First is and example of what NOT to do:
"Okie...It ain't Sonic, Shadow or Silver... I originally mad this three for the old stories I used to make up for a little kid that looked up to me as a big sister and the Coolest Sonic fan...
Well originally, these three looked like the ultiment cosplayers of Sonic, Shadow an Silver...look JUST LIKE them...an of course they were shapeshifters...But I redesigned them so I wouldn't get yelled at here.. an really, I didn't have much to do...so a remake was good for these boys...
Well I DID keep the shapeshifting but only not as the Dragos...
:bulletblue:Sparky the Hedgehog
He's the light blue guy with black tips... His only shapeshifting is to Dragon form..."Prince of the water" is he and helps Sonic out with the Emeralds. He can run like Sonic can but was giving his name for zigzagging and sometimes sparks people for the most unknown of reasons..he's 15 an a half
:bulletblack: Sparlow the Hedgehog
Ya can guess, he's the black an red one... A good fan of Shadow H. and has a love for weapons like guns... "Prince of Shadows" he is and only transforms to wolf form... and one of the most deadly of 'em... He usually ends up finding a emerald but tosses it to Shadow. Hates Eggman with a passion, since the old man thought he was Shadow, gving that torn up ear of his. Has a fighting relation with Sparky and a loving Relation with Sencu, as if a brother but to this pervy hedgehog it may be more:devilish:. Age unknown
:bulletwhite: Sencu the Hedgehog
The youngest of the three hedgehogs and the most gentle. He has a kind heart and will help anyone in need like Sparky would. "Prince of Light" he is but likes to be with Sparlow... He usually helps the older Hedgewolf when he gets back headaches. Sadly, he had resently lost his memory and lost his psykic ability. His fur is must fluffier then Silver's and covers his mouth. he has a ponytail on the back of his head. Somewhere in his familly was a feline and earns the light blue leopard pattern on his back. he's 14 years
This is them without their gear on."
Dear god where do I start... First of all this was made on a base, like most ripoff ocs. Secondly, they are strait up plagiarizing 3 of the main characters for their designs. But that's ok cause, "they're shapeshifters that look that way because they're the trio's biggest fans". What's worse is they shapeshift into dragons! F***ING DRAGONS! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! You should never use shapeshifters or dragons as a sonic oc, nor should you make them a hedgehog. Hedgehogs are overdone and can easily become ripoffs of a canon character. Finally, their names... Dear.sweet.baby.Jesus. Their names are atrocious. Many sonic ocs suffer from Terrible Name Syndrome (TNS) and never recover. Please help stop this terrible affliction and put some actual thought or research into your name. Together we can make a difference.
Second are characters with potential, but fall short because they're missing 1 or 2 major points of info or have a poor backstory (usually full of cliches)
Name: Chupa
Age: 17
Species: unkown
Background: was used as a lab rat by an underground organization.
Age: 17
Species: unkown
Background: was used as a lab rat by an underground organization.
The design for this character is nice and the name is ok. But not enough much else is given. We're not told her personality, likes, dislikes, or any other major details like friends/family. We're given her backstory, but not enough details to form our own ideas on this character. And they don't even list a species!
The character could have been saved given a few more basic details like "Stubborn and distrusting towards strangers" or "Timid and sweet, this quiet girl tries to see the best in life." or just stating "cyborg feline hybrid" as a potential species. But by choosing to not put that info up the character comes across as nothing more than a nice picture.
A well designed oc looks like this:
Name: Magnus
Nickname: "Master Magnus", The Seeker, Herald of Babylon
Species: Black-billed Magpie (Babylonian)
Gender: Male
Eyes: Sky Blue
Color: Black, White, Iridescent Navy Blue
Height: 120 cm (3' 11")
Weight: 40 kg (88 lbs)
Age: 25
Likes: Treasure, Adventure, Loyalty, Honor
Dislikes: Thieves without Honor, Rash decisions, Disrespect, Arrogance, Milk
Team Member Type: Skill Type
The "Skill Type" ability manages to combine and maximize Dash and Curve abilities with minimal sacrifice to Limit abilities in order to gain unmatched Inertial Drifting and Cornering skills, and combined with the Gravity Control and Dive, he's a tough opponent on the track.
