Many forms of fiction feature characters attributed with superhuman, supernatural, or paranormal abilities, often referred to as "superpowers" (also spelled "super powers" and "super-powers") or "powers." This tradition is especially rich in the fictional universes of various comic book stories. This is a list of many of those powers that have been known to be used. Some of these categories overlap.
Contents
Origins
Examples of ways in which a character has gained the ability to generate an effect.
Methods
Examples of methods by which a character generates an effect.
Superpower interaction
This section refers to the ability to manipulate or otherwise interact with superpowers themselves, not "power" such as electrical power or gravitational power.
Personal physical powers
Powers which affect an individual's body.
ESP
The abilities of extra-sensory perception (ESP) and communication.
Physics or reality manipulation
These powers may be manifested by various methods, including: by some method of molecular control; by access to, or partially or fully shifting to another dimension; by manipulating the geometric dimensions of time or space; or by some other unnamed method.
Elemental and environmental powers
Ability to control or manipulate the elements of nature.
Energy manipulation
These powers deal with energy generation, conversion and manipulation. In addition to generic energy, versions of these powers exist that deal with such things as light, sound, electricity, nuclear energy, and the Darkforce dimension.
Flight
Ability to lift off the ground, to ride air currents or to fly self-propelled through the air.
Energy propulsion
Physical propulsion
Miscellaneous
The following powers could be manifested in any number of ways.
Illusion
Ability to alter or deceive the perceptions of another. Can be sensory, a light or sound-based effect, or an alteration of mental perceptions. May overlap with reality warping when it is possible to interact with the illusions.
Shapeshifting
Ability to change appearance or body structure.
Abilities through ingestion
A character can see memories of someone or get a psychic sensation of an object though the ingestion of part of the object or body.
Examples: