Theories:Powers

This article will archive all of the published and fan theories that exist for powers from Heroes.

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Intuitive aptitude

Theory	Citations	Notes
Sylar's abilities may extend beyond just figuring out systems and objects. His intuitive analysis may extend to figuring out "clues" about people and things—a sort of super-Sherlock Holmes level of observation and intuition.	When Sylar is first imprisoned in his cell and being questioned by Mr. Bennet, he seems to quickly figure out who Claire is—that she is the cheerleader he wanted, that she is Bennet's daughter, etc. (Fallout)	+ Given that he was previously misled as to the cheerleader's identity (Homecoming), it is hard to explain how he suddenly came to these conclusions about Claire, much less her name. If this theory proves true, Sylar figured this out by watching Bennet as they were talking and picking up on intuitive clues, bits of data he did not have before he could "observe" Bennet. He did say that he can figure out what makes people "tick". - An alternative is that Sylar possesses some other telepathic ability similar to Matt Parkman's and was reading Bennet's mind. This seems less likely, however—especially since the Haitian can easily block such abilities. + Sylar's "native" power of intuition may have been much harder to suppress, and he could still use it even while imprisoned. If his powers were slowly coming back to him after being captured, it may make sense that his first ability was also the first to return and be usable. Also, the Haitian's blocking ability seems to work best against powers that require concentration, and Sylar's intuitive aptitude may be something he does unconsciously. - Sylar probably learned about Claire from Chandra and his research. Chandra had a photo of Claire and even contacted Mr. Bennet concerning the possibility of her being an evolved human. + This explains how Sylar was able to understand how to control the abilities of those he stole much faster. Dale, Zane, and Ted all could not fully control their powers, not even Peter. Sylar can understand how things work so perhaps, with just a short about of time, he can understand how to use and control the abilities of those he steals them from quicker than the orginal owner themselves.
Sylar might be able to "fix" himself on a molecular level.	Sylar recovers rapidly from bullet wounds. (Road Kill)	+ This could also explain how he acquires powers. He adds other evolved human's DNA to his, which would make him sick, unless he could integrate it into his own. + This could also explain how Sylar recovered from being drugged by Mohinder. While it originally impaired the parts of his brain required to use his telekinesis, he soon figured out what exactly it was doing to his brain, and figured out a way to avoid the effects until his telekinesis recovered enough to turn off the IV. - This would also mean that he would be able to heal himself, and therefore wouldn't need Claire's powers. - Sylar hasn't received any fatal wounds so far, so he could have just healed naturally.
It is quite possible that this ability is what allows Sylar to "absorb" the powers of his victims, removing their brains and analyzing them in order to see how the power works and is manifest, his brain then adjusting itself to accommodate this.	Sylar makes a neat incision to remove his victim's brains. (Seven Minutes to Midnight, Homecoming, Parasite) Sylar has mentioned seeing how his victim's powers work as he attacks (Six Months Ago, Parasite)	• Were Sylar merely ingesting the brains, such a precise incision would not be necessary. • While this self-adjusting could be explained by his telekinetic abilities, that would not explain how he acquired Brian Davis's telekinetic powers in the first place. While Mr. Bennet confirmed that Sylar has multiple abilities, it was implied that he had only one "innate" ability, suggesting that a non-superpowered method was used to acquire Davis's powers. + The brain constructs new neural pathways as it learns new things. Often this process is slow and takes repeatability, and over time those neural connections become shorter and more efficient. With Sylar's ability, those neural pathways construct and reconfigure instantly, just by looking at an object. Since he already has the DNA for an evolved human, such automatic reconstruction in his brain may be all that's needed to acquire a new power instantly and with a large degree of mastery.
Intuitive aptitude, contrary to our current understanding, may only actually involve the understanding of individuals and their biological workings.	None	• Although Sylar was able to point out the problems with Chandra's watch, this may just be through his expertise as a watch maker. The term "to see how things work" may just be used as a gimmick, and not literal to everything that has a structure. + The dossier mentions his ability to understand the biological workings; the absorption of Charlie's power may explain why he is able to adapt to his new powers relatively quickly, often exhibiting greater control over them than their original owner. - Sylar has mentioned several times that he just has an understanding of how things work. When he says this he says so in a general sense.
A person with intuitive aptitude may be a small-scale version of Laplace's Demon	Laplace's Demon is a hypothetical intellect that would know the precise location and momentum of every atom in the universe. With this knowledge, it would know every event in the universe's past, present, and future.	+ One of the main criticisms of Laplace's Demon is that the intellect would have to be capable of computing the future states of the universe faster than they actually occur. However, this is not a problem with small-scale systems such as a watch or a human brain. + Another criticism of Laplace's Demon is that the slightest uncertainty of a single electron would make its prediction impossible. But this is not a problem for a regular, mechanical system that performs the same functions repeatedly.

