Characters reviews discussion

[Mayday]

Parody of what? the time I see it work it always work perfectly, pretty much an earth pony with a hand held device that let him fly. un-MLP if you ask me.

Platinum's rod is a parody + combination of the Ape escape series Stun Club and Skyflyer.

Stun club- Is primarily for hitting things which is why i changed it to be used for other means at times. Such as a key and battery.
http://apeescape.wikia.com/wiki/Stun_Club


Sky flyer- I apologize its supposed to only yield temporary flight but ends almost as abruptly . Its used for flying over gaps but i kind of extended so i could make a humorous scene changes.
Can only hold one pony for humorous reasons as well.
http://apeescape.wikia.com/wiki/Sky_Flyer

All your character are fairly un-MLP.

No changes are requested, but I recommend thinking over what you like about MLP and why you plan on doing so many things that are completely un-MLP. I am pretty sure you know which one are not in spirit. Try to get yourself closer to MLP over time, not further away, would be my suggestion.

[D-Rave]

Ok then thanks Mayday ^_^

If anypony else has any other queries or problems concerning my characters (Cept Redjack/Blackjack cos there being revamped...) Please PM me or post it here.

[Masterweaver]

What is this MLP spirit you keep espousing, exactly? Shouldn't you be more worried about FIM? MLP is just a franchise... and the previous gens aren't really acknowledged here.

[Diamond Charm]

I think Mayday isn't very unclear. Many now use the name MLP and just simply take it to mean generation 4.

[Obsidian]

Obsidian:
Can breath fire hot enough to melt rock.

Yes that is probably a more then just a little out of line. His other ability probably should not be particular special to keep him not overly special in the show.

His other ability is just resistance to heat. I will scale back the fire to be about what I've seen Spike do on the show.

Thank you for your time.

[Whiteeyes]

Any input on my character's background?

Not really no.

OK then, thank you, that's good to know.

[IHaveNoNick]

I have not been able to RP much on this site due to real life circumstances that popped up shortly after registering. That having been said, I do not see this as a bad move. I found the direction that certain players wanted to go in as distracting at best; this isn't meant as a dig towards anypony, since we all have different roleplay styles. I think the MLP:FIM universe is an interesting mix. On the one hand, there is the potential for drama and adventure, but it always remains somewhat tongue in cheek. I don't think we want to remove ALL serious elements from play, but to be frank, the MLP universe doesn't seem fit for super serious, combat related characters, or for multiple "negative" character traits. I appreciate that the staff is willing to work with players to maintain a certain atmosphere and I like the amount of cooperation that is being offered.

As I have not had the opportunity to play too much and my character has no magical abilities, I don't think I'm on the hotseat, but my characters are "Spanner" and "Rhythm", the latter has not yet been played. Hopefully I'll get a break and get to play some more soon!

[Tek Croon]

I read it all and I just have one thing to say.

I love Apple_Bumpkin more than any other character but Fluttershy. She doesn't have wings or magic but that hasn't yet prevented her from doing pretty much whatever she wants. Personality makes up for superpowers when played right IMHO. Holla if ya love an earth pony!

[Whiteeyes]

I have to agree with the EP love of personality. Look at my first, and favorite, character.

[Phenom]

I've no idea if this an appropriate thread to post my question in, but here I go.

For future refernece, I was wondering about what rules we have on creating characters based on other fandoms. So far on this site, I've seen a small handful of ponified versions of characters from stuff other then MLP, such as a Chell pony from Portal and a Panty pony from that... Pant and Stockings anime(I don't remember the correct name. xP ). And of course there's Doctor Whooves, assuming anypony's playing him here.
So is this allowed then? And if so, are there limitations on how much these kinds of pony characters can have in common with the characters they're based on?

[Barbarella]

In my opinion, I think it's fine; just as long as the character is adapted to fit the universe, and that the character feels like they could be in the universe in the first place (satirical interpretations notwithstanding.)

[Phenom]

Mmkay, so in that case I take it that the generic "This character is plucked from their own world and dropped in Equestria and is suddenly a pony" excuse would be frowned upon. xP

[Mayday]

Mmkay, so in that case I take it that the generic "This character is plucked from their own world and dropped in Equestria and is suddenly a pony" excuse would be frowned upon. xP

A lot of people use those actually. In general, it is not a problem.

[Masterweaver]

Well, maybe in chat. However, the intertwined nature of forum RP would make such a character something of an oddity.

[Diamond Charm]

an oddity perhaps, but not necessarily a problematic one.

