Speculation on Hoid

[Conure1243 He/Him]

What is up with Hoid?

I'm interested to see some people's theories on Hoid's origins, and what his plans may be in the future.

I've seen people wonder if Hoid is or isn't a villain, to which I think we all (Hoid included,) can say that it depends on your point of view.

Can't say I have any starting ideas. Share whatever theory you've got!

[Qianweilian He/him]

43 minutes ago, Conure1243 said:

I'm interested to see some people's theories on Hoid's origins

He’s from Yolen, and was at the Shattering, but didn’t take a shard. His plans are up in the air, unknown.

[NeverTrustAesSedai He/Him]

Just wondering, what books have you read? I don't want to spoil you by accident (when talking about Hoid, there's a lot to be spoiled).

[Conure1243 He/Him]

44 minutes ago, NeverTrustAesSedai said:

Just wondering, what books have you read? I don't want to spoil you by accident (when talking about Hoid, there's a lot to be spoiled).

Oh! Yeah, that's fair. I've read almost the entire cosmere thus far, with the exception of Warbreaker.

[NeverTrustAesSedai He/Him]

In that case, you're not missing much of the puzzle at all and I can spoil with impunity.

I've heard somewhere that Hoid means to collect every magic system in the Cosmere, but I can't vouch for how accurate that is. On the Coppermind it says that Hoid's quest might be "To make that which once was". To me that sounds like maybe remaking Adonalsium, but this is Brandon Sanderson - obviously it won't be that obvious.

As a wise old Sharder often says, "Hope that helps".

[Frustration]

The confusion about Hoid's motives comes from newer sharders not reading the Traveller.

 

Hoid's end goal as far as everyone who knows him is concerned is to raise the dead. Presumably someone he knew died and he's been trying ever since to bring them back

[Immortal Platypus]

56 minutes ago, Frustration said:

The confusion about Hoid's motives comes from newer sharders not reading the Traveller.

 

Hoid's end goal as far as everyone who knows him is concerned is to raise the dead. Presumably someone he knew died and he's been trying ever since to bring them back

for the record, it's not just the really new ones. I've been here a little while (not a long time, but not a short time either) and I'd never even heard of it. for those interested, here's the link 

Spoiler

 

and while it does imply him wanting to raise the dead (technically not confirmed, but heavily implied), it also mentions a vendetta. 

 

Edited March 27 by Immortal Platypus

[Frustration]

1 hour ago, Immortal Platypus said:

for the record, it's not just the really new ones. I've been here a little while (not a long time, but not a short time either) and I'd never even heard of it. for those interested, here's the link 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

and while it does imply him wanting to raise the dead (technically not confirmed, but heavily implied), it also mentions a vendetta. 

 

Newer meaning each successive group of sharers. For some reason we haven't done a great job of passing that one on.

Additionally Endowment makes the following comments to Hoid as the chapter 66 and 67 epigraphs in WaT

Quote

Be content to play with your toys on their world of storms. Or do I have to broadcast what I have learned of your goals? I certainly do not think it a coincidence that you have made a special study of the worlds where legends abound of the dead being raised."

 "You feign altruism. But you have another motive, do you not? Well, you always have."

 

Edited March 27 by Frustration

[storming_kayana]

12 hours ago, Conure1243 said:

, and what his plans may be in the future.

For sure, this:

[Nitpicking]

On 3/26/2026 at 7:49 PM, NeverTrustAesSedai said:

I've heard somewhere that Hoid means to collect every magic system in the Cosmere, but I can't vouch for how accurate that is. On the Coppermind it says that Hoid's quest might be "To make that which once was". To me that sounds like maybe remaking Adonalsium, but this is Brandon Sanderson - obviously it won't be that obvious.

We've seen Hoid in various books with Breath, becoming an Elantrian, becoming a Radiant, and becoming an Allomancer. WOB spoilers below.

Spoiler

Hoid is a feruchemist: https://wob.coppermind.net/events/100/#e3438

Hoid carries hemalurgic spikes, but doesn't use them: https://wob.coppermind.net/events/522/#e16280

Sure seems as if he collects magic systems. We don't know what, if anything, Ambition's magic system was, and there are no signs that Hoid is a Sand Master or Starcarved (that I know of).

Interestingly, he appears to use only powers from Yolen or Shards of Adonalsium. SPOILERS for Dragonsteel Prime and various WOBs.

Spoiler

He has the power of Microkinesis as well as the power of Yolish lightweaving.

However, we've never seen him (that I know of) using the Aethers or trying to become Aetherbound.

[Treamayne]

On 3/27/2026 at 11:01 PM, Nitpicking said:

We've seen Hoid in various books with Breath, becoming an Elantrian, becoming a Radiant, and becoming an Allomancer. WOB spoilers below.

  Hide contents

Hoid is a feruchemist: https://wob.coppermind.net/events/100/#e3438

To be specific:

Spoiler

That WoB does not say that Hoid is a Feruchemist - the questioner assumes that in the question because:

Quote

Edited for length and relevance

yurisses

Can you tell us a little bit about what Hoid was up to in Terris in The Well of Ascension?

<snip>

Peter Ahlstrom

After Hoid got the bead during the scene in Secret History, he went north to Terris to do research on possibly acquiring Feruchemy. While he’s there, all hell breaks loose, and he ends up embroiled in helping the Terris people.

Oathbringer London signing (Nov. 28, 2017)

We have no evidence at all that Hoid ever discovered a way to gain Feruchemy or become Fullborn. But we do know that he started collecting Medallions in Era 2:

Quote

Steeldancer

Hoid. Does he have more unkeyed metalminds?

Brandon Sanderson

Hoid has access to lots of different things, so, yes he does.

Boskone 54 (Feb. 17, 2017)

There was also this very old mix-up:

Quote

Lamguin (paraphrased)

Hoid is regularly around when important events take place. How does he know where to go?

Brandon Sanderson (paraphrased)

He uses Feruchemy. Part of it that will show up in later books.

Footnote: Brandon has later said that Hoid uses the same underlying principle as chromium Feruchemy, not necessarily the same thing. 
A Memory of Light Chicago signing (Jan. 9, 2013)

 

Xyrd (paraphrased)

You've mentioned before that Hoid ends up where he needs to be.

Brandon Sanderson (paraphrased)

Yes, and usually without knowing why.

Xyrd (paraphrased)

Is chromium involved in that?

Brandon Sanderson (paraphrased)

Yes. Well, he's not necessarily using chromium, but the underlying mechanic, yes.

Arcanum Unbounded Fort Collins signing (Nov. 29, 2016)

People who only see the former WoB and not the "I mis-spoke, it's the same mechanic (Fortune)" WoB will continue to think Hoid has access to Feruchemy

Hope that helps

Edited March 30 by Treamayne
SPAG