Grisha are people in the Grishaverse books and show Shadow and Bone who possess magical abilities. There are several types of Grisha, each with their own unique powers. However, some types are much rarer than others.
Overview of Grisha Types
The main types of Grisha are:
- Corporalki – The Order of the Body. They possess powers related to the body. This includes Healers, Heartrenders, and Tailors.
- Etherealki – The Order of the Summoners. They can manipulate elements. This includes Squallers (air), Tidemakers (water), Inferni (fire), and Alkemi (science/chemicals).
- Materialki – The Order of Fabrikators. They can manipulate materials. This includes Durasts (metal), Alkemi (glass), and Fabrikators (textiles).
The Rarest Grisha Types
Based on what we know from the books and show, the rarest Grisha types appear to be:
Tidemakers
Tidemakers have power over water and are part of the Etherealki order. They are exceptionally rare, with only a handful known to exist in the Grishaverse. This likely makes them the overall rarest type of Grisha.
Inferni
Inferni are also Etherealki and have power over fire. They are rare, but not quite as rare as Tidemakers. Both groups have very destructive powers, so fewer Grisha manifest these abilities.
Healers
Healers are part of the Corporalki order. They possess powerful healing abilities and can even bring back people from the brink of death in some cases. True Healers are said to be very uncommon.
Fabrikators
Fabrikators can manipulate textiles as part of the Materialki order. While Fabricators in general may not be that rare, it’s mentioned that Fabrikators specifically are hard to come by.
Why These Grisha Types Are So Rare
There are a few potential reasons why Tidemakers, Inferni, Healers, and Fabrikators are so uncommon:
- Their powers are dangerous if not controlled properly, so fewer Grisha manifest these abilities.
- They can manipulate elements (water, fire) that are more destructive and chaotic.
- Their abilities require very specialized skills that are hard to master.
- There may be fewer niche materials for them to manipulate (e.g. large bodies of water).
In contrast, more common Grisha types like Squallers and Heartrenders have powers that are easier to direct and control. The rare types pose greater risks if not properly trained.
Most Common Grisha Types
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the most common and numerous Grisha types appear to be:
- Squallers – Control wind and air. Very versatile power.
- Heartrenders – Dangerous but their powers can be directed against enemies.
- Durasts – Useful ability to manipulate metal. Important for building and weapons.
- Tailors – Can heal moderate injuries, so less rare than Healers.
These types likely outnumber the rare Grisha by a significant margin. They have powers that can be applied in more situations and are easier to control.
Conclusion
In summary, Tidemakers are likely the rarest Grisha overall based on their incredibly specific power over water that few can master safely. Other exceptionally rare Grisha include Inferni, Healers, and Fabrikators. On the flip side, Squallers, Heartrenders, Durasts, and Tailors seem to be the most common and numerous Grisha types in the Grishaverse.