This wiki is a XML full dump clone of "Heroes Wiki", the main wiki about the Heroes saga that has been shut down permanently since June 1, 2020. The purpose of this wiki is to keep online an exhaustive and accurate database about the franchise.

Ability theft: Difference between revisions

From Heroes Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Content deleted Content added
imported>Ryangibsonstewart
new page
 
imported>Sekobro
m added rapid cell regeneration to Future Sylar (explosion future) , since he acquired the power by killing Future Claire
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox power
{{stub}}
| image = powers_sylar_tk_2.jpg
{{noimage}}
| caption = [[Gabriel Gray]] demonstrates his newly-acquired [[telekinetic]] [[ability]] for [[Chandra Suresh]].
{{tocright}}
| ability to = Take the abilities of others

}}
[[Sylar]] claims to be able to '''take the [[powers]]''' of other [[evolved humans]]. Much is unknown about the actual process and mechanisms Sylar uses in order to take adopt these powers. However, it is likely that [[brain removal|removing brains]] has something to do with acquiring new powers.
[[Sylar]] has shown that he can '''acquire the [[abilities]]''' of other [[evolved humans]] by studying their [[brain]]s to determine how their powers function. The process apparently requires directly examining a particular part of the victim's brain (''[[The Second Coming]]''). Once he has examined the brain, he is able to duplicate the power himself.


==About==
==About==
===[[Six Months Ago]]===
===[[Six Months Ago]]===
When Sylar goes to [[Chandra's apartment (Brooklyn)|Chandra's apartment]], [[Chandra]] eventually turns him away since Sylar has no dicernible power. Later, Sylar encounters [[Brian Davis]], an [[evolved human]] with [[telekinetic]] powers. After [[Sylar's victims|killing]] Brian, Sylar goes back to see Chandra. This time, he has a newfound power — telekinesis.
When [[Gabriel Gray]] goes to [[Chandra's apartment (Brooklyn)|Chandra's apartment]], [[Chandra]] eventually turns him away since Gabriel has no discernible power. Later, Gabriel encounters [[Brian Davis]], an [[evolved human]] with [[telekinetic]] powers. He introduces himself as [[Sylar]]. Using his [[intuitive aptitude|ability]], Sylar determines he can take Brian's ability from his brain.


===[[Fallout]]===
===[[Fallout]]===
At [[Primatech Paper Co.]], [[Mr. Bennet]] tells Sylar that his organization is interested in Sylar because he has multiple powers; all the other evolved humans that have been encountered have had just one power each. Sylar tells his captor that ''this'' is what makes him special. Mr. Bennet further theorizes that Sylar's infusing so many changes to his DNA to absorb these powers has driven him insane. Sylar counters that he has one more power to collect — Claire's.
At [[Primatech Paper Co.]], [[Mr. Bennet]] tells Sylar that [[The Company|his organization]] is interested in Sylar because he has multiple powers; all the other [[evolved humans]] that have been encountered have had just one power each. Sylar tells his captor that ''this'' is what makes him special. Mr. Bennet further theorizes that Sylar's infusing so many changes to his DNA to absorb these powers has driven him insane. Sylar counters that he has one more power to collect — Claire's.


Later, Mr. Bennet again enters the room just outside [[Sylar's cell]]. Sylar claims that they are actually alike, because they both ''collect''. Sylar believes Mr. Bennet abducts people with [[powers]] because it makes him feel powerful. Mr. Bennet tells him that they're going to take him apart like a watch and find out what makes him tick.
Eden comes to [[Sylar's cell]] to [[suggestion|make]] him kill himself. However, his plan fails, and Eden kills herself. Sylar is visibly upset.

[[Eden]] comes to Sylar's cell with a [[The Company's gun|gun]], in an attempt to make Sylar kill himself. Sylar is awed at her power of [[persuasion]]. He tells Eden that he is going to consume her power. However, his plan fails, and Eden [[suicide|kills herself]]. Sylar is visibly upset.

