Discord, the Equestria's Ultimate Unused Secret Weapon

[Cwanky 17,707]

For obvious plot and practical reasons, Discord isn't the main attraction of FiM in the season finales or premieres. But having him around unaccounted for makes about as much sense as having a Time Turner (the device not the background character) laying around willy nilly to abuse, which did happen in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for the record.

 

In short Discord is a gaping plot hole waiting to happen, or happen again if we count Tirek's invasion. Within the universe of FiM, what is there to practically prevent Equestria, the Mane 6, or even Discord himself from stopping a major villain or disaster, barring plot devices? He's a walking deus ex machina in many situations, short of solving a problem, he can at the very least snap his fingers and likely stop or poof from existence Starlight Glimmer, Sombra or Nightmare Moon.

 

Its a thought that's been tickling my mind lately, considering Equestria went out of its way to make Discord an ally. He almost seems rather underused. Why have a long drawn out conflict when you can have a god do away with your problems in an instant? 

[Castle Bleck 19,408]

Other than the Elements and Tirek's magic-draining, Twilight and Celestia have proven capable of nullifying his magic to a degree, the Tatzlwurm was able to make him legitimately sick, Zecora evidently knows potions to undo at least some of his effects, and Luna... well:

 

 

Basically, he's primarily supposed to be an uber-trickster, not some no-selling Aizen.

Edited September 10, 2016 by A.V.

[cmarston1 5,962]

Because if he poofed all the problems away, we wouldn't have a show.

Edited September 7, 2016 by cmarston1

[Castle Bleck 19,408]

Because if he poofed all the problems away, we wouldn't have a show.

 

Despite my semi-text-wall, ^this^ is the primary reason at the end of the day.

[Hazard Time 1,127]

I think the reason why Discord's potential is never used is simply because no one can convince him to use powers for the good of others.  He's been "reformed" for nearly three years now, and yet he's STILL struggling with social conventions and friendships.

 

To put it in terms of DnD alignments, before reformation, he was chaotic evil.  That is to say, he wanted to watch the world burn for his own pleasure.  Post-reform, and he's still only chaotic neutral, which is to say that while he still chafes at the rules and regulations he's been forced under, he isn't so intent on destroying the world anymore.  Having said that, that doesn't mean he cares what state it's in, either.  His own personal interests come far ahead of anypony else's, and he has a hard time empathizing with others, hinting at a possible underlying sociopathy.

 

Long story short, Discord does what he wants, and it would simply be too much effort to motivate him to do something right.

[Midnight Seashell 206]

Friendship wouldn't be magic.

[Crusaders Forever 88]

Discord would rather watch what is happing to Equestria instead of fixing the problem. After all the God of Chaos and Disharmony would love to watch the chaos, instead of helping stop it.

[LyricaDreamy 43]

Using him as a weapon is pretty bad , he would start to think everyone was using him and then starts to betray again  :-o

Edited September 8, 2016 by LyricaDreamy

[Cwanky 17,707]

Because if he poofed all the problems away, we wouldn't have a show.

 

Well that's the obvious and mechanics based reason isn't it? Looking into the actual logic of the show and plot itself though, what stops Equestria from utilizing him?

 

Better yet, if we assume the alternate argument that's being proposed here is valid, and I agree, that Discord isn't a nigh omnipotent god of sorts then that point is moot. With his powers he'd still be invaluable as an asset to the Mane 6 and Equestria if they didn't distrust him so damn much. If Twilight is Discord's friend why does she still not trust him, even after Twilight's Kingdom? So much for Friendship is Magic. 

Discord would rather watch what is happing to Equestria instead of fixing the problem. After all the God of Chaos and Disharmony would love to watch the chaos, instead of helping stop it.

I'm not so sure about that. Discord showed sincere remorse for what he did in Twilight's Kingdom and if anyone can vet for the truth in that, its the Tree of Harmony. Even before that he had serious doubts about betraying Fluttershy and hurting others. Maybe if it was chaos that he thought was fun he might enjoy it, but if he was properly persuaded and had the right friends to convince and support him, he'd at least have second thoughts.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqfjTCYTpD0

 

Its a very subtle scene in Twilight's Kingdom, but Discord already began showing serious doubts about his and Tirek's actions against the ponies. Discord may love chaos, but he still has a conscience. Otherwise how would he befriend Fluttershy, and later, Twilight? 

[cmarston1 5,962]

Well that's the obvious and mechanics based reason isn't it? Looking into the actual logic of the show and plot itself though, what stops Equestria from utilizing him?

 

Better yet, if we assume the alternate argument that's being proposed here is valid, and I agree, that Discord isn't a nigh omnipotent god of sorts then that point is moot. With his powers he'd still be invaluable as an asset to the Mane 6 and Equestria if they didn't distrust him so damn much. If Twilight is Discord's friend why does she still not trust him, even after Twilight's Kingdom? So much for Friendship is Magic. 

