Determining the Optimal Level of Overpoweredness: Is It Possible?

[Midnight-Phantom]

Hey folks! Need a little help here with a creative conundrum in my current writing project. So, I'm stuck on how ridiculously powerful I should make my main character (MC). Should I give them every imaginable power right off the bat and just highlight their amazing creativity as they do epic things? Or, should I go for a more balanced approach, where I focus on their unique talents and skills and gradually reveal their abilities throughout the story?

If I go with the "OP from the start" route, I can showcase some crazy scenarios and highlight the MC's limitless potential. But hey, it might become like nothing new on the plate down the line. On the other hand, if I take the gradual progression path, it allows for a more natural character development, with the MC learning and growing as they acquire new skills. But hey, that might put a damper on the wild and crazy scenarios I had in mind and he will not be OP from the start, and down the line will become monotonous too as he probably can't deal with a scenario due to limited power.

Really both of these points seem cliche to me .. plz help ..

Do any of you faced a similar dilemma in your writing adventures? How did you strike the right balance between an overpowered MC and an engaging storyline? I'm all ears , shear your experiences, suggestions, and casual writing wisdom!

Let's hear your thoughts and dive into some laid-back discussion! cookies and coffee check lets begin ..

 

[Deleted member 113259]

MC's should never be God-level for even in fiction God Almighty reigns supreme. (Also a protagonist that can do everything is super boring unless you juxtapose it with the mundane like Saitama.)

 

[AnonUnlimited]

I think it’s best to focus on one ability, and have that ability make him OP as he discovers how to use it.

At least when it comes to stories, there are ways to make an ability OP over time.

 

[Midnight-Phantom]

At least when it comes to stories, there are ways to make an ability OP over time.

Like evolvable ability>? wait why am I drooling ..

MC's should never be God-level for even in fiction God Almighty reigns supreme. (Also a protagonist that can do everything is super boring unless you juxtapose it with the mundane like Saitama.)

Oh hell no .. !! That's cringy as hell .. I was talking about his skills like he has all the skills there are and that too can be maxed out which makes him only limited to his own power .. that kind of thing .. not original I know but hey I like that venom ..

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Personally, I dislike all kinds of OPness.

 

[Deleted member 113259]

Oh hell no .. !! That's cringy as hell

What's cringy as hell?

 

[Midnight-Phantom]

What's cringy as hell?

MC's be God-level ..

 

[Deleted member 113259]

MC's be God-level ..

As is MC's becoming God or as strong as God? In that case, I agree.

 

[Corty]

Go wild and do what makes you feel fun while writing. Someone will complain anyway about something he/she dislikes. Ignore them and find those people who enjoy the same thing as you do.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Hey folks! Need a little help here with a creative conundrum in my current writing project. So, I'm stuck on how ridiculously powerful I should make my main character (MC). Should I give them every imaginable power right off the bat and just highlight their amazing creativity as they do epic things? Or, should I go for a more balanced approach, where I focus on their unique talents and skills and gradually reveal their abilities throughout the story?

If I go with the "OP from the start" route, I can showcase some crazy scenarios and highlight the MC's limitless potential. But hey, it might become like nothing new on the plate down the line. On the other hand, if I take the gradual progression path, it allows for a more natural character development, with the MC learning and growing as they acquire new skills. But hey, that might put a damper on the wild and crazy scenarios I had in mind and he will not be OP from the start, and down the line will become monotonous too as he probably can't deal with a scenario due to limited power.

Really both of these points seem cliche to me .. plz help ..

Do any of you faced a similar dilemma in your writing adventures? How did you strike the right balance between an overpowered MC and an engaging storyline? I'm all ears , shear your experiences, suggestions, and casual writing wisdom!

Let's hear your thoughts and dive into some laid-back discussion! cookies and coffee check lets begin ..

In my experience, a slow-progression to obtain his powers would be good. OP characters from the start may seem to be interesting at first, but in the long run, it'll be boring as heck, simply because readers already know what will happen. I mean, yes, we all know that MCs would always prevail, but giving the MC no challenge would cause your audience to assume that he'll/she'll solve the problems in one, monotonous, bulldozing of those who dare oppose him/her.

 

[Shard]

If you do want to go super-OP, take a look at Death March and how they handled it. Instead of the MC just plowing through everything, they act as a guardian and teacher, helping to raise other characters up.

 

[Midnight-Phantom]

Personally, I dislike all kinds of OPness.

so should I make him as mundane as me? no no no no .. no one would read my biography..

or something like an everyday guy .. no-op ness, no violence, no action, just farming life stuff? or power can be obtained but he has all low talent for everything and does hard work and then at least become someone then a guy came and take all from him then he just aspect that kind of thing?

As is MC's becoming God or as strong as God? In that case, I agree.

Agreed !!

Go wild and do what makes you feel fun while writing. Someone will complain anyway about something he/she dislikes. Ignore them and find those people who enjoy the same thing as you do.

Thinking the same tho but as I was saying I was kind of in a bind what direction should I make the mc go you know ..

 

[Deleted member 113259]

so should I make him as mundane as me? no no no no .. no one would read my biography..

or something like an everyday guy .. no-op ness, no violence, no action, just farming life stuff? or power can be obtained but he has all low talent for everything and does hard work and then at least become someone then a guy came and take all from him then he just aspect that kind of thing?

