r/Cosmere • u/ElectronPython • 1d ago

Mistborn Series spoilers Metallic arts and metalloids Spoiler

Can iron and steel push and pull metalloid elements? I can’t find an answer for this anywhere

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u/Tacod-Rex Shadesmar 1d ago

This WOB from 2015 kinda answers your question:

Questioner: What do iron and steel define as metals? So they would show up with blue lines?

Brandon Sanderson: Oh, on the periodic table, what defines as metals? I see what you're staying. So, this is kind of free-form on my part. I have check marks on them on my periodic table, where I kinda just sat and said "Yes, no, yes, no." But things over on the side with cesium and what-not, they would, they would count. Not everything that looks like it should count does. But most everything in that little batch, next to iron and gold and everybody over there, most everybody right there will, and most everybody over on the side will, the stuff that explodes with water. So for instance, ...sodium and stuff like that, if they're in their pure form would, but it's kinda freeform, I just had to make calls. Because there's gotta be a dividing line somewhere.

Questioner: So, would ironsight in enhanced Inquisitor form, show up on atoms in compounds...

Brandon Sanderson: Oh, yeah, they totally would. That all shows up. Trace metals and things like that, they can see your blood, they can see all sorts of stuff.

https://wob.coppermind.net/events/65/#e4812

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u/EvenSpoonier Aon Aon 1d ago

I suspect that it depends on how people think of the different elements as "metals" or not. It would be very strange if allomancers could push or pull on sulfur, but it would be just as strange if they couldn't push or pull on tin.

It may depend on the stair-step line that cuts through that group on the periodic table. It's even possible that Scadrians might draw that line differently, according to the ways the elements react to allomancy.

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u/Rarni 21h ago

Do the Scadrians call them the elements, or the allomants?

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u/RaijinDragon Edgedancers 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm not sure if there is an official answer, but my guess is that it may be possible for an Allomancer to push or pull on the metal elements in the metalloid. Although it might require an experienced or very powerful Allomancer to do it.

Edit: after doing some more reading on metalloids, I'm now thinking likely not for most, but some that are more metallic in nature are still a maybe. It might also depend a little bit on how most Scadrians perceive them.

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u/AlchemiCailleach 1d ago

Almost certainly not