History Main / MagnetismManipulation

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': Pyrrha's [[SoulPower Semblance]] is polarity, the ability to control magnetism. She prefers to use her ability in subtle ways, nudging the weapons and armour of herself or her opponents to create openings, redirect attacks, etc. People don't know she's doing it which has earned her a [[TheAce reputation]] as the 'Invincible Warrior'. It allows her to throw her shield and javelin and instantly recall them back to her hand and also to secretly guide Jaune's shield to help him block a potentially fatal blow when he's fighting an Ursa. However, when she does use the power openly, it is capable of devastating environmental effects, such as when she creates a wall of flying soda cans during a FoodFight with friends. [[spoiler:Once the villains find out what Pyrrha's power is, and that Penny is secretly a RobotGirl, [[TheHeavy Cinder]] manipulates the Vytal tournament to make the two fight each other. [[MasterOfIllusion Emerald]] then uses her illusion abilities to make Pyrrha think that Penny is about to attack her with a wall of swords instead of just a few. Pyrrha uses her full power to protect herself, not realising she's been tricked or that each sword is linked to Penny by a razor-thin wire. Caught by Pyrrha's blast wave, the wires tangle around Penny's body, garotting her. When Pyrrha attempts to fight Cinder to protect the [[ExtranormalInstitute school]] from being destroyed, she uses the full power of her Semblance against Cinder, who has obtained the full magical might of the [[ElementalPowers Fall Maiden]]. While Pyrrha is almost a match for Cinder, this lasts only as long as Pyrrha's Aura can power her Semblance, and magic doesn't run out of power [[ManaMeter like Aura does]]. Pyrrha's final attempt at using the huge metal cogs of the Clock Tower as lethal, spinning discs to destroy Cinder fails, allowing Cinder to overwhelm and kill her.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/XMen'', The [[MeaningfulRename meaningfully renamed]] Magneto once recovered from being OnlyMostlyDead (with the accompanying MeaningfulFuneral courtesy of his long time {{Frenemy}} Professor Charles "X" Xavier) by crash landing on Earth. The reason? [[FeedItWithFire Earth has magnetic fields]] and [[FirstLawOfResurrection it healed him]].

[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/{{Magneto}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/magneto_from_marvel_8221.jpg]]]]

* In ''Literature/TheVillainsSeries'', one of [[spoiler:[[SerialKiller Eliot's]] victims]], Beth Kirk, has magnetism powers. She acquired her powers only recently and didn't have the time to master them, hence [[spoiler:they [[SinisterSuffocation weren't enough]] to save her from Eli]].

* In ''TabletopGame/MyriadSong'', [[SiliconBasedLife Towsers]] can take the "Towser Magnetics" Gift. It allows them to walk on magnetic surfaces and intercept radio signals, as well as allowing their brawling attacks to ignore armor.

** ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Golden Wind]]'': Risotto Nero has a more sophisticated approach. His Stand, Metallica, lets him manipulate magnetic fields to shape iron into razor blades, scissors, and needles ''[[BodyHorror inside his victims' bodies]]''. A side effect of this draws iron out of the blood, leading to severe anemia that further weakens his opponents and can even kill them. [[ArtisticLicenseBiology Even though the iron in hemoglobin isn't ferromagnetic.]] He also uses it to make staples [[GoodThingYouCanHeal to close wounds he suffers in a fight]] and to camouflage himself as a rock with red iron dust.

[[folder:FanWorks]]

** Ratchet in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'', like G1 Windcharger, has a pair of magnets in his forearms. As a medic, their initial use was loading damaged Autobots onto his sick bay, but they're quite useful in combat. Interestingly, he also had an [[{{EMP}} Electromagnetic Pulse Generator]] that functioned entirely differently, instantly knocking out any Transformer in its beam. He could also combine his magnetism with teammate Bumblebee's [[ShockAndAwe electric Stingers]] to make an EMP... somehow.

** ''Manga/GoldenWind'': Risotto Nero has a more sophisticated approach. His Stand, Metallica, lets him manipulate magnetic fields to shape iron into razor blades, scissors, and needles ''[[BodyHorror inside his victims' bodies]]''. A side effect of this draws iron out of the blood, leading to severe anemia that further weakens his opponents and can even kill them. [[ArtisticLicenseBiology Even though the iron in hemoglobin isn't ferromagnetic.]] He also uses it to make staples [[GoodThingYouCanHeal to close wounds he suffers in a fight]] and to camouflage himself as a rock with red iron dust.

