Pretty or Power: Do we choose OC race based on aesthetics or powers?

[Polyblank 64]

Well, what do you think?

 

- This is something a few of my chums and i thought of for a while, and we all had different answers and theories. provide your own view and why you chose your race, it'd be interesting to see what we all think

 

[DeadAccount 4,604]

I chose my OC's race out of passion<3 I have always loved the merponies<3

[kenazraventooth 79]

I look at aesthetics mostly.

[Polyblank 64]

NGGGGG...  I CANNNOT RESIST!

 

SHOO BE DOO, SHOO SHOO BE DOO! 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Neither, I think the best ones are indicative of the person they represent so you should try and choose one based on more esoteric criteria of what that sub-type stands for culturally or intrinsically. Now that is subject to interpretation on what each individual race exactly stands for as a whole and how that effects the individuals within them but at least the interpretation shows that you aren't picking a pegasus simply because you want to fly.

[Polyblank 64]

Kenazraventooh -

 

What area in specific? most of my friends chose pegasi because ponies always looked "empty" on the back, the wings balanced their looks .

-

 

Neither, I think the best ones are indicative of the person they represent so you should try and choose one based on more esoteric criteria of what that sub-type stands for culturally or intrinsically. Now that is subject to interpretation on what each individual race exactly stands for as a whole and how that effects the individuals within them but at least the interpretation shows that you aren't picking a pegasus simply because you want to fly.

That's very true, but when choosing a persona, we often think what we'd want or how we'd like to look. characters are very different, and would work more like that. very wise words !

[10InTheTardis 509]

I just decide based on personality and other character traits.

 

For my oc that's a "Doctor", I made him a unicorn, so he could use magic to help him with "Legal" and "Safe" surgeries.

 

For my oc that's strong, I made him an earth pony.

 

But the reasons I stated aren't the only ones, just because a pony is strong, doesn't mean they HAVE to be an earth pony (Like Bulk Biceps), but if other things also say they should be one, then I'll make them one.

[Polyblank 64]

*Kenazraventooth Sorry! 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

That's very true, but when choosing a persona, we often think what we'd want or how we'd like to look. characters are very different, and would work more like that. very wise words !

 

Well no, I'm not saying idealization should NOT be a factor. For instance my typical Star Wars self insert characters are always Jedi, but that isn't just because I want a lightsaber. It's because the Jedi live by a religion of peace, self-discipline, and defense of the innocent. As both a man of faith and a martial artist, I connect with these.

 

My point is, when choosing an OC especially one that's meant to be you as represented in the world, it shouldn't just be pure wish fulfillment. It should also reflect a deeper aspect of yourself and the individual character's flaws should match your own.

[Polyblank 64]

Hi guest

 

- also, as a note to everyone else, this topic is on Personas, not characters

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Hi guest

 

- also, as a note to everyone else, this topic is on Personas, not characters

 

Well that's a bit of a hurdle. Not all OCs are ponysonas, but all ponysonas are OCs after all.

[kenazraventooth 79]

No im sorry i read the question wrong.   

Mostly on what I can mess with the most. :'D im an artist and i like playing with things.

I guess the races also tend on what you grow up with. Reason why i like Unicorns and even Alicorns is because its what i was expose to more with Neopets, movies, and even mythology.

[Shanks 10,816]

It depends on what I am using the OC for, if I am going for powers I tend to favor unicorns and shadow ponies (it was revealed to be King Sombras race in the Fiendship is Magic comic series). For any other reasons though it depends on what I am using the OC for.

[Malinter 3,064]

My OC is built for the terrain he lives in. He's sort of an Everfree Earth Pony so he is considerably bigger and more durable than a regular earth pony with green and brown fur to give hime some sense of natural camoflauge.

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

@@Steel Accord, 

 

Yes! Someone who is like me. It is rare to find people who think of their OCs in such a way and try to make their 'sonas represent them in that world. I've found a lot of people just do it for arbitrary reasons or "because it's cool."

