Classifying superpowers?

[Zathoth]

This is an idea I've had for a while that may be a huge task, but we are doing it anyway.

 

We are classifying types of super powers. The reasons are simple enough, knowing what makes up super powers and magic we'll be able to break out of old conventions and come up with even cooler super powers, sounds great? Yeah I know, lets get to it.

 

(Disclaimers: If anyone thinks this belongs in general discussions move it there. Most of this is half-formed thoughts, names and classifications will most likely be changed and I know most abilities are not clear cut, a lot will end up fitting in more than one type, thats ok.)

 

Type A (Enchantments?): Things humans already can do taken to 11 (or at least 10) Like super strength, super speed, heightened senses, super intelligence, regeneration and so on. Examples include Superman, burning tin and pewter, holding Stormlight, Sonic the Hedgehog, Son Goku and so on.

 

Type B (Emission): Shooting things, like energy beams, electricity, fire and so on. Examples being the Kamahameha, firebending from Avatar, mythological dragons...

 

Type C (Moving): Move things without touching them, or move things you are touching in unnatural ways. Examples would be telekinisis, the other kinds of bending, steelpushing and Ironpulling, Awakening...

 

Type D (Transformation): Transform something into something else. Like Soulcasting, the powers in Law of Ueki, the Logia powers in One Piece, The Hulk, werewolves and not the stick.

 

 

Other ideas? Tell me that I am wrong? More types? This is by no means complete yet.

[Haradion Drogon]

I think you mean "Enhancement" rather than "Enchantment"...

I also suggest:

 

Type E) Psionic. Telepathy, Mind Control, Mind reading, and certain forms of precognition?

Also, where would the ability to teleport fit? If seems very different to all other forms of moving.

Edited August 1, 2015 by Haradion Drogon

[Zathoth]

I think you mean "Enhancement" rather than "Enchantment"...

I also suggest:

 

Type E) Psionic. Telepathy, Mind Control, Mind reading, and certain forms of precognition?

Also, where would the ability to teleport fit? If seems very different to all other forms of moving.

Yes, thanks, I always mix those up, pardon my swedishness.

 

Mindcontrol and such, would illusions fit in there? And would soothing and rioting? We do need a type for abilities that are purely mental.

 

Teleport is moving to me, you are still moving something from point a to point b, just without the pesky transportation taking up time.

[Curious Anamaximder he/him]

That would be under type D.

[Blaze1616 he/him]

So the classifications are about abilities, and not about "strength" or "usefulness".

 

Yes, thanks, I always mix those up, pardon my swedishness.

 

Mindcontrol and such, would illusions fit in there? And would soothing and rioting? We do need a type for abilities that are purely mental.

 

Teleport is moving to me, you are still moving something from point a to point b, just without the pesky transportation taking up time.

 

Illusion would be classified under two different typings, I would think, based on the mechanism used. One mechanism is the classic style of Illusion: creating images in other's minds. This would belong with mind control. The other type is similar to Lightweaving: the bending of light to create images. I'd say this is Type C, which should probably be renamed to "Manipulation" rather than "Moving".

[Zathoth]

That would be under type D.

I'd say that would be D, Im more after the effects than the causes, a magic potion can do anything, really.

 

 

So the classifications are about abilities, and not about "strength" or "usefulness".

 

 

Illusion would be classified under two different typings, I would think, based on the mechanism used. One mechanism is the classic style of Illusion: creating images in other's minds. This would belong with mind control. The other type is similar to Lightweaving: the bending of light to create images. I'd say this is Type C, which should probably be renamed to "Manipulation" rather than "Moving".

Exactly.

 

I definitely agree with all of this.

 

Ok so we have

A: Enhancement

B: Emission

C: Manipulation

D: Transformation

E: Psionic

I like to add a F: Creation/Summoning too, even if it kind of overlaps with emission.

[Jivvy]

In the the story Worm by Wildbow, powers are classified by what they can do, regardless of how they do it.  A person with powers can be assigned any of twelve non-exclusive categories, with a number designating strength in that category.

 

The categories are:

Brute - the power makes them more resistant to damage than a normal person.  Invincibility, healing factor, armor, etc.

Breaker - the power allows them to break certain laws of physics.  Time manipulation, space manipulation, inertia manipulation, etc.

Mover - the power enables them to move in a way not available to a normal person.  Super speed, teleportation, flight, etc.

Shaker - the power affects the battlefield.  Traps, obstacles, delayed area of effect things, force-fields, etc.

Master - the power lets a person act through minions.  Mind control or influence, summoned minions, resurrected minions, etc.

Thinker - the power lets a person gain or process information in ways not available to normal people.  Mind reading, clairvoyance, super-quick thought, etc.

Blaster - the power lets a person attack from a distance.  Lasers, fireballs, telekinetically thrown objects, shock-waves, etc.

Tinker - the power lets a person create things beyond the grasp of modern science.  Mad science stuff, high tech weapons, magic weapons, etc.

Striker - the power works through physical contact.  Vulcan nerve-pinch, taser punch, fire punch, falcon punch, etc.

Changer - the power changes the form of the person using it.  Animal transformations, state changes (turning into gas, liquid, solid rock), etc.

Trump - the power affects other powers.  Power nullification, power enhancement, power stealing, power granting, etc.

Stranger - the power lends itself towards stealth or infiltration.  Invisibility, intangibility, certain types of hypnosis / mind control, etc.

 

I have found that these categories can be applied to almost any power set.  The only real difficulty comes from people who fit into too many categories for it to be helpful, but classifying powers by how they are used, instead of how they work, makes things much easier.

 

As an example of how it works, I'll do Kaladin, or windrunners in general.  The stormlight healing factor means they are Brutes, the ability to fly makes them Movers, the ability to create sticky traps with the second binding makes them Shakers, the ability to launch projectiles with the first binding makes them Blasters, and their ability to launch anyone they touch into the sky makes them Strikers. 

Also, each category is given a number based on its strength.  The ability to instantly heal any non-fatal injuries makes them a Brute 5, flying would make them a mover 4, sticky traps are unimpressive, so they are Shaker 1, the linear nature of their projectiles makes them less useful against enemies with cover, but the ability to launch large objects at high speeds makes up for it, giving them a Blaster 4, and the ability to do whatever they want to gravity for whoever they touch is powerful enough for a Striker 7.

So a windrunner would be a Striker 7, Brute 5, Mover 4, Blaster 4, Shaker 1.

 

The best part about the system is this: without any information beyond categories and numbers, you can get a good sense of what they are capable of.  If someone is a Master 5, Thinker 2, you know they have minions fight for them, which is the main thing that makes them dangerous, and they will also have slightly better information or awareness than a regular person.

 

All credit for this system goes to Wildbow.  

It is explained on this wiki, but there are some spoilers for Worm.

http://worm.wikia.com/wiki/Power_Classifications

[Darkness Ascendant he/him]

How about Elemantalist? Someone who controls the elements

And also Omnipotence, the ability to bend space and time and essentially becoming a god.

[STINK he/him]

If the elemantalist is using the elements for a long range attack, then they are a blaster.

 

If the elements are being used for defence, then they a brute.

 

If they can make swords etc, then they're probably a striker.

[ChickenPlague he/him]

I think a windrunner is striker 10 or something because you know... SHARDBLADES

or maybe this count as Tinker

Edited December 6, 2015 by ChickenPlague

[Landis963 he/him]

I think a windrunner is striker 10 or something because you know... SHARDBLADES

or maybe this count as Tinker

 

The shardblade is a badge of office, and therefore isn't a "power" of theirs like the Surges are.