In fictionland the power of magnetism is treated as if it's like [[MindOverMatter Telekinesis]], but specifically with power over metals and alloys, and since its substance is magnetic fields, this is a SubTrope of SingleSubstanceManipulation. How powerful this is varies. These characters if too powerful can just fold their arms and let their PowersDoTheFighting and will never even have to touch you themselves. They'll be [[PowerFloats floating in the air]], levitating steel girders around, and lobbing them at you, and while those normally weigh ''tons'' they do this with just a flick of their hand. Plus being able create extra appendages with spare junk lying around. On the other hand, when this is downplayed this can take the form of the character being ''literally magnetic'' with metal just sticking to them wherever they go, but not having very good control over it. This is often played for comedy, because [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway what kind of lame power is that anyway]]?

-->-- '''Monsoon'''', ''Videogame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance''

** Mariah's Stand, Bast, takes the form of an electrical outlet in with an ancient Egyptian motif; touching it magnetizes the unfortunate victim. [[LethalHarmlessPowers Which seems like a minor inconvenience]]...but the magnetism increases with time and proximity to Mariah, and will eventually get to the point of flinging ''cars'' at whoever Mariah targeted...
** Risotto Nero has a more sophisticated approach: his stand, Metallica, lets him manipulate magnetic fields to shape iron into razor blades, scissors, and needles...''[[BodyHorror inside his victims' bodies]]''. A side effect of this draws iron out of the blood, leading to severe anemia that further weakens his opponents and can even kill them. [[ArtisticLicensePhysics Even though the iron in hemoglobin isn't ferromagnetic.]] He also uses it to make staples [[GoodThingYouCanHeal to close wounds he suffers in a fight]] and to camouflage himself as a rock with red iron dust.
** The shared Stand of the Boom Boom Family, Tomb of the Boom, gives each of the three members different magnetism-related abilities. The father, Benjamin's Tomb gives him the ability to use magnetism to manipulate the iron implants in his skull to mold his flesh and bone to disguise himself. The youngest brother, L.A.'s Tomb gives him the ability to manipulate iron-bearing sand, which he uses as a weapon. The older brother, Andre's Tomb works similarly to Mariah's Bastet in that once someone is targeted (in this case, by coming into contact with Andre's blood), they become a magnet that grows more powerful the longer they're affected and the closer they get to other magnetized people. Benjamin and L.A. use their Tombs almost exclusively to isolate victims of Andre's version and drive them together, since if three people affected by Andre's Tomb of the Boom come into simultaneous physical contact with each other, the magnetism becomes strong enough to literally rip the victims apart.

* ''Manga/{{Mx0}}''. Ise uses a form of magic based on magnetism, he can make anything magnetic and attracted to something else, allowing him to stick people to walls and so on.

* ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'':

* Eustass Kidd from ''Manga/OnePiece'' ate a Devil Fruit that allows him to manipulate metals via magnetism, which he usually uses to repel metal projectiles (cannonballs) and form giant arms made of scrap and metallic tools and weapons.

* ComicBook/{{Static}} gained electromagnetic powers after being doused with an experimental chemical during a gang war he was caught up in. He can manifest both electrical and magnetic energy allowing him to perform feats like magnetizing objects, electrocuting opponents, levitating objects (such as manhole-covers or his self-built metal saucer for use in flight) and restraining or adhering people/objects to various surfaces in the form of "static cling".

* Dark Elf in ''Videogame/FinalFantasyIV'' has magnetic powers that cause your characters to become paralyzed if they enter his lair while equipped with metal gear. Though in a rare case of ShownTheirWork for a fantasy RPG, silver weapons aren't affected (this is inconsistent, as EasyType allows Silver to be used while HardType and 3D don't)

* In ''Videogame/MegaMan3'', Magnet Man's gimmick is magnetism; he can either fire homing Magnet Missiles or pulling Mega Man towards him with magnetic force. The blurb also mentions more of it: He's been known for sleeping on ceilings by attaching himself on them and likes giving magnetic therapy, but he has to avoid floppy disks and other sensitive electronics because his magnetic field can affect them.
* ''VideoGame/MegaManZero4'': Mino Magnus, one of the bosses, wields the power of electromagnetism thanks to lots of electric conductors inside his body. He can do feats such as polarizing Zero's body with magnetic force and makes chunks of iron attach to him to impede his movement, repel and attract Zero with magnetic current, using magnetic force to gather chunks of iron scrap to be used as projectile, or even DetachmentCombat.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': Pyrrha's [[SoulPower Semblance]] is polarity, the ability to control magnetism. She prefers to use her ability in subtle ways, nudging the weapons and armour of herself or her opponents to create openings, redirect attacks, etc. People don't know she's doing it which has earned her a [[TheAce reputation]] as the 'Invincible Warrior'. It allows her to throw her shield and javelin and instantly recall them them back to her hand and also to secretly guide Jaune's shield to help him block a potentially fatal blow when he's fighting an Ursa. However, when she does use the power openly, it is capable of devastating environmental effects, such as when she creates a wall of flying soda cans during a FoodFight with friends. [[spoiler:Once the villains find out what Pyrrha's power is, and that Penny is secretly a RobotGirl, [[TheHeavy Cinder]] manipulates the Vytal tournament to make the two fight each other. [[MasterOfIllusion Emerald]] then uses her illusion abilities to make Pyrrha think that Penny is about to attack her with a wall of swords instead of just a few. Pyrrha uses her full power to protect herself, not realising she's been tricked or that each sword is linked to Penny by a razor-thin wire. Caught by Pyrrha's blast wave, the wires tangle around Penny's body, garotting her. When Pyrrha attempts to fight Cinder to protect the [[ExtranormalInstitute school]] from being destroyed, she uses the full power of her Semblance against Cinder, who has obtained the full magical might of the [[ElementalPowers Fall Maiden]]. While Pyrrha is almost a match for Cinder, this lasts only as long as Pyrrha's Aura can power her Semblance, and magic doesn't run out of power [[ManaMeter like Aura does]]. Pyrrha's final attempt at using the huge metal cogs of the Clock Tower as lethal, spinning discs to destroy Cinder fails, allowing Cinder to overwhelm and kill her.]]

