History Main / PowersAsPrograms

* ''LightNovel/TheHiddenDungeonOnlyICanEnter'': Noir learns three skills that allow him to create, modify and bestow skills of his own -- [[PowerAtAPrice at the cost of his life force]]. Fortunately, this can be regained by satisfying his own desires... like making out with pretty girls.

*** Peter Petrelli owes a lot to Mimic. Mimic can take on the powers of any mutant he's around, his body altering itself to match (such as gaining Beast's physique and Angel's wings). The villainous main MarvelUniverse one has permanently taken on the powers of the original X-Men in addition to gaining new ones based on who he's around. The good ComicBook/{{Exiles}} version can hold any five powers at once (though he only started out with the ability to copy mutant powers, he later learned how to copy the powers of non-mutants). At one point, Exile!Mimic mimics the Phoenix Force from one of the Summers - granted, as with all his mimics he got it at half power, but he mimic'ed a fundamental force of the universe (and half of infinity is still infinity). When copying someone's powers, Mimic (either version) can't do so selectively; he gets their entire power set, including any weaknesses that might go along with them. Exiles!Mimic also was shown to not always be able to use all copied powers simultaneously: he could use Colossus's armored body and SuperStrength with Wolverine's claws and healing factor, but not Jean Grey's psychic powers (he also didn't appear to have Wolverine's SuperSenses even though he should have).

* This arises as a temporary side effect of the Silver Surfer's energy aura on ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer''. Whenever Johnny touches one of the other heroes, they swap powers with him (this somehow even includes instantly transforming Ben back into his [[NoOntologicalInertia human form]]). Near the end, Johnny ends up copying [[AllYourPowersCombined all their powers]] to face down Doctor Doom with their combined might.
* In ''Film/MySuperExGirlfriend'', the eponymous superhero initially absorbed her powers from a meteorite. This very meteorite is also the key to [[spoiler:taking her powers away again to be transferred to another character]]
* ''Film/DarkCity'' treats ''memories'' this way; [[spoiler:Dr. Screber mixes them in a lab and injects them into the forehead using a syringe.]]
* ''Film/InspectorGadget2'' does this with Gadget's glitches when he and G-2 swap processor chips. Her chips stabilize his gadgets, and his chips give her a cartoon hammer and wrapping-paper launchers. Somehow.

* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'':
** {{Downplayed}} in the [[AllThereInTheManual fluff]], which explains that magical programs/spells cannot be copied arbitrarily and each mage has a highly personalized library of spells. They can share the ''principle'' of their respective spells (cf. generic algorithms) but each spell is its caster's personal implementation and often an upgrade of an older spell from their library. For example, despite having the same name, Nanoha's and Subaru's versions of [[WaveMotionGun Divine Buster]] function differently from each other.
** Although Reinforce ''can'' [[AllYourPowersCombined copy the spells of anyone]] who has had their linker core drained by the Book of Darkness, but that's a unique ability that only she possesses.

%%* In ''Anime/AngelBeats'', this is how [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Tenshi]] gets her powers, but in a twist, [[spoiler: it's ''actually a program.'']] This is a plot point.
* ''Manga/{{Kinnikuman}}'' had a Devil Chojin named Stecase King. A walking cassette player/walkman who could obtain the fighting skills of other Chojin by switching out his cassette tapes. This eventually backfired because his tapes of Kinnikuman himself were badly outdated, leaving Stecase King with the [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass Crouching Moron before he got the Hidden Badass]].
* In ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'', [[FightingSpirit Stands]] and other abilities are largely considered as unique to their individual Users and unable to be transplanted to another. During [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStoneOcean Part 6]], however, BigBad Enrico Pucci's Stand, Whitesnake allows him to extract (among other things) the Stand of his victims in the form of CD-like [=DISCs=]. These are physical objects that can be handled by anyone and inserted into any person whose personality is compatible with the Stand's powers. They can even be swapped into non-human lifeforms, like, say, giving a colony of plankton a [=DISC=] that covers their bodies in boiling water. If a person loses both their Stand and their memories to Whitesnake's power, they gradually and ultimately lose the will to live and require life-support machines to stay alive unless both [=DISCs=] are returned quickly.