Isaac's paintings

Theory	Citations	Notes
Isaac paints in a fugue state and is not aware of the content of his paintings while creating them.	None.	+ Isaac paints Peter's location but is not aware until afterwards that Peter was invisible. (Distractions) He appears to need to study his paintings afterwards in order to derive meaning from them, as he needs to notice Peter's footprints to find him. - Isaac says that he remembered the explosion while experiencing his vision -- "There was a bright light like an explosion. It wiped out the whole city like Hiroshima."

Liquefaction

Theory	Citations	Notes
After an object melts, it re-solidifies.	Shadows and gaps are visible under some of the "puddles" in Zane Taylor's home where they don't meet the tarp, and some of them have thick, rounded edges. (Run!)	+ This may change the definition of the power further, to "the ability to disassemble an object's molecular structure." • This could be simply a prop mistake.
Organic matter cannot be liquified.	Zane's body was shown completely un-liquified. (Run!)	+ He was on tarps so Sylar may have tried to liquify but could not. - Zane may have been immune to his own power, just as those with invisibility are immune to invisibility effects they have on others, and those who can create fire or radiation are not burned, and those who can stop time are not themselves stopped. • Zane's brain was already removed, and thus if Zane's power and his immunity to his power were housed in his brain, Zane wouldn't have been protected from being liquified if Sylar so chose to do so. - There were tarps everywhere, it was likely just that there were already tarps in the room that he was killed in. Sylar had no reason to care about making a mess of Zane Taylor's home. - Sylar might not have been intended by the writers to liquify Zane's body as he would need Zane's DNA for Mohinder later.
If Zane got a sword, and liquefaction was reversible, then, with sufficient training, he can morph the blade into several different shapes depending on the necessary occasion.	None.	- Zane is dead. + Sylar may be able to do this, assuming he gets the sword from Hiro. • Or a different sword.

