Quote Originally Posted by Forum Explorer View Post
It depends on the quality of the writing. Like you said, it can be paper over a plot hole, on the other hand, it could just be highly specific limitations on the character's power. If the limitations are known and consistent then it works really well. Typically anyways.
When is it that "limitations are known and consistent" for it to work well? Not one of these characters we talk about have consistent limitations on how their powers work. Superman can get hit by lightning one day and avoid hyperlightspeed omega beams or outpace Reverse Flash the next. However, even more limited characters have wild fluctuations on what they can avoid, what hurts them by how much, and what sorts of physics-defying they can do.