Special abilities

"When you are human, everything is as if in a cocoon. But when you are turned into a vampire everything opens up to a better, but scarier, you."

―Riley Biers

In the Twilight universe, certain vampires have special abilities gained or enhanced when they are turned. In The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, Riley reveals that one in about every fifty vampires is 'talented or gifted'.

Explanation

Main article: Gifted humans

When a human transforms into a vampire, they bring their strongest human trait into their new life. When someone has a particularly intense skill or characteristic, it heightens after their transformation. Some of those characteristics become a supernatural power of some sort. The more pronounced it was in human form, the stronger it becomes in vampire form. For example, Bella's mind originally only covered her from psychic powers, but after becoming a vampire she could project it to surround those around her.

A large majority of vampiric gifts are based on the mind, but there have been exceptions as some powers work physically.

Eleazar has explained that every gift is unique, never working the same way twice because no one ever thinks exactly the same way. This is proven by the differences in similar gifts among vampires, for example Edward and Aro, Bella and Renata, or Maggie and Charles.

Also, even though vampires have gifts, some may take time to develop and decades, if not centuries, to improve.

Since the Swan family has passed down mental abilities for three generations, it has been speculated that gifts might be passed down genetically, though influence of intrauterine environment during pregnancy and upbringing during infancy and teen years may also be important.