[Mayday]

ClumsyWaffle's character have been requested change base on these.

In MLP show, no pony have got healed by magic. Or have any electricity power more then a harmless zip. Yet this particular character want abilities, each of them are extremely powerful, in her own word, "healing major injuries thing in Seconds" and demonstratively "blowing open oor and walls". Despite the fact that the character is both a young filly at CMC's age, and is not even a magic user (Being a pegasus). It was deem unrealistic and requested revamp.

Update: Puzzles and Ponies should help you find out whether your character fits well or not.

[Mayday]

Axl's character have been requested changes base on this.

"Hero scarf" have been decided unrealistic in MLP universe for the following reason.

1. It can be used as extra arm, for /any/ pony. Referencing the show, no pony have such an ability beside unicorn, and no item gives such ability.
2. It can store anything, /and/ hide them, /and/ give them seemingly no weight, no pony have any of these ability, beside breaking 4th wall type of occasion, much less all at once.
3. It is available in seemingly unlimited availability, he have more then one character that have one, and even gave them away. Such valuable item, if exist, would be exceptionally special in a world where no pony have hands.

Axl player have been requested to remove them. And leave all explanation in Out of character level.

[D-Rave]

Yeah I got a bit carried away

I made some changes
Noland's bandana is completely regular now
Platinum and Axl's scarves are regular now as well. The stuff they usually carry within them will be visible to other ponies as well.

Though Platinum will randomly bring out a guitar out of nowhere for comedic reasons.

Also i'm wondering how far are we allowed to go with 4th wall/ cartoon physics in terms of storage space?

I can understand I went too far with the whole *pulls out just what he needs right now* but i'm wondering what's the limit.

[Mayday]

Yeah I got a bit carried away

I made some changes
Noland's bandana is completely regular now
Platinum and Axl's scarves are regular now as well. The stuff they usually carry within them will be visible to other ponies as well.

Though Platinum will randomly bring out a guitar out of nowhere for comedic reasons.

Also i'm wondering how far are we allowed to go with 4th wall/ cartoon physics in terms of storage space?

I can understand I went too far with the whole *pulls out just what he needs right now* but i'm wondering what's the limit.

There are no hard limit unfortunately. Character ability is not a black and white thing. I can only promise you when I request changes, it is because it make the place feel less like Ponyville in the show.

[Mayday]

This is about the Character Blackjack/Redjack

1) Alicron: this one is probably obvious, in the show, there are only 2 alicron

2) One winged: in the show, there are NO pony who only have one wings

3) Demonic wing: In the show, there are NO pony who have such wings either.

4) Alter ego: In the show, there are only ONE pony with alter ego

5) Sword: in the show, there are no weapon

6) Stab himself: This is a PG chat. This is disallowed.

7) transformation cape: in the show, there are no magical item.

8) Attacking: in the show, Pony don't attack each other

9) Criminal: In the show, there are no Criminal

Each of these are defining characteristics that are EXTREMELY unique in the show. And your character... well. HALF your character have NINE of them.

This character requires to be Completely ditched. Please don't bother overvamp it.

[D-Rave]

moved to page 5....

[Barbarella]

I'm going to post a few tips on making a good character in general; for any setting. Because; why not?
(MASSIVE incoming text wall)

*Make sure your character fits the universe.
If it's a GRIM AND DARK ADVENTURE IN THE FUTURE OF GRIM AND DARKNESS, don't make a happy little girl with a giant sword. If you're doing EPIC ADVENTURE, don't make a character whose only motivation is to be left alone.

*Try to avoid characters that are designed to be center stage.
Like they have some sad past or EPIC PURPOSE that you're convinced will make them the most important guy around. Don't try to GRAB the limelight, if your character ends up as the charismatic or energetic leader, go with it, but don't pick a character who's made for the spot. It just tends to end up annoying everypony when some guy that no one really cares THAT much about constantly tries to draw attention to himself.

*Don't try to make flawless characters.
The only thing worse than a character who's terrible at everything is one that's flawless and/or equally good at everything. Screw-ups define a character. Anypony can easily play a hero when everything goes to plan, things are fine, it all works out. But what does a REAL hero, or a real villain, or a real PERSON do when things go bad? When their epic plan just made things worse? When they're forced to make tough choices and sacrifices? That's what memorable situations are made out of. Fighting their own flaws and mistakes, the fruits of their hubris and arrogance, often makes for a more engaging scenario.

