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| mylittlellama #947503 5 months ago |
...whatever you want to, its your fantasy. |
| Anonymous #947515 5 months ago |
There are no rules(or should be no rules) for OC. No two eyes behold the world in the same manner, so different people may think a certain OC is fit for canon, fanon, or they make just think the OC is cool.
OC feeds on the liveliness of its fans, if an OC has no fans, it has no reason to continue. So if this is a concern about "good" or "cool" OC's, leave the "bad" ones to die, and the "good" ones to be revered. |
| Drefsab #947517 5 months ago |
OCs are fine if they serve their purpose. Some OCs are done really well (See: Fallout Equestria), most are...not.
Personally, I'd say that as long as your OC isn't some stupid Sue or Stu, you're fine. |
| Anonymous #947523 5 months ago |
For stories, don't try to force them into the mane six (or main group), remember that the story does not revolve around your character, it revolves around the already established characters, that's the point of FanFiction |
| Anonymous #947524 5 months ago |
@515
OC's also feed on their haters. |
| Anonymous #947526 5 months ago |
I think they shouldn't be non-original, like copied from someone else or one of the show regulars. Sure if you want to reinterpret a show regular or what-not you can, but I don't think anyone would tag that as OC. |
| MaroonBunyip #947533 5 months ago |
Characters need personality. With a generic personality they might as well be in the background. |
| Theopticals #947540 5 months ago |
They can be the pony version of Queen Isabella, and roleplay with a Harry Potter OC for all I care.
I don't really care at all. |
| Psyga315 #947541 5 months ago |
No Alicorns. |
| Anonymous #947549 5 months ago |
Could it be? MaroonBunyip posting something that doesn't kill me with laughter or make my eyes bleed? Anyway, I have no problems with OCs personally, but I don't really wanna make one myself. |
| CottonTales #947551 5 months ago |
No guidelines do whatever you want |
| Anonymous #947555 5 months ago |
@Psyga315
You know the idea you just gave me? A gryffon alicorn! Or maybe an earth griffon! Wouldn't that be crazy? |
| Anonymous #947558 5 months ago |
My number one piece of advice would be this: follow the rules of the setting.
Before you give your OC a particular trait, make sure that it's a trait they could reasonably have, given the rules of the setting. People have expectations about how the world you're writing in works. Every time you go against them, you're stretching their suspension of disbelief, and probably making it seem like you're doing a fictional character (the OC in question) favors. Making them "special" cheaply. Similarly, when your OC interacts with an established character in the setting, and those characters react a certain way, check that those reactions fit the nature of the characters in question. Far too often, you see OCs who, while acceptable in and of themselves, cause everything to be about them as they walk through the world. Don't do that. Make the world around them respond as it would respond to any character in that situation, and people will be able to construe it as the setting they know and love. |
| Anonymous #947562 5 months ago |
Really the only rule for Mlp at least is no alicorns. This is like making a fanfic of the elder scrolls and making your of main character a member of the nine/eight divines. Alicorns are pretty much gods and gods are pretty much intentional sues. But sues are bad OCs. So stick to the other 3 races. |
| Jackarunda #947563 5 months ago |
Model the OC entirely after yourself.
That way, it won't have too many good traits. |
| mylittlellama #947564 5 months ago |
A tip is giving the character a very simple weakness to work with, like he/she/it/omgwtfisthatthing has to work with everyday to overcome, lets take our beloved derpy, she has one weakness, her goofy eyes, which has inspired many interesting comics, stories and other interpretations.
or berry punch, shes established as a drunk. A weakness can lead to good stories if done in an natural way. |
| PonyPon #947565 5 months ago |
wasn't there a post a long time ago with sound advice on this? or was that only concerned with design? |
| CottonTales #947567 5 months ago |
@947555
make it happen...the earth griffon I mean griffon alicorn sounds tacky |
| NightJack #947587 5 months ago |
I only have one rule for OCs, if the mere fact of having them there makes the main cast look dumb then out with the OC, in other words no mary-sue/gary-stu. |
| PonyPon #947596 5 months ago |
a unicorn is full-grown, but in terms of magic ability, could probably be outdone by the average foal:
is this a believable weakness? |
| Drefsab #947599 5 months ago |
Actually, there's a really good tip for writing characters in stories that applies to OCs as well: For every major strength, a major weakness.
