Differences Between the Races

[Darkestblo 88]

My Favourite Mane 6 Pony: Twilight Sparkle

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Hey Everyone,

 

I am sort of new to the show and the difference of races of ponies confuses me. If someone could do me a favor and tell me the differences of the races in the show. The only thing I know is that alicorns are ponies that fly and also are royalty. If that isn't correct, then I don't know anything. Thanks for the help!

 

- Darkestblo

[catnet 9,359]

Earth Ponies are ponies without wings or horns, that have a special connection with nature, animals and plants (according to Lauren Faust, at least ^^)

Unicorns are ponies with horns, that can cast spells and the like.

Pegasi have wings and can fly; they can also walk on clouds and are known for their capability when it comes to controlling the weather.

 

Alicorns are like you said Though we should also note that they can use magic too, as they have a horn like a unicorn does

[Castle Bleck 19,390]

In layman's terms:

 

Earth Ponies = strength.

Pegasi = speed.

Unicorns = projectiles.

[luftschloss 833]

Welcome to the forums!

Earth ponies are the ones with a special connection to nature. They have neither wings nor horns, but are often skilled at baking and gardening and the likes.

Pegasi have wings and can walk on clouds. They generally control the weather, Fluttershy basically being the exception.

Unicorns are my personal favourite race with Twilight Sparkle as my favourite pony. They are known for having horns and magic, and they cast spells. They are generally intellectual and a lot like me.

Alicorns are royalty, and they have the talents of all the ponies. However, these talents are significantly increased, especially in the Unicorn area.

[Darkestblo 88]

Welcome to the forums!

Earth ponies are the ones with a special connection to nature. They have neither wings nor horns, but are often skilled at baking and gardening and the likes.

Pegasi have wings and can walk on clouds. They generally control the weather, Fluttershy basically being the exception.

Unicorns are my personal favourite race with Twilight Sparkle as my favourite pony. They are known for having horns and magic, and they cast spells. They are generally intellectual and a lot like me.

Alicorns are royalty, and they have the talents of all the ponies. However, these talents are significantly increased, especially in the Unicorn area.

Twilight is my favorite pony too, and I thought she was an alicorn. Hopefully you have watched to the end of the seasons so you know what I am talking about. If you haven't I may have just spoiled it.

[Koukatsu 5,899]

@@Darkestblo;

Your topic has been moved to a more appropriate forum.

[Dulset Tarn 441]

I hope this doesn't sound rude but... you've watched the show, right?

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,162]

Earth Ponies: These ponies are essentially the ones more closely related to our early conception of horses and ponies. In general (though not universal) terms they're considered the strongest of the races, the ones most apt for farming, and other assorted talents. The founded towns like Ponyville, and make up a large portion of other places like Appleoosa and Dodge Junction.

 

Unicorns: These are the magic-users of the realm with their main physical feature being the horn on the forehead that can emit a magical aura and/or force. They make up a large portion of the population in cities like Canterlot and can sometimes be a little full on themselves.

 

Pegasi: The fliers; and likely the lightest of the three main races noted by the wings they sport. They are very agile and can walk on clouds and even influence the weather. Cloudsdale is an excellent example of a city of their as it practically rests on clouds and floats high above the earth; inaccessible to those outside of the most potent of magic-users.

 

Crystal Ponies: While technically it's own race, it's also not that distinct as there is evidence for crystal unicorns and crystal pegasi. In any case, slight differences can be noted in the eye structure and how the manes are shaped. The main difference lies in their connection to the Crystal Heart, and how their bodies can change into a crystal-ish form thanks to said Heart. They are largely found in the Crystal Empire, though some have ventured outward from there.

 

Alicorns: These are really the only ones that are considered 'royalty' in today's world of Equestria. While we know of four alicorns from the show and comics, only Luna and Celestia are natural-born alicorns. The sport the horn of a unicorn, and the winds of a pegasus; being able to walk on clouds and manipulate magic on levels that even most unicorns can't. Fully crown, they're largely taller than adult ponies of other races, and can live MUCH longer lives; though they are NOT immortal.

 

MISC: Along with the pony races, you have zebras, griffons, dragons, and others.

[luftschloss 833]

Twilight is my favorite pony too, and I thought she was an alicorn. Hopefully you have watched to the end of the seasons so you know what I am talking about. If you haven't I may have just spoiled it.

Oh wow. I keep thinking Twilight is a Unicorn. Sorry for the confusion. XD

[Cwanky 17,644]

In layman's terms:

 

Earth Ponies = strength.

Pegasi = speed.

Unicorns = projectiles.

