Semblance

Semblance is a concept in RWBY. It is the individualized power one gains from harnessing their aura. In The RWBY Campaign, Semblance is a rare power not known to the general public. Everyone has an aura, but only those who have been trained by a Semblance-user themselves know how to utilize the inherent power of their aura. "Semblance" is not actually any different from aura; it is simply the word used to describe the usage of one's aura to generate an effect.

Semblance Classification


When a being with an aura uses a Semblance, they do so using a specific method of channeling aura. These methods, often identified under "classifications," are inherent in a Semblance-user's genes (comparable to instincts) and are thus impossible to alter. Dedicated users, however, can come to learn different methods from their own, but the effectiveness of this is determined based on a concept called compatibility (see right). Semblance-users will always have 100% compatibility with their own classification. Compatibility only affects how easy it will be to learn another classification's method, as well as how efficiently one can use this method.



The rate at which a certain classification of Semblance-user appears is documented and is shown on the chart to the left. The rarity of a classification does not affect how powerful or malleable a Semblance is. Rarities also change semi-often as new generations of Semblance-users emerge. The chart on the left illustrates the current rarities. The only exception to this is Atypicals, who have always been the rarest, which is why not much is known about them despite every other classification having extensive documentation.

Maron Lombardi
Maron's Semblance, Helpless, is a Psychic Semblance that allows Maron to fill a single target with despair and sadness. Along with weakening their fighting spirit, he can strengthen this effect by maintaining concentration on the target for a period of time. When the effect is strengthened, the target becomes despondent, and is filled with an overwhelming existential despair. This can be dangerous, as the target becomes a beacon for Grimm, and when used on a target who is already mentally weak it can cause permanent mental damage.

Through training with Valerian Cirrus, he is now also able to pick through a target's mind and force one of their deepest fears to the surface of their conscience.

Hash Fuisce
Hash's Semblance is Balance, an Amplifier Semblance that allows him to effectively "stick" onto a surface given that both of his feet are planted onto it. The Semblance works by shifting Hash's gravity to treat whatever he sticks to as his floor. This allows him to move on walls, ceilings, and on certain rough terrains. While using his semblance, he cannot be pushed over or lifted off his feet without gratuitous amounts of strength, or by being overpowered by the effects of another Semblance. He is able to extend the effects of his Semblance to his Maverick, allowing him to skate on any surface as well.

Nen Violette
Nen's Semblance, Flashdance, is an Expeller Semblance which covers everything in a 30 foot radius from Nen in impenetrable darkness. While using his semblance, Nen himself glows a bright neon purple and is able to detect everything within the darkness. Others inside the darkness can navigate their way out, but cannot see anything inside of the darkness once they escape, including the glowing Nen.

He has also trained his ability so that he can shift the glowing aura around himself to the side, essentially making a glowing aura clone that mirrors his movements in real-time, confusing enemies that are trapped in his darkness by giving them a false target.

Yi-Talos Hong
Yi's Semblance, Artifice, is a Manipulator Semblance and allows him to telekinetically construct structures and devices using loose rubble or small objects of any kind. The complexity, size, and material of the structure all influences how difficult it is for him to construct it, and concepts that exceed his limits cause great mental and physical strain and fatigue. Upon successful creation, the debris melds together perfectly and acts as though everything is one complete structure in all respects; even if the material used was simple sticks or even paper, the structure holds together as if it were steel.

He has dabbled with an ability expansion which allows him to connect his and another target's minds temporarily, allowing for short, simple telepathic communication.

Leone Murasakino
Leone's Semblance, Shatter, is an Expeller Semblance which allows her to near-instantaneously demolish any non-organic object her skin comes into contact with. The amount of aura needed to activate her Semblance is directly proportional to the size and material of the object in question. She purposefully wears light clothing and keeps her appendages uncovered so that she can swiftly and easily use her Semblance at a moment's notice. Through years of vigorous training, she has also discovered how to use her Semblance to instantly break another's aura, however it requires the full power of her own.

Meadow Derosiers
Meadow's Semblance, Scrying Eye, is a Manifester Semblance that manifests an intangible red eye-like symbol that Meadow can peer through. While using her Semblance, Meadow cannot see through her own eyes, and to onlookers she appears as though she's looking straight forward. This eye can appear anywhere within 120 feet of Meadow, or above anyone she's come into contact with, regardless of where they are. It is extremely obvious whenever it appears, and it is impossible for Meadow to purposefully hide it.

Aqua Asturias
Aqua's Semblance, Thread of Fate, is a Psychic Semblance that creates a metaphorical "thread" between Aqua and one other target of whom she locks eyes with. The target affected by this Semblance develops a sudden obsession or mental block that disallows them to break this thread, which is only 15 feet in length, meaning they are unable to move beyond that distance from Aqua. This effect can be broken if Aqua herself ends it, either Aqua or the target are knocked unconscious, or the target overcomes the mental block with incredible force of will.

Candy York
Candy's Semblance, Man-Eater, is an Atypical Semblance that preys on emotion. If someone Candy is targeting begins to feel an emotion toward her of any kind, including but not limited to fear, anger, love, or despair, her eyes turn black and begin emitting smoke, and she begins targeting that emotion with her attacks. Usually this manifests as her attacks simply becoming more effective, but depending on the type of emotion and the intensity of the emotion other effects can emerge.

Ichigo Kuro
Ichigo's Semblance is currently unknown, but according to Panther Clawiser, it is an Amplifier type.

Budo Murasakino
The name of Budo's Semblance is currently unknown, but it is a Psychic type Semblance that allows him to issue commands that root themselves deep within his target's mind and, by some means, forces them to follow it. The exact conditions and effects are not known.

Remon Horonigai
Remon's Semblance is Lock-On, an Amplifier Semblance that she shares with her twin brother Raimu. Lock-On allows the user to create an imaginary target on any surface, whether it be stationary or in motion, biological or non-biological, as long as the surface is in view of the user and is possible to hit with the user's weapon of choice. Once Lock-On is active, even if the target proceeds to move behind cover, as long as it remains possible to hit the target, the user cannot miss the next attack made against the target. The path of the attack can be completely absurd, such as a bullet ricocheting off of five different surfaces, as long as it is theoretically possible. This does not make the attack unblockable, however, as any new obstacle in the attack's path that makes its previous path impossible will disrupt the Semblance.

Raimu Horonigai
Raimu's Semblance is Lock-On, an Amplifier Semblance that he shares with his twin sister Remon.

Malice
Malice's Semblance, Teleportation, is a Manipulator Semblance that allows him to instantly appear wherever he wants. The limits and details of this Semblance are currently unknown.

Ibis Downfeather
Ibis's Semblance, Identify, is a Psychic Semblance that allows her to look at a person and know several things about them, including their name, age, race, gender, aura capacity, Semblance classification, and other more insignificant information like their birthday or their eye color. For this reason, she is often tasked with overseeing the entrance exam as well as filing records and things of the sort.

Panther Clawiser
Panther's Semblance is Hand Cannon, an Expeller Semblance that allows him to fire great amounts of aura out of his hands and fingers.