Metahumans
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According to the Department of Extranormal Operations, a metahuman is any genetically human individual who possesses innate abilities that are beyond the scope of normal human physiology, and that were obtained via a process that can be explained and understood as an aspect of science. It encompasses any superpowered individuals who have undergone some sort of physical, physiological change in order to obtain their abilities - evolution, genetic manipulation, radiation exposure, etc - but excludes anyone whose abilities are not innate, such as those empowered by magic or technology.
History
Though there are enhanced humans dating back millennia, the earliest examples of "metahumans" date from supersoldier experimentation by the Axis and Allies during World War II, and subsequent atomic experimentation during the early decades of the Cold War.
Biology
In order to properly catalogue the metahumans that it encounters, STAR Labs and the DEO has developed a system that separates superhuman abilities into one of five categories. Though not all metahumans fit neatly into one specific category, there is usually one that more strongly describes their primary abilities. The categories do not apply exclusively to metahumans: extraterrestrials are also classified similarly; for example, the DEO regards the abilities of Kryptonians like Superman to mostly fall under the Kinetics category.
Psychics
Psychics are metahumans who possess psionic abilities that allow them to sense and/or affect the mind and emotions of others. This includes telepathy, empathy, and all forms of extrasensory perception such as precognition, dreamwalking, and psychometry. The term applies only to abilities with psychological effects or interactions: any metahumans with psionic powers that have physical effects are classified as Kinetics.
Kinetics
Kinetics are metahumans who possess psionic abilities that allow them to interact with the physical world through the power of their mind. This includes telekinesis and related abilities such as pyrokinesis, electrokinesis, photokinesis, hydrokinesis and so on; but also subtler abilities that affect the physical laws of the universe such as affecting probability, warping space-time to achieve teleportation or invisibility, manipulating sound waves, the ability to fly, etc. The term only applies to abilities with a physical effect: those with psychological effects upon the mind or emotions are classified as Psychics.
Shifters
Shifters are metahumans whose abilities allow them to alter the physical properties and/or structure of their body. Most prominently this includes shapeshifters who are able to alter their form completely, but also encompasses those who can alter their size or mass, who can absorb or mimic the properties of different forms of matter, or who can alter their physical structure to become incorporeal.
Speedsters
Speedsters are metahumans who can channel and manipulate the Speed Force to alter the way that their bodies obey the laws of physics with regards to speed and relativity. This usually manifests as enhanced reflexes, enhanced healing and metabolism, and the ability to process sensory input at a much higher rate than a normal human. Though their abilities could arguably be described as part of other categories, the mysterious nature of the Speed Force combined with the complexity of apprehending and restraining a speedster sets them apart. Super speed (or some variation thereof) is also one of the most abundant metahuman abilities on record, partly due to the (relative) ease with which it can be obtained.
Supers
Supers, or more correctly Superhumans, are metahumans who possess abilities that are enhanced beyond normal human physiology, such as superhuman strength, or enhanced senses and reflexes. An important stipulation is that a Super must innately possess those traits. Kryptonians or Atlanteans - whose strength and invulnerability can be negated or circumvented under certain conditions - are not considered to innately have those traits, but rather gain them as a byproduct of other types of ability.