Powers

Theory	Citations	Notes
All evolved human powers are manifestations or variations on the classic psychic abilities of telepathy, telekinesis, and extra-sensory perception (ESP).	According to Chandra Suresh, all powers appear to originate from a particular mutation in the brain. (Six Months Ago)	• If true, enhanced strength and regeneration are manifestations of telekinesis; mental manipulation is a variant of telepathy; precognition and electronic data transception are types of ESP, etc. + Sylar, using his ability to discern how things work, identifies the brain as the source of powers, and takes powers after opening up the brain, including super-hearing which would normally be associated with the ears. When Claire's brain is damaged, she is unable to regenerate until the stick is removed. - The Haitian can only block mental powers, therefore, some powers must be physical. - This does not account for powers such as induced radioactivity, pyrokinesis, cryokinesis, or other forms of energy manipulation.
All evolved humans have the same power, they just manifest different aspects of it.	None.	+ Both Peter Petrelli and Sylar are able to acquire seemingly any power. The underlying core power may be a special connection with a different level of reality, with the ability to both sense more and to manipulate reality under the control of the mind. - A counter to this is that when Sylar is jailed, it is suggested he has DNA for telekinesis. This contradicts Chandra Suresh's belief that they all share the same mutation. It could be that the same genetic mutation can manifest itself in different ways for different people. • This could be a scripting mistake, as Sylar acquired his powers from Brian Davis. On the other hand, Mr Bennet states that Sylar has been altering his DNA, raising the question of why his other acquired powers did not show themselves in his DNA. - Mohinder tells Nathan that Peter's specific DNA allows him to mimic the abilities of others. His choice of words -- "specific" -- indicates that Peter's DNA is unique, and has a different power from everyone else. (The Fix) :• It could be that the genes are at first ambiguous and capable of manifesting into anything, before the power actually manifesting causes them to become "specific". (See two theories down, especially the notes concerning Nathan and D.L.)
Natural-born super powers are a result of evolution and adaptation being influenced by the subconscious whims of the subject. In short, a person gets an ability that helps them in their day-to-day life, based on what they (either consciously or subconsciously) think they need.	None.	+ Peter's empathy would be useful in an occupation (nurse) that depends on feeling and healing the suffering of others. + Nathan first manifested his flight power when he needed a fast escape. + Matt's telepathy could be useful for a cop and a man who struggles in knowing what he should say to people. + Niki vocally expressed her desire to be two people and her worries about being strong enough for her son several times. + D.L.'s ability to phase through matter would certainly be useful for a man in prison seeking escape. + Sylar's ability to understand how complex systems work would be a boon to any watchmaker. + Additionally, Tim Kring has stated in interviews that the character's powers are reflections of their personalities. + Charlie was a waitress and her powers of memorization would greatly assist her in taking and delivering orders. + Hiro's power first manifested when he was trying to 'will' the train into not arriving, and he did succeed in making it late.
The powers are designed by a higher power.	None.	+ There are many references to religion in Heroes. For example, many of the characters are named after biblical figures. Also, Chandra Suresh's door is number 613, a holy number in the old testament. + The creators of the show have also hinted that there's a supernatural element to the character's powers. Tim Kring studied divinity in school, and Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite have commented on the preponderance of Biblical names. - However, religious symbolism doesn't necessarily imply a religious cause.
All powers also have compensatory secondary abilities that make their use survivable and usable.	Meredith is unharmed by her own fire. (Distractions) Ted is unharmed by his own radiation. (Company Man) Nathan seems immune to the air pressure and wind sheer effects of supersonic flight. (Hiros)	+ Claude's invisibility would also render him blind, as it would make his retinas unable to refract light. He possesses some kind of compensatory mechanism in order to see, which is what allows Peter to see him. + Hiro and apparently Peter negate the effects of the lack of molecular motion which would result from suspending time which would theoretically cause absolute zero temperatures. + This would also explain why changes can be seen when time is frozen. This is because if time stopped, the motion of the light waves would also stop, meaning everything would look the same even if it was different, simply because the light would not yet have been able to reflect off of the objects under the new circumstances.
Twins have the same or similar powers.	None.	+ Twins (in popular culture) are closely connected both genetically and emotionally and generally share similar traits, even when separated. • As we have yet to see any twins in the series, this remains untested.
Powers are the result of a virus.	None.	+ Viruses alter DNA, and transposons literally can cut and paste genetic material and have had a large impact on evolution. 40% of human evolution is the result of transposons. The long incubation time in some viruses could mean mutation caused in such a way wouldn't manifest until late in life in the first generation, and late childhood/early teens in the second generation. + Many virus have a single strand DNA/RNA code. And had been stated that the "Symbol" represent a single RNA helix. + A virus could preferredly infect brain cells, and that is why Sylar need to "eat" them. - There has so far been no suggestion that abilities can be transferred to another through infection. Nor has it been confirmed that Sylar eats brains (and, at the risk of sounding unencyclopaedic, it would be really dumb if he did).
Abilities are passed on maternally.	None.	+ Nathan's two sons have yet to show any abilities, yet Micah and Claire, both children of mothers with abilities, have. - It could be simply that somebody is more likely to demonstrate abilities if both parents are powered than if just one is. - Molly's father was apparently her only powered parent, yet she manifested her power just as early as Micah, who had two.
Animals may develop powers as well.	None.	+ In this show, all around the world, humans are evolving and developing extraordinary abilities. It wouldn't seem much of stretch to say that other species are not part of this evolutionary process. - According to evolutionary theory, a new feature originates in a particular branch of the evolutionary "tree" and spreads only in descendants of its originators; it does not jump from one branch of the tree to another. Since superhuman powers originated in the human branch of the tree, it should not appear in others. - Evolutionarily speaking, animals should have developed similar abilities. Convergent evolution is the reason why the eye has evolved over seven times independently. If these abilities are possible, they're also possible for animals. However, many of these abilities would probably cause the animals that possesses them to die before they reached sexual maturity, such as those of Sprague or Claire's mother. Other abilities, like technopathy and Hana Gitelman's ability, would have been completely useless, and therefore there would have experienced no selective pressure in the gene pool.
Ando, Simone, Charles Deveaux and Mohinder all have undiscovered powers.	None.	+ Everyone in Peter's dreams are already pre-existing known empowered individuals, with the particular exception -- thus far -- of these three. - Simone has died, but it is possible she had an undiscovered power. - Tim Kring has stated that neither Ando nor Mohinder will ever get a power.
No two living evolved humans have the same power.	The only evolved humans to have more than one power are Peter and Sylar but technically they have other evolved humans' powers.	+ So far, no two characters have shown the same power. + Chandra's research may refer to different variations of the same power, not the exact same one. - When Claude realizes that Peter Petrelli is capable of mimicking his power, he responds "Fantastic! One of those"; this implies that there are more evolved humans like Peter.
The gene which controls the development of a power within an individual's brain is a recessive one. Therefore, any child of two powered parents should have powers, as well.	None.	+ Niki and D.L. both have powers, and their son Micah has his own power. + Both Meredith, Claire's mother and Nathan, Claire's father, have powers, thus Claire has a power of her own. + The two sons that Nathan has had with Heidi, his wheelchair-bound wife (who is not an evolved human), do not possess any known powers. + Nathan and Peter parents have been referred to as being super human.