Balance your character, basically. Oh, and no Alicorns. You are not a Goddess and/or Lauren Faust. Only she gets an Alicorn OC. |
| Anonymous #947602 5 months ago |
No alicorns! |
| NightJack #947625 5 months ago |
^ Ya that too. |
| Anonymous #947629 5 months ago |
1º No seizure-inducing colors
2º No tragic past, you fucking emos. 3º No self inserts, usually your own person sucks more. 4º No extravagant clothing/accesories 5º Make them have some weaknesses. Dont make them be almost godlike but weak to water, ex. 6º No alicorns, for the love of god, you fucking narcissist. 7º Make your character bend WITH the story, dont make the story bend BECAUSE of the character. 8º OC x Whatever, if you can avoid this, do it. If not then at least make people like your oc, if it is a self insert then dont state it or simply avoid the shipping. 9º Firm personality for your OC, but still a bit flexible so it can addapt to the story. |
| Anonymous #947636 5 months ago |
oh i almost forgot
11º DONT FUCKING OVERDO IT |
| Anonymous #947637 5 months ago |
oh i almost forgot
10º DONT FUCKING OVERDO IT |
| Psychopomf #947640 5 months ago |
And apparently
12º NO ALICORNS |
| Anonymous #947710 5 months ago |
Tragic pasts are okay to me as long as they are done well. A character that whines because "nobody loves me" annoys the hell out of me. A character that is merely cynical because he's been through and seen real tragedy which has hardened his stance on the world is far more interesting. As for things like romance, two points: one, the OC better be a pony, and two, take a longer time to develop those feelings between characters because half a day or a week is not enough to even get close to that point. |
| mylittlellama #947740 5 months ago |
and that no-self insert is not completely right.
being inspired by something you yourself have gone through is how many great stories have come to fruition. let the character be inspired by you if you want to. |
| Anonymous #947748 5 months ago |
^Usually your own person sucks more.
That rule i believe depends if you are likable or not. |
| Azarias #947893 5 months ago |
My only rules are:
No alicorns No ridiculous colors (this is mostly a shot at all the black and red oc's I've encountered) It's cool for your OC's talents to fall in line with some of the main cast's, but it's not cool to have those talents outshine the main cast's by large amounts. Example OC Name: Featherhoof Race: Earth Pony Colors: White, (mane and tail) Forest Green, (coat) Eyes: Gold Cutie mark: A bird's wing Talent: Taking care of animals, but does best with birds. Featherhoof grew up with a single parent, his pegasus mother. His father passed away before he was born. He wishes he could fly like his mother, but even though he can't he doesn't let it get him down. He nearly drowned when he was a young colt, so he has a fear of water greater than 2 inches deep. He can communicate with animals on a similar level to Fluttershy, but only rivals her talent when he talks to birds. Envious of their ability to fly, he took lessons in hang-gliding when he became an adult. He is however, not as kind to animals as Fluttershy. If he finds a belligerent animal messing with other animals, he won't hesitate to put the offending critter in its place. In one instance, he found a group of weasels violently harassing a lone fox. He proceeded to beat the crap out of several of them, until they turned tail and fled. He keeps that fox as a pet, and named her Morgan. --- Look at that, I just went and created an OC who's not some neon-colored alicorn who's omnipotent and doesn't bend the universe to his will. He shares a talent with one of the main cast, but doesn't outshine them in it. That was just an asspull as well. I think I'll save this one for a short fic. I'm interested in seeing any comments on this one. |
| SomeponyTheVectorer #947916 5 months ago |
"HURR DURR MAI OC IS BETR THAN RENBO DAHS AN KEN DO OVER 9000 SONEK RONBOMS AND BROK SPED OF LITE ONCE"
^ See that? Dont do that. |
| marston #947967 5 months ago |
Well, my OC might be the opposite of a mary sue, because he's a total asshole, his life is terrible, nobody likes him {For good reason too}, and he would be the butt monkey of any fanfics I would do. Any of you watch Courage the cowardly dog? He would be the mlp equIavlant to Eustace, but without the occasional sympathatic moments {And he's almost close to Big mac in terms of possible age}. Most of the mane 6 wouldn't really get along with him much either.
