u/HealersNDealers

Been working on a personal MHA quirk concept because I’ve always loved copy-type abilities and quirks with a ton of versatility and multiple applications. Stuff like Kurapika’s chains or Tamaki’s Manifest are exactly the kind of powers I gravitate toward.

I originally tried making a quirk based around absorbing materials or objects through touch, then augmenting the body using the “information” of whatever was absorbed. The idea was that the user could partially reconstruct traits, properties, or functions into their own body. The problem was that the more I developed it, the more it started turning into a weird mix of Manifest, Overhaul, and Mahito-style body manipulation, so I eventually dropped it.

The newer idea is more of a copy/storage-type quirk.
to acquire a quirk, the user has to meet two conditions. First, they need physical contact with the target. Second, they need at least a basic understanding of how the target’s quirk functions. Once both conditions are met, two things happen simultaneously: a “link” is formed between the user and the original quirk holder, kind of like a vestige or imprint, and the user’s body enters a reintegration process where their own quirk becomes temporarily unusable.

the reintegration period depends entirely on the complexity and biological integration of the copied quirk. Quirks that heavily alter the body or require unique physiology take significantly longer to process than more straightforward emitter-types. For example, Tsuyu’s Frog quirk would take much longer to integrate because it’s deeply tied to her mutated biology, while Bakugo’s Explosion would process faster since it’s comparatively more straightforward biologically.

Once reintegration is complete, the copied quirk becomes accessible. However, the copied quirk does not come with instinctive mastery or understanding. The user has to learn how to use every copied quirk from scratch. They essentially start at level one with it, meaning their version of a quirk can evolve differently from the original owner’s depending on fighting style, creativity, training, or personal limitations.

The user can store multiple quirks at once, but can only actively use one at a time. Swapping between quirks is seamless and nearly instant at first, but repeated switching gradually slows the process and places increasing strain on both the body and mind.

There’s also a hard mental limitation tied to how many quirks can be maintained simultaneously. Holding too many “links” at once causes severe mental strain, though the user can gradually train their tolerance over time. Realistically they’ll never hit double digits unless the quirk undergoes some kind of awakening or evolution later on.

I wanted the quirk to feel less like “I instantly steal your power and become broken,” and more like the user is building an arsenal they genuinely have to understand, adapt to, and grow alongside. but idk about the balancing i prefer making the collecting process difficult and making it more limited elsewhere so they can freely wield multiple quirks while still being balanced i also prefer the idea that hes not actually copying the quirks hes essentially taking the information of the quirk via the vestige or link between himself and the target and manifesting the quirk within his body as if it was naturally his hence the reintegration process and why he has no info after getting access to the quirk and the need to learn from scratch.