Warning: This article contains spoilers for Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.

Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing books are unique to each rider, and all contain varying degrees of rarity and usefulness.

Signets manifest based on a rider's bond with their dragon and are determined by the rider's most innate needs or desires. Where some signets are more common—like fire, water, or ice wielding—others manifest extremely rare abilities, like Violet or Onyx Storm's narrative.

18 Violet Sorrengail

Lighting Wielding & Second Signet Unknown

Due to Violet bonding with two dragons—Tairn and Andarna—she will eventually develop two distinct signet abilities. Her first known signet comes from her bond with Tairn, the second-largest black dragon in Navarre. Through Tairn, Violet can channel the ability to wield lightning—an incredibly rare signet ability that has not been seen for centuries. However, it's confirmed in Iron Flame that Violet's signet isn't necessarily the ability to wield lightning, but raw power. While this has been explored very little thus far, it will likely play a significant role in Onyx Storm.

Violet's situation is completely unique to any other rider, and her bond with Andarna will give her the ability to channel a second signet.

However, this is not Violet's only signet ability. Violet's situation is unique to any other rider, and her bond with Andarna will give her the ability to channel a second signet. However, Violet's second signet has not yet manifested throughout Fourth Wing or Iron Flame—although, Andarna was able to gift her the power of time for a short period in the first novel. Yarros has teased on several occasions that there are clues to Violet's second signet in Iron Flame, but there are too many theories to know for sure.

17 Xaden Riorson

Shadow Wielding & Inntinnsic

Xaden Riorson is another of Yarros' characters with an extremely powerful signet, and, like Violet, he has two signet abilities. His first, shadow wielding, is another rare signet ability that not many people have manifested. Xaden's shadows can be used in a variety of ways, including close combat, concealment, and even as an extension of his person. His shadow-wielding signet was once considered to be classified at Basgiath, so not many people knew of his unique abilities.

Xaden's second signet, as revealed toward the end of Iron Flame, is a type of Inntinnsic—granting him the ability to read people's intentions. An Inntinnsic is the one signet that leadership at Basgiath refuses to let live, and so Xaden's second signet was kept secret throughout much of the early series. While Xaden doesn't have a second dragon, his second ability actually comes from his dragon bond to Sgaeyl, whose previous rider was Xaden's grandfather. Typically, cadets are not allowed to bond with dragons with previous riders in their lineage, as it has caused some riders to lose their minds.

16 Mira Sorrengail

Extending Wards

Mira Sorrengail, Violet's elder sister, has the signet ability to extend wards—a power that has made her invaluable to the Navarrian government. As Mira has already graduated from Basgiath, her ward-extending abilities are a great asset—granting further protection from any magic outside the kingdom of Navarre.

While she can not create wards herself, she can extend pre-existing wards, and add an extra layer of protection over herself and others. However, there is one instance in which Mira is able to create her own ward in Cordyn—a unique event from Iron Flame that Yarros has yet to examine in further detail. However, the fact that she was able to channel so far from the wards makes it possible her signet is evolving.

15 Lilith Sorrengail

Storm Wielding

Violet's mother, Lilith Sorrengail, has the signet ability to wield storms—granting her the power to influence the weather. However, General Sorrengail's signet is not easy to use, as it can take a lot of time and energy to summon entire storms. Violet's mother's signet can be seen on several occasions throughout the series, including Violet's first day in the rider's quadrant as she's crossing the parapet.

14 Brennan Sorrengail

Mending

Brennan Sorrengail, Violet's older brother, has the signet ability of mending. Another rare signet ability, mending can be easily confused with healing—but Brennan's signet is not limited strictly to human forms. While his signet does provide the ability to mend physical wounds and injuries, his powers are much broader.

Brennan's mending signet actually gives him the ability to fix, restore, or return anything to its original state—meaning he could mend anything from ripped cloth to pulverized bridges.

Violet explains in Fourth Wing that Brennan's mending signet actually gives him the ability to fix, restore, or return anything to its original state—meaning he could mend anything from ripped cloth to pulverized bridges. However, Brennan cannot mend anything to do with magic or bring people back from the dead.

13 Rhiannon Matthias

Object Summoning

Rhiannon Matthias, Violet's best friend in Fourth Wing, has the signet ability of object summoning, meaning she can teleport objects to herself. Signet abilities can grow and evolve with practice, and in Iron Flame, Rhiannon can summon objects as large as a person, and even bring objects through walls. It's clear Yarros is not done exploring Rhiannon's signet abilities, and it's possible her powers will continue to evolve in Onyx Storm.

12 Ridoc Gamlyn

Ice Wielding

Ridoc's signet in Fourth Wing, ice wielding, is considered to be a common signet. But that in no way takes away from the power his character is able to generate. Ice wielding gives Ridoc the ability to freeze water or wield ice at will—a useful skill used in battle. Ridoc's signet also helps him to withstand extreme temperatures, as he can cool himself down when channeling his power—as seen at the end of Iron Flame.

11 Sawyer Henrick

Metallurgy

Sawyer's signet is another unique addition to the Empyrean Series, as his metallurgy signet gives him the ability to manipulate metals. This unique signet, while yet to be explored in great detail, can likely accomplish a multitude of tasks; from use in combat, to heating or melting metal, to breaking down doors. Sawyer's signet has been underutilized thus far, but as his character has a promising arc set up for him in Onyx Storm, Yarros likely has plans to expand upon his abilities.

10 Dain Aetos

Retrocognition

Dain has the signet of retrocognition, allowing him the ability to view another individual's memories when he touches their face. This is another incredibly valuable signet, as retrocognition allows Dain the opportunity to sift through a person's experiences discreetly—often without the individual knowing it's happening. It's clear why Basgiath leadership deemed Dain's signet classified, as his ability would help them gain valuable information for the later war effort.

While his signet is extremely powerful, it can also be a hindrance if Dain does not take the time to view the stolen information in context. This is seen at the end of Fourth Wing when one of Violet's memories prompts him to expose Xaden and the others to his father—an action Dain took without knowing all the facts. This is one of the biggest mistakes his character has made, and his future use of his signet could greatly affect Dain's redemption arc in Onyx Storm.

9 Liam Mairi

Farsight

Liam's farsight signet is another rare ability, allowing him to see from incredibly far distances and even through dense fog or harsh conditions. His signet ability acts similarly to a set of binoculars, albeit extremely powerful ones. His signet, while powerful, is really only used in action towards the end of Fourth Wing when the squad arrives in Athebyne.

However, it's after this instance that some believe Liam may have had a second signet as well. During the battle at Resson, Violet describes Liam to be wielding ice while fighting—a signet that is not his own. Yarros has yet to confirm whether this added detail was a mistake or an intentional clue to his second signet.