Protagonist Strong from the Start Tag: personal take from this?

[DevilPogoStick]

When I first started publishing my story here, I was a bit surprised there is such a tag to list the story with the tags.

After some thought, I decided to add it in my story, The Kaimon Tales. I mean there is a sort of truth there, as my main characters are very strong people in their universe...And technically what kinda isn't true is that they're still not exactly dare I say overpowered nor will they ever will be at the time of this post. I can definitely say they would straight up beat down any mook with ease, put up a decent fight against other characters of some importance, and straight up lose badly against some of the strongest guys for sure. I guess it feels slightly weird to say they are powerful at the start but not exactly. It's an interesting tag, enough for me to question it if it's even accurate. Haha.

Anyone got thoughts about this tag or even using said tag in their works?

 

[Saileri]

It's very debatable. It's not like strong entities never lose. I'd say as long as it's not exactly a climb from weak to strong but one or more main characters are actually in possession of quite the might or perhaps brains, it's fair use. There's a tag called "Overpowered Protagonist" for a reason.

 

[Valmond]

When I first started publishing my story here, I was a bit surprised there is such a tag to list the story with the tags.

After some thought, I decided to add it in my story, The Kaimon Tales. I mean there is a sort of truth there, as my main characters are very strong people in their universe...And technically what kinda isn't true is that they're still not exactly dare I say overpowered nor will they ever will be at the time of this post. I can definitely say they would straight up beat down any mook with ease, put up a decent fight against other characters of some importance, and straight up lose badly against some of the strongest guys for sure. I guess it feels slightly weird to say they are powerful at the start but not exactly. It's an interesting tag, enough for me to question it if it's even accurate. Haha.

Anyone got thoughts about this tag or even using said tag in their works?

There is a tag like that?

This here can be a bit conflicting. For instance, it would depend on the type of story it is. I have readers saying my main is very strong(overpowered). However, according to the timeline of the story itself. In the first book, they are pretty much at their weakest point, or close to their weakest point. Regaining their true power in the finale of the first book, surpassing their limitations once again.

So it can be misleading. The second book for instance, they may once again think the main is strong. Though, this is the beginning of the story. They do the bulk of their growth in this book. Reaching their strongest point for the book in the finale.

Third book.

They are at their weakest point starting off, regains their power at a much faster rate. They are at their peak once again, in the finale. This book shows them at their highest point.

So, this tag can be misleading really. The timeline, the story itself, these can all play a factor. Naturally, the enemies will be quite powerful. Since the main usually is weaker than these enemies, but surpasses them in the end. Overall, I would say it is an inaccurate tag in quite a bit of circumstances. Other than if it is maybe satire like One Punch Man, or if it is intended that everything is weaker.

 

[Nahrenne]

When I first started publishing my story here, I was a bit surprised there is such a tag to list the story with the tags.

After some thought, I decided to add it in my story, The Kaimon Tales. I mean there is a sort of truth there, as my main characters are very strong people in their universe...And technically what kinda isn't true is that they're still not exactly dare I say overpowered nor will they ever will be at the time of this post. I can definitely say they would straight up beat down any mook with ease, put up a decent fight against other characters of some importance, and straight up lose badly against some of the strongest guys for sure. I guess it feels slightly weird to say they are powerful at the start but not exactly. It's an interesting tag, enough for me to question it if it's even accurate. Haha.

Anyone got thoughts about this tag or even using said tag in their works?

It's basically so that readers know not to expect the MC to be weak and unable to do much at the beginning. At least, that's what I interpret it as meaning.
It's often used in stuff where someone has gone back in time but has retained all the powers/knowledge from the first time they did things; you know, like those apocalypse/post-apocalypse stories where the MC dies at the beginning and wakes up as a younger version of themselves right before the apocalypse or near the beginning of the apocalypse.
There are other examples but I digress.

The main point is that the MC isn't the weakest, or considered weak, amongst their peers and that they maintain not being weak among their peers for the whole of the beginning. Saying this, it doesn't necessarily mean they have to be physically stronger, since knowledge is also power.

