Iron - Allows an Allomancer to Pull on nearby metal objects. When burning iron, the Allomancer senses several blue lines shooting forth from their vision—connecting to metal objects, outlined in blue. Bright lines point to a nearby source of metal, while faint lines indicate metal that is farther away.
The laws of physics still apply to Ironpulls: If an Allomancer Pulls on a metal object that is heavier than himself, he will move towards it. Ironpulls must be directly aligned with the Allomancer's target, or the Pull will go askew. Furthermore, metal inside the body (piercings, trace metals, etc.) cannot be Pulled upon. Mistings who burn iron are called Lurchers, and are mostly employed to disarm enemy Allomancers. Mistborn often use iron in tandem with its counterpart, steel.
Steel - Allows an Allomancer to Push on nearby metal objects. When burning steel, the Allomancer senses several blue lines shooting forth from their vision—connecting to metal objects, outlined in blue. Bright lines point to a nearby source of metal, while faint lines indicate metal that is farther away.
The laws of physics still apply to Steelpushes: If an Allomancer Pushes on a metal object that is heavier than himself, he will be pushed away. Steelpushes must be directly aligned with the Allomancer's target, or the Push will go askew. Furthermore, metal inside the body (piercings, trace metals, etc.) cannot be Pushed upon. Mistings who burn steel are called Coinshots, as low currency is often their projectile of choice. Mistborn often use steel in tandem with its counterpart, iron.
Tin - Enhances an Allomancer's senses for the duration of burning. When burning tin, all of an Allomancer's five senses are increased at the same time; one cannot selectively enhance sight or hearing. Sensitivity to the senses (including pain) is also increased. For some unknowable reason, Tin also allows for an Allomancer to see through the Mists. Mistings who burn tin are called Tineyes, as they are invaluable scouts, essential for any kind of espionage or defense. Mistborn often use tin in tandem with its counterpart, pewter.
Pewter - Enhances an Allomancer's physical strength, speed, balance, and endurance for the duration of burning. Under pewter, the body can also heal more quickly, and is less sensitive to pain. Of the eight basic Allomantic metals, pewter is depleted the most quickly. It does not enhance one's ability to fight, only the actual capabilities of the body. Mistings who burn pewter are called Thugs, because they often comprise the brute strength of a team. Mistborn use pewter as often as they are able to.
Brass - Allows the Allomancer to Soothe away a target's emotions. Brass is most effective on a single target, but a skilled Allomancer can Soothe a group as well. By Soothing away undesirable emotions, an Allomancer burning brass can persuade others easily—or motivate them, when need be. When directed at all emotions, brass produces a feeling of emptiness. Burning brass does not grant the ability to know what a person is feeling, so the Allomancer must determine what their target is currently feeling. Mistings who burn brass are called Soothers, for their ability to dampen emotions. Mistborn often use brass in tandem with its counterpart, zinc.
Zinc - Allows the Allomancer to enflame, or Riot, a target's emotions. Zinc is most effective on a single target, but a skilled Allomancer can Riot a group as well. By enflaming desirable emotions, an Allomancer burning zinc can persuade others easily—or motivate them, when need be. When directed at all emotions, zinc produces a heightened state of determination/emotion. Burning zinc does not grant the ability to know what a person is feeling, so the Allomancer must determine what their target is currently feeling. Mistings who burn zinc are called Rioters, for their ability to dampen emotions. Mistborn often use zinc in tandem with its counterpart, brass.
Bronze - Allows an Allomancer to sense when others are using Allomancy. Each Allomantic metal produces a distinct "pulse" when burned, and bronze makes these pulses "audible" to its user. To one who is not accustomed to burning bronze, the pulses are difficult to distinguish—but skill and practice allows one to distinguish who is burning what from how far away. Bronze produces its own Allomantic pulse, and can be detected by others burning bronze. Mistings who burn bronze are called Seekers, and are incredibly useful for reconnaissance and stealth. Mistborn use bronze only when the occasion calls for it.
Copper - Creates an invisible "coppercloud" around the Allomancer, masking all Allomancy within. The effects of copper extend well outside the range of the individual Allomancer; one person burning copper can mask an entire group's Allomancy. Mistings who burn copper are called Smokers—and they are essential to any Allomantic group, while useless on their own. Misborn always burn copper, whenever they are able to.
Gold - Apart from the eight basic metals, gold can be used only by Mistborn. It allows an Allomancer to see who they might have become, had certain choices been made. Images of "alternate selves" appear around the Allomancer, living and breathing for a few fleeting moments. The experience is surreal, but lacking in practical value.
Atium - Apart from the eight basic metals, atium can be used only by Mistborn. It is the most valuable of all Allomantic metals—allowing a Mistborn to see into others' futures. When burning atium, the Allomancer sees future image (an "atium shadow") overlapping the actual organisms in front of him. The image acts first, then the actual person follows its movements. Atium enhances an Allomancer's mental faculties, allowing him or her to make split-second decisions according to the atium shadows. If two Allomancers are burning atium, the effect is neutralized by hundreds of atium shadows springing from each, removing any advantage one may have.
Atium is valued higher than any other metal in the Final Empire, and the Lord Ruler has direct control over how much circulates the market. Noble houses have gone to war over atium, and many men have died over it. Nobody knows where it is found in nature. Ironically, atium burns even more quickly than pewter, and cannot be recovered once depleted.