In the world of the RWBY anime, magic used to be prevalent in the world, but it isn’t anymore. Instead, leftover from the days of magic is the substance called dust, which can boost existing elemental power, and abilities known as Semblances.
For the most part, a person’s Semblance is unique to them. It’s a special ability that might defy the laws of nature, like causing hallucinations or channeling lightning. Everyone in RWBY has a Semblance, but not everyone figures out just what their Semblance is. Of the ones we’ve seen in the series so far, these are some of the most powerful.
10 Photographic Memory
In terms of raw power, Photographic Memory doesn’t have much. This particular Semblance, however, leads off the list because of the way we’ve seen it used in the series. It’s the perfect example of a person knowing exactly what kind of weapon to use to channel their Semblance and how to use it most effectively.
Velvet Scarlatina is the only one we’ve seen to use Photographic Memory. She uses it in conjunction with her weapon, which takes photos of everyone else’s weapons, and allows her to create projections of them to use in battle. In volume three, Velvet successfully used copies of all of her friends’ weapons - and used them just as effectively in a fight since she was able to mimic everyone’s fighting style exactly. For a less experienced Huntress, this one probably wouldn’t have made the list.
9 Burn
Yang Xiao Long’s Semblance is a great reflection of her personality. Her father even teases her about it at one point, calling her use of her Semblance essentially “throwing a temper tantrum.”
With Burn, Yang is able to absorb the energy of her enemy’s attacks and redirect it back at them. It’s not a straight one-to-one ratio, however as when Yang redirects energy at her opponents, it’s actually doubled in strength. The downside to Yang’s Semblance is that, despite absorbing the energy of an attack, Yang still gets hurt by the attacks. Using her Semblance also depletes her Aura, causing her to burn out a little quicker in a fight.
8 High Voltage
Since Nora Valkyrie is inspired by Thor, who wields lightning and thunder with his hammer, it’s probably not surprising that her Semblance involves electricity. Activated when she was struck by lightning, Nora can channel electricity and use it to increase her own strength.
There doesn’t appear to be an upper limit for how much electricity Nora can channel since we haven’t yet seen her body become overloaded by it. She does, however, feel the pain and take on damage just like Yang does when she uses her Semblance.
7 Polarity
Polarity means that someone with this Semblance can manipulate the magnetism of metallic objects. The only person we’ve seen with this particular ability so far is Pyrrha Nikkos.
In theory, this could be one seriously powerful Semblance. Pyrrha was able to “throw” every single can in the cafeteria during a food fight, showing how much range and control over it she had. She was also able to use it to manipulate gears as large as her own body. Because Pyrrha’s time in the series ended in season three, however, we don’t know the limits of the Semblance, so there are still others that, theoretically, could outmatch hers.
6 Kindred Link
The name of this Semblance makes it easy to think it has to do with family. That is true, in a way. In this case, the “kindred” in its name references an emotional connection between the person who has the Semblance and the person they’re trying to reach.
Raven Branwen, a fairly isolated individual, is who uses the Semblance. She’s able to use her emotional connection with someone to create a portal to them. The only people we’ve seen her portal to are her former teammates, her daughter, and her right-hand woman Vernal. Since an emotional connection is required, just where Raven can portal to is limited.
5 Aura Amp
At first blush, this particular Semblance doesn’t seem to be extremely powerful. Aura Amp is exactly what it sounds like. Seen in use by Jaune Arc, someone with this Semblance can literally amp up someone else’s aura.
Aura is what gives people their energy to fight, and the use of their Semblance in the RWBY universe. It also allows them to heal. Jaune’s ability to amp the auras of others means he can help their bodies to heal, boost the reach of their Semblance, or increase their stamina in a battle. It’s one of the most useful of Semblances, though perhaps not the outright most powerful.
4 Glyphs
Glyphs are a unique Semblance in RWBY. It’s the only one we’ve seen so far that can be inherited. The entire Schnee bloodline has the same Semblance.
Glyphs are symbols used by the wielder of the Semblance to give them additional skills in battle. In the case of Weiss Schnee, she uses her Glyphs to increase the speed of herself or her teammates, as a shield, as a surface to propel herself into the air, and even to teleport from one place to another. She also learns to use them to summon copies of old enemies. It’s an incredibly versatile Semblance, and it’s certainly one of the most powerful in the hands of an experienced user.
3 Misfortune And Good Fortune
These Semblances are two sides of the same coin, and as a result, they tie for the spot of third most powerful Semblance we’ve seen in RWBY so far. Misfortune is the official name of Qrow’s Semblance while Clover refers to his as Good Fortune. Qrow has known his entire life that he had this particular Semblance. He doesn’t have a lot of control over it, but he has enough that he can amplify it in battle, causing his enemies to have bad luck. Of course, it also causes bad luck for anyone close to him. He would be even more powerful if he could learn to better control it.
Likewise, Clover’s Semblance means he can bring good luck to those he chooses. It can be as simple as catching someone when they trip, or a stray piece of architecture taking out a Grimm in battle. His control over his Semblance is certainly stronger than Qrow’s, but the two would make quite a formidable team.
2 Hallucinations
While most of the Semblances here are used offensively and pack a powerful punch, this Semblance is all in someone’s head. Used by Emerald during the series, it involves making other people see whatever you want them to see.
Emerald’s power of illusion means she can manipulate perception, but not physical objects. Her illusions are so good that she almost fooled the previous Fall Maiden. She used her skill to get by as a thief until she began working with Cinder Fall, and there is a limit to how many people she can make see hallucinations, which is why this Semblance takes the number two spot.
1 Overactive Imagination
The most powerful Semblance in the RWBY universe isn’t one that launches punches or summons enemies to a fight. Instead, it’s one that can give the appearance of those things. Like Emerald’s Hallucinations, Overactive Imagination is very much about perception, except these illusions are more solid and harder to see beyond.
Neopolitan is the only character seen to use this particular Semblance. She uses it to build disguises, making her the perfect spy. Neo is able to change her appearance with nothing more than a wave of her hand. She can also change the appearance of objects around her, making her illusions more durable than Emerald’s. With her disguises and illusions, Neo can give the appearance of disappearing into thin air and has experience wielding many weapons. Her Overactive Imagination has yet to be truly matched.