Is your character a Stu? · 11:03am Aug 5th, 2014
Well, my pokey little fanfiction has been going for over fifty chapters now. And for every chapter I write, I question myself; am I writing a Stu? When I began 'My Family and Other Equestrians' I knew I would have to take care to avoid making a character a Stu, it is a lot easier than it first appears. That is why that whole nightmare sequence exists, if you remember that far back. So, I thought I'd examine Blade Star (the character, not me) and see whether or not I am on a slippery slope. In a move I'm sure Twilight Sparkle would be proud of, I shall consult a checklist.
[ ] They are possessed by an angel
[ ] They are possessed by a demon
[ ] They are a werewolf/vampire/faerie
[X] They are physically strong (Well, he does do all that farm work)
[ ] They have a rare hair/fur colour
[ ] Their eyes are an unusual colour
[ ] This unusual eye colour happens to be red
[X] Their eyes change (That happened once in magic training and will happen if any character uses dark magic, as found in canon)
[ ] They have wings [Does not count for Pegasi]
[ ] They can grow extra body parts/shapeshift
[ ] They are immortal [+10 points]
[ ] [if a female] they have large bra size [+5 points]
[ ] [if a male] they are very muscular [+5 points]
[ ] They are very attractive to the opposite gender [+5 points]
[X] They are telekinetic/pyrokinetic/etc. (Blade Star is a unicorn, and his abilities are limited)
[ ] They have sixth sense/can mind-read/etc. [+5 points]
[ ] They have an object of some sort that gives them powers
[ ] They have a special ability/power, but they don't know about it yet
[ ] They were bestowed/cursed with these powers
[ ] They are a healer ( One of finest)
[ ] They are from a very rich/royal family [+3 points]
[ ] They don't know that they are from a very rich/royal background
[ ] They have lost one/both of their parents
[ ] They ran away from home
[ ] Their parents are cruel, uncaring, abusive etc.
[ ] They witnessed one/both of their parent's death
[ ] They are part angel/demon/faerie/some other mythical creature
[ ] They never knew their parents
[ ] They were abused/spoiled as a child
[ ] They are very attractive to the same gender
[ ] They have lots of friends/no friends
[ ] They are emo/cutesy
[ ] They look much younger/older than they really are. [+5 points]
[ ] They are currently in a relationship
[ ] They have lots of morals and state them a fair bit for example: 'I would rather be with my friends than with my boyfriend/girlfriend' 'Nothing matters more to me than my friends/family' 'I wouldn't hesitate to die in place of a friend' etc. It's fine if your OC has these beliefs/values, but if they constantly say them out loud/preach them to others, then we have a problem.
[ ] They have a mental disorder
[ ] They have an emotional disorder
[ ] They struggle to stay sane
[ ] They are a psycho
[ ] They have multiple personalities
[X] They are very intelligent (He may not be Twilight level smart, but he's up there)
[ ] They have hallucinations
[ ] They can summon spirits/demons/angels etc.
[ ] They have an unusual/unrealistic pet
[ ] They have a guardian spirit
[ ] They have a 'special type' of soul
[ ] Their soul is not the same as them
[ ] They can talk to spirits/ghosts
[ ] Some part of their body glows
[ ] They were born on an important date, such as New Year's Eve, Midsummers Night, The Winter Solstace etc.
[ ] They have a twin/sibling that they were separated from at birth
[ ] They are connected with a certain element
[ ] They are connected with a certain animal
[ ] They always dress like a certain 'label'
[ ] They look quite a bit like a character from a popular anime/manga. [+5 points]
[ ] They are hiding from someone/something
[ ] They have a rare blood type
[ ] They cry blood [+5 points]
[ ] Certain noises/smells/situations/etc make their powers activate/give them a nervous breakdown
[ ] They are from a different country from where they currently live
[ ] They are very mysterious/dark
[ ] They are very lively/happy
[ ] Their mood changes a lot/very quickly
[ ] They are very patient
[ ] They are from a long line of kings/queens.
[X] They have a piece of jewelry/clothing that they always wear (I suppose the new Stetson counts)
[ ] They have amnesia
[ ] They have some sort of permanent medical condition
[ ] The have a curse upon them
[ ] They are involved in some sort of prophecy
[ ] They are 'the chosen one [+5 points]
[ ] They have insomnia
[ ] They are a Timelord (Not The Doctor) and they do not/do know this
[ ] They are an Alicorn [+50]
Overall points: 5
Okay then, it seems for the moment, I'm just being paranoid. Let me know in the comments below what you think.