* In ''Manga/MedakaBox'', not only are powers freely tradable (assuming you have someone with the power to trade them, of course) there's one character who can create powers from nothing and give them to people (as long as they specify what they want) and another who can alter existing powers.
* Played with by Devil Fruits in ''Manga/OnePiece''. Taking just one bite instantly gives you the power, and renders the fruit powerless. However, some do have physical changes, there is literally no way to remove them, and trying to eat a second one apparently causes a very nasty and fatal backfire. [[BigBad Blackbeard]] is the exception to the latter rule. He somehow has the ability to possess multiple Devil Fruits and found a way to directly steal the abilities of other people, after killing them.
* Powers in ''Manga/YamadaKunAndTheSevenWitches'' can all apparently be copied. Though of course, only one can be stored at a time, and it's overwritten by the next power if another power is copied.
* In ''Manga/UQHolder'', MagiTek has apparently advanced since the days of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' to the point that it is now possible to purchase "Magic Apps," or buy spells rather than train to acquire them. This has lead to a rather nasty divide between the upper and lower classes, as the rich are now able to afford instant magic powers, while those who cannot afford it must train for years to acquire it. However, users of Magic Apps tend to be much less skilled at magic than those who trained for it, for obvious reasons, although there are a few who are legitimately skilled at magic despite buying their way into it.
* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' has two examples: All Might's "One for All," referred to as a cultivated power, gets stronger with use and can be passed to another individual (All Might is actually the eighth person to wield it). Its EvilCounterpart is "All for One," which can take Quirks and bestow them upon others; however, it's shown that stuffing too many Quirks into a single person is a terrible idea since it turns them into mindless brutes named "Nomus". [[spoiler:A long time ago, All for One's user granted his supposedly Quirkless brother a Quirk that stockpiled power, which somehow merged with the brother's previously unknown and functionally useless Quirk which could only pass itself on to others. "One for All" was the result.]]

* Slightly varied in Creator/AlanDeanFoster's ''Cyber Way'', where a Navajo sandpainting grants 20th century detectives [[spoiler:natural language command level access to Reality's core AI.]]
* In ''Literature/TheLaundryFiles'', computer programs [[FunctionalMagic are magic]]. "Forever exit and collect all the garbage. Amen." For this trope however this applies mainly to computational daemonology, especially pre-prepared spell apps. Ritual and mental magic doesn't apply, however.
* In Julian May's ''Literature/SagaOfTheExiles'' and ''Literature/GalacticMilieu'' series, a lot of metapsychic stunts, performed both by a single and several characters, are literally called "programs" and can be shared, optimized and even booby-trapped.
* ''Literature/BeingAbleToEditSkillsInAnotherWorldIGainedOPWaifus'': Skills can be absorbed and rejected by anyone, and there is an actual industry dedicated to finding skills. The main character has the unique power of being able to modify skills by exchanging words between any two.
* ''LightNovel/TheHiddenDungeonOnlyICanEnter'': Noir learns three skills that allow him to create, modify and bestow skills of his own -- [[PowerAtAPrice at the cost of his life force]]. Fortunately, this can be regained by satisfying his own desires... like making out with pretty girls.
* [[PsychicPowers Esper]] abilities in ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'' seem to operate this way on some level, as each power is completely unique to an individual through a concept called "Personal Reality" and every esper subconsciously emits a unique signal called an "AIM field". An esper can ''only'' have one type of power, but there are methods for reproducing and/or copying abilities. There's a {{cyborg}} who can [[PowerCopy copy]] the power of any nearby esper, though [[NecessaryDrawback she can only copy one at a time]]. Another character has the power to sense and track others with abilities by reading their AIM fields, which she can use to alert her teammates to a target's location. It's [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower useful in its own way]], but doesn't have much function outside of a support role. However, her true power theoretically allows her to [[spoiler:remove and bestow abilities at will by manipulating those fields]].

* In ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', Clark Kent has lost his powers so many times, the wiki has a page for it. Naturally, as the comics section stated, it generally makes no sense.
** He also temporarily transferred them to [[spoiler:Eric Summers, ''twice'', and Lana Lang (albeit only half)]].
** But there is something even worse in season six to eight. [[spoiler:Chloe Sullivan gains [[EmpathicHealer Empathic Healing]] from [[GreenRocks kryptonite]] exposure. When Brainiac uses a MindProbe on her, it ''somehow'' gives her SuperIntelligence and removed her healing power. It is never explained. It is also mentioned in "Cure" that Chloe has a large amount of kryptonite around her heart, which causes it to make even less sense since Brainiac obviously didn't remove that.]]

** Not to mention that one episode revolved around the sisters accidentally swapping powers. A later episode had them use the same spell, but they accidentally ended up going into two random passersby.

* ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}'' is all about this as a commercial business. Want a super-spy? Just programme one of the dolls. Later on, Topher shows he can imprint certain skills into existing personalities without a full wipe/imprint, such as giving Anthony (Victor's original personality) mad hand-to-hand fighting skills. Anthony at first isn't sure it worked, until he suddenly explodes into action on a pair of [[spoiler:Rossum assassins]], knocking them out in the space of two seconds (and this is in addition to his normal training as a soldier). [[spoiler:Thanks to Echo's later ability to retain the Echo personality while also seamlessly switching between all of her imprints, she has Topher load her up with pretty much every imprint they have in order to be able to have any skill she needs on demand]]. In [[spoiler:the BadFuture, Victor joins a group of resistance fighters, who use portable technology to swap out their own imprints with useful skills]].
* In ''Series/{{StargateSG1}}'', it becomes a plot point that [[spoiler: Sam Carter]], who had been in a symbiosis with [[spoiler: a Tokra]], can use their technology due to the aforementioned having done what amounts to installing a "driver" in [[spoiler: her]] brain; while other humans can not.

* ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'', the Franchise/SuperSentai MilestoneCelebration and equivalent to ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' (above), has this as well. In the backstory, the 34 previous Sentai teams sacrificed their powers to protect Earth from an alien invasion. The Gokaiger have recovered those powers, which take the form of keys that can be used in their TransformationTrinket cell phones to change them into any previous Ranger, with all the powers and abilities inherent. The keys can also be used in the Gokaigers' weapons to power them up for a FinishingMove.
** Taken a step further in ''Film/KamenRiderXSuperSentaiSuperheroTaisen''; ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' loans his TransformationTrinket to the Gokaiger, which causes them to change from coins to keys. Likewise, the [[Series/TensouSentaiGoseiger Goseiger]] loan their power cards to Franchise/KamenRider [[Series/KamenRiderDecade Decade]], [[Series/KamenRiderRyuki Ryuki]], and [[Series/KamenRiderBlade Blade]] (also card-based heroes), who can use them with no problem.
** Meanwhile, this was taken a bit literally with the technology-themed ''Series/DenjiSentaiMegaranger''-- [[LawOfChromaticSuperiority Mega Red has the ability to]] [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands download programs into himself to get new abilities]]. [[InformedAbility He rarely seemed to use said capability, though]]. (''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'', being space-themed instead of tech, [[AdaptedOut mostly disposed of this]] outside of one episode where DECA downloaded data for Andros to stop the Craterites and get them back into the Megaship, having been Simudeck creations that turned real thanks to a lightning strike).

* On ''Series/{{Haven}}'', one of the Troubled has the ability to steal other people's Troubles, one at a time--he takes on the Trouble, the person who had it loses it, and then when he takes another Trouble the previous person gets theirs back.
** One of the main cast has a trouble that nullifies other troubles in the entire bloodline if they make contact with the blood of a troubled person they killed. Later on it turns out these troubles are absorbed and stored within his body, found out when trying to restore his first one activates them all and makes him a ticking time bomb. He later becomes capable of using these stolen powers at will.
* ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'':
** ''Series/{{Supergirl 2015}}'': Parasite can absorb the powers of any alien, using them for a short time before it has to find more to absorb. This is especially odd as most of these "powers" are the result of complicated biological processes unique to each species. And yet absorbing an illusionist's shapeshifting is just as easy as absorbing a Kryptonian's SuperStrength.
** ''Series/TheFlash2014'':
*** Clifford Devoe, AKA The Thinker, creates a busload (literally) of metahumans then uses his CoolChair to absorb their powers.
*** There's also a Villain of the Week called Melter who can remove superpowers by scrambling DNA, or something.
** In the ''Series/{{Elseworlds 2018}}'' crossover, the robot AMAZO was designed to copy metahuman powers to use against them. Then it turns out that it can copy the powers of aliens as well. And even the abilities of a BadassNormal.

*** The obliviax monster, or memory moss, can steal memories from the mind of humanoids, and even use their spells if attacked. The easiest way to regain the memories (and spells) is ''[[CannibalismSuperpower eating]]'' the obliviax (which is mildly poisonous).

* ''TabletopGame/D20Modern'' has spells you can literally send as emails, burn onto CD, or cast from a PDA.

It should be noted, however, that "regardless of power source" is somewhat disingenuous-- all magic in the setting, and, for that matter, all ''everything'' in the setting, is essence based, essence being the metaphysical atomic structure of creation. Charms are simply specific patterns of essence run through a conscious soul -- much like computer programs are specific patterns of electricity through a set of circuits.
* ''TabletopGame/CosmicEncounter'' represents the racial advantages of each race in this fashion. Even though different powers are implied to come from from physiology, social structures, technology and so forth, there are cards and powers that can mimic, swap, or replace them all with ease.

** Commands in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' can be purchased, combined, and even stolen from you in some cases.

** And of course ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsCoded''. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] since the game takes place ''in'' virtual reality. Sora's stats and abilities are actually defined by power grid where you insert chips which can be exchanged and the Deck of commands you use have memory consumption that cannot exceed 100%, while the commands can be exchanged and even combined for stronger versions. Even the equipment is in fact the chips.

** The Technical Machines ([=TMs=]) and Hidden Machines ([=HMs=]). For goodness sake, the machines are literally ''discs'' from ''[=FireRed=]'' and ''[=LeafGreen=]'' on! While this makes sense for some technological Pokémon like Magnemite, it makes less sense that a CD could teach a rat how to spit lightning.

* Used very literally in ''VideoGame/TronTwoPointOh'', which is set InsideAComputerSystem. The player receives ExperiencePoints through version upgrades and gains new powerups through swappable and upgradeable subroutines.