*FLAWS.
It doesn't matter if you want to play somepony awesome and competent; the RP will benefit if your character is flawed in some way, and you CAN do that and play somepony interesting at the same time. Flaws don't have to be crippling, they just have to indicate SOME sort of weakness, whether it's mental, physical, social, personality-wise, whatever. They also should be real flaws, not stupid "quirky" stuff that never actually negatively affects the character's life in some way (think back to Mary Sue cliches-- too pretty, a little clumsy, too trusting... Though to an extreme, minus the first one, these CAN actually be flaws. You have to use them right) Flaws make your character more realistic as a character.

*Don't focus on being unique
Looks/race/past or even skill-wise, focus on being unique personality-wise. Even Bob the Farmer can be a memorable character because of the way he talks, acts or how he died while distracting Zoldark the Dark Lord of Darkness with a kick to the groin, while Xax'xax'zaz the Elven Catgirl Assassin/Cleric/Black Belt can be entirely boring and bland despite having more super cool powers than digits, and end up being remembered as nothing more than a bad joke.

*Abandon the ego.
The first thing you have to realize is that you are not allowed to make any character you want. Cry and moan about that if you want, but you are just as restricted as the other players and the administrators. Know that DM that railroads you in D&D games wherever he wants or that guy in your group that has an evil drow assassin while everypony else is playing human paladins? They've exceeded their boundaries. They've sacrificed the integrity of the game for their lame desires.
To start, look first at the setting of the RP itself. No one cares that you've only RPed Naruto or something, they're still going to be pretty irked that you're trying to bring your super cool ninja with reality bending powers into MLP. You have to be far more flexible than that. After you've taken a look at the setting, don't even start thinking about a character concept yet. Oh Celestia do not even start thinking at all yet. First look at the other players, see what they're doing, and listen to their suggestions just as often as you give out your own

*First time here? Want to try a new character?
Well don't you dare start thinking about a character yet or I'll tell Pinkie Pie that you have a party going during your sleep hours. You know that great idea for a character you have? Stop. Put it on the back burner, and leave it there. The most important part of making a good character is understanding. Understanding as much as you possibly can before even starting with that "concept" you've got. Your race, your abilites, your job, your age, your peculiarity, all of that doesn't matter just yet. Yes, even if you've been dying to try this character idea out, even if there's a gun against your head that will fire if you don't make a character right now. Don't commit to anything before you are quite sure.

*What is "Quite sure?"
Being quite sure is understanding the underlying elements of your preferences. You want to play a Unicorn? Why do you want to play a Unicorn? What is it about a Unicorn that's appealing? You like their grace and serenity? Why do you like their grace and serenity? You like them because they give the character a sense of nobility and maturity? Why do you want to give your character a sense of nobility and maturity? etc. etc.
In order to make a good character, you're going to have to invest a bit of brain power into understanding your preferences within an RP. You are going to have to look back at what you liked in the show, and other RPs (and if you say you liked fighting or being powerful, you are asking questions that lead to fruitless answers), and what things you liked best.

*Your mechanics should reflect your character.
Do not make your character's skills first and then fill in his personality and background afterwards. Do not make your character's personality and background first and then fill in his abilities. Do them at the same time, bit by bit. Take the time to slowly form the concept, and be ready to sacrifice some ability if it doesn't work with his background or to change his personality if it doesn't work with his skills.

*Go back to the first tip, and continue down the list again. If you've somehow managed to reach this point in under half an hour with a character practically finished, you're character is a piece of manure everypony will hate, and you shouldn't even put it on the backburner, but throw it out. Now go back and rethink your character from the start, examining all the smallest, most minuscule details to the point in which you start to hate everypony and the world. It'll be worth it, because not only will you have more fun playing this character, everypony around you won't end up fantasizing about killing you. (Exaggeration!)

*Your character evolves.
Even if you're committed to a character you've made after a great, great, great deal of inner meditation, you have to be willing to understand that changes will occur within the RP to this character. You may want him to be well known for being fearless, but he might eventually face something too scary to handle. You may want your cop to be meek and afraid to use force as anything other than a threat, but he might have to tackle a crook to save his partner's life. Make sure you keep this in mind while you make your character.

*Decide on motivations for your character.
This is essential to really understand who you're playing, and it's often the key to good roleplaying. What drives your character? Define goals of any sort. They can be long-term or short-term, unattainable or within reach. This will give others the chance to get closer to your character, and you are already on your way toward creating interesting situations.

