Does the table seem kind of weak/underwhelming to you?

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

Anyways, as the topic says, is it just me or is the table/map kind of underwhelming? Like, so far its just been used for being a bit of a wow quest giver and given a nod in the finale.

Like, its not bad for it to give missions and all that, but the 3 map missions seemed kind of unimportant and pedestrian (not that helping others isn't a good thing, but  its not like those situations are going to alter the landscape of equestria) and its only big magical nod was starlight saying "I can use this thing as a time travel power source, because reasons!"

 

 

It just seems kind of less impressive overall than the EOH were or even the tree of harmony and its whole "call the mane six on missions" thing seems almost like an afterthought. Honestly, the map is starting to come off as the Starswirl spell from MMC, something just thought up to justify the plot without any real significance behind it (in the same way starswirl's spell had no explained point or reason behind it and was quicklys hoved into a corner and forgotten lest questions be asked about it).

 

 

 

I was kind of hoping for more focus on it and thought put into it as the replacement for the EOH is all. I hope at least they have some ideas for it in S6 beyond just saying "map says go here, and here, and that's it".

[Yeah ok 80]

I feel the same way but I've got a feeling that they won't have anykind of development on it.

[cider float 2,539]

I feel like they were trying to go with it somewhat, trying to instill a deeper meaning or a piece of lore they're going to unravel but at some point scrapped the idea and left it severely anti-climactic like how they did it with the journal. 

[EQ_Theta 472]

Feels like a gimmick to get the characters to go out of Ponyville since all it did was "go here because there's something wrong and you need to fix it." Still, it must have something going for it since it somehow knows what kind of problem is happening at a specific location and it knows which of the mane 6 is best suited to handle it.

It's still there as of the end of season 5 so I'm hoping the writers will do something more with it instead of leaving it in the castle to collect dust. Maybe go along the lines of what makes this thing tick.

Edited December 17, 2015 by EQ_Theta

[Goat-kun 2,530]

At first I was like: Well, if you need an excuse to visit all those interesting places in Equestria and beyond then go for it. Then they started sending them on “slice of life” missions and I was like: Eh? You needed the Map for that? Such disaster, much importance, wow.

 

The verdict: they should start playing it like XCOM or scrap the damn thing. Do you all think that many Bronies would flip their shit if they just pretended it didn’t exist? I for one wouldn’t really mind. Trim the wound while it’s still fresh.

[Megas 28,044]

eh not really. I think it could make for some great and/or interesting episodes and stories. I can only speak for myself, but It only feels underwhelming because two of the episodes surrounding it(Made in Manehattan and Hoofields and McColts) weren't that good

Edited December 17, 2015 by Santa Megas

[Swifty 249]

One of them even messed up the lore of the griffins. Griffonstone is a slum, because griffins are stupid and greedy.

[BlinkZ 1,151]

Eh I dont see how they not use the map t ogo someher ot solve a problem. That map is part of the tree so somewhat sentiant. But really two famles fighting is summon worthy?

Aslo toys!! let not forgot hasbro si a toy company so they only ake things important to sell toys.

What else cna a Map do other then summon them.  I mean it summoned them all during the opening but really only fluttershy and twi did anyting useful . Thismap must have plot powers for sending just the right ponies. but eh i'm over thinking a plot device
"its pinkie pie don't question it" i rest my case

One of them even messed up the lore of the griffins. Griffonstone is a slum, because griffins are stupid and greedy.

Yeah a race outside of pony kind that isnt' A: greedy B:war like (yaks *cough cough*) C: just there, aka mules? poor mule segreation even one step lower then earth ponies

[cmarston1 5,962]

I'm still hoping we get some more information about it and it's lore in season 6.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

At first I was like: Well, if you need an excuse to visit all those interesting places in Equestria and beyond then go for it. Then they started sending them on “slice of life” missions and I was like: Eh? You needed the Map for that? Such disaster, much importance, wow.

 

The verdict: they should start playing it like XCOM or scrap the damn thing. Do you all think that many Bronies would flip their shit if they just pretended it didn’t exist? I for one wouldn’t really mind. Trim the wound while it’s still fresh.

 

It would have been better if there was at least a couple instances of it doing stuff beyond slice of life; like a couple big things thrown in to go with the small.

but it didn't even summon them when starlight was about to fuxor the timelime, so it honestly it really seems poor at its job :/

[sweetolebob18 728]

You have to remember.  The map (& the castle) came from the Tree of Harmony.  Not "The Tree of Sweetness & Light", not "The Tree of Justice" nor the "Tree of Saving The World".  It is "The Tree of Harmony" & as the name implies, it is about spreading harmony.  It only saves the world when someone would make a fuss.

 

As to "not important", that is a value judgement.  Important to who? Important in what way?  Obviously, to The Tree a neighborhood falling into apathy is as important as the end of the world.  Adam Smith would agree -value is subjective.

[Partialgeek514 5,015]

I'm actually okay with it not being used much. When I first saw the map, I was worried it might be used almost every episode to send the mane 6 off to solve a friendship problem. I like the map being used now and then, but I prefer there to be more episodes where an issue comes up without the map being involved.

[Aurora Storm 83]

I am underwhelmed with it but I think it has (had?) potential. I like the idea of getting various characters together. I wouldn't want every episode centered around it but I like when they mix up the character pairs. I was hoping Rarity and Fluttershy would go on a quest together. I think they work well together. Twilight and Fluttershy were a bit boring. Twilight needs someone like Pinkie or RD. They put the two most dynamic ponies together (and I totally get why considering Gilda's problems with Pinkie) but I like to see character balance. I do like Pinkie and AJ together. Ever since they discovered they were (maybe) family I've enjoyed both characters more. Rarity and AJ get paired together a lot it seems and while they play off each other well, I'd like to see some others.

 

I enjoyed Rarity investigates for that reason too. Rarity and RD are two characters who don't usually have plots together (except Sonic Rainboom way back in season 1)

Edited December 23, 2015 by Aurora Storm

[cider float 2,539]

How many times did they even use that table about 4 times?