* In the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', there's an entire pile of AppliedPhlebotinum to explain this stuff. The "science" of pattern theory is provided to explain how people with superpowers get enough energy to do the things they do, so people like Negator can block local powers, and people like Duplex or Thunderbird can mimic nearby powers. It's all explained by pattern theory.

* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** Used nearly literally in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'', in which Megatron used a device to transfer all the Decepticons' gimmick powers (including hardware-based ones, such as Starscream's null ray guns) to himself so he could defeat Optimus Prime in an [[CombatByChampion honor duel]]. He won, obviously, and it took the Autobots half the episode to figure out that Megatron didn't usually teleport around when people took a shot at him.
** Similar to Power Chip Rectifiers, it strains even the level of WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief afforded a kids' cartoon that transformation - hundreds of parts moving around just so to allow a giant robot to turn into a car or plane - is the doing of a single "Transformation Cog" whose removal can disable any Transformer's ability to change, but it is! In some versions, anyone can use anyone else's; sometimes not. Even in the more serious ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime,'' a T-cog stolen from [[spoiler: Starscream]] allowed a manmade Optimus Prime duplicate to change into a truck identical to the real deal's vehicle mode. (However, this series aids suspension of disbelief by basically making it an ''organ,'' biology rather than technology even if it's metal. It's best thought of as similar to how the heart alone is not the whole circulatory system, but something it ''definitely'' needs.)
** The ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' version of Blackarachnia can steal powers from other Transformers a la Comicbook/XMen's Rogue -- hardware-based ones included. New parts seem to grow from nowhere... The reason she's technorganic in the first place is that she used her powers on a GiantSpider in a desperate attempt to save herself.
* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/WhereOnEarthIsCarmenSandiego'' had Carmen using a neuro-net to steal artists' and performers' abilities.

* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' featured "Batduck" being repeatedly laughed out of the "Just Us League" by all of the super-powered superheroes. When a Lex Luthor-pastiche steals all of their powers with a super vacuum cleaner for himself, Batduck accidentally saves the day by coming over again to try and brag about his greatness as a superhero, prompting the villain to try and absorb Batduck's "power"... and getting only Batduck's ego and incompetence.
%%* In ''WesternAnimation/CodeLyoko'', the protagonists' powers really are programmed. Unfortunately for them, the show treats programming realistically, so any addition (even by the team's two {{Teen Genius}}es) is a difficult and time-consuming task -- and may as well induce "bugs" that need first to be worked out (as in episode "Triple Trouble"). On the other hand, XANA, being a superior Artificial Intelligence, can easily boost the heroes' powers -- but since he's the BigBad he reserves this for his mind-controlled puppets. Fortunately for them, what XANA can do from his end is limited by his own processing power. Things get kind of bad when he [[spoiler:escapes to the internet, and they make him mad enough to create a nearly invincible monster that easily one-shots them.]]

* Being derived from the result of a chemical fluke, ''Franchise/ThePowerpuffGirls'' are naturally this. The notion that their powers can be used by anyone is also employed, either when Mojo Jojo simply duplicates their powers onto himself or when Princess Morbucks uses Chemical X on herself to evolve identical powers.
* In ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'' and its spinoffs, almost all "superpowered" characters that appear are actually members of distinct [[InterspeciesRomance (sort]] [[HotSkittyOnWailordAction of)]] alien species, with traits that are presumably normal to their species; however, the more impressive [[MostWritersAreHuman (and superhuman)]] traits are referred to as "powers," and can be suppressed, absorbed, stolen, switched, etc.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', a look into the past reveals that basal Energybending treats elemental bending as programs. Energybending can remove bending, give it back, and even replace it with a different element. The only reason humans can't bend multiple elements at once is that they lack the necessary energy. [[spoiler:Avatars don't have this limitation because each one is a FusionDance between a human and the spirit Raava.]]
* The plot of ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerbMissionMarvel'' is kicked off when a freak accident involving a stray shot from Doof's ''-inator'' bouncing off of Phineas and Ferb's satellite and drains the powers of Marvel superheroes. To note this involves depowering [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk someone mutated by radiation]], [[ComicBook/SpiderMan someone mutated by radioactive spider venom]], a [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor god-like alien]] and an [[ComicBook/IronMan obscenely rich businessman in a high-tech suit]]. This is especially nuanced in regards to Iron Man, who becomes immobilized in his depowered suit, and when Hulk ends up with his powers later he doesn't gain any of its powers, but says he feels "entrepreneurial".

* ''LightNovel/BeingAbleToEditSkillsInAnotherWorldIGainedOPWaifus'': Skills can be absorbed and rejected by anyone, and there is an actual industry dedicated to finding skills. The main character has the unique power of being able to modify skills by exchanging words between any two.

