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  1. itsmickib

    itsmickib Member

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    Being creative with a character's magical abilities.

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by itsmickib, Dec 23, 2017.

    Hi there:supersmile:

    I'm not sure if this an answerable question. To be honest, I tried to delete this thread after accidentally posting it. As you can guess, I couldn't find the delete option. Sorry in advance for my stupidity.

    So, what advice would you give for
    creating magical attacks, especially if the character's abilities are limited? For instance, my M. C can only control plant matter, in a telekinesis sort of way. How would I stay creative and original with her magical attacks?
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2017
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  2. izzybot

    izzybot (unspecified) Contributor

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    Give her a backpack where she keeps a potted pothos plant.

    [​IMG]

    Those vines'll grow about at long as you let'em and pothos are hearty. She now has long, reasonably strong vines to manipulate on tap. Kudzu would be good too. Or give her some little cacti to lob at people's faces - they won't like that, I bet.
     
  3. The Dapper Hooligan

    The Dapper Hooligan (V) ( ;,,;) (v) Contributor

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    Does it have to be living plant matter? Pretty sure a log to the face, or a chifferobe to the groin could be considered a decent attack.
     
  4. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    Give her a natural mutation that makes her part plant.
     
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  5. Privateer

    Privateer Senior Member

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    '...what choice did I have? I beat him to death with an oak tree.'

    Sips tea.
     
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  6. Sundowner

    Sundowner Active Member

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    You like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure? Araki writes some pretty creative stuff for what powers each character can do. Gold Experience does some of the plant stuff you might be asking about, in some circumstances he used it to create vines to make a sled to get away from an enemy, sliding on the ice that the enemy created with their powers.
    You don't really have to worry about being creative or unique with the ability in itself, what matters is how you use it and in what situations. It gets interesting when strategy comes into play and the characters have to pay attention to their surroundings, what's around it, how they can use it to their advantage, how their skills can give them an advantage and how they can use their enemy's skills to their advantage.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2017
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  7. Azuresun

    Azuresun Senior Member

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    Or for that matter, she could make someone really regret wearing a cotton shirt....or underwear. :)

    You could extend it to power over any number of plant-based substances--wood, rubber, alcohol / ethanol, etc--to open up possbilities.
     
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  8. Mink

    Mink Contributor Contributor

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    This is also my question.

    If it doesn't have to be living plant matter then you entire an entire new realm. It could include decomposing remains of plants, logs, roots, branches, etc. If you really wanted to push it it could include a variety of carbon-based decomposed lifeforms because, when plants decompose (just like all living material) they make carbon and carbon can be found in many deep parts of the earth.
     
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  9. itsmickib

    itsmickib Member

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    Excellent question. Lora (the MC's name) can only control living plant matter. However, she is able to bring dead, withered plants to life. This takes extra energy, so she usually sticks to using living plants.

    Hmm.... wood. In one scene, Lora brings down an entire tree on an enemy (though she fainted afterwards, since she had not yet mastered her powers). But I don't think she'd be able to throw logs and whatnot, unless she lifts them up with her hands.

    I'm still working on how her powers work, so maybe I'll change my mind later.
     
  10. itsmickib

    itsmickib Member

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    Great thinking. She can only control living plant matter, but with enough energy she can revive dead plants. This gives her more material to use, but she won't be able to control decomposing plant matter.
     
  11. itsmickib

    itsmickib Member

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    Good idea. I'll consider this, but I don't want her too overpowered. I want her to be clever and resourceful when it comes to her limited abilities.
     
  12. The Dapper Hooligan

    The Dapper Hooligan (V) ( ;,,;) (v) Contributor

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    How strict of a definition of 'plant' are you looking for? If there were fungal spores in the area she could possibly get the ones her enemies breathed in to germinate and flourish rather quickly, thereby choking/eating them from the inside out rather quickly.
     
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  13. itsmickib

    itsmickib Member

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    Good idea, but I'm actually settled with her appearance. She's eventually going to have to hide her powers from the government, and her having thorns or petals or what not might make it difficult.
     
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  14. itsmickib

    itsmickib Member

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    Oooh, good idea. Reminds me of Katara and her pouch of water from the Last Airbender. I'll consider this.
     
  15. itsmickib

    itsmickib Member

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    Interesting idea. I was wondering if she should be able to control fungi, but I guess I'll see if a fight will need it.
     
  16. Azuresun

    Azuresun Senior Member

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    Of course. It's always better to see characters win through creativity and improvising with their abilities, rather than "I have bigger numbers than you." :)

    One other thing about plants is that they're surprisingly destructive to manmade things, as you know if you've seen roots or plants pushing through old roads, or roots breaking apart stonework. That could maybe be a facet of her powers--not that useful in a direct fight, but with a lot of tactical applications.
     
  17. Seraph751

    Seraph751 If I fell down the rabbit hole... Contributor

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    Ok, I am going to nerd out here.
    #1 I recommend you read a manhua called Duolou Dalu (Soul Land)
    http://mangafox.la/manga/douluo_dalu/c001/4.html
    The reason I recommend this is because the main character uses grass essentially as their power. The catch is they specialize in control tactics, or the ability to control the rhythm of a battle. Good series. :bigwink:
    #2 When you have a weaker ability than everyone you must:
    -Be extremely familiar with how it works
    -Know how to push your boundaries to the very extent of your abilities
    -Be smart! Your weak, so you must be 10x smarter than the opponent or able to adapt on point.
    -Your character has to be able to educate themselves during battles. They must also be able to access
    information so they can grown outside of battle.

    Hope this helps!
     
  18. Jak of Hearts

    Jak of Hearts Active Member

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    I'm gonna go all pokemon on you... Razor leaf! Vine whip! Seed bomb! Grass Knot!

    Pick up leaves off the trees and swirl them around either blinding your enemy and/or cutting them with a tousand tiny papercuts!

    The obvious, whip them with vines!

    Grass, when held firm, can be extremely pokey and used as needles either by throwing or creating fields of caltrop grass.

    Seeds, which are living, could be used as bullet projectiles.
     
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  19. itsmickib

    itsmickib Member

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    I like these moves, great thinking:) I'm certainly going to use the tree one. Thank you!
     
  20. Seraph751

    Seraph751 If I fell down the rabbit hole... Contributor

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    Also don't forget poisons are very deadly and plants have a myriad of ways of delivering poison. Take advantage of that.
    The apothecary in my story, Poison Me Better, has a motto that is quite fitting for this:
    "All medicine is poison. We figure out the right dose to make you better, not to kill you."
     
  21. Seraph751

    Seraph751 If I fell down the rabbit hole... Contributor

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    Also take a look at the fundamentals. Plants breathe out oxygen. What happens when there is too much oxygen? How can your mc take advantage of that? Oleander is not only poisonous (can cause irritation etc.) to the touch, but it also can be deadly when the fragrance is inhaled. If left in a room the person there will be more receptive to being ill and can be poisoned just due to it being inhaled!
    Plants are not weak. They are powerful things, what makes them so scary is that the most beautiful things are often the most deadly.
     
  22. badgerjelly

    badgerjelly Contributor Contributor

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    Could she throw seeds at people and then make them grow whilst in flight? Does she have to be an offensive spell caster? It seems to me defensive options would be more fitting perhaps? Does she even need to be involved in combat? I think having the ability to grow plants from seeds would be extremely useful - for food, medicine, poison, fashioning clothes/rope, etc.,.
     
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  23. Marty Kirby

    Marty Kirby Member

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    I would say just be consistent with the powers. Don't change the rules or the reader will feel cheated.
     

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