*The Golden Rule: View your character objectively.
Got some sort of almost formed character in your head? Okay. Now, you know that player whose RP style you like the least? Imagine them playing this character. If you didn't get a little mad, you've either done something horribly right or perfectly wrong, with the latter infinitely more common. Keep in mind that you always like things that you've made better than things you haven't, and your vision is going to be miserably skewed whenever you look at your own character. Imagining it being somepony else's character helps a little.

*Don't automatically defend your character.
If somepony doesn't like your character, don't rise up to the character's defense all hot and bothered like some white knight. If somepony's accusing it of being broken, they've probably got a good basis for that if they've bothered to tell you. If they don't like something else, make sure you take their comments seriously. Your fellow players are a valid source of opinions, and make sure you really, really examine their criticisms before you either accept them or dismiss them.

* Roleplaying is not a Game. Roleplaying is not like stories or movies or books.
Roleplaying is an entity of its own, and this should be remembered in all steps of the character creation process. If you're making your character like one you'd play in a video game, don't. If you're making one like you would for a story, you'd best stop right there and flush whatever ideas you have right out. Keep in mind what this character is going to be used for, and make sure you begin to understand exactly what that means.

*The list of things to avoid.
Do not try to make your character stronger or weaker than everypony else's. Do not detail its appearance for more than four or five sentences, with six being the absolute maximum. No one gives a flank about the exact shape and color of their eyes. Do not use the character to act out personal fantasies created by your own shortcomings. Do not wear nostalgia goggles. Do not lie to yourself. Do not pretend to understand when you don't understand. Nowhere in your character's description should be the words "badass", "antihero", "chain-smoking", "devious", "anti-social", "flirtatious", "omnipotent", "explosively flatulent", "quadriplegic", "bishie", "kawaii", or "awesome" (just examples). Do not expect your character to be considered good simply because he is ugly while everypony else is playing a good looking character. Do not detach yourself from your character when bad things happen to him. Don't forget, above all else, that you are supposed to enjoy making and playing the character.

*Give yourself a little time to settle into the character.
I know it takes me around 2 or 3 sessions before I can easily slip into character and make decisions as that character without having to really think about it. There's also the fact that you might start out with one idea and end up actually playing another, in which case it is okay to tweak it. With my favorite character, I started out with a rather different personality on the sheet than who I ended up playing, and it was definitely the right thing to adjust her information accordingly.

*And the most important things?
-A good character is an original character.

-Don't be afraid to throw it all out the window and derp it up sometimes. You're doing this for FUN, dang it, and if nopony has a problem, you should play the blatant mary sue drizz't clone chain smoking olympian.

-A character concept is just as important as it's execution. However, the reasoning behind said concept is not. You don't need a deep, psychological basis for it: It's a frickin' fictional character.
If you want to play an Elf, as long the setting allows for it, rock the heck on. Want to play a Dwarf? Same applies. Want to play Batman? Hey, it's all cool, but you, as a player, have to figure out how to pull it off to everypony's approval. I'm not going to like it just because you repeatedly say "I am the night!" in RP.


TL;DR: Have fun, don't make a mary sue, and be cool.

Some of those may be contradicting, some of them may be downright stupid.
But hay, those are just my opinions; and you're bound to disagree with at least four of them.

[Skyblaze]

Here's my take...

We're all adults and teenagers here, and are fans of the cartoon. Our love of the show is what brought us here in the first place.

However, because we are older than the target demographic of the show, it's unreasonable to assume that all the stories we come up with in chat will be as sugary sweet as the show. Things will get serious from time to time, and things will get mature from time to time, because we aren't all 8 year old girls.

There's a limit to what's acceptable, of course, and that limit should be enforced, but in general our stories will usually not be something that you'd ever see on the show. And that's ok.

However, even though our stories aren't like what you'd see on the show, the characters we create should be.

[zeeth]

This is about the Character Blackjack/Redjack

And this is my lone opinion. I am not a mod, but I'm going to give my very direct opinion, because it illustrates some differences between Mayday's opinion and mine about what should be allowed in RP.

1) Alicron: this one is probably obvious, in the show, there are only 2 alicron

Just from this list, I see somepony wanted to make a villain or a monstrous-looking character. Probably a serious villain, considering the "power" aspect of choosing alicorn for race. That's a Big Plot type character, and probably ought to be discussed with the mods as part of a big themed plotline so as to not step on others' tails.

