Is there a way to write a mind control story that's not a harem?

nii07

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This is what I got so far but it just sound like a low tier MHA

Types of Control

  1. Suggestion
    • Plant ideas or beliefs subtly, like mental seeds.
    • "You’ve always felt uneasy around him, haven’t you?"
  2. Emotion Influence
    • Amplify or suppress emotions to shape behavior.
    • Can escalate fear, suppress anger, or induce joy.
  3. Memory Tampering (Advanced)
    • Insert, edit, or erase memories.
    • Requires deep understanding of the memory’s emotional context.
  4. Perception Shift (Advanced)
    • Alter what the target sees, hears, or feels.
    • Can make pain disappear or fabricate entire illusions.
  5. Command (Advanced)
    • Force motor functions or speech.
    • Direct body override; limited duration.
  6. Resonance (Advanced)
    • Manipulate emotional connections between people.
    • Strengthen loyalty or cause discord.
  7. Cognitive Dissonance (Advanced)
    • Implant conflicting beliefs to destabilize the psyche.
    • Can render targets indecisive or create openings for further control.

RULES AND LIMITATIONS

  • Eye Contact Required
    Control begins with direct visual contact. Once initiated, the user can look away, but full control requires a verbal “wake command” to finalize the suggestion.
  • Willpower Resistance
    Strong-willed individuals or those with mental training can resist, delay, or even reflect effects.
  • Obsession Lock
    Powers cannot override someone’s core obsession or defining drive. Forcing suggestions against it causes trauma, madness, or personality fracturing.
  • Tailored Use
    Powers must align with the target’s personality. Generic commands fail. Users must study the target’s mindset, triggers, and history for effective manipulation.
  • Mental Energy Cost
    Each use drains mental stamina. Complex commands or rewrites are taxing. Users gradually expand their capacity with training and repetition.

MECHANICS

  • Catered Application
    To alter a subject’s feelings (e.g., hate for a father), the user must understand the root cause (e.g., childhood abuse) and remove or reshape that emotional anchor.
  • Strengthens with Use
    Mental energy expands with repetition and successful manipulations. This doesn't allow for mass control — instead, it enables deeper, more complex intrusions over time.
  • Wake Command
    Every implanted suggestion must be sealed with a verbal "release," such as:
    "Now take a breath. When you awaken, you’ll find my words already yours."

CONTROL STAGES

These stages define how far a target has been influenced:

Stage
Name
Effect
Stage 1SeededSubtle changes, target unaware.
Stage 2PrimedEmotions shift, no clear cause.
Stage 3BendingSpeech and actions reflect controller’s input.
Stage 4WovenTarget sees controller’s commands as their own thoughts.
Stage 5OwnedFully rewritten persona. Loyal without knowing why.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

  • Seed of Obedience
    Planted through subtle reinforcement. Over time, creates reflexive obedience that feels natural to the target.
  • True Persona Rewrite
    Gradually alters a person’s core self. Their memories remain, but their interpretation of them warps, reshaping values and behaviors.
An alcoholic becomes a proud, disciplined man — he still remembers his addiction, but now frames it as "a dark chapter he conquered."

  • Ego Spiral (Signature Skill)
    Shatters identity by weaponizing doubt:

Setting: Post-Governmental Neo-World Order

Overview


In this world, superpowers are common — roughly 10% of the population is born with powers, called Awakened. The global political landscape shifted dramatically after a world-shaking event: a villain rose and destroyed most global governments, only to be stopped by a coalition of elite heroes.

Now, heroes have rebuilt society, establishing a Heroic Sovereignty — a world run by the strongest and most publicly beloved powered individuals. They are worshipped, feared, and treated as both political leaders and celebrities.


Key World Elements

Caste System


  • Awakened (Powered): Seen as inherently superior. Divided into Classes based on ability (Alpha, Beta, Delta, etc.).
  • Unawakened (Normal): Viewed as lesser, though not all are oppressed — many idolize the powered and support the system.
  • Villains: Still exist, some rule regions like warlords. “Reformed” villains can sometimes become state-sanctioned heroes under High Heroes.
Hero-Controlled Government

  • The world is divided into Zones, each governed by a High Hero — akin to a monarch or president.
  • An organization called The High Council acts as the central global leadership, made up of 14 legendary heroes.
  • Media, culture, education, and justice are hero-centric. Everything is built to glorify and empower the superhuman.
? Shadow Resistance

  • Some unpowered and low-tier Awakened secretly oppose the system. They live in ghettos or underground cities.
  • Rumors spread of a movement seeking to rewrite the caste system — led by an anonymous figure only known as " Glimpse."
 

MasterY001

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Yeah, ngl, I don't think this idea is going to work. While you can write a non-harem mind control MC, I don't think they'd fit into this type of setting.