Rapid cell regeneration

Theory	Citations	Notes
With frequent use, this power renders the user to be able to feel only minimal pain, if not no pain at all.	None.	+ In almost all cases of Claire regenerating herself, she has exhibited little or no signs of visible pain. However, due to Peter Petrelli's infrequent use of his regeneration powers, he feels pain whenever he is sufficiently injured. (i.e. Sylar's attempted headcutting. (.07%); Peter shrieks in pain - compare to Sylar's headcutting in Five Years Gone, in which Claire does not show any visible signs of pain + Peter may be crying out in horror and fear, afraid that his head is about to be sliced open, and calling on all hi strength to regenerate fast enough to survive. + Pain is a warning system for the body. Perhaps her body "knows" that it is not in any real danger, so it has ceased to use the sensation of pain. - Claire screams "Ow!" when Lyle staples her. (Nothing to Hide) + Claire could very well have said "Ow!" out of shock/surprise rather than out of any real pain. This is furthered by the fact that she showed barely any pain at having her hand mangled by a garbage disposal unit. (Genesis) - Claire showed that she was in pain through her facial expression when she grabbed the extremely hot muffin tray. (Better Halves) • Claire didn't even feel the Rib sticking out of her side until Zach pointed it out to her. + She also showed an expression of boredom on her face rather than one of pain when she pushed the rib back in. • It is possible that the effect is psychological. Claire knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that pain is temporary, so she has unconsciously learned to ignore it.

Rift

Theory	Citations	Notes
Rifts are holes in space and time, caused by paradoxes and other conflicts in causality.	Future Hiro states he risks causing a rift by returning to the past. (Hiros)	+ Hiro would have created a causality paradox by going into the past (i.e. if he saves Charlie from Sylar, he never has a reason to go back and save her), which could theoretically create a rift--possibly explaining his sudden return to the present. Hiro has not been able to fully access his powers since. This is also one common definition of a temporal rift in science-fiction literature. The fact that he kept his message ("Save the cheerleader, save the world") ambiguous supports the fact that Future Hiro was trying his best to alter the past without creating a paradox.
Rifts interfere with the abilities of time-travelers, either by leaving time-travelers unable to use their powers or by creating points in time they cannot travel to.	Future Hiro speaks of rifts as something to be avoided. (Hiros)	+ Also, Hiro's powers do not function properly after his trip to the past to save Charlie.
Rifts are not portals in space and time.	None.	+ While a rift, in science fiction literature, can refer to either a portal in space/time or a wound in space/time, it seems clear by the context of Future Hiro's remarks that they are using the latter sense of the word as rifts are suggested to be a bad thing.

