History Main / ElementalPowers

* '''[[DishingOutDirt Earth]]:''' Stable and resilient, earth is the element of solidity and support. [[MightyGlacier It is the strongest element, but also the slowest.]] Earth characters are frequently dependable, strong, and, if female, motherly. However, they can also be stubborn and far too stuck in their ways. As such, it is aligned with the melancholic temperament. Generally represented as by either the color Green, Brown, Tan, or Yellow (the latter three more often used if this element is based purely on [[DishingOutDirt actual earth]] rather than [[GreenThumb plants]] or other stuff). Good at defensive magic, but not in offensive.

* '''[[PlayingWithFire Fire]]:''' Has positive connotations like warmth, light, purification, and even rebirth. On the flipside, it's very, very easy to {{exaggerate|d}} it into [[EvilIsBurningHot an antagonistic element]] by emphasizing its wild, destructive, and unpredictable nature. Most series with an elemental motif will usually assign it to the hero or "Red Ranger". As it is aligned with the choleric temperament, fire characters have a habit of being impulsive, hotheaded, and brash. Most [=CRPGs=] featuring a young vigorous sword-wielding male teenage hero (which means, nearly all [=CRPGs=]) have him associated with fire, if the characters have elemental associations or attributes. [[FireIsRed Usually represented by the color Red]], even though it is naturally more Orange in color, if not outright Gold/Yellow (of course, [[TechnicolorFire they aren't the only possible fire colors]]). Very good--sometimes ''too'' good at offensive combat magic.

* '''[[MakingASplash Water]]:''' The element of change and adaptability; capable of taking any form. Water is pretty much always seen positively, symbolizing {{healing|Hands}}, adaptability, and [[TheStoic calm]]. While earth is strong and solid and air is weak but fluid, water is both strong and fluid, but not to the same extent as the other two. Aligned with the phlegmatic temperament, water characters are usually laid-back and "go with the flow". [[WaterIsBlue Usually depicted as Blue or Cyan.]] Although not thought of as much of a combat power, when roused a Water Mage can be unstoppable--especially combined with Wind (think ''Hurricanes.'')

* '''[[ShockAndAwe Lightning/Electricity]]''' is sometimes paired with air or fire, but more often is considered a separate form of power. In most games, it forms the [[FireIceLightning basic trio]] of available powers. Lightning usually carries the same connotations as fire, but may also include speed (i.e.: "moves like lightning") or [[PsychoElectro mild insanity (from having fried his brain too many times)]], [[LightningCanDoAnything or even more]]. Usually depicted as either [[YellowLightningBlueLightning very yellow or very blue]], although in real life it's actually more often white.
* '''[[AnIcePerson Ice/Snow]]:''' may or may not be combined with water. As a [[AnIcePerson separate element]], it carries connotations of [[EvilIsDeathlyCold coolness, detachment, harshness]], and even [[KillItWithIce death]]. However, snow is almost the same but carries connotations of fun, softness, cheerfulness, and even [[SnowMeansLove love]].

* '''[[MakingASplash Water]]:''' The element of change and adaptability; capable of taking any form. Water is pretty much always seen positively, symbolizing {{healing|Hands}}, adaptability, and [[TheStoic calm]]. While earth is strong and solid and air is weak but fluid, water is both strong and fluid, but not to the same extent as the other two. Aligned with the phlegmatic temperament, water characters are usually laid-back and "go with the flow". [[WaterIsBlue Usually depicted as Blue or Cyan.]] Although not thought of as much of a combat power, when roused a Water Mage can be unstoppable--especially combined with Water (think ''Hurricanes.'')

* '''[[PlayingWithFire Fire]]:''' Has positive connotations like warmth, light, purification, and even rebirth. On the flipside, it's very, very easy to {{exaggerate|d}} it into [[EvilIsBurningHot an antagonistic element]] by emphasizing its wild, destructive, and unpredictable nature. Most series with an elemental motif will usually assign it to the hero or "Red Ranger". As it is aligned with the choleric temperament, fire characters have a habit of being impulsive, hotheaded, and brash. Most [=CRPGs=] featuring a young vigorous sword-wielding male teenage hero (which means, nearly all [=CRPGs=]) have him associated with fire, if the characters have elemental associations or attributes. [[FireIsRed Usually represented by the color Red]], even though it is naturally more Orange in color, if not outright Gold/Yellow (of course, [[TechnicolorFire they aren't the only possible fire colors]]). Very good--sometimes [I]too[/I] good at offensive combat magic.

