History Main / TouchTheIntangible

* ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'': Rahm, a rogue spellwright in the Black Tongue AncientConspiracy, can touch and harm the otherwise-{{Intangib|ility}}le Timofey, to Timofey's [[http://www.casualvillain.com/Unsounded/comic/ch08/ch08_49.html considerable]] dismay. It's all the more impressive because Timofey, as a [[ArtificialHuman Construct]], is effectively made of AntiMagic.

Compare SeeTheInvisible, SeeThruSpecs, SoulCuttingBlade and ArmorPiercingAttack.

* ''Literature/TheWiseMansFear'': The ancient [[TheFairFolk fae]] Felurian weaves InsubstantialIngredients like shadows and moonlight into a CloakOfProtection for Kvothe. When he asks how she can handle such things, she [[MathematiciansAnswer only makes a grabbing motion with her hands]]. Imitating her, he briefly takes hold of a moonbeam, but it reverts to intangibility [[AchievementsInIgnorance as soon as he thinks about it]].

** Also, if a mortal is brave/foolish/unlucky enough to enter the Underworld (for ghosts) and the Shadow (for spirits), those ethereal beings are tangible there all the time.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Ghost dust is a magical substance which feels "extra-real". It can be thrown at ghosts to disable them, or incorporated into a wall to prevent them from passing through. Harry's recipe includes depleted uranium for weight.

* In ''Webcomic/DrMcNinja'', the titular doctor can hit ghosts by humming the Film/GhostBusters tune. His father and grandfather can do it without humming.

** Creatures on the Prime Material Plane can use the Staff of Ethereal Action to attack creatures on the Ethereal Plane.

[[quoteright:250:[[Franchise/MarvelUniverse https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/karnak1.PNG]]]]
[[caption-width-right:250:No one is untouchable!]]

The most common variant has an intangible being be able phase through any attack, except for one that will hit them. Another variant has a static object or field that intangible entities cannot pass through, thus forming an obstacle for them.

* ''LightNovel/KaraNoKyoukai'': Shiki's left arm is replaced by a magical prosthetic after the original was torn off by Fujino Asagami's [[MindOverMatter telekinesis]]. It has the ability to grip otherwise intangible spirits, which proves essential when she fights Kirie Fujou.

** ''ComicBook/{{Magik}}': The [[SoulCuttingBlade Soulsword]] doesn't just affect supernatural beings, it also hurts individuals that are trying to be intangible like Kitty Pryde.

** In the Marvel mini-series ''MODOK's 11'', Temujin, thanks to being a strong [[KiAttacks chi-adept]], is able to repeatedly kick the Living Laser in his photonic state.
* In ComicBook/MoonKnight, Mark got his ass kicked by murderous ghosts. So Khonshu tells him to armor up with some magical Egyptian artifacts and now Moon Knight's punches and kicks were ripping body parts off the ghosts.
* ComicBook/{{Magik}}'s [[SoulCuttingBlade Soulsword]] doesn't just affect supernatural beings, it also hurts individuals that are trying to be intangible like Kitty Pryde.

* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'': ComicBook/{{Karnak}} does this when he fights ComicBook/{{the Vision}}. The Vision turns intangible to avoid his attacks, so Karnak vibrates his hand to a frequency where he can strike and hurt the intangible Vision.
** In the Marvel mini-series ''MODOK's 11'', Temujin, thanks to being a strong [[KiAttacks chi-adept]] was able to repeatedly kick the Living Laser in his photonic state.

* ''VideoGame/SekiroShadowsDieTwice'': the titular character can harm Apparition-type enemies b
(i.e. ghosts) by sprinkling his sword with Divine Confetti.

* ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'': In "WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom vs WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong". Jake's magical nature as a dragon gives him the ability to touch and fight intangible ghosts. This allowed him to hit an intangible Danny with his physical attacks.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* ''Fanfic/ABoyAGirlAndADogTheLeithianScript'': As per ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'' canon, souls are intangible. In the Halls of Mandos -the Elven Afterlife-, living elves who are allowed to wander into can't touch the dead (right like elven shades aren't allowed to affect the embodied ones). Hence, Amarië and Finrod freak out briefly when the former is able to touch her dead husband. Finrod theorizes that it's due to married Elves being soul-bonded to each other.