Kindled Ability Classification

Following the establishment of the United Nations Department of Kindled Operations (DoKO/DKO), in order to assist in classifying and preparing responses to Kindled, the department formalized the 11 known Kindled Ability Classifications or Categories. They are as follows:

• Traveler
• Vanguard
• Duelist
• Warden
• Manipulator
• Innovator
• Observer
• Strategist
• Infiltrator
• Impersonator
• Specialist

Traveler, Vanguard and Warden were the original classifications, followed by Duelist, which was separated from Vanguard following the Battle of Vladivostok. These four form the "Combat" Classifications, for their direct usage in Kindled Combat. Innovator was discovered next, following significant technological advancements over the course of the war, including the creation of Extended Requirement Meal. Observer and Strategist were discovered next, following the Battle of New York City and the end of the First Kindled War. Infiltrator was discovered in 2001, and Impersonator in 2002. These five form the "Tactical" classifications, for their usage at the tactical and logistical level. Specialist is a catch-all for an ability that uses two or more categories in concert.

Traveler

Traveler abilities are, generally, abilities that allow for Kindled to rapidly move from one place to another. Typically, this takes the form of super speed, but teleportation and portals also count as Traveler abilities. Traveler ratings are rated generally based on top speed in the case of a speedster rating, or maximum range in the case of a teleportation or other "instant transmission" ability.

Traveler ratings are generally based on supersonic speed, that is, approximately 1,235 kph, and are generally based on multiples of that speed. Traveler-1 is 1,235kph, Traveler-2 is 2,470kph, and so on. Range wise, they are assigned based on the Fibonacci sequence in kilometers, with Traveler-1 being 1 km, and Traveler-2 being 2km. Though rare, the Traveler-0 rating is used for abilities that instead halt the movement of Kindled or Objects.

Vanguard

Originally covering both ranged and melee abilities, but refined to cover just ranged abilities after the Battle of Vladivostok, Vanguard abilities are, generally, abilities that allow for a ranged offensive element. This includes lasers and other projectiles. Vanguard ratings are rated less empirically than others, with the rating assigned generally on broad categories. For example, Vanguard-1 abilities are typically not much stronger than small caliber firearms, while Vanguard-10 abilities can destroy large sections of the planet if left uncontrolled or unrestricted.

Duelist

Separated from Vanguard ratings following the Battle of Vladivostok, Duelist abilities are, generally, abilities that allow for a melee or otherwise up-close offensive element. Typically, this takes the form of "superhero martial arts" though Duelist ratings are also given to conjured blades and other melee tools. Like Vanguard ratings, Duelist ratings are typically rated based on broad categories.

Warden

One of the three original ratings, Warden abilities are, generally, abilities that allow for the protection of the self or others. This includes superhuman toughness, as well as barriers and regeneration. Warden ratings are typically rated equivalently to Vanguard/Duelist ratings, though this is typically based on the level of the offensive ability that they can handle without requiring them to be taken off the field. For example a Warden-1 can typically endure Duelist/Vanguard-1 Abilities.

Manipulator

Initially conflated with Vanguard abilities, Manipulator abilities are, generally, abilities that allow for the manipulation of the world or it's concepts. Generally, this expresses itself as a form of manipulation of a classical element like Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. However, the broadness of this category, and the difficulty of rating the extent of the manipulation makes it difficult to enforce a consistent rating scheme. Thus, Manipulators are the only ability classification that has no rating, whether numerical or categorical.

Innovator

A special rating discovered during the chaos of the First Kindled War, Innovator abilities are, generally, abilities that allow for the creation of technology that breaks or bends known empirical laws. Because of this, they are the one of the the least defined ability categories, with only Manipulators being less defined, and are split into several categories based on their specialty. Numerical Innovator ratings are typically not assigned due to the difficulty in creating a consistent system of judgement for them.

Observer

Theorized by the Kindled Observation and Research Effort, then discovered by the Department of Kindled Operations, Observer abilities are, generally, abilities that allow for gathering information using senses not typically available to the human person, or augmented versions of existing senses. This includes non-standard vision, for example, Infrared and Ultraviolet, but also includes abilities like "danger-sense" and observing future or past events. Observer ratings are typically assigned based on range, following a similar scheme as instant movement Traveler abilities.

Strategist

One of the least understood categories, Strategist abilities are abilities that deal with the mind and mental state. This includes hypnosis, but it also includes abilities such as hyper-cognition. Strategist abilities are typically rated based on a combination of the number of people it affects, as well as the magnitude of the effect and or the length of the effect.

Infiltrator

A controversial ability type, Infiltrator abilities are abilities that directly counter Observers. That is, they allow for a Kindled to escape notice or detection. Infiltrator abilities are split into categories based on specifically what sense or senses they obscure, and generally rated based on the maximum level of Observer specializing in that sense that they overcome. An Infiltrator-1 typically remains undetected by an Observer-1, for example.

Impersonator

Another controversial ability category, Impersonator abilities are abilities that allow a Kindled to change their physical form, or how it is presented. This ranges from illusions to shapeshifting, and is rated based on the degree of separation from the original or true form. For example, Impersonator-1s can typically only change minor, near-cosmetic details about their form, while Impersonator-10s can change into animals with structures wholly different from their original form.

Apeiron

Apeiron is not an ability classification or category, but instead a theoretical rating that means "without limit". Traveler-Apeiron abilities can go anywhere, at any time. Vanguard/Duelist-Apeiron abilities can likely destroy anything in their way. Warden-Apeiron abilities can defend against anything. Innovator-Apeiron abilities can create anything. Observer-Apeiron abilities offer effective omniscience. Strategist-Apeiron abilities can treat the mind like a children's toy, molding mental state like clay. Infiltrator-Apeiron abilities can vanish from reality at whole. Impersonator-Apeiron abilities can become anyone, anything, at anytime. Specialist-Apeiron abilities, if possible, would be effective omnipotence, the ability to do anything, at anytime, anywhere. There are no known Apeiron abilities, and creating programs to intentionally create Apeiron abilities was prohibited after the discovery of Specialist abilities.