One premise per press: who gets the power, what it does, its catch, the secret and the turn.
Superpower Story Ideas: 30 story ideas
A grandmother of six in the middle of a card game can cross the whole county before the kettle boils, but it must be recharged by an honest apology. Nobody must learn that it was meant for the person standing next to them. The turn: a flock of geese adopts them as its leader.
Padlock: keep a part.Arrows: change only that part.
Whograndmother of six in the middle of a card game
Cancross the whole county before the kettle boils
The catchit must be recharged by an honest apology
Nobody must learnthat it was meant for the person standing next to them
The turna flock of geese adopts them as its leader
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Story Idea of the day
A grandmother of six in the middle of a card game can cross the whole county before the kettle boils, but it must be recharged by an honest apology. Nobody must learn that it was meant for the person standing next to them. The turn: a flock of geese adopts them as its leader.
A professional mascot at a struggling ball club can glide silently from roof to roof, but the town hall clock chimes by itself each time. Nobody must learn what is stored above the hayloft ladder. The turn: someone at school turns out to do the exact opposite.
A landlord of a building full of caped tenants can cross the whole county before the kettle boils, but it leaves fingerprints that glow for an hour. Nobody must learn what is stored above the hayloft ladder. The turn: the only plan that works was suggested as a joke.
A goldfish owner who confides in the goldfish can hear the corn grow, and anything hiding in it, but the dog next door howls every time. Nobody must learn which field it first happened in. The turn: the secret is kept, at the price of a friendship.
A gallery attendant who asks for every late shift can run along a clothesline without making it sway, but every use adds one more freckle, and people are counting. Nobody must learn how the team's last vote was really decided. The turn: a flock of geese adopts them as its leader.
A volunteer who answered the wrong advertisement can find any person by listening for their footsteps, but it works only within reach of a snack. Nobody must learn whose greenhouse they wrecked on day one. The turn: a child finds the mask and returns it without a word.
A bike courier nobody has ever seen arrive can stack objects into towers that should not stand, but they must be home by dark or it shows. Nobody must learn that they practice in the laundry room at night. The turn: it works on purpose for the first time, at the worst moment.
A rival recruited from the other side can make any shopping cart steer straight, but it stops at the county line. Nobody must learn the face behind the goggles and scarf. The turn: their day job assigns them to unmask themselves.
A mayor's teenage nephew can run along a clothesline without making it sway, but afterward they can speak only in questions for an hour. Nobody must learn that the sheriff has known for years. The turn: someone at school turns out to do the exact opposite.
A volunteer firefighter with a day job at the feed store can light the street lamps with a snap of the fingers, but their shadow lags a second behind for the rest of the day. Nobody must learn that they are paid nothing and are behind on rent. The turn: an elderly relative turns out to be better at it.
A high school track coach can knit a bridge from whatever is in their pockets, but it requires a cape, and capes keep getting caught in doors. Nobody must learn that they practice in the laundry room at night. The turn: an outsider comes asking the right questions.
An understudy for a far better-known hero can skip a stone clear across any lake, but it requires a cape, and capes keep getting caught in doors. Nobody must learn that they tried to give it back. The turn: a theme tune only they could hear is now heard by everyone.
A county fair pie champion can yodel a note that makes escalators reverse, but everybody for a mile feels a tingle when it happens. Nobody must learn whose greenhouse they wrecked on day one. The turn: the catch becomes the most popular part.
A grandmother of six in the middle of a card game can whisper and be heard at the far end of the valley, but it drains the battery of anything nearby. Nobody must learn that the town's lucky year was their doing. The turn: the unmasking happens, and nobody believes it.
A ferry pilot who knows every regular by name can haul a tractor out of a ditch one-handed, but it leaves a ring of frost on the grass in any season. Nobody must learn that their own boss owes them a rescue. The turn: a flood arrives on the morning of the parade.
A dentist's receptionist during a quiet lunch can change shape into anyone they have sketched, but it turns their handwriting into capital letters for a day. Nobody must learn that they are paid nothing and are behind on rent. The turn: a pair of rivals find their abilities need each other.
