Best & Worst OC Designs

[Technicolor_Pony 34]

I totally agree with Sole. I actually enjoy OCs who have a special power or two. For example, my OC changes colors and can be different pony breeds, but can't be other ponies. She can only use her horn to lift things and shoot lasers, which decreases her energy level. It what makes your pony different. I don't like cliché backstories, but a bit of a dark past isn't bad. I don't mind canon ones either.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

I've got quite a few OCs. I even made one who created the Friendship Express. 

I present to you...Golden Spike: http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/golden-spike-r5052

 

And while on the topic, the best OCs can be found in all species. It all depends on how the user utilizes his or her creativity. Sometimes, I think that when people make alicorn OCs, they make it fall under the generalization that all alicorns must be powerful. Sometimes, an OC can be an alicorn, but it doesn't always have to be royal. Take a look at Melody Breeze: http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/melody-breeze-r3875

 

In conclusion, the best OCs don't always have to be decked with super abilities. 

[~Sole~ 852]

I know that it's hard to make something truely original and most things nowadays are merely re imaginations of already existing things.

 

 

 

Again, this is the key, as I've stated in my previous ramblings. How you use the elements you incorporate into your character is the important part.

exactly. And I agree for the most part, a good OC with a good story could still be ruined by a bad rper, and same goes for the opposite as well.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Said OCs also look fake as Tartarus, given everypony in the show has soft colors.

Well, that's a shame. I think it depends on a person's creativity.

[Ribbonfree 2,383]

exactly. And I agree for the most part, a good OC with a good story could still be ruined by a bad rper, and same goes for the opposite as well.

 

RPing is almost purely a written medium. So I find that in my experience, the skill displayed in writing the profile is indicative of the skill actually RPing said character, as it's just a lot of writing in either case.

[Castle Bleck 19,307]

Well, that's a shame. I think it depends on a person's creativity.

 

Yeah, it kind of does.

 

...Except when they use colors that give headaches.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Yeah, it kind of does.

 

...Except when they use colors that give headaches.

Well, that's the only part that I hate.

[~Sole~ 852]

RPing is almost purely a written medium. So I find that in my experience, the skill displayed in writing the profile is indicative of the skill actually RPing said character, as it's just a lot of writing in either case.

that's not always the case. I know a few great rpers who've put little to no work into their OC's but still use them in an rp just fine.

[Red Cedar 1,408]

I think an interesting character can come from a description that lacks over-the-top powers or a tragic history. The thing is, it's difficult to translate this into a description of a character on a couple pages. I've been a table-top RPG player for years (D&D and the like) and always put a fair amount of thought into my characters, giving my GM's pages of background info. Thing is, that is only part of it. What makes a character come to life is interacting with them, or, in the case of characters for fiction, exploring how they interact with other characters. That's something that can't usually be well expressed in a page of description. I'll be the first to admit that on the surface my OC application here, for example, is gonna look boring (he's not even a pegasus or unicorn like 90% of them) but that's not the be-al and end-all of how he will come across to others.

[Venomous 18,859]

Yes, but some ocs arent that way, many people get rid of the immortality, my character isnt immortal yet she is an alicorn, she also needs to learn magic, she isnt good at it at all. (She lived in the everfree forest all her life) heck she cant even swim, she is a pretty good flier and loves to joke around with her sister featherswift (My oc in the picture)

Well it's good to see someone who doesn't have a Mary Su Alicorn OC.

[Ribbonfree 2,383]

that's not always the case. I know a few great rpers who've put little to no work into their OC's but still use them in an rp just fine.

 

Only seen that twice in my RPing career. And one of those examples was me. Different RPing experiences, I guess.

[Moonbacon 384]

Honestly i don't give a fuck if people say "oh your oc isn't in the canon universe therefore its mary sue go change it" 

 

Take my oc Moonlight for example Moonlight - Characters - Roleplay Characters - MLP Forums

 

She looks like that because she was the first OC i ever created and i made her that way i didn't change her design at all because for nostalgia's sake she's my first dam OC and i created her when i was very new to the fandom.

