Ocs without back story's

[Queen_Tia 14]

This is my opinion but I think pony ocs should have a backstory even if it's brief

 

 

Any pony with me

[The Mint Pone 2,294]

i agree. i say this even though i have one oc and havent gotten around to giving it any backstory XD i dont know what to make its life like! one day ill do it. 

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

I prefer the simple versions, nothing complicated.

[[NULL] 907]

I thought a backstory was one of the prerequisites for a three dimensional character. It's the explanation for what made them the way they are.

Edited April 23, 2015 by SpaceOnion

[Tao 8,802]

Im working between 5 of em,  its slow go and rewrite!

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,163]

Well, it depends on the creator and what they have in store for that character. Personally I love backstories and I've built my four character with backstories.

 

However some people may just want to create a character for show; with about the backstory. I prefer a backstory, but it's not a big requirement for me.

 

Also, @Queen_Tia, I have moved your topic to Sugarcube Corner as it doesn't deal with the show itself.

[Snow Frostflame 3,568]

yes.... an OC should always have a backstory..... otherwise they're meaningless......

 

it took my 2 years to completely finish my OC's backstory and its very long.....

[ConcorDisparate 385]

I don't know why they should, background ponies don't. They're still awesome.

If you create something good-looking and don't want to commit to writing a back-story ruining the whole thing, it's okay.

[LordSwinton 759]

I believe a good oc should always have a good back story even if it's brief. Unless it's one of those oc that get their back stories while rping. I'm cool with those.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Queen_Tia,

 

Completely agreed. It doesn't need to be an epic but some indicator that they didn't just pop into existence the moment they need to be there. That's what separates a character from a plot device.

 

I don't know why they should, background ponies don't. They're still awesome.

If you create something good-looking and don't want to commit to writing a back-story ruining the whole thing, it's okay.

 

Not off the bat no, but the fandom quickly fixes that. Is Lyra less interesting now that the fandom has given her numerous interpretations of where she lives, what she does, and what she's interested in?

I prefer the simple versions, nothing complicated.

 

But simple does not mean "incomplete" nor does a backstory mean a character can't be simple or have a simple backstory. Twilight doesn't have a complex backstory, it's done by the first act of the first episode.

 

"She lived in Canterlot, focused on her studies instead of making friends," bam, done!

Edited April 23, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Gearbox10mm 794]

At least a short back story would be a plus but I don't think it is mandatory.

 

Heck, we still don't know much about some of the mane 6's back stories. Namely the two pegasi.  

[ConcorDisparate 385]

Not off the bat no, but the fandom quickly fixes that. Is Lyra less interesting now that the fandom has given her numerous interpretations of where she lives, what she does, and what she's interested in?

 

Never said that wasn't the case. Of course, the point of not having a back-story is precisely because it makes possible to create one. You don't have to rush things only because you want your OC to have one.

Edited April 23, 2015 by ConcorDisparate

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Never said that wasn't the case. Of course, the point of not having a back-story is precisely because it makes possible to create one. You don't have to rush things only because you want your OC to have one.

 

True, less is more sometimes. Still though what makes a character interesting isn't not having a backstory it's not knowing their backstory. There's a big difference.

 

For instance, Boba Fett in the original Star Wars. He looked cool, acted cool, and no one knew what his deal was. He was interesting because people could ask questions about him. The Joker in The Dark Knight is similar, particularly because HE keeps changing his backstory!

 

See though, neither of these characters spontaneously appeared into existence. They have a past, even if we don't see it.

 

When applying this to OCs, the idea is that not having a detailed backstory is okay because it allows for some mystery to the character, having absolutely no past and therefore no thought put into them is not, because then the character really isn't a character.

Edited April 23, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Pat.Rio.T. 305]

Wait what?  But it's such a great opportunity to tell a wonderful story!(well... potentially )

[BastementSparkle 20,334]

My main OC's "Official" backstory is pretty nonexistent, mainly cause I kinda of like it that way. She just doesn't care to talk about it, or maybe she doesn't even know it herself. It adds a layer of mystery there, which I think is pretty fun.

 

 Though a lot of RP's I've used her in have given her some form of one anyway, but I like her being mysterious.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Wait what?  But it's such a great opportunity to tell a wonderful story!(well... potentially )

 

See to my post above your own. No backstory is not the same thing as no past, but that still requires consistency.

[Pat.Rio.T. 305]

See to my post above your own. No backstory is not the same thing as no past, but that still requires consistency.

I understand what you're getting at. One of my own characters is like this.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I understand what you're getting at. One of my own characters is like this.

 

Not really related and I appreciate you reading my post but I just got to say, you're signature is the moment why Captain America is my favorite all time superhero.

[Yoshi89 5,293]

I think the only OC's that should not have a backstory are those that are not fully grown. It's hard to come up with a biography for a baby or a young child whose character as barely developed.

[Queen_Tia 14]

I think the only OC's that should not have a backstory are those that are not fully grown. It's hard to come up with a biography for a baby or a young child whose character as barely developed.

Yeah it's hard to do that for a baby pony

[[NULL] 907]

At least a short back story would be a plus but I don't think it is mandatory.

 

Heck, we still don't know much about some of the mane 6's back stories. Namely the two pegasi.  

One pegasus, you mean. But let's say Fluttershy's backstory hasn't been explained, that wouldn't mean it's non-existent. Only the show staff know what everyone's backstory is.

Edited April 23, 2015 by SpaceOnion

[Steel Accord 6,660]

One pegasus, you mean. But even if Fluttershy's backstory hasn't been explained, that doesn't mean it's non-existent. Only the show staff know what everyone's backstory is.

 

Even then, we know she's originally from Cloudsdale, fell to the surface and discovered her cutie mark, and was mocked mercilessly as a child.

 

That wouldn't even take up a paragraph with the most detailed description unless it was the actual script, but it lends us all we need to know about Fluttershy's past and even alludes to her demeanor as an adult.

[mysticalnight 56]

i think giving them a backstory definitely helps. even if i dont give them one right away, im able to develop it as i go. im good at thinking on the fly.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

i think giving them a backstory definitely helps. even if i dont give them one right away, im able to develop it as i go. im good at thinking on the fly.

 

Certainly, it's unfair to expect a character to be fully fleshed out at their inception. Steel over in that avatar box went through eight or something iterations before appearing as he does now.

[Eloquence 2,076]

It depends on what the OC will be used for, I think. Some OCs are purely aesthetic, created to be drawn or used as an avatar in things like youtube videos. These don't need a backstory, because they serve their purpose perfectly effectively without one. Other OCs find themselves in fanfictions or other fanworks, where as much of their backstory is told to the audience as is necessary, and sometimes that is none at all. Heck, Fluffle Puff doesn't have a backstory, and she's one of the most famous MLP OCs out there. She just doesn't need one in the context of what she's used for.

 

Now, about OCs used in roleplays...

 

These really should have a backstory, if not one that can be read in full by the other roleplayers than at least one that you know about that is always true every time you play your character. Establishing a backstory is an important part of establishing your character, and it is no fun to play with a character that isn't established. Without a fully established character, all you're really doing is choosing to do what will make your character win a game that isn't supposed to have any winners, it's just choosing to make your character behave based on what the best course of action is in any given situation. You should know who your roleplay OC is, and your roleplay partners should to some extent too. They don't have to know everything, but if they don't know enough then your actions won't feel genuine and you may very well find yourself accused of making things up out of convenience. 

 

Not all OCs need a backstory, but if you're in doubt, give them one. It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.