 

---

 

I factor in aesthetics AND abilities though. Both will influence my decision to choose what an OC will be. It depends on what I feel is appropriate for that particular OC.

 

Although for my 'sona, I try to make it match up with me as much as possible. If the aesthetics don't feel like "me," it doesn't matter if that race attractive or not. I will not choose it. It's not something I can describe, only something I know. I know when something seems like me and when it doesn't. Abilities are more obvious - they fit in with my general interests and talents in real life.

 

At first, I chose a unicorn for my ponysona. But after years of redesigning, I realized that ponies just... don't feel like me. Their aesthetic doesn't resonate with me. Whilst a unicorn fits me in the sense that they are more magical and mystical, the fact is that they are still ponies. They have hooves, and don't experience the visceral sensations of hand touching that are so important to my existence as an artist. I experience the world through my hands and thinking of drawing using some immaterial floating magic or my mouth just... doesn't feel right at all. Although honestly, it was also the fact that I couldn't design a pony that looked reminded me of myself whilst still looking good and keeping my features.

 

Thus, I went in another direction recently. I chose a Diamond Dog. Mainly for the physique - the large hands are very visceral and are fitting of my existence. But their fascination with gems also fits me, coupled with their digging abilities to stay out of sight in the dark. I'm mostly up at night, and am holed up in my room all the time. Like a burrow. Also, I just feel that caninelike creatures fit me better than an ambiguous equine. Same with being a biped, really.

[cwhip9 1,078]

I'm still on going with mine but the main thing I focus on is being realistic if I was said pony for example. cresent (my on working oc) is an batpony for the sake of  something new to try out in the universe and to break the mold of classic style (insert hipster glass's) pulse do to just life I feel nocturnal do to life
so I guess you could call me a part of ponysa side of the fandom of OCs if that answers the question  

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@,

 

Yeah actually I went through a similar transition recently. That zebra you see in the corner was not always so. My ponysona used to be a pegasus pony. I don't have the apprehension against the equine morphology that you do evidently and my choice of change was not because I don't identify with ponies or Equestria. (Not that I assume you don't either.) The change was actually something I agonized over as "Steel Accord the character" was really my first ever 'sona created as this is the first fandom I've really found a place in. So abandoning that identity, even if I can theoretically switch back at any time, felt like a more drastic change than it might seem. Similar to you though, I felt like another face better suited my soul.

 

The Zebra are hard to get a fix on as we haven't seen basically anything of their culture apart from Zecora, exactly one member of said culture, but one works with what one has. For instance Zecora has been seen in a meditative stance, once even balancing on her head, atop a staff! She also appears to have magic but it's a "quieter" magic, akin almost to what earth ponies do but retaining an element of spirituality rather than salt of the earth pragmatism. It would be a stretch to call Zecora a Buddhist, but she does appear to have a similar worldview of eliminating suffering and self-discipline.

 

Zecora also is a teller of tales. The cynical would say that it's naked exposition, but I disavow such cynicism like it's an exposed secret agent! I think it makes her almost like a Shaman, who's job it was to weave cautionary tales as well as inspiring epics.

 

Where this comes in as part of my ponysona is that Ezekiel (handsome devil in the avatar box) is the "me" I want to be as pushed through the idealized filter of Equestria's reality. As a religious, novice of Kung Fu, studying to become a writer; that roughly translates to "a Shaman of the most overtly spiritual race thus far presented with a penchant for his ancestral martial art."

 

Yeah I'm kind of stretching into fanon a bit to even suggest that the Zebra have martial arts and ones that even closely resemble Kung Fu. (In my defense, we've seen Rainbow Dash teach Applebloom Karate so the concept is clearly not alien to this world.) However it is in service to best representing what I feel is a central aspect of my identity. The martial arts are not just something I like. They color my worldview as a lifestyle, tools of empowerment, vehicles of philosophy, and weapons against evil.

