Fourth Wing Signets: Complete Guide to Every Rider’s Signet

This guide breaks down every known Fourth Wing signet, rider by rider. 

Lightning Wielding

Violet Sorrengail’s signet is lightning wielding, one of the rarest and most destructive powers among dragon riders. Unlike other elemental abilities, her lightning doesn’t rely on weather — she can summon it directly through her bond with Tairn.

Her signet is pure power shaped into lightning, the form she’s most comfortable wielding. She can call down strikes from the sky, channel energy through her own body, and unleash devastating attacks against gryphons, enemy riders, and even warded defenses. Despite her fragile appearance, this ability makes Violet one of the most dangerous cadets at Basgiath.

Dream Walking

Violet’s second signet comes from her bond with Andarna and is even rarer — the ability to walk through dreams. Classified as a form of inntinnsic power, dream walking allows Violet to enter someone’s mind while they sleep. Because no mental shields work during sleep, this ability gives her unlimited access to a person’s unguarded thoughts and emotions. So far, she has entered the dreams of Xaden and Maren, showing just how dangerous and intimate this signet can be.

Rebecca Yarros has confirmed that Violet has only tapped into about 10% of her dream walking potential, suggesting that her abilities will expand dramatically in future books.

Why Violet Has Two Signets

Most riders develop only one signet, but Violet’s dual bond with both Tairn and Andarna breaks precedent. This explains why she wields not one, but two signets that together make her one of the most powerful riders in Navarre’s history.

What Is Xaden Riorson’s Signet?

Shadow Wielding

Xaden’s signet is shadow wielding. This rare ability allows him to command and shape shadows with precision. He can wrap himself or others in darkness to cloak their presence, blind and disorient opponents by stealing away their vision, and even give shadows substance, turning them into restraints or weapons against his enemies.

Unlike purely elemental signets, shadow wielding combines concealment and offense in a single power. Xaden’s signet can shield allies, cut off visibility on the battlefield, or immobilize a target with shadows that hold as firmly as chains. 

Inntinnsic (Intention-Reading)

Xaden’s second signet is a form of inntinnsic — a mind-based ability outlawed in Navarre due to its potential for abuse. Unlike some inntinnsics who can read thoughts, Xaden sees a person’s intentions as flashes or images, revealing what they plan to do before they act. 

Why Does Xaden Have Two Signets?

Normally, a rider can only manifest one signet. However, Xaden inherited his second signet because of his bloodline. When a dragon bonds with two riders from the same family line, the second rider sometimes receives a “legacy signet” connected to the previous rider. It’s dangerous, in some cases it can drive the rider to madness. In Xaden’s case his signet manifested as intention-reading, in addition to his original shadow wielding.

Mending

Brennan Sorrengail’s signet is mending, a rare ability that allows him to restore objects and living beings to their original state. This includes repairing broken weapons, restoring collapsed structures, and healing broken bones. Brennan’s signet works by mending the material or tissue at a fundamental level, essentially reversing damage to return it to how it was before the injury or break.

Mending has limitations. It cannot restore lost limbs, and attempting to heal oneself is more difficult than helping others. The process requires concentration and energy, especially for larger or more complex repairs. Brennan can use his signet on both objects and people, making it a versatile ability for a rider. Other known menders, such as Nolon, also share this rare signet, though the exact scope and strength of each rider’s abilities may vary.

Unlike ordinary healing, which may only treat injuries gradually, mending allows him to repair damage quickly and efficiently within the limits of the signet.

Storm Wielding

Lilith Sorrengail’s signet is storm wielding, a rare ability that allows her to control weather elements. She can summon storms, create strong winds, and influence precipitation. These powers give her the ability to affect the battlefield and the environment around her.

Unlike Violet Sorrengail’s signet, which manifests as direct lightning through her bond with Tairn, Lilith Sorrengail’s signet is connected to broader atmospheric forces. Her abilities encompass multiple aspects of a storm, including wind, rain, and clouds, all of which she can manipulate to a degree.

Extending Wards

Mira’s signet is extending wards, an ability that allows her to expand and reinforce the ancient protective wards surrounding Navarre. She can push the boundary of these wards farther, create smaller protective zones around herself or others, and temporarily stabilize sections that are weakening or under strain.

Mira’s signet is tied to the magic of the wards themselves rather than direct offensive or elemental powers. On the battlefield, this allows her to provide defensive support for allies and dragons, protecting them from attacks that might otherwise breach the wards. Mira’s signet requires concentration and precision, as the effectiveness of each ward depends on her connection to the existing magical network.

Retrocognition

Dain’s signet is retrocognition, the ability to read and feel someone’s memories through touch. By placing his hand on a person, he can access past experiences and narrow his search by focusing on specific words. The signet is limited to touch, which means Dain is not considered a general security risk, unlike intrinsic powers.

Due to the classified nature of Dain’s signet, only a few members of leadership are aware of his abilities. Dain confides in Violet Sorrengail when she asks about it, and he is mentored by Vice Commandant Varrish to help him develop his skill.

Object Summoning

Rhiannons’ signet is object summoning, which allows her to summon objects from a short distance directly into her hands. She can bring weapons, tools, or other items to herself instantly.

Rhiannon’s signet does not create new objects; it only brings existing items to her. This type of signet is extremely rare and has not been seen in over a century.

Ice Wielding

Ridoc’s signet is ice wielding, which allows him to generate and control ice. He can shape ice into objects or forms and is capable of freezing water.