Not that I expect any of you to care of course, I just wanted to say this somewhere. And yes, he would have the same name as my username {Yeah, I know it's lazy and whatnot}. |
| Anonymous #948007 5 months ago |
^I wouldnt read a fanfic with this character. |
| CottonTales #948009 5 months ago |
Let me try
Name: Amethyst Sugar Race: Unicorn Colors: Purple(coat) Brown (Mane and Tail) Eyes: Pink Gender: Female Cutie Mark: Heart with Gem Talent: Jewel-crafting Born into a family of bakers Amethyst always felt somewhat outshined by her older and even younger siblings. Fed up with her lack of progress in the culinary field she left home to find her true calling. After years of internal searching Amethyst has become a jewel crafter, using her magic to shape the gems that she finds into works of art. She is a resourceful and open-minded mare even though she has a tendency to allow her greed get the best of her. She has an immense fear of blood and a dislike of ignorance ----------- I think that basically works, enough of an outline without that many details...also has nothing to do with the mane six |
| Azarias #948011 5 months ago |
For some reason Marston, I'm somewhat of a fan of asshole protagonists. |
| Azarias #948018 5 months ago |
Also Cotton, that's pretty good in my opinion. |
| CottonTales #948035 5 months ago |
@Azarias
thank you |
| Psychopomf #948044 5 months ago |
Is this share your OC time?
Also 13º There is no º 13 14º No Alicorns |
| Anonymous #948053 5 months ago |
@I REALLY like cotton´s one. |
| CottonTales #948079 5 months ago |
@948053
HUZZAH the like has been doubled *shot* |
| Anonymous #948104 5 months ago |
@cotton
i still like the oc, i dont like you anymore. |
| CottonTales #948121 5 months ago |
@948104
It was terrible but I just had to say it so I regret nothing |
| Arne #948157 5 months ago |
There are a few personal guidelines I tend to follow.
1) Never have your OC have any serious interactions with any canon characters. A brief meeting or a small chat every now and then is ok... so long as it's not over done. 2) Godlike powers are forbidden. Having a powerful character is ok, but they shouldn't be able to defeat anyone or anything with out breaking a sweat. 3) There is nothing wrong with you and your OC sharing some traits, but you have to do so in moderation. If you can trade personalities with your OC and there not be a noticeable difference, you might want to re-think them. 4) No Alicorns! For the love all that is good and pure in the world, no Alicorns! |
| Anonymous #948201 5 months ago |
Don't be Griffy.