Quantifiable supernatural talents

Name	Ability	Examples
Edward Cullen	Telepathy Edward's gift allows him to hear/see the thoughts of other people, whether vampire or humans, except for Bella and, to a lesser extent, Charlie. The ability seems to behave much like an extra sense and, like the other senses, is likely not under conscious control, though he has learned how to use it. Edward can hear groups at a time, although he has stated that he has learned to drown out extra voices by focusing on one in particular. The closer or more familiar Edward is to a vampire, human, or wolf's mind the better or clearer he can hear them. A stronger bond also allows him to hear them from a greater distance, though no greater than a few miles. Like Alice, Edward's ability seems to work best with other vampires. He can also keep track of people within a few miles telepathically.	Edward found most of the minds of kids in Forks High School to be unimaginative, but couldn't hear what Bella was thinking at all. He also had the displeasure of reading Jacob's mind. In Twilight, Edward was able to save Bella from a group of men who were going to attack her because he could read what they were planning.He knew Mike, Eric, and Tyler were all going to ask Bella to the dance, but didn't know what her response would be to any of them. In Breaking Dawn, Edward used his ability while confronting the Volturi to know their plans and intentions.
Alice Cullen	Precognition Alice can see into the future. It is unclear whether the ability is sensorial, acting along the lines of hearing or sight, or she has conscious control over it. She can focus in on certain people or search for certain events. Her visions aren't perfect, as the final decisions regarding the future must already be made. This makes predictable things like the weather easy for her to read. She also can't see anything involved with the werewolves/shape-shifters or vampire hybrids.	In Twilight, Alice saw James in Bella's old dance studio in Phoenix, and Bella later being captured by him, once she decided to meet him there. In New Moon, Alice could see Edward's decision to provoke the Volturi but not exactly how he would do it, because he kept changing his mind. In Eclipse, Alice tells the family that the newborns are coming to fight them. In Breaking Dawn, Alice's ability allowed her to warn her family about the confrontation with the Volturi.
Jasper Hale	Pathokinesis Jasper can feel the emotions of those around him as well as manipulate them according to his content. Jasper's gift is no illusion, Bella's shield would not protect against it. He likely consciously controls the manipulative aspect of the ability, but it is unclear whether he can do so also with the sensorial aspect of it.	In Twilight, when Bella was stressed caused by James tracking her, Jasper felt her anxiety and calmed her down, so much that she fell asleep. In New Moon when Alice was throwing a birthday party for Bella he used his power to make her sort of want to come. In Eclipse, Jasper used his power to temporarily calm everyone down when the the Cullens and the werewolves almost got into a fight.In Breaking Dawn, Jasper stayed near Bella after she had Renesmee because she was so happy and he was drawn to her positive feelings.
Bella Swan	Mental shield Bella's gift is a mental shield. Bella's shield is so strong that it's been working without her knowing, most likely, since birth. It protects her from "gifts" that affect the mind. Edward can't read her mind, Jane can't cause her pain and Kate can't shock her. Through practice, Bella learned she could expand her shield in order to protect others when she became a vampire, causing them to become immune to mental gifts. Although at first it was quite hard for her to maintain her coverage of others, she was soon able to cover a great distance and a large number of people with ease. Bella can expand, retract, shape and mold her gift at will; virtually blanketing herself and those she's protecting. Although much more straining to her, Bella can also lift her shield off of her mind altogether. This allowed Edward to read her mind for the first time, thus bringing them even closer. Her learning to manipulate her gift indicates it is under her conscious control.	In Breaking Dawn, Bella shielded herself and her allies in the battle against the Volturi. At the end of Breaking Dawn, Bella lowered her shield allowing Edward to read her mind.
Renesmee Cullen	Tactile thought projection and Shield penetration Renesmee's gifts seem to be the opposite versions of her parents' abilities. She has the power to break through mental shields, and project her visions and thoughts into others by making physical contact with them. There are indications they are under her conscious control.	In Breaking Dawn, Renesmee used her ability to transfer her thoughts into Bella after she woke up as a vampire, in order to let her mother know about herself. She also used her talent to show the visiting vampires her side of the story.
Aro	Tactile telepathy Aro can see all the thoughts someone has ever had upon physical contact with them. The longer the contact, the more Aro is able to see others' thoughts. Like Edward, he can't reach Bella's thoughts.	In New Moon, when Bella was in Italy, Aro attempted to hear her thoughts but failed, just as Edward cannot read Bella's mind. In Breaking Dawn, Aro uses his talent to read Edward's mind, and thus saw the thoughts he had read in everyone else's mind.
Marcus	Relational empathy Marcus can sense relationships between people.	In New Moon, Marcus lets Aro know about the intensity of Bella and Edward's relationship.
Didyme	Happiness induction Didyme had an aura that allowed her to project an atmosphere of happiness affecting all around her.	Didyme's aura of happiness that affected anyone nearby caused Marcus to become happy, and therefore he fell in love with her. Her ability also caused Didyme herself to become happy.
Afton	Mental invisibility According to The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, Afton's power is to become mentally invisible to his pursuers. He can also use it to hide someone standing directly behind him. This power is very limited as it can be seen past by someone with a strong ability of focus.	Afton's gift wasn't strong enough to land him a spot in the Volturi by his own terms. He owes his spot in the guard to his more talented mate, Chelsea.
Alec	Sensory deprivation Alec can create a mist or fog which upon contact with someone paralyzes them and cuts off all, or some of their senses as he desires. This ability does not reach full effect instantly, as Jane's ability does, but creeps upon the victim.	In Breaking Dawn, Alec tries to cut off the Cullen's and their witnesses senses. It appeared as a mist, but had no effect on them due to Bella's shield.
Chelsea	Relationship manipulation Chelsea can strengthen or break emotional bonds and relationships. Though she can break the bond between allegiances, she cannot, as easily, break those as strong as family or true love.	In Breaking Dawn, Chelsea attempts to break up the relationships between the Cullens and their supporters, but is blocked out by Bella's shield. Chelsea is said to be useful to the Volturi and often breaks the ties between those the Volturi is eliminating making them easier to destroy. She also makes those who Aro wishes to join the Volturi feel an affinity for them.
