Power Systems: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

 

While most works of fiction with a sufficiently developed world have a set of formal rules governing how powers and abilities within them work, these Power Systems are typically acknowledged as such in-universe and given a name, and tend to adhere to at least some of the following criteria:

* The quality of the powers received can vary widely from person to person - a character may be [[Blessed With Suck]] or come away losing the [[Superpower Russian Roulette]].

 

 

Certain powers may be [[Bequeathed Power|gifted to a person]] and may even be transferable between people; others may be [[Superpowerful Genetics|naturally restricted to specific bloodlines]], though this does not exclude the possibility of different genetic expressions, including occasional [[Muggle Born of Mages|"duds"]]. There are also [[Personality Powers]] that are derived directly from or in some way indicative of the user's mental state.

 

{{examples}}

== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==

* From ''[[Hunter X Hunter]]'', [[Supernatural Martial Arts|Nen]] is a technique to use one's [[Battle Aura|aura]] for different applications. Depending on what Nen Category a person is born under, [[Combo-Platter Powers|they can access diverse abilities]]. {{Spoiler|[[Masquerade|Nen is unknown to the public, but all Hunters of the Hunter Association are required to know it]]. It is actually the final test to become a professional Hunter, which means without Nen, they can't take on most jobs in the profession.}}

* On the vast seas of ''[[One Piece]]'', Devil Fruits gives specific powers to whatever eats it and falls into three types: [[Stock Super Powers|Paramecia]], [[Animorphism|Zoans]], and [[Elemental Powers|Logia]]. They are seen as great treasures that can either be sold or consumed because of their potential power. Water is a weakness; when a Devil Fruit user's body is submerged, they become weaker to the point that their bodies won't move. There is also how a person can only consume one Devil Fruit, or they disintegrate.

** There is also Haki, which is a mysterious power within every living being. Haki falls into three types: [[Supernatural Sensitivity|Observation]], [[Supernatural Martial Arts|Armament]], and [[Mind Control|Conqueror's Haki]]. Everyone can awaken the first two, but few people are born with Conqueror's Haki.

* ''[[Darwin's Game]]'' gives its players Sigils, supernatural powers granted by the titular app. The app provides a [[Superpower Lottery|unique yet randomized ability to]] a player. Each player can [[One Person, One Power|only have one Sigil.]] Each player can only have one Sigil that falls into one of five types. While players keep them secret, some use them outside Darwin's Game, like for criminal activities.

** [[RPG Mechanics Verse|Skills]] are abilities that [[NPC|Tians]], Masters, and monsters gain in the VRMMO. Tians and Masters can gain Skills from equipment and jobs, but Masters can also gain Skills from their Embryos.

** Kekkei Genkai are unique abilities based on [[Superpowerful Genetics|the hereditary within ninja clans]]. Ninjas inherit one Kekkei Genkai and naturally develop these powers with age and experience.

* In ''[[Psyren]]'', [[Psychic Powers|PSI]] is the ability that Psychicers wield that falls into three basic types: [[Personality Powers|Burst]], [[Telepathy|Trance]], and [[Supernatural Martial Arts|Rise]]. [[Masquerade|PSI is a rare power that people can be naturally born with, so it is seen as a myth or legend.]] The atmosphere of Psyren can awaken this power and turn a person into a Psychicer.

**[[Power Tattoo|Demon Slayer Marks]] are markings that can appear on a strong Demon Slayer's body. These marks can give improved physical abilities and upgrades Breath Styles.

** Blood Demon Arts are unique spells that Demons can develop through different means. Most of these monsters have [[One Person, One Power|one Blood Demon Art]], but some can have more.

** [[Curse|Commandments]] are ten curses created by the Demon King with an absolute effect based on a rule that can affect anyone who breaks it, even its user. There is also how a warrior with a Commandment gains [[Combo-Platter Powers|demonic abilities]].

** Graces are four blessings made by the Supreme Deity of the Goddess Clan. These powers give their user a unique ability while also [[Combo-Platter Powers|passively increasing their magical and physical strength]].

* In ''[[Problem Children are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?|Mondaiji]]'', people in the world of Little Garden have Gifts that are special abilities to participate in Gift Games. A person can gain[[Combo-Platter Powers| an unlimited number of them]] through various games as rewards.

* From ''[[Yu Yu Hakusho]]'', [[Personality Powers|Territories]] are supernatural powers that some humans have due to being in the Demon's Door's vicinity and are used within a specific range.

* ''[[Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan]]'': Yokai has the supernatural ability known as Osore: supernatural skills based on fear related to their species. This power comes from how Osore is based on the fear Yokai are known to cause, based on their species.

* Each King in ''[[K]]'' grants an Aura to their Clan for incredible powers. Depending on the King, Aura can manifest [[Combo-Platter Powers|different abilities]]. As long as they are a part of their Clan, they will keep their Aura, but if exorcised, it will disappear.

