shape-shifters
Beings altering appearance
Shape-shifters are beings capable of changing their physical form, typically from mythology, folklore, or fantasy fiction—werewolves, skinwalkers, gods disguising themselves as mortals.
The term extends to people who seem to transform their personality or allegiance depending on context: Politicians are shape-shifters who become whatever voters want to see.
Shapeshifting wolf-person
- skinwalkerNavajo witch who transforms
- doppelgangerSupernatural duplicate of oneself
- vampireBlood-drinking undead creature
- kitsuneJapanese folklore shapeshifter
selkie · naga · phoenix · chimera · metamorph · tanuki · berserker · swan maiden
Liquid metal android
- changelingSubstituted fairy child
- mimicOne who copies others
- polymorphEntity assuming multiple forms
- morphChange form gradually
Tonks · ditto · founders · Beast Boy · Clayface · terminator · thing · body snatcher
Identity-concealing alteration
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- impersonationPretending to be another
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
pretense · infiltrator · spy · double agent · con artist · deceiver · trickster · chameleon
Profound biological restructuring
- transmutationComplete change of form
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- morphingSeamless visual transformation process
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
transmogrification · polymorph · alteration · shifting · molting · chrysalis · physical change · body horror
Mythical wolf-becoming affliction
- totemismBelief linking clans to symbols
- spirit animalsGuiding animal representations
- berserker rageFrenzied fighting madness
- animismSpirits inhabit all things
Seamless visual transformation process
- mimicryAdaptive resemblance to another
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
werewolf
Shapeshifting wolf-person
- skinwalkerNavajo witch who transforms
- doppelgangerSupernatural duplicate of oneself
- vampireBlood-drinking undead creature
kitsune · selkie · naga · phoenix · chimera · metamorph · tanuki · berserker · swan maiden · druids
T-1000
Liquid metal android
- changelingSubstituted fairy child
- mimicOne who copies others
- polymorphEntity assuming multiple forms
Tonks · morph · ditto · founders · Beast Boy · Clayface · terminator · thing · body snatcher · replicant
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- impersonationPretending to be another
camouflage · pretense · infiltrator · spy · double agent · con artist · deceiver · trickster · chameleon · fraud
metamorphosis
Profound biological restructuring
- transmutationComplete change of form
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- morphingSeamless visual transformation process
mutation · transmogrification · polymorph · alteration · shifting · molting · chrysalis · physical change · body horror
lycanthropy
Mythical wolf-becoming affliction
- totemismBelief linking clans to symbols
- spirit animalsGuiding animal representations
- berserker rageFrenzied fighting madness
morphing
Seamless visual transformation process
- mimicryAdaptive resemblance to another
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- folklorefairy tales, fairytales, folktales, folk tales, folk tale
- magical fantasywitchcraft, sorcery, spells, enchantment, curses
- African folkloreAnansi, folktales, ancestors, spirits, trickster stories
- African MythologyAnansi, Legba, ancestor spirits, sky gods, thunder gods
- animal folkloreanimal myths, animal fables, animal spirits, animal totems, animal symbolism
- Northwest Folkloresasquatch, thunderbird, raven, totem pole, spirit animals
shape-shifterspermanents
Chemical hair-curling treatments
statues · golems · constants · what-you-see-is-what-you-get · solids
shape-shiftersimmutables
Things that cannot change
constants · statues · elementals · homunculi