The Ability Amplifier, also known as the Ability-Enhancing Drug[1], is a mysterious substance used to boost ability power levels. The amplifiers are being developed and distributed by EMBER.
Description[]
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The Ability Amplifier is a mysterious liquid chemical compound that is normally stored in vials. It contains traces of DNA which is where the effects of the drug derived from. The drug is administered via injections into one's body.[2][3] Once injected, the drug will enhance the user's ability by a factor of 50%.
The drugs currently have severe after-effects. When they wear off, users suffer from immediate withdrawal. In their efforts to develop the perfect formula, EMBER began distributing their amplifier prototypes to mid-tier criminals who could afford to buy them. This also helped to ensure that their activities wouldn't be closely monitored. Despite EMBER's careful planning, the drugs did manage to fall into the hands of more powerful criminals.[3][1]
Plot[]
Vigilante Arc[]
Waldo of Branish is the first-known user of the drug. After disappearing for an unspecified number of months, Waldo returned to his hometown with his ability amplified, thanks to the drug. With his enhanced Shockwave, Waldo managed to take over Branish and spread his twisted rules across town.[4]
Eventually, Waldo was overthrown when the vigilante X-Rei came to town and took down him and his gang.[5][2]
Vigilante 2[]
Alana of Lewes is the second-known user of the drug. At some unknown point, Alana purchased the drug from Volcan, enhancing her Fortify ability. After being defeated by X-Rei in Lewes, Alana attempted to get a vial of the mysterious drug from Volcan without paying her; Alana paid with her life instead.[3]
Vigilante 3[]
Lennon and Raddix of Grasshill are the third and fourth known users of the drug. As an elite-tier, Lennon is the first known criminal not to meet the prerequisite of EMBER's mid-tier buyers only policy.
Lennon used his newfound power to terrorize the citizens of Grasshill night after night, who formed a resistance in order to oppose him. Raddix served as a sniper, assisting Lennon whenever things got hairy. One night, Lennon was on the verge of crushing the resistance once and for all when "Nobody" intervened on their behalf. Though Lennon and Raddix managed to wear the young vigilante down, Ponytail appeared and helped to turn the tide of battle against them.[6][7] After the criminals were defeated, their vials of the amplifiers were confiscated. Ponytail smashed Lennon's share, while Nobody secretly held onto Raddix's.[1]
Revelations[]
Blyke contemplates whether to use this or not to fight against John. Ultimately he decides not to. After Blyke's amplifier gets siezed by Keene and taken to Vaughn, the headmaster asks Darren to investigate this drug.
Trivia[]
- In all cases so far, ability amplifiers have boosted the user's level by approximately 50%. For instance, Waldo (2.8 to 4.2), Alana (2.7 to 4.1), Lennon (3.5 to 5.3) and Raddix (2.8 to 4.2)
- It is unknown how long the amplifier lasts for exactly or what its after-effects are. The only known certainty is that the user goes through immediate withdrawal once it wears off.
- The DNA sequence of the drug almost matches John's DNA.
- It is unknown if Lennon, the only user of the amplifiers who boosted his level to high-tier gained a passive as a result of the drug.