===[[Godsend]]===
[[Hank]] and [[Mr. Bennet]] have determined that Sylar has multiple powers. Other than [[telekinesis]], they have been unable to identify what those other powers are.

===[[Run!]]===
Sylar meets [[Zane Taylor]] at [[Zane Taylor's home|Zane's home]], where Zane shows him his [[power]]. Later when [[Mohinder]] shows for his appointment, Sylar (posing as Zane) shows Mohinder that he can [[liquification|melt objects]]. Zane lies [[Sylar's victims|dead]] in the kitchen.

===[[Graphic Novel:Road Kill]]===
Sylar says he seems to be able to [[enhanced memory|remember]] things after meeting a [[Charlie|waitress]] from the [[Burnt Toast Diner]]. He then travels to [[Virginia Beach]] to steal [[liquefaction|a power]] from [[Zane Taylor]].

===[[Unexpected]]===
Sylar, posing as Zane Taylor, meets [[Dale Smither]] with Mohinder. After learning of her [[enhanced hearing|ability]], he becomes excited. Dale notices a change in his heartbeat. Later that night, Sylar returns. Dale notes that she couldn't hear his footsteps. He tells her that there weren't any. After [[Sylar's Victims|killing]] her, he leaves her suspended under a car she was working on for Mohinder to find her.

===[[.07%]]===
Sylar visits [[Isaac Mendez's apartment]], stakes [[Isaac]] to the floor with paintbrushes, and [[brain removal|removes]] his [[brain]]. Sylar immediately thereafter begins a crude painting with his newly acquired [[precognition|ability]].

===[[Graphic Novel:String Theory]]===
[[Hiro Nakamura (explosion future)|Future Hiro]] remembers [[Kensei sword|stabbing]] Sylar, but being unable to kill him because he stole [[Claire Bennet]]'s ability to [[regenerate]].

===[[Five Years Gone]]===
In addition to the list of powers he has already stolen, [[Sylar (explosion future)|Future Sylar]] demonstrates [[phasing]] (presumably stolen from the late [[D.L. Hawkins]]), [[illusion]] (stolen from [[Candice Willmer]]), and [[flight]] (stolen from [[Nathan Petrelli]] before assuming his identity). At the [[Petrelli mansion]], he [[Sylar's victims|kills]] [[Claire (explosion future)|Claire]], seems to [[brain removal|remove]] her [[brain]], and take her power of [[regeneration]].

===[[Landslide]]===
After calling in the FBI to capture [[Ted]], Sylar finds the FBI truck holding Ted and [[telekinesis|flips it]]. After finding Ted restrained, Sylar [[brain removal|opens up]] Ted and steals his [[induced radioactivity|ability]].

===[[Kindred]]===
[[Sylar]] attempts to use [[telekinesis]] on a coffee cup, but finds he cannot move things with his mind. He comments to [[Candice]] that he can't use this ability or [[freezing|freeze things]], but Candice tells him that until his chest heals, he may not be able to access his abilities. Later, Candice demonstrates her [[illusion|ability]] several times, and Sylar hits her over the head with the coffee cup. After [[brain removal|taking her brain]], Sylar attempts to use her ability, but finds that he cannot use it, just like his other abilities.

===[[The Second Coming]]===
After trapping her in [[Home (Costa_Verde)|her home]], Sylar successfully slices open [[Claire Bennet]]'s head, but not before she stabs him in the chest with a kitchen knife. Despite this, he examines her [[Brain|brain]] to find the source of [[Rapid Cell Regeneration|her ability]]. Due to her ability, Claire remains conscious during this time and asks Sylar if he will consume the brain to obtain her ability. Sylar expresses his disgust at this suggestion. After feeling through her brain for something in particular, Sylar seems to concentrate for a moment. He then removes the knife from his chest, and the wound heals, confirming that he obtained her ability to regenerate.

