Line #64 Main/AnimalisticAbilities


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9	[[quoteright:1000: [[WesternAnimation/{{Vixen}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vixen_cw_dc_comics_1920x1131_8.jpg]]]]
10	[[caption-width-right:1000: She's [[{{Pun}} Super Fly]]!]]
11
12	->''"Then one day, a lawman appeared\
13	With powers of hawk, wolf, puma and bear" ''
14	-->-- Lyrics from the TitleThemeTune of ''WesternAnimation/BraveStarr''
15
16	This is when a character is able to use the powers and abilities of one or more animals without needing to change into them.
17
18	The way this power is depicted varies. Some may have this as their default powerset (this is often the case if the powers are derived from one animal). Other cases have the user able to [[PowerCopying copy the abilities of animals]] either within their vicinity or just in existence. A mystical variation of this power may have characters invoking animal spirits to empower themselves. At its strongest, this power grants a character the abilities of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphogenetic_field the entire morphogenetic field]], [[SemanticSuperpower allowing them even copy human powers]]. Expect {{Animal Themed Superbeing}}s to have these powers.
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20	Some cases of this trope are when the powers are based on superstitions or beliefs about certain animals i.e a character possessing the nine lives of a cat or SelfDuplication based on certain creatures that breed very fast.
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22	Not to be confused with {{Animorphism}} which is about physically transforming into animals. Characters who are [[BeastMan Beast Men]] or LittleBitBeastly do not qualify for this trope.
23	----
24
25	!!Examples:
26
27	[[foldercontrol]]
28
29	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
30	* ''Manga/BIchi'': Shotaro can gain an animal's abilities and traits by biting its dried bones. For his powers to work, he must do one good deed everyday or lose something "precious" inside him.
31	* ''Manga/GetBackers'': Shido Fuyuki has the ability to take on the abilities of about 100 different types of animals, such as a bat's echolocation abilities, or a wolf's strength and claws.
32	[[/folder]]
33
34	[[folder:Comic Books]]
35	* Creator/ArchieComics: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_(Archie_Comics) The Jaguar]] has all the powers of the animal kingdom amplified a thousandfold. For instance, summoning the toughness of a rhino's hide grants him invulnerability comparable to Superman.
36	* ''Franchise/TheDCU'':
37	** ''ComicBook/AnimalMan'': Originally believed to have gained his animal mimicry abilities from alien experiments, Animal Man was retconned into being an avatar for The Red, the mystical representation of the earth's morphogenetic field. Initially, Animal Man could only copy the powers of animals within his proximity but later gained the ability to use any animal ability just by tapping into the morphogenetic field, regardless of if he was in proximity to an animal or not.
38	** ''ComicBook/FreedomFightersDCComics'': The original version of the Black Condor gained the power of flight by studying the birds [[RaisedByWolves that raised him]].
39	** ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'' issue #689 has Mon-El teaming up with superheroes from around the world. One of them is King Billy, a Cajun trapper from Louisiana who can channel the powers and properties of swamp plants and animals.
40	** ComicBook/{{Vixen}} wears a [[MagicalAccessory magic totem]] which allows her to use the abilities of any and all animals. The totem was created by the spider god Anansi and given to Vixen's ancestor Tantu, whose family has passed it down from generation to generation. [[SemanticSuperpower Vixen has also been able to mimic the abilities of extinct animals, mutated animals like Gorilla Grodd, mythical beasts and even sapient creatures like Kryptonians]].
41	** ComicBook/{{Wildcat}}/Ted Grant possesses the nine lives of a cat. His [[AffirmativeActionLegacy successor]] Yolanda Montez possesses retractable cat claws and cat-like agility.
42	* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'':
43	** ''ComicBook/KaZar'': Kevin Plunder, the second Ka-Zar, can mimic the aspects of various Savage Land animals, usually by perfectly imitating their calls to command them but sometimes going further into outright superhuman feats.
44	** ''ComicBook/MarvelBoy'': Noh-Varr has [[WallCrawl the ability to scale walls and ceilings]] thanks to cockroach genes being merged with his DNA.