Space-time manipulation

Theory	Citations	Notes
There is some kind of higher-power/cosmic authority that prevents Hiro from creating paradoxes.	When Hiro seems on the verge of saving Charlie and thus causing a causality paradox, he returns unexpectedly to the present. (Six Months Ago)	+ Hiro's forced return to Present-Day Japan and inability to use his powers to go back and make further attempts to save Charlie Andrews suggest that something is blocking his ability to go back to that specific point in space time. + Also, Future Hiro has to get someone else to go back to present-day Odessa to save Claire rather than taking matters into his own hands, perhaps due to his inability to return to that point in space and time due to a rift his past self created. - If this were true, then Hiro shouldn't have been able to change the events of the explosion, because Future Hiro wouldn't have come back and told Peter to save the cheerleader.
Hiro's presence in the past manipulates objects, but not people's memories.	Charlie does not recognize Hiro when she first meets him in the present. (Seven Minutes to Midnight)	+ Charlie still had a Japanese phrasebook in the present after Hiro gave it to her in the past. Yet Charlie did not seem to remember Hiro when he first came to Odessa in the present nor did any of Hiro's co-workers at the diner recognize him despite his having worked there six months earlier. The change in the photograph of Charlie's birthday party also shows an object recording a historical event that nobody remembered. - However, when Ando shows the photo to Lynette, she does recognize Hiro, telling him "they were tight". This suggests the common comic book device of a second time dimension - the timeline is changed only "after" the time-traveler goes back in time to change them. • However, this would raise the question of who gave Charlie the Japanese phrase book "before" Hiro traveled back in time. This suggests that the timeline can be changed, but not in a way that would give the time-traveller no reason to travel back in time (which would create a paradox).
There is no predestination in the world of Heroes.	Hiro's trip to the past appears to have actually changed past events from his perspective. (Six Months Ago)	+ If Hiro's trip to the past to try and save Charlie were meant to have happened, then all of his former co-workers at the diner (to say nothing of Charlie herself) should have recognized Hiro when he came into the diner for the first time, six months after he had been working there. + From a writing stand-point, it doesn't make sense for Hiro and Isaac to have the powers that they do if they cannot use those powers to change future events. • However, although some events can be changed, it seems that others (such as Charlie's death at the hands of Sylar) are immutable. + Future Hiro's trip to the past allowed Claire to live five years longer following Sylar's first attempt to kill her. This shows that the timestream can be altered. (Five Years Gone)
Hiro's ability is the cause of others' abilities, by transporting himself or someone else into the past. It would represent a closed loop.	None.
A person with the power of space-time manipulation cannot have their memories altered by a change in their own personal timeline. In short, they are immune to the effects of a paradox changing time and if a person changes the past, their own memories will of what things were like before the change remain unaltered. The one exception to this is if they die in another time.	Future Hiro traveled back to talk to Peter to tell him what to do to save Claire. (Hiros) Future Hiro must have figured that Peter, who could copy his power, would remain immune to the affects of any paradox Future Hiro caused by going back in time to deliver the warning. Future Hiro's memories of what the Dark Future was like before he went to talk to Peter remained unchanged, though some details about the past did change. (Five Years Gone)	+ This would explain why Future Hiro needed to find an exact point to talk to Peter, before they "met for the first time" in the Dark Future. + It would also explain why he chose Peter - who he knew would gain his power and become similarly immune to the effects of paradox. + It would also explain why Sylar, disguised as Nathan, would be so insistant on killing Hiro - especially after it was confirmed to him that Hiro COULD travel through time.