Theory on why Celestia isn't really all that powerful

[SteveMorison 407]

In the show Celestia never really seems to that much in terms of showing off her powers, more often than not relying on the elements of harmony and whoever can wield them. Bronies seem to have noticed this and think of her as lazy, useless etc. but I have a theory as to why this is. Remember in Boast Busters when Spike mentions that unicorns usually only have limited magic which helps them with their special talent, well Celestia's special talent seems to be the ability to raise the sun so it's possible that most of her power is channeled into that. You'll probably point out she's an alicorn not a unicorn which is true and there is no doubt she is more powerful than the average unicorn, but perhaps she is not actually as powerful as she has her subjects believe, was discussing this issue with someone at GBBC who brought up the idea that she would perhaps exaggerate her powers a little to gain more respect from her subjects.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,020]

This is a good theory. Considering how hidden Celestia is nowadays, it could be that her time is mainly spent monitoring things and keeping the Sun in check.  I have heard numerous other theories to why she is not so powerful, such as the evil dictator theory, but honestly I am glad for this overall. With the extreme obsession that all the ponies had with her at the start, it is nice to see her take a back seat. 

 

That or she is slowly trying to make the sun go supernova.

[Castle Bleck 19,401]

She has done things like instantly breaking a Ponyville-wide spell in Lesson Zero and managing to Discord-proof the Elements in Keep Calm And Flutter On.

[Swifty 249]

Because of the much more important Twilight, Cadance and Luna.

 

Ponies are still way too obsessed with her, though. I demand them saying: Dear Luna/Twilight/Cadance/Discord/Chrysalis/Sombra!

 

Also the writers forgot to show that Celestia didn't rise the sun all the time, because it was another alicorn, oppressed by evil and weak Celestia.

...

 

Holy moly! You see we need a good episode about her for once to scrap all these great theories.

[Sapphire Lightning 784]

Although those are good theories, I see it slightly differently. Like said above in A.V's post, she has shown some incredible skills in magic. I get the feeling though that she acts more like a mother to children, or more like a teacher. She is rather powerful, but her wisdom tells her that she cannot just fix everypony's problems, that for them to grow and develop they have to put on the big-pony pants and deal with adversity (mostly) on their own.

 

This being said, I would not ascribe diety-like powers to her. She is wise (1000+ years old) and powerful though, especially since she is so old and has had experience to advance on her own. Not a goddess*, but powerful enough to send her sister-as-nightmaremoon to the moon and lock her there magically. So yes powerful.

 

*I think she acts and looks like a goddess though, so~ pretty!

[Daring_Do 552]

Personally, I see her as not being all that powerful (and yeah, I've thought of the special talent thing too!), but I wouldn't think she'd lie to her subjects like that; It's probably just the fans in the real world who've exaggerated it, if anyone.

powerful enough to send her sister-as-nightmaremoon to the moon and lock her there magically. So yes powerful.

 

But didn't she use the EoH for that?

Edited September 7, 2015 by Daring_Do

[Sapphire Lightning 784]

She herself used ALL of the elements of harmony by herself, and I have a feeling that not just anypony can wield them unless they have the power (or the specific trait). But yes, I will concede to your point Daring_Do.

[Stormghost 136]

There is more powerful one more than celestia

[Streiben Bones 228]

She beated Luna, aka Nightmare Moon.

 

And she gave a unicorn-horn, (no that's totally not made out of normal cardbox)

 

She turned Discord into stone...

 

Tirek was defeated once as well.

 

Celestia is best powerhorse ♥

 

(Srsly what's with all the *Let's hate Celestia* the last weeks? xD)

[Xeltor23 704]

I never saw Celestia very powerful myself, just look at Tirek's and Twilight's (with the power of 4 alicorns!) battle, I didn't see a lot of strength into it. Sure, compared to the show itself it's impressive, but to everything else... meh.

[cider float 2,539]

In terms of how much magical power she holds she holds a plenty. But she doesn't seem to know many spells besides shooting beams, dispelling magic problems or raising the sun. She did wield the Elements of Harmony once but it's been a while since she has.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

She's pretty much a god. She raises the sun and does everything to keep Equestria running smoothly.

[Castle Bleck 19,401]

(Srsly what's with all the *Let's hate Celestia* the last weeks? xD)

 

What's she even done to garner it, anyway?

[Streiben Bones 228]

What's she even done to garner it, anyway?

What has Luna done so far that she deserved it? o_o

 

Celestia at least tried to defeat the Queen of the changelings.

 

She also saved Equestria from Nightmare Moon.

 

She is the mentor of Twilight, without her help, Equestria wouldn't be the same at all.

[Goat-kun 2,530]

Not sure if concealed Luna worship, or just another dank Celestia thread.

 

Name me one pony that is stronger than Celie. And I don’t mean pew-pew stuff. I mean real mixed strength comprised of raw power, leadership, experience, and thinking skills.

 

Luna? She’s a hissy little thing that knows practically nothing about friendship and discipline. But she can dreamwalk, oh my. Judging by her disability to do anything harder than lecturing little foals and shooing away low tier nursery bogies, it gets her below your average Nagual. In fact, any Nagual or incorporeal being would just be able to ignore her inconsequential existence. That’s some quality dreamwalking right there.

 

Cadence? She’s pretty, she’s pink, and apart from slice of life stories and deus ex machinas, she’s practically useless. I mean, buck, couldn’t you at least try and help Spike with his Princess chores? What kind of a leader can’t even guide a baby dragon?

 

Twilight? Yes, I know, she gets shit done, but could she get shit done by herself? I doubt it. She is young and naïve, lacking in both creativity and willingness to serve as a true leader, one that would sacrifice herself, friends, or family for the cause. When everything is said and done, she’s just a very useful piece on the board and many Shimmerthologists will gladly tell you she’s perfectly replaceable (and so is Sunset).

 

Celestia may not be perfect, but she’s the only pony around with both brains and brawn to manage a kingdom and play the game, not as a pawn, but as a player. She is the princess Equestria deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll bash her. Because she can take it. Because she’s not our waifu. She’s a background guardian, a watchful protector, The Best Princess.

[Commissar Alexer 763]

Her power level depends purely on the whim of the writers and the plot's demands.

[cider float 2,539]

It's already been proven plenty of times Celestia relies a lot on support from others to do her work. I suppose she is powerful in the sense she can get others to do her work though that's probably how she survived her sovereignty for 1000 years making the subjects think she still have the power of the EoH.

[Number62 1,266]

Her power level depends purely on the whim of the writers and the plot's demands.

This.

 

Since she's apparently "too powerful" at times, she has to get tossed out for the sake of plot.

Edited September 11, 2015 by Number107