History Main / RealLifeSuperpowers

* The protagonist of ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'' is so skilled he was known for being able to kill Contractors even without using his powers [[spoiler:and even before he had them]].

* [[SkillsAndTrainingTropes Skill]]: Essentially, the person is a {{Badass}}.

* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'': Even without his psychic superpowers, [[XMenFilmSeries/ProfessorCharlesFrancisXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] still exerts influence through his intelligence, charisma and money, and these three attributes are more vital to the formation and continuation of the X-Men than his mutation.

* In ''{{GURPS}}'', any and all of these can be bought as "advantages" for a character, including luck, slightly depending on the setting and GameMaster choice.

* ''Film/XMen'': Even without his psychic superpowers, [[XMenFilmSeries/ProfessorCharlesFrancisXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] still exerts influence through his intelligence, charisma and money, and these three attributes are more vital to the formation and continuation of the X-Men than his mutation.

* ''Film/XMen'': Even without his psychic superpowers, Professor Charles Xavier still exerts influence through his intelligence, charisma and money, and these three attributes are more vital to the formation and continuation of the X-Men than his mutation.

* Master Chief from ''Franchise/{{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).

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 an [[SorryImGay incompatible sexual orientation]]. Now, she has a {{Real Life Super Power|s}}.

** List items included [[MartialArtsandCrafts martial arts]], [[MacGyvering electronics, chemistry]], [[WarriorPoet metaphysics]], [[AcePilot hang gliding, helicopter and airplane flying, parachuting]], [[ClimbingtheCliffsofInsanity mountain climbing]], survival, [[ImprovisedWeapon weaponry]], [[InstantIndexJustAddWater rafting, scuba diving]], [[ChekhovsSkill herbology]], [[CPRCleanPrettyReliable CPR]], [[HealThyself first aid]], bodybuilding, archery, [[StuffBlowingUp demolitions and explosives]], hunting, [[HuntingtheMostDangerousGame human tracking]], major physical conditioning, [[HorseofaDifferentColor elephant and camel riding]], [[BadassDriver evasive driving and stunts]], use of [[GratuitousNinja Throwing stars, compound bows and throwing knives]], [[LongList etc.]] She was also a TeenGenius, completing high school by age 15, college by 18, a Masters degree by 20 and all of her coursework for a PhD in Geopolitics by 21.
** Her goal was to join the CIA and use her "powers" to [[CaptainPatriotic defend America]], however time spent in the company of various right wing terrorist groups ultimately lead to her [[HoistbyHisOwnPetard being denied the job on security grounds]]. Fortunately she got involved with a PrivateDetective and embarked on a [[UnintentionalBackupPlan new career]] as an International Private Investigator which only needed a new extra skills in the realm of using her [[MostCommonSuperPower female attributes]] [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful to help achieve her missions.]]

* The SuperheroEpisode of ThisAmericanLife [[http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/178/superpowers featured the tale]] of a RealLife woman, Zora Colakovic, 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]].

* This is the premise for the reality TV series, ''StanLee's Superhumans''; finding people in real life that can perform superhuman feats comparable to the characters in Stan Lee's comics.

* Master Chief from ''VideoGame/{{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).

* Jason Brody, the protagonist of ''FarCry3'', possesses an ample amount of these. With Skill being his primary asset. His official character profile refers to him as "naturally gifted", and it shows, because he catches on to the ways of the Rakyat and [[MightyWhitey becomes the finest warrior they have]]. By the end of the game, he becomes TheDreaded and gains the Infamy portion of the trope as well.

** 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.

** List items included [[MartialArtsandCrafts martial arts]], [[MacGyvering electronics, chemistry]], [[WarriorPoet metaphysics]], [[AcePilot hang gliding, helicopter and airplane flying, parachuting]], [[ClimbingtheCliffsofInsanity mountain climbing]], survival, [[ImprovisedWeapon weaponry]], [[InstantIndexJustAddWater rafting, scuba diving]], [[ChekhovsSkill herbology]], [[CPRCleanPrettyReliable CPR]], [[HealThyself first aid]], bodybuilding, archery, [[StuffBlowingUp demolitions and explosives]], hunting, [[HuntingtheMostDangerousGame human tracking]], major physical conditioning, [[HorseofaDifferentColor elephant and camel riding]], [[BadassDriver evasive driving and stunts]], use of [[InstantAwesomeJustAddNinja Throwing stars, compound bows and throwing knives]], [[LongList etc.]] She was also a TeenGenius, completing high school by age 15, college by 18, a Masters degree by 20 and all of her coursework for a PhD in Geopolitics by 21.

* Originally, ''CaptainAmerica'' was supposed to have peak human speed and strength, though whether or not intelligence is included depended on the author. He has since gone onto superhuman territory, but this original Cap was not meant to be capable of anything more than a human could realistically do.
* Ozymandias from ''{{Watchmen}}'' emphasizes his SuperIntelligence, but actually possesses ''many'' of these powers, so much more than the other NonPoweredCostumedHero characters that he almost seems to have genuine superpowers. It's established, though, that all his abilities are mundane in origin, and the only true Super in the ''Watchmen'' universe is Dr Manhattan.