Speaking of mind control, it can be used for a lot more than sex. The first thing that comes to my mind is a spy who uses them to infiltrate governments to destroy them from the inside. Another attribute I'd give a mind control character is that they shouldn't be well-liked or trusted by anyone, decreasing the potential for a harem.
 

nii07

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Messages
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>Create MC
>Give them mind control abilities
>Don't write harem

I don't understand what's stopping you.
Okay, let's change the question a bit to. Is there a good setting for a character to have mind control powers who's not harem focused?
 

ile_Eve

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Have you perhaps heard of the Fallen Hero

IMG_5088.jpeg
 

AYM

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Okay, let's change the question a bit to. Is there a good setting for a character to have mind control powers who's not harem focused?
>mc is a streamer
>streaming bleak spirit 3.png
>explosion outside
>superheroine Feminine Fenomenon vs supervillain Dumbfuck Gluehuffer
>streaming break, mc quickly strips into spandex hero outfit
>arrive outside, see superheroine losing because of bullshit
>mc hypnotizes dumbfuck weeklyvillain to fuck off
>myhero.png
>superheroine offers date
>mc hypnotizes Feminine Ididn'task to fuck off
>change clothes
>resume streaming
 

nii07

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Joined
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Messages
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Have you perhaps heard of the Fallen Hero

View attachment 38061
I haven't but I'll check it out.
>mc is a streamer
>streaming bleak spirit 3.png
>explosion outside
>superheroine Feminine Fenomenon vs supervillain Dumbfuck Gluehuffer
>streaming break, mc quickly strips into spandex hero outfit
>arrive outside, see superheroine losing because of bullshit
>mc hypnotizes dumbfuck weeklyvillain to fuck off
>myhero.png
>superheroine offers date
>mc hypnotizes Feminine Ididn'task to fuck off
>change clothes
>resume streaming
That would be an interesting story but I don't think it could go on for too long.
Well it is also possible in a zombie apocalypse but you have mind control powers that work on zombies. So basically you can control a zombie army without being a zombie.
 
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CharlesEBrown

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You could research the old movie series Scanners, Katherine Kurtz's Deryni books or either of the two Tomorrow People television series for some ideas.
Or even go through the first 200 or so issues of X-Men, especially the "Dark Phoenix Saga" and any stories involving Shadow King,
 

RainingFish

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Of course you could write one, the issue if finding readers who will read a mind control story that isn't harem. I'm sure their are some who would be interested, but it might be hard to reach them.
 

Gray_Mann

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Yes. Just don't make your MC a corrupt scumbag that effectively mind roofies women into sleeping with him.
Sounds gay
This is what I got so far but it just sound like a low tier MHA

Types of Control

  1. Suggestion
    • Plant ideas or beliefs subtly, like mental seeds.
    • "You’ve always felt uneasy around him, haven’t you?"
  2. Emotion Influence
    • Amplify or suppress emotions to shape behavior.
    • Can escalate fear, suppress anger, or induce joy.
  3. Memory Tampering (Advanced)
    • Insert, edit, or erase memories.
    • Requires deep understanding of the memory’s emotional context.
  4. Perception Shift (Advanced)
    • Alter what the target sees, hears, or feels.
    • Can make pain disappear or fabricate entire illusions.
  5. Command (Advanced)
    • Force motor functions or speech.
    • Direct body override; limited duration.
  6. Resonance (Advanced)
    • Manipulate emotional connections between people.
    • Strengthen loyalty or cause discord.
  7. Cognitive Dissonance (Advanced)
    • Implant conflicting beliefs to destabilize the psyche.
    • Can render targets indecisive or create openings for further control.


RULES AND LIMITATIONS

  • Eye Contact Required
    Control begins with direct visual contact. Once initiated, the user can look away, but full control requires a verbal “wake command” to finalize the suggestion.
  • Willpower Resistance
    Strong-willed individuals or those with mental training can resist, delay, or even reflect effects.
  • Obsession Lock
    Powers cannot override someone’s core obsession or defining drive. Forcing suggestions against it causes trauma, madness, or personality fracturing.
  • Tailored Use
    Powers must align with the target’s personality. Generic commands fail. Users must study the target’s mindset, triggers, and history for effective manipulation.
  • Mental Energy Cost
    Each use drains mental stamina. Complex commands or rewrites are taxing. Users gradually expand their capacity with training and repetition.


MECHANICS

  • Catered Application
    To alter a subject’s feelings (e.g., hate for a father), the user must understand the root cause (e.g., childhood abuse) and remove or reshape that emotional anchor.
  • Strengthens with Use
    Mental energy expands with repetition and successful manipulations. This doesn't allow for mass control — instead, it enables deeper, more complex intrusions over time.
  • Wake Command
    Every implanted suggestion must be sealed with a verbal "release," such as:
    "Now take a breath. When you awaken, you’ll find my words already yours."