A diner server who knows every order by heart can see through anything painted green, but it leaves fingerprints that glow for an hour. Nobody must learn who has been paying the bills. The turn: the old costume stops fitting and a new one arrives unasked.
A farm kid with a prize calf can whisper and be heard at the far end of the valley, but the town hall clock chimes by itself each time. Nobody must learn why they are never seen when it rains. The turn: someone offers to keep the secret, for a favor.
A new kid three days into a new school can summon every cat within a mile, but it leaves a faint outline of them on the nearest wall. Nobody must learn that a younger sibling already knows. The turn: the county paper gets everything wrong except the name.
A high school track coach can finish anyone's sentence, correctly, but everybody for a mile feels a tingle when it happens. Nobody must learn what song they hum when frightened. The turn: the catch disappears, and a worse one takes its place.
A student teacher facing a first class alone can change shape into anyone they have sketched, but it draws every stray dog in town to the spot. Nobody must learn who taught them to hide it. The turn: a relative produces a house rule written for exactly this.
A student teacher facing a first class alone can coax a whole orchard into fruit in an afternoon, but it must be recharged by an honest apology. Nobody must learn that the sheriff has known for years. The turn: someone at school turns out to do the exact opposite.
A tailor who sews one costume a year can pass any object to a teammate through a wall, but aiming it needs three helpers and a lot of shouting. Nobody must learn how they really got out of the school gym. The turn: the secret is kept, at the price of a friendship.
A science teacher who never stays for staff meetings can speak fluent seagull, but afterward their pockets are full of sand. Nobody must learn how many tries the famous rescue really took. The turn: a pair of rivals find their abilities need each other.
A sidekick who has outgrown the title can find anything lost within the town limits, but it sleeps all winter and wakes with the thaw. Nobody must learn why they are never seen when it rains. The turn: their family turns out to have covered for them for years.
A volunteer who answered the wrong advertisement can ask the river a question and get an answer by morning, but a cat has to be in the room, and awake. Nobody must learn who really came up with the team name. The turn: a letter says the power is a loan, due back in a month.
A twin who lets the other twin take the credit can call up thunder over the back pasture, but it fades after a day spent away from their friends. Nobody must learn that the secret hideout has a welcome mat. The turn: the catch becomes the most popular part.
A local weather presenter with a perfect attendance record can mend broken things by humming at them, but afterward they can speak only in questions for an hour. Nobody must learn that the newest member is related to an old enemy. The turn: a local radio host starts taking the credit.
A lifeguard on the last day of the season can coax a whole orchard into fruit in an afternoon, but it cuts out whenever two people nearby argue. Nobody must learn that they have told the family dog and nobody else. The turn: the emergency proves to be a drill set by one of the team.
A sidekick who has outgrown the title can pass any object to a teammate through a wall, but it comes with a theme tune only they can hear. Nobody must learn which of them is quietly looking at other teams. The turn: the secret is kept, at the price of a friendship.
local weather presenter with a perfect attendance record
quiet accountant who keeps a spare shirt at work
school nurse with a locked desk drawer
science teacher who never stays for staff meetings
scout leader with a very plain car
tailor who sews one costume a year
twin who lets the other twin take the credit
veterinarian who works alone after hours
A team that does not get on 12
driver of the team van who is never thanked
founder who is thinking of quitting
medic who disapproves of the whole enterprise
mentor who retired and came back twice
pair of siblings who share a bunk and no opinions
recruit still in a first trial month
rival recruited from the other side
sidekick who has outgrown the title
strategist who has never been in the field
team captain nobody voted for
veteran who remembers the old lineup
volunteer who answered the wrong advertisement
A small town 12
choir singer with the loudest laugh in town
country letter carrier with ninety mailboxes
county fair pie champion
deputy who still lives above the family hardware store
diner server who knows every order by heart
farm kid with a prize calf
high school track coach
librarian in a town with one stoplight
lone mechanic for forty miles around
mayor's teenage nephew
owner of the last video rental shop
volunteer firefighter with a day job at the feed store
Played for laughs 12
birthday party juggler who usually drops two of three
cat sitter with nineteen clients
driving instructor with nerves of pudding
goldfish owner who confides in the goldfish
grandfather who is tired of being rescued
hero whose costume is still at the cleaners