[Red Cedar 1,408]

Honestly i don't give a fuck if people say "oh your oc isn't in the canon universe therefore its mary sue go change it"

Everyone's OC is slightly Mary Sue... you're playing it!

[Blaze Bronson 343]

Way to strong colors makes the ponies look unnatural, and hard for the eyes.

 

I don't like ponies who deviate too much from canon. I mean, they are ponies. From Equestria. From a show that focuses on slice of life, stick to it. It isn't an action show.

 

Alicorns. It requires amazing writing skills to be allowed to create an alicorn oc. They are supposed to be rare.

 

OC's that's an unicorn or pegasus (or alicorn for that matter) that has no reason for being so. Like a pegasus that doesn't like to fly. Or a unicorn that doesn't have any special magic. Start off with a earth pony, and if your special talents or interests include either magic or flying, THEN go for that type.

 

Tragic back stories is just cheesy. But there is nothing in the way of having a back story with conflict. In my OC, Blaze doesn't feel he can reach up to his fathers potential, and feel excluded for being unable to practice magic. Even so, they share a strong friendly bond, and Blaze is in no way traumatized. It's only a conflict which builds character.

[Colorful Respawn 399]

And now I prepare for the general hatred of anything not cookie-cutter canon. I'm sorry, but almost any OC who sticks almost completely with canon is boring as hell and usually uninspired as well.

 

I love action characters, or dark characters. I love exciting adventures, and over the top stories and epic tales. That stuff is usually awesome to me. Not a normal pony deciding on how to not include the mane six into their boring and completely average lives. Because gods forbid I get creative and have an OC with powers, or an OC who can kick ass, or an OC who knows canon characters right?

 

Besides, being a character in equestria doesn't mean they need to be all lollipops and rainbows like the show. If that's the case then no human OC can be completely cheerful and happy because the human world isn't a completely bright and happy one. It just doesn't have to be like that if we don't want it to. our OC's can be as violent, scary, cool, unusual, stoopid, wacky, or uncanon as we want them to be. Because that's what an OC is, an ORIGINAL CHARACTER. As in, not just like every other pony in equestria.

 

And it's almost impossible make a character with zero cliche's whatsoever, because technically everything that's been done at least twice in all of fiction is a cliche. So by proxy your own OC is most likely "cliche" as well.

 

So I guess what I'm trying to say is... I'm sick of hearing things like "cliche" and "non-canon", because that stuff shouldn't be counted as flaws with an OC. OC's should be judged by personality and style, not looks and race and weather or not it'd fit into canon. Because they're your character, not hasbro's. So stop trying to make it look like they are and get creative for celestia's sake.

 

Alright, I think I'm done with my little rant. Just wanted to get that off my chest

1 million brohoofs my friend! Very well said indeed.

[FractalMoon 378]

RPing is almost purely a written medium. So I find that in my experience, the skill displayed in writing the profile is indicative of the skill actually RPing said character, as it's just a lot of writing in either case.

I have to disagree with this. As someone who's been DMing for various Pen and Paper role play systems, as well as an experienced role player myself, I've found that the talent of the writer has nothing to do with the quality of their profile. Some of the biggest munchkins I know are amazing writers, and sometimes amazing role players as well. On the flip side, I've had people at my table or in an RP thread with me who had amazing profiles, but their characters seemed flat once they actually got to playing their role. Writing a story may be different, but from a role playing perspective I value the ability to make a character seem alive over a well-written profile page.

Everyone's OC is slightly Mary Sue... you're playing it!

FINALLY! Someone who is using the correct definition of Mary Sue!

[Colorful Respawn 399]

 

 

I present to you...Golden Spike: http://mlpforums.com...den-spike-r5052

Dude, you are an excellent writer my friend, brohoof! I couldn't write like that even if I tried.   

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Dude, you are an excellent writer my friend, brohoof! I couldn't write like that even if I tried.   

Thanks a lot dude! I actaully wrote that during my history class!

[Colorful Respawn 399]

Thanks a lot dude! I actaully wrote that during my history class!

Haha, most of my stories consist of dialogue. I don't know how to write a story without it. 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@,

 

Oh I write my stories in paragraph form all the time. I can "see" and "hear" the events of it unfold in my head as I write it! 

