Twilight Sparkle is NOT invincible

[Phoenix237 353]

People assume that just because Twilight is an Alicorn and her special talent is magic itself, that automatically she is the most powerful being.

What people don't realize is that Twilight has to have limits in some retrospect. Twilight is not invincible from what I can tell in the show/ comic, and while she has potential to be the most powerful, she isn't there yet, or can't achieve it yet. While we can't tell Twilight's limits based on the show, we can base them on theories on how magic works in other media.

I consider the work of MLP in a fantasy setting, with dragons, hydras, etc. There are modern elements, but it seems like a modern fantasy setting to me. So I will assume that it is.

In any given fantasy magical system, a person must have limits to his/ her magical abilities, or the story has no conflict: the magic can overwhelm the other side if there is no limit. For this reason I believe that Twilight has limits, but what kind?

 

A common theory (rule/idea) is that a person can only cast so many spells, use an ability so many times in a day, or use a measured amount of magic. This is the most common use in role-playing games, where the rules rigorously define them. Similarly, in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, the One Power is limitless but each individual user can only channel a limited amount of it at any one time.

Anyways what's this have to do with MLP, well a lot. Remember in the Crystal Empire episodes (episodes that are still being argued of they where good or not). Anyways the Crystal Empire is being protected by a shield cast by princess Cadence, however we are told that she has been doing this for a while and is exhausted. Eventually it tires her out and she faints. Clearly a sign of a limitation as she couldn't use the same spell forever, however this theory on "mana" doesn't mention fatigue. In fact the theory of "mana" mentioned that the user can only use so much magic in one day, yet its stated that Cadence has been using this spell for days repeatedly. So what's the deal? Is there no answer?

Well yes there is

Another theory of magic is that energy is taken from the spell-caster to power the spell itself, such as in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle. Depending on how strong or advanced the spell is compared to the caster, the spell can cause weakness, fainting, or even death.

This describes what Cadence was going through. While Cadence was getting weaker, the shield stayed relatively the same, not changing in strength (otherwise Sombra would have broken through). She used herself as an energy source that was running out and this caused her to collapse in fatigue. So we know that beings like Cadence (or lower) have limits, but what about Celestia and Luna?

 

Well first off, you have to consider what Celestia and Luna are. Some consider them as deities and thus they should have limitless power right?

WRONG!!

Remember in Canterlot wedding where Celestia got her flank handed to her by Crysalis. She may have lost because of Shining Armors love that fueled Cryslais, but it also may have been Celestia's fault. If the character is a deity or similar, limits may be entirely self-imposed, like Simkin from the Darksword series. Celestia could potentially have given herself limits and is why she isn't as much of a god as we thought her to be. This is all theory and I'm not here for Celestia or Luna, I'll get to them another day (so I won't describe why they have limits based on this theory). I'm here for Twilight.

 

Where does that leave is with her? She isn't a deity, but she is on a higher level then Cadence, so what's the deal. Does she have limits or not? Some argue that she has potentially limitless magic that is sealed inside her. So what gives? Is there no solution?

Well....Yes there is

 

An alternative form of magical limitation provides theoretically unlimited power, but restricts what a user can do to what that user is capable of imagining, comprehending and understanding. In this scenario, magical ability may often be increased through scientific study of the world in order to better understand its working, something observed in The Belgariad by David Eddings.

If we are to assume that Twilight has limitless power, then why couldn't she use spells she currently uses earlier on? Twilight had to learn her spells and later comprehended the magic of friendship that would help her grow. Similarly Starswirl the Bearded is what some would say the Twilight of his time. He made an impact yet never became an Alicorn because he did not understand friendship. He did not understand something, and as a result was limited.

 

So here we are on my Final Thoughts:

Twilight is a powerful being, but we have to realize that she has limits. She may have potential hidden magic, but that still shows limits as she can't achieve it yet.

3 possibilities are presented to us

 

1) Twilight's limits are self-imposed. I had an discussion with someone else and the idea was presented that Twilight may have made mental blocks or someone made mental blocks to prevent another surge of power (see the "Cutie Mark Chronicles" episode) from happening. This was probably done to keep others safe (strange theory, but possible).

 

2) She is limited to how much magic she herself is able to produce before she collapses (how much is that is anyone's guess).

 

3) A more likely idea is that Twilight may have limitless power, but is limited to what she knows and understands. She can grow stronger after her knowledge increases or her understanding how things works grows.

 

And isn't this what the show is about. Twilight Sparkle, a young mare who was limited by herself, discovers the magic of friendship and grows as a result of her experiences. Slowly shaping her way to the princess she is today.

Edited May 12, 2013 by Phoenix237

[Jokuc 8,172]

I agree, of course Twilight has her limits. I don't get where so many people get their "she's invincible" from. It's shown a couple of times in the show that alicorns aren't.

