King Sombra and his potential

[Perfect Bio 121]

Ahh yes, King Sombra. 

Famous for being one of the worst and most underdeveloped characters in the entire series. It seemed like he could of had more potential and screen time. 

Anyway, this kind of serves as a discussion thread and a thread for listing all the possibilities that Sombra could have had.

Edited June 20, 2013 by PerfectBio

[Nohbdy 4,108]

Since this thread's about how Sombra had potential, the title saying "lack of potential" a bit confusing. 

 

Sombra could have been an excellent villain. Here was an evil king capable of powerful dark magic, who enslaved an entire empire, and subjected his will upon thousands of helpless ponies. Given that the Season 3 opener was about his return, Sombra could have been a cunning, extremely dangerous foe. Instead, he was completely flat and rather silly at times, with most of his appearances involving him having an evilgasm. 

 

Sombra's main weakness, as a character, is that he was useless. He barely talked. He had no ingenious plan. Most of all, he had no character. Discord was a great antagonist because of his character. He messed things up, trolled the universe, and was funny. Yet, he represented a genuine threat to Equestria, something that I didn't feel with Sombra. Moreover, he didn't test the friendship of the Mane 6, as NMM, Discord, and Chrysalis did. If any of these issues were addressed, King Sombra would have been a much more interesting villain. 

 

I'm not saying Sombra should have been some Xanatos-gambiting chessmaster, but I feel that he should at least have seen more screentime, been given more background and insight into his motivations, and participated more directly in the plot.

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

I think he do has potential. We can't only have villains that go about things the same way. Looks like they gave King Sombra too much subtlety for the short amount of time they had to put him in there. Sure, he was mostly a tool to help explore the Crystal Empire as well as showing where Twilight's priorities lie but what if King Sombra was given more time to show us what he's capable of with the increased subtlety he has? The big difference between him and Nightmare Moon in regards to presentation is that it just so happened that they needed to show how the character represent the elements of harmony. 

 

What it all comes down to is what was th main goal or pathway that the writers took to make the story engaging? King Sombra didn't get nearly as much focus as Discord did so it'd be an unfair comparison. Only when we get an episode that really explores his tricks and methods can we truly judge him fairly.

[100 beasts kaidou 321]

He is a better villain than chrysalis becuase unlike her he did not jsut stand there a let them defeat him. He kiced Shinings ass, His traps defeated twilight. and him not talking is about Him being based off sauron.

[DaReaper 1,944]

I have hopes, but not holding my breath, that king sombra may have further development and get used again and maybe see thr full potiential of his dark magic, thinking if they need 2 alicorns to defeat him the first time he is probably powerful

[Crapplejack 136]

Sombra is shown to us as a villain that takes the mane 6 to the quest to stop him, while Cadence keeps up the shield, which brings us the question: Is Cadence stronger than Sombra?

 

We would say yes from what they've shown us. He couldn't neither sneak in nor break the shield on his own so we must assume that even Chrysalis (as much as I hate the girl and the episode she was in) was stronger than him.

 

Addiotionally Chrysalis was stronger than Cadence, since she was able to trap her into the cave beneath Canterlot.

 

He can't stand a chance againts Nightmare Moon and Discord either.

 

So, from what we're shown, he's probably the weakest villian so far.

[~StatesTheOblivious~ 1,795]

Maybe the topic should be renamed in "...lack of personality/characterization"

 

The biggest problem I have with him is that in contrast to him the other three major villains had dialogues. They could point out why they were doing what they were doing. He wasn't really a classic villain. He was more of an animal or a natural force than a character that could be feared because of who he is. He could have been an ideal mix of a charming but malevolent foe. But no, his character was flat as a pizza and his only outstanding characteristic was his "CHRYSTALZZZZZ!!!"

 

I have hopes, but not holding my breath, that king sombra may have further development and get used again and maybe see thr full potiential of his dark magic, thinking if they need 2 alicorns to defeat him the first time he is probably powerful

 

This is unlikely since one of the writers (I think it was McCarthy, but I'm not sure...) said that he is, in fact, dead.

[100 beasts kaidou 321]

Sombra is shown to us as a villain that takes the mane 6 to the quest to stop him, while Cadence keeps up the shield, which brings us the question: Is Cadence stronger than Sombra?