===[[The Butterfly Effect]]===
[[Elle]] returns to her [[Bob's office|father's office]] to find him dead in his chair with his brain removed. Elle races to [[Level 5]] and releases [[Noah Bennet]] from his cell. She gives him a gun and informs him of the situation. Shortly after, Sylar arrives and tosses Elle into the air. Bennet shoots Sylar multiple times in the chest. However, his wounds quickly heal, revealing to Bennet that he took Claire's ability. Sylar then incapacitates Bennet and walks over to Elle, who is lying on the ground barely conscious. Sylar demonstrates the [[Alchemy|newly acquired ability]] from Bob, turning the gun to gold. He then starts to cut open her head, but the pain causes her to unleash an enormous amount of [[Electricity|electrical energy]], which knocks out Sylar and overloads Level 5's power grid, allowing its prisoners to escape.

===[[One of Us, One of Them]]===
After revealing she is Sylar's mother and loosening his restraints, [[Angela Petrelli|Angela]] calls in [[Bridget Bailey]] and tells Sylar about her [[Clairsentience|ability]]. He asks her what Bridget is going to do to him, and Angela tells him she's there to "feed" him. As Angela walks away, Bridget is heard [[Brain removal|screaming]].

When Sylar and Noah manage to end the hostage situation in the bank, Sylar [[Telekinesis|locks]] the doors and proceeds to take [[Jesse Murphy]]'s [[Sound manipulation|ability]].

===[[Episode:Villains|Villains]]===
[[Sylar|Gabriel]] and [[Elle]] watch as [[Trevor]] demonstrates his ability, Elle expresses her admiration. Sylar grows jealous and slams Trevor against a bookcase in anger. Elle shocks Sylar in attempt to save Trevor but Sylar [[Telekinesis|Telekinetically]] throws her into the other room and orders her to get out. Sylar [[Telekinesis|telekinetically]] slices Trevors head open and steals his ability. Shocked at what he did, he runs into an empty room, leaving a bloody handprint on the door.

===[[Shades of Gray]]===
[[Samson Gray]] reveals that he, like his son, also acquired the abilities of other [[evolved humans]] through the use of [[intuitive aptitude]]. He later attempts to take Sylar's ability to regenerate by trying to cut open his head. Oddly enough, although Samson has demonstrated that he can still use [[telekinesis]], he tries to use a knife to cut open Sylar's head; apparently, Samson preferred a "hands-on approach".

===[[I Am Sylar]]===
Sylar visits Tom Miller, pretending to be [[Micah Sanders|Rebel]]. After Tom demonstrates [[Disintegration|an ability to disintegrate objects]], Sylar kills him and acquires his ability.

==Powers Stolen==
Since developing this process, [[Sylar]] has used it to steal the following abilities:
*'''[[Shattering]]''' from [[Trevor Zeitlan]] (''[[Villains]]'')
*'''[[Freezing]]''' from [[James Walker]] (''[[Don't Look Back]]'')
*'''[[Enhanced memory]]''' from [[Charlie Andrews]] (''[[Seven Minutes to Midnight]]'')
*'''[[Melting]]''' from [[Zane Taylor]] (''[[Run!]]'')
*'''[[Enhanced hearing]]''' from [[Dale Smither]] (''[[Unexpected]]'')
*'''[[Precognition]]''' from [[Isaac Mendez]] (''[[.07%]]'')
*'''[[Induced radioactivity]]''' from [[Ted Sprague]] (''[[Landslide]]'')

At one point, Sylar was infected with the Shanti virus (''[[Kindred]]''). After he cured himself, he resumed using this process, and used it to acquire the following abilities:

*'''[[Rapid cell regeneration]]''' from [[Claire Bennet]] (''[[The Second Coming]]'')
*'''[[Alchemy]]''' from [[Bob Bishop]] (''[[The Butterfly Effect]]'')
*'''[[Clairsentience]]''' from [[Bridget Bailey]] (''[[One of Us, One of Them]]'')
*'''[[Sound manipulation]]''' from [[Jesse Murphy]] (''[[One of Us, One of Them]]'')
*'''[[Lie detection]]''' from [[Sue Landers]] (''[[Our Father]]'')
*'''[[Imprinting]]''' from [[Joe Macon]] (''[[Out of Town... On Business]]'')
*'''[[Disintegration]]''' from [[Tom Miller]] (''[[I Am Sylar]]'')
[[Mohinder Suresh|Mohinder]] told the FBI that six people from [[Chandra]]'s [[list]] have been [[Sylar's victims|murdered by Sylar]] (''[[Fallout]]''). Since he murdered at least five more [[evolved humans]] before contracting the [[Shanti virus]], it is likely that he possessed at least five additional abilities at the time, before [[ability loss|losing]] them to the virus. It's likely that Sylar acquired an ability from a Chicago victim (possibly named [[David]]), although what ability (if there is one) is unknown. (''[[Turning Point]]'')

He tried to use this process to take the ability of [[illusion]] from [[Candice Willmer]] without success. (''[[Kindred]]'') He [[Ability loss|lost the use all of his abilities]] due to his infection, only regaining his base power and [[telekinesis]] after he cured himself with [[Blood_recipients#Shanti_Virus_Antidote_Blood_Recipients|a cure]] (''[[Powerless]]'', also [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17075 confirmed] by [[Joe Pokaski]] and [[Aron Coleite]])

In a possible [[Explosion Future|future timeline]], [[Sylar (explosion future)|Sylar]] has also stolen the following abilities:
*'''[[Phasing]]''' from [[D.L. Hawkins]] (''[[Five Years Gone]]'')
*'''[[Illusion]]''' from [[Candice Willmer]] (''[[Five Years Gone]]'')
*'''[[Flight]]''' from [[Nathan Petrelli]] (''[[Five Years Gone]]'')
*'''[[Rapid cell regeneration]]''' from [[Claire Bennet (explosion future)|Claire Bennet]] (''[[Five Years Gone]]'')

In another possible [[Exposed Future|future timeline]], [[Gabriel Gray (exposed future)|Sylar]] has reaquired the following abilities:
*'''[[Precognition]]''' from an unknown source (''[[I Am Become Death]]'')
*'''[[Induced radioactivity]]''' from an unknown source (''[[I Am Become Death]]'')

[[Samson Gray]] has stolen the following abilities:

*'''[[Telekinesis]]''' from an unknown source (''[[Exposed]]'')
*'''[[Sedation]]''' from an unknown source (''[[Shades of Gray]]'')

==Memorable Quotes==
"''Everyone else we've met has had only one [[ability]]. You've taken on several.''"

"''I guess that's what makes me special.''"

"''That's important to you isn't it — being special?''"

"''It's important to everyone.''"

"''I think you’re insane. I think the infusion of so many alterations to your DNA has corrupted your mind. All this power is degrading you.''"

"''And yet here I am, alive and well, and as soon as I get out, I’m gonna collect [[Rapid cell regeneration|one more ability]] from [[Claire|your daughter]].''"

: - [[Mr. Bennet]], [[Sylar]] (''[[Fallout]]'')