[Archer Dash 163]

I don't make OCs because I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to make a decent one.  Subpar if I'm lucky but XP

[BlueMoon 53]

 

 

As someone who's been DMing for various Pen and Paper role play systems, as well as an experienced role player myself, I've found that the talent of the writer has nothing to do with the quality of their profile. Some of the biggest munchkins I know are amazing writers, and sometimes amazing role players as well. On the flip side, I've had people at my table or in an RP thread with me who had amazing profiles, but their characters seemed flat once they actually got to playing their role. Writing a story may be different, but from a role playing perspective I value the ability to make a character seem alive over a well-written profile page.

 

 

 

Writing OC:

I have to agree with you there, FractaLuna. I have been apart of Pen and paper, Live Action Role Play, MMORPG, and RPG Forums for around 11 years now. I have seen amazing writers suck at RP and vise versa. It depends on the person and where they are strong. Some of it comes from experience. I sucked at both RP and writing when I started but now I am more skilled. I will not say good but more skilled.

 

Some cliches are used in almost every book published. Its hard to get out of them cause no matter what, there will always be a story structured the same as yours. This does not mean  you can't have an amazing story. Just means calling someone's background cliche is a cheap cop-out of a critique.

 

I agree that giving your pony amazing powers that are outside of the normal scope is not good writing. I like seeing people write within the given setting. 

 

Race OC:

I find it . . . well . . . irritating when I see Alicorn OCs because in canon there are only four, with the exception of Queen Chrysalis . They are the rarest of rare ponies. But I am a canon elitist and I know it. I am the same way with most of the fandoms I am in. I am not discouraging anyone from creating their favorite OC, I am just putting out an opinion. 

 

Art OC:

I agree that OC ponies that have uncomplimentary colors hurt my eyes. I really wish there was a color theory post in the art section to help them. This way they would understand and make their work that much better. I love seeing budding artists improve. 

 

Grimdark Stories, Tragic Stories, etc:

 

I am a fan of grimdark because life is not nice. I can give examples of "humanized" ponies that would lead to grimdark stories. Most of the ponies seen in Manehattan are just as snobby and self absorbed as Manhattan rich people. When you get out of there, you see more 'down to earth' ponies, just like in real life. Now before you try to cut my head off, I have lived in both Big City and country town. I have seen many sides of life. I am just giving context to what I say.

 

So in Equestria, it would not be unheard of homeless ponies or 'down on their luck' ponies. Also there are animals, Hydra, timber wolves, dragons, Ursa Major, bears, chrysalis ponies etc.. that would eat ponies. This would lead to orphan ponies and orphanages. That being said, I think that there would be a lot more happy endings for these type of ponies because there would be more ponies like the Mane 6 that would give. 

 

That is all my opinions on most of the subjects I say in the posts. 

Edited March 20, 2014 by BlueMoon

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

I find OCs that are strictly canon-based to be boring. They take the "Original" part out of Original Character.

 

Neon colors are awful. Make the colors at least look well together.

 

No alicorns or relations to the Mane Six. I suppose involving important characters like the princesses in the backstory could work since they run the kingdom the pony was born in, but otherwise no.

 

Otherwise, anything else is fine.

[Flash Fire 386]

I have to disagree with this. As someone who's been DMing for various Pen and Paper role play systems, as well as an experienced role player myself, I've found that the talent of the writer has nothing to do with the quality of their profile. Some of the biggest munchkins I know are amazing writers, and sometimes amazing role players as well. On the flip side, I've had people at my table or in an RP thread with me who had amazing profiles, but their characters seemed flat once they actually got to playing their role. Writing a story may be different, but from a role playing perspective I value the ability to make a character seem alive over a well-written profile page.

FINALLY! Someone who is using the correct definition of Mary Sue!

I rather dislike forum RP. Give me tabletop or live action any day. Some people just fall into acting the part better than writing it. Edited March 20, 2014 by Flash Fire

[FractalMoon 378]

I rather dislike forum RP. Give me tabletop or live action any day. Some people just fall acting the part better than writing it.

Probably helps that in a TTRPG you can just joke around and have a good time. People in forum RPs are way too serious business... What tabletop systems do you run?