Or in RP WoW terms:

 

Earth ponies = warriors and tanks

Pegasi = rogues/assassins

Unicorns = mages

[Shanks 10,816]

Lots of good descriptions and no much I can add but one observation I have had is that half the mane 6 are fairly typical of their pony "race" and the half are in some ways atypical of their pony "race" in certain ways Applejack has her ties to farming and the land, and great strength. Pinkie Pie is fairly strong but not as strong as Applejack and dosen't have the connection to farming that Applejack does except for her past growing up on a rock farm. Rainbow Dash loves to fly and is as her name implies quite fast but Fluttershy dosen't like flying very much and is about as far from the somewhat militaristic culture we have seen of pegasi as you can get. Twilight's intelligence and magical ability are common for unicorns as there is a lot of evidence to suggest that they are the most highly educated of the 3 pony races but though Rarity is also fairly well educated she uses most of her magic for more practical purposes and is not nearly as much of a bookworm is Twilight (unless you count romance novels which I can totally see Rarity reading a ton of).

 

 

Oh wow. I keep thinking Twilight is a Unicorn. Sorry for the confusion. XD

Lets just say you won't be confused about that anymore once you see the season 3 finale though that episode may confuse you for other reasons like it did with me and some others. 

[sweetolebob18 728]

It is my understanding that all ponies have some magic but it is expressed differently.

Earth Ponies have their connection to the land, but also get extra strength & endurance.  AJ has her farm, Pinkie's family has a "rock farm" (IDK what the heck THAT means, exactly).  Most (but not all) the really old ponies are Earth Ponies.

 

Pegasi have wings & fly.  This is magic because they are too big to fly by natural means.  There is some confusion over just how big are MLP?  IMO, about the size of Shetland ponies, give or take (I.E., too big to fly without magic).  They also control clouds & are in charge of the weather (If you've seen Friendship is Magic then you saw Dash use a cloud to give Twilight a shower)

 

Unicorns have their horns & use magic.  They can all use telekinesis & most have some other spells they can use instinctively.  For instance, Rarity can use magic to find gems.  A few unicorns, like Twilight, study magic & become wizards.  Most do not.  It is like most people can sing, but only a few become professional musicians.

 

Alicorns have all 3 types of magic.  The show doesn't get into this, but some of the books & comic books mention this.  Celestia and  Luna were elected by the various tribes.  They are (probably) not immortal but do live for thousands of years (or longer).  Cadance (AKA Princess Mi Amore de Cadenza) was born a Pegasus but became an alicorn after using her love powers to defeat a witch (one of the books),  Twilight's ascension is covered in episode 65 Magical Mystery Cure.  Twilight & Cadance are princesses because Celestia & Luna said so.  They are the only 4 alicorns currently alive.

 

Cutie Marks are the tattoos on the ponies' butts.  Episode 23 The Cutie Mark Chronicles is the best explanation of what they are & why the CMCs want one.

[MysticShine 529]

Earth Ponies have high amounts of physical stamina and strength, as well as a connection with the earth, allowing them to farm the land.

 

Pegasi are able to control the weather and wings to fly.

 

Unicorns have horns and are able to cast spells using magic.

 

Alicorns posses all three traits of the above ponies, as well as wings and horns.

[sweetolebob18 728]

As to "How typical are the Mane 6?". 

 

Dude, a legendary monster showed up, kidnapped Princess Celestia, & declared eternal night.  Their response was to run off unarmed into the scariest woods in EQ, fight their way past multiple horrors & face down an insane Demigoddess with nothing but the vague hope that a half grown foal they met the day before might be able to find a lost artifact that maybe can help if they can figure out how to use it.

 

With this on their resume, they could be the star exhibit in any insane asylum you would care to name.

 

As to "how are the types different?"  Others have covered it pretty thoroughly.  The only thing I would add is that Unicorns seem to have most of the jobs involving fine manipulation because their TK gives them an edge over hooves.  Pegasi usually have jobs involving flying & Earth Ponies have a wide variety of skills (Octavia plays the Cello, for instance).  Earth ponies can "buck" trees.  That is, they kick them hard enough to knock off all the ripe fruit without harming the tree in any way.  Also, Granny Smith has various rituals to help make Zap Apple jam (Family Appreciation Day)

Edited February 23, 2015 by sweetolebob18

[Dulset Tarn 441]

As to "How typical are the Mane 6?". 

 

Dude, a legendary monster showed up, kidnapped Princess Celestia, & declared eternal night.  Their response was to run off unarmed into the scariest woods in EQ, fight their way past multiple horrors & face down an insane Demigoddess with nothing but the vague hope that a half grown foal they met the day before might be able to find a lost artifact that maybe can help if they can figure out how to use it.

I get sorta the opposite idea, from a statistical standpoint. Out of five random ponies that happened to follow Twilight to the library, all five decided to join her into the forest of terrors, including Fluttershy. From that standpoint, I'd expect every single pony in town is just as crazy.

[Arctofire 227]

Other people have already answered this so I'm not going to.