I suppose an example of a character being strong from the beginning could be:
Superman from the DC Universe.
(it is DC, right?)

X

 

[DevilPogoStick]

Thanks for the replies. I honestly forgot there is an Overpowered Protagonist tag.

I guess the more accurate term might be experienced than simply strong. But yeah, there's a lot to interpret that tag to be honest.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

It can also refer to emotional strength. This is especially true for female protagonists, as many female readers look for a "strong female protagonist" when what they are really looking for is an independent woman.

 

[Valmond]

Thanks for the replies. I honestly forgot there is an Overpowered Protagonist tag.

I guess the more accurate term might be experienced than simply strong. But yeah, there's a lot to interpret that tag to be honest.

I believe experienced would be more accurate. Since in more realism sense. There is always someone better, but if one has experience, they can always surpass. This is not overpowered in any means. It is simply their own abilities being improved.

Generally, overpowered are considered under the lines of SuperMan. Where characters are so strong, that everything else is weak.

 

[NotaNuffian]

*Raise hand*

What about, for instance, an MC that happens to be more retarded than the MC in Reincarnated Swordmaster and have the body of someone capable of curbstomping any lower tier mooks, but lack the willpower and training to do so (instinctual fighting techniques not downloaded with body)?

 

[DevilPogoStick]

*Raise hand*

What about, for instance, an MC that happens to be more retarded than the MC in Reincarnated Swordmaster and have the body of someone capable of curbstomping any lower tier mooks, but lack the willpower and training to do so (instinctual fighting techniques not downloaded with body)?

That's a good one. Because again there's a debatable half truth to it.

I mean the MC certainly is strong physically but definitely nowhere near as experienced to match to really make full use of it.

This tag is interesting because it's not as clear cut as assumed. Again, "strong" could really mean anything.

 

[OkuraTsukiko]

It can also refer to emotional strength. This is especially true for female protagonists, as many female readers look for a "strong female protagonist" when what they are really looking for is an independent woman.

I agree with @K5Rakitan , though it can be physically or mentally, it depends. From my perspective of view, an MC who is strong is someone who can control their emotions or intellectually solve problems. aside from being physically strong Those brains are also a form of power, so it's likely debatable.

 

[Laeyioun]

I think it's used as a tag most of the time when right at the start of the story they have strength. Strength is subjective, but most of the time it means they have some standing in the power system of the world, or are capable and can take care of themselves and not be steamrolled by enemies - either by fights, willpower and emotions, or scheming depending on the context of strength in the world. Depending on the story it can even be their standing or influence such as if they are head of a noble house or head of a sect or organization. They can still lose when it's valid but they must absolutely stand their ground and show power when it matters. Of course in these stories it usually is the case that their past plays a big part.

Works like Overlord, The Experimental Log of The Crazy Lich, The Devil is a Part-timer, and Unfathomable Senior in RoyalRoad. God/Administator Protagonists like in I Am the God of Games, Gamers of The Underworld, and World Keeper (which I haven't read) are examples too.

 

[ForestDweller]

I think it's used as a tag most of the time when right at the start of the story they have strength. Strength is subjective, but most of the time it means they have some standing in the power system of the world, or are capable and can take care of themselves and not be steamrolled by enemies - either by fights or scheming depending on the context of strength in the world. They can still lose when it's valid but they must absolutely stand their ground and show power when it matters. Of course in these stories it usually is the case that their past plays a big part.

Works like Overlord, The Experimental Log of The Crazy Lich, The Devil is a Part-timer, and Unfathomable Senior in RoyalRoad. God/Administator Protagonists like in I Am the God of Games, Gamers of The Underworld, and World Keeper which I haven't read are examples too.

Yea, not my MC then. None of the MCs of those works have suffered defeat as terrible as he is, even if he's capable of beating 99% of the setting's population.

Strength is about perspective and narrative more than anything, not objective stats. It's about having a protagonist can handle anything the world has to throw to them.