* [[PsychicPowers Esper]] abilities in ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'' seem to operate this way on some level, as each power is completely unique to an individual through a concept called "Personal Reality" and every esper subconsciously emits a unique signal called an "AIM field". An esper can ''only'' have one type of power, but there are methods for reproducing and/or copying abilities. There's a {{cyborg}} who can [[PowerCopy copy]] the power of any nearby esper, though [[NecessaryDrawback she can only copy one at a time]]. Another character has the power to sense and track others with abilities by reading their AIM fields, which she can use to alert her teammates to a target's location. It's [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower useful in its own way]], but doesn't have much function outside of a support role. However, her true power theoretically allows her to [[spoiler:remove and bestow abilities at will by manipulating those fields]].

* ''LightNovel/TheHiddenDungeonOnlyICanEnter'': Noir learns three skills that allow him to create, modify and bestow skills of his own - [[PowerAtAPrice at the cost of his life force]]. Fortunately, this can be regained by satisfying his own desires... like making out with pretty girls.

* The second ''Film/InspectorGadget1999'' movie does this with Gadget's glitches when he and G-2 swap processor chips. Her chips stabilize his gadgets, and his chips give her a cartoon hammer and wrapping-paper launchers. Somehow.

* Brian Lumley's book ''Literature/{{Necroscope}}'':

* The second ''Film/InspectorGadget'' does this with Gadget's glitches when he and G-2 swap processor chips. Her chips stabilize his gadgets, and his chips give her a cartoon hammer and wrapping-paper launchers. Somehow.

* Grimoire Stones in ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey Untold'' and its sequel allow the equipping characters to access skills outside their normal skill set. These stones are normally generated in combat and can feature a mixture of skills from the one who created the stone on top of any enemy skills. They also can be equipped and swapped around your party outside the dungeon.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' used [[GreenRocks Materia]] of varying colors as a way to grant powers while attached to a character's equipment. Two very significant pieces of Materia would eventually drive the plot for the entire game. These Materia orbs were the only way to differentiate between characters' abilities, other than their Limit Breaks.
*** One part of the game has your materia being stolen, which severely limits your party as your stats drop heavily without materia and you have nothing to attack or heal with besides normal attacks and items.

** Used ''literally'' in ''[[VideoGame/WildArms1 Wild ARMs: Alter Code F]]''. [[HotScientist Professor Emma]], now a playable character in this version, can "download" enemy special attacks by utilizing a special portable terminal that she carries around, then use the same terminal to execute any attack she's learned up to that point. This trope was also used in ''VideoGame/WildArms2'' by [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Marivel]], though it was more magical in nature rather than scientific.

[[quoteright:300:[[Film/FantasticFour2005 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/powers-as-programs_2140.jpg]]]]

* This arises as a temporary side effect of the Silver Surfer's energy aura on ''[[Film/FantasticFour2005 Rise of the Silver Surfer]]''. Whenever Johnny touches one of the other heroes, they swap powers with him (this somehow even includes instantly transforming Ben back into his [[NoOntologicalInertia human form]]). Near the end, Johnny ends up copying [[AllYourPowersCombined all their powers]] to face down Doctor Doom with their combined might.

* In ''LightNovel/AccelWorld'', White cosmos can take player data modify her fellow burst linkers avatar or use their power, she has an ability to recall the data of former players and can use these "ghosts" for their abilities she also was able to place the player data of a previous player and merge it with another player into as alternate personalities.

* ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'': Seth's Tandem Engine allows him to take data of other fighters and use their moves, which leads to GameplayAndStoryIntegration in his movesst. Where it strays into this trope is when his data allows him to recreate Guile's Sonic Boom, as well as Dhalsim's RubberMan and teleportation abilities.

* Aside from the experimental Project Freelancer equipment seen in the story, ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'' gives us a ''literal'' example of powers as programs, in the form of the various [=AIs=] seen throughout the series. More often than not, the "powers" associated with the [=AIs=] are tied to a custom device found in their Freelancer agent's armor, but [[ImplacableMan the Meta]] is able to [[PowerCopying instantly add them to his own armor without trouble]]. At least, unless you consider [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity insanity]] "trouble."

* The eponymous hero of ''Series/{{Joe 90}}'' acquires his abilities by having the "brain patterns" of specialists downloaded into his brain by a computer, via the electrodes in his glasses. The brain patterns are acquired by scanning their original owner's brains, either voluntarily or covertly, and recording them on tape to be stored until needed.

*** The Ethereal Doppelganger goes well beyond the ordinary kind of {{Doppelganger}} with the Assume Identity power, allowing to absorb another creature's memories, personality, and all of its abilities (save for that are divinely granted). It's however a lengthy process (furthermore if the subject is high level) and far easier if the creature is willing. The subject doesn't lose its own abilities, and must stay alive for the Doppelganger to keep impersonating it.

