Unicorn OCs without listed magic. It bugs me!

[Thrashy 2,800]

Ello govna!

 

What drives me up the walls more than anything is a "pity me" back story. It's like...I don't know, I understand that not all ponies will be the happiest people in Equestria (Take Mrs. Harshwhinny for example), but it's like they are trying to drive away from the MLP criteria as far as possible and try to be "unique". I get that, but oh my gosh at least try not to be like at least 80% of the OC population and have dead parents or some shiz. ><

 

Another thing that grinds my gears is how everyone seems to think heterochromia somehow makes their character "unique". Trust me, when 1 out of every 8 or so OCs (not even kidding, just look through OC galleries on dA) has mismatched eye colors, it's anything but unique.

 

...Getting a little off-topic, I guess, so I'll shut up. I'll be back if I come up with another unicorn OC worth mentioning. XD

Edited February 5, 2014 by Thrashy

[ReverieRiver 526]

Another thing that grinds my gears is how everyone seems to think heterochromia somehow makes their character "unique". Trust me, when 1 out of ever 8 or so OCs (not even kidding, just look through OC galleries on dA) have mismatched eye colors, it's anything but unique.

 

...Getting a little off-topic, I guess, so I'll shut up. I'll be back if I come up with another unicorn OC worth mentioning. XD

 

....Ariel has heterochromia.

 

A form of it, at least. But I have a good reason for it; it's in her backstory!

[Thrashy 2,800]

....Ariel has heterochromia.

 

A form of it, at least. But I have a good reason for it; it's in her backstory!

 

Hey, it's no problem. It's just something I'm personally tired of seeing, but as long as the character herself is written well, that's really all that matters.

[ReverieRiver 526]

Hey, it's no problem. It's just something I'm personally tired of seeing, but as long as the character herself is written well, that's really all that matters.

 

I-I'm glad to hear that... I get so terribly self-conscious when it comes to my creations - especially my characters. I suppose because I still have flashbacks to the very first time I ever created a character.

 

....*shudder* A terrible beast of a Mary-Sue, that one was. And the worst part was, I was proud of her back then! Only to be blatantly told that she was indeed incredibly Mary-Sue...

[Blaze Bronson 343]

@@Miss Reaper, 

Creating a character is like writing a story, you get better at it the more you do it. Learning by mistakes

However the most cliche character can be written good, so it's not necessarily a bad thing.

 

There is indeed a big difference between adding stuff only to make your character unique, and actually adding it for the purpose of the back story.

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Blaze Bronson,

 

You are absolutely right. I like to think that I've written my characters well, but I'm always looking for a second opinion.

 

Again, probably because of my initial experience with character creation. I thought my character was actually good then, when in fact she was a terrible Mary-Sue and had to be told as such.

[Cyan Blue 946]

The only problem is that I try too hard not to be cheesy and then end up being to serious or get more cheesy, it's weird. My OC isn't registered because I never roleplay but to a certain extent I agree.

[Silverhoof 2,844]

The only problem is that I try too hard not to be cheesy and then end up being to serious or get more cheesy, it's weird. My OC isn't registered because I never roleplay but to a certain extent I agree.

I haven't roleplayed either. Getting married threw a monkey wrench in the whole thing too.

BUT. Read the character archives in the first post. The formats are a great help in making OC's. Silverhoof is registered in both databases. Its a good idea to put even a non RP character down in black and white.

 

To be honest, I now want to see the write ups of people posting here. Good to add as a link in your sig.

I think the "D&D" approach to spell loads is a little justified in my own case, as I've got an original setting that's a lot more...shall we say, harsh compared to what the Equestrians seem to be used to. When your environment requires you to "be quick or be dead", you want a motherbucker who can toss fireballs at your side.

 

But yeah, it does seem to be a common theme that folks omit any mention of their unicorn OCs' spells. Even if a character makes for an atrociously inept wizard, they've still got to have at least one spell they're good at, often directly relating to their special talent - Rarity's jewel-finding, Shining Armor's aptitude for magical barriers, etc. My OC Sprocket isn't a strong spellcaster himself, but he has a natural talent for accelerating recovery and a number of spells relating to metal (he uses a "metal detector" spell on a daily basis for his job in the mines).

I'm good with this. For one it forced a clear choice to write down specific and detailed magic abilities. The setting is the key.

[Castle Bleck 19,376]

*(This post has been edited.)*

Edited February 7, 2014 by Anti-Villain

[Cyan Blue 946]

I haven't roleplayed either. Getting married threw a monkey wrench in the whole thing too.

BUT. Read the character archives in the first post. The formats are a great help in making OC's. Silverhoof is registered in both databases. Its a good idea to put even a non RP character down in black and white.

 

Well, I registered Cyan into the database, the only thing is I don't have a drawing ready and some of the back story needs a little tweaking, if anyone really wants to see it it's right here, feel free to criticize: http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/cyan-blue-wip-r5758

 

Sorry for being off topic.

Edited February 5, 2014 by CyanBlue

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

I don't even think this is the problem, its what it leads up to.
 
I have a firm grasp of what my characters can and cant do: some are more powerful than others perhaps, but they can all perform set spells. I might not list them all, but I know them. Emerald works with emotions - her signature spell is a glamor and she can perform certain other 'low key' magic - Scribe has practically nothing at all and Bardic has a whole host of abilities that he can call on...
 
No, the real problem is when Max, Tim, or Alan the unicorn just randomly decides 'you know what? I can do LAZERS!'
 