I'm not him so I can't say for certain but I think it's more of a preference of MC can be better than everyone but it has to be believed he got there through effort.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

so should I make him as mundane as me? no no no no .. no one would read my biography..

or something like an everyday guy .. no-op ness, no violence, no action, just farming life stuff? or power can be obtained but he has all low talent for everything and does hard work and then at least become someone then a guy came and take all from him then he just aspect that kind of thing?

Hmm...more like, maybe make your MC earn his powers, not get it. Answer the question, why is he worthy to be bestowed by it? And by answer, I don't mean that because he's just kind (like telling a girl she's cute kind of 'kind') he gets OPness.

After all, most love a hard-working person.

 

[Midnight-Phantom]

In my experience, a slow-progression to obtain his powers would be good. OP characters from the start may seem to be interesting at first, but in the long run, it'll be boring as heck, simply because readers already know what will happen. I mean, yes, we all know that MCs would always prevail, but giving the MC no challenge would cause your audience to assume that he'll/she'll solve the problems in one, monotonous, bulldozing of those who dare oppose him/her.

True .. To be honest I thought as he doesn't have any power in the case of the matter but he has a lot of skills .. tho maxed out but limited to his own power level as him being a mortal can't do a whole lot even with hypothetically a max out some specific magic or something ..

If you do want to go super-OP, take a look at Death March and how they handled it. Instead of the MC just plowing through everything, they act as a guardian and teacher, helping to raise other characters up.

Good idea tho .. little academy building or village would do good I guess ... thanks

Have a cookie

 

[Rhaps]

Before you make the MC's skillset, you should make soneone with the concept of "Stronger than the MC" in mind, that's your boundary and how far to take the OPness of the MC. Then put it here and do not change that character at all. It's also known as the "Superboss", the MC can fight them but they will most likely lose.

This is my way of creating a tangible limit the readers could understand.

One of the best example of this archetype is Urek Mazino from Tower of God, he wiped out a floor just by existing.

By using this method, I can hide how OP the MC is, showing they can still grow even if they are overpowered.

And to make the story more interesting...

Give them mental illnesses, or obsessions, like being a psychopath or a kleptomaniac. Kleptomaniac route is usually fun, how far would the MC go just for a collectable? Even better if the Superboss is involved somehow. Nobody is without metal illnesses.

All in all, just put your ideas into words, things will work out in a way.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

True .. To be honest I thought as he doesn't have any power in the case of the matter but he has a lot of skills .. tho maxed out but limited to his own power level as him being a mortal can't do a whole lot even with hypothetically a max out some specific magic or something ..

I'll be honest with you. Writing a 'powerless' character and aiming for a logical reaction to his predicament is risky. I did it to my main project, the Saint Series, in its early volumes, and readers mistook my MC as a beta wimp. As in, from Volume 1-4, my MC is magicless, and it was only after Volume 4 that he gets to fight (and kill) with ordinary weapons.

Readers commenting "He's a doormat", "BETA" and other whatnot. What's worse is the low ratings.

17 volumes later, he's OP, though his OPness still has limits. As an author, I don't want him to solve problems by bulldozing his enemies; I want him to use his mind and his connections to come at a satisfactory conclusion.

 

[Midnight-Phantom]

Hmm...more like, maybe make your MC earn his powers, not get it. Answer the question, why is he worthy to be bestowed by it? And by answer, I don't mean that because he's just kind (like telling a girl she's cute kind of 'kind') he gets OPness.

After all, most love a hard-working person.

kind of like a backstory if I make him op from birth or a contract with a god or something like doing a whole lot of good things in a universe without harnessable energy thingy??

 

[Deleted member 54065]

kind of like a backstory if I make him op from birth or a contract with a god or something like doing a whole lot of good things in a universe without harnessable energy thingy??

Try to consider why was he contracted by a god? Does he have any qualities he 'earned' that warrants a god's favor? An innate quality (something from birth) can still be seen as a cheat. Try to think of something your MC 'learned' through his efforts, that ended up warranting a god's support.

 

[phaeous]

Hey folks! Need a little help here with a creative conundrum in my current writing project. So, I'm stuck on how ridiculously powerful I should make my main character (MC). Should I give them every imaginable power right off the bat and just highlight their amazing creativity as they do epic things? Or, should I go for a more balanced approach, where I focus on their unique talents and skills and gradually reveal their abilities throughout the story?

If I go with the "OP from the start" route, I can showcase some crazy scenarios and highlight the MC's limitless potential. But hey, it might become like nothing new on the plate down the line. On the other hand, if I take the gradual progression path, it allows for a more natural character development, with the MC learning and growing as they acquire new skills. But hey, that might put a damper on the wild and crazy scenarios I had in mind and he will not be OP from the start, and down the line will become monotonous too as he probably can't deal with a scenario due to limited power.

Really both of these points seem cliche to me .. plz help ..

Do any of you faced a similar dilemma in your writing adventures? How did you strike the right balance between an overpowered MC and an engaging storyline? I'm all ears , shear your experiences, suggestions, and casual writing wisdom!

Let's hear your thoughts and dive into some laid-back discussion! cookies and coffee check lets begin ..

KARMA means you reap what you sow

Logically, there's no need to hesitate regarding GIANT ADVANTAGES (OP) as long as you can make yourself worthy of it.

Like in Atlas Shrugged it was mentioned 'a man must be worthy of his money or else it'll destroy him' (since money is the essence o successful creative effort {"money": the most-tradeable value})


SHOULD YOU make an OP character THIS strong or THAT strong?

Just do what seems most interesting.