. He goes ballistic.

"Why the fuck can't these people take care of themselves! Why are they so fucking stupid to create problems like this for themselves!"

And then despair is added to his anger...

"When do I get a vacation? When do I get a day off? For once, can't I watch the goddamn Big Game just like every other goddamn person in the world? Why the fuck do I have to be the one solving the world's problems? I ought to just let them die! Evolution in action, I say!"

Then, with despair in his voice, he quietly adds...

"Because I can't... Because..."

And Lois finishes it for him: "With great power comes great responsibility, honey."

Superman is still pissed, but he at least knows he can watch the highlights on YouTube.

===============

OK, you want to "limit overpowered superheroes"?

Well, there's this thing called physics. Everybody needs to obey the laws of physics. There are no exceptions. Nature speaks in bottom lines and you can't negotiate with it.

It is the laws of physics that limit your superheroes powers.

That's why God is the ultimate superhero in a sense - God isn't limited by physics... or is He?

[SeekerOfTruth007]

Even "realistic fictional" books and movies rely on unrealistic physics interactions. For example, when you shoot someone or an animal with a gun, they don't go flying back five feet like what happens in action movies.

Fantasy movies and books are the all-time most money-making genre, so it makes sense to target an audience which watches fantasy movies and books.