Corin	Addictive contentment According to The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, Corin possesses the ability to make others feel content and happy, though it has a side effect that renders her victims feel ill when she doesn't use it.	Corin uses her gift to make the wives feel happy while being trapped in their castle.
Demetri	Sensory location Demetri can find anyone anywhere in the world once he's been in their presence and "tasted" their mind. He is a million times more gifted in tracking than James and Alistair, but cannot track Bella due to her shield.	At the end of New Moon, Emmett, Jasper and Edward joke about hiding Bella because Demetri won't be able to find her since her mental shield prevents him from tracking her.
Heidi	Physical attractionAccording to The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, Heidi's physical features are supported by her power to be physically appealing to both human and vampire. When she tries to feel attractive, those who try to resist will have a difficult time ignoring her attraction.	Heidi uses her gift to attract "food" for the Volturi.
Jane	Pain illusionJane projects the illusion of being in extremely intense physical pain into others minds, thus incapacitating them. The pain that Jane inflicts is described as being like "burning" inside of the victim.	In New Moon, Jane used her ability on Edward who tried to prevent her from using it on Bella. This caused him to collapse on the floor in imaginary pain. In Eclipse, Jane inflicted her talent on the young vampire Bree to force her to tell the truth about the vampire wreckage in Seattle.In Breaking Dawn, Jane tries to inflict her gift upon Bella, but like her twin Alec, cannot pass Bella's shield.
Renata	Protective shieldRenata causes anyone who approaches her in a way of aggression to become distracted and lose thought of what they're doing, causing them to wander off away from her. Like Bella, she can shield others.	In Breaking Dawn, Edward mentions Renata's ability and Bella wonders if it would work on her.
Zafrina	Visual projectionZafrina can project a vision into others' minds. The vision can seem so real to the person impacted by them can easily forget that it's not real, extremely quickly. This power is most useful in clouding her target's vision.	In Breaking Dawn, Zafrina kept Renesmee entertained by showing her pretty pictures, causing Renesmee to become very attached to her.
Eleazar	Ability identificationEleazar can sense the type and strength of supernatural gifts that certain humans or vampires have both before and after his or her vampiric transformation.	Eleazar used to be a member of the Volturi and he would help by telling Aro which humans would become useful vampires, in other words, who also had gifts and abilities. Aro sometimes sent him across the world to look for more gifted people. In Breaking Dawn, Eleazar was the first person to identify Bella's ability as a shield even though he couldn't be specific because she was then unconsciously blocking her mind from him.
Kate	Mental electrical currentKate can cover her body with an electrical current. Upon physical contact while her gift is in use, depending on the power she puts into it, the person can feel as little as static shock or great enough to cause their knees to buckle and have them on their backs. Because this talent doesn't effect Bella, the current most likely sends a signal to the brain which would be a similar effect to Jane's gift.	Immediately after Kate's sister Irina was killed in Breaking Dawn, Kate shocked three people who tried to stop her from attacking the Volturi: Rosalie, who crumpled to the ground, Emmett, who threw Kate to the ground before his knees gave out, and Garrett, who locked his arms around her causing his body to spasm and his eyes to roll back in his head as Kate shocked him.
Benjamin	AtmoskinesisBenjamin's ability allows him to physically manipulate the four elements of nature with his will: fire, water, air, and earth. His talent is not an illusion so Bella's shield would not stand against it.	In Breaking Dawn, Benjamin practiced near the river by the Cullen's house while Bella was training by creating gusts of wind and fountains of water from the nearby river.
Maggie	Lie detectionMaggie can tell if she is being lied to. She can also tell if someone is lying by movement or facial expression.	In Breaking Dawn, Maggie comes with her coven to meet Renesmee. After Edward tells her what happens she declared that Edward spoke the truth and Siobhan and Liam believed Edward before they even touched Renesmee.
Siobhan	Outcome manipulationSiobhan can manipulate the outcome of a situation by wanting or concentrating hard enough on how she wants it to turn out.	During Breaking Dawn, Siobhan wished that the confrontation with the Volturi would not turn out to be a fight. As it turned out, she was correct as the Volturi left without attacking anyone.
James	Tracking senseJames could predict the most probable movements of his prey's next step and then follow his hunches to find them.	In Twilight, James uses his talent to track Bella and find her old home.
Victoria	Self-preservationVictoria had the instinctive need to keep herself alive. It allowed her to realize when to evade danger as well as if the place she ran to was safe or not. The meaning of the term self-preservationist defined as: instinctive need to do what is necessary to survive danger.	In Twilight, Victoria knows when to escape once the Cullens killed James. In New Moon, Victoria escapes from the werewolves multiple times when she is hunting Bella.
Fred	Physical repulsionFred was confirmed by The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide to possess the ability to make those around him feel physically repulsed. He can also make them feel repulsed even by thinking about him.	In The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, Raoul and his boys are about to pick a fight with Bree when Fred utilizes his gift, causing most of them to flee the room while others just left them alone.
Raoul	Superiority magnetismRaoul possessed the limited ability to be viewed by weak-minded underlings as their leader.	In The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, Diego mentioned his power to Bree Tanner, but they dismissed it.
Alistair	Sensory attractionAlistair possesses the ability to sense any living thing and their distance in relation to him. He feels a pull in the direction of the thing he is seeking, but it takes a long time to narrow down to one specific place.	He could sense the enormous presence of the Volturi coming in Breaking Dawn, and fled because of it.
Charles	Lie detectionCharles can tell if someone is lying to him.	In Breaking Dawn, Charles gives witness that Garrett's speech was the truth before quickly leaving with his mate, Makenna.
Henri	Unnamed powerIt has been confirmed by Amadou Ly that Henri has a power to "flick people away". However, the specific name and function of this power are not yet known.

