History Main / RealLifeSuperpowers

* ComicBook/{{Batman}} has ''absolutely ALL of these''. In a way, leadership is his weakest attribute. But regardless of this, he still practically runs his own private militia of bat-and-bird themed vigilantes in Gotham.

* The SuperheroEpisode of ThisAmericanLife [[http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/178/superpowers featured the tale]] of a RealLife woman, only identified as Zora, who at the age of 12 made a list of every skill she would need to become the Amazonian superheroine of her dreams and then set about [[{{Determinator}} checking off every item on that list]].

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As an example, let us take a character who is known for [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful using her beauty to get her way]]. If said character is beautiful to ''anyone'', in spite of ''any'' context or changes that can affect how beautiful she is, then she probably has a fantastical superpower called "{{Glamour}}". On the other hand, let's assume her beauty requires plausible upkeep, modification, cosmetics, or skill, with the risk of being ruined by something as simple as a scar, becoming smudged or dirtied, or encountering a person of a [[SorryImGay different sexual orientation]]. Now, she has a {{Real Life Super Power|s}}.

As an example, let us take a character who is known for [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful using her beauty to get her way]]. If said character is beautiful to ''anyone'', in spite of ''any'' context or changes that can affect how beautiful she is, then she probably has a fantastical superpower called "{{Glamour}}". On the other hand, let's assume her beauty requires plausible upkeep, modification, cosmetics, or skill, with the risk of being ruined by something as simple as a scar, becoming smudged or dirtied, or encountering a person of the [[SorryImGay wrong sexual orientation]]. Now, she has a {{Real Life Super Power|s}}.

{{Power}} can take many forms. When fiction is LikeRealityUnlessNoted, any power is something that requires [[SkillsAndTrainingTropes Skill]], [[RenaissanceMan Knowledge]], [[EasyLogistics Resources]] and [[OldMaster Time]]. Without one or more of these things, power becomes unrealistic. At the far end of the spectrum, abilities that happen instantly, [[NoConservationOfEnergy consume no resources]], and can still tip massive scales of power are considered "super" powers. Often, these abilties are fantastical, and take forms such as {{Magic}}, {{Telekinesis}}, SuperStrength or {{Flight}} powered by nothing but some vague [[TheForce Force]]. There's usually a very clear difference.

But somewhere in the middle, there are superpowers which are still considered "mundane". In theory, any human could possess them, but most of us don't except in small quantities. For this reason, people that have them in abundance can be considered "superpowered": having the ability to influence things several times greater than the average person. However, the source of these powers still comes from a RealLife skill, knowledge, or resource acquired over enough time to make it plausible.

{{Power}} can take many forms. When fiction is LikeRealityUnlessNoted, any power is something that requires [[SkillsAndTrainingTropes Skill]], [[RenaissanceMan Knowledge]], [[EasyLogistics Resources]] and Time. The more of these things a person lacks without sacrificing power, the more unrealistic their power becomes. At the other end of the spectrum, abilities that happen instantly, [[NoConservationOfEnergy consume no resources]], but can still tip massive scales of power are considered "super" powers. Often, these abilties are fantastical, and take forms such as {{Magic}}, {{Telekinesis}}, SuperStrength or {{Flight}}. There's usually a very clear line between the two types.

But somewhere in the middle, there are superpowers which are still considered "mundane". In theory, any human could possess them, but most of us don't except in small quantities. For this reason, people that have them in abundance can be considered "superpowered": having the ability to influence the world several times greater than the average person. However, the source of these powers still comes from a RealLife skill, knowledge, or resource acquired over enough time to make it plausible.

As an example, let us take a character who is known for [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful using her beauty to get her way]]. If said character is beautiful to ''anyone'', in spite of ''any'' circumstances and variables that can affect how beautiful she is, then she has a fantastical superpower called "{{Glamour}}". On the other hand, let's assume her beauty requires upkeep, modification, cosmetics, or skill, with the risk of being ruined by something as simple as a scar or a person of the [[SorryImGay wrong sexual orientation]]. Now, she has a {{Real Life Super Power|s}}.

{{Demythtification}} thrives on this and it often overlaps with BadassNormal.

Compare with CharlesAtlasSuperpower, when justification for the demonstrated abilities is so flimsy that they officially cross over into MagicAndPowers territory.

Thanks to the AnthropicPrinciple, these abilities are often used as a HandWave, and in turn, how they got these abilities is often {{Hand Wave}}d to preserve LawOfConservationOfDetail. If we never see them use them, even in situations it would be relevant, they are an Informed Ability.

