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Thread: Grrl Power
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2014-08-26, 02:21 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2007
Re: Grrl Power
So anyone know if this webcomic author has read worm? If not can we introduce him?
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2014-08-26, 03:20 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
- Enköping, Sweden
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
My point about Sydney is that she is a far stronger candidate for Mary-Sue-ness than Dabbler, which was the debate a page or so ago.
If handled correctly, she will not be one, but she is a prime suspect, especially with her Unique Power Set nobody has ever hear of before and all that.Blizzard Battletag: UnderDog#21677
Shepard: "Wrex! Do we have mawsign?"
Wrex: "Shepard, we have mawsign the likes of which even Reapers have never seen!"
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2014-08-26, 01:26 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Land of Stone and Stars
Re: Grrl Power
Mary Sue is not the best of the best in a story. That role belongs to "the Ace". A Mary Sue is the narrative equivalent of a reality warper: Everybody loves her, even the bad guys, she is perfect in every way, she succeeds at everything she does, and she can solve problems just because she's awesome not because she has any qualifications for her success. Even if she has a fault it's completely superficial and never meaningfully hinders her (if it hinders her at all, it's just a brief roadblock to make her victory all the more glorious). The story gives her anything and everything she needs to rule center stage, whether she deserves it or not.
I don't see Sydney as any sort of Mary-Sue candidate for a few reasons.
First is her effectiveness - despite her immense range and scale of powers, she's limited to 2/7 of it any given time and is generally crippled by her personality. She's a powerhouse, yes, but that power is tempered by the fact that she still has to earn most of it through learning discipline and study/practice/experimentation, and then find ways to use her powers creatively because she's still limited to 2/7 at any given time. She isn't an auto-win button, though she's absolutely a wildcard that could win a situation if luck is on her side. (She's basically a one girl "Checkov's Armory". So many guns yet to go off...)
Second is her personality - Sydney is Sydney, and people react to her as they will. She's a walking PR disaster on par with Dabbler and Harem, she's loud and obnoxious and hyper and coarse. She appeals to some characters, such as Peggy, Math, and Max, but most people she's interacted with so far have treated her as a dangerous curiosity rather than a likable person (or just plain hilarious, which is Harem's reaction to her, though Harem has shown no affection for her). She also isn't a physical bombshell (part of Peggy's "A-Team" and all), which has already given her some image issues.
Third is perfection - she annoys even people who like her (mainly Max) and is constantly making missteps around those she likes (such as Peggy, but Peggy is too laid back to get upset about it) and confounds the rest. She herself isn't the best at anything, or even particularly good at anything, she just has theballsHalo. The fact that she is one of the very few normals (okay, a very abnormal normal) in the cast makes her less likely to be a Mary Sue. If she starts tanking shots from Max without the forcefield ball due to her natural awesomeness, however, she can reapply for Mary Sue status.
I think the cast is pretty well done, without any true Mary Sues in their ranks. Dabbler comes close (expansive powerset with explicit manipulation abilities, already stated as having the widest variety of powers in the group, stated as having fought Max to a standstill, and having apparently fought and bested the demon that Max's powers allude to), but even she fails due to the fact that, like Sydney, she irritates virtually everyone (even her friends) with her personality.
Just remember, being very good doesn't make you a Mary Sue. A Mary Sue wins at everything because they're Mary Sue, not because of their abilities (which they usually have just because they're Mary Sue).Spoiler: My inventory:
1 Sentient Sword
1 Jammy Dodger (I was promised tea)
1 Godwin Point.
Originally Posted by Kairos Theodosian
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2014-08-26, 02:38 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
Re: Grrl Power
So it's working again. And yeah, ok Death Toll, you still don't have the brains, but I'll accept it's possible you have the skill and raw power.
So, progress for you."I Burn!"
