Changelings Never Change · 12:39am Jul 24th, 2014
Ah, changelings. At the end of season 2, they became the biggest breakout character this fandom has probably ever seen. Well, at least race-wise. Not even the zebras, gryphons, minotaurs, or even diamond dogs ever got as much upstart than these guys. They quickly replaced the vampone (vampire ponies, if my implying didn't catch your attention enough) as the trademark OC's of awesome. And boy howdy, were there ever a bunch of OC's for this guy.
If I was to scroll through the top-rated stories browser for the changeling tag, a good number of those stories will be about changeling OC's. Now, these OC's don't really change much for the most part. They're wither "different" than the mindless swarm and what to live amongst the ponies without getting bigotry or lynching, and they either go out without disguises are try to live amongst the ponies with a disguise. Then there's the variety who were secretly changelings the entire time and only recently discovered it. Hell, this can be applied to even the main cast for MLP as well, in the form of "x is secretly a changeling" fic, which of course follows the route of the pony trying to keep their discovery a secret from their friends so they don't get lynched. It's always about lynching for some reason...
Then of course we have the changelings being the main antagonist in a certain story. Instead of another race such as diamond dogs or gryphons, the author uses changelings as the bad guys of an evil race that needs to be defeated. And better yet, the changelings are a hive mind too, and thus are even extra evil because they're mindless drones. Now, there's nothing wrong with that, but holy hell does the hive mind concept get tossed around so much it's sticking better to walls (readers) than monkey shit (stories) thrown at people at the zoo (also readers).
Now, where am I going with with said pointless babbling? I don't really like changelings. Heck, in the show itself they didn't really interest me, but holy hell did the stories on the site abuse it to high hell. Mostly the "x was secretly a changeling" stories since they follow the same formula. Every. Single. Time.
As for changeling OC's, they're right up there with alicorn OC's for me. Not as bad, but just so plain and copy/paste I can't really bother myself to differentiate them since, well... they're not very different. The main point here is that I can be cynical sometimes, and finding changelings myself so boring an antagonist or protagonist, I don't really use them all that much. Heck, the closest I have used them was with Chrysalis... and that's mainly for clop (god I'm awful).
So, for you, my readers, the smartest, prettiest, handsomest, shiniest people on the site, I want your opinions. First of which is how handsome I am? Please, be truthful here. I can handle it. Really, I can. Don't hold back.
Secondly, what do you see interesting in the changeling race? I sure can't, since they seem to be like vampire ponies (god, I remember those bastards), except less Vinyl and Octavia and more freaky insect monsters. Which I guess would be cool... but just isn't.
I would totally stick my dick into that.
Filthy casual...
My opinion: Fuck changelings.
I only find their history and kingdom interesting, only that I'm intrigued to learn more about them.
As for that dick question? Nah.
I kinda like changeling race. Just something I found interesting after reading Hard Reset.
I have no opinion on your handsomeness.
As for Changelings, my thoughts are twofold. In regard to OCs in general, I find the idea of an entirely alien psychology - even more alien than ponies should be to us - fascinating, although the stories I've seen rarely take that tack. More often than not, they're just treated as another race of ponies (which is a completely separate concept to explore which is frequently ignored). I only remember two stories which attempted to get inside the mind of a Changeling as more than just another character (and I don't remember the names).
As far as the hive mind goes, there's two possibilities for that. There's the insect based hive mind, where Chrysalis is the only individual and the rest are mindless drones (not fond of that one). Then there's the Oversoul based hive mind, where each Changeling is an individual but the hive as a whole is an intellectual/spiritual entity greater than the sum of its parts, and individual Changelings can link to it, both to permanently record their experiences and to consult all other members of their race at the speed of thought.
Now as for my thoughts regarding Changelings in clop...in theory, who wouldn't want a sexual partner that can literally be anything you desire with a thought? It's the same reason why there's so many succubus based erotic stories out there but applied to the pony fandom.