I'm not so sure about that. Discord showed sincere remorse for what he did in Twilight's Kingdom and if anyone can vet for the truth in that, its the Tree of Harmony. Even before that he had serious doubts about betraying Fluttershy and hurting others. Maybe if it was chaos that he thought was fun he might enjoy it, but if he was properly persuaded and had the right friends to convince and support him, he'd at least have second thoughts.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqfjTCYTpD0

 

Its a very subtle scene in Twilight's Kingdom, but Discord already began showing serious doubts about his and Tirek's actions against the ponies. Discord may love chaos, but he still has a conscience. Otherwise how would he befriend Fluttershy, and later, Twilight? 

Well I would argue that it isn't any sort of physical limitation that would prevent him for doing so, but it would be that seeing as how he has the emotional maturity of a child, he just doesn't think to do so, and would rather use his powers for more selfish reasons.

[Crusaders Forever 88]

Well that's the obvious and mechanics based reason isn't it? Looking into the actual logic of the show and plot itself though, what stops Equestria from utilizing him?

 

Better yet, if we assume the alternate argument that's being proposed here is valid, and I agree, that Discord isn't a nigh omnipotent god of sorts then that point is moot. With his powers he'd still be invaluable as an asset to the Mane 6 and Equestria if they didn't distrust him so damn much. If Twilight is Discord's friend why does she still not trust him, even after Twilight's Kingdom? So much for Friendship is Magic. 

I'm not so sure about that. Discord showed sincere remorse for what he did in Twilight's Kingdom and if anyone can vet for the truth in that, its the Tree of Harmony. Even before that he had serious doubts about betraying Fluttershy and hurting others. Maybe if it was chaos that he thought was fun he might enjoy it, but if he was properly persuaded and had the right friends to convince and support him, he'd at least have second thoughts.

 

 

Its a very subtle scene in Twilight's Kingdom, but Discord already began showing serious doubts about his and Tirek's actions against the ponies. Discord may love chaos, but he still has a conscience. Otherwise how would he befriend Fluttershy, and later, Twilight? 

 

He was only showing it when HE caused the action that was against the other ponies. Like Teriek's return, or in Twilight's castle.

 

Now when someone else is causing the chaos, as in a war in Equestria. Then Discord would slow  to help them out.

[pony.colin 156]

@@Cwanky,  that was pretty much my whole reason for believing as to why Celestia brought him out of his stone prison; the potential possibility to have an almost omnipotent ally by your side in case things go wrong.  Granted, slight backfire with the Tirek Discord truce, but at least I could see Celestia had some reasonably logic to try this gamble with Discord. Unlike her other gambles that I have criticized before. (the potential was there, just given time to get Discord more befriended with Fluttershy and it probably wouldn't have happened).

 

But to answer, besides the basic mechanical plot, if I were to shoot another reason, I would say it is due to his childish personality that holds back his potential.   If a tactician had Discord's powers then I perceive that would become an unstoppable force. But I suggest it's Discord's personality of being childish, jealous of others, delinquent and would rather play a bit more like a self-centered diva if the situation allows him.  Given his past though, it's not surprising. He was a demi-god that was pretty much let loose and capable of doing anything he wanted, but didn't necessarily go out for mass domination or anything of that sort. Yes he caused chaos when he was facing Celestia and Luna thousands of years ago, but he didn't go out of his way to erect any sort of new order or anything like that, he just wanted to mess around with the ponies and cause a lot of chaos and grief. In essence he was really doing some 'trolling' in his past but didn't think of changing things on a grand scale at all (the only reason he lost to Celestia and Luna in the past was because he was too over-confident and miscalculated his timing with his magic seeds).  If he had the mindset of a strategist, he could be unstoppable. But Discord doesn't, he's self-centered and wants to be adored and have his ego stroked, but in a childish manner and not of some pony who would be thinking ahead, what they could build and what they could create out of a new order.  At this point though, given his betrayal and redemption, it's likely he'll be more willing to help out (especially if probably Fluttershy is to ask him), if a situation gets out of trouble.   Or, he could possibly do nothing as well. If he doesn't perceive the situation as something that really needs him (or if he just doesn't want to do anything), then he could possibly just avoid getting involved altogether, because afterall, he has to feel like he is compelled to help others, rather then be forced into it.  At the very least, he seems more neutral to not just cause random chaos for other ponies.

 

So I guess this begs question, what's he going to be doing for this upcoming season 6 finale? Cause now I'm wondering the same thing (just briefly skimmed the synopsis of the 2-parter finale).

Edited September 11, 2016 by pony.colin

[Babyyoshi309 1,829]

I am pretty sure the reason why he is not around most of the time is because he is out doing other stuff for Equestria. There really have not been any major problems in Equestria that he knew about that he did not do something about. He was reformed in season 3 (right?), the next major problem after he was reformed was the invasion of the Everfree. He helped out with that, not much, because he thought Twilight and her friends could fix it. The next major problem that he knew about was the season 4 finale, and we all know how that turned out. So he does fix problems in Equestria, we just have only seen the ones that also involve the main 6! Actually, that would make a great spin-off show! The Misadventures of Discord! 

 

 

 

 

*Edit: No one steal my idea!!!  :=:  :=:  :=:        (unless you work at Hasbro ) 

Edited September 11, 2016 by Babyyoshi309