Skill Stats:
Dash: *****
Limit: ****
Power: ***
Curve: *****
Also as a special feature for "Skill Types" they can access areas of tracks that are only available for other player types through "Attack Mode".
Skills:
Master Thief - Speaks for itself. With age come his experience and as the designated "Skill Type" character, Magnus features abilities that enhance his Instincts, Reflexes, Agility, and Stealth, but he has no special powers.
Extreme Gear (Zero Gravity) The Swift Corsair - His skills on a board are legendary. His board also has a built in voice command module that allows the Swift Corsair to undertake certain commands from Magnus.
"Corsair" - Summons the board if Magnus is separated from it.
"Shield" - The board flies in front of Magnus and acts as a shield.
"Charge" - The board will jump into top speed for a short distance. Usually makes for an effectively fast escape, or can easily clear a path through anything...or anyone blocking Magnus' path.
The Swift Corsair hosts a central computer core, similar to the one that Wave wears around her neck, that allows for the voice command programming tech in this particular gear.
Blackbird Rush - A Stealth skill Magnus uses as an evasion tactic, and at times a tactic for catching his foes off guard. It will appear as though Magnus is surrounded by a massive flock of smaller black birds that will fly right at you. Before it looks like the birds are about to collide with you, the flock turns out to be only a bunch of black feathers.
Steel Staff - As in the tradition of the Babylong Rouges, Magnus does carry a weapon to knock others from their boards, or to just engage his enemies if he gets cornered. Its a collapsable/extendable steel bo staff.
Marital Status:Single (involved?)
Family: Deceased, his clan was massacred
Home: He is generally Nomadic, but he claims his loyalty to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Personality: Magnus is steadfast, proud, level headed and always keeps an air of cool calm no matter the situation. He has a constant calculating look in his eye, and he always seems to have a plan for every situation. When he sets his sights on a goal or prize to steal, he always gets what he wants, however, he does not believe any treasure is worth more than your life.
He lives his life by a code of Honorable Thieves that he upholds to the highest degree. No other thief dares to question or violate this code, fearing Master Magnus' strict and swift discipline.
He is a strict teacher for the young heir, and demands that his student always sees to the ways of the Honorable Thief and Babylonian Society.
Fears and Flaws: His greatest flaw is his pride. He is a proud Babylonian down to the core and he will defend the honor of his home and his name, should anyone dare to raise doubt of his integrity and his Code of Honor.
His greatest fear is dishonoring the spirits of the past, and failing his service to the Heir of Babylon. He wants the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to be restored to its original glory, but even he knows that the fate of the Gardens is in the hands of the destined Heir.
Background: Before the fall of the Gardens, Magnus' ancestor was once the Master Thief in service to the Old King of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, charged with teaching the King's heir in all his trades and skills to prepare the young Heir for a future as King.
On the fated day when the Heir of Babylon and his people were scattered to the great winds, the ancestor swore to the dying King to seek out the Heir of Babylon and to ensure the youth would ascend to restore and rebuild the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to her original pristine state and glory, and would further advise the prince to govern as a great King for the future.