Well i don't go out of my way to read them so I can't say much about it. However I did like the idea behind this changeling fic. I also found the portrayal of them in the Celestia Code interesting even the OC changelings who were I admit minor chars.
You're fabulous, RainbowBob.
Dun forget it.
As for changelings, I don't find them too interesting myself. I certainly don't mind them, but all those fics made me wonder what all the excitement was for. I'd love to go into the history and culture--more so than boring history in school, pfft! Otherwise, I guess just to have the opportunity to use new, unique, shapeshifting creatures opened multiple doors for everyone. They're a theme of testing trust, like with the fucking "x is changeling" thing. "Are you really who you say you are?" and all that bullshit.
I personally like Changelings because their morphology is so ambiguous. Yes, they're insectoid, but there's a lot missing.
Currently, I'm working on a story featuring semi-aquatic changelings based on toebiters and stonefly nymphs. And I can get away with that, because they're so incredibly vague.
While I'll agree that Changeling fics are overdone and tend to follow the same formulas, I feel that's mostly because people aren't inventive enough to take advantage of their full potential.
That said, I'm still using some basic tropes in my fic, so.... <__<;
2310624
Except 4 u bby!
Interestingly, your changeling story was the first I read on the site, and I loved it. And much like the first human story I read and loved, it skewed my perception of various related stories so that I expected the same level of enjoyment. And thus... everything turned to shit.
Damn you fimfic!
2310624 Don't be sad, Wanderer, your story is good
...Even if I haven't read it yet...
1) You are not sexy enough for Armok.
2)There is a reason why I love killing them in every story I have a Human in. They are evil enough where no one cries when hundreds die, but are smart enough to be a well-rounded antagonistic army.
3) I have no clue how that first pictured one walks without tripping over and over again. I would fuck it up their bug-ass with a axe.
Enough that I'm considering going gay for you. Hope that helps your self-esteem.
As for changelings, I imagine people took so much interest in them initially because of their role in the finale. They were unannounced beforehand, so everyone was genuinely surprised when their existence was revealed, and as we all know people love being surprised. Additionally, people probably grew attached to them because they were the first instance of foreign powers posing a threat to Equestria.
Unlike Nightmare Moon and Discord, who are both demigods from the past, Chrysalis and her changelings are more in line with, say, a real world country invading X neighbor for Y reason. It was something the show hadn't done before, and it gave us a glimpse of the world outside Equestria and how other races might view our favorite little ponies. Not to mention, being able to shapeshift into any other living being adds an interesting dynamic to their character which people love to exploit, including yours truly.
If you're so tired of seeing the same old kind of changeling character, why not do to the cliché like you did to all those LoHAV fics?
My opinion on Changelings? Meh. I think so many people gravitated towards them is because they find them cool. They are (especially the first pic in your post), but just like anything, most of it stinks. A few shine, though (can't name any, as I never got into the Changeling fics). Also, just like anything, when people start seeing a formula from one or two good fics, they start copying it, but with less quality.
All in all, I'm ambivalent to Changeling fics; some are good, some are bad, and I'll just keep away from them all.
Rush and Pony on!
T4E
2310612 I just linked that same story in my below comment.
Glad you liked it, by the way.
Well mate...im on your side about the whole equation getting old, yet I like the changeling idea. rather, their kingdom, or history. Hell, why am i even talking? I have yet to read a changeling tale based on the Fact that each one seems copy and pasted. Maybe the day will come when an author breaks the norm and writes something new. We can dream....we can dream.
Also, maybe you're handsome. idk. My satellite takes blurry pictures. Try going outside and looking up one day.
I like changelings quite a bit. There isn't much that is explained about them so they are almost a blank canvas when it comes to creating a character. Sadly, most of their stories are stuck in the typical archetypes as you pointed out (by the way, you forgot to point out the chrysalis gets kicked out of the hive archetype, unless you consider that from changelings). But I think the worst offender when it comes to changeling in stories are when they are used as villains. Not they are bad villains, they are just by most authors as some sort of lazy way to get a climax out of their story.
P.S No one can compare to your handsomeness.