==Notes==
==Notes==
* When speaking with [[Brian Davis]], [[Sylar]] seemed to use his original [[intuitive aptitude]] ability to analyze Brian's [[brain]]--he told Brian that he was "broken", then promised he could fix Brian. (''[[Six Months Ago]]'')
Since Sylar has only [[brain removal|removed the brains]] of [[evolved humans]] (or those he mistook for evolved humans) so far, it is presumed that removing brains has something to do with absorbing powers. Indeed, Sylar learns many things from Dr. Suresh and his book:
* In [http://www.wizarduniverse.com/television/heroes/002880960.cfm an interview], [[Tim Kring]] elaborated on the similarities and differences between Peter and Sylar's abilities, calling them "two halves of a similar coin".<blockquote>"Both are able to absorb people’s powers, but in two very different ways. Peter’s is based on his empathy and his ability to connect with people and when he’s around them. Sylar actually has to [[brain removal|take your brain]] and do something with it."</blockquote>
* Chandra tells Sylar that the brain controls every action.
* Chandra tells Sylar that the brain controls every action. It appears that if the [[brain]] is involved in ability absorption, the brain must be intact, but not necessarily living.
* It is unclear whether or not Brian Davis ever had his brain removed. Sylar (as Gabriel Gray/Gabriel Sylar) killed him, and shortly thereafter acquired the same powers as Brian. We presently do not know how this was accomplished.
* It is unclear whether or not [[Brian Davis]] ever had his brain removed. Sylar (as Gabriel Gray/Gabriel Sylar) killed him, and also acquired Brian's ability through empathy. It is reasonable to guess, however, that he also broke open Brian's skull to examine his brain in much the same primitive manner that he did Candice's, (''[[Kindred]]'') as Sylar was later unaware that he could gain abilities through empathy. (''[[It's Coming]]'')
* In an interview, [[Zachary Quinto]] said, concerning how Sylar absorbs the powers of others, "They haven't told me. The impression I was operating under was he actually ingested them, but I don't know."
* In an [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9817 interview], [[Aron Coleite]] and [[Joe Pokaski]] explain that, although unusual vocal effects were used for both [[Sylar]] (''[[Distractions]]'') and [[Peter Petrelli]] (''[[Unexpected]]''), both were for "coolness factor", and were not an indication that either was using persuasion. They later [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=10433 reiterated] the point in reference to Sylar's voice in ''[[.07%]]''.
* It appears that if the [[brain]] is invovled in power absorption, the brain must be intact, but not necessarily living.
* In ''[[Kindred]]'', Sylar attempts to steal [[Candice]]'s ability of [[illusion]], but finds that neither this ability nor any of the other acquired abilities work.
::Eden kills herself by shooting herself in the brain, intending to prevent Sylar from gaining her [[power]] of [[suggestion]]. Indeed, in [[Fathers and Daughters|Fathers & Daughters]], [[Mr. Bennet]] confirms that Eden stopped Sylar from taking her "gift".
* When examining [[Claire]]'s brain in ''[[The Second Coming]]'', [[Sylar]] was able to find what he sought without actually removing her brain from her head. Only the top half of her brain was exposed, indicating that the critical parts for Sylar's examination are in the cerebrum. When he was examining [[Candice]]'s brain in ''[[Kindred]]'' and [[Brian Davis]]'s in ''[[Six Months Ago]]'', he made an opening in the back of the skull.
::[[James Walker]] was [[cryokinesis|frozen]] in mid-bite, and his brain seems to have been removed ''after'' his death.
* Sylar also possesses the ability to empathically steal abilities from people without killing them, although this takes more effort and time. He has used this to copy [[telekinesis]] from [[Brian Davis]], [[electrical manipulation]] from [[Elle Bishop]], [[shape shifting]] from [[James Martin]], [[flight]] from [[Nathan Petrelli]] and [[empathy]] from [[Lydia]], although he ended up killing all but Lydia.


==See Also==
{{theories}}
* For [[Peter Petrelli]]'s ability to acquire the powers of other evolved humans, see '''[[empathic mimicry]]''' or '''[[ability replication]]'''.
* For [[Linda Tavara]]'s ability to take the abilities of others after killing them, see '''[[aura absorption]]'''.
* For [[Arthur Petrelli]]'s ability to take other's abilities and render them powerless, see '''[[power absorption]]'''.


{{theories}}
[[Category: Powers]]
{{power}}
[[Category: Theories]]
[[Category: Plot Points]]
[[Category:Sylar's crimes]]
[[de:Kräftediebstahl]]

Latest revision as of 21:07, 27 September 2015

Ability theft

Gabriel Gray demonstrates his newly-acquired telekinetic ability for Chandra Suresh.
Ability to: Take the abilities of others

Sylar has shown that he can acquire the abilities of other evolved humans by studying their brains to determine how their powers function. The process apparently requires directly examining a particular part of the victim's brain (The Second Coming). Once he has examined the brain, he is able to duplicate the power himself.