As an example, let us take a character who is known for [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful using her beauty to get her way]]. If said character is beautiful to ''anyone'', in spite of ''any'' circumstances and variables that can affect how beautiful she is, then she has a fantastical superpower called "{{Glamour}}". On the other hand, let's assume her beauty requires upkeep, modification, cosmetics, or skill, with the risk of being ruined by something as simple as a scar or a person of the wrong sexual orientation. Now, she has a {{Real Life Super Power|s}}.

{{Power}} can take many forms. When fiction is LikeRealityUnlessNoted, any power is something that requires [[SkillsAndTrainingTropes Skill]], [[RenaissanceMan Knowledge]], [[EasyLogistics Resources]] and Time. The more of these things a person lacks without sacrificing power, the more unrealistic their power becomes. At the other end of the spectrum, abilities that happen instantly, [[NoConversationOfEnergy use no resources]], but can still tip massive scales of power are considered "super" powers. Often, these abilties are fantastical, and take forms such as {{Magic}}, {{Telekinesis}}, SuperStrength or {{Flight}}. There's usually a very clear line between the two types.

* In ''{{GURPS}}'', any and all of these can be bought as "advantages" for a character, including luck.

{{Power}} can take many forms. When fiction is LikeRealityUnlessNoted, any power is something that requires [[SkillsAndTrainingTropes Skill]], [[RenaissanceMan Knowledge]], [[EasyLogistics Resources]] and Time. The more of these things a person lacks without sacrificing power, the more unrealistic their power becomes. At the other end of the spectrum, abilities with NO grounding in reality will be a ''super''-power. Often, these abilties are fantastical, and take forms such as {{Magic}}, {{Telekinesis}}, SuperStrength or {{Flight}}.

Somewhere in the middle, there are superpowers which are still considered "mundane". In theory, any human could possess them, but most of us don't except in small quantities. For this reason, people that have them in abundance can be considered "superpowered": having the ability to influence the world several times greater than the average person. However, the source of these powers still comes from a RealLife skill, knowledge, or resource acquired over enough time to make it plausible.

{{Power}} can take many forms. When fiction is LikeRealityUnlessNoted, any power is something that requires [[SkillsAndTrainingTropes Skill]], [[RenaissanceMan Knowledge]], [[EasyLogistics Resources]] and time limited to quantities only possible in RealLife. The more of these things a person lacks without sacrificing power, the more unrealistic their power becomes. At the other end of the spectrum, abilities with NO grounding in reality will be a ''super''-power. Often, these abilties are fantastical, and take forms such as {{Magic}}, {{Telekinesis}}, SuperStrength or {{Flight}}.

* Black Widow's beauty lets her gain the trust of people she wants to manipulate.

* [[SuperIntelligence Intelligence]]: Intelligence tends to be used as a justification for [[WeirdScience just about anything]] in fiction.

* [[TheSmartGuy Intelligence]]: Intelligence tends to be used as a justification for [[WeirdScience just about anything]] in fiction.

* ComicBook/ThePunisher has the kind of skills you'd only expect from people in fiction, namely the ability to kill numerous (evil) people in limited time...and his way of pulling off such feats includes (but is not limited to) [[KnifeNut skill with blades]], [[TortureTechnician knowing how to physically break people]], [[BareFistedMonk the ability to murder a man with his bare hands]], and [[MoreDakka LOTS of guns, bombs and bullets]]. And all of this comes from his ''extensive'' military training, the kind you could realistically get as a Navy SEAL or Marine. (The MAX series, which is far DarkerAndEdgier and is steeped in greater realism than the Marvel-616 universe, takes this and runs it UpToEleven.)

{{Power}}s can take many forms in fiction. Often they are fantastical, such as {{Magic}}, {{Telekinesis}}, SuperStrength or {{Flight}}.

Then there are powers considered "mundane." In theory, any human could possess them, but most don't except in small quantities. For this reason people that have them in abundance can be considered "superpowered." These "superpowers" give them more power to influence the world than the average person.
The key difference is the source of power. If a character has the ability of {{Glamour}}, meaning her power is to be beautiful to any who perceive her, then she has a superpower. If, however she simply uses her beauty to get whatever she wants, she has this trope.

For another example, in RealLife, [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney money]] gives power to everyone that has it, but in fiction, money can be used to [[FictionFiveHundred do almost anything]] [[CrimefightingWithCash the possessor wishes]].

RealLifeSuperpowers include:

* Skill: Essentially, a {{Badass}}.

* Fame: Not the same as charisma; this is when a person's reputation carries weight alone.

