Line #56 JustForFun/HowToGiveACharacterSuperpowers


1	->''"The kids who get bit by radioactive insects or fall into a vat of toxic waste, their powers usually show up the next day... or they die."''
2	-->-- '''Nurse Spex''', ''Film/SkyHigh2005''
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5	''Feel like [[SuperHeroOrigin giving someone superhuman abilities]]? It's easy! Just'':
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7	# Make them [[FreakLabAccident wander into a lab and spill some chemicals on themselves]].
8	# Subject them to [[RadiationInducedSuperpowers otherwise deadly radiation]].
9	# Have them [[LightningCanDoAnything struck by lightning]].
10	# Have them [[ComicBook/SpiderMan bitten by a spider]].
11	** Other animals can work too. Although wolves would probably just make them a [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolf]] instead.
12	# Give them [[{{Cyborg}} cybernetic augmentations]].
13	# Test that new brand of SuperSerum on them.
14	** ...but make sure to read the [[PsychoSerum fine print, first]].
15	# Give them something to [[DisabilitySuperpower compensate for a disability]].
16	** ...for example, [[BlindSeer blindness]].
17	** Or a SuperWheelChair.
18	# Reveal that they have been [[HumanAliens an alien all along]].
19	# Or that [[HalfHumanHybrid one of their parents is]].
20	# Hand them a [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman cool super-suit]].
21	** Bonus points if the suit can be easily accessed by a [[TransformationTrinket belt buckle, watch or cell phone]].
22	# Or just give them enough [[RecruitTeenagersWithAttitude attitude]].
23	# Establish that they have a [[MetaOrigin genetic affinity]] for superpowers.
24	** Or can use the [[NinetyPercentOfYourBrain dormant abilities we all have]].
25	** ...preferably because they're at a [[EvolutionaryLevels "higher level of evolution"]]. (I feel deja vu. something about an [[ComicBook/XMen X. Or was it men]]?)
26	# Have them [[LegacyCharacter take the mantle of another superhero]].
27	# Combining the previous two (three, four), why not [[SuperpowerfulGenetics inherit them]]?
28	** ...especially if the parent had them [[LamarckWasRight acquired, not genetically inherited]], in the first place.
29	# Subject them to [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower enough hard training]] to make them superhuman, or at least ''seem'' superhuman.
30	# Establish them as TheChosenOne.
31	** ...preferably by an [[PowersThatBe ancient and wise being]] just waiting for some [[KidHero clueless kid]] to [[ItsUpToYou entrust the fate of the world to]].
32	# Let [[TouchedByVorlons Vorlons touch them]].
33	# Flash forward to their {{puberty\|Superpower}}.
34	# If they already have [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway weaker powers]], put them in a [[PowerCreepPowerSeep crossover]].
35	# ...or just [[SoLastSeason end the season and start a new one]].
36	# RetCon them into TheRealRemingtonSteele.
37	# Cast them in a kid-friendly AnimatedAdaptation. Extra points if it has the words [[RecycledInSPACE "IN SPACE!"]] somewhere in the title.
38	# Put them in a [[DieOrFly life-threatening situation]].
39	# Have [[TraumaticSuperpowerAwakening something really, really bad happen to them]].
40	# Give them a [[DangerousSixteenthBirthday sixteenth birthday]].
41	# Give them a [[HumongousMecha giant fighting robot]]...
42	# ...preferably one that can [[TransformingMecha transform]].
43	# Forget about ''giving'' them a robot, make ''them'' the [[SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids robot]].
44	# ...or otherwise [[ArtificialHuman made in a lab]].
45	# Give them a ship. Or, better, CoolStarship!
46	# Let the government [[SuperSoldier take care of it]].
47	# Two words: GreenRocks.
48	# Teach them an empowering ritual.
49	# Teach them [[FunctionalMagic magic]].
50	# ...preferably by having them find a [[GreatBigBookOfEverything guide to magic]].
51	# Give them a MagicRing, or some other MagicalAccessory.
52	** ([[ArtifactOfDoom Be selective about]] ''[[ArtifactOfDoom which]]'' [[ArtifactOfDoom ring, though]].)
53	# ...or give them an enchanted [[MagicWand wand]] or [[MagicStaff staff]].
54	# Reveal them to be a {{reincarnation}} of a legendary hero.
55	# Push them to their breaking point and [[SuperpoweredEvilSide see what happens]].
56	# And don't worry if they ''do'' break; [[WeCanRebuildHim you can always fix them]].
57	# Expose them to some process that [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke alters their very genetic makeup from the ground up]].
58	# Inject them with {{Nanomachines}}.
59	# Expose them to [[MutagenicGoo weird sciencey/magical goo]].
60	# Have them hang around someone else with powers. Eventually [[ContagiousPowers Power Osmosis]] will get them to soak up some of that power. Don't expect it to stick though.
61	# Have them [[PowerUp fight a boss]] [[VictorGainsLosersPowers and take their power]].
62	# Have someone else ''literally'' [[SuperEmpowering give them superpowers]].
63	** Bonus points if the empowerer is named [[Blog/ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG "Captain Franchise"]].
64	** Or a [[HeroicHost critter]].
65	** Or a [[SuperhumanTransfusion Blood Donor]].
66	# [[SuperEmpowering It's a gift from]] (insert benevolent spirit here).
67	# [[CursedWithAwesome It's a curse from]] (insert malevolent spirit here).
68	# [[DeathActivatedSuperpower Kill them]].
69	# Bring them BackFromTheDead.
70	# Leave them [[Film/IronMan1 in a cave]] [[MemeticMutation with a box of scraps]].
71	# Make a deal with a [[BargainWithHeaven benevolent]] or [[DealWithTheDevil malevolent]] being for your powers.
72	# Involve [[AnimalThemedSuperbeing animals]] in some way.
73	# Have an alien with superpowers [[Franchise/UltraSeries merge with them]].
74	# Cast them as the hero in a StylishAction game.
75	# Give them a powerful weapon that was ForgedByTheGods.
76	# If they are a BadassNormal without powers, that doesn't stop them from [[EmpoweredBadassNormal getting some]].
77	** Although they might still FightLikeANormal.
78	# Have {{God}} bless them.
79	# Cast them as the partner of a Toys/{{Jewelpet}}.
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81	But really, if you just [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands feel like it]], why not just [[AssPull pull it out of your ass]]?
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83	Be warned, not everyone [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity reacts well]] to getting super powers.
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85	If you want to boost these powers through the roof, consider using an AmplifierArtifact.
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87	If you want to put a limit on them, give them a finite PowerSource.
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89	When it would take too long to think of a different one for every character, why not try a MassSuperEmpoweringEvent or RandomlyGifted?
90
91	Compare OurMagesAreDifferent.

Context JustForFun / HowToGiveACharacterSuperpowers