Category:Powers and Techniques

A power or ability is a capacity possessed by a character in fiction that allows them to perform actions beyond ordinary means. In narrative works such as novels, comics, films, video games, and television series, powers and abilities serve as defining traits that distinguish characters and drive conflict within stories. The term encompasses both supernatural capabilities, such as magic or psychic phenomena, and extraordinary physical or mental attributes that exceed normal human limits.

Powers and abilities in fiction are often categorized by their function or origin. Innate abilities are those a character possesses naturally, whether through birth, species, or physiology. Acquired abilities are gained through external means such as training, experimentation, magical artifacts, or transformation. Some characters possess a single defining power, while others wield a diverse array of capabilities that develop or expand throughout a narrative. The limitations and costs associated with using powers often factor into storytelling, creating tension and requiring characters to make strategic decisions.