Draft Idea 10: Attempting Five-Man Band

[Arch9CivilReactor]

Honestly, I’m trying to figure out how my story’s main group would interact with each other beyond their power set. More like trying to see what I can get done while writing this post. It just helps me think straight when I’m writing it down.

I finally managed to get my characters decided.

Main character— Lex Lindblum (A thuggish looking guy who likes to be polite, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s pragmatic and would not hesitate to do bad things if needed. Is quick to anger, but also has good self control.)

Heroine— Alice Aegis (A first year just like him and devoted to learning. Willing to do whatever it takes to fulfil objectives, and would sacrifice herself if needed. Tries to act cold despite being weak to compliments and niceties in general.)

Mentor— Tia Vulcan (A second year that has more experience than the rest, and is the biggest potential leader in the group. Has a happy-go-lucky personality that borders on shameless positivity. Not afraid to joke around in the group.)

Rival— Fritz Lazrik (Originally an angry yet passionate teen that was filled with ambition to reach the top, but had his ‘fangs’ broken in an event off-screen that completely changes his personality. He’s meek but has a berserk button

Backup— Betty Black (A mercenary not in the same affiliation as the rest of the group. Has a fun-loving personality and eccentric temper despite being wheelchair bound. Has a lot of secrets but will not show her hand whatsoever.)

I’ve watched a lot of ‘Five-Man Band’ videos while trying to make this team work. Some say that characters are supposed to have built in traits that are foils to other characters, but I’m more for the whole DnD mindset about it all.

A normal five-man band has five roles to play.

— The Leader (Allrounder fighter or chosen one)

— The Lancer (Contradicts the Leader a lot)

— The Smart Guy (Who does the planning)

— The Big Guy (Who acts as tank or strongman)

— The Heart (Who is the emotional centre)

From what I can imagine after watching so many videos, it’s like the Leader and Lancer is an easy dialogue duo. The Big Guy and Smart Guy also bounce off each other by being opposites. They may have an opinion on what the other lacks.

The Heart/Chick or whatever is the only one that could either form a trio with Leader/Lancer or Big/Smart duo. They keep the team together, so they must be able to talk with both groups.

I guess I’m having a hard time right now because I’m trying to fit these randomly made pivotal character to follow a format. Trying to make one be the ‘definitive leader’ while the other a ‘definitive lancer’. I feel like I can do all of them.

Make them switch rolls often.

However, I’m also aware that doing this causes confusion on the readers part on not being able to know the simple dynamics. If you start off complex, then the readers won’t get invested in the building of the relationship at that point.

How could I simplify this?

THINK, ArchCivil, THINK! You have to do this!

People who call themselves complex people from the get-go are usually the worst. You can’t have the main characters be like “I am this type of person, but I’m also different” from the very beginning. Fit them into some archetype!

Hah… Maybe I should look up different team types, but that seems like just adding more knowledge that cannot be applied. I already know of several different trio team types from
TV Tropes and I’m reaching burnout due to it.

Mostly because there are too many team tropes.

After putting some things together, I managed to come up with team types that don’t follow the usual formula… I’m just gonna see which one sounds more interesting and go with that.

Let’s see what you guys find interesting.

 

[Cipiteca396]

I think the fourth one works best with the team you've laid out, but since it doesn't describe their fighting styles like the others do, you could combine it with one of the other three as well.

If you want the characters to have a more complex role, then the way to do it is to give them solo trials near the start of the story. They meet up, work together for a bit, don't get along well, and split up.
Each one (barely) manages to get through their challenge, showing off their diverse strengths and specializations. Then a mentor figure scolds them and shows them why they're better off together.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

They could all be fun. I would have the LEAST interest in #3 but any of these could work.

 

[Arch9CivilReactor]

I think the fourth one works best with the team you've laid out, but since it doesn't describe their fighting styles like the others do, you could combine it with one of the other three as well.

If you want the characters to have a more complex role, then the way to do it is to give them solo trials near the start of the story. They meet up, work together for a bit, don't get along well, and split up.
Each one (barely) manages to get through their challenge, showing off their diverse strengths and specializations. Then a mentor figure scolds them and shows them why they're better off together.

That sounds very doable. Thank you for the insight,
I

They could all be fun. I would have the LEAST interest in #3 but any of these could work.

I see others did too. It reflected on the poll. Maybe it was too boring since that would be their default anyway.

 

[JackyHF]

I kinda want to see a gyaru samurai.

 

[Arch9CivilReactor]

I kinda want to see a gyaru samurai.

That aspect of my story is kinda weird due to how the power system works. It’s like Hunter X Hunter except you can gain streamlined abilities from a set. The samurai set includes skills great for a samurai… but the character introduced is mainly a gunner. Using it for Gunblade Kata.

Decided to give the Gyaru aspect to the gun user along with a vain and reckless personality.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

How about...

Squad leader, Designated Marksman, Rifleman, AWS, and the Liability?

 

[WinterTimeCrime]

I'd literally pay money to see the 'Delinquent, Nerd, Senior, Gyaru, Quiet Guy' trope play out.

But only if it's full of unhinged and edgy jokes, like in the Class of 09'.

 

[Arch9CivilReactor]

I'd literally pay money to see the 'Delinquent, Nerd, Senior, Gyaru, Quiet Guy' trope play out.

But only if it's full of unhinged and edgy jokes, like in the Class of 09'.

I’m going to post a ‘Final Draft’ update later but right now team consists of such members. Since they are more than simple students, the way they act as ‘delinquents’ and ‘bookworms’ can have dire consequences. Especially the latter one.

I’m planning to have Alice Aegis, the heroine, to be a naive disposable pawn that has never experienced the world outside her lab (which is why she was enrolled to learn common sense from others). Her bookworm trait makes her a bit removed from reality, and do things in a way that would make sense in fiction but not in reality.

The jokes are gonna be centred around these extreme personalities bouncing off each other when working and relaxing at base. Alice being one of the craziest ones who needs surveillance a lot. Else she might do something really crazy.

A balance and contrast within the team.

 

[WinterTimeCrime]

I’m going to post a ‘Final Draft’ update later but right now team consists of such members. Since they are more than simple students, the way they act as ‘delinquents’ and ‘bookworms’ can have dire consequences. Especially the latter one.

I’m planning to have Alice Aegis, the heroine, to be a naive disposable pawn that has never experienced the world outside her lab (which is why she was enrolled to learn common sense from others). Her bookworm trait makes her a bit removed from reality, and do things in a way that would make sense in fiction but not in reality.

The jokes are gonna be centred around these extreme personalities bouncing off each other when working and relaxing at base. Alice being one of the craziest ones who needs surveillance a lot. Else she might do something really crazy.

A balance and contrast within the team.

Bless you sir, bless you.