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* Physical Presence: Usually [[DeathGlare used to threaten]] rather than attack.

* [[MoreDakka Superior Arms]]: Same as Physical Presence, except using weaponry or munitions to intimidate or neutralize threats.

* 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]] [[SuperheroPackingHeat 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 ''Film/DieHard'' is the TropeCodifier for film.

* Sure, [[Main/Hellblazer John Constantine]] is a magician, and yeah, he'll readily admit to being useless in a straight fight--but he doesn't just sling fireballs around. He gets by on brains, ruthlessness, charisma, and his own reputation.

* [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower Physical Presence]]: Usually [[DeathGlare used to threaten]] rather than attack.

** List items included [[MartialArtsandCrafts martial arts]], [[MacGyvering electronics, chemistry]], [[WarriorPoet metaphysics]], [[AcePilot hang gliding, helicopter and airplane flying, parachuting]], [[ClimbingtheCliffsofInsanity mountain climbing]], survival, [[ImprovisedWeapon weaponry]], [[InstantIndexJustAddWater rafting, scuba diving]], [[ChekhovsSkill herbology]], [[CPRCleanPrettyReliable CPR]], [[HealThyself first aid]], [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower bodybuilding]], archery, [[StuffBlowingUp demolitions and explosives]], hunting, [[HuntingtheMostDangerousGame human tracking]], major physical conditioning, [[HorseofaDifferentColor elephant and camel riding]], [[BadassDriver evasive driving and stunts]], use of [[InstantAwesomeJustAddNinja Throwing stars, compound bows and throwing knives]], [[LongList etc.]] She was also a TeenGenius, completing high school by age 15, college by 18, a Masters degree by 20 and all of her coursework for a PhD in Geopolitics by 21.

** List items included [[MartialArtsandCrafts martial arts]], [[MacGyvering electronics, chemistry]], [[WarriorPoet metaphysics]], [[AcePilot hang gliding, helicopter and airplane flying, parachuting]], [[ClimbingtheCliffsofInsanity mountain climbing]], survival, [[ImprovisedWeapon weaponry]], [[InstantIndexJustAddWater rafting, scuba diving]], [[ChekhovsSkill herbology]], [[CPRCleanPrettyReliable CPR]], [[HealThyself first aid]], bodybuilding, archery, [[StuffBlowingUp demolitions and explosives]], hunting, [[HuntingtheMostDangerousGame human tracking]], major physical conditioning, [[HorseofaDifferentColor elephant and camel riding]], [[BadassDriver evasive driving and stunts]], use of [[InstantAwesomeJustAddNinja Throwing stars, compound bows and throwing knives]], [[LongList etc.]] She was also a TeenGenius, completing high school by age 15, college by 18, a Masters degree by 20 and all of her coursework for a PhD in Geopolitics by 21.

* Physical Presence: Usually [[DeathGlare used to threaten]] rather than attack.

These abilities are one step away from a Charles Atlas Superpower which can be acquired through mundane means but are not mundane themselves and instead step into MagicAndPowers territory.

* [[CharlesAtlasSuperPower Physical Presence]]: Usually [[DeathGlare used to threaten]] rather than attack.

These abilities are one step away from a CharlesAtlasSuperpower which can be acquired through mundane means but are not mundane themselves and instead step into MagicAndPowers territory.

** List items included [[MartialArtsandCrafts martial arts]], [[MacGyvering electronics, chemistry]], [[WarriorPoet metaphysics]], [[AcePilot hang gliding, helicopter and airplane flying, parachuting]], [[ClimbingtheCliffsofInsanity mountain climbing]], survival, [[ImprovisedWeapon weaponry]], [[InstantIndexJustAddWater rafting, scuba diving]], [[ChekhovsSkill herbology]], [[CPRCleanPrettyReliable CPR]], [[HealThyself first aid]], [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower bodybuilding]], archery, [[StuffBlowingUp demolitions and explosives]], hunting, [[HuntingtheMostDangerousGame human tracking]], major physical conditioning, [[HorseofaDifferentColor elephant and camel riding]], [[BadassDriver evasive driving and stunts]], use of [[InstantAwesomeJustAddNinja Throwing stars, compound bows and throwing knives]], [[LongList etc.]] She was also a TeenGenius, completing high school by age 15, college by 18, a Masters degree by 20 and all of her coursework for a PhD in Geopolitics by 21.

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

* [[GuileHero Political Influence]]/Leadership/Charisma: A person who can inspire, trick, or motivate almost anyone to do anything.
* [[IdealHero Fame]][=/=][[TheDreaded Infamy]]: Not the same as charisma; this is when a [[BadassOnPaper person's reputation alone]] [[TerrorHero carries tremendous weight.]]

* [[TheBigGuy Physical Presence]]: Usually [[DeathGlare used to threaten]] rather than attack.

* [[BornLucky Luck]]: Sometimes known as the RightManInTheWrongPlace. (Less frequent than the others as it's often a case of supernatural forces or, at worst, can seem like an AssPull.)

These abilities are one step away from a CharlesAtlasSuperpower, when demonstrated abilities are so ludicrous or impossible that they into MagicAndPowers territory.

* This is the premise for the reality TV series, ''StanLee's Superhumans''.