* "The Magnetic Avarice" Carrera from ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'', who produces powerful magnetic fields that manipulate metals, be it scrap metal or the GiantHandsOfDoom that are a part of his armor. His powers also [[PowerNullifier nullify the Septimas of other Adepts]].

In fictionland the power of magnetism is treated as if it's like [[MindOverMatter Telekinesis]], but specifically with power over metals and alloys, and since it's substance is magnetic fields, this is a SubTrope of SingleSubstanceManipulation, How powerful this is varies. These characters if too powerful can just fold their arms and let their PowersDoTheFighting and will never even have to touch you themselves. They'll be [[PowerFloats floating in the air]], levitating steel girders around, and lobbing them at you, and while those normally weigh ''tons'' they do this with just a flick of their hand. Plus being able create extra appendages with spare junk lying around. On the other hand when this is downplayed this can take the form of the character being ''literally magnetic'' with metal just sticking to them wherever they go, but not having very good control over it. This is often played for comedy, because [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway what kind of lame power is that anyway]]?

Sometimes characters with these powers will be fully electromagnetic and can also [[ShockAndAwe manipulate electricity as well]]. This is [[SwissArmySuperpower far broader than just simple magnetism]] because now their arsenal of abilities includes control of plasma and radiation. Depending how much they know about the science of magnetism they may have won the SuperpowerLottery as this could give them the power to, to an extent, manipulate the other three forces of nature - bending light (possibly giving them [[{{Invisibility}} cloaking powers]]), or being able disassemble the very atoms that make up an object.

There is also Esoteric Magnetism, which is more like "magical magnetism". Someone is capable of manipulating objects via the concept of "attracting" or "repelling". regardless of whether the object is magnetic or not, sometimes, it even applies to ''non-objects'' like emotions.

Electromagnetism is a strange beast. It's one of the four [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_interaction fundamental forces of nature]], the others being [[GravityMaster gravity]], the weak nuclear force ([[ILoveNuclearPower radioactive decay]]), and the strong nuclear force ([[StoryBreakerPower binds atoms together]]). In {{Real Life}} it's not at all as powerful as superpowers portray them in fiction.

In fictionland the power of magnetism is treated as if it's like [[MindOverMatter Telekinesis]], but specifically with power over metals and alloys. How powerful this is varies. These characters if too powerful can just fold their arms and let their PowersDoTheFighting and will never even have to touch you themselves. They'll be [[PowerFloats floating in the air]], levitating steel girders around, and lobbing them at you, and while those normally weigh ''tons'' they do this with just a flick of their hand. Plus being able create extra appendages with spare junk lying around. On the other hand when this is downplayed this can take the form of the character being ''literally magnetic'' with metal just sticking to them wherever they go, but not having very good control over it. This is often played for comedy, because [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway what kind of lame power is that anyway]]?

-->-- '''Monsoon''''s BossBanter, ''Videogame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance''

** Beaching ships all over the world once he's empowered by En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse in ''Film/XMenApocalypse''.

** This is ComicBook/{{Magneto}}'s main power. His application for it is normally for manipulating metals like molding them and moving them about or punting them as projectiles, but he can do other things with it like {{Flight}} (via repulsing Earth's magnetic pull), make {{Force Field}}s, BloodyMurder (blood has iron), {{Telepathy}} resistance (brain waves are electromagnetic... ?), {{Invisibility}} (light waves are electromagnetic). Really, just head to [[http://marvel.wikia.com/Max_Eisenhardt_(Earth-616) Marvel Wiki]].

Electromagnetism is a strange beast. It's one of the four [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_interaction fundamental forces of nature]], the others being [[GravityMaster gravity]], the nuclear weak force ([[ILoveNuclearPower radioactive decay]]), and the nuclear strong force ([[StoryBreakerPower binds atoms together]]). In {{Real Life}} it's not at all as powerful as superpowers portray them in fiction.