45	** ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'':
46	*** Peter Parker possesses the proportional strength, speed, and agility of a spider. He can also scale walls and ceilings and has a SpiderSense that alerts him of hidden or incoming danger, loosely inspired by how many spiders have peripheral vision (especially the jumping spider) and can sense subtle environmental shifts and vibrations through their webs or sensitive hairs. While he did temporarily gain the ability to produce organic webbing during the Straczynski run, Peter normally doesn't have this power -- instead, he usually employs a synthetic compound that mimics the properties of spider silk.
47	*** Various other members of the Spider family have spider-related abilities similar to Peter's while also possessing ones he doesn't. Silk has organic webbing, [[ComicBook/SpiderWoman Jessica Drew]]'s flight and electric blasts are based on how [[https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/the-electric-flight-of-spiders/564437/ some spiders can fly using the planet's electric field]] and Miles Morales can use camouflage-based invisibility.
48	*** The ComicBook/{{Black Cat\|MarvelComics}} initially didn't have superpowers. [[EmpoweredBadassNormal She later gained the ability]] to [[WindsOfDestinyChange alter probability]] based on the superstition of her animal namesake's ability to cause bad luck. After Dr. Strange removed these powers due to them affecting Spider-Man, she was left with cat-like strength, speed, agility, and InnateNightVision. She lost these powers as well and has since regained her bad luck powers.
49	** ''ComicBook/SubMariner'': For a time during the Silver Age, Namor could use the abilities of any sea-dwelling creature such as the electric volts of an electric eel, the radar sense of a cave fish and the body inflation of a puffer fish. Namor has since lost these abilities.
50	* ''ComicBook/TheLeopardFromLimeStreet'': The titular hero was scratched by a radioactive leopard, granting him a leopard's strength, speed, reflexes, agility and "[[SpiderSense sixth sense]]".
51	* ''ComicBook/ShamansTears'': As TheChosenOne of [[MotherNature Wakan Tanka]], Joshua Brand can use the ability of any animal in the world.
52	[[/folder]]
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55
56	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
57	* ''Film/TheAnimal'': [[TheProtagonist Marvin Mange]] gains the abilities of various animals after an operation that involves putting the organs of several different animals inside of him.
58	* ''Film/{{Catwoman\|2004}}'': [[CatsAreMagic Midnight]] resurrects Patience with the strength, speed, agility and senses of a cat.
59	* ''Film/KungFuHustle'': The Beast's "Toad Style" technique allows him to mimic a toad's stance, headbutting force and leaping ability.
60	* ''Film/SuperheroMovie'': Rick Riker, a.k.a. the Dragonfly has the strength, reflexes, wings and [[SuperToughness durability]] of a dragonfly.
61	[[/folder]]
62
63	[[folder:Literature]]
64	* ''Literature/TheBeginningAfterTheEnd'': Beast wills are abilities that are derived from the mana core of any given mana beast that allow a mage to draw upon the beast's abilities in combat, and mages who have a beast will are known as beast tamers. They can be acquired either by slaying a mana beast and extracting its core or by having the beast impart its own core onto the bearer, the latter of which allows for greater insight into the beast's abilities. There are two stages regarding one's assimilation of their beast will. These are the acquire phase - in which they are able to borrow their beast's inherent strengths - and the integrate phase - in which they can truly harness their beast's unique abilities. A few notable characters in the story are beast tamers.
65	** Arthur himself has the beast will of the dragon Sylvia, who passed it down onto him before she sacrificed herself to save him. Whenever he uses it, it dyes his hair white and his face gains the same golden FacialMarkings Sylvia had. It gives near-superhuman physical capabilities and a HealingFactor, which are derived from Sylvia's asuran nature. It also allows him to partially manipulate time and space due to her inherent connection to aether, though the backlash from using such powerful abilities often cripples him in the short term, rendering it a DangerousForbiddenTechnique.
66	** Arthur's LoveInterest Tessia has the beast will of an elderwood guardian, which she had received from him as a present. Like Arthur, using her beast will dyes her hair dark green and causes her face to display emerald facial markings. It allows her to conjure swathes of vines in combat which synergizes well with her affinity for plant magic. However, unlike the other examples listed here, Tessia frequently experiences much difficulty when trying to assimilate the beast will and suffers instances of PowerIncontinence, which also forces her to treat it as a DangerousForbiddenTechnique. As it turns out, this is because [[spoiler:the elderwood guardian Arthur slew was a failed Vritra experiment]].
