Powers: what separates a BIONICLE power from an ability

Many characters and objects in BIONICLE wield powers, and the wiki draws a hard line between two categories: powers and abilities. The distinction is not cosmetic. It decides what a FaxonFaxonThe Kanohi Faxon, Mask of Kindred, allowed its wearer to mimic the powers of nearby Rahi within the immediate environment. can copy, what a shift toward shadow can take away, and what a being simply is.

What makes something a power rather than an ability?#

The test has three parts, and a trait only has to satisfy one of them to be filed as a power rather than an ability. A trait is a power if it can be copied by the Kanohi Faxon, the Mask of EmulationMask of EmulationA Kanohi that analysed and temporarily copied a target's non-Kanohi, non-weapon, non-Rahi power. Worn by Toa Hagah Pouks during the engagement with Makuta Miserix. or VezokVezokThe Beast was a Piraka thief split in two by the Spear of Fusion, then imprisoned by the Order of Mata Nui.'s absorption power. It is a power if it can be lost, gained or otherwise altered by a change in the user's balance of inner light and shadow. It is a power if it does not arise directly as a natural consequence of the user's physiology.

Anything that fails all three is an ability instead. The practical effect is that innate physical traits stay with a being no matter what happens to it, while powers can be stolen, mimicked or stripped away.

The elements#

Elements are used predominantly throughout the Matoran Universe, though they exist on Spherus MagnaSpherus MagnaA desert world of ancient conflict that became the merger point of the Matoran Universe and Bionicle's true endpoint. as well, and they allow the creation and manipulation of forces of nature. The Matoran Universe carries sixteen: AirAirOne of the six primary elements of the Matoran Universe, carried by the Le- prefix across its bearers and most prominently wielded by the Toa of Air Lewa, Matau, and Lesovikk., EarthEarthEarth was a primordial elemental power governing soil, terrain, and subterranean prosperity across the Matoran Universe and Spherus Magna., FireFireOne of the six primary elements of the Matoran Universe, associated with the virtue of courage and the Ta- prefix across all its bearers., GravityGravity: The Elemental Power of Gravitational ForceGravity was the elemental power over gravitational force in the Matoran Universe, carried by Ba-Matoran, Toa of Gravity, and the Bohrok-Kal Nuhvok-Kal., IceIceIce was one of the six primary elements of the Matoran Universe, tied to preservation, stillness, and the cold reaches of Ko-Metru and Ko-Koro., Iron, LightLightThe elemental power of Light was the rarest of the elements wielded inside the Matoran Universe, native to the Av-Matoran and, in full form, only ever expressed by Takanuva among the Toa., LightningLightning: The Elemental Power of ElectricityLightning was the elemental power over electricity in the Matoran Universe, carried by Vo-Matoran, Toa of Lightning, and the Bohrok-Kal Tahnok-Kal, among others., MagnetismMagnetism: The Elemental Power of Magnetic ForceMagnetism was the elemental power over magnetic force in the Matoran Universe, carried by Fa-Matoran, Toa of Magnetism such as Jovan, and the Bohrok-Kal Gahlok-Kal., PlasmaPlasma: The Elemental Power of Superheated MatterPlasma was the elemental power over superheated matter in the Matoran Universe, carried by Su-Matoran, Toa of Plasma, and the Bohrok-Kal Pahrak-Kal., PsionicsPsionics: the elemental power of the mindOne of the elemental powers of the Matoran Universe, Psionics granted command over psychic energy: telepathy, telekinesis, and even control over other minds. Its wielders were almost all female., ShadowShadowShadow was the elemental absence of Light in the Matoran Universe, wielded natively by the Makuta and weaponized through the Shadow Leeches., Sonics, StoneStoneStone was one of the six primary elements of the Matoran Universe, governing rock, sand, and worked stone across villages, Toa, and Bohrok., The Green and WaterWaterOne of the six core elements of the Matoran Universe and Spherus Magna, controlled by Toa, Turaga, and Matoran of Water, and apex-wielded by the Element Lord of Water..

Spherus Magna runs a shorter and more geological list of eight: Earth, Fire, Ice, Iron, Jungle, Rock, Sand and Water.