 

We would say yes from what they've shown us. He couldn't neither sneak in nor break the shield on his own so we must assume that even Chrysalis (as much as I hate the girl and the episode she was in) was stronger than him.

 

Addiotionally Chrysalis was stronger than Cadence, since she was able to trap her into the cave beneath Canterlot.

 

He can't stand a chance againts Nightmare Moon and Discord either.

 

So, from what we're shown, he's probably the weakest villian so far.

Actually your wrong, By that Logic Shining is stronger than all creatures on earth, And Celestia is stronger than Discord because in Keep calm she put a spell on the EoH that Discord couldnt break through. Just because he couldnt break through her shield doesnt mean she stronger than him otherwise why put a shield and not fight him

[DaReaper 1,944]

Maybe the topic should be renamed in "...lack of personality/characterization"

 

The biggest problem I have with him is that in contrast to him the other three major villains had dialogues. They could point out why they were doing what they were doing. He wasn't really a classic villain. He was more of an animal or a natural force than a character that could be feared because of who he is. He could have been an ideal mix of a charming but malevolent foe. But no, his character was flat as a pizza and his only outstanding characteristic was his "CHRYSTALZZZZZ!!!"

 

 

 

This is unlikely since one of the writers (I think it was McCarthy, but I'm not sure...) said that he is, in fact, dead.

Now he could be a freddy kruger like being he gonna take over... That may go a little too far for a children's show but would make a good episode

[Spring Storm 276]

I find Sombra to be really underrated, personally. I liked him alright as a villain. Sure, he was fairly underwhelming in comparison to the others, but I do kinda like that they had a villain who preferred to get stuff done as opposed to talking. He turned to shadow through his sinister ways and overuse of dark magic, he enslaved the Crystal Ponies, and once the curse he put on them was lifted and the Empire returned, he tried to take over once again. He let his actions speak louder than words.

 

Also, if he is dead, there's still a chance we could get more information on him. There's always the possibility of flashbacks or time travel.

[Jammo 986]

I think Sombra's strength is his presence and effect on ponies. His oppression is more of a character than the pony himself.

A good new Sombra's episode should give him even less time and just explore what life was like for ponies under his rule on a day to day basis.

[Veylon 255]

I feel like Sombra landed smack-dab in the middle of the Uncanny Valley of character development. He's just enough of a character to be more an a malevolent force, but not enough of a character to really be a character.

 

The way information was given out about him was off, too. Celestia has a magical hologram so that Twilight can safely see what Sombra looks like and get his history. Learning about the villain should never be safe or distant; each new fact should be a plot point and hard-won.

[SoarinBlue 202]

Sombra was far and away the worst villain. They insisted that he was scary and evil, yet gave no background whatsoever on him. It broke the cardinal rule of storytelling, which is show, don't tell. His character looked like it was designed by an edgy teenager with the black and red color scheme, armor and horn. He was "generic evil villain #5", and it really showed that they put almost no effort into designing that character, rather disappointing considering how well done Discord was a season earlier

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

I find Sombra to be really underrated, personally. I liked him alright as a villain. Sure, he was fairly underwhelming in comparison to the others, but I do kinda like that they had a villain who preferred to get stuff done as opposed to talking. He turned to shadow through his sinister ways and overuse of dark magic, he enslaved the Crystal Ponies, and once the curse he put on them was lifted and the Empire returned, he tried to take over once again. He let his actions speak louder than words. Also, if he is dead, there's still a chance we could get more information on him. There's always the possibility of flashbacks or time travel.

I agree that Sombra is underrated. He brought the concept of dark/ shadow magic which is really interesting on its own because it's something new to the abilities of unicorn magic. Not to mention Sombra's ability to regenerate, create illusions and crystal manipulation. The only thing he lacked was personality. If he had that, I'm sure he'd be a number 3 on my villains list.

[Pokelord5000 10]

He is a better villain than chrysalis becuase unlike her he did not jsut stand there a let them defeat him. He kiced Shinings ass, His traps defeated twilight. and him not talking is about Him being based off sauron.

 

I agree, that did make him better than most, but there was no INSIGHT into what he wanted to do, exactly. I mean, we know he wanted to take over everything, but why? Why didn't he give some sort of evil speech, or at least a villian song? That would have made things so much more interesting.