He is one of the few ice wielders who can pull water from the air to create ice and form walls of ice. Ridoc’s signet also allows him to freeze water inside objects, as demonstrated when he freezes an orange inside its peel.

Metal Wielding

Sawyer’s signet is metal wielding, which allows him to manipulate and shape metal. He can bend, move, or form metal objects using his signet.

Sawyer’s signet is limited to metal, and he cannot create metal from nothing. Sawyer can use his signet on existing metal items, shaping them as needed for tools, weapons, or other practical purposes.

Farsight

Liam’s signet is farsight, granting him the ability to see vast distances with perfect clarity. This signet allows him to observe distant locations and events directly, providing information that would otherwise be inaccessible without physical travel.

The Theory of a Second Signet

Some readers believe Liam may have manifested a second signet. In the battle at Resson, Violet notes that he appeared to wield ice, a power not tied to his known ability of farsight. Rebecca Yarros has not yet clarified whether this was a deliberate hint at hidden potential or simply a descriptive slip.

Memory Erasure

Imogen’s signet is memory erasure, which allows her to erase or alter the recent memories of others. The exact limit of how far back she can reach is not specified in the canon, but Imogen’s signet can remove entire moments or obscure key details from someone’s mind.

Memory erasure can be used to prevent individuals from recalling specific events or experiences. The mechanics of Imogen’s signet focus on modifying or removing memories rather than affecting thoughts or emotions directly.

A Second Signet?

Some fans believe Imogen might quietly possess a second signet. In Fourth Wing, during their match in the arena, she magically transforms a shield into stone. The subtle moment led many readers to hypothesize that Imogen may have an undeclared “earth-wielding” or “rock-wielding” gift — one that hasn’t been officially acknowledged.

Air Wielding

Garrick’s signet is air wielding, which allows him to manipulate wind currents. He can control the movement and flow of air around him, shaping it for various effects. This is his official signet, as recorded in the Navarrian records.

Distance Wielding

Garrick’s second signet is distance wielding, a very rare ability that allows him to travel vast distances in a very short time. This signet is considered secret, and only a few individuals are aware that he possesses it.

Countering Signet

Bodhi’s signet is countering, which allows him to neutralize or manipulate the powers of other riders. Using his signet, he can affect the abilities of other signets in direct interaction.

The canon does not fully detail the limitations or mechanics of Bodhi’s signet, but it is recognized as a signet that interacts specifically with the powers of others rather than being offensive or elemental in nature.

Precognition

Unlike General Melgren, whose foresight is limited to predicting outcomes of battles, Aaric’s signet grants him true glimpses into the future itself. His signet allows him to perceive events before they occur, although the canon does not fully detail the extent or limitations of these visions. Aaric’s signet is considered extremely rare among riders. 

Siphoning

Sloane´s signet is siphoning, which allows her to absorb magic from other sources, including dragons and other riders. She can then repurpose or redistribute the absorbed magic.

In addition to siphoning, Sloane´s signet allows her to imbue objects with borrowed magic, channeling the absorbed energy into tools or items.

Astral Projection

Quinn’s signet is astral projection, which allows her to separate her consciousness from her physical body. In this form, she can project an image of herself to a different location while her body remains in one place.

She can also project images of other people or distort her own features, although she notes that these abilities are easier to perform while in the astral plane. Her signet allows her to observe and interact at a distance, with her physical body remaining stationary.

Pain Projection (Venin Ability)

Jack can exert a painful force into someone’s body, capable of causing extreme internal agony. Rebecca Yarros confirmed this power is not a signet, but a result of his venin status — his manipulation of earth magic rather than dragon-powered bonding.

Ward Weaving

Nadine’s Signet grants her the power to unravel wards, breaking through the protective barriers that shield entire regions or fortifications. Unlike riders who can extend or strengthen wards, Nadine’s gift allows her to dismantle them from within, making her both a potential weapon and a security risk.

Water Wielding

Caroline Ashton’s signet allows her to manipulate water in its natural state — shaping streams, waves, or even using it as a weapon in battle. While not as destructive as fire or lightning, water wielding is versatile, useful both in combat and survival situations.

Illusion Casting

Professor Kaori’s signet enables them to project three-dimensional mental images, creating illusions vivid enough to fool the senses of others. These illusions can alter what people see, making Kaori’s power effective both in training cadets and in battlefield deception.

Battle Foresight

General Melgren’s signet allows him to see the outcome of future battles before they happen. While it doesn’t reveal every detail, it provides Melgren with a tactical edge, making him one of the most dangerous strategists in Navarre. However, his foresight is not absolute — it can be disrupted when rebellion relics are present in large enough numbers.

Fire Wielding

Aura Beinhaven’s signet allows her to summon and control fire, unleashing it as a devastating weapon in combat. Fire wielders can generate flames on command, directing them with precision to burn through enemies, fortifications, or even other magical defenses.

Siphoning

Naolin’s signet allowed him to absorb magical energy from multiple sources — including dragons, riders, and other channels of power — and then either use that energy himself or redistribute it to others. This signet also granted him the gift of imbuing, letting him infuse objects or people with power.

Mending

Nolon’s signet allows him to repair and restore what is broken — from shattered bones and torn flesh to damaged objects or structures. The process is agonizing for the recipient, often described as pain rivaling the original injury itself. There are limits, however: missing limbs cannot be regrown, and healing oneself is far more difficult than healing others.

Weakness Detection

Burton Varrish’s signet allows him to instantly identify a person’s greatest vulnerability—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—and exploit it. Unlike purely physical signets, this power digs into the very core of a person, making it nearly impossible to defend against once targeted.