Rhotuka, Makuta powers and krana#

RhotukaRhotukaRhotuka were wheels of pure energy generated by living beings, shaped by the user's nature, and launched through natural or artificial launchers. are wheels of energy that can be launched at a target. Almost every inhabitant of the Matoran Universe has a Rhotuka power of their own, but few can manifest and launch one, so many need artificial launchers to do it. What the wheel actually does varies with the user's species, ideals and personality.

The MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. hold forty-two different powers on top of their natural shadow powers. Several relate to elements without granting full control over them. A kraataKraataSlug-like creatures birthed from Makuta's essence, designed as both weapons and the cores of Rahkshi armor. and the RahkshiRahkshiArmor suits powered by parasitic Kraata, Rahkshi were Teridax's most effective soldiers and among Bionicle's most visually iconic early enemies. grown from it can access only one of the forty-two.

KranaKranaThe small organic symbiotes that controlled the Bohrok, produced in eight breeds plus a mutated variant, and the actual living component of every swarm-class chassis. are the small organic creatures that control the BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected.. Each type carries different powers, and when the BahragBahragCahdok and Gahdok were the twin queens of the Bohrok, sealed in a Protodermis cage by the Toa Mata and later released to finish their cleansing of Mata Nui. created the krana-kal those powers were strengthened or changed outright.

What can a Matoran do?#

Every Matoran holds a small amount of elemental energy inside them without any real control over it, so the energy surfaces as a physical trait rather than a usable power. Ta-MatoranTa-MatoranThe Fire-element Matoran of Ta-Metru and Ta-Koro, forgers of masks and Kanoka, lava farmers, and the standing core of the Ta-Koro Guard during the war for Mata Nui. have increased resistance to heat. Ga-MatoranGa-MatoranThe Water-element Matoran of Ga-Metru and Ga-Koro, exclusively female, who taught the schools of Metru Nui and crewed the boats and bridges of the Mata Nui coast. survive longer without breathing and are more agile in water. Le-MatoranLe-MatoranGreen-powered Matoran obsessed with thrills and transport. They're basically Bionicle's daredevils. are faster and more agile at altitude and clumsy on solid ground. Po-MatoranPo-MatoranThe Stone-element Matoran of Po-Metru and Po-Koro, carvers and quarry workers, the most athletic of the Matoran types and the population behind the Kohlii and Akilini circuits. are physically stronger and keep their footing on unstable ground. Onu-MatoranOnu-MatoranEarth-wielding Matoran of the deep who adapted to darkness and built the Matoran Universe's defensive cavalry. have limited night vision, sensitivity to vibrations in the earth and increased strength. Ko-MatoranKo-MatoranIce Matoran who were quiet scholars and star-watchers, built to survive the frozen peaks of Ko-Wahi. resist cold.

The list runs further through the smaller tribes. Vo-Matoran resist electric shocks, Fa-Matoran carry a superior sense of direction and an internal compass, Su-Matoran have eye protection against bright light and resist heat, and Ba-Matoran resist pressure. De-Matoran hear sounds a kio away. Bo-Matoran understand plant attributes such as poison innately. Fe-Matoran have greater physical endurance than other Matoran. Ce-Matoran are immune to telepathy and mind control.

Av-MatoranAv-MatoranThe Light-element Matoran, prototypes of their species, who colonised Karda Nui from the Southern Continent and built the Stalactite Villages above the Swamp of Secrets. are the exception, holding limited light powers that allow controlled bolts of light from the hands, plus the ability to alter the wavelength of light reflected from their armour. They also carry latent abilities that awaken when they are physically connected to a Toa or a Makuta: TanmaTanma, Av-Matoran Resistance Leader of Karda NuiTanma was the Av-Matoran who took command of the Karda Nui resistance after Kirop's corruption, partnered with Lewa Nuva during the Phantoka campaign, and led the evacuation that carried the surviving Av-Matoran to Metru Nui. got energy creation, which turns the bearer into a living source of power output. SolekSolekSolek was an Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who fought alongside the Toa Nuva against the Brotherhood of Makuta during the final battle for Mata Nui's awakening. got solid light creation. PhotokPhotokPhotok was an Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who fought alongside Tanma and Solek in the resistance against the Brotherhood of Makuta during the final battle for Mata Nui's awakening. got increased speed, up to that of light itself. Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers. are former Av-Matoran whose latent slot was filled the other way. KiropKirop, Av-Matoran Leader of Karda NuiKirop was the leader of the Av-Matoran in Karda Nui, captured and transformed into a Shadow Matoran by the Brotherhood of Makuta, restored by the cry of a klakk, and a survivor of the Destiny War and the Reformation. had blindness, which steals the target's sight. RadiakRadiakAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who was corrupted into a Shadow Matoran by a Shadow Leech, restored by a Klakk, and evacuated to Metru Nui before the Energy Storms. had sloth, which makes the target unwilling to act. GavlaGavlaAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui transformed into a Shadow Matoran, Gavla led Vamprah's corrupted villagers and resisted restoration. had vertigo, which costs the target balance and concentration.