[GenderIsAnIllusion 2,177]

I am willing to bet the Sombre will make his way into season 4......... Maybe he enslaves all the princesses, and the other 5 of the mane six must figure out a way to beat him without magic?.... He really does have a lot of potencial.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I know that King Sombra has a lot of potential of being a A-list villain compared to the other villains of the show but, they didn't capitalize on the rest of his backstory/background.

[Perfect Bio 121]

Fixed ther title for less confusion (I have no idea where I was trying to go with that )

So anyway, just discuss King Sombra, enjoy.

[Pokelord5000 10]

Well, seeing as they don't generally "kill" the villians, they reform, seal away, or expell them from their lands, Sombra has a potential shot as coming back, but has just the same chance as Chrysalis or Discord (Though Discord already got 3 episodes).

[Blue Moon 6,341]

Well, seeing as they don't generally "kill" the villians, they reform, seal away, or expell them from their lands, Sombra has a potential shot as coming back, but has just the same chance as Chrysalis or Discord (Though Discord already got 3 episodes).

I'm pretty sure King Sombra died. I mean, we saw him explode into pieces. On screen.

 

 

I don't think he's going to be making a return anytime soon.

[Pokelord5000 10]

I'm pretty sure King Sombra died. I mean, we saw him explode into pieces. On screen.

 

 

I don't think he's going to be making a return anytime soon.

 

Well, some evil pony might "magically put him back together" with bad intent, thinking Sombra will obey him since he put him back together, but then Sombra betrays him and does, well, whatever evil stuff Sombra would do.

[Blue Moon 6,341]

Well, some evil pony might "magically put him back together" with bad intent, thinking Sombra will obey him since he put him back together, but then Sombra betrays him and does, well, whatever evil stuff Sombra would do.

That would be the best puzzle ever.

 

Maybe. But I don't think there is anypony in Equestria who is that stupid. But who knows. It's possible.

[100 beasts kaidou 321]

I agree, that did make him better than most, but there was no INSIGHT into what he wanted to do, exactly. I mean, we know he wanted to take over everything, but why? Why didn't he give some sort of evil speech, or at least a villian song? That would have made things so much more interesting.

Din't princess celestia already said that he wanted to use the crystal empire to reflect hatred and fear all across equestria? Does he really need to say why he is donig whats hes doing after celestia already explained it

[HunterScars 505]

i really thought that discord was the best and most developed villain in the series and when king sombra showed up he felt more like a bad  pony instead of all out villain. what made him so bad oh wow he had like not even 3 lines of dialogue and only 90 or so seconds of screen time before he was obliterated.

 

whereas discord was an all out  villain he stole the elements of harmony turned the mane 6 against each other and destroyed ponyville 

 

i just think Hasbro could have done so much better  i mean if king sombra had retaken control of the crystal empire that would have been enough to prove that he was a villain and not just a "bad" pony

[Mywas 687]

Since this thread's about how Sombra had potential, the title saying "lack of potential" a bit confusing.

 

Sombra could have been an excellent villain. Here was an evil king capable of powerful dark magic, who enslaved an entire empire, and subjected his will upon thousands of helpless ponies. Given that the Season 3 opener was about his return, Sombra could have been a cunning, extremely dangerous foe. Instead, he was completely flat and rather silly at times, with most of his appearances involving him having an evilgasm.

 

Sombra's main weakness, as a character, is that he was useless. He barely talked. He had no ingenious plan. Most of all, he had no character. Discord was a great antagonist because of his character. He messed things up, trolled the universe, and was funny. Yet, he represented a genuine threat to Equestria, something that I didn't feel with Sombra. Moreover, he didn't test the friendship of the Mane 6, as NMM, Discord, and Chrysalis did. If any of these issues were addressed, King Sombra would have been a much more interesting villain.

 

I'm not saying Sombra should have been some Xanatos-gambiting chessmaster, but I feel that he should at least have seen more screentime, been given more background and insight into his motivations, and participated more directly in the plot.

But we already know his Backstory and motives. Hes a greedy and powerhungry tyrant who took over an emoire that could help him take over Equestria.

"If hatred and fear takes hold"

Why does he need more character? His role did not need it