Ability loss
| Ability loss | |
|---|---|
 Peter is surprised to find that he has lost his abilities. |
Ability loss is a condition in which an evolved human is unable to use his/her ability. Ability loss can be temporary or permanent, and caused by a number of means. Known ways of causing this condition include drugs, the effects of certain evolved human abilities, the Shanti virus, or some solar eclipses.
Most evolved humans lose the use of their abilities when near the Haitian. This ability loss only temporary, as the use of abilities returns when the Haitian leaves or is incapacitated. There have been examples of abilities being used in the Haitian's presence, such as when Nathan flew away (Hiros), or when the Haitian had to use thermal imaging goggles to see Peter and Claude who were both invisible, despite being just a few feet away from the Haitian (Unexpected), but it is unknown if it was due to the abilities not being affected by his power or the Haitian simply not exerting it in those instances.
For a full list of powers that have been blocked by the Haitian's ability, see the mental manipulation article.
Arthur Petrelli has shown that he can steal the abilities of other evolved humans, rendering them powerless. The absorption itself does not kill the victim, as is the case with Linda Tavara's ability. Arthur is known to have stolen the following powers:
- Telepathy from an unknown source
- Rapid cell regeneration from Adam Monroe (Dying of the Light)
- Electric manipulation from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
- Telekinesis from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
- Poison emission from Maya Herrera (Eris Quod Sum)
- Mental manipulation from Peter Petrelli (Villains)
- Space-time manipulation from Peter Petrelli (It's Coming)
- Precognition from Peter Petrelli (It's Coming)
According to Arthur, the effects of power absorption are permanent. He can also remove an ability which he already possesses, as in the case of Peter's rapid cell regeneration and Hiro's space-time manipulation.
Drugs
Mohinder gives Sylar some curare intravenously in order to cause "paralysis of the brain." Sylar's abilities were severely weakened until he stopped the IV drip (Parasite).
Takezo ties up Hiro and exposes him to opium smoke. During this time, Hiro was unable to use his abilities due to his lack of concentration and sluggishness caused by the opium (Out of Time).
It is unknown if opium will still cause ability loss for evolved humans with abilities that are passive or require little concentration.
After being captured by the Company, Peter is given ability negation pills in order to suppress his powers. The effects of the pills are temporary, as they wore off after a few days of not taking them (Four Months Ago...).
The Shanti virus
- Molly Walker contracted the Shanti virus and was thus unable to access her ability. Mohinder cures her using his own blood and Molly fully regains her ability (The Hard Part).
- The Haitian contracted the Shanti virus at some point and was unable to access his ability. Mohinder cured him with the antibodies of his own blood, and the Haitian was able to access and use his ability shortly after (Lizards).
- Sylar contracted the Shanti virus and was unable to use his powers or steal abilities (Kindred).
- Niki Sanders injected herself with the Shanti virus when she couldn't fight off Maury Parkman's mind control, resulting in the loss of her super strength (Out of Time).
A solar eclipse can activate (Genesis) or deactivate (The Eclipse, Part 1) abilities. The deactivation of abilities appears to only be in effect during the eclipse (The Eclipse, Part 2).
Abilities shown to be negatively affected by an eclipse are: alchemy, clairsentience, electric manipulation, flight, impenetrable skin, intuitive aptitude, mental manipulation, Mohinder's ability, poison emission, power absorption, precognition, pyrokinesis, rapid cell regeneration, sound manipulation, space-time manipulation, super speed, telekinesis and telepathy.
Notes
- Although Sylar contracted the Shanti virus, resulting in a loss of his abilities, he was still able to use his natural ability of intuitive aptitude. He still felt the hunger when he killed Candice (Kindred). He was also able to understand how Maya's ability worked and help her control it (The Kindness of Strangers).