* People on the scattered islands of'' [[Esprit]]'' have [[Personality Powers|Jinxes]]; special abilities brought out by a person's faith. [[One Person, One Power|One person can have only one Jinx]].

*''[[NEEDLESS]]'': Needless have Fragments, which are unique superpowers and their sources. [[One Person, One Power|Each one has one Fragment]] but also [[Combo-Platter Powers|passive physical superpowers]]. They are called Fragments due to being a small part of The Second's power.

** Authorities are supernatural abilities wielded by a compatible host, and the [[Combo-Platter Powers|powers]] are shaped by their desires. {{Spoiler|These abilities are also called Witch Factors and originally belonged to the Witches of Sin. In the present, Sin Archbishops, the Witch Cult leaders, are selected based on their compatibility with Authorities. They are also considered the antithesis of the Od Laguna, meaning a person born with a Divine Protection can't gain an Authority.}}

 

== [[Comic Books]] ==

* The Dom, from ''[[Monster Allergy]]'', are special powers used by Tamers and are inherited from parent to child, which falls into five abilities, giving them [[Combo-Platter Powers|various powers]].

 

== [[Film]] ==

* "Gifts" are powers possessed by the rare few in ''[[The Black Saint]]''. Those gifted only possess one power. However; anyone (gifted or not) can [[Power Copying|utilize another's power]] for a time after [[Life Drinker|drinking their blood]].

* In the ''[[Nevermoor]]'' series, some citizens in the titular city of Nevermoor have special powers, referred to in the universe as knacks. Some people, such as Jupiter North and his nephew Jack, double up on knacks (in this case, the power is [[Aura Vision]]). These knacks range from being good at a mundane skill (such as Archan's pickpocketing and Mahir's linguistics), while other knacks are supernatural (such as Hawthrone's dragon-riding or Lambeth's oracle). Some powers are even harmful, such as Cadance's power as a mesmerist. The strongest power is being a [[Magic by Any Other Name|Wundersmith]], which comes with the ability to perform great acts of wonder but subjects one to intense scrutiny and controversy due to the past actions of a previous Wundersmith.

* ''[[The Grimnoir Chronicles]]'' initially appears to operate on [[One Person, One Power]], and each Active falls into one of a few dozen Power types, with the two main characters being a [[Gravity Master|Heavy]] and [[Teleportation Spam|Traveler]]. These Powers have explicitly uneven distribution, with [[Super Strength|Brute]]s being fairly common and [[Healing Hands|Healers]] being rare enough for there to only be two in the entire state of Florida, while some Powers are rare enough to be mythical. The story later introduces symbol magic that uses the Active's own power to produce a particular effect. At the end of the first book comes the revelation {{spoiler|the source of Power is an alien "symbiotic parasite" from another dimension, who invests Power into human hosts and then reclaims it when they die (from any cause) after it has incubated and grown in them}} and that {{spoiler|the limitation on each person having one power is more akin to starting place on a map than a true rule, with smart and powerful Actives able to reach into adjacent powers, something earlier [[Foreshadowing|foreshadowed]] by the Heavy protagonist [[Heavyworlder|training himself]] to gain powers akin to a Brute.}}

 

== [[Tabletop Games]] ==

* Tieflings (mutant humans who express traits of ancestor(s) who were fiend(s)) of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' and (via Open Gaming License) ''[[Pathfinder]]'' all belong to a single species, but "no two tieflings are the same" in how their ancestry impacts their appearance. The statistical benefits tend to be the same between them, however.

 

== [[Video Games]] ==

* From ''[[Hardcore Leveling Warrior]],'' Personal Attributes are in-game skills randomly gained when a player creates a character in the VRMMO, Lucid Adventure. Each player has [[One Person, One Power|one of these skills]] that fall into five types.

* From ''[[Kubera]]'', Transcendental Skills are divine abilities only used by [[Our Gods Are Greater|Gods]], [[Shape Shifter|Sura]], and [[Half-Human Hybrid|Halfs]] (human-sura hybrids). There are two types of Transcendental Skills: General and Unique. The three races can use General Types, but Unique types are exclusive to Gods.

* Passive Skills in the ''[[Zero Game]]'', are abilities that players gain once they participate in this game. Each player has [[One Person, One Power|one Passive Skill]] but also can have an Ability.

** Abilities are powers bought from the Ability Shop where each player can have one Ability at a time.

* From ''[[Scoob and Shag]]'', Ballyhoos are powers made from channeled fandom for cartoon characters that create an alien race's unique abilities. [[One Person, One Power|Each alien has one Ballyhoo]] named after a broadcasting or animation term. They also come into two types, Physical (Ballyhoos that have physical effects) and Energy (metaphysical Ballyhoos with semantic effects).

 

 

== [[Western Animation]] ==

[[Category:Power]]

[[Category:Power Source]]