History Main / SecretArt

** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', BigBad Alduin has several [[LanguageOfMagic Thu'um]] [[MakeMeWannaShout shouts]] unique to him. SLEN TIID VO, the shout he uses to revive dead dragons, is exclusive to him. His [[DeathFromAbove Meteor Storm]] shout is also one (though "[[ShockAndAwe Storm Call]]" is very similar in function and is obtainable). Another is "VEN MUL RIIK", "Wind Strong Gale", which shrouds an area in thick concealing mist.

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* ''SecretArt/FireEmblemHeroes''
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* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes'' has a ton of units with exclusive sets of skills that cannot be inherited to other units. See [[SecretArt/FireEmblemHeroes this page]] for more details.

* There is a fighting style known as "Rokushiki" in ''Franchise/OnePiece'' that utilizes six techniques. The members of [=CP9=] were practitioners of this style. There are a couple of high-ranking Marine officers that can use some of them, as well. But, this trope truly comes into play in the case of [=CP9=]'s Rob Lucci, who knows a hidden seventh technique known as Rokuougan. Only those who have completely mastered the six other techniques can learn it.

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** Additionally, only the starter Pokémon can learn the elemental Pledge moves, and only their final forms can be taught the strongest Grass/Fire/Water moves (Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, Hydro Cannon). Draco Meteor can only be taught to Dragon-types with a high enough friendship.

* ''ComicBook/RobinSeries'': Tim is the last student of an ancient holistic Tibetan martial art which then dies out in its complete form along with it's last master as Tim never completed his training and the master's longest lasting student was only interested in select parts of the fighting aspects of it, rather than the meditation and healing aspects.

* In ''{{LightNovel/Slayers}}'', cooking dragon meat is a secret art, and you have to endure a harsh apprenticeship from an OldMaster to learn how to do it. It turns out it's incredibly difficult to catch dragons and slay them with kitchen implements, and it's even harder (and incredibly time-consuming) to cook their meat properly and remove all poison from it.

** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', Wolf Link can find a golden wolf spirit, which is actually an ancient warrior, who teaches him various forgotten sword techniques which greatly boost his effectiveness.

** Many Pokémon, mostly Legendaries, have an attack only that specific Pokémon (and its family, if it has one) can use under normal circumstances. Bulbapedia lists the article as "Signature Move", but it's not to be confused with the trope SignatureMove.

Any skill or ability that only a select few know how to/can use, from magic to martial arts to metallurgy techniques. Even the art ''itself'' might be unknown to the world at large, but the crux of the trope is that the know-how to use it is limited to a relatively isolated group or person. Some Secret Arts aren't even particularly jealously guarded and only remain secret via their sheer obscurity.

Perhaps their [[AndManGrewProud civilization collapsed]] or these techniques were simply were too powerful and/or dangerous and needed to be [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique sealed away]]; the point is, no one has seen and/or heard about them in a very long time. They will always, however, be superior to their modern counterpart, which will often make them the subject of a lengthy search quest by heroes or villains to further the plot.

* Historically, trade secrets were just that-secrets of a given profession. Since professions were then generally controlled by their guilds, requiring membership for licensing to practice, this required only teaching approved people they apprenticed. Some economic historians have argued this seriously empeded development, since it kept information tightly guarded instead of shared. Trade secrets still exist however, and retain their legal protection, but it's no longer just the specific skills of a profession, but more specific intellectual property.

* In ''Literature/ABrothersPrice'', the so-called "Paths of Pleasure" is treated as this. Jerin is asked whether his grandfather passed it on to him. It is, essentially, the art of [[GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex keeping all wives happy]] in a [[ExoticExtendedMarriage polygynous marriage.]] Jerin is very embarrassed when asked about it, he doesn't think it should be discussed in public.

** Anahir and Anatan have Chains Hit, a physical Neutral technique that deals damage to one target.