Post by RowBoat on Feb 24, 2009 20:24:30 GMT -5
I know a lot of people like to debate powers and their validity when it comes to RPing them. Obviously, people want to make their characters stand out and what not in some way. At the same time, going too far can certainly be an abuse.
When making a characters, most powers, particularly in NHA and KH:E, have so much room to flourish and show the evolution of your character. Starting with a power that is already at its greatest or dwarfs everyone else in the room is never, ever a good idea, methinks.
Also, include limits in those abilities. And not these platitudes, like "Well, Mark can control anyone he wants with a blink of the eye, but he only blinks 3000 times a day, as opposed to the regular 5000!" If you're going to bother with a limit, it should be a limitation that can genuinely keep your character from just using their abilities with no regard for the pseudo-limits you put in place. Just having a few off screen remarks about 'limits' is really just a way of trying to push away calls of god modding. And from a literary standpoint, it's just an example of telling, not showing.
In short, I really think we all know an overpowered ability when we see it. However, the way that ability is used also affects how that power in the right hands is viewed. For instance, I'm sure Meep could create a character that could blow up hearts with every sneeze that would still not be overpowered just because she's an amazing writer who knows how to have limitations. And I think a lot of RPers on this site are like that too. Most powers have been done before in some vein and a lot of people on the site have found a way to subvert them, add limits, and make them intriguing. For another character to just come along with a completely overpowered ability is a slap in the face to their effort as far as I'm concerned.
There is a motley of powers on the site and everyone, on some level, will want that character to have their moment in the limelight to show that power. However, when an overpowered ability comes along and just solves the conflict at hand with a snap of fingers, it also has the potential to limit the development of other characters.
So really, when someone says your character is overpowered, it's probably for a good reason (certainly not one malicious in nature), and it deserves more than a roll of the eyes and a flimsy excuse.
*Cue calls of Serious Business*
<_< This was longer than I thought. Maybe Meep should add this to the rules of the site, lolol.
When making a characters, most powers, particularly in NHA and KH:E, have so much room to flourish and show the evolution of your character. Starting with a power that is already at its greatest or dwarfs everyone else in the room is never, ever a good idea, methinks.
Also, include limits in those abilities. And not these platitudes, like "Well, Mark can control anyone he wants with a blink of the eye, but he only blinks 3000 times a day, as opposed to the regular 5000!" If you're going to bother with a limit, it should be a limitation that can genuinely keep your character from just using their abilities with no regard for the pseudo-limits you put in place. Just having a few off screen remarks about 'limits' is really just a way of trying to push away calls of god modding. And from a literary standpoint, it's just an example of telling, not showing.
In short, I really think we all know an overpowered ability when we see it. However, the way that ability is used also affects how that power in the right hands is viewed. For instance, I'm sure Meep could create a character that could blow up hearts with every sneeze that would still not be overpowered just because she's an amazing writer who knows how to have limitations. And I think a lot of RPers on this site are like that too. Most powers have been done before in some vein and a lot of people on the site have found a way to subvert them, add limits, and make them intriguing. For another character to just come along with a completely overpowered ability is a slap in the face to their effort as far as I'm concerned.
There is a motley of powers on the site and everyone, on some level, will want that character to have their moment in the limelight to show that power. However, when an overpowered ability comes along and just solves the conflict at hand with a snap of fingers, it also has the potential to limit the development of other characters.
So really, when someone says your character is overpowered, it's probably for a good reason (certainly not one malicious in nature), and it deserves more than a roll of the eyes and a flimsy excuse.
*Cue calls of Serious Business*
<_< This was longer than I thought. Maybe Meep should add this to the rules of the site, lolol.