Phasing

Phasing is a term used to describe the ability of some characters to move through solid objects. It differs from intangibility by it's fundamental process; characters who phase move through physical objects whereas characters that are intangible cannot be touched. Although they are different powers, Phasing can be an effect of Intangibility. Other uses of Phasing include passing their atoms through other atoms while moving, temporarily merging with objects, as well as time phasing. Certain limitations like other 'phasers' or energy might stop the action or ability from occurring.

The Marvel Comics character Kitty Pryde possesses the ability to pass through solid matter and objects by passing her atoms through the spaces between the atoms of the object through which she is moving. In this way she and the object through which she is passing could temporarily merge without interacting, and each is unharmed when Kitty has finished passing through the object. This process is called "phasing." When Kitty is phasing, she is, for all intents and purposes, intangible. Hence, when attacked, she can shift into a "phasing" state (even if she is not at the time passing through an object) so as to allow oncoming projectiles or energy blasts to pass through her harmlessly. Kitty passes through objects at the same rate of speed at which she was moving before she "entered" it. Following her serious injuries at the hands of the Marauders during the Mutant Massacre, Kitty's phased state became her natural state. She only remained solid by concentrating, and reverted to her phased state if that concentration was disrupted. After a number of years, she returned to her original tangible state.

Some supernatural creatures, such as ghosts, and even some vampires may also possess a form of phasing. For vampires, this application usuually occurs when they transform their bodies into mist.