* '''[[MakingASplash Water]]:''' The element of change and adaptability; capable of taking any form. Water is pretty much always seen positively, symbolizing {{healing|Hands}}, adaptability, and [[TheStoic calm]]. While earth is strong and solid and air is weak but fluid, water is both strong and fluid, but not to the same extent as the other two. Aligned with the phlegmatic temperament, water characters are usually laid-back and "go with the flow". [[WaterIsBlue Usually depicted as Blue or Cyan.]] Although not thought of as much of a combat power, when roused a Water Mage can be unstoppable--especially combined with Water (think [I]Hurricanes.[/I])

* '''[[DishingOutDirt Earth]]:''' Stable and resilient, earth is the element of solidity and support. [[MightyGlacier It is the strongest element, but also the slowest.]] Earth characters are frequently dependable, strong, and, if female, motherly. However, they can also be stubborn and far too stuck in their ways. As such, it is aligned with the melancholic temperament. Generally represented as by either the color Green, Brown, Tan, or Yellow (the latter three more often used if this element is based purely on [[DishingOutDirt actual earth]] rather than [[GreenThumb plants]] or other stuff).
* '''[[PlayingWithFire Fire]]:''' Has positive connotations like warmth, light, purification, and even rebirth. On the flipside, it's very, very easy to {{exaggerate|d}} it into [[EvilIsBurningHot an antagonistic element]] by emphasizing its wild, destructive, and unpredictable nature. Most series with an elemental motif will usually assign it to the hero or "Red Ranger". As it is aligned with the choleric temperament, fire characters have a habit of being impulsive, hotheaded, and brash. Most [=CRPGs=] featuring a young vigorous sword-wielding male teenage hero (which means, nearly all [=CRPGs=]) have him associated with fire, if the characters have elemental associations or attributes. [[FireIsRed Usually represented by the color Red]], even though it is naturally more Orange in color, if not outright Gold/Yellow (of course, [[TechnicolorFire they aren't the only possible fire colors]]).
* '''[[BlowYouAway Air/Wind]]:''' The element of change and movement; unpredictably calm one moment and flying into a tempest the next. [[FragileSpeedster The quickest of the elements, but sometimes seen as the weakest (unless it is referred to as "sky" or "heaven")]], therefore, what it lacks in raw power it makes up for in offensive and defensive maneuvers. It can also include WeatherManipulation. Aligned with the sanguine temperament, air characters are often cheerful, energetic, free spirits. [[MakeMeWannaShout Noise]], when used as an elemental attack, is sometimes depicted and treated as an air-like attack. [[WindIsGreen Green is often used to represent it in eastern products]], but it's also fairly common to see Yellow, Light Blues, Purples, or White.
* '''[[MakingASplash Water]]:''' The element of change and adaptability; capable of taking any form. Water is pretty much always seen positively, symbolizing {{healing|Hands}}, adaptability, and [[TheStoic calm]]. While earth is strong and solid and air is weak but fluid, water is both strong and fluid, but not to the same extent as the other two. Aligned with the phlegmatic temperament, water characters are usually laid-back and "go with the flow". [[WaterIsBlue Usually depicted as Blue or Cyan.]]

* '''[[SpaceMaster Space/Gravity]]:''' The ability to control the fabric of space. Teleportation, causing objects to phase in and out, or the ability to control gravity is usually included.

* '''[[DishingOutDirt Earth]]:''' Stable and resilient, earth is the element of solidity and support. [[MightyGlacier It is the strongest element, but also the slowest.]] Earth characters are frequently dependable, strong, and, if female, motherly. However, they can also be stubborn and far too stuck in their ways. As such, it is aligned with the melancholic temperament. Generally represented as by either the color Green, Brown, or Yellow (the latter two more often used if this element is based purely on [[DishingOutDirt actual earth]] rather than [[GreenThumb plants]] or other stuff).

* ''{{Disgaea}}'' has three elements: Fire, Ice, and Wind. All units resist one element and is weak to another. There's a fourth element called Star, which is the neutral element. Nothing is weak against it, and nothing resists it.

* Creator/MercedesLackey's ''Literature/ElementalMasters'' series obviously uses this trope. Each book is a re-writing of a traditional FaLiry Tale with the involvement of Elemental Powers.

* ''DinosaurKing'' divides certain types of dinosaurs along elemental lines. In order of opposition, carnosaurs are fire, smaller theropods are wind, large ornithopods are grass, stegosaurs, nodosaurs, and ankylosaurs are earth, ceratopsians are lightning, and sauropods and spinosaurs are water. There is also Secret, which has no definite dinosaur type and no elemental weakness. Dinosaurs and other Mesozoic reptiles obtained through move cards are usually neutral, though there are exceptions.

* The elemental heroes and villains of TheDCU include:

** Fire: Fire (''{{Checkmate}}'')

** TheDCU is also really fond of making up elements. Comicbook/SwampThing is a plant/earth elemental? Okay, fine. Brother Power the Geek is a ''doll'' elemental? Now you're pushing it.

