When a foreign entity like that of a Symbiote, Body Snatcher, or even a Hacker (when regarding machines like robots and computers) enters/outright hijacks a body, the possessed subject is called the Host, while the possessing subject is the Guest (taken from the terminology used with parasites).
The basic purpose of the host varies on what the point was for it to have been hijacked in the first place. Sometimes it's used as a disguise, other times it's used as a decoy and distraction, even simply being a weapon or piece of armor that the possessor uses to cause sheer chaos and destruction. And then, sometimes... a host can be used for titillation.
For details on the passive/aggressive relationships a Host can have with its "Guest," view The Symbiote. Has absolutely zilch to do with The Host.
Truth in Television for many people who believe it is possible for a Spirit Medium to be "hijacked", or more often, invite one or more "guests" in as a Willing Channeler. Some host/spirit-guest relationships coexist in friendly association, and can last for decades similar to a Split-Personality Team. An uninvited but harmless or beneficial "hijacking" guest is called a "walk-in"; this can happen with mediums or ordinary people, often after a life-threatening event.
Subtropes:
- Big Dumb Body: A host with little intelligence but which is desirable for its physical prowess and durability.
- Brain Uploading: A computer host has the mind of a (once) living creature as the guest.
- Clothes Make the Maniac: An evil set of clothes or item that takes over its wearer/user.
- Custom-Built Host: A host body is specifically designed to be possessed by the guest.
- Demonic Possession: The "guest" is a demonic or other supernatural entity.
- Empty Shell: A host that's without resistance from being taken over.
- Evil Mask: A mask, helmet, or other headgear that has some form of corrupting influence on its wearer.
- Familial Body Snatcher: Someone takes over the bodies of their own relatives.
- Fighting from the Inside: The original inhabitant of the host's body fights back against the possessing entity.
- Grand Theft Me: Someone enters someone else's consciousness and tries to wrest control from within.
- Haunted Fetter: An inanimate object or place that is possessed by a ghost/spirit as a way of binding itself to the realm of the living.
- Haunted Technology: A machine with a ghost/spirit in it.
- Heroic Host: A host with a Super Hero Origin of getting their superpowers from their guest.
- Kill the Host Body: Killing possessor and host together.
- Living Bodysuit: A host chosen as a disguise by the guest for reasons of secrecy and espionage.
- Meat Puppet: A biological host, controlled by the guest.
- New Body, Old Abilities: No matter the body of the host, the guest can use their old abilities.
- Parasite Zombie: A corpse used as a host for a parasitic "guest".
- Parasitic Immortality: A person prolongs their life by jumping from one body to another.
- Planetary Parasite: An entire planet is the host of a guest who needs to reproduce.
- Possessing a Dead Body: A dead body that is reanimated by an inhabiting spirit.
- Possession Burnout: The side-effects of straining the host.
- Possession Levitation: The host floats during a Demonic Possession.
- Powers via Possession: Possession by the guest grants the host "powers" or "abilities".
- Raised as a Host: An individual is conceived, born and raised for the purpose of being taken over.
- Seeing Through Another's Eyes: The guest is using the senses of the host.
- Sin Invites Possession: Being evil makes the host an easy target for supernatural possession.
- Soulless Shell: A body, but no soul.
- The Symbiote: A living organism inside another living organism.
- Symbiotic Possession: Guest and host both work together without the invader forcing control over the host.
- Transformation of the Possessed: Possession changes your appearance.
- Trapped in the Host: The spirit, demon, or whatever that is possessing a body gets trapped in it and cannot get out.
- Two Siblings In One: When a sibling lives on within you... literally.
- Wetware Body: A biological body host has a computer as the guest.
- Willing Channeler: A host who wants to be controlled, or at least isn't against having their body used by an outside party.
