'Mary Sue' guidelines & how to make a good Alicorn OC

[Metemponychosis 1,259]

My opinion is that the problem is not with "alicorn" in itself.

 

The problem is that criticisms like "Mary sue" tends to come when power (of any kind) seems to come gratuitously. A character needs to earn this position. But it's necessary to do more than telling. So I wouldn't start any story with an important character that is an alicorn, unless I have a previous story telling how this character came to be an alicorn. There need to be, at least, a good chunk of exploration about how and why this character became an alicorn. Next it's important to explain in the story what being an alicorn means to those around the character and make it consistent.

 

Finally, an alicorn can't exist in the vacuum. He or she certainly have an important position in Equestria (or not... Depends on the author's interpretation of what alicorns do) so this character needs a reason that allows him to go out of his daily routine to do adventuring.

 

It needs a character. Like flaws. I like to think of "alicorn" like a +10 perk. So this character needs to sum -10 to be balanced. Maybe she is claustrophobic, for a reason that needs to be explored and in a way that influences the character's behavior. You can't say that she is claustrophobic and never make her face it. Maybe she's lazy. Give her two pillows as a cutie mark and then she slept during her turn to keep watch...

 

There is also the problem that some people just aren't going to like a character like that by definition.

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

I guess a lot of it depends on how far you're willing to deviate from the mythology of the show. The alicorns as it stands right now are a very small and exclusive club. They also hold a very important and significant place in their world. They're so damn special that the other ponies put Luna and Celestia in charge pretty much by virtue of being alicorns alone.

 

Alicorns are characters that are going to be making serious waves in Equestria with everything they do. It is going to very hard to maintain verisimilitude if an alicorn just shows up out of the blue and without having a large effect on the world around them.

[ThatOneComrade 1,091]

I think a good alicorn OC would be one with a backstory that's not complicated. For example: You were just born an alicorn, you don't know why, and your family has absolutely no relationship with the princesses/Twilight. That way you've already avoided that terrible trap most alicorn OCs go through. Now you just need to treat your OC like you would any normal pony: A good personality, good morals, etc. So long as that pony acts like any other Equestrian, you're good.

[Lightning_Strike 14]

That there is a loaded question. Do whatever makes you happy and believe in the power of friendship?  

Other then that, an alicorn OC is just 10x harder to make believable and is essentially digging your own grave in this fandom haha

If you ever want to make one the only thing i'd suggest is staying away from thee analysis side of the community

[zombienixon 330]

Good Alicorn OC? Do those even exist?   

[Panne 1,342]

I don't feel like you can make a "good" alicorn oc really. It's like hey here's my oc by the way it's a god so screw you silly mud-pon oc.

Edited January 2, 2015 by Panne

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

Alicorn OCs...The butts of a thousand bad/trollfics...

 

Lessee, firstly, they should red and black, preferably super saturated. They need super powerful magic which can beat the princesses and the Queen all at the same time. Always good to have dragon wings, possibly a part Nightmare. Integral to their existence is the fact they ARE better than everyone else, and they're probably related to Celestia in some way too (Or maybe Luna's secret daughter, for a bit of added spice.) Oh, they can also use all of the elements at once, quite often bringing their own, new element into play which is the leading element. They're super friendly, everyone loves them, and they can breathe fire.

 

Hmm, yeah.

 

All bull aside, I think it's exceptionally hard to create a 'good' Alicorn OC (good, in the eyes of the beholder, Vs good in the eyes of the rest of the fandom), namely due to the already-existent hatred for them.

 

A good pony OC, or in fact, any sort of OC, is one that fits in to its world. Alicorns are made to stand out. And they're shown to be super-powerful and clever, and adored by all, so it's in their breed specifics to be generic alicorn prince(ess)#12.4

 

A Unicorn, an Earthen, or a Pegasus. There are deviations, but those are the main three. They each have their pros and cons. When you mush them together, they're suddenly flawless. No. An Alicorn that can show the pros AND the cons of their kind is infinitely better. Though then you err on underpowering the character, which creates the same problems seen a million times.

 

The abbreviation 'OC' stands for Original Character. So they need to be original, fresh, interesting, new, unique.

 

A correct blend of a fitting personality, sensible limitations and a natural feel. That's what I think makes a good Alicorn OC.

ALL of my this. You've put it so eloquently, there's not much more I can add.

 

But what I can add is this: from what I've seen, many Alicorn OCs do not have any royal duties or responsibilities. The cannon Alicorns are inherently more powerful than any other Pony race, they are that way for a reason -- to lead and protect the other races in times of peace, as well as conflict. Because of this, their responsibilities are far greater than any other Pony race.

 

Going back to what you said, many Alicorn OCs are simply all the powers (and then some), but none of the obligations that come with it!