* Physical Prowess: Usually used to threaten rather than attack.
* [[MoreDakka Superior Arms]]: See above.
* [[BornLucky Luck]]: Sometimes known as the RightManInTheWrongPlace. (less frequent as it's often a case of supernatural forces)

Related tropes:
* {{Demythtification}} thrives on this
* Often overlaps with BadassNormal.
* Compare with CharlesAtlasSuperpower, when the character had to work for their ability.

Limit examples to characters who really stand out for one of these traits. If ''all'' the characters are really excellent samurai, don't include it.

* This is the premise of ''StanLee's Superhumans.''

* This is the premise for the reality TV series, ''StanLeesSuperhumans''.

* Spandam in ''OnePiece'' is weaker than an ordinary footsoldier but has a high position in the World Government forces, thus allowing him to influence his underlings in ways to give our heroes just as much trouble as any other villain, if not more. He is also a fairly competent strategist, though a total jerk.

* {{Darker than Black}}'s protagonist is so skilled he was known for being able to kill Contractors even without using his powers [[spoiler:and even before he had them]].
* {{Batman}} has ''absolutely ALL of these''. In a way, leadership is his weakest attribute. But regardless of this, he still practically runs his own private militia of bat-and-bird themed vigilantes in Gotham.

* ThePunisher has the kind of skills you'd only expect from people in fiction, namely the ability to kill numerous (evil) people in limited time...and his way of pulling off such feats includes (but is not limited to) [[KnifeNut skill with blades]], [[TortureTechnician knowing how to physically break people]], [[BareFistedMonk the ability to murder a man with his bare hands]], and [[MoreDakka LOTS of guns, bombs and bullets]]. And all of this comes from his ''extensive'' military training, the kind you could realistically get as a Navy SEAL or Marine. (The MAX series, which is far DarkerAndEdgier and is steeped in greater realism than the Marvel-616 universe, takes this and runs it UpToEleven.)

* John McClane from ''DieHard'' is the TropeCodifier for film.

* In JusticeLeagueUnlimited Lex Luthor (intially) doesn't posses any supernatural power like the Justice League does. However, he becomes more dangerous than the superpowered villains when he manages to discredit The League.
* David Xanatos from ''Gargoyles'' is smart and charismatic enough to become the Gargoyles' greatest foe through indirect manipulation.
* General Malaise in ''OzzyAndDrix'' has no physical prowess by himself, but instead attacks immune systems en masse with his private army of Red Shirts. The rest of this series's Rogues Gallery is either superpowered or supernatural.
* Princess Morbucks in ''ThePowerpuffGirls'' can spend as much money as she needs; her plots are ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney in their purest essence, from buying top engineers to produce weaponry for her to buying the local government altogether.

* Master Chief from Halo is stated to be the "luckiest" of all the Spartans many times throughout the franchise. He is also the only known Spartan to survive (as the player-controlled hero).

{Power}}s can take many forms in fiction. Often they are fantastical, such as {{Magic}}, {{Telekinesis}}, SuperStrength or {{Flight}}.

Then there are powers considered "mundane." In theory, any human could possess them, but most don't except in small quantities. For this reason people that have them in abundance can be considered "superpowered." These "superpowers" give them more power to influence the world than the average person.
The key difference is the source of power. If a character has the ability of {{Glamour}}, meaning her power is to be beautiful to any who perceive her, then she has a superpower. If, however she simply uses her beauty to get whatever she wants, she has this trope.

For another example, in RealLife, [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney money]] gives power to everyone that has it, but in fiction, money can be used to [[FictionFiveHundred do almost anything]] [[CrimefightingWithCash the possessor wishes]].

* [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful Beauty]]: Their good looks alone change the way others react to them.
* [[TheSmartGuy Intelligence]]: Intelligence tends to be used as a justification for [[WeirdScience just about anything]] in fiction.
* Skill: Essentially, a {{Badass}}.
* [[GuileHero Political Influence]]/Leadership/Charisma: A person who can inspire, trick, or motivate almost anyone to do anything.
* Fame: Not the same as charisma; this is when a person's reputation carries weight alone.
* [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney Money]]: Especially in cases of FictionFiveHundred or CrimeFightingWithCash.
* Physical Prowess: Usually used to threaten rather than attack.

* [[BornLucky Luck]]: Sometimes known as the RightManInTheWrongPlace. (less frequent as it's often a case of supernatural forces)

* {{Batman}} has ''absolutely ALL of these''. In a way, leadership is his weakest attribute. But regardless of this, he still practically runs his own private militia of bat-and-bird themed vigilantes in Gotham.
** Likewise, {{Nightwing}} as well, except he has the leadership part covered. In fact, that's arguably his ''greatest'' attribute, although it's hard to tell since he's good at ALL of them.
* Black Widow's beauty lets her gain the trust of people she wants to manipulate.