Brute force Vs. Strategy Vs. Protagonist correction

[Kilolo]

Every novels requires a problem and it's the main characters duty to solve those. (or at least that's what people said)

the question is, in which fashion you prefer the main character to solve the problem at every arc?

• Brute Force

It doesn't matter whether the main character are OP or not, there's a locked door? just break it. there's a Boss class monster ahead? just use special skills. demon lord march their army towards us? let's kill them all!
why even use tedious strategy and asking a help from other characters if you can just wipe all the problem by yourself.

• Strategy

A true value of a main character is their decision making. from positioning all of your party member formation, until predicting the final move that the boss has in their sleeve. the point is : the best victory is a planned victory. a problem solving with strategy is proving that the main character isn't just about muscle but brain as well.

• Protagonist Correction

You wouldn't need anything else if you can just be lucky. A seal that haven't been opened for a thousand years? no worries, your main character just happened to have the ability to release the seal from day one. One of the heroine mom are sick and the only cures are a legendary flower that bloom only once every 20 years? What a coincidence, i just found them on the grass few days ago.
no matter what the problem is, the main character just happened to already have the solution lying around at their inventory.


so which way you prefer your main characters to solve a problem? Tell me why in the comment.
(consider a deus ex-machina as protagonist correction by the way, i just didn't really bother to make an example. I got lazy)

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Brute force.

 

[ArcadiaBlade]

The brute force is basically heart pumping action mostly just for the Michael bay without putting much thought into it and basically all explosion all around.

The strategy is basically stealth option in every game where you do sneak, plan ahead or basically knock or assassinate everyone to clear the area.

The MC way is basically just plot armor but generalize.

So, if I have go pick what I want it to go, I basically have to go with the brute force because its cool to watch. Second would be the strategy since its nice how everything is planned.

As for the last one, it can go to hell for all I care since it doesn't feel exciting or straight up awesome since its basically just author literally changing the story to fit the MC, like he had to suck his dick off just for the MC to go into a straight line.

 

[RepresentingThree]

I admire strategy. Although a smart protagonist requires a smart author to be great.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Teamwork makes the dream work!

 

[NotaNuffian]

I dumb, brute all way.

 

[Renaxan]

Brute Force.

Most famous shounen manga protagonist did this, and I am getting used of them, lol. I did kind of understand the charm behind it though, like.. we think it is cool.

Leave the strategy and complicated shit to other characters, mc will take the big boss and get the spotlight for himself.

 

[Deleted member 58005]

Definitely the middle one. I'm trying to go that way, as I made my protagonist a user of Mental Magic. Meaning, he's just a support, and sucks in battle. So he just stays back and commands.

I also find thrill in knowing that the character went through careful planning and hardship to achieve their goals. Although I would say it's kind of hard to write that, since I myself am not smart.

I've seen too many Instant one shot kill MC's or "Chosen Ones". Most are terrible, but some are good.

 

[Reborn_Cat]

Honestly protag correction is great for laid back slice of life series, not fun for super serious stuff but works well if the entire series is meant to be nothing serious

 

[MyukiMruieast]

I like the brute force and strategy however, protagonist correction is filled with comedy which I had fun reading. Especially misunderstood ones. Oh dear me, I'm going back reading 'I'm really scared', life is so depressing that I needed to undergo reading healing.

 

[DarkeReises]

I have this problem where all of my OCs are absurdly OP, hence why I haven't gone far with writing stories for them, and I'm also pretty stupid, so brute force is pretty much the only way to go.

 

[Vnator]

I'm personally a fan of brute force after strategy. Use planning to understand, simplify, and do away with the bulk of the problem, but then use brute force for whatever is left or if the plan went wrong somewhere. That's what I did for my first book!

 

[Nekroz]

Strategy, I like strategy.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

A bit of everything

 

[EternalSunset0]

Strategy with some protagonist correction.

 

[SternenklarenRitter]

I prefer a tactician protagonist, a sort partway between brute force and strategy. With excellent teamwork, surveillance, and patience, the protagonist knows how to wait for the best opportunities for their goals to succeed. The big picture is to big to make heads or tails of, but we certainly can ambush that one guard on his way to the toilet. By focusing on immediate goals, the long term objectives will sort themselves out even without a grand strategy. I always like the small steps heroes best, afterall.
I don't understand why everyone is saying protagonist correction is only good for comedy or slice of life? When the final dastard at the end of your journey has a close and personal history with the protagonist, heavy drama can crop up easy enough, and there's often a lot of toying around with the hero party that can only be called protagonist correction (survived that encounter based on the whims of the villain).

