Percentages of Yoki release
Yōki (妖気, Demon Energy) is the energy of a Yoma. When a Claymore is created, then assimilates the Yoki of the particular Yoma used to create them, which is a variable in determining the level of strength they use.
Claymores use certain amounts of Yoki to increase their physical attributes (i.e. strength, mobility and healing) or to craft and utilize special techniques, such as Irene's Quicksword. However, the drawback to Yoki usage is that it places great strain on a Claymore's mind and spirit, eventually overpowering the human will and causing the victim to Awaken.
Dae hypothesizes that Yoki power comes from hatred, and that Priscilla's unmatched power comes from her unmatched hatred for Yoma, but whether he's correct or not is unclear. However, he was wrong in one way as Priscilla's hatred did not stem from her feelings towards Yoma, rather it was from self-hatred for what she had to do to survive; killing her father when he was a Yoma.
Although hatred appears to be one source for Yoki power, it should be noted that there are other powerful Warriors with great amounts of Yoki who don't seem to display the same kind of hatred.
Alicia and Beth had Abyssal One levels of Yoki power without displaying a strong sense of personality or emotion, as did Europa who was famously known as "Europa the Lazy".
Moreover, Teresa, who possessed the greatest amount of Yoki power of her entire generation, demonstrated little to no hatred in her tone or actions - at least not anywhere close to Priscilla's level of hate.
It is possible that Yoki power comes more from willpower, and that hatred was simply the source of Priscilla's will.
Release Levels[]
- 10% release: Eyes change from silver to gold.
- 30% release: Facial distortion.
- 50% release: The whole body distorts.
- 80% release: Theoretical limit, reversion to human form difficult, if not impossible.
- 100% release: Full Awakening.
Known Yoki moves[]
All Claymore possess some level of enhanced strength, speed and resilience as well as regenerative powers; however, some can use their powers to create Special Techniques, from which their epithets are based.
The following is a list of known techniques:
- All Awakened Beings' abilities.
- Irene and Clare's "Quicksword".
- Helen's extension of extremities.
- Miria's original and Awakened "Phantom Mirage".
- Deneve's exceptional regeneration.
- Ophelia's "Rippling Sword".
- Jean, Helen and Teresa "Drill Sword".
- Undine's muscle mass and physical strength (via shapeshifting).
- Clare, Teresa, Galatea, Roxanne, and Tabitha's exceptional Yoki Reading, Yoki Synchronization and Yoki Manipulation techniques.
- Cynthia and Yuma's ability to heal using Yoki Synchronization and Yoki Manipulation.
- Rachel's "Strong Sword".
- Raftela's "Sensory Control".
- Audrey's "Gentle Sword".
- Nina's "Shadow Hunter".
- Anastasia's "Winged Technique".
- Hysteria's "Elegance".
- Cassandra's "Dust Eater".
- Rafaela's fighting style
- Yoki-Centered Techniques: Yoki Manipulation, Yoki Suppression, etc.
On a different note, certain techniques do not require Yoki Release and are dependent on the user's innate physical abilities, such as:
- Flora and Clare's "Windcutter".
- Noel and Sophia's fighting styles.
Trivia[]
- "Yoki" can be translated from Japanese to English as "Rain", "Happiness", or "Life Energy".
- The Last part of the word ("Ki") can also be translated as Life Energy regardless of where or not the "Yo" is included. "Yo" however can be translated as "World", "Over", "Society", "Generation", "More than", "Age", or "Over stuff".