Ittoni

Not really because I didn't liked him when he first appeared in the show. Since I didn't liked him because I was one of those that thought he didn't had any kind of character and was generic as heck, lazy as fuzz, only had like a line or two and his design was over the top and incredibly silly (like... what is this Sauron mtf, he's so out of place in mlp universe), when I saw the changes when he returned I was pleasantly surprised and now in my all time favorite. I didn't had any attachments and no expectations for him. I don't read the comics either because I'm not interested in fanfiction, which is kinda what the comics are, they are just official fanfiction but non canon nontheless. I'm aware that there's like a sappy story about him being like a new species and being this tragic misunderstood character and what not, there's a lot of fanfiction from the fans that made in their minds an image of him for years, but I don't subscribe to that. For me it's always been what was stated in the show, he's a unicorn. A very wicked and powerful one that dscovered the power of hate magic and doubt, and I prefer it like that. So when I saw him, and listen to him finally actually say something, with that semi lisp, that confidence on himself, his narcissism, his kinda gay-like movements expressions and tone... I fell in love. Because he was finally a character. He wasn't this vague natural disaster or the mindless generic whatever bad guy which you can't really feel anything for him because his character is just being evil so we have to destroy him. He was a person now. He is now the Trixie of villains and it couldn't be any better. Even if everything could point out to him being non redeemable because of his idiology and actions (although I agree on that he could have been redeemed but the main six didn't gave him a chance and for some reason he is the only villain they have killed twice) (oh sorry!... "vanished to the ether"). I love his lisp, I love his narcissism, the way he cannot stop talking once he starts, his implied gayness, his maniacal evil laughter, the way he enjoys being evil (is like a Palpatine from star wars, he's so fun to look at because he's having so much fun being a bad guy ), and his utter fear and desperation once his world collapses and realizes he's going to face the jaws of rainbow death once again. I'm in love.

because earth ponies would be worthless otherwise. (The more i "think" about it the more i feel like earth ponies look like and are treated like immigrants in their own country).

fluttershy, because i identify with her everyday struggle to be even close to functional. And if we are talking about my favorite character it would be Pharynx. Seriously. Even if he appeared in one single episode only I fell in love with him. He's one of the most if not the most grounded and aware characters in all of equestria and he doesn't hesitate to say it like it is, and the great part is that he's completely right and reasonable about it (even if his methods to achieve it are a bit extreme at first, I want to believe that he's learning to be better). He's blunt, bitter, has great humor, snappy (I bet that if mlp allowed for swears he would be very rude), intelligent, he's a general so he has to be very tactical and a leader, has to learn to move on from a dark past and still make use of his military background and even though he's reformed now I bet he hasn't changed much in terms of personality (at least I wish because I love it), and he's handsome too <3 I just wished the could have given him another episode or more spoken dialogue in later episodes. I wanted to see and hear him again. I wanted more of him and a payoff of what the changelings can do under his military command

But it's exactly like saying "earth ponies can do whatever they want and achieve anything because they have all the possibilities" just like everyone else as ponies (species) regarthless of their race, but that doesn't make things better and accepts that they are not as good as a race as the others because you are trying to find an alternative to their worth as a race. It's actually worse.

Oh yeah! that's for sure! But that's exactly the reason of why i felt compelled to find a half baked alternative, because the show didn't really cared to expand on it or give earth ponies much love and it feels like it goes against what the show tries to sell as concept but fails to deliver giving unicorns way more advantages over the other two, even more with earth ponies. It feels more like condescending like Spooky says, leaving us to find our own explanations and hopeful desires, or headcanons if you will to actually find a balance. because saying "everyone can achieve anything even if you are an earth pony" is accepting they are magically crippled and actually not equal to the other two. is not canon though. as for the canon, earth ponies are farmers, somehow... because reasons.

i think that is cool too! that everyone can be anything, but one cool aspect of the races is that they are different and awesome in their own right by being different, and since we have a LOT of examples with powerful unicorns, a bit less but enough with pegasus, and barely any with earth ponies (as a race i mean, not individual talents) if there were examples at all that and as clear with their special abilities, one can just speculate what makes an earth pony cool too when it comes to magic and special abilities that come with the race and how to exploit them in a balanced manner with the other races (being my changeling's prefered form an earth pony too), which is kinda what they sold us from the start, that all of them have the same potential and balance themselves out because they are all different and can do certain magic that comes with their race aside from what all of them can do as individuals. Otherwise we couldn't have a fluttlershy for example, that can work with animals and understand them (a very earth pony thing actually since it's nature and communication with the land, or more direct example would be winter wrap up, the earth pony way) but also she can have her unique pegasus magic natural of her race. the problem is that we don't see this clearly with even one earth pony aside from applejack and her family, all other earth ponies are not really shown doing something related to their magic as a race, as something they ALL can do. Even crystal ponies were not that muddy with the explaining of their magic and we better got a clear example of what all of them can do as part of their race.

exceptions to the rule are always a thing and i'm actually glad we have them too, but broadly speaking they still have something that their race gives them, like chancellor Neighsay being able to control the amulet at all and cast magic through his horn, or scootaloo standing on clouds which is still pegasus magic. Again with my example of Quibble, he might not have strength at all and could be considered an exception but he could still have higher sense just like other earth ponies (if this is actually a thing that is).