 

[karsev]

Strategy mostly. My current protag, Karl, will probably take a look at what is happening first. Try to know every corridor, wall, and every corner of a place he is going to hit before taking action. Of course, he'd try to try to take people down silently then when its clear he's around, then he'd go ham. Karl will probably follow a "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" kind of thought after the initial approach gets fucked up.

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

Every novels requires a problem and it's the main characters duty to solve those. (or at least that's what people said)

the question is, in which fashion you prefer the main character to solve the problem at every arc?

• Brute Force

It doesn't matter whether the main character are OP or not, there's a locked door? just break it. there's a Boss class monster ahead? just use special skills. demon lord march their army towards us? let's kill them all!
why even use tedious strategy and asking a help from other characters if you can just wipe all the problem by yourself.

• Strategy

A true value of a main character is their decision making. from positioning all of your party member formation, until predicting the final move that the boss has in their sleeve. the point is : the best victory is a planned victory. a problem solving with strategy is proving that the main character isn't just about muscle but brain as well.

• Protagonist Correction

You wouldn't need anything else if you can just be lucky. A seal that haven't been opened for a thousand years? no worries, your main character just happened to have the ability to release the seal from day one. One of the heroine mom are sick and the only cures are a legendary flower that bloom only once every 20 years? What a coincidence, i just found them on the grass few days ago.
no matter what the problem is, the main character just happened to already have the solution lying around at their inventory.


so which way you prefer your main characters to solve a problem? Tell me why in the comment.
(consider a deus ex-machina as protagonist correction by the way, i just didn't really bother to make an example. I got lazy)

1 and 2 don't necessarily exclude each other. Quite the contrary, actually. XD Throwing enough at something is a very valid strategy.

 

[Jemini]

Every novels requires a problem and it's the main characters duty to solve those. (or at least that's what people said)

the question is, in which fashion you prefer the main character to solve the problem at every arc?

• Brute Force

It doesn't matter whether the main character are OP or not, there's a locked door? just break it. there's a Boss class monster ahead? just use special skills. demon lord march their army towards us? let's kill them all!
why even use tedious strategy and asking a help from other characters if you can just wipe all the problem by yourself.

• Strategy

A true value of a main character is their decision making. from positioning all of your party member formation, until predicting the final move that the boss has in their sleeve. the point is : the best victory is a planned victory. a problem solving with strategy is proving that the main character isn't just about muscle but brain as well.

• Protagonist Correction

You wouldn't need anything else if you can just be lucky. A seal that haven't been opened for a thousand years? no worries, your main character just happened to have the ability to release the seal from day one. One of the heroine mom are sick and the only cures are a legendary flower that bloom only once every 20 years? What a coincidence, i just found them on the grass few days ago.
no matter what the problem is, the main character just happened to already have the solution lying around at their inventory.


so which way you prefer your main characters to solve a problem? Tell me why in the comment.
(consider a deus ex-machina as protagonist correction by the way, i just didn't really bother to make an example. I got lazy)

I believe the best route is the magical combination between strategy and brute force. The two can compliment each other surprisingly well if used correctly.

An example of a scene I used is one where I have my MC carefully lure their enemies, taking a great deal of time watching and tracking them, trying to figure out where their leader is. Then, she decides on a strategy to lure them out. Once they are in position, she uses the overwhelming force of her strongest skill to great effect.

The rule here is that, even if your character actually is OP and stronger than the problem they are trying to deal with, a lack of strategy means a strategy-minded enemy can still beat them. So, your MC also has to be smart in order to affect them, because strength is not the be-all end-all in such conflicts.

As for this "protagonist correction" topic, there is a rule among professional writers.

"A coincidence that gets your character into trouble is good. A coincidence that gets your character out of trouble is cheating."

In other words, the only "protagonist correction" that should exist is the fact that the plot will inevitably find your protagonist. Trouble will always be creeping up on them. Solutions, though, will be scarce.

(I literally use evil deuce-ex-machinas in my story, something of an equivalent to the Weird Sisters from McBeth. This divine figure, I admit, was somewhat inspired by Hitogami from MT. Except, he's absolutely terrifying with how poisonous his words are. Every time it throws the protagonist into a crisis condition, and they just know something bad's about to happen.)

 

[vish]

tbh, I like all of them. It mostly depends on my mood.
Tired/lazy day-protagonist correction
normal day- brute force or strategy
normal day/ really want something interesting- strategic