* This is not normally how [[FightingSpirit Stands]] and other abilities are treated in ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'', but in [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStoneOcean Part 6]], main villain Enrico Pucci's Stand Whitesnake allows him to extract (among other things) the Stand of his victims in the form of CD-like discs. These discs are physical objects that can be handled by anyone and inserted into any person whose personality is compatible with the Stand's powers. They can even be swapped into non-human lifeforms, like, say, a colony of plankton.

-->'''ADA''' We have obtained the program; [[{{Teleportation}} Zero Shift]]

* 'ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':

* Black Alice (real name Lori Manning) is basically the DarkMagicalGirl version of Rogue. She's an AntiHero (or Hero or AntiVillain depending on the story) who can temporarily steal any magic user's powers and [[InstantExpert use them as well as they can]]. She doesn't even have to be near them; Zatanna could be halfway across the world and Black Alice could still steal her powers. Lori has even managed to steal two magic users' powers at once.
** The ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' version of Black Alice (from the latest comic book iteration) only copies magical abilities, rather than stealing them.

* In ''DC One Million'' at some point it became common practice for civilians to emulate the powers of ancient superheroes signified by them wearing [[ChestInsignia their icons]].

* Being derived from the result of a chemical fluke, ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' are naturally this. The notion that their powers can be used by anyone is also employed, either when Mojo Jojo simply duplicates their powers onto himself or when Princess Morbucks uses Chemical X on herself to evolve identical powers.

* The plot of ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerbMissionMarvel'' is kicked off when a freak accident involving a stray shot from Doof's ''-inator'' bouncing off of Phineas and Ferb's satellite and drains the powers of Marvel superheroes. To note this involves depowering [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk someone mutated by radiation]], [[{{Franchise/SpiderMan}} someone mutated by radioactive spider venom]], a [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor god-like alien]] and an [[ComicBook/IronMan obscenely rich businessman in a high-tech suit]]. This is especially nuanced in regards to Iron Man, who becomes immobilized in his depowered suit, and when Hulk ends up with his powers later he doesn't gain any of its powers, but says he feels "entrepreneurial".

** Also the other side of the coin where devices or artifacts that render superhumans powerless apparently work on ALL superhumans, regardless of their type of powers or the origin of them. DC is worse about this than Marvel; Marvel usually just applies this to mutants, who get their powers from a particular genetic strand and could thus (at least with comic science) reasonably be repressed, but DC tends to have the same power-dampening collars work on (for example) Franchise/{{Superman}}, ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} and Franchise/WonderWoman, despite the vast difference in the way their powers work and the source of them.
*** This was subverted in Creator/KurtBusiek's ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' arc ''ComicBook/BackInAction'', where an intergalactic Auctioneer kidnaps a bunch of heroes with the intent of selling them to collectors. On his ship, everyone lost their powers. Superman figured that since everyone's powers came from different sources, that they were being blocked mentally. He breaks the block by putting himself in mortal danger (for a normal human) and is protected by his invulnerability. Since he knows it's a lie, the mental block is broken.
*** Not that Marvel is innocent of this: anyone [[MisBlamed up in arms]] about the Juggernaut being a mutant in the movieverse, an assumption based on Leech's ability to depower him, should remember that in the comics, Leech has been able to depower Inhumans (offshoot of humanity empowered by the local GreenRocks' mist), the ComicBook/PowerPack (kids whose powers were transferred to them by an alien whose species is born with powers), and Franchise/SpiderMan as well as mutants. Whether it'd work on ComicBook/IronMan or someone else whose powers are externally-based remains to be seen.

* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':

* In Mark Waid's run on the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards once switched Johnny and Susan's powers in a ploy to trick aliens into thinking he depowered her. An accident switching them back knocked ''all'' of their powersets out of them them, which then randomly jumped between civilians throughout New York City, and they had to be tracked down and taken back.
* In a story focused on ''[[Characters/SupermanBizarro Bizarro]]'', the Thing of Steel creates Bizarro Amazo. The reversal of Amazo's ability to copy every power for himself means he steals superpowers to give to powerless people. He spends the issue causing chaos by giving powers to random people who don't know how to control them, with the heroes near powerless to stop him, relying on tricks to get him to both give them back and leave.

* In ''Fanfic/KaraOfRokyn'', ComicBook/LexLuthor uses a device and Parasite's -unwilling- assistance to transfer Franchise/{{Superman}}'s powers to two henchmen.

* Used ''literally'' in ''[[VideoGame/WildArms1 Wild ARMs: Alter Code F]]''. [[HotScientist Professor Emma]], now a playable character in this version, can "download" enemy special attacks by utilizing a special portable terminal that she carries around, then use the same terminal to execute any attack she's learned up to that point. This trope was also used in ''VideoGame/WildArms2'' by [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Marivel]], though it was more magical in nature rather than scientific.