Also to complement that, Maud has seen "teleporting" without the use of magic. And Starlight's dad, while not an earth pony (but one can make an exception with one unicorn) also has used this kind of "teleport", which from now on i will refer to as appearify, without any use of magic and in front of Starlight with her seeing him directly and suddenly him appearifying behind her, which confirms the existence of this kind of abilities without magic. (i would like to think he kinda learned how to do it from and earth pony but that's my headcanon).

you are being too kind to the others but not objective. Maybe in concept it's balanced if you reaaaally think about it and make the effort but in the show and for what we can see as facts is not like that and the preferences are evident. Is just like the fact that changelings are the master species.

Yeah but when even Snails can fly, the entire population of ponyville can shoot lasers, rarity can do a protection spell and shoot lasers as well, you start to wonder since we don't see anything similar from the other races. The Pegasus don't create a blizzard with their wings nor the other earth ponies gain super strength, which means that that kind of magic is natural for unicorns and they know it, they just don't want to use it. What are the others gonna do? Fly? Grow plants around the enemy? Earth ponies haven't even been shown to do that. Good ol' twilight can grow crops with her magic. So... Unicorns Master race.

I will because I would like to know but we are talking right now about op races. In order it would be then alicorns, unicorns, pegasy, and at the very bottom earth ponies in that order. There's no balance.

Then what's special about earth ponies? And why people should choose one?

You haven't payed attention to pinkie and Applejack do you? They can use their manes and tails as extra limbs. And Fluttershy didn't have any issues tying knots. Also I think there's more important things and things that come to mind first when choosing an OC than fingers. If that were the case why choose a pony at all.

What I mean is that so far, twilight sparkle, sunset shimmer, and twilight's other student are all unicorns and have celestial names. Starswirl is not alicorn but is a unicorn compared in power and ability to defend equestria and is the leader of his own group of elements. Sombra is a unicorn, which may not be an alicorn but seeks a position equivalent to one. Same with Stigian when possesed by the pony of shadows, unicorn. Starlight glimmer, overpowered unicorn. Aside from Cozy Glow, when have you seen anything other than a unicorn from the three races being that threatening. And what? As humans? I would guess it would be terrible if you loose your anything but earth ponies are not loosing a limb, the other ones are gaining something extra you being human or pony the ability to fly and cast spells is fantastical which I would say appeals to everyone because is out of the normal while being earth pony is not being anything special. who would think that you will loose a limb while choosing an earth pony OC? your point is invalid.

Well that comes down to personal preference and that's just fine.