67	** Tessia's grandfather Virion is perhaps one of the most experienced beast tamers in the setting given how he has had decades to study his beast will. His beast will is derived from that of a shadow panther, and whenever he uses it he turns into a near-featureless black humanoid with long hair and vaguely feline features. The only flaw that holds him back compared to his younger compatriots is of course his age, which has rendered him a RetiredBadass and eventual SupportingLeader.
68	** Prince Curtis of Sapin has a beast will of a world lion he named Grawder, which he received from his father after he won it in an auction. When using it, his face assumes leonine features evocative of his bond, and it allows him to breath fire just like him. Despite having the beast will imparted onto him, Curtis has not progressed much in terms of his assimilation.
69	* ''Literature/{{Campione}}'': As a Campione, Godou has access to the "Ten Incarnations", ten different divine powers. Most of these powers are named after and based on an animal:
70	** The Bull grants Godou SuperStrength rivaling that of [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Hercules]].
71	** The White Stallion allows Godou to shoot a spear of light.
72	** The Camel increases Godou's combat abilities, leg strength, defense, battle instincts, and self-recovery.
73	** The Boar summons a giant boar to trample anything in its path. While in use, Godou gains increased speed, defense, and strength, but it can only be used in a direct charge.
74	** Bird of Prey (Raptor) makes Godou superfast and extremely light in weight.
75	** The Ram grants Godou a HealingFactor powerful enough to revive him from the dead.
76	** The Goat grants Godou [[ShockAndAwe control over lightning]], allows him to listen to people's hearts, and bestows to him priestly authority, great magical power and wisdom.
77	* ''Literature/Overlord2012'': A bandit with the Shamanic Adept class calls out the names of different animals (which manifest as glowing tattoos) to give him corresponding stat boosts. Unfortunately for him, he's dealing with Sebas, one of Nazerick's EliteMooks who are magnitudes more powerful than even the best the world has to offer. The bandits abilities prove useless.
78	* ''Literature/{{Patternist}}'': As the undisputed master of VoluntaryShapeshifting and {{Biomanipulation}}, Anyanwu can analyze an animal's entire genome from a small tissue sample and adopt useful traits at will. For example, after spending some time as a dolphin, she incorporates its ability to conserve oxygen into her human form.
79	* ''Literature/ProblemChildrenAreComingFromAnotherWorldArentThey'': Yo Kasukabe can [[SpeaksFluentAnimal communicate]] with animals and use the abilities of any animals she has befriended.
80	* ''Literature/ShadowsOfTheApt'': The story takes place in a world where humans have developed powers based on particular totem arthropods. Ant-kinden are peerless soldiers with a HiveMind, Beetle-kinden are tough and enduring, Wasp-kinden can fly and [[HandBlast shoot "stings" from their hands]], Spider-kinden are [[CharmPerson alluring]] schemers, etcetera. These powers aren’t always consistent between individuals; some Beetles are capable of flight or night vision, a few Wasps have the hive mind ability, not all Mantids have forearm spikes, and so on. They're also passed down genetically: each kinden is effectively a HumanSubspecies, and "halfbreeds" have randomized mix-and-match powers.
81	[[/folder]]
82
83	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
84	* ''Series/DarkAngel'': [[SuperSoldier Max]] is infused with the DNA of a cat granting her superior strength, speed and senses to that of a normal human. Unfortunately, this also causes her to go into heat like a cat.
85	* ''Series/KamenRiderWizard'': Kamen Rider Beast fights with magical animal-themed mantles that grant him different powers. Falco Mantle grants him flight, Chameleo Mantle grants him ChameleonCamouflage, Dolpi Mantle allows him to swim and gives him HealingHands, and Buffa Mantle enhances his strength.
86	* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'': One of the first [[MonsterOfTheWeeK "Meteor Freaks"]] Clark ever faced was Greg Arkin, a socially awkward kid who gained various insect and arachnid abilities after being bitten by [[GreenRocks Kryptonite-infected]] insects. These included enhanced strength, agility, speed, ProjectileWebbing, {{Wall Crawl}}ing and the ability to shed his skin.