Since the fall of their homeland, the descendants of this ancestor have passed down the charged duty to search for the foretold missing Heir who was said to carry with him the Key to restoring the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Master Magnus, as the most recent descendant, has undertaken the inherited mission to seek out and mentor the Heir of Babylon. He has had many adventures, and followed many leads to seek out his charge, but the Heir always seemed to be one step ahead, and just beyond his reach...until the fateful day destiny intervened…
Nickname: "Master Magnus", The Seeker, Herald of Babylon
Species: Black-billed Magpie (Babylonian)
Gender: Male
Eyes: Sky Blue
Color: Black, White, Iridescent Navy Blue
Height: 120 cm (3' 11")
Weight: 40 kg (88 lbs)
Age: 25
Likes: Treasure, Adventure, Loyalty, Honor
Dislikes: Thieves without Honor, Rash decisions, Disrespect, Arrogance, Milk
Team Member Type: Skill Type
The "Skill Type" ability manages to combine and maximize Dash and Curve abilities with minimal sacrifice to Limit abilities in order to gain unmatched Inertial Drifting and Cornering skills, and combined with the Gravity Control and Dive, he's a tough opponent on the track.
Skill Stats:
Dash: *****
Limit: ****
Power: ***
Curve: *****
Also as a special feature for "Skill Types" they can access areas of tracks that are only available for other player types through "Attack Mode".
Skills:
Master Thief - Speaks for itself. With age come his experience and as the designated "Skill Type" character, Magnus features abilities that enhance his Instincts, Reflexes, Agility, and Stealth, but he has no special powers.
Extreme Gear (Zero Gravity) The Swift Corsair - His skills on a board are legendary. His board also has a built in voice command module that allows the Swift Corsair to undertake certain commands from Magnus.
"Corsair" - Summons the board if Magnus is separated from it.
"Shield" - The board flies in front of Magnus and acts as a shield.
"Charge" - The board will jump into top speed for a short distance. Usually makes for an effectively fast escape, or can easily clear a path through anything...or anyone blocking Magnus' path.
The Swift Corsair hosts a central computer core, similar to the one that Wave wears around her neck, that allows for the voice command programming tech in this particular gear.
Blackbird Rush - A Stealth skill Magnus uses as an evasion tactic, and at times a tactic for catching his foes off guard. It will appear as though Magnus is surrounded by a massive flock of smaller black birds that will fly right at you. Before it looks like the birds are about to collide with you, the flock turns out to be only a bunch of black feathers.
Steel Staff - As in the tradition of the Babylong Rouges, Magnus does carry a weapon to knock others from their boards, or to just engage his enemies if he gets cornered. Its a collapsable/extendable steel bo staff.
Marital Status:Single (involved?)
Family: Deceased, his clan was massacred
Home: He is generally Nomadic, but he claims his loyalty to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Personality: Magnus is steadfast, proud, level headed and always keeps an air of cool calm no matter the situation. He has a constant calculating look in his eye, and he always seems to have a plan for every situation. When he sets his sights on a goal or prize to steal, he always gets what he wants, however, he does not believe any treasure is worth more than your life.
He lives his life by a code of Honorable Thieves that he upholds to the highest degree. No other thief dares to question or violate this code, fearing Master Magnus' strict and swift discipline.
He is a strict teacher for the young heir, and demands that his student always sees to the ways of the Honorable Thief and Babylonian Society.
Fears and Flaws: His greatest flaw is his pride. He is a proud Babylonian down to the core and he will defend the honor of his home and his name, should anyone dare to raise doubt of his integrity and his Code of Honor.
His greatest fear is dishonoring the spirits of the past, and failing his service to the Heir of Babylon. He wants the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to be restored to its original glory, but even he knows that the fate of the Gardens is in the hands of the destined Heir.
Background: Before the fall of the Gardens, Magnus' ancestor was once the Master Thief in service to the Old King of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, charged with teaching the King's heir in all his trades and skills to prepare the young Heir for a future as King.
On the fated day when the Heir of Babylon and his people were scattered to the great winds, the ancestor swore to the dying King to seek out the Heir of Babylon and to ensure the youth would ascend to restore and rebuild the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to her original pristine state and glory, and would further advise the prince to govern as a great King for the future.