* Players in ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'' battle [[TheHeartless Noise]] with Psychs. These Psychs are activated via Pins. Normally, a player can activate a single Psych. [[TheHero Neku can use nearly all of them]], even ones exclusive to Reapers. He just needs the appropriate pin. [[spoiler: This leads to an interesting situation during a certain boss fight...]]
* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'':
** In ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', the human main characters get to use spells and skills with the help of the Devil Summoning Program, and their skill sets can be modified and swapped around in between skirmishes.
** In later ''SMT'' and ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' games, demons or Personae will inherit skills learned from [[FusionDance their predecessors]]; inheritance mechanics are more or less random, leading to the potential for hours of annoyance while fusing and re-fusing demons. This is not an inconvenience as of late, though, for Atlus has heard everyone's prayers and allowed the player to choose the moves the fusion result will learn in later games, starting with ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', and the trend has continued with ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor2'', ''VideoGame/Persona4: The Golden'', and ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV''.
** Speaking of ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'', there's now the Demon Whisper mechanic, in which after a demon has learned all the moves it can learn as it is leveling up, it will talk to you and offer to teach you one or more of its moves, barring passive abilities and some ''seriously'' broken moves. You can even ask your demons to teach you the same move several times, increasing its effects or lowering its cost.

* The video game characters in ''[[http://www.freewebs.com/captain_gamer/ Captain Gamer]]'' are actually digitally created, with any special abilities just being part of their program. The title hero is thus capable of copying their signature abilities (Mario's jumping ability, Sonic's supersonic speed, and so on) by 'sharing data' with them, which is accomplished upon forming a [[LevelUpAtIntimacy5 bond of friendship]].
* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'':
** It is implied that Samus Aran's PoweredArmor is at least partly a [[PsychicPowers psychic construct]] aided by an onboard computer (also, it's [[OrganicTechnology alive]]), which would explain why it changes shape when it downloads new data or [[PowerCopying absorbs the remains]] of [[BossBattle bosses]].
** In ''Fusion'', a few of the abilities (all of the missile abilities and the 2 bomb abilities) are gained by going to a data room, where they have been transferred to, and "downloading" them, if you will.
* In ''Anime/GateKeepers21'', advancements in technology have allowed the [[HeroesRUs AEGIS Network]] to replicate Gate Powers and encode them into cell phones, thus giving even [[InnocentBystander non-Gatekeepers]] a fighting chance against the [[TheMenInBlack Invaders]].

* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', magical powers can be "distilled" into Link's Sheikah Slate, in much the same way that one downloads apps onto a tablet computer.
* In principle, this is one part of how VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}}'s powers work: he acquires them via PowerCopying (which is the other part) from the defeated Robot Masters, then he can equip them at will. [[VideoGame/MegaManX X]] works under the same principle.
** Half of ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'' takes place in {{cyberspace}}, so most powers are programs that can be installed or uninstalled at will.
*** Special attacks are represented by Battle Chips that are installed in a folder. They act like cards in a deck, so there's a limit to how many Battle Chips you can have at once, and having too many makes it less likely to get a specific one.
*** The "Navi Customizer" feature that debuted in the third game. You obtain these programs as you progress throughout the game and do events and you encode them into a special puzzle-like interface, these parts either enhance Mega Man's abilities (like increasing the damage his ArmCannon deals or how many chips you have available at the Custom screen) or alter some events like being guaranteed data chips from every battle (provided you can actually obtain chips from them normally) instead of a chance between it or some Zenny. You can even ''compress'' these programs a little via a cheat to help you fit them into the puzzle.
*** The "Soul Unison" in the fourth and fifth games and "Cross System" of the sixth work in a similar way. Megaman "unites" with another Navi (after story events, of course), which temporarily grant him the special powers, strengths, and in some cases, weaknesses, of the other Navi (such as getting Protoman's shield). His armor changes color and design to reflect the change.
** ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' operates by the same principle as Battle Network, albeit using less complex systems.

* The relics in ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' games. ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaOrderOfEcclesia'' is the strangest, with double-jumping granted by ''an ordinary rock'' (it was supposed to be a SPRING rock or something like that, but the [[BlindIdiotTranslation the translator royally screwed up on it]]).

* Despite being changes to your genetics, Plasmid and gene tonics in ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}'' can be installed, removed and re-installed with ease. [[spoiler: Then again, player characters seem to be the only people in Rapture who can withstand constant genetic alteration without going stark raving mad.]][[note]]One possible explanation is that the player characters can purchase tonics that increase the total number of abilities active at any time, partly thanks to their specially-augmented genetic core structure. If they were to go past the safety limit and equip eight plasmids at once...[[/note]]