 

 

 

magic is that energy is taken from the spell-caster to power the spell itself

And this, I think this is how it is actually.

[Phoenix237 353]

I agree, of course Twilight has her limits. I don't get where so many people get their "she's invincible" from. It's shown a couple of times in the show that alicorns aren't.

 

And this, I think this is how it is actually.

From what I can gather Twilight's talent is magic itself and now that she is an Alicorn people assume she is invincible.

Why?

I don't know.

[The Stranger 812]

I hope you guys realize that Celestia and Luna aren't invincible either. Their magic may be powerful and they may never age but they can still be overpowered and maybe even killed if a powerful enough unicorn comes along. In fact Princess Celestia could of died in that one episode when Queen Chrysalis invaded Canterlot and overpowered Celestia. Fortunately, since the show is geared toward children Celestia wasn't killed or seriously injured.

 

 

Alicorns aren't invincible. I'm not sure who put that idea into some folks heads.

Edited May 12, 2013 by Mighty E.

[100 beasts kaidou 321]

King Sombra needed two alicorns to be beaten and hes a Unicorn, Chrysalis is a puny bug and still beated celestia with no effort, Discord troll all of the four alicorns combined.

[Winona the Dog 1,981]

I never did think that she was invincible. I just thought that Twilight was overpowered at some points in the series. HHinting back to Cutie Mark Chronicles and Magical Mystery Cure; Twilight is an exceptional mare with exceptional abilities.

[The Stranger 812]

King Sombra needed two alicorns to be beaten and hes a Unicorn, Chrysalis is a puny bug and still beated celestia with no effort, Discord troll all of the four alicorns combined.

 

you sir are very observant. I'm pleased to see that I'm not the only one who sees how things really are. People need to realize that Twilight sparkle hasn't changed since her transformation. All she has now is a set of wings. Her wings are more like a decoration if anything. She's still the same pony most of us know and love.

[SuperpoweredSuperfly 10]

I remember in the 4th comic she took a bit of a beating and retaliated against Chrysalis by shooting a lazer at her but the lazer didn't do anything to Chrysalis it just damaged a wall. I think her major weakness still lies in her character flaws, she tends to rush into things and gets overwhelmed but its becoming less of an issue thanks to her friends.

Edited May 12, 2013 by SuperpoweredSuperfly

[Scootalove 10,685]

Of course she isn't invincible. Alicorns might be overpowered in the show but, that does not mean they can't be injured or killed. But, it doesn't really matter if they are invincible unless they always win against villains even if they are weak or not.

[Guest]

I agree. I believe in order to have an interesting character they have to have flaws and foibles just like everyone else; that makes them relatable. Twily becoming an Alicorn is nothing more than a plot development.

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

King Sombra needed two alicorns to be beaten and hes a Unicorn, Chrysalis is a puny bug and still beated celestia with no effort, Discord troll all of the four alicorns combined.

You really hate Chrysalis lol. I think Twilight is the OG in the series. I mean if you want to talk about the most powerful person..It's Lauren Faust

 

 

This the definitive list. Sombra isn't on here..Because his feats were never established 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IFhIb5UM5c

Edited May 13, 2013 by TheMarkz0ne

[Zygen 6,065]

I think I agree with the whole magic kinda drains the user theory, while I like having mana in RPG's and the like, I find the theory of the spellcaster draining their energy more... interesting? in shows and the such, don't ask me why I don't know I just do.

 

Plus it does seem way more likely. 

 

I don't think Twilight's invincible, alot of times she's needed help from her friends, and heck she's been trapped by Sombra pretty easily in the crystal empire. She couldn't just blow it to shreads.

 

I don't think Twilights invincible, Celestia is still more powerful then she is I think, and even Celestia has been shown to have Limits. 

 

I personally think that Twilight just has to learn the magic before she can use it, and practice it till she becomes better at it, but I still think more powerful spells drain her more.

 

On a side note, after you bringing it up, am I the only one who kinda wants to see Twilight go super mode again? Probably  I just love that a little much i think... I don't want it to be super reoccurring, but I wouldn't mind it happening atleast once again .

 

I'm pretty sure theres no limitlessness to any one or any character in the show, on anything really, while Twilight has become quiet strong, and is even stronger with her friends, She is certainly not invincible.

 

I have a feeling Celestia could woop her if she really needed still .

[Wingnut 6,739]

Twilight is as powerful as heck but who said she's invincible?  I can't speak for season 4, but there were several times she would've met her maker if it weren't for the aid of others.  She overconfidently wandered into the forest once, thinking all her magic would protect her from wild creatures.  What happened?  A cockatrice took her by surprise and turned her to stone.  She'd still be a statue if it weren't for Fluttershy.  And in Wonderbolt Academy, while in free fall she couldn't use her magic or telekinesis to save herself and her friends from falling.  Rainbow Dash to the rescue!