Intuitive Aptitude

Samson Gray (Heroes)
Samson Gray's innate ability is intuitive aptitude, the ability to intuitively understand how something works. Like Sylar, he used this ability to collect abilities from other evolved humans, but claims to have forgotten most of them. He has so far displayed telekinesis and sedation.

Sylar (Heroes)
Sylar's innate ability is the power to determine exactly how things work. Sylar used this innate ability to discover how to take the abilities of other evolved humans. He determined that Chandra Suresh was correct that the abilities are based in the brain, and several of Sylar's victims have had their skulls opened and brains removed. By studying his victims' brains, he is able to determine how their powers work and replicate those abilities himself.

Arthur revealed to Sylar that he can obtain the abilities of other people without killing him through empathy. Arthur left Sylar in a room with Elle, with whom he had a long talk, after which Sylar manifested her ability. It is unknown whether this manifestation was related to empathic mimicry or just a different method of using intuitive aptitude to understand an ability.

With this ability comes a hunger for more knowledge and power. Sylar believes that it is this hunger that drives him to murder others and steal their powers. Twice he has been able to suppress his hunger. In one future he battled to keep his hunger in check for the sake of his son, while in another he had acquired enough abilities to the point where he was comfortable eradicating every other evolved human on the planet

According to his assignment tracker file, Sylar's control index is 76%. His data analysis shows his biological level at 40, cerebral at 85, elemental at 45, and temporal/spatial at 20.

During their conversation, Sylar and Noah confirmed that Sylar has multiple abilities; however, apart from telekinesis, the Company was unable to identify what these powers were. Based on Mohinder's statement to the authorities that at least six people from his father's list have been murdered by Sylar, it's likely that Sylar had acquired at least ten abilities before he was infected with the Shanti virus in Kindred; the six Mohinder mentioned, plus four he acquired after Mohinder made his statement.

While he was infected, he attempted to take an ability from Candice Willmer, but he was unable to use it. In an interview, the writers confirmed that Sylar was unable to acquire this ability while infected.

After he cured himself of the virus he was once again able to use his innate ability in addition to telekinesis, which he retained due to his guilt over killing Brian. He was not, however, able to use the other abilities he acquired before his infection.

He has acquired several new abilities since curing himself of the virus and continues to acquire more, although he now seems to pursue them less obsessively.

He inherited intuitive aptitude from his father, Samson Gray.

Acquired Abilities
With Sylar's ability enabling him to take the abilities of others, he has acquired many abilities.

Before he was infected with the Shanti virus, he had acquired the following abilities: Sylar originally stole enhanced memory from Charlie Andrews. However, in Once Upon a Time in Texas, Hiro Nakamura went back in time and prevented the event from happening. Thus, in the current timeline, Sylar never acquired the ability.
 * Telekinesis from Brian Davis
 * Shattering from Trevor Zeitlan
 * Cryokinesis from James Walker
 * Liquification from Zane Taylor
 * Enhanced Hearing from Dale Smither
 * Precognition from Isaac Mendez
 * Radiokinesis from Ted Sprague

When he was infected, his intuitive aptitude and telekinesis were suppressed, and his other abilities were permanently lost.

He has since recovered from the virus, and subsequently demonstrated his original ability and telekinesis. Since that time, he has acquired the following additional powers: Sylar killed Echo DeMille, severed Danny Pine's metallic arm, and knocked out Eric Doyle, but it is unknown whether or not he took their abilities; Doyle is still alive, Echo's body showed no signs of brain removal, and Danny's body was missing. Echo's ability is the same as Jesse Murphy's, which Sylar had taken previously.
 * Regeneration from Claire Bennet
 * Transmutation from Bob Bishop
 * Clairsentience from Bridget Bailey
 * Sonic Scream from Jesse Murphy
 * Electrokinesis from Elle Bishop
 * Lie Detection from Sue Landers
 * Thoughtography from Joe Macon
 * Metamorph from James Martin
 * Disintegration from Tom Miller
 * Flight from Nathan Petrelli
 * Empathy from Lydia

Telekinesis is Sylar's most commonly observed acquired ability. Before his infection, he frequently used freezing as a secondary offensive ability and the passive enhanced hearing as well. Since recovering from the virus and acquiring new abilities, he often uses the passive abilities of lie detection and regeneration, and he also seems to favor electric manipulation, shapeshifting, and clairsentience. He has demonstrated the ability to use at least two of his acquired abilities at the same time.

Possibly because of his intuitive aptitude, Sylar's control over an acquired ability is often superior to that of the person from whom he obtained it.

It was originally unclear whether of not Sylar stole Nathan's flight in An Invisible Thread using the empathic part of his ability, as he had previously levitated using telekinesis alone. However, Shadowboxing confirms that he did in fact obtain flight from Nathan.

While Sylar's mind was trapped within Matt Parkman's brain, Sylar was able to manipulate him with his own telepathy. However, Sylar never possessed the ability himself.