87	[[/folder]]
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89	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
90	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFifthEdition'': Barbarians who choose to follow the Path of the Totem gain a spirit animal that they can commune with, and which grants them various abilities:
91	** The Bear grants strength and endurance, making the barbarian resistant to most forms of damage and granting extra strength when carrying, pushing, pulling or lifting. It also grants protection for the barbarian's allies, by allowing the barbarian to impose disadvantage on an enemy's attack rolls, making their attacks less likely to hit.
92	** The Eagle grants swiftness and perception. Barbarians who follow this path can dash as a bonus action and are harder to hit with attacks of opportunity, have improved eyesight at long range, and can mimic an eagle's flight for short periods of time.
93	** The Elk grants mobility. Barbarians who follow this path gain a bonus to movement speed when their [[UnstoppableRage Barbarian Rage]] ability is used, the ability to cover more ground when travelling long distance on foot, and a charging attack that can knock enemies prone.
94	** The tiger grants survival, and abilities that mimic the pounce of a hunting cat. Barbarians following the path of the tiger have increased jumping distance, proficiency in extra skills, and can make extra attacks if they move in a straight line towards an enemy as part of their turn.
95	** The wolf grants tactical combat and hunting abilities. Barbarians of this path can use pack tactics to increase the chance of their allies' attacks being successful, travel at greater speed while tracking prey or moving stealthily, and knock their opponents off their feet as part of an attack.
96	[[/folder]]
97
98	[[folder:Toys]]
99	* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'': The Mask of Kindred allows its wearer to copy the abilities of any Rahi in the same environment.
100	[[/folder]]
101
102	[[folder:Video Games]]
103	* ''VideoGame/DisneysPocahontas'': The player can only advance in the game by using the abilites they gain from the animals' spirits:
104	** The Deer Spirit grants the running ability.
105	** The Otter grants the swimming ability.
106	** The Bird helps the player fall from great heights without losing health.
107	** The Squirrel allows Pocahontas to climb tree branches and swing between them, although Meeko can climb tree trunks with no effort and the player climbs cliffs in Stage 1.
108	** The Fish allows the player to swim faster.
109	** The Wolf Spirit allows the player to sneak: Pocahontas crouches and crawls.
110	** The Bear allows Pocahontas to project a spirit to scare off the trembling, skinny Englishman in Stage 3.
111	** The Owl Spirit grants [[Main/{{InnateNightVision}} night vision]] to the player.
112	* ''Videogame/FarCry3'': Jason is given a PowerTattoo that is said to simultaneously grant him the power of a shark, a heron and a spider. In game mechanics terms, each animal is associated with a branch of the [[SkillScoresAndPerks skill tree]]: Shark skills grant endurance, toughness and better healing, Heron skills grant better handling of long-range weapons and improve mobility, and Spider skills grant better stealth and the ability to find more items when hunting, foraging or looting.
113	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'': Gau learned to fight by copying the attack patterns and special attacks of the monsters and animals that migrated to Veldt.
114	* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'': Udyr is a "spirit walker" who has [[TheEmpath the ability to sense the spirits of the animals around him]] and then bolster his own power with theirs. When he was first added to the game, he was able to channel the spirits of [[PantheraAwesome a tiger]] (granting him [[RapidFireFisticuffs attack speed]]), a turtle (granting him [[BarrierWarrior resilience]]), [[BearsAreBadNews a bear]] (a [[MegatonPunch mighty on-hit stun]]), and [[ThePhoenix a phoenix]] (grants him [[PlayingWithFire fire magic]]). With his relaunch in 2022, his repertoire has been expanded to additionally cover [[VariantPowerCopying the abilities of the animalistic demigods of the Freljord]]: the [[ShockAndAwe lightning claws]] of the bear demigod of the storms, Volibear, the shielding of the Iron Boar, [[ImplacableMan the fiery implacability]] of the ram demigod of the forge, Ornn, and [[AnIcePerson the ice powers]] of Anivia the Cryophoenix.
115	* ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'': [[MagicalNativeAmerican Nightwolf]] can borrow power from two animal spirits, the wolf and the bear. The wolf increases his strength and attack power while the bear increases his resistance to damage.
116	* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'': [[AllThereInTheManual According to an older manual]], Blanka's ability to [[ShockAndAwe generate electricity]] is something he learned from observing electric eels.
