Summary

There ’s a slew to love about Brandon Sanderson’sMistbornbooks , butthe elaborate , metal - based witching organisation is probably the best part of the series . Sanderson has a knack for creating alone illusion populace , and the scope of the stage setting meshes well with the complexity of his magic system of rules . This is true ofall of Sanderson ’s books , but it ’s specially noticeable inMistborn . The series ' title stem from the great power scheme the generator sets up , and the characters ' power meet a massive part in the story and its firmness of purpose .

Sanderson also adapt this magic organization count on the meter period , makingMistbornEra 2 an interesting additionto his catalog . With the series revolving around the use of dissimilar alloy , Sanderson is able to show how such ability would be used with different levels of engineering science . Sanderson ’s Allomancy is a masterclass in fantasy writing , butit may get confusing for entrant to theMistbornworld — especially when he adds newfangled metallic element and alloys to the commixture .

With a first Mistborn movie now in development , many may want to experience the Mistborn narration via the books before watching it on the self-aggrandising filmdom .

A Mistborn cover image of Vin holding a giant sword

What Is Allomancy? Mistborn’s Magic System Explained

Mistings & Mistborns Can Burn Metals To Use Their Powers

Mistborn ’s witching system is called Allomancy , and it allow select character reference to assimilate and burn various metals for magnify their ability . Allomancy is passed down genetically , so only sure characters within Sanderson ’s human beings have powers . And within the prominent mathematical group of those who possess trick , there are two types of Allomancers . First , there are Mistings , who can burn one type of metal and access a single enhanced ability . And then there are Mistborn , who are capable to utilize all the metals at their disposal , giving them an telling range of talents .

The latter is obviously where Sanderson ’s series gets its name from , and the main fiber in the firstMistborntrilogy successfully overthrow their tyrannical government by utilizing multiple metallic element . They also ring themselves with Mistings , who can be extremely effective when working in a radical . While the eminence between Mistings and Mistborn is easy to follow , the number of metals in Sanderson ’s series elaborate over time . Readers may turn a loss track of how many there are and what each of them do , as it can be hard to keep up in the midst of everything befall intheMistbornbooks .

How Many Allomantic Metals Exist In Brandon Sanderson’s Books

There Are 16 Allomantic Metals (Plus 3 God Metals)

There are 16 Allomantic metals in Brandon Sanderson’sMistbornbooks , eight of which are look up to as basic metals and eight dub higher metals . The former are introduced at the very origin of Sanderson’sMistborntrilogy , while the book divulge more about the others as they continue . There are four family that the Allomantic metals are broken into : physical , genial , temporal , and enhancement . These categories determine what sort of power the alloy grants its exploiter , and they each consist of two base metals and two alloys , or combined alloy .

All 16 Allomantic Metals That Appear In Mistborn & What They Do

There Are Basic & Higher Metals

Basic Allomantic Metals

The eight basic metal inMistborncan be glow by MIstings and Mistborns , andthey descend into either the strong-arm or genial categories of Allomantic metals . The four physical metal — steel , branding iron , pewter , and tin can — provide an Allomancer to affect their extraneous environment . The four mental metals — atomic number 30 , bronze , plaque , and bull — have a more internal impact , even if two of them can be used on other people .

Physical Metals

Mental Metals

Brandon Sanderson with Mistborn covers

Steel

Zn

smoothing iron

Kelsier and The Lord Ruler Mistborn

Bronze

Pewter

Brass

Cover art of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson showing Vin flying through the air with daggers in her hands

Tin

Copper

Steel : Mistings that can cauterize steel are referred to as Coinshots , and their ability allows them to " crowd " metal object off from them . Many of the characters in Sanderson ’s series use this mightiness to shower coins at their opponents , though they can move any metal item that weighs less than them in the opposite direction . They can also push off against large pieces of metal , throwing themselves backwards or into the air .

The Mistborn books with Vin (from Mistborn) over them

Custom image by Simone Ashmoore

atomic number 26 : Iron has the opposite effect of steel in Sanderson’sMistbornbooks , and Mistings who can burn this metallic element are called Lurchers . lurker are up to of pulling on metal objects around themrather than push against them . As such , they can attract lighter item towards them . They can also pull on backbreaking structures , which would cause them to " fly " in the direction of the alloy object in question .

Pewter : Mistings who can burn up pewter are referred to as Thugs , asthis metal grant the someone burning it the exponent to increase their physical forte . have pewter can make Thugs and Mistborns move much faster , and it increases their long suit , ensuring they can pack a punch in a fight . Those fire pewter can also hold up injuries more easily , though the harm done to their trunk will eventually catch up to them .

Tin : Fittingly , Tineyes are the Mistings who can fire tin , a metal that importantly sharpen the user ’s sens . Tineyes can see further and get a line things at a much greater distance , make them ideal to keep guard or undercover agent on enemies . The downside of being a Tineye is that overstimulation can be far more unsafe , stimulate them vulnerable to sudden changes in the environs .

Vin weilding a large sword composited over characters from Mistborn Era two from the Mistborn Series

Custom image by Simone Ashmoore

Vin and Elend ’s romance will be a compelling subplot of a Mistborn movie , but there ’s one change that needs to happen for their relationship to piece of work .

Zn : Those who burn Zn in Sanderson ’s books are called Rioters , andthey’re capable of awaken other people ’s already - exist emotion . If a Rioter is in a room full of furious bystanders , they can increase the tension so that people begin displaying that anger . Rioters can employ their power on an single level , or they can manipulate many masses at once — though the latter takes practice and acquisition . While Rioting wreak on most hoi polloi , anyone burning aluminum or its alloys wo n’t be affected .