Other talents

These vampires have abilities that are not quantifiably supernatural.

Name	Ability	Examples
Edward Cullen	SpeedEdward's gift is advanced speed, running faster than any other member of the Cullens and other vampires.	During the game of vampire baseball in Twilight, Edward runs through the forest to retrieve the ball. In Eclipse, Bella compares Edward's speed to Victoria's, saying 'she wheeled and flew like an arrow from a bow. But Edward was faster - a bullet from a gun.'
Rosalie Hale	BeautyRosalie's gift is incredible beauty, which even surpasses a regular vampire. She is said to be the most attractive vampire in the world.
Heidi	BeautyHeidi's incredible beauty is comparable to Rosalie's, supported by her gift to attract people, human or vampire. Because of this, she would often go out to find and attract "food" for the Volturi.
Emmett Cullen	StrengthEmmett's gift is extreme strength that surpasses a regular vampire. He is the strongest member of the Cullens, if not the entire world. But his strength can be easily conquered by a newborn vampire, such as Bella when she challenged him into arm wrestling.	During the game of vampire baseball in Twilight, Esme informs Bella that Emmett hits the hardest, while Edward runs the fastest.
Carlisle Cullen	CompassionCarlisle's gift is an elevated sense of compassion that allows him to resist human blood.	He is able to bite (in order to turn them) people without succumbing to the frenzy and killing them.
Esme Cullen	LoveEsme's gift is to love those around her passionately.	She is able to welcome Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper into her home with open and caring arms; as well as Bella, a human girl her son Edward fell in love with.
Felix	Fighting and strengthMeyer has said that Felix's talent is his fighting and strength. No matter how good anyone else is in physical combat, Felix will always remain one, or most likely, several steps ahead of them. His physical strength is pretty much comparable to Emmett's.	In the New Moon film, when Edward tried to defend Bella, Felix quickly subdues him, throwing him to the ground, cracking the floor.
Bella Swan	Self-controlBella displays high level of self-control and concentration as a newborn vampire, something that most newborn vampires aren't able to do.	In Breaking Dawn, when she caught the scent of human hikers while hunting, she manages to retain control of herself and run away from the scent while holding her breath. When Charlie comes to visit after she changed, she finds her father's smell more attractive than the hikers and yet manages to remain in control.
Raoul	StrengthRaoul had strength that surpassed that of regular vampires. He was one of the strongest newborns in Victoria's army, and the other newborns were usually frightened by this.	Raoul was able to win over and kill countless newborn members in the army

• Note: Some vampires may have additional special traits beyond their main ability, as with Edward's incredible speed and mastery of the piano apart from his mind-reading gift.

Categories

Certain powers' capabilities land in specific categories, though it is rather difficult at times because no talent ever works the exact same way. For instance, an ability that protects any part of the bearer is called a "shield", and one that tracks a target is called a "tracker", which is also known as one of the most common talents. Since Edward and certain other vampires possess abilities to "read" things, they can be considered "readers"; also, vampires with the power to project a sort of illusion can be considered "illusionists".