This, my friends, is what I consider to be the number one best thing ever done with changelings. Ever. Period. And it's not exactly badass. It's more adorable than anything.
Seriously, I dare any of you to read through this series of fancomics and honestly tell me it isn't great.
Changelings have great character design; they're very simplistic and yet very alien looking, and they worked well. Likewise, there are a lot of potential stories you can tell with them. They can be played as straight-up villains, tragic villains, very alien villains, tragic monsters, people just trying to survive (though playing Chrysalis that way doesn't really work very well), they can be infiltrators, you can make existing characters into changelings, you can have paranoia type plots, stories about trust... the list goes on.
Lots of possibility space there. And they also have the advantage as OCs as having a predefined power set so they don't end up seeming ridiculous. And of course some folks make them monstrously powerful. And of course people love the TRAGIC BACKSTORY. And changelings are perfect for such.
But personally, I enjoy them sometimes. They're definitely useful for certain types of plots having to do with trust and similar issues, and they're reasonably generic enemies for other things, allowing for people to beat down mooks.
Coolest part?
Imagine you're in the middle of a zerg rush.
Except half of your army are zerglings.
That's what's cool about them.
Also, that first picture makes it look so much like a mutant sliver. Except slivers are cooler and way more OP.
I love changelings. There's so many different ways you can go with them.
"Diaries of the Mare in the Moon" by Grimm is good story that has changelings in it.
2310572
I read a bit of that story until I realized that it was just a combination of It's About Time and the season 2 finale, which killed the immersion for me. Nothing really original or amazing about it at all.
2310641
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That, and [mostly] because it was a popular trend, which writers on the site cashed in on, in hopes of gaining some notoriety.
Oooh boy! Changelings. I love em, and I hate em.
As a writer, they make a great opportunity for comedy, or for exploring a different culture of values within ponyworld (though in that regard, not really any more than, say, Minotaurs, Griffons or Zebras), especially if those values are very different to pony values (once again, see comedy)
2310757 introduced me to a wonderful trope Blue and Orange morality, which has become something I love exploring with changelings.
But… the old 'dark and mysterious' changeling that bucks his cultures tradition and just wants to be a pony and hates to feed off ponies and is exiled for defying his queen and is marked with an x shaped scar… okay, got a little too specific there (saucer of milk, table one!) Those stories? Blergh!
Though, I did write one of those "X turns out to be a changeling stories" myself, so maybe I should go hang my head in shame
And as for your handsomeness? Well, let me just say that there is a reason I have to console myself with icecream, and it might be because someone has already claimed you.
mlpforums.com/uploads/post_images/img-2567390-1-609598__safe_rarity_animated_crying_eating_ice%20cream_marshmelodrama_inspiration%20manifestation_spoiler-colon-s04e23_fainting%20couch.gif
(Waaaaaaaa narm narm narm)
"I don't know you, and I don't care to know you" -Ulrich Leland
I liked them because they're an entire RACE of antagonists, and they're not as full of aspies as Diamond Dogs are.
Most of the things you've named are indeed the cliches of "changeling" fics. I'm waiting for someone to write a fic where there's no "mindless drone" BS, and the changelings aren't interested in being allies with Equestria. Changelings who only see Canterlot as a missed opportunity,and are ready and willing to go at it again.
None of that "but all they need is friendship!". They need food, and ponies are the source.
Changeling are alien to ponies, so they can be used to expose and explore sides of the pony society ponies themselves consider natural and do not focus upon. Changelings are also described so little, that it is trivial to adopt them to many story needs without breaking canon. This makes them useful writer tools, if used properly. However, as alicorns-lite, changeling OCs are a sign of potential Mary Sue.
You are as handsome as you want to be.
As for changelings, they are just another adjustable wrench in the toolbox of inspiration that is the MLP:FiM mythos. If there something about how they are represented that bugs you, then write them how you believe they should be represented.
If we exclude the IDW comics (which I personally don't see as canon), they're awfully enigmatic. We only know two things about them: they feed on love and can look like anyone.