Brass : Brass has the opposite effect of Zinc , asit allows those who sting it — either Soothers or Mistborns — to tranquilize the emotions of those around them . For model , if the soldiers skirt a Soother are anxious about die into conflict , a Soother can assuage that spirit . Similar to Rioting , Soothing can be done on an individual or collective scale . Aluminum and its alloys also protect against this metal and its powerfulness .

Mistborn Vin fighting Koloss cover

Bronze : Mistings who combust bronze are called Seekers , andthey’re able to sense if anyone near them is using Allomancy in Sanderson ’s novel . Seekers who hone their skills can pinpoint the positioning of anyone using Allomancy in their neighborhood , and some can even tell which metal they ’re burning . This can be useful in battle or while creep around in enemy district .

copper color : Contrasting bronze , copper color apply Mistings yell Smokers the ability to conceal themselves and anyone else using Allomancy from nearby Seekers . They create something called a " coppercloud " around the area that must be obscure from Seekers . Some Seekers are substantial enough to thrust these copperclouds , but they ’re a tenuity in theMistbornseries .

Brandon Sanderson ’s Mistborn book discharge their second saga in 2022 , and more book are on the room for the popular modernistic fantasy series .

Vin from Mistborn with her cape flying and a knife in her hand

Higher Allomantic Metals

The eight higher metals consist of enhancement and worldly metals . The former enables Allomancers to either amplify or diminish the utilisation of their metal , while the latter allot them great power over time . These alloy can be ready to hand in tight situations , but some of them do n’t have much use for Mistings , even if they can technically burn them .

Enhancement metallic element

Temporal Metals

The Lord Ruler with spears impaling him from Mistborn Spanish illustrated edition

Aluminum

amber

Duralumin

Electrum

atomic number 24

atomic number 48

Nicrosil

Bendalloy

Al : Aluminum is one of the most dangerous gamy Allomantic metals , asthis metal clears out the metal reserves of any Mistborn who absorb it . Vin first discovers this metal at the end ofMistborn , when the Lord Ruler and his Inquisitor give it to her . Mistings who can burn up Aluminum are known as Aluminum Gnats , and they do n’t really have powers in the same way other Mistings do .

Duralumin : Duralumin is an metal of atomic number 13 and pig , and Mistings who can bite it are called Duralumin Gnats . However , like those who can cut Aluminum , they are n’t able to do much with the alloy . Mistborns who ingest Duralumin will start flaring any of the other metal they ’re glow , creating a burst of power but speedily run out their military reserve .

Chromium : Chromium allows the exploiter to act out the effects of Aluminum on another Misting or Mistborn . Rather than draining their own reserves , anyone burning this alloy can clear out the reserves of the hoi polloi they make contact with . This makes Chromium importantly more grave . Mistings who can sunburn this metal are fittingly touch to as Leechers .

Nicrosil : Nicrosil turn on the individual burning it to reenact the effects of Duralumin on others rather than themselves , as long as they make contact with the somebody . Those using this metal can force the person they ’re making contact with to flare their metal , then quickly burn down through them . A Misting who can burn this metal is called a Nicro .

Brandon Sanderson ’s Mistborn serial has a movie adaptation in former development , and these characters deserve more time than they had in the novels .

Gold : Gold shows the soul burning it what their animation would look like if they ’d made different selection . Vin earn inMistbornthat this ability is n’t very useful , but it ’s been figure in Sanderson ’s novels yet . Mistings with the power to use Au are called Augurs .

Electrum : Electrum is an metal of gold , and it enable those burning it to glimpse their own future . Because of this , it negate the powerfulness of one of the God metals : atium . Mistings who can burn up Electrum are known as Oracles in Sanderson ’s illusion world .

Cadmium : Mistings who can burn Cd are known as Pulsers , and the name arrive from their ability to decelerate time around them . They can only do so within a bubble , but this bubble has a protective effect , enacting a boundary between what ’s inwardly of it and anything outside its borders . Unfortunately , Pulsers ' ability are canceled out by anyone using Bendalloy .

Bendalloy : Bendalloy has the opposite upshot of cadmium , with those equal to of burning it being able to hotfoot up clip . Like Pulsers , these Mistings — known as Sliders — can only impact what ’s within the bubble they create . Their powers are also canceled out by those of a Pulser .

Mistborn Also Features 3 God Metals

These Are Connected To Ruin & Preservation

In add-on to the basic and high metals , Sanderson’sMistbornbooks enclose substances called God metals over the course of their run . The Hero of Agesintroduces the god Ruin and Preservation , and it ’s revealed that sealed metals used by the characters stem straight from these beings . This includes atium , the rare metal the characters look for throughout the original trilogy , as well as malatium , once referred to as the mysterious Eleventh Metal .

Atium : Atium is among the most - appraise metals whenMistbornopens , asthe rare metal allow Mistborns to glimpse into the future tense and auspicate their antagonist ’s next move . This induce the user nearly unbeatable , though Atium does burn off much faster than other metal . It can also be canceled out by electrum , though that is n’t give away betimes on . The Hero of Agesreveals that atium is in reality the eubstance of the god Ruin . Those who can only burn Atium are forebode Seers .

Malatium : An alloy of atium and atomic number 79 , malatium yield the person burning it the ability to glimpse another person ’s past . Although its exercise are modified , Vin does utilize malatium to picture out the Lord Ruler ’s true identity . As such , it plays a monumental role in the originalMistborntrilogy .

Lerasium : While atium is the strong-arm representation of Ruin ’s body , Lerasium is the material form of Preservation . This alloy is what transform a person into a Mistborn , and that becomes a inherited trait that ’s passed down . Clearly , this plays a critical role in Sanderson’sMistbornsaga .