intern who files paperwork for a masked crimefighter
landlord of a building full of caped tenants
mall security guard with ambitions
professional mascot at a struggling ball club
reluctant chosen one who wanted to be an orthodontist
understudy for a far better-known hero
How this list was compiled
Each entry is the person with the power, with no article in front, so the sentence can add "A" or "An". Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-02. The five headings (the power arrives, the secret is at risk, a team that does not get on, a small town, played for laughs) are shared by all five lists of the page. Every person, power, limit and secret was written for this list, and no hero, villain, team or city of any comic, film or game is named. No facts are stated. Licence: own work
Can: all 60 powers
The power arrives 12
draw a perfect circle on any surface, freehand
juggle anything, including things that are bolted down
lift anything that is exactly as heavy as a piano
make any puddle exactly ankle deep
mend broken things by humming at them
outrun a bicycle, a bus and, once, a rumor
see through anything painted green
shut any drawer from across the room
skip a stone clear across any lake
stack objects into towers that should not stand
step into any photograph and stroll about
understand any animal that is annoyed
The secret is at risk 12
be in two places for the length of a lunch break
blend into any crowd of three or more
borrow the voice of anyone whose hand they have shaken
change shape into anyone they have sketched
find any person by listening for their footsteps
glide silently from roof to roof
make onlookers forget a face, their own included
run along a clothesline without making it sway
see in pitch dark as clearly as at noon
slip out of any knot, cuff or crowded elevator
walk through a locked door as if it were fog
write with either hand in anyone's handwriting
A team that does not get on 12
carry four people while running up a wall
finish anyone's sentence, correctly
hear six conversations at once and answer them all
knit a bridge from whatever is in their pockets
lend their own strength to a friend for an hour
link five minds for the length of a plan
pass any object to a teammate through a wall
patch up a friend's scrapes with a touch
point to the one loose bolt in any structure
talk any engine into starting
throw up a shield the size of a barn door
turn a shout into a wall of wind
A small town 12
ask the river a question and get an answer by morning
call up thunder over the back pasture
calm any animal, and most town meetings
coax a whole orchard into fruit in an afternoon
cross the whole county before the kettle boils
find anything lost within the town limits
haul a tractor out of a ditch one-handed
hear the corn grow, and anything hiding in it
light the street lamps with a snap of the fingers
see the town as it was fifty years ago
tell from a handshake what somebody is afraid of
whisper and be heard at the far end of the valley
Played for laughs 12
brighten any cellar simply by walking in
fix any inside-out umbrella with one shake
grow a magnificent beard in four seconds
make any shopping cart steer straight
make toast by looking at bread
predict the weather for exactly one street
speak fluent seagull
summon every cat within a mile
teleport to wherever the nearest sandwich is
turn any hat they are wearing into a better hat
unwrap any present without tearing the paper
yodel a note that makes escalators reverse
How this list was compiled
Each entry follows the word "can" and carries no limit of its own, so any limit can land on it. Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-02. The five headings (the power arrives, the secret is at risk, a team that does not get on, a small town, played for laughs) are shared by all five lists of the page. Every person, power, limit and secret was written for this list, and no hero, villain, team or city of any comic, film or game is named. No facts are stated. Licence: own work
The catch: all 60 limits
The power arrives 12
a loud noise undoes it
a single word of thanks switches it off
every use makes their hair stand on end until supper
it arrived with a hiccup that will not go
it ends when they next have to breathe in
it fails whenever a camera is pointed at them
it switches on whenever they sneeze
it turns their handwriting into capital letters for a day
it works on Tuesdays and no explanation is offered
it works only when they are late for something
the result is different on every attempt
they have no idea how to switch it off
The secret is at risk 12
afterward their pockets are full of sand
afterward they can speak only in questions for an hour
afterward they cannot recall what they had for breakfast
the dog next door howls every time
every use fades a color from their clothes
it drains the battery of anything nearby
it leaves a faint outline of them on the nearest wall
it leaves fingerprints that glow for an hour
it sets off every car alarm on the street
it works only while wearing a mask that itches
their shadow lags a second behind for the rest of the day
they must be home by dark or it shows
A team that does not get on 12
aiming it needs three helpers and a lot of shouting
it cuts out whenever two people nearby argue