CONTROL STAGES

These stages define how far a target has been influenced:

Stage
Name
Effect
Stage 1SeededSubtle changes, target unaware.
Stage 2PrimedEmotions shift, no clear cause.
Stage 3BendingSpeech and actions reflect controller’s input.
Stage 4WovenTarget sees controller’s commands as their own thoughts.
Stage 5OwnedFully rewritten persona. Loyal without knowing why.


ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

  • Seed of Obedience
    Planted through subtle reinforcement. Over time, creates reflexive obedience that feels natural to the target.
  • True Persona Rewrite
    Gradually alters a person’s core self. Their memories remain, but their interpretation of them warps, reshaping values and behaviors.
An alcoholic becomes a proud, disciplined man — he still remembers his addiction, but now frames it as "a dark chapter he conquered."

  • Ego Spiral (Signature Skill)
    Shatters identity by weaponizing doubt:

Setting: Post-Governmental Neo-World Order

Overview


In this world, superpowers are common — roughly 10% of the population is born with powers, called Awakened. The global political landscape shifted dramatically after a world-shaking event: a villain rose and destroyed most global governments, only to be stopped by a coalition of elite heroes.

Now, heroes have rebuilt society, establishing a Heroic Sovereignty — a world run by the strongest and most publicly beloved powered individuals. They are worshipped, feared, and treated as both political leaders and celebrities.



Key World Elements

Caste System


  • Awakened (Powered): Seen as inherently superior. Divided into Classes based on ability (Alpha, Beta, Delta, etc.).
  • Unawakened (Normal): Viewed as lesser, though not all are oppressed — many idolize the powered and support the system.
  • Villains: Still exist, some rule regions like warlords. “Reformed” villains can sometimes become state-sanctioned heroes under High Heroes.
Hero-Controlled Government

  • The world is divided into Zones, each governed by a High Hero — akin to a monarch or president.
  • An organization called The High Council acts as the central global leadership, made up of 14 legendary heroes.
  • Media, culture, education, and justice are hero-centric. Everything is built to glorify and empower the superhuman.
? Shadow Resistance

  • Some unpowered and low-tier Awakened secretly oppose the system. They live in ghettos or underground cities.
  • Rumors spread of a movement seeking to rewrite the caste system — led by an anonymous figure only known as " Glimpse."
Easy. Have mind-control powers, and be gay. Problem solved.
 

I_am_Aakib

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How about making the MC start with a weak psychic ability as he uses it for small, selfish reasons? Then he realizes his psychic power is increasing, and he can use new abilities, making him a power addict. And once he finds out that there are more people with different abilities, some strong and some weak, as the MC becomes addicted to power, he'll go after them to know his limits. you can show MC as bad person on some incident or good it's up to you
 

Lysander_Works

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Messages
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103
I would like to see mind control by means of memory corruption. Tamper with someone's own memories to make them think they are serving someone according to what isn't actually correct, but leave enough possibility to struggle through and understand that it doesn't all make sense or add up. Plenty of room and space with this theme to work out in many ways.
 

NotaNuffian

This does spark joy.
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Messages
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This is what I got so far but it just sound like a low tier MHA

Types of Control

  1. Suggestion
    • Plant ideas or beliefs subtly, like mental seeds.
    • "You’ve always felt uneasy around him, haven’t you?"
  2. Emotion Influence
    • Amplify or suppress emotions to shape behavior.
    • Can escalate fear, suppress anger, or induce joy.
  3. Memory Tampering (Advanced)
    • Insert, edit, or erase memories.
    • Requires deep understanding of the memory’s emotional context.
  4. Perception Shift (Advanced)
    • Alter what the target sees, hears, or feels.
    • Can make pain disappear or fabricate entire illusions.
  5. Command (Advanced)
    • Force motor functions or speech.
    • Direct body override; limited duration.
  6. Resonance (Advanced)
    • Manipulate emotional connections between people.
    • Strengthen loyalty or cause discord.
  7. Cognitive Dissonance (Advanced)
    • Implant conflicting beliefs to destabilize the psyche.
    • Can render targets indecisive or create openings for further control.


RULES AND LIMITATIONS

  • Eye Contact Required
    Control begins with direct visual contact. Once initiated, the user can look away, but full control requires a verbal “wake command” to finalize the suggestion.
  • Willpower Resistance
    Strong-willed individuals or those with mental training can resist, delay, or even reflect effects.
  • Obsession Lock
    Powers cannot override someone’s core obsession or defining drive. Forcing suggestions against it causes trauma, madness, or personality fracturing.
  • Tailored Use
    Powers must align with the target’s personality. Generic commands fail. Users must study the target’s mindset, triggers, and history for effective manipulation.
  • Mental Energy Cost
    Each use drains mental stamina. Complex commands or rewrites are taxing. Users gradually expand their capacity with training and repetition.