 

It was actually a far greater stretch of the canon to try and make the Pegasus heritage as a tribe of Hellenic warriors fit into the more reserved self defense fighting of Kung Fu than it is to say that the Zebra could theoretically give rise to similar. Like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole instead of just going through the square.

Edited August 6, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Durandal 623]

Neither, I think the best ones are indicative of the person they represent so you should try and choose one based on more esoteric criteria of what that sub-type stands for culturally or intrinsically. Now that is subject to interpretation on what each individual race exactly stands for as a whole and how that effects the individuals within them but at least the interpretation shows that you aren't picking a pegasus simply because you want to fly.

 

I would agree with Accord on this one.

 

Typically my characters emerge from general ideas and concepts that cross my mind when considering a specific role play. From there I'll choose traits either to make them multidimensional or to further my idea for the character. For example, Apate Metis is a changeling because I wanted to explore how being (quite literally) two-faced can affect a person psychologically.

 

However, especially when I have various races available to me, I might choose a species based on some idea I associate with them, particularly social or political ideas. In particular, I've been finding the changelings very interesting - the way they feed and shapeshift make them ripe for social and political intrigue.

[JonasDarkmane 19,789]

I think I would go with power. However, also because I think I would fit there mostly. It seems that Unicorns are often seen as the smart ones, since they don't have to work hard physically to get what they want, kinda reflecting other jobs other than labor ones. Pegasi seemed to be more athletic and about speed while Earth ponies about strength and stamina. 

 

I thought I fit best in the Unicorn group out from that thought. 

[skbl17 199]

Most of the time, I try to stay realistic when I create OCs. My OC creation process generally starts by asking myself what my OCs will do. Will they be in a leadership position? Utilities? Running a shop? Teach? After that, it becomes easier to think of a name. Sometimes, I overthink the name and come up with something in Latin, but that's nothing a good nickname can't fix. Backstories and personalities are trivial matters beyond that.
 
Race is difficult to come up with in some situations. There will be some occupations that are better suited to pegasi, some better suited to earth ponies, and some better suited to unicorns. Others are more of a "grey area"; in that case, I just go with personal preferences.
 
Finally, as to why I chose "unicorn" as best pony race (reply from a thread from December of last year):
 

At face value, I'd give the edge to the unicorns for one reason and one reason only: versatility. Unlike earth ponies, who passively manipulate magic through their prowess at agriculture and above-average strength and endurance, and pegasi, who passively manipulate magic through weather manipulation, unicorns can actively manipulate magic. Nothing has been said in the show, in the comic books, or in the chapter books that suggest that unicorns can only learn telekinesis and any spells directly related to his or her special talent, which suggests that if a unicorn who specializes in, say, engineering wants to learn spells that would be better suited for a unicorn who searches for gems (such as a tracking spell,) there's no innate force that would stop the unicorn engineer from doing so.

Edited August 6, 2015 by skbl17

[Odyssey 5,718]

Hello @Polyblank,

 

As this topic relates to the Bronydom and its content, I have moved your topic to Sugarcube Corner.

 

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I tend to go for a bit of both. I don't make pony fancharacters often, but when I do, I tend to go all out on designing them. One of my FCs is a unicorn for example. I chosen that as A. Unicorns tend to be the smarter race and B. She can use a wide range of techniques while doing her main talent, painting. Since it takes tonnes of thought and many tools to draw a masterpiece, it would be most logical to go for unicorn.

 

I always love designing pony FCs, as there are so many choices on how you want for it to be like.

[Polyblank 64]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies, we clearly have some very intelligent bronies.

as a note, the question is not "what looks cool" but more of "what shapes the character the most"

being - what displays more of your character. sorry if that wasn't clear

[The Extemper 59]

I choose my OC's race based on what I imagined my self being IF I was a pony. I also like the concept of magic, the unlimited amount of things that can be done with it, and the power that comes with it. So a bit of booth.