Skakdi vision and unique powers#

The SkakdiSkakdiA brutish warrior species from Zakaz whose pair-dependent elemental powers and moral void made them one of Bionicle's few irredeemable factions. got their powers from experimentation by the Makuta SpiriahSpiriahA Brotherhood Makuta exiled for a failed experiment who briefly controlled an outcast strike team before his death by absorption.. He granted them elemental powers that only work in conjunction with another Skakdi, then added a vision-based power and one further unique power on top.

Seven vision powers are recorded. Heat vision emits adjustable beams of heat and temporarily blinds the user afterward. Impact vision produces a concussive force. The rest are infrared and thermal imaging, laser vision, spellbinder vision that disorients the target, telescopic vision, and X-ray vision that grants sight through solid objects. HakannHakannThe Skakdi bully known for pure aggression, from Dark Hunter mercenary to Piraka thief driven by violence and power. carried heat vision, Vezok impact, ReidakReidakA sadistic Skakdi thug who traded the Dark Hunters for the Piraka and paid the price. infrared, ZaktanZaktanMutated Skakdi leader of the Piraka, formerly a Dark Hunter whose body was dissolved into a colony of Protodites by the Shadowed One and reformed with its consciousness intact. laser, ThokThok (the Drifter)The Piraka's cowardly thief learned that ice guns and dirty tactics can't save you from Toa with elemental fury. spellbinder, and AvakAvakA Skakdi thief whose perfect prisons made him invaluable to the Piraka's Mask of Life heist. both telescopic and X-ray.

The unique powers are stranger. Reidak's adaptation let him recover from attacks after defeat and granted permanent immunity to any attack already used on him, meaning the only way to kill him was with something entirely new, although the immunity does fade with time.

The abilities list#

Abilities are far fewer. The Nova BlastNova BlastA Toa's most destructive technique, releasing all elemental power at once at the cost of total power drain. is the elemental one: a release of all the user's elemental power at once in a massive and extremely destructive blast, held by Toa. GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. granted elemental powers by Mata Nui could make an equivalent blast, but it would kill them, because their bodies were never built to handle it.

The rest are structural. Fusion allows a being to combine mind and body with others, willingly or by force, and many Matoran Universe species can do it. Shapeshifting allows a change of appearance to another form of the same mass and often mimicry of voices. InfectionInfected KanohiCorrupted masks were Teridax's primary tool for enslaving Rahi across Mata Nui. spreads to Kanohi through physical contact, and shadow kraata can do it from a distance.

Objects carry their own powers separately. KanokaKanoka DisksMetru Nui's most versatile artifact: flying disks equally at home in sport, combat, and crafting. disks have eight base powers, with more achieved by mixing them, and their strength scales with the disk's power level. Forging Kanoka into KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. produces new powers again, at various levels but with broadly similar effects, and elemental Kanohi grant access to aspects of an elemental power. Standalone items round it out: golden armourThe Golden ArmorA glossary entry distinguishing the two distinct artifacts known as the Golden Armor: the six-piece relic worn by Tahu on Bara Magna, and the six golden masks of the Toa on Okoto. made by the Ignika to the Great BeingsThe Great BeingsScholar-inventors of Spherus Magna whose creations shaped the Matoran Universe and whose absence defined the conflicts that followed.' programming, the Nui Stone that absorbs Toa powerToa PowerThe fundamental energy of a Toa, depleted when destiny's fulfilled and transferable through specially prepared stones., the Staff of Artakha that repairs broken objects, and the Toa stone holding a small amount of Toa power.