These two things are also thoroughly intriguing. What makes that sort of creature?
Ugh. I need to do more work on The Lunatics
On the handsomeness scale, you're a Toby Maguire, where bottom of the scale is Bill Murray and the top is Alec Baldwin. You were pretty close to a Richard Dean Anderson, but alas, you can't win 'em all.
I just like how little is known about the changelings as a whole. There's such little data about them and it's fun at times to see what wild and creative concepts the fandom can come up with for them.
2310717 I.... am unable to accept that dare.
Thank you, thank you for finding this.
After blitz-reading the whole thing I can honestly say its a work overflowing with magnificence.
(totally gonna read it again tho :p)
Now I shall return the service.
I would have thought RainbowBob would share more of a kinship with Changelings, seeing as they're both full of holes and all.
Because evil is cool!
Ok, no seriously.
Personally, changelings appealed to me because, honestly, they were different. I'm always drawn to something that's not considered the norm. Hell, part of the reason why I got involved with ponies in the first place. But changelings are a bit of an interesting paradox in that respect. They're interesting because they are so different from ponies. Yet a changeling himself (or herself/itself) is so much like any other changeling, it's almost impossible to tell them apart.
There's also the mystery about them. We got very little info about them from the show, and only slightly more about them in the comics. This massive unknown draws fans to them like bees to honey (see what I did thar? XD). This is where the fandom gets to 'run wild', filling in the blanks with their own ideas and theories. Sometimes these theories tend to all agree on certain points, and other times they're wildly divergent. That's a bit part of the fun when it comes to fanfics. There's this big empty void people can fill with their own ideas in whatever creative way they like.
But as for changeling OCs, I guess it's safe to say that they really play the part of the 'misfit'. Again, this is something of a paradox. A changeling among other changelings is like a pebble on a pebble beach. Yet by themselves amongst ponies, they would stick out like a sore hoof, that is if they couldn't appear as any pony they wish. This ability to blend in while still being the outcast speaks to a lot of people. Either they themselves are misfits who wish they had a changeling's ability to instantly blend in with the crowd. Or they feel as if they are something strange and freakish, wearing a disguise that keeps everyone else form seeing what they truly are. This can be a powerful tool in literature. The situation a changeling can find itself in can be used to create sympathy for a character. Or, should the changelings be the bad guys, create a sense of dread and paranoia that the readers can share with the main characters. Just watch 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' for this concept taken to extremes.
But there is one point I can agree with you about. The whole 'x was secretly a changeling' has been done to death, and has fallen prey to a LOT of fanfiction tropes. Then again, this is likely the result of a concept being poorly executed by the authors of such stories. And many of the most wide-spread concepts in the fandom's fanfiction runs afoul of tropes quite often. The more popular it is, the more likely it is to have poorly written stories made of it.
And lastly, who wouldn't want changeling clop? XD
I've seen where people have compared changelings to be MLP's version of vampires. But honestly, this comparison falls short in my opinion. It would be more accurate to say that changelings are MLP's 'child safe' version of succubi. Think about it. They feed on love. They can assume the form of your closest loved one. And their true nature is something wholly abhorrent to ponies. This falls pretty close in line to the myths and folklore of succubi and incubi. And like their real-world mythological counterparts, they also carry something of a sensual nature with them. People have always been attracted to things that are unusual. It's part of our genetic makeup to seek out unusual traits in partners. And with changelings, the idea that a pony's love interest could actually be some strange, dangerous creature can be rather thrilling for a lot of people. Hell, just watch the show's depiction of Chrysalis. For a children's show, she gets about as sultry as they can get away with. She slinks about with a voice that would be fitting on some demonic temptress from some anime. And this doesn't disappear in the comics either, as she's seen lounging about almost provocatively. Hell, even in the mirror universe comics, her other-dimensional counterpart is given a motherly appearance, almost the direct flip side of a frisky seductress.
ZERGLING!!!
2311439
Mission Accomplished.
I really think it is the definitive example of adorable changeling-induced diabetes. Though I have yet to find a good example on the serious side of the spectrum.