2344982 Possible, I just cut and pasted this from deviantart. I shall put it in though.
2345009 Well, the most vile crime of having an alicorn OC is +50, so maybe +10 for a Timelord. It is quite a big step.
Here the link: http://garysmodx.deviantart.com/journal/The-Is-Your-OC-a-Mary-Sue-Gary-Stu-Test-2-0-283986831
Ha my Guy is also 5 points lol
2345067 What did you get points for?
This isn't really fair for me. My characters are literally hellspawn of alicorns. There is only so much you can do to keep it realistic.
For an upcoming story I wrote the third draft to:
[X] They are telekinetic/pyrokinetic/etc. (Magic!)
[X] They are from a different country from where they currently live (Partially applies)
[X] They have lost one/both of their parents (and witnessed their deaths)
[X] They witnessed one/both of their parent's death (there you go)
Score for Monica is 4. Although I did consider the running/hiding from something one, she isn't really.
Looking at this list makes me wonder where the characters from one of my favorite fics would show up because when I was trying to grasp what they were talking about I thought, "Oh, like in ____ !" so there's that.
2345154 True, but I'd say they are still under the 65 point limit. Since they aren't alicorns themselves. At a rough guess I'd say your characters hover around the 12-15 mark, so I wouldn't write them off just yet.
I just realized one of my characters may be a Stu. He has evil demonic powers, red eyes, enjoys fighting, he's an idiot, he's out of his mind, has a soft spot for kids, and has difficulty sleeping because of his memories from fighting a war.
I'm sad now. Still a cool list.
We should get a discount on HiE and Ponyfication stories. Some of those stuff are part of the package!
Nine points here, and nine from the Litmus Test. But I can't help but wonder...
*snrk* Okay, good to know that even my superhero/villain transplants from city of heroes pass this test. Even the two per side that become alicorns upon entering Equestria due to already having been Incarnates with incarnate powers up to the highest released tier pass despite that massive +50 handicap. I notice no mention of changelings, though I suppose that could be covered under fey/mystic heritage and emotional power...
2345068 [X] They are physically strong
[X] They are very intelligent
[X] They are hiding from someone/something
[ X] They are very patient
[X] They have a piece of jewelry/clothing that they always wear
Does being the chosen one but not wanting to be count as a point deduction?
2347853 Sweet Celestia yes. That falls under being the chosen one.
2347859 Does it count as a deduction or a normal point? You failed to clarify.
[X] They are physically strong
[X] They have a rare hair/fur colour
[X] Their eyes change (color and/or pupil shape)
[X] They can grow extra body parts/shapeshift
[X] They are telekinetic/pyrokinetic/etc.
[X] They have sixth sense/can mind-read/etc. [+5 points]
[X] They have an mental disorder (Asperger's)
[X] They have
multiplea splintered personality (a violent metaphysical attack split the single one into a light,dark and neutral aspect/personality,(the neutral one being similar to the original personality) each aspect overall being very similar,but unique and distinct. All of the personalities,are aware of each other and will often share the body (will explain later),due to not being dissociative identities.)[X] They are very intelligent
[X] They are a healer (One of finest,due to a great deal of training)
[X] They are
parta angel/demon/faerie/some other mythical creature (a nightmare,but not the same as the ones you know)[X] They have a 'special type' of soul (nightmare,LOL)
[X] They can talk to spirits/ghosts
[X] They are very lively/happy
[X] They have some sort of permanent medical condition (Asperger's)
[X] They are 'the chosen one [+5 points] (doesn't want to be though)
[X] They are an Alicorn [+50]
Total points:74
And now the reductions (from the original list)
[X] They have a short temper
New total:73
........buck you (whoever is reading this) and your criticism,my oc isn't a Stu,he's/she's / (insert genderless being referential possessive here) / (i'll explain later when I write my oc a story on this site) actually just a lot like Discord (in the trickster god sense,he mostly uses his powerful for his/her/ (insert genderless being referential name here) amusement.)
2347870 Just because this test says they are a Stu doesn't mean they are a bad character. If you can write a Stu well, there is no issue. Your character actually sounds quite interesting for the record.
well I think your fine heck I would not care if it was a Stu as long as the rest of the story is well done and their is a good plot that's something I can over look.