I posted on the Unicorns are OP tread here and wanted to expand the analysis of magical abilities from the unicorns, pegasus and earth ponies since it's something i feel was not very explored on the earth pony side of the conversation. this is the complete post i wanted to share but i thought was more interesting as it's own thing so others can bring their own ideas and discuss. Also take in mind that i haven't been in the fandom for so long so if this is a theme that everyone already knows i apologize. As for now there's far more unicorns shown to be considered for the position of alicorn that any other race (which also must have a celestial related cutiemark). So i sense a bit of a preference and at the same time less opportunities for other races to be able to attain that status being earth ponies the less likely and the most forgotten even by the staff and the writers. Unicorns are more likely to be in power positions and have a lot of riches. There's a reason for why unicorns are a lot more popular with the fandom. I can assure you that almost 4 out of 10 chooses unicorn OC, 3 will choose pegasus, 2 alicorn, and 1 earth pony. And that's because unicorns have been shown in a better light in the world of equestria than any other race aside from twilight (and alicorn is not higher because of the whole marrysue issue but it would be number one otherwise). If the only thing you need to do is learn how to use magic ( which is also not as hard as it seems shown how starlight teaches Trixie how to transmogrify and teleport) then the only thing that is stopping unicorns to be the overlords is self control and not reading books. It's true that some earth ponies have shown incredible strength but most of them have normal strength or even none at all (quibble pants), and the show hasn't even bothered to explain what is earth pony's ability commune with earth or how are they balanced out with the other races other than "if the others are not going to give us sun we will go on a strike and see how long they can survive without us working on the farm for their food", so umm... they have the power of mutiny? and there's far less prominent earth ponies too, either in power positions or doing cool jobs. They are more like the masses, the background, the "why be the lame pony that can't fly and can't do magic". it's kind of funny because of the rl parallels but i would like to leave social/economic/politics out, let's get back to ponies. So yeah, I would say that unicorns are definitely OP in every sense. But how would i fix earth ponies then? Do they actually have magic or not? is it true that they are stronger and that's their magical fair share? I would say that they have a power that others dont have aside form being really good farmers and capable of being stronger (apparently, because we have seen that all unicorns use magic and all pegasusses can fly and control weather but not all earth ponies are strong or attuned to nature which is also damaging the reputation of earth ponies but whatever) and is probably something nor they nor any other has realized yet in the show....... and that's the power... of the fourth wall. No joking. I've seen some people point it out but earth ponies seem to have a much better and more developed sixth sense and psychic powers (pinkie and maud being the twilight equivalent of the earth ponies). Applejack's ability to call shi*nnanigans are better sharpen than your katana but her problem is that no one listens to her. Pinkie and Maud, well they need no explanation but pinkie has the pinkie sense and maud has tracking sense to track the pony that bought pinkie's cannon, in fact all party ponies we have seen so far have some kind of fourth wall powers and or impossible transdimensional witchcraftery. Quibble's ability to predict the other's moves (even after the pony quidich fiasco which i attribute to him being nervous, you could argue that it was the almanaque what make him predict pinkie's moves but one thing is have a statistic and probability and the other is pretty much predict the future right there). Mudbriar can somehow create a mental plane digital library of memories (which apparently pinkie can actually see) for him to propose that Maud doesn't like parties and actually be right. Dr. Hooves, while still being background pony, he does dwell into things like science, quantum mechanics and metaphysics giving him an extraordinary connection to understanding the universe and how it works for him to exploit that, same with Zecora but from a different approach and to a lesser degree Applebloom being her apprentice with potions and understanding how to utilize that. Most earth ponies we have seen are more either farmers constructors, or musicians artists and entertainers, the first ones staying true to the strong attuned to nature earth pony, the last ones being a bit more interesting since it suggests that they their instincts are more developed to find and create harmonies or read other's feelings (be more sensitive to how others react) better to know what they need (also... I was under the impression that it was Vinil Scratch's music that created that magic sound wave in A Horse Shoe In, but what it was Octavia's "magic"), kinda like what Treehugger does. The post pony somehow managed to get into Discord's dimension and get out. Doble Diamond is the first one to notice something off with the main six in Ourtown for him to suspect them. Of course i could be reading a lot more that what the show intents to communicate about earth ponies, but if i would like to suggest a power that they could have without straying much form the canon and that could balance them out with the other races is that. being capable of becoming very strong with less effort than the other races and with a lot more payoff (just look at Rockhoof, I would suggest that it was earth pony magic what granted him instant strength in a dire situation), a higher connection to a sixth sense (to either call shenanigans, "predict" the future, or have a special connection to sense harmony and disharmony), and metaphysical/weird inexplicable dimensional powers (like pinkie and cheese, and probably mudbrair and post pony). That way unicorns can have their op magic, pegasus can fly and control weather having earth ponies have more extrasensorial magic and strength that would fit right in with their attune to nature shtick. It also fits well with the passive magic they might have with some flare magic like the super strength which we have seen, and those weird spacial jumps which some ponies can totally master like pinkie. On those like i also have the theory, each race of ponies are connected to certain elements of harmony specifically. Earth ponies to laughter and kindness, pegasus to loyalty and honesty, and unicorns to magic and generosity. So to master their racial powers they have to be more connected to their corresponding element. like all party ponies.

Maybe but as for now there's far more unicorns shown to be considered for the position that any other race (which also must have a celestial related cutiemark). So i sense a bit of a preference and at the same time less opportunities for other races to be able to attain that status being earth ponies the less likely and the most forgotten even by the staff and the writers. Unicorns are more likely to be in power positions and have a lot of riches. There's a reason for why unicorns are a lot more popular with the fandom. I can assure you that almost 4 out of 10 chooses unicorn OC, 3 will choose pegasus, 2 alicorn, and 1 earth pony. And that's because unicorns have been shown in a better light in the world of equestria than any other race aside from twilight (and alicorn is not higher because of the whole marrysue issue but it would be number one otherwise). If the only thing you need to do is learn how to use magic ( which is also not as hard as it seems shown how starlight teaches Trixie how to transmogrify and teleport) then the only thing that is stopping unicorns to be the overlords is self control and not reading books. It's true that some earth ponies have shown incredible strength but most of them have normal strength or even none at all (quibble pants), and the show hasn't even bothered to explain what is earth pony's ability commune with earth or how are they balanced out with the other races other than "if the others are not going to give us sun we will go on a strike and see how long they can survive without us working on the farm for their food", so umm... they have the power of mutiny? and there's far less prominent earth ponies too, either in power positions or doing cool jobs. They are more like the masses, the background, the "why be the lame pony that can't fly and can't do magic". it's kind of funny because of the rl parallels but i would like to leave social/economic/politics out, let's get back to ponies.

I do! I have several favorites and i find it very delightful whenever i see them in the background going on about their lives or reacting to certain world events I don't remember names or don't know their names but for example Twisty, the balloon pony, is so cute! he's in love with Rarity and i just want to hug him! or Note Worthy was one of the first ones i put my eyes on to see where else could i spot him, along with Comet Tail (is mostly stallions as you can see :v ), also the one with the green pixeled gems as cutiemark (i just looked up his name, is Rare Find <3), he even has a voiced part in the series! I love my background ponies just look at them!