Weak Protagonist, OP Protagonist, or somewhere in between?

[SouthernMaiden]

We all know that web novels, light novels, and LitRPGs are absolutely saturated with overpowered protagonists. Sometimes they start out weak, then become OP by the the end of the first chapter. Occasionally, it'll take a handful of chapters before the protag gets crazy strong.

Or my least favourite: When a protag starts out weak with humble origins, but it's revealed that wow, they're not nobody their parents were actually super duper special and oh wow they inherited that too. Why does a peasant have to have a secret noble lineage to be strong?

Personally, I love it when an MC starts out weak (pathetic even), but through their own efforts (and with some help) they're able to become stronger. Not the strongest (at least not early on).

A series that does it really well is Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, the MC has a steady upwards trajectory (with a few significant setbacks), but it takes a long long time for them to even be considered notable among adventurers. The gap between them and the top parties is vast, but they still manage to be amazing and competent. It's a great balance.

How do ya'll prefer to write your MCs? OP from the get go? Weak, but quickly becomes OP? And how fast should it happen?

 

[Eldoria]

I'm not really a fan of either type of protagonist, whether strong or weak. I prefer humane protagonists. They may be strong but have limitations, trauma, motivations, and act based on situations that might seem wrong to the readers, but right from their perspective.

Humane protagonists present more complex conflicts. The narrative feels more grounded and organic without being limited to power. I've seen many protagonists who pursue power, from weak to strong, from strong to too strong, from too strong to god. It seems like the conflict only revolves around the search for power.

Fiction should explore many aspects of humanity beyond simply seeking power. That's why I love dark fantasy and high fantasy. LOTR, Majo no Tabitabi, and Frieren are good examples of how fantasy fiction is used to explore the human side.

 

[SouthernMaiden]

I'm not really a fan of either type of protagonists, whether strong or weak. I prefer humane protagonists. They may be strong but have limitations, trauma, motivations, and act based on situations that might seem wrong to the readers, but right from their perspective.

Humane protagonists present more complex conflicts. The narrative feels more grounded and organic without being limited to power. I've seen many protagonists who pursue power, from weak to strong, from strong to too strong, from too strong to god. It seems like the conflict only revolves around the search for power.

Fiction should explore many aspects of humanity beyond simply seeking power. That's why I love dark fantasy and high fantasy. LOTR, Majo no Tabitabi, and Frieren are good examples. How fantasy fiction is used to explore the human side.

That's a great way of looking at it. In the example I cited, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, the MC really only get stronger incidentally while trying to keep his friends safe in a world in which they have no choice but to fight to survive (literally they need to make money for food and rent).

I also do feel like a lot of fiction tells us that the MC isn't a "power seeker" while the narrative still functionally serves as a power fantasy and focuses entirely on their power increasing.

Edit: Thanks for reminding me I should finish Majo no Tabitabi

 

[AnonUnlimited]

Weak protagonist with OP mother.

 

[Eldoria]

Weak protagonist with OP mother.

What about an innocent protagonist with an OP (overprotective) mother?

 

[SouthernMaiden]

Weak protagonist with OP mother.

This sounds like an excuse for smut...buuuut in fiction there is actually a shortage of mothers protecting their offspring in the way that fathers typically do.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

What about an innocent protagonist with an OP (overprotective) mother?

Overprotective is okay if they are also overpowered.

This sounds like an excuse for smut...buuuut in fiction there is actually a shortage of mothers protecting their offspring in the way that fathers typically do.

-_-

 

[Envylope]

I started with OP protagonists, but recently I have been making weak protagonists. I find that weak protagonists are more fun to write long term, but they get less readership.

 

[Eldoria]

buuuut in fiction there is actually a shortage of mothers protecting their offspring in the way that fathers typically do.

That's a valid criticism based on reader experience. It's precisely because of this that I wrote my fiction about the OP mother struggling to protect her little daughter's innocence in a post-apocalyptic (moral) world. It's a complete subversion of mainstream fiction. No fanservice, only mother and daughter bond.

 

[AnkaNix]

That's a valid criticism based on reader experience. It's precisely because of this that I wrote my fiction about the OP mother struggling to protect her little daughter's innocence in a post-apocalyptic (moral) world. It's a complete subversion of mainstream fiction. No fanservice, only mother and daughter bond.

I hate how people bring up or think about inappropriate terms when we bring the word "mother" nowadays.

 

[SouthernMaiden]

I hate how people bring up or think about inappropriate terms when we bring the word "mother" nowadays.

I'm sorry, I was infected with the memory of that stupid isekai where the guy's mom comes with him. Thats on me

 

[AnonUnlimited]

I hate how people bring up or think about inappropriate terms when we bring the word "mother" nowadays.

It's because of MIL... milk... nvm.

That's a valid criticism based on reader experience. It's precisely because of this that I wrote my fiction about the OP mother struggling to protect her little daughter's innocence in a post-apocalyptic (moral) world. It's a complete subversion of mainstream fiction. No fanservice, only mother and daughter bond.

Honestly that sounds heart breaking and something I wouldn't want to read. There's enough crap in the world with children.

 

[SouthernMaiden]

I started with OP protagonists, but recently I have been making weak protagonists. I find that weak protagonists are more fun to write long term, but they get less readership.

I wonder why they would get less readership. I feel like MC who starts out OP is so overdone at this moment, unless there's some sort of twist to it.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

I wonder why they would get less readership. I feel like MC who starts out OP is so overdone at this moment, unless there's some sort of twist to it.

For web novels, where you have to keep reader attention. Making a non-op protagonist (or one who doesn't have some sort of cheat) often taxes the reader with tension. Generally, if you have the entire story like how traditional novels are written, the tension can be passed on as you go through it, but for web novels that go on for years and have no guaranteed updates, it's annoying to read a tension filled story.

 

[Envylope]

I wonder why they would get less readership. I feel like MC who starts out OP is so overdone at this moment, unless there's some sort of twist to it.

People like what they like. Some people keep consuming them only.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

People like what they like. Some people keep consuming them only.

You mean internet readers consume them only.

 

[Envylope]

You mean internet readers consume them only.

No, don't put words in my mouth, question mark. I will bite you.

I was clearly talking about all readers that ever read anything. They all consume OP protagonists. Think about it, the protagonist usually wins. Therefore, they are OP. BLEH!

 

[melchi]

What about an innocent protagonist with an OP (overprotective) mother?

Tsuujou Kougeki ga Zentai Kougeki de Ni-kai Kougeki no Okaa-san wa Suki desu ka? - Novel Updates

www.novelupdates.com

 

[AnonUnlimited]

No, don't put words in my mouth, question mark. I will bite you.

I was clearly talking about all readers that ever read anything. They all consume OP protagonists. Think about it, the protagonist usually wins. Therefore, they are OP. BLEH!

I disagree.
In Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans season 2, the protagonists lost.
I hated that.

 

[Envylope]

I disagree.
In Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans season 2, the protagonists lost.
I hated that.

Yeah, nobody knows what that is. Gundam? Is that the thing about robots?