Intuitive aptitude
| Intuitive aptitude | |
|---|---|
 Gabriel diagnoses a problem with Chandra Suresh's watch | |
| Held by: | Gabriel Gray |
| Ability to: | Analyze complex systems |
Intuitive aptitude is the ability to analyze complex systems and intuitively understand how they work without special education or training.
Characters
Sylar is the only character known to have this ability.
Limits
Sylar's ability seems to be constantly active, unconsciously helping him to analyze any system that he encounters. For systems that he already understands (like watches), he can detect and identify flaws in the mechanism with only a cursory inspection. Systems that he has never seen before may require more extensive study, but he seems to be able to analyze them far more quickly than any ordinary person could, and he requires far less technological equipment.
Sylar's ability seems to work for analyzing both mechanical and biological systems. Whether it would work on other types of systems (such as electronic hardware or computer software) is not yet known, although he has claimed that it allows him to rapidly analyze human behavior (Fallout).
Although Sylar has been shown to use intuitive aptitude to 'steal' the powers of several other evolved humans by incorporating their DNA into his own, it is unclear whether this particular use of his ability it limited to absorbing these powers, or if Sylar could use it to take other sections of DNA, for example to absorb a person's physical appearance or the natural attributes of other species.
Examples
- Gray (Sylar) detects a mechanical flaw in Chandra Suresh's wristwatch from across the room within moments of Chandra entering his shop. (Six Months Ago)
- After seeing Brian Davis demonstrate his power of telekinesis, Sylar seems to "listen" to Davis's mind, indicating that he is able to "fix" Davis. Sylar then attacks and kills Davis. Shortly thereafter, Sylar is able to use telekinesis himself. (Six Months Ago)
- After pushing Peter into a wall telekinetically, Sylar notes Peter being special and wanting to "see how that works". (Parasite)
Memorable Quotes
"I can fix it."
"My watch isn't broken."
"Actually it is. Yeah, the self-winding coil is loose. Your watch is running two seconds slow."
"How did you know?"
"Just a talent I have for the way things work, how the parts should go."
- - Sylar, Chandra (Six Months Ago)
"You're broken."
"What?"
"Suresh was right. It's so clear now. How it all works, pieces fitting together. It is in the brain."
"So you can help."
"Don’t worry, Brian. I can fix it. It's an evolutionary imperative."
"I restored timepieces. Do you know why I was so good at it?"
"No, why don't you tell me."
"Because I can see how things work. What makes things ... tick. Like you."
- - Sylar, Mr. Bennet (Fallout)
Notes
- In Sylar's cell, a restrained Sylar feigns his death. When Hank removes the restraints from Sylar, the characteristic "tick-tocking" associated with his power is heard. (The Fix)
Trivia
- Sylar's dossier describes his intuitive aptitude as "his intuitive understanding of the biological workings of individuals."
- In a podcast interview, Bryan Fuller describes Sylar's intuitive aptitude by saying, "He has an understanding of how others' powers work."
Please refer to Theory:Intuitive aptitude for fan-created theories and other speculation.