About

Six Months Ago

When Gabriel Gray goes to Chandra's apartment, Chandra eventually turns him away since Gabriel has no discernible power. Later, Gabriel encounters Brian Davis, an evolved human with telekinetic powers. He introduces himself as Sylar. Using his ability, Sylar determines he can take Brian's ability from his brain.

Fallout

At Primatech Paper Co., Mr. Bennet tells Sylar that his organization is interested in Sylar because he has multiple powers; all the other evolved humans that have been encountered have had just one power each. Sylar tells his captor that this is what makes him special. Mr. Bennet further theorizes that Sylar's infusing so many changes to his DNA to absorb these powers has driven him insane. Sylar counters that he has one more power to collect — Claire's.

Later, Mr. Bennet again enters the room just outside Sylar's cell. Sylar claims that they are actually alike, because they both collect. Sylar believes Mr. Bennet abducts people with powers because it makes him feel powerful. Mr. Bennet tells him that they're going to take him apart like a watch and find out what makes him tick.

Eden comes to Sylar's cell with a gun, in an attempt to make Sylar kill himself. Sylar is awed at her power of persuasion. He tells Eden that he is going to consume her power. However, his plan fails, and Eden kills herself. Sylar is visibly upset.

Godsend

Hank and Mr. Bennet have determined that Sylar has multiple powers. Other than telekinesis, they have been unable to identify what those other powers are.

Run!

Sylar meets Zane Taylor at Zane's home, where Zane shows him his power. Later when Mohinder shows for his appointment, Sylar (posing as Zane) shows Mohinder that he can melt objects. Zane lies dead in the kitchen.

Graphic Novel:Road Kill

Sylar says he seems to be able to remember things after meeting a waitress from the Burnt Toast Diner. He then travels to Virginia Beach to steal a power from Zane Taylor.

Unexpected

Sylar, posing as Zane Taylor, meets Dale Smither with Mohinder. After learning of her ability, he becomes excited. Dale notices a change in his heartbeat. Later that night, Sylar returns. Dale notes that she couldn't hear his footsteps. He tells her that there weren't any. After killing her, he leaves her suspended under a car she was working on for Mohinder to find her.

.07%

Sylar visits Isaac Mendez's apartment, stakes Isaac to the floor with paintbrushes, and removes his brain. Sylar immediately thereafter begins a crude painting with his newly acquired ability.

Graphic Novel:String Theory

Future Hiro remembers stabbing Sylar, but being unable to kill him because he stole Claire Bennet's ability to regenerate.

Five Years Gone

In addition to the list of powers he has already stolen, Future Sylar demonstrates phasing (presumably stolen from the late D.L. Hawkins), illusion (stolen from Candice Willmer), and flight (stolen from Nathan Petrelli before assuming his identity). At the Petrelli mansion, he kills Claire, seems to remove her brain, and take her power of regeneration.

Landslide

After calling in the FBI to capture Ted, Sylar finds the FBI truck holding Ted and flips it. After finding Ted restrained, Sylar opens up Ted and steals his ability.

Kindred

Sylar attempts to use telekinesis on a coffee cup, but finds he cannot move things with his mind. He comments to Candice that he can't use this ability or freeze things, but Candice tells him that until his chest heals, he may not be able to access his abilities. Later, Candice demonstrates her ability several times, and Sylar hits her over the head with the coffee cup. After taking her brain, Sylar attempts to use her ability, but finds that he cannot use it, just like his other abilities.

The Second Coming

After trapping her in her home, Sylar successfully slices open Claire Bennet's head, but not before she stabs him in the chest with a kitchen knife. Despite this, he examines her brain to find the source of her ability. Due to her ability, Claire remains conscious during this time and asks Sylar if he will consume the brain to obtain her ability. Sylar expresses his disgust at this suggestion. After feeling through her brain for something in particular, Sylar seems to concentrate for a moment. He then removes the knife from his chest, and the wound heals, confirming that he obtained her ability to regenerate.