[Misty Rose 3,216]

Don't make your OC an alicorn just so they can have ALL ZE MAGIC! You must have a good character with a personality, with quirks and flaws as well. Don't make a Mary Sue or Gary Stu

 

What you want to aim for is a character with originality, give them unique powers and don't take the easy route and say they were born an alicorn unless you want to make that interesting. Give them a good and interesting backstory. How did they ascend to alicorn status? Do they come from a land beyond Equestria or from a different kingdom? Do they rule or are they just like other ponies? You choose who you want your character to be, and as long as you make it interesting you should have a good alicorn OC

 

What you don't want to do is give them a perfect flawless personality and immediate relation to the royals. Aside from all this you should be in good shape

[Invincible 2,091]

Well, first and foremost, i'd imagine there would be a need for one to begin with. Alicorns as seen have some sort of big role in the scheme of things. Every one seems to fulfill some sort of role prepared for them, so i would assume another Alicorn should have the same status.

 

Alicorns can perform great feats of magic, fly, live for an indefinite period of time (though not sure if that's only restricted to Celestia and Luna), and are generally assimilated into royal positions. 

 

For the reasons iv'e mentioned, i hold it in my opinion that it's vital for an Alicorn to have some sort of established personality traits, and a fitting setting and backstory for their origin and role, or have earned Alicornhood somehow. 

 

 

That's what i feel about alicorn OCs anyway.

[Snow Frostflame 3,568]

there is no such thing as one.... but that's just my opinion....

[mars 4,862]

@Everleaf, I'm moving your thread to Sugarcube Corner. Please keep in mind the General Discussion subforum is for threads that aren't pony related. Thank you!

[Shanks 10,816]

That depends on a lot of factors some of which apply to all OC's in general but a few the one elephant in the room that would apply to an alicorn OC in particular is why they are an alicorn in the first place. It is a rather difficult balancing act because if you just make them like a "normal" pony than what is the point of them being an alicorn? But if you are not careful about what the reason is or the nature of their powers than they can easily become a Mary Sue. Of course an alicorn is going to be relatively powerful but you have to give a lot of thought as to the why and how of their powers and carefully consider that if perhaps whatever background or story this alicorn OC is in might work better if they were say a pegasus or a unicorn.

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

Your OC can be an alicorn, but you've gotta have a good storyline as to why he or she is an alicorn.

I mean, alicorns are pretty rare and don't usually happen naturally.

[Countess Noodle 607]

A good alicorn OC is one that doesn't interact with the mane 6 and the royalty of Equestria in any way,shape or form. In fact don't interact with Equestria at all. A lot less haters and down votes. 

[J.T. 1,843]

Nothing, nothing makes a good alicorn OC.

[Cuddly 43]

1. not being a Mary Sue

2. not being too dark, too bloody, too evil

3. not being too good

4. Exist a reason why, your pony is an alicorn. And this is really reason, not that he/she boring as a alicorn, so she/he is a alicorn, because we know, that alicorn is very special pony.

5. Levelled out pros and cons is very important.

6. History of his/her life is interesting and credible

7. not being a super sad emo

[Guest]

Hey there @@Everleaf, I have merged your thread with an earlier thread which might help your enquiry regarding 'how to make a good alicorn OC'. Please remember to search for existing threads before making new ones, as you might find a pre-established thread for your particular discussion. I hope this proves somewhat helpful.

[High Step 46]

The more I see and read on the Alicorn position is that the only ones that are Alicorns are the ones already in the series, MLP:FiM, which then leaves Pegacorn? (Not sure), Earth Pony... Unicorn... or Pegasi. Pegasi seem like they would be easiest to run, they can fly, that is about it, oh, and whatever thier craft is (Cutie Mark).

 

I would love to run an Alicorn of unknown history, and is on the path of self discovery, she would have no formal training. why she is an Alicorn, Where she came from, where she may eventually be a Princess, perhaps she was tempoarily adopted by non-Alicorns in order to learn from other ponies about friendship and leadership and to aid others and to grow in knowledge.

Her power would have to develop over time and would be based on her ability to write poetry, which will one day result in a great deed to help others in a bad situation.

Her hide would be the color of parchment and her mane and tail white, each with a single black stripe, perhaps to be noticed by Celestia and taken in to be trained. If so taken in, then no, adventures would be out for her, though she could day dream and probably would. She would be a bit shy and reserved, though she would work hard training. She tends to keep her flowing mane and tail bound up to avoid to much notice.

 

Failing this concept, she would be a simple Pegasus, probably a farmers daughter but still a poet, no magic, same colors.

[Princess Oceangem 61]

Yay I followed all of the rules of non Mary Sue OC!!! I actually made these rules in my mind as I made her so ya

[Steve Piranha 29,419]

I actually like this design... 

 

Looks like something that I think would look beautiful in motion,especially if the color's in the mane flow.

 

Then again it might cause someone to have a epileptic seizure... 

True, there's harmony with the colors. But it's a fact that people who make those flashy OCs, regardless if there's harmony with colors or not, tend to be Mary Sues. 

[Changeling Neon 391]

I actually like this design... 

 

Looks like something that I think would look beautiful in motion,especially if the color's in the mane flow.

 

Then again it might cause someone to have a epileptic seizure... 

I like this design as well, though unfortunately it would lead to this Alicron being more powerful than most. (You can have a secret oc similar to this one like I do XD)