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2014-08-27, 04:16 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
Re: Grrl Power
Well.. if he had any serious brains he would not be standing where he currently were, but it seems like a person who grows stronger when attacked has just managed to antagonise the entire Archon team, so he isnt completely dumb.
He has also taken 2-3 members of Archon down already, that does seem like a pretty clear indication of raw power.thnx to Starwoof for the fine avatar
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2014-08-28, 01:12 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2007
Re: Grrl Power
Syndey's powers seem very well selected to not let her show off all the time. In general she needs her shield up in any real fight otherwise she is a squishy mortal unlike nearly most of the rest of the team. She can't blast most of the time since its powerful, but poorly controlled. That leaves her with a tentacle. ...
Also I wonder what Sydney figured out? Or perhaps failed to figure out.
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2014-08-28, 01:59 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
Last edited by BannedInSchool; 2014-08-28 at 02:05 PM.
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2014-08-28, 02:33 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Land of Stone and Stars
Re: Grrl Power
My theory is that he's effectively Darwin - he's capable of countering all superpowers ("adapt to survive"). As a result, Sydney's going to drop her powers, walk up to him, and kick him in the groin.
Last edited by Calemyr; 2014-08-28 at 02:33 PM.
Spoiler: My inventory:
1 Sentient Sword
1 Jammy Dodger (I was promised tea)
1 Godwin Point.
Originally Posted by Kairos Theodosian
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2014-08-28, 02:40 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2009
- Location
- Runite
- Gender
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2014-08-28, 03:02 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2007
Re: Grrl Power
If it is the "adapt to any attacker" the plan is probably to put him in a box, and hope it doesn't count as an attack.
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2014-08-28, 03:05 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Land of Stone and Stars
Re: Grrl Power
Depends on if he reacts to powers or attack. If he reacts to powers, he curls up and Sydney starts bragging about taking down a villain even veterans were falling to. If he reacts to attack, she hurts her foot in the attempt and lets out a stream of creative obscenity that breaks the tension nicely and Achilles gets his chance to save the day.
This hinges on whether Anvil's hold counts as a "powered" attack. Super strength is always tricky.Spoiler: My inventory:
1 Sentient Sword
1 Jammy Dodger (I was promised tea)
1 Godwin Point.
Originally Posted by Kairos Theodosian
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2014-08-28, 04:20 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
Sydney notes he may be using Heatwave's aura there, but she's been out of the fight for a bit now. There's also the question of what "them" Sydney's asking if Harem has found.
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2014-08-29, 05:45 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
- Enköping, Sweden
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
My money is on forcefield over head, no oxygen gimmick.
Blizzard Battletag: UnderDog#21677
Shepard: "Wrex! Do we have mawsign?"
Wrex: "Shepard, we have mawsign the likes of which even Reapers have never seen!"
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2014-08-30, 05:03 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
- Enköping, Sweden
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
Oh. Re-reading the archive binge:
Wouldn't it be hysterical if Dabbler and Max actually ended up together. They have such a lovely banter going...Blizzard Battletag: UnderDog#21677
Shepard: "Wrex! Do we have mawsign?"
Wrex: "Shepard, we have mawsign the likes of which even Reapers have never seen!"
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2014-09-01, 10:12 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
And if you predicted:
Spoiler: 2014-09-01The googly eyes you're a liar!
So the limitation is apparently that it's entirely reactive.
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2014-09-01, 03:04 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
- Enköping, Sweden
- Gender
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2014-09-01, 06:06 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
I liked the comment in the comments that Leon's already uploading this to YouTube.
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2014-09-03, 11:06 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Land of Stone and Stars
Re: Grrl Power
Last edited by Calemyr; 2014-09-03 at 11:07 AM.
Spoiler: My inventory:
1 Sentient Sword
1 Jammy Dodger (I was promised tea)
1 Godwin Point.
Originally Posted by Kairos Theodosian
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2014-09-04, 05:16 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
I don't think I want to search on YouTube for:
Spoiler: 2014-09-04Periwinkle Butt Sniffer
however.