Since the fall of their homeland, the descendants of this ancestor have passed down the charged duty to search for the foretold missing Heir who was said to carry with him the Key to restoring the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Master Magnus, as the most recent descendant, has undertaken the inherited mission to seek out and mentor the Heir of Babylon. He has had many adventures, and followed many leads to seek out his charge, but the Heir always seemed to be one step ahead, and just beyond his reach...until the fateful day destiny intervened…
Do I even have to explain WHY this is a well designed character? The creator covered every possible aspect of Magnus as did it well. Not only did they choose a species that isn't done a hundred times over, but they chose one that exists. They give him clear goals, flaws, and strengths as well as a detailed backstory and set of believable skills and achievements. Not only that, but the artist didn't feel the need to tie him to a major character in the canon.
I will admit that when my friends and I made our ocs we were young and fell to the temptations of some poor sonic oc tropes, but we grew up and evolved. And now, looking back I see those mistakes as what they are, poor choices.
(yes, this is actually an old sonic oc of mine. Believe it or not, she was the least terrible of them all)
"Ember the Squirrel"
she was found on mobius in a huge crater where a meteor hit. after a few days at freedom fighter hq she grows attached to and starts talking to only one person.
knuckles
something about her is different and familliar to the echidna, but he doesn't quite know what.
soon two more people appear to the friends, one a white and green cat and another a green wolf
knuckles
something about her is different and familliar to the echidna, but he doesn't quite know what.
soon two more people appear to the friends, one a white and green cat and another a green wolf
I created her just so I could draw her with Knuckles, made her on a character maker, and didn't put much thought into her at all... And it shows.
But I grew up. And now I have only the characters my friends and I made which were actually ok (though I did alter them to be less overpowered and now use them in a more joking way to poke fun at these kinds of ocs.)
Rubella the squirrel.
Youngest daughter of Black Doom and an opposing deity called White Hope. Her powers are held in check by the gold rings she wears. The red "Chaos Ruby" she wears as her headband is the source of her dark power.
Along with her 3 sisters (Demonica the Tigress, Amorella the Hedgehog, and Safira the Fox) and her younger brother (Shadow the hedgehog) she serves as a goddess and medium of chaos energy. "The 4 Goddesses" was a fanfic my friend Tigera (who owned and designed Demonica) wrote about them.
Rubella was paired with Espio, who originally viewed her as creepy but slowly grew to like her. Rubella was queen of the planet Gothica, a demon planet.
Demonica is the eldest and was paired with Silver. She had an interesting quirk to her (she was originally a boy who, living on the planet Artemis, chose to become a huntress and turned into a woman.) She was tied to the 12 chaos diamonds she wears as her belt.
Amorella is the second oldest, and was designed to look like Amy as a joke because that was who we paired her with. She was tied to the chaos emeralds and basically sucked at her job.
Safira the fox was the oc of my friend Jeeg94 (as she used to be known) and had 9 tails. She was the empress of a water planet and was designed to be a super busty attractive woman. This was made funny when you would see her hobbies of porno mag reading, video game playing, and her pairing with Vector the Gator. Her power came from her 9 chaos sapphires.
Later in the story we had Shadow gain his own set of chaos gems, the 4 chaos amethysts. We paired him with Sonic because we were middle-schoolers and yaoi was (at that time) the greatest thing ever.
Yes I am aware that these characters are childish and poorly designed in the backstory department. But that doesn't make them bad characters. These characters walk the line, but never become mary-sues. And even Mary-suish characters have the potential to be entertaining. My friends and I made these 4 together, giving them strong sentimental value as well as solidifying our bond long after life and conflicting interests tore apart many of our old friendships.
The 4 of us are still friends 8 years later all because one day in middle school we collectively decided to make a story about 4 characters we designed off the top of our heads during recess. And that speaks volumes.
I keep this characters mostly unchanged not because they're well designed or "actually original". I keep them because they MEAN SOMETHING. These 4 represent all the fun my friends and I had together, and that makes them good characters.
No comments:
Post a Comment