The Butterfly Effect

Elle returns to her father's office to find him dead in his chair with his brain removed. Elle races to Level 5 and releases Noah Bennet from his cell. She gives him a gun and informs him of the situation. Shortly after, Sylar arrives and tosses Elle into the air. Bennet shoots Sylar multiple times in the chest. However, his wounds quickly heal, revealing to Bennet that he took Claire's ability. Sylar then incapacitates Bennet and walks over to Elle, who is lying on the ground barely conscious. Sylar demonstrates the newly acquired ability from Bob, turning the gun to gold. He then starts to cut open her head, but the pain causes her to unleash an enormous amount of electrical energy, which knocks out Sylar and overloads Level 5's power grid, allowing its prisoners to escape.

One of Us, One of Them

After revealing she is Sylar's mother and loosening his restraints, Angela calls in Bridget Bailey and tells Sylar about her ability. He asks her what Bridget is going to do to him, and Angela tells him she's there to "feed" him. As Angela walks away, Bridget is heard screaming.

When Sylar and Noah manage to end the hostage situation in the bank, Sylar locks the doors and proceeds to take Jesse Murphy's ability.

Villains

Gabriel and Elle watch as Trevor demonstrates his ability, Elle expresses her admiration. Sylar grows jealous and slams Trevor against a bookcase in anger. Elle shocks Sylar in attempt to save Trevor but Sylar Telekinetically throws her into the other room and orders her to get out. Sylar telekinetically slices Trevors head open and steals his ability. Shocked at what he did, he runs into an empty room, leaving a bloody handprint on the door.

Shades of Gray

Samson Gray reveals that he, like his son, also acquired the abilities of other evolved humans through the use of intuitive aptitude. He later attempts to take Sylar's ability to regenerate by trying to cut open his head. Oddly enough, although Samson has demonstrated that he can still use telekinesis, he tries to use a knife to cut open Sylar's head; apparently, Samson preferred a "hands-on approach".

I Am Sylar

Sylar visits Tom Miller, pretending to be Rebel. After Tom demonstrates an ability to disintegrate objects, Sylar kills him and acquires his ability.

Powers Stolen

Since developing this process, Sylar has used it to steal the following abilities:

At one point, Sylar was infected with the Shanti virus (Kindred). After he cured himself, he resumed using this process, and used it to acquire the following abilities:

Mohinder told the FBI that six people from Chandra's list have been murdered by Sylar (Fallout). Since he murdered at least five more evolved humans before contracting the Shanti virus, it is likely that he possessed at least five additional abilities at the time, before losing them to the virus. It's likely that Sylar acquired an ability from a Chicago victim (possibly named David), although what ability (if there is one) is unknown. (Turning Point)

He tried to use this process to take the ability of illusion from Candice Willmer without success. (Kindred) He lost the use all of his abilities due to his infection, only regaining his base power and telekinesis after he cured himself with a cure (Powerless, also confirmed by Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite)

In a possible future timeline, Sylar has also stolen the following abilities:

In another possible future timeline, Sylar has reaquired the following abilities:

Samson Gray has stolen the following abilities:

Memorable Quotes

"Everyone else we've met has had only one ability. You've taken on several."

"I guess that's what makes me special."

"That's important to you isn't it — being special?"

"It's important to everyone."

"I think you’re insane. I think the infusion of so many alterations to your DNA has corrupted your mind. All this power is degrading you."

"And yet here I am, alive and well, and as soon as I get out, I’m gonna collect one more ability from your daughter."

- Mr. Bennet, Sylar (Fallout)

Notes

  • When speaking with Brian Davis, Sylar seemed to use his original intuitive aptitude ability to analyze Brian's brain--he told Brian that he was "broken", then promised he could fix Brian. (Six Months Ago)
  • In an interview, Tim Kring elaborated on the similarities and differences between Peter and Sylar's abilities, calling them "two halves of a similar coin".

    "Both are able to absorb people’s powers, but in two very different ways. Peter’s is based on his empathy and his ability to connect with people and when he’s around them. Sylar actually has to take your brain and do something with it."