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2014-09-04, 06:07 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
Re: Grrl Power
I really want them to do that to this guy.
Also, who wants to bet the trick is his defense trick only works on actual super powers?"I Burn!"
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2014-09-04, 06:16 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
He was countering Dabbler's sword, which is either Magic or Science and may not qualify as Super, depending on your definitions. But I did wonder if Sydney's Alien Orb powers would qualify or not. Ah, the flashbangs were entirely mundane and would have seriously damaged an ordinary mortal, so I'd guess he'd be just as equally immune to a .50 to the head.
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2014-09-04, 06:19 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
Re: Grrl Power
I was thinking more along the lines of literally just a vanilla flavored Tazer/Pepper Spray/Crotch Shot.
"I Burn!"
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2014-09-04, 06:41 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2007
Re: Grrl Power
He does appear to be able to beat mundane attacks and magic and grabs. I think they need to stick him in a box and call it a day. Or teleport him some how into a jail cell.
Also it would be really awkward if he knew offensive magic or started protecting nuke girl.
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2014-09-04, 07:29 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
Just don't drop him or he'll disrupt the orbit of the Earth.
Which reminds me of problems with Anvil's power if it's not selectively controlled.
"Aww, come on guys. You know I can't take the elevator."
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2014-09-08, 10:21 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2007
Re: Grrl Power
Good news everyone: the author has not read Worm. If he had Death Toll would have gotten the Siberian's power followed by eating the entire crew.
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2014-09-08, 10:57 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
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2014-09-08, 03:46 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2009
- Location
- The cyberpunk present
- Gender
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2014-09-08, 05:42 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
Re: Grrl Power
Off topic but I will say it anyway:
SpoilerCrawler isn't entirely immune to simple physical force, a sufficiently strong bomb to not leave anything to regenerate or dropping him into an volcano might work. The Numbers Man is dangerous yes but hardly undestroyable. For one his body isn't super powered, force him to fight long enough and he will get tired. At some point his ability won't matter anymore because he is too tired to effectively execute what he comes up with. Also a long distance Sniper might do the trick against him.
Contessa... Yeah she is a hard nut to crack. The problem isn't that there are no situations where she would die. (There are situations where there simply is no path to victory without additional super powers, big bombs where she isn't near enough to get to them in time but can't get out of the area either. The destruction of the planet she is on (without doorman). Or take the first time she mit Skitter/Weaver. Underground tunnel, pretend that the doorman can't just extract her because he complicates everything. Then pretend she is alone there with a big bug swarm and Skitter is far away on the surface controlling the bugs to kill her. As Skitter pointed out at some point her only way to win is when she starts killing them, when the attacking super isn't there to kill and she has nothing at hand to effetively take out bugs a sufficiently big swarm has a good chance to overhelm her in tight quarters.)
The problem is that if she is careful her power also allows her to avoid any situation where someone could checkmate her. If she didn't use it to check for dangers a sniper would work on her too. Her super power really is kinda imba. (Though technically the power description doesn't say that she always succeeds in executing a step, some involve acrobatic feats and precise timing and knowing exactly what you have to do doesn't necessarily mean that you can do it 100% of the time. But she never seemed to have any problems with that.)
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2014-09-08, 09:12 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2005
- Location
- Mountain View, CA
- Gender
Re: Grrl Power
SpoilerActually, if you read the interlude with her view point, it kinda does. Her power both tells her how to accomplish whatever she specifies and lets her perfectly with 100% accuracy carry out any physical actions required.
As for Contessa avoiding checkmates:
Spoiler: more worm spoilersall she has to do is turn her power to a long term goal, and the plan it gives her will necessarily include keeping her alive long enough to carry it out.Last edited by Douglas; 2014-09-08 at 09:15 PM.
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2014-09-09, 08:51 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2007
Re: Grrl Power