As far as making an alicorn goes, they should be kept rare and special. Young alicorns might have a place as regular characters, mature alicorns should be background or temporary characters at most, generally with a specific purpose for their presence. Ponyvilleians still view their Princesses as great, wondrous, inspiring beings... right? And we have only seen two in the show. Nightmare Moon is Luna with a demon in control, not a separate pony.

2) One winged: in the show, there are NO pony who only have one wings
3) Demonic wing: In the show, there are NO pony who have such wings either.

Deformity and difference don't have to be scary. However, neither do ponies need demon wings.

4) Alter ego: In the show, there are only ONE pony with alter ego

In the show, there is one ponies with an alter ego -- one controlled by a demonic influence. And then Pinkamena Diane is a pony whose breakdown caused her to personify her emotions in the form of "character" objects she'd gathered in place of her friends. If she'd been allowed to sink further, perhaps the fragmentation would become complete and internal, rather than externalized... but she wasn't. And Luna was rescued, too, though we haven't yet seen the canon interpretation of her personality afterward. But there's plenty of fanon that says she is a sweet and caring creature who just needs to feel appreciated for her gifts... the intro story echoed back to us in tones of hope rather than despair.

(Party of One is one of the most disturbing things I've ever watched on television. FiM isn't afraid to address scary things, and neither should we be. But ponies make everything better, and the story came out as a happy victory, however fragile it might seem at first due to time constraints.)

As it is, in the chat, there are a number of characters who have multiple personalities and influences living in the same body, as well as dark or alternate personalities having been split off from various characters, mostly through magical influence. The Jeckyll/Hyde thing is a fairly common horror theme, and I think it's currently overplayed. I'd disallow this at the moment for that reason, especially for a character whose whole basis is being a Major Villain with no associated plotline.

5) Sword: in the show, there are no weapon

There are plenty of knives, used on cake and other foods. But a tool is only an object; it is the use we put it to which defines its morality. That said, if a pony wants a sword, they'd better have a darn good reason, because swords and other weapons are designed to harm living things.

6) Stab himself: This is a PG chat. This is disallowed.

I'd say, rather, self-mutilation is a grim and dark subject, not normally to be addressed in the bright and pleasant format of the show. But I'd allow it under strictly PG-13 or looser rules, or push to minimize it but not eliminate it under PG. Characters can be allowed to be emo, but we don't want a whole Crowd of Gloom or Anger hanging around grimming up Ponyville. I didn't come here to play in Scary Darkville, thanks, I actually wanted to play ponies and have tea parties (and other parties) and mostly light-hearted adventure, and explore sociological phenomena and interpersonal relations in a safer place than high school ever was. Flaws and scars are part of that, but "going big" without obvious parody or a plot theme to back it up... I dunno.

7) transformation cape: in the show, there are no magical item.

Scrolls that aren't enchanted, but rather have a spell cast on them by breath or horn to travel elsewhere as smoke that reforms itself. Tickets that have a spell cast on them to float over a particular pony's head. Vehicles and ropes that have a spell cast on them to move by themselves. You'd think this subtle note would explain: there are ways to enchant items, but specially focused magic items are not common, and their presence and functions should generally be limited in some way. If you want a transformation cape, I'd say roleplay for it, and don't want a single thing so hard you get disappointed with a camouflage cloak or an impersonation spell that does just as good a job (provided you can hide your voice, or maybe get the right ingredients, or something like that). Learn to improvise, kids, because roleplay is improv and so is most of life. You've got string, glitter, sticks, and glue. Make something awesome.

8) Attacking: in the show, Pony don't attack each other
9) Criminal: In the show, there are no Criminal

Villains do and villains are, and Ponyville in the chat has a jail and a town guard and criminal punishment when the show has given us none of these. Villainous characters should be discussed with the mods.

Also, ponies do sometimes fight in the show. They just don't normally fight with deadly weapons. Imagine a pie-flinging showdown, one shot each, at fifteen paces... who gets hit, and is it delicious?

Each of these are defining characteristics that are EXTREMELY unique in the show. And your character... well. HALF your character have NINE of them.

Numbers are a guideline in social activities, not an absolute rule. Still, when your characters are pretty much all about being monstrous badasses when the theme of the RP is something else entirely, you might have a problem.

"Extremely" unique is not a thing, by the way. I would have phrased that "unique or extremely rare".

This character requires to be Completely ditched. Please don't bother overvamp it.

In other words, "We have enough villains right now. Please try again with something more in-theme with the normal ponies of the show."

And I like Skyblaze's take on this stuff, to a degree.

[Barbarella]

because we aren't all 8 year old girls.

Oh, Skyblaze.
So naive.