it fades after a day spent away from their friends
it is strongest next to the person they like least
it must be recharged by an honest apology
it needs a full night's sleep, which they never get
it only works when everyone in the room agrees
it takes on the mood of the last person who spoke
it weakens every time they take the credit
the more people watching, the smaller it gets
someone else has to say the word
whoever stands closest gets the credit in every account
A small town 12
dry weather shuts it down completely
everybody for a mile feels a tingle when it happens
it draws every stray dog in town to the spot
it leaves a ring of frost on the grass in any season
it sleeps all winter and wakes with the thaw
it spoils the milk in every fridge on the street
it stops at the county line
it will not work on anyone who has ever fed them
it wilts the nearest garden
it works only on streets they have walked before
the phone lines crackle for an hour after
the town hall clock chimes by itself each time
Played for laughs 12
a cat has to be in the room, and awake
every use adds one more freckle, and people are counting
it announces itself with a small trumpet noise
it attracts geese
it comes with a theme tune only they can hear
it requires a cape, and capes keep getting caught in doors
it takes a ten-minute warm-up, with stretches
it works only within reach of a snack
their buttons do themselves up wrong at every use
their voice goes up an octave for the rest of the day
they must first sing a full verse of something
they sneeze glitter for an hour after
How this list was compiled
Each entry is a whole clause that follows "but" and names no power, so it reads after any of them. Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-02. The five headings (the power arrives, the secret is at risk, a team that does not get on, a small town, played for laughs) are shared by all five lists of the page. Every person, power, limit and secret was written for this list, and no hero, villain, team or city of any comic, film or game is named. No facts are stated. Licence: own work
Nobody must learn: all 60 secrets
The power arrives 12
how they really got out of the school gym
that a younger sibling already knows
that it came with a leaflet in the mail
that it started with a science fair volcano
that it was meant for the person standing next to them
that they have told the family dog and nobody else
that they practice in the laundry room at night
that they tried to give it back
that they wished for it, out loud, the night before
which teacher saw everything
who else was in the room when it started
whose greenhouse they wrecked on day one
The secret is at risk 12
the face behind the goggles and scarf
that the mask was sewn from a relative's curtains
that their best friend's parent is the one chasing them
that their own boss owes them a rescue
that they are paid nothing and are behind on rent
that two people have worn this mask
their full name, middle one included
what they do for a living on weekdays
where the costume is kept between rescues
which rescue was actually an accident
who takes the photographs the paper prints
why they are never seen when it rains
A team that does not get on 12
how the team's last vote was really decided
that the headquarters is somebody's garage
that the last mission succeeded by mistake
that the leader has been offered a solo career
that the newest member is related to an old enemy
that the team's founder never had powers at all
that the team's mascot outranks them all on paper
that the youngest member writes all the plans
which member wrote the anonymous complaint
which of them is quietly looking at other teams
who has been paying the bills
who really came up with the team name
A small town 12
that a classmate has a photograph
that half the town owes them and does not know it
that it runs in a family the whole town knows
that the county fair fireworks were not fireworks
that the same thing happened in their grandparents' day
that the sheriff has known for years
that the town's lucky year was their doing
that they nearly ran away to an aunt's over it
what is stored above the hayloft ladder
what really happened to the old water tower
which field it first happened in
who taught them to hide it
Played for laughs 12
how many tries the famous rescue really took
that the cape began life as a picnic blanket
that the costume is pajamas with the feet cut off
that the heroic catchphrase was a parent's idea
that the mysterious gadget is a kitchen timer
that the secret hideout has a welcome mat
that their archrival is also their dentist
that their biggest fan is their own grandmother
that they are afraid of pigeons
that they failed the cape safety course twice
that they get lost on the way to every emergency
what song they hum when frightened
How this list was compiled
Each entry follows "Nobody must learn" and names no power or limit of the other lists. Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-02. The five headings (the power arrives, the secret is at risk, a team that does not get on, a small town, played for laughs) are shared by all five lists of the page. Every person, power, limit and secret was written for this list, and no hero, villain, team or city of any comic, film or game is named. No facts are stated. Licence: own work