** It was hinted at, but never confirmed, that CaptainAtom might be the [[ElementNumberFive quintessential, or fifth elemental]].
* The elemental heroes and villains of the MarvelUniverse include:

** Water: Hydroman (''SpiderMan'')

* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' has the 12 Aspects that form half of a Hero's role (along with Class): [[BlowYouAway Breath]][[note]]traditional Air powers with light emphasis on freedom and movement as well [[/note]], [[LightEmUp Light]][[note]]includes knowledge and luck, which all adds up to powers over definition, existence and truth; actual light may be involved as well [[/note]], [[TimeMaster Time]][[note]]seemingly also related to death and destruction[[/note]], [[SpaceMaster Space]][[note]]seemingly also related to creation[[/note]], [[GreenThumb Life]][[note]] shown to be healing; may include powers over life other than healing, and has light emphasis on energy and power[[/note]], [[ThePowerOfTheVoid Void]][[note]] invisibility, elusiveness and AntiMagic; it all adds up to lies, non-existence and obfuscation[[/note]], [[HeartBeatDown Heart]][[note]]SoulPower[[/note]], [[LightEmUp Hope]][[note]]nature unknown but possibly related to belief[[/note]], [[PsychicPowers Mind]][[note]]telepathy, mind reading, prediction[[/note]], [[BloodMagic Blood]][[note]]possibly related to unity, DishingOutDirt, and bonds[[/note]], [[CastingAShadow Doom]][[note]]related to death, sacrifice, and destruction, with light emphasis on law and fate[[/note]], and Rage[[note]] related to negative emotions like anger and fear, with a heavy emphasis on restriction[[/note]]

* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' has the 12 Aspects that form half of a Hero's role (along with Class): [[BlowYouAway Breath]][[note]]traditional Air powers[[/note]], [[LightEmUp Light]][[note]]includes knowledge and luck, and possibly also water powers[[/note]], [[TimeMaster Time]][[note]]seemingly also related to fire and machines[[/note]], [[SpaceMaster Space]][[note]]seemingly also related to earth[[/note]], [[GreenThumb Life]][[note]] mostly healing[[/note]], [[ThePowerOfTheVoid Void]][[note]] invisibility, obfuscation and AntiMagic[[/note]], [[HeartBeatDown Heart]][[note]]SoulPower[[/note]], [[LightEmUp Hope]][[note]]nature unknown[[/note]], [[PsychicPowers Mind]][[note]]telepathy, mind reading, prediction[[/note]], [[BloodMagic Blood]][[note]]nature unknown[[/note]], [[CastingAShadow Doom]][[note]]related to death and destruction[[/note]], and Rage[[note]] related to negative emotions like anger and fear[[/note]]

* Creator/MercedesLackey's ''Literature/ElementalMasters'' series obviously uses this trope. Each book is a re-writing of a traditional Fairy Tale with the involvement of Elemental Powers.

** Japan has a classical four elemental system, with [[ThePowerOfTheVoid Void]] being at the center. However, it switches the Earth and Air correspondences, as Earth is bizarrely attributed to Wood and Air to Metal.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'' has the heroic FiveManBand control the four western elements, plus [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway "heart"]]at first. And then the four western elements plus [[InfinityPlusOne Element Quintessence]] in the second. Some of the elemental character tropes are played straight (laid-back Irma controls water, CloudCuckoolander Hay Lin controls air), while others are averted (quiet, sensible Taranee controls fire, girly, LovableLibby Cornelia controls earth).

* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'' has the heroic FiveManBand control the four western elements, plus [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway "heart"]]at first. And then the four western elements plus [[Infinity+1 Element Quintessence]] in the second. Some of the elemental character tropes are played straight (laid-back Irma controls water, CloudCuckoolander Hay Lin controls air), while others are averted (quiet, sensible Taranee controls fire, girly, LovableLibby Cornelia controls earth).

* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'' has the heroic FiveManBand control the four western elements, plus [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway "heart"]]at first. And then the four western elements plus [[Infinity+1Element Quintessence]] in the second. Some of the elemental character tropes are played straight (laid-back Irma controls water, CloudCuckoolander Hay Lin controls air), while others are averted (quiet, sensible Taranee controls fire, girly, LovableLibby Cornelia controls earth).

** [[spoiler:By my understanding, the fifth element was LIFE. Perfect being and all, y'know?]]

This does not occur in Real Life, so NoRealLifeExamplesPlease Water, wind, etc. do have energy, but it's the same type of energy and therefore not an example of this trope.

* FallFromHeaven includes most of the above elements in its mana types.

* ''{{Summoner}}'' has two sets for the two sets of rings you collect, the first are the four demons: Machival (Dark), Luminar (Light), Titus (Earth) and Pyrul (Fire), the second set are the four dragons, who also have elements.

** Also, the characters' temperments often follow the traditional associations with those elements, but with exceptions. Uncle Iroh is one of the most skilled firebenders in the world, and is a fat, philosophical, laid back (many would say "lazy", and many do) DirtyOldMan. Of course, push him too far, and you will learn why he is known as the [[BewareTheNiceOnes Dragon of the West]]. Meanwhile, King Bumi, one of the most skilled Earthbenders, is ''probably'' entirely insane, in contrast to the calm ImplacableMan association you'd expect. In both cases, the benders studied other types of bending (Water and Fire, respectively), incorporating aspects of them to their own bending styles and personalities.