If characters have pointless abilities, the narrator should try and ensure they are used. Not necessarily at incredibly dramatic points, they can be light relief. But mentioned.
An example of using a 'pointless ability' dramatically that springs to mind is in at least one Buffy episode detecting likely vampires by spotting their outdated fashions.
If the ability is sufficiently pointless, its going to be hard to work it in without being contrived. But good writing is hard!
Cheers David
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