The turn: all 60 turns
The power arrives 12
a letter says the power is a loan, due back in a month
a note arrives that says only: it gets easier
a stranger arrives with a list, and their name is on it
a talent contest is announced for Friday assembly
an adult they trust admits to having had it once
the catch disappears, and a worse one takes its place
the first person they ever helped moves in next door
half the neighborhood turns out to be hiding one too
it works on purpose for the first time, at the worst moment
the power skips to a sibling overnight
the power turns out to be one of a matched pair
someone at school turns out to do the exact opposite
The secret is at risk 12
a child finds the mask and returns it without a word
a reporter works it all out and prints something kinder
a rescue is caught on film from the one angle that matters
a rival with the same secret proposes a truce
an impostor in the same mask starts doing a better job
the old costume stops fitting and a new one arrives unasked
the one they most wanted to fool has known for a year
the secret is kept, at the price of a friendship
someone offers to keep the secret, for a favor
their day job assigns them to unmask themselves
their family turns out to have covered for them for years
the unmasking happens, and nobody believes it
A team that does not get on 12
a former member returns and expects the old seat
a pair of rivals find their abilities need each other
a resignation letter arrives, unsigned
the argument that broke the team was staged
the emergency proves to be a drill set by one of the team
the leader steps down mid-mission and means it
the newest recruit outshines everyone on day one
the only plan that works was suggested as a joke
the quiet one finally says what everyone thinks
the team is given one medal between all of them
the team splits in two, and both halves keep the name
the teammate they cannot stand saves the day
A small town 12
a famous outsider arrives to take the job over
a flood arrives on the morning of the parade
a kid two streets over begins showing the same signs
a relative produces a house rule written for exactly this
an outsider comes asking the right questions
the county paper gets everything wrong except the name
the neighbor they feared most covers for them
the oldest rumor in town proves to be about their family
on the one day that counts, it fails at the town line
they move away, and the whole town writes
the town council puts the matter to a show of hands
the whole town already knew and was being polite
Played for laughs 12
a flock of geese adopts them as its leader
a local radio host starts taking the credit
a much sillier power arrives on top of the first
a theme tune only they could hear is now heard by everyone
an agent offers a contract for birthday parties
an elderly relative turns out to be better at it
the archrival needs a ride to the airport
the catch becomes the most popular part
the masked menace is the landlord, come about the rent
the power meets its match in a jam jar lid
the rescue goes perfectly and nobody notices
their costume wins first prize at a fair, without them
How this list was compiled
Each entry is a whole clause that stands on its own; "the catch" means the catch row, which is in every result. Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-02. The five headings (the power arrives, the secret is at risk, a team that does not get on, a small town, played for laughs) are shared by all five lists of the page. Every person, power, limit and secret was written for this list, and no hero, villain, team or city of any comic, film or game is named. No facts are stated. Licence: own work
How it works
Every power in these superpower story ideas comes with a cost or a catch, because that is where the story is: a county fair pie champion can mend broken things by humming at them, but it attracts geese.
Read the full guide
The catch is the plot
A power alone is a wish. The catch says when it fails, and the secret says who must not see it fail. Keep the person and the power, then change the catch until using it is a risk: a loud noise undoes it, or it stops at the county line.
Five kinds of premise, mixed
Each list below is sorted under the power arrives, the secret is at risk, a team that does not get on, a small town, and played for laughs. The tool mixes all five and cannot filter, so a team captain nobody voted for may be able to speak fluent seagull.
Start the story on the day the catch first matters, not the day the power arrives.
Give the secret to one other character in the first scene and see who it frightens more.
Questions and answers
Do these work as superhero story ideas?
Yes. Each result is an origin, a secret identity or a team premise for a hero you invent. No hero, villain, team or city from any comic, film or game is named, and this site has no tie to any publisher.
Why does every power have a catch?
A catch gives the hero something to lose. No catch in the list is tied to one power, so any of them can land on any ability, and the mismatch is often the story.
Are the ideas funny or serious?
Both. One heading in each list is played for laughs: summoning every cat within a mile, a cape that began life as a picnic blanket. The tool mixes it with the other four.