117	* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'': There has been lots of animal-based power-ups throughout the series.
118	** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'' features 3 power-ups based on animals. The first is Raccoon Leaf, a power-up that makes Mario dons the ears and tail of a raccoon and it allows Mario to glide through the air by using his tail and attack with it. The second is a variant of the previous power-up called "Tanooki Suit" which also allows Mario to turn into a statue. The last is Frog Suit, which transforms Mario into Frog Mario, allowing him to swim efficiently through underwater at the cost of having [[PowerUpLetdown limited movement on the ground]].
119	** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' features the Bee Mushroom, which transforms Mario into Bee Mario, allowing him to fly and climb honeycombs.
120	** ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosWii'' features the Penguin Suit, which transforms Mario into Penguin Mario, allowing him to shoot snowballs that freezes enemies, slide on his belly like real life penguins do and swim better underwater.
121	** ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' features the Cat Bell, which transforms Mario into Cat Mario, allowing him to scratch at his enemies and climb to walls.
122	** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBrosWonder'' features the Elephant Fruit, which transforms Mario into Elephant Mario, allowing him to attack enemies with his trunk and store water in it to later shoot it.
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125	[[folder:Webcomics]]
126	* ''Webcomic/GrrlPower'': {{Supernatural Martial Art\|s}}ist Jazza Ng/"Jabberwokky" has the superpower to copy any animal-based kung fu style, including some made up on the spot. These styles appear to grant her abilities similar to the animal they are based on. For example, her Cheetah style lets her bounce around the room, and her Rhino style lets her tank the attacks of much larger opponents.
127	* ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'': Watchdog Man can run on all fours and has dog-like senses of smell and hearing.
128	* ''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}'':
129	** Being a SpiderManSendUp, the titular Spinnerette has the proportional strength and agility of a spider, as well as the ability to scale surfaces and shoot ProjectileWebbing out of the base of her spine. She also has [[MultiArmedAndDangerous eight limbs]] (six arms and two legs), an enhanced metabolism, immunity to toxins and [[HealingFactor can heal from wounds in a matter of seconds to minutes]].
130	** The Spirit of the Tiger grants Jeff Coleman enhanced strength, speed, agility and endurance.
131	[[/folder]]
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133	[[folder:Western Animation]]
134	* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'':
135	** Eunice, aka the Unitrix, is a living prototype of the Omnitrix. She has the ability to absorb and contain the DNA of various species without changing her form. She has been shown replicating the jumping ability of a rabbit, the strength of a bear and the flexibility of a snake. Eunice has two main weaknesses; she can only possess another animal or alien's ability for ten minutes and she can only absorb one creature's DNA at a time.
136	** In "Ben 10,000 Returns", Ben 10,000 reveals a new form called Ultimate Ben which is just human Ben with the ability to use the powers of the Omnitrix's aliens without physically transforming into them.
137	* ''WesternAnimation/BraveStarr'': The eponymous character is a MagicalNativeAmerican who can call upon four animal spirits to grant himself superpowers. He possesses the eyesight of an eagle, the hearing of a wolf, the strength of a bear and the speed of a puma.
138	* ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'':
139	** The talismans of Shendu are a set of 12 talismans based on the EasternZodiac. Each talisman grants a power based on the animal it represents, i.e. the ox grants strength, the rabbit grants speed, the rooster grants levitation.
140	** In "[[Recap/JackieChanAdventuresS2E39TheAmazingTGirl The Amazing T-Girl]]'', Jade temporarily absorbs the powers of all 12 talismans.
141	* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': The [[TransformationTrinket Miraculouses]] are based on Zodiac animals and grant the user a power that is somehow connected to the animal they represent. For example, the Ladybug Miraculous grants the power of good luck in the form of [[LethalJokeItem Lucky Charm]] since ladybugs are said to be signs of good luck, while the Black Cat Miraculous grants the power of bad luck in the form of [[MakeThemRot Cataclysm]] since black cats are said to be omens of bad luck.
142	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS25E13TheManWhoGrewTooMuch The Man Who Grew Too Much]]", Sideshow Bob reveals he's been modifying his own DNA and now has, among other things, the strength of a Brahma bull, the thighs of a grasshopper, and the sonar of a killer whale.
143	[[/folder]]
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