Magic shouldn't be a universal solution... It's implied again and again that pure mages are rare, even in the pony world. We know of three: Twilight, Trixie and Starswirl - Celestia and Luna have both had at least a thousand years to train so they count too... but thats it. You never see Rarity try to... oh I don't know... manipulate the weather...?
 
Wait, yes you do - and she fails fabulously miserably!

Edited February 5, 2014 by Cinderscribe

[Castle Bleck 19,376]

@Cinderscribe,

 

She at least plays a wicked game of "sky checkers."

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

10 out of 10 - would play again!

I could honestly see Rarity as having something like magical sky checkers as a legit spell... it's just 'out there' enough for her.

[ReverieRiver 526]

Well, I don't believe I mentioned this earlier, but I never listed my character's magic because it doesn't play too much of an important role at all in her character and who she is - perhaps a little, but she rarely uses magic anyway aside from basic levitation.

 

Ariel here is supposed to be talented with older magic; the kind found in the dusty, leather-bound spellbooks, possibly written in an archaic language. But if you read her profile, you'll learn that she and the unicorns that live in "my" future world have long since regarded their own magic as virtually useless or close to it, what with technology taking the place of what only magic could do before. This includes Ariel; and that is why she hardly ever uses her own magic.

 

And aside from that, I honestly am not very certain what types of spells she would want to or could use anyway.

[Blaze Bronson 343]

@, 

I read through your Cyan Blue, and he isn't that bad.

 

I would like to know more why he can't sleep, and also what makes him a terrible fighter, given his pretty amazing fighting spells.
Also where is his parents now? How are their relationship with Cyan?

 

I guess it's just more fleshing out that's needed, because it's a good start

[Castle Bleck 19,376]

Well, I don't believe I mentioned this earlier, but I never listed my character's magic because it doesn't play too much of an important role at all in her character and who she is - perhaps a little, but she rarely uses magic anyway aside from basic levitation.

 

Ariel here is supposed to be talented with older magic; the kind found in the dusty, leather-bound spellbooks, possibly written in an archaic language. But if you read her profile, you'll learn that she and the unicorns that live in "my" future world have long since regarded their own magic as virtually useless or close to it, what with technology taking the place of what only magic could do before. This includes Ariel; and that is why she hardly ever uses her own magic.

 

And aside from that, I honestly am not very certain what types of spells she would want to or could use anyway.

 

Try to come up with a spells-related "gimmick" of sorts.

Edited February 7, 2014 by Anti-Villain

[ReverieRiver 526]

@,
 

A gimmick... hmm... But what sort of gimmick? I mean... agh... Thing is, I'm really not sure what would best suit Ariel. She's such a nervous, paranoid pony a lot of the time...

[Castle Bleck 19,376]

@Miss Reaper,

 

Maybe whatever Orihime Inoue's is?

[ReverieRiver 526]

@,

 

Orihime? From Bleach?

 

She has like, that ability with controlling those spirits or whatever, right? Ah... All I remember is that she has those spirits or something in her hairpins(?), and she can control them to use as either defense or attack.

[Pat.Rio.T. 305]

I guess I would agree with you on this, although I can't say that I have actually thought about it. I have a unicorn character who doesn't have any special spells listed. But I have good reason for this, as I make it clear that she has tried hard to perform other spells, but try as she may, she is unable. However her telekinesis is exceptionally powerful, in fact, it is her special talent.(all of this is due to experimentation on her in her past. Long story.)

 

Now I am not sure if her backstory would be considered tragic, as to this I would like your input. See it starts out kinda sad, because she was an orphan, but now she lives very happily with her(adopted) brother and best friend in the whole world.(The whole story is in my sig of course)

[ReverieRiver 526]

@,

 

Ooh. I think your suggestion helped me come up with an idea!

 

How about if Ariel is able to create magical constructs? You know, objects made from pure magic that feel solid!

 

Of course, this could be used defensively or offensively. And the reason that she may not use it so much could be because that while that's part of her talent, she feels as if she doesn't have as much control as she'd like with it.

[Blaze Bronson 343]

@@Miss Reaper, 

Well if it could make a sword, it could be really powerful. Since you have complete control of the structure, you can make it borderline infinite sharp, and never being dull.

Depends on the weight of this matter as well. If it's weightless, it would be terrible against armor, but super efficient against unarmored threats =)

 

Also if it's weightless it's a bad shield, as you have to use all you power to stop attacks. In contrast to something heavy, where it's own weight absorbs the force.

 

And how breakable / sturdy is it?

 

All in all a good idea, but you gotta specify a bit. If you are able to manipulate both weight and sturdiness as well, it would probably be too overpowered. Unless those traits leaves less mass to be produced =)

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Blaze Bronson,

 

Well, as stated, I would likely make it so that Ariel doesn't have total control over this ability. She could make a sword super-sharp, but accidentally leave it as fragile as a toothpick without realizing the fact until too late. She could make a shield that's nice and heavy, presumably sturdy, but leave out the actual density that makes a good shield effective; virtually any attack could end up going straight through.

[Blaze Bronson 343]

@@Miss Reaper, 

I see, so it will be super versatile, but very unreliable. How about the duration? Could you decorate your home with a magic table for instance?

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Blaze Bronson,

 

I would think that like any spell, the constructs would last for as long as Ariel was concentrating on them. If her focus was interrupted, the construct would simply fade away.