That's about it. Griffy is like a ponies version of "Don't Do What Donnie Don't Does." |
| Azarias #948233 5 months ago |
@Arne
I agree with all of them except #1 really, but even then it's not really major. Some of the more interesting fics I've read relied on OC/canon interaction. They've not been romance, but some of them have been quite good imo. It really depends on how an author goes about it. If their OC blends into the main cast, then I'm not really hip to it. Even then it just really depends on the author's skill. That said I do see the reasoning behind #1 on your list. Sometimes an OC just interacts too well with the main cast, despite the fact that some of the character traits should royally piss off the main characters. A wonderful subversion of this in my opinion is the fic "Trip of a Lifetime" Lets go over what's in it then shall we. 1) It's a human-in-equestria fic (as if those weren't half of the fics at this point) 2) Though the OC is human, after a certain point he gets turned into an alicorn (which I and several others have stated is no bueno) Here's where the author of that fic starts making things interesting. 1) Our protagonist is a total asshole, he's mean to everybody. 2) Despite the fact he's an alicorn, he cannot do magic or fly. 3) The only reason the main cast is even putting up with his ass is he needs to be watched while Celestia figures out a way to send him home. 4) Due to his asshole nature, he constantly insults the main characters, with the exception of the cutie mark crusaders (he doesn't start shit with children for some reason) 5) He has this philosophy where he won't hit a girl, combined with his asshole nature means he's so far gotten his ass beaten by (if memory is correct) Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Derpy and Rarity. (The last two I know for a fact happened) Sure, the protagonist is an asshole, but it's because of this that I've been following it, as it takes some of the common crap from HIE fics and twists it around. Holy daffodils I went off on a barely related tangent there; I still believe what I said was worth a post to showcase sometimes when that rule could be broken. But then again, that's just your preference really. I have admittedly loose standards when it comes to OC's, but they're still standards that I try to uphold. |
| Arne #948265 5 months ago |
@Azerias
I get what your saying. And truth be told, if done right... any of the guidelines I've listen can be broken. That's why I mentioned them as "guidelines" and not "rules". The thing is, not a lot of people are capable of doing this stuff right. Hell, I'm not ever sure if I can do it right... that's why I have that list, so I know what kind of stuff I should try and avoid. |
| Anonymous #948471 5 months ago |
Everyone of the Mane 6 has a thing, don't make your OC better at their 'thing' (Dash's speed, Twilight's smarts, etc.) Preferably give the OC their own 'thing' separated from the manestream. Also, don't copy their flaws. It would be redundant if Applebloom had the same character flaws as Applejack, and make for a pretty shallow, repetitive story.
Avoid OPOC at all costs. Put them on the losing side of arguments as often as the winning side. Have them come in last as often as first. Failure can be far more redeeming and character building than success. And really, don't think of it as putting too much of yourself into your OC, it's more a matter of not putting enough of yourself in the rest of the characters to make them come alive all over again. |
| Celestias_Servant #948709 5 months ago |
Well, I'm pretty tolerant about OC's. The only things that are a total no go for me are Alicorn OC's and your OC having a relationship wit main characters. It's OK if the OC is in love with the main character, but that should only be from his side. |
| AnHornyMoose #948771 5 months ago |
Speaking as a moose, I will give you two very important pieces of advise Never explain a character in depth if they are going to speak. *Terry was a kind colt. He ran a pet shop in town and cared so much about everypony he loved. He never said a bad word and hated violence*. This is fine if Terry is some-one who is dead, or leaving, but if he is a main character, you need to write his personality in his interactions. *Terry walked down the street with a bright smile on his face. "Good morning everypony" he would say to most who walked past him, "it's a wonderful day is it not?" he added*. (OK, I wrote weak sauce here, but heck I'm in a hurry. The other piece of advice is will give is this: Avoid terminology that only applies to a small number of people. *Rainbow Dash flew through the air, "Ha, getting 20% cooler every day" she said before swooping down and bro-hoofing her friends*. |
| Psychopomf #948800 5 months ago |
Its late at night. I'll post my own OC.
NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW Name: Psychopomp Race: Pegasus Colors: Gray(coat) Black (Mane and Tail) Eyes: Indigo Gender: Male Cutie Mark: Candle with blue flame Talent: Ghost-talking (yep hopefully its not too suupar speshal) Psychopomp's birth name is actually "Pomf", but only his mother can get away with saying it without getting dirty looks. His mother is a well-respected weather technician named Somber Cloud whose specialty is with rain, though they never discuss his father. Even a young colt he remembered being able to see ghosts. They weren't common but one alone was enough to have him running home to hide in his room under his blanket. Pf course, no one believed him, his mother just giving quiet acceptance. But being the strange kid who saw things got most kids distanced from him or mocking him for being crazy. Despite not having many friends, he was exceptional in school and found a love for music, games of Discord & Dragons, and stories. Particularly spooky ones of evil creatures from the Everfree Forest or of Nightmare Moon. So, learning to like creepy things, he got the nerve to speak to one of the apparently apparitions he saw. And it was fairly okay. They had a nice little chat. The ghost pegasi was a kinda upset about being dead but she calmed down after a while. The only thing missing was a tea party. And soon after, he got his Mark. His enjoyment was tempered somewhat by his mother after congratulating him and apologizing for doubting him (She had thought he just had an over active imagination) that she was adopting a younger sister for him. And soon the two of them came home with a foal named Gloomy. So here he is. A somewhat somber and sometimes snarky pegasus (alliteration!) who can talk with ghosts and ghouls but is terrified and awkward at normal social situations. He's trying though... if only because he's heard friendship is supposed to be... something good. --- And this is what free time, lack of a D&D session, and caffiene will do to ya folks |
| Psychopomf #948802 5 months ago |
Oh. Also my persona character's talent is completely different.