MECHANICS

  • Catered Application
    To alter a subject’s feelings (e.g., hate for a father), the user must understand the root cause (e.g., childhood abuse) and remove or reshape that emotional anchor.
  • Strengthens with Use
    Mental energy expands with repetition and successful manipulations. This doesn't allow for mass control — instead, it enables deeper, more complex intrusions over time.
  • Wake Command
    Every implanted suggestion must be sealed with a verbal "release," such as:
    "Now take a breath. When you awaken, you’ll find my words already yours."


CONTROL STAGES

These stages define how far a target has been influenced:

Stage
Name
Effect
Stage 1SeededSubtle changes, target unaware.
Stage 2PrimedEmotions shift, no clear cause.
Stage 3BendingSpeech and actions reflect controller’s input.
Stage 4WovenTarget sees controller’s commands as their own thoughts.
Stage 5OwnedFully rewritten persona. Loyal without knowing why.


ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

  • Seed of Obedience
    Planted through subtle reinforcement. Over time, creates reflexive obedience that feels natural to the target.
  • True Persona Rewrite
    Gradually alters a person’s core self. Their memories remain, but their interpretation of them warps, reshaping values and behaviors.
An alcoholic becomes a proud, disciplined man — he still remembers his addiction, but now frames it as "a dark chapter he conquered."

  • Ego Spiral (Signature Skill)
    Shatters identity by weaponizing doubt:

Setting: Post-Governmental Neo-World Order

Overview


In this world, superpowers are common — roughly 10% of the population is born with powers, called Awakened. The global political landscape shifted dramatically after a world-shaking event: a villain rose and destroyed most global governments, only to be stopped by a coalition of elite heroes.

Now, heroes have rebuilt society, establishing a Heroic Sovereignty — a world run by the strongest and most publicly beloved powered individuals. They are worshipped, feared, and treated as both political leaders and celebrities.



Key World Elements

Caste System


  • Awakened (Powered): Seen as inherently superior. Divided into Classes based on ability (Alpha, Beta, Delta, etc.).
  • Unawakened (Normal): Viewed as lesser, though not all are oppressed — many idolize the powered and support the system.
  • Villains: Still exist, some rule regions like warlords. “Reformed” villains can sometimes become state-sanctioned heroes under High Heroes.
Hero-Controlled Government

  • The world is divided into Zones, each governed by a High Hero — akin to a monarch or president.
  • An organization called The High Council acts as the central global leadership, made up of 14 legendary heroes.
  • Media, culture, education, and justice are hero-centric. Everything is built to glorify and empower the superhuman.
? Shadow Resistance

  • Some unpowered and low-tier Awakened secretly oppose the system. They live in ghettos or underground cities.
  • Rumors spread of a movement seeking to rewrite the caste system — led by an anonymous figure only known as " Glimpse."
... That is like writing someone who has a 12 inch penis and using it as paper weight or extra limb for groceries.

I can't really recall the name of a KR in Novelupdates that has a MC with ero powers such as Body Modification, Hypnosis and Time Stop.

It is cringe comedy. With the MC becoming a saint as his Body Modification is used to cure the sick and crippled, Hypnosis to force sinners to confess and Time Stop to do lame things like stopping other people's hearts as offensive power or faux teleporting with him walking slowly towards his destination while his followers are shocked at his "instantaneous movement".

I am never a fan of putting something out of genre. Like, if you have the ability to become Homelander and the first instinct you use the power is to join the olympics, I am dropping the book.
 

Golden_Hyde

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I think you can still put Mind Control, but at the same time you should consider using it on something else if you're about to use it on romance or harem.

Otherwise, this is as good as playing with conspiracy theories or heavy depiction of propaganda kind of stuff. So pairing this with Politics is the best way
 

nii07

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Messages
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Points
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I think you can still put Mind Control, but at the same time you should consider using it on something else if you're about to use it on romance or harem.

Otherwise, this is as good as playing with conspiracy theories or heavy depiction of propaganda kind of stuff. So pairing this with Politics is the best way
Yeah, a second possibility I thought of was writing a story like that one movie limitless. For those who've never seen it. It's basically about a guy who finds a pill that doesn't really increase intelligence, but it brings a level of clarity. With this new superhuman level of clarity that allows him to know and remember anything he's ever seen, even things he glanced at for a second. He starts changing his life and eventually ends up becoming president.
 
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