Have you ever wished you had a special skill or amazing power? Not only would it be convenient at certain times, it would be downright awesome.

• The ability to teleport at will
• The strength equal to that of twenty men
• The gift of becoming invisible

Now I’m getting book ideas and character ideas and…

Anyway, getting back on track, this week for Fantasy favorites, we’re looking at magical talents. The catch is, it has to be something inborn, not a magic the character learns or is infused with—along the lines of the super serum given to Captain America. However, as long as it doesn’t come from an outside source, it can be dormant or hidden from the character to begin with.

I can’t think of a ton of magical talents like this in fantasy. Usually when people think of magic, they think of spells or a certain type of power the characters have to learn to wield, like channeling the One Power in Wheel of Time.

It’s too bad inborn skills aren’t as prevalent. They would provide some variety and uniqueness, which is always healthy to keep fantasy from descending to Cliché Abyss.

Still, there are some to choose from, and it’s with pleasure and geeky giddiness that I announce my favorite magical talent is…

Shapeshifting

This is flat out cool. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be able to change shape at will? Maybe into anything from another person to a beast, depending on how the talent worked. The possibilities are endless, which is part of why I love it so much.

The most famous shapeshifter I can think of is Beorn from The Hobbit, who can change between a man and a bear. He plays a minor role in the book and barely appears in the second hobbit movie, which is a shame considering how cool his ability is.

You also have the Queen of Underland in The Silver Chair, who transforms from a woman into a huge serpent. It’s creepy but at the same time fascinating.

Werewolves are another obvious group of shapeshifters in books. If you including urban fantasy, you might get the likes of selkies, which come from Scottish and Irish mythology and transform from humans to seals when they enter the water.

Ultimately, the reason I chose shapeshifting is because it’s so diverse, and with the presence of werewolves and vampires, it has a rich tradition in folklore and legends. Plus, I love things that make my imagination run free and explore possibilities I hadn’t considered before or provide a different outlook on life.

So here’s to shapeshifting, the coolest magical talent out there.

What is your favorite magical talent? If you could choose one, what would it be? I would love to hear your thoughts.