His talent and cutie mark both have to do with shipping. And he looks like a hipster Kenji from Katawa. SO I HAVE SAID SO SHALL IT BE |
| Anonymous #948815 5 months ago |
Rule 1: Don't make OC.
Rule 2: Don't FUCKING MAKE OC! Rule 3: Don't make OC. Rule 4: If you feel the irresistable urge to make OC, kill yourself instead. |
| slops #948865 5 months ago |
Psychopomp, am I reading this right when your OC's special talent is Necromancy?
Necromancy in it's original sense (someone who talks to the spirits of the dead) rather than its more modern sense (D&D necromancers who make zombies and skeletons and stuff), but necromancy non the less. Seems a tad grim for anything pony related... |
| NonAnon #948889 5 months ago |
I my experience, this one rule has a very reliable track record for redeeming an OC for breaking many of the rules lifted above:
-The OC must not reach the end of the fic. Either s/he dies, gets chased off, walks off into the sunset, whatever. The last act of the story is OC-free. Hell, I'd forgive an Alicorn OC if he dies well... and stays dead, of course. It helps when the OC is gone and the world keeps spinning. |
| Psychopomf #948919 5 months ago |
@slops
Hey. Nothing grim about helping those restless souls be put at ease and taking the bite out of the scarier things in the dark (Only without singing oh god terrible singing voice) Just think of it as Tim Burton Corpse Bride. Dead everywhere and no grim to be found. |
| Vree #950281 5 months ago |
There are only two rules about OCs you need to follow:
1. make them as good as the original 2. there is no second rule Being able to make something good is such a strong redeeming quality that you can even get away with stuff like: self-insert (making yourself as a pony); spotlight grabbing (making the story focus mainly on your character); derail (taking the events of the original show in a completely unfaithful direction); tone and topic change (switching to love story, or porn, or drama, or explore disabilities or world hunger or politics or whatever). Still no excuse for using your OC as a mouthpiece for your own personal need for attention, though. If you can't write or draw well, no problem! Just remember to keep what you can't do to yourself. If you know that you're truly awful, don't let people know. If you're sort of OK, you may use your pony as an avatar. If you're kind of good actually, your OC may even be able to bear a short story or comic, if you have a good idea and do not waste it. By the way, there are DeviantArt clubs (for FiM specifically too) where people can practice and grow, without upsetting anyone. It may sound harsh to demand a certain level of quality, but it's for your own good. (And well, ours.) |
| Anonymous #1147081 4 months ago |
Just don't make them hurt people's eyes with seizure giving colours. Here is mine: http://x-melancholy-x.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4qvxhe |
| Anonymous #1147122 4 months ago |
Do whatever you want, and if someone disses him/her, tell them to eat a dick. |
| DKN117 #1365284 2 months ago |
1. Give them flaws.
2. If you're throwing them in with Canon characters, and if it's a fic with villains, let the canon characters be the ones who actually take out the Big Bad; the OC is, of course, allowed to assist them. (I.E., a new alicorn, but Celestia takes down the Big Bad; or a non-alicorn OC who acts as noncombat support for the Mane Girls; or a Negima fic where your OC and some canon-ers handle Dynamis and the other Averruncus while Negi and the other canon heavy-hitters take the Lifemaker; etc.) |