My thoughts on Over-Powered Characters in an RP

Creating stories is a lot of fun. It's awesome to do improv and create fantastical worlds of RPs. But the one problem that occurs over and over again in an RP is having users or characters that are OP (OP: Over Powered. This is an important term, so remember it!). I'm going to attempt to set some boundaries, because the results really differ, and then I would really like feedback! Let's dive right in!

Item 1: Determining Setting

There are vast universes of things that you can RP about. We'll be using two examples to explain each topic, a superhero RP set in a dystopian future and an RP for police officers set in the present day. Both are obviously very different. First, rules need to be established based on the scenario or setting that the RP is placed in. For example, in a dystopian future we could expect laser guns (why not?) and space fighters. Perhaps we could have rogue (and illegal) genetically modified superhumans that want to either take over the world or destroy it. Obviously, the rules about RPing here need to be less strict than the one set in the present day.

Item 2: What exactly do we want?

Note: this entire guide is primarily for the creators of an RP… most everything talked about requires the creators to set the rules of the RP based on what the creator had in mind for the RP to be.

In order to really determine the RPs rules and regulations, one really needs to understand what the RP is about, and what you want to happen. In the superhero RP, we can expect some global catastrophes that need to get solved with powers or abilities of great proportions. But the creator needs to ask himself/herself, how far should this go? Do we really want a player to create a character that has near omnipotence? Will that get out of hand?

Examples: In a superhero RP, there should not be a god-like character.
In a Police RP, there should not be a character with a time machine or an invention or power beyond current technological advancements.

Item 3: Reality in RPs

This is another point that really relies on the setting. Are we dealing with a universe beyond the laws of physics currently known? What is gravity? What is relative speed, or the speed of a reflex? Are we even dealing with time at all?

Once that question has been evaluated, we need to set some boundaries. Is it scientifically possible for a normal human being to sense a bullet coming and then move out of the way in time? The answer is a definite “no.” Now, it is once again important to note that the laws of physics in an RP need to be determined by the owner of the RP. However, it is also important to note how much all of the other factors already decided (character powers and abilities, or average human fitness) can bend these rules. For example, a super hero with the ability to slow down time could theoretically dodge a bullet. However, it must be noted that many huge comic fans (hello me) may argue against the impossibility of a move based on their vast comic knowledge. XP

Item 4: Set the rules

In the end, it's all up to the owner of the RP. Everything in the entire RP is theirs to build and bend. Everything I have stated is pure conjecture and is open to discussion.

Thank you all for reading, and RP on!

STICKY THIS!!!!!

Reporting it to be stiky'd!

Edit: Ninja'd…

jromagnoli wrote:

STICKY THIS!!!!!(excess exclamation points removed by moderator - Please don't spam!)

Did…. kaj edit that? I don't see an “edited by Paddle2See” thingy on your post….

QuantumSingularity wrote:

jromagnoli wrote:

STICKY THIS!!!!!(excess exclamation points removed by moderator - Please don't spam!)

Did…. kaj edit that? I don't see an “edited by Paddle2See” thingy on your post….

Yeah that's weird…

QuantumSingularity wrote:

jromagnoli wrote:

STICKY THIS!!!!!(excess exclamation points removed by moderator - Please don't spam!)

Did…. kaj edit that? I don't see an “edited by Paddle2See” thingy on your post….

gahh…. Maybe I should add all the exclamation points back in and report it!

jromagnoli wrote:

QuantumSingularity wrote:

jromagnoli wrote:

STICKY THIS!!!!!(excess exclamation points removed by moderator - Please don't spam!)

Did…. kaj edit that? I don't see an “edited by Paddle2See” thingy on your post….

gahh…. Maybe I should add all the exclamation points back in and report it!

xD

I don't think u have actually answered “what is op”

the_force wrote:

I don't think u have actually answered “what is op”

But the term OP is so broad, and an non-OP character in a superhero RP is OP in a Police RP. It needs to be up to the RP owner.

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

I don't think u have actually answered “what is op”

But the term OP is so broad, and an non-OP character in a superhero RP is OP in a Police RP. It needs to be up to the RP owner.

Did u explain that then? Each theme has its own OP meter… you should also say what does OP mean

the_force wrote:

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

I don't think u have actually answered “what is op”

But the term OP is so broad, and an non-OP character in a superhero RP is OP in a Police RP. It needs to be up to the RP owner.

Did u explain that then? Each theme has its own OP meter… you should also say what does OP mean

I explained what OP means.
And yes, I explained it tons of times.

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

I don't think u have actually answered “what is op”

But the term OP is so broad, and an non-OP character in a superhero RP is OP in a Police RP. It needs to be up to the RP owner.

Did u explain that then? Each theme has its own OP meter… you should also say what does OP mean

I explained what OP means.
And yes, I explained it tons of times.

ok it looks kinda off topic to me xD

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

I don't think u have actually answered “what is op”

But the term OP is so broad, and an non-OP character in a superhero RP is OP in a Police RP. It needs to be up to the RP owner.

Did u explain that then? Each theme has its own OP meter… you should also say what does OP mean

I explained what OP means.
And yes, I explained it tons of times.

You should explain more specifically. Like: “OP stands for OmniPotence. This is when a character is impossible to beat or too perfect. blah blah blah. Of course the specificness can deviate, so lets dive in! *add the rest here*”

jromagnoli wrote:

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

I don't think u have actually answered “what is op”

But the term OP is so broad, and an non-OP character in a superhero RP is OP in a Police RP. It needs to be up to the RP owner.

Did u explain that then? Each theme has its own OP meter… you should also say what does OP mean

I explained what OP means.
And yes, I explained it tons of times.

You should explain more specifically. Like: “OP stands for OmniPotence. This is when a character is impossible to beat or too perfect. blah blah blah. Of course the specificness can deviate, so lets dive in! *add the rest here*”

But it stands for overpowered

But yea what he said

the_force wrote:

jromagnoli wrote:

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

QuantumSingularity wrote:

the_force wrote:

I don't think u have actually answered “what is op”

But the term OP is so broad, and an non-OP character in a superhero RP is OP in a Police RP. It needs to be up to the RP owner.

Did u explain that then? Each theme has its own OP meter… you should also say what does OP mean

I explained what OP means.
And yes, I explained it tons of times.

You should explain more specifically. Like: “OP stands for OmniPotence. This is when a character is impossible to beat or too perfect. blah blah blah. Of course the specificness can deviate, so lets dive in! *add the rest here*”

But it stands for overpowered

But yea what he said

Updated first paragraph to match!

bump!

Buuump!

jromagnoli wrote:

STICKY THIS!!!!!(excess exclamation points removed by moderator - Please don't spam!)

Oh, so now it's “jromagnoli - the moderator”

Bump

Drunken_Sailor wrote:

Bump

Thanks for bumping my topic up kind sir!