Would you NOT?
2310898 Uh... I wouldn't say that, really. Try giving it a few more chapters? Then go read the sequel? Or the third one?
Point is, you can't have three stories all follow It's about Time, which they don't really. HR itself is pretty unique. What chapter did you get to?
I've never really thought about changelings or their portrayal in stories on this site, but even thinking about it now, I can't form a proper opinion without having read some. The only stories (save for a few which shall be discussed later) I've read involving changelings have had the changeling as a minor character at most, the story not really focused on them but allowing them take part. Well, that or they were the enemy. Therefore, I have very little with which to work. I will admit, however, that the changelings involved were often 'different' and 'friendly', or secretly a changeling and didn't know. Pretty common themes, really.
There are stories, however, that take the changelings in new directions. These stories are, to say the least, refreshing. I've read a few of these, and I can only say that I enjoyed them immensely.
I'll take TheWraithWriter's 'The Handmaiden' as an example of a new, exciting way of writing the changelings (I proofread it recently, so it's fresh in my mind). They aren't, first of all, operating with a hive mind. Each changeling has their own personality and beliefs, they are capable of disliking their queen and can think independently. They are also varied, different types carrying different responsibilities and tasks to keep their society running. They are capable of failure and aren't easily replaced. There isn't an endless stream of them. Modelled on feudal Japan, their honour system is important to them and if they must die for a cause, they'll do so willingly and with pride.
Basically, they are capable of fighting among themselves, not stopping even when failure and death are guaranteed. Refusing to take an advantage that their opponent won't have, they show both courage and personality, something unseen in many stories involving them. Too common is the 'kill the leader, kill their courage' mindset used when writing about the 'big, bad bug'. Changelings don't have to be mindless drones, they don't have to be incapable of fear and they don't have to be identical. They can be individually intelligent, they can fear and show courage, and they can be different.
Writing a changeling story, authors need to realise that the 'different' changelings and secret changelings aren't compelling characters. They already know that this site hates OCs, but making an effort to write a believable changeling with a personality and goals other than 'remain undiscovered' is the only way their story will be noticed, set aside from the pile of stories with identical plot lines.
It's just that authors, as I think this blog is pointing out, don't bother. Changelings can be taken in wonderful directions and are incredibly malleable, being an effective blank slate, but people don't bother making the effort to change them, they don't want to think of new ways to write those little insect things. They just go with the general trend, writing mindless enemies, changelings with sympathy and secret changelings, over and over again.
My opinion, well... They're overused. Sure, I have no problem with it, but there are too many stories about changelings, taking into account that most of them are the same story. When I do, on occasion, read a changeling story, I want it to be interesting. That's quite difficult to find.
I do believe everyone can write an interesting changeling story, and I like them when they're done well, but the extra effort required puts many off the idea and we end up with too many of the same story.
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Also, ridiculously handsome.
I find changelings fascinating for the same reason as any other poorly developed species in Friendship is Magic. Specifically, the potential. As you've noted, there are several settings that can be adjusted for each portrayal: society, individuality, mentality, diet, biology... I can't help but revel in the myriad possibilities. Especially stories like Mendacity that take the fae angle and run with it.
You have clearly never read The Irony of Applejack, then.
Also, I don't really have an opinion on your handsomeness, but I wouldn't mind cuddling you.
I'D STICK MY DICK INTO MY ASS YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE (SEE WHAT I DID THERE, THAT'S CHANGELING HUMOR)
When it comes to changelings in stories, this is almost always a must have:
1. have multiple changeling hives
2. Have most if not all of the hives want to continue living in peace with the ponies and Chrysalis's hive was the exception
3. the Changelings have two ways of feeding: passive and active. Passive is when emotion is directed towards them (they made someone smile for example) and active is when the literally suck the emotions out of someone.
4. Different hives have different preferred emotions (repeats are allowed, so long as the gathering methods aren't exactly the same)
For an example of this in action, see A Novel Tale
Thank you for your time