%%* ''VideoGame/FreedroidRPG'' has powers and skills as programs (internally called "spells" to avoid confusion) executed by the Linarian's brain and his cyborg gear.
* In ''VideoGame/DCUniverseOnline'' the player characters get their powers from nanobots called Exobytes that ComicBook/LexLuthor stole from Brainiac in the BadFuture.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Robopon}}'', skills are equipped to Robopon via "software," though most Robopon learn at least one skill on their own. Moreover, by combining specific types of software together, you can teach Robopon new techniques. However, Boot-type Robopon cannot learn techniques from software.
* ''VideoGame/{{Transistor}}'' had the titular artifact be able to absorb and process people's [[OurSoulsAreDifferent Traces]] and turn them into different functions, which even follow the same naming conventions as functions in coding (i.e. Breach(), Jaunt(), Help().)
* In ''VideoGame/OriAndTheBlindForest'', there are eight Ancestral Trees scattered across the Forest of Nibel, where members of Ori's kind died when the forest was blinded. Ori can interact with these trees to gain the skills these ancestors possessed, allowing Ori to proceed further into the game.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Neptunia}}'' series, the chief superpower present in the universe is CPU/goddess form, the ability of the patron diety-queens of each realm to transform into superpowered (including the MostCommonSuperPower) avatars. These abilities can be freely {{strippe|rific}}d, transferred, and copied, notably by the BigBad - who is a personification of [[DigitalPiracyIsEvil piracy]] to the goddesses' personification of [[UsefulNotes/ConsoleWars game consoles]].
* In ''VideoGame/PathOfExile'', all active skills are obtained by {{socket|edEquipment}}ing Virtue Gems into your weapons and armor. Active skills can be linked to support gems to add additional effects to the skill. A character can use any skill gem regardless of class as long as they meet the level and attribute requirements.
* ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'' has the mod system, which is what gives your equipment the majority of its power. Mods can have a wide variety of effects, from simple stat boosts to mechanical changes, new behaviors for your companion, and so much more. Until Update 15, even your Warframe's powers were mods, so you could leave out a less-than-useful power to make room for another, more helpful mod in your build, at the cost of flexibility.
* {{Downplayed}} in ''VideoGame/{{Battlerite}}''. The game's namesake is a selection of "Battlerites" (presumably some rituals the character performs before combat) that, rather than granting new abilities, slightly improve the character's pre-existing abilities, such as making a skill add debuffs or deal more damage. A character can only have five Battlerites at once, and a maximum of two upgrading the same ability or one upgrading the Ultimate ability, so finding different combinations of Battlerites that work best together is a key part of the game's experience.
* In ''VideoGame/CosmicStarHeroine'', shields equippable on your party members not only give damage resistance but also programs, which are like the characters' standard abilities but cannot be recharged and require a sufficiently high "hackitude" stat to use, similar to how normal abilities are learned by getting levels.
* ''Dragoneers Aria'' had the same concept as FFVII. You have SocketedEquipment, and ability-granting gems to put in those sockets. Said gems also level up based on use.
* ''VideoGame/GrimDawn'' has Components, which are fragmented odds and ends that can be applied to the sole invisible slots in an item. While the incomplete components offer stat boosts and/or a few dice worth of the games [[DamageTyping damage types,]] certain complete components grant spells. Searing Embers, for example, grant the spell Fireball. For another, Mutagenic Ichor adds Poison Bomb.
* Neuromods in ''VideoGame/Prey2017'' work by taking a brain scan from a person with a desired skill (say, engineering) and rewriting the synapses of another to match that scan, giving the neuromodded the same ability as the first with no work. In-game, this also applies to the Typhon powers you can acquire, albeit with less justification [[spoiler:until you learn that the player character is itself a Typhon being made to think it's human]]. There's a nasty side effect, however; if you ever want to remove a neuromod, the brain gets reset to the state it was before the mod was applied and you'll lose all the memories you formed in the meantime.
* ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm'':
** Each party member can equip one accessory at a time, and there’s a wide variety to pick from. Some of them give the user new attacks, while others unlock some kind of field ability (like sprinting). Still others increase the amount of [[MoneyMultiplier money]] or [[ExperienceBooster EXP]] you get after battle, or protect against certain status effects, or double the loot inside treasure chests. To get the most use out of them all, you’ll likely be swapping them a lot.
** Cornelia has a literal version as her unique gimmick. If you take her to visit the A.I. Labs, she’ll be given a set of four “Drives” that alter her stats and abilities. Want to make her a tank? A FragileSpeedster? A magical powerhouse? Just install one of the Drives, and then switch it out when you change your mind. Each one also gives her a new costume and some kind of passive bonus, like health regen, double mana, or status immunity.

* Grimoire Stones in ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey Untold'' and its sequel allow the equipping characters to access skills outside their normal skill set. These stones are normally generated in combat and can feature a mixture of skills from the one who created the stone on top of any enemy skills. They also can be equipped and swapped around your party outside the dungeon.
* ''VideoGame/RememberMe'' features a combo system ''you can rewrite on the fly''; the Combo Lab lets you assign powers to different combos, which can be tailored to enemy weaknesses.