  • Chandra tells Sylar that the brain controls every action. It appears that if the brain is involved in ability absorption, the brain must be intact, but not necessarily living.
  • It is unclear whether or not Brian Davis ever had his brain removed. Sylar (as Gabriel Gray/Gabriel Sylar) killed him, and also acquired Brian's ability through empathy. It is reasonable to guess, however, that he also broke open Brian's skull to examine his brain in much the same primitive manner that he did Candice's, (Kindred) as Sylar was later unaware that he could gain abilities through empathy. (It's Coming)
  • In an interview, Aron Coleite and Joe Pokaski explain that, although unusual vocal effects were used for both Sylar (Distractions) and Peter Petrelli (Unexpected), both were for "coolness factor", and were not an indication that either was using persuasion. They later reiterated the point in reference to Sylar's voice in .07%.
  • In Kindred, Sylar attempts to steal Candice's ability of illusion, but finds that neither this ability nor any of the other acquired abilities work.
  • When examining Claire's brain in The Second Coming, Sylar was able to find what he sought without actually removing her brain from her head. Only the top half of her brain was exposed, indicating that the critical parts for Sylar's examination are in the cerebrum. When he was examining Candice's brain in Kindred and Brian Davis's in Six Months Ago, he made an opening in the back of the skull.
  • Sylar also possesses the ability to empathically steal abilities from people without killing them, although this takes more effort and time. He has used this to copy telekinesis from Brian Davis, electrical manipulation from Elle Bishop, shape shifting from James Martin, flight from Nathan Petrelli and empathy from Lydia, although he ended up killing all but Lydia.

See Also

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:Ability theft for fan-created theories and other speculation.

Evolved Human Abilities edit
Abilities

Extension:DynamicPageList3 (DPL3), version 3.6.1: Error: MediaWiki\Extension\DynamicPageList3\Query::buildAndSelect: The DynamicPageList3 extension (version 3.6.1) produced a SQL statement which led to a Database error.<br/>The reason may be an internal error of DynamicPageList3 or an error that you made; especially when using parameters like 'categoryregexp' or 'titleregexp'. Usage of non-greedy <code>*?</code> matching patterns are not supported.<br/>The error message was:<br/><code></code>

Evolutions Abilities

Extension:DynamicPageList3 (DPL3), version 3.6.1: Error: MediaWiki\Extension\DynamicPageList3\Query::buildAndSelect: The DynamicPageList3 extension (version 3.6.1) produced a SQL statement which led to a Database error.<br/>The reason may be an internal error of DynamicPageList3 or an error that you made; especially when using parameters like 'categoryregexp' or 'titleregexp'. Usage of non-greedy <code>*?</code> matching patterns are not supported.<br/>The error message was:<br/><code></code>

Graphic Novel Abilities

Extension:DynamicPageList3 (DPL3), version 3.6.1: Error: MediaWiki\Extension\DynamicPageList3\Query::buildAndSelect: The DynamicPageList3 extension (version 3.6.1) produced a SQL statement which led to a Database error.<br/>The reason may be an internal error of DynamicPageList3 or an error that you made; especially when using parameters like 'categoryregexp' or 'titleregexp'. Usage of non-greedy <code>*?</code> matching patterns are not supported.<br/>The error message was:<br/><code></code>

See Also:

Extension:DynamicPageList3 (DPL3), version 3.6.1: Error: MediaWiki\Extension\DynamicPageList3\Query::buildAndSelect: The DynamicPageList3 extension (version 3.6.1) produced a SQL statement which led to a Database error.<br/>The reason may be an internal error of DynamicPageList3 or an error that you made; especially when using parameters like 'categoryregexp' or 'titleregexp'. Usage of non-greedy <code>*?</code> matching patterns are not supported.<br/>The error message was:<br/><code></code>

Retrieved from "https://heroeswiki.ddns.net/index.php?title=Ability_theft&oldid=3550"