Bless both of your faces.
Static,Kinetic,Thermos, everyone.
[ ] They are possessed by an angel
[ ] They are possessed by a demon(Technically they are demons, but not possessed or possessing.)
[ ] They are a werewolf/vampire/faerie
[X] They are physically strong (He can't jump though,)
[ ] They have a rare hair/fur colour
[ ] Their eyes are an unusual colour
[ ] This unusual eye colour happens to be red
[ ] Their eyes change
[ ] They have wings [Does not count for Pegasi]
[X] They can grow extra body parts/shapeshift
[ ] They are immortal [+10 points]
[ ] [if a female] they have large bra size [+5 points]
[X] [if a male] they are very muscular [+5 points](not in the 'attractive' way but in the 'tall guy's got muscle' way.)
[ ] They are very attractive to the opposite gender [+5 points]
[X] They are telekinetic/pyrokinetic/etc. (They can change certain laws of physics)
[ ] They have sixth sense/can mind-read/etc. [+5 points]
[ ] They have an object of some sort that gives them powers
[ ] They have a special ability/power, but they don't know about it yet
[ ] They were bestowed/cursed with these powers(born with, not bestowed.)
[ ] They are a healer ( One of finest)
[X] They are from a very rich/royal family [+3 points](they were the only characters that have been trapped in Tartarus.)
[ ] They don't know that they are from a very rich/royal background
[ ] They have lost one/both of their parents
[ ] They ran away from home
[ ] Their parents are cruel, uncaring, abusive etc.
[ ] They witnessed one/both of their parent's death
[X] They are part angel/demon/faerie/some other mythical creature
[ ] They never knew their parents
[ ] They were abused/spoiled as a child
[ ] They are very attractive to the same gender
[ ] They have lots of friends/no friends
[ ] They are emo/cutesy
[X] They look much younger/older than they really are. [+5 points]
[ ] They are currently in a relationship
[ ] They have lots of morals and state them a fair bit for example: 'I would rather be with my friends than with my boyfriend/girlfriend' 'Nothing matters more to me than my friends/family' 'I wouldn't hesitate to die in place of a friend' etc. It's fine if your OC has these beliefs/values, but if they constantly say them out loud/preach them to others, then we have a problem.
[ ] They have a mental disorder
[ ] They have an emotional disorder
[ ] They struggle to stay sane
[ ] They are a psycho
[ ] They have multiple personalities
[X] They are very intelligent (Static understands and can control almost any chemical reaction.)
[ ] They have hallucinations
[ ] They can summon spirits/demons/angels etc.
[ ] They have an unusual/unrealistic pet
[ ] They have a guardian spirit
[ ] They have a 'special type' of soul
[ ] Their soul is not the same as them
[ ] They can talk to spirits/ghosts
[ ] Some part of their body glows
[ ] They were born on an important date, such as New Year's Eve, Midsummers Night, The Winter Solstace etc.
[ ] They have a twin/sibling that they were separated from at birth
[X] They are connected with a certain element
[ ] They are connected with a certain animal
[ ] They always dress like a certain 'label'
[ ] They look quite a bit like a character from a popular anime/manga. [+5 points]
[ ] They are hiding from someone/something
[ ] They have a rare blood type
[ ] They cry blood [+5 points]
[ ] Certain noises/smells/situations/etc make their powers activate/give them a nervous breakdown
[ ] They are from a different country from where they currently live
[ ] They are very mysterious/dark
[ ] They are very lively/happy
[X] Their mood changes a lot/very quickly
[ ] They are very patient
[ ] They are from a long line of kings/queens.
[ ] They have a piece of jewelry/clothing that they always wear
[ ] They have amnesia
[X] They have some sort of permanent medical condition (Kinetic can't jump, Static can't touch the ground, and Thermos is always an awkward tempature.)
[ ] The have a curse upon them
[ ] They are involved in some sort of prophecy
[ ] They are 'the chosen one [+5 points]
[ ] They have insomnia
[ ] They are a Timelord (Not The Doctor) and they do not/do know this
[ ] They are an Alicorn [+50]
...
Static=14
Kinetic=17
Thermos=14
...
That turned out better than I had hoped.
25 for Nav from diaries of a dead man.