#multiple protagonists

[gimjarack]

I dunno where I first saw this specific video game trope, but I wish I saw it a bit more. Quite honestly it's possible my memory just invented it and no game I've ever played did this, but it's close enough to an existing trope that it probably exists somewhere.

It's an offshoot of the "rivals" trope Pokemon started. The choice of at least 3 distinct and unique protagonists to play as, where instead of the ones you don't pick vanishing from existence, the other protagonists are best buddies with you and accompany you on your journey as party members or AI controlled bots or whatever. The important thing in this trope is to build the players RELIANCE and CONNECTION with the other protagonists, usually through the abilities of each protagonist being both fun to use as a player and incredibly useful to the player when used by another protagonist. Let's go with the typical "fire water grass" design for an example, and give each of them 2 activated abilities -attack and defense- that synergize with each other. (Feel free to skip the next 3 paragraphs)

"water" protagonist is a typical big beefcake, the Muscle. Defense ability could be a blue flavored shielding ability- let's make it give him either truckloads more health/invulnerability and also add a taunt effect that draws aggro away from his friends. Attack ability let's go with a damaging uppercut/ground slam style attack that incapacitates several enemies by knocking them down or launching them up for several seconds. I'd prefer the uppercut in a shooting game, like shooting clay pigeons- oh and of course the enemies give funny screams as they go flying up into the sky and plummet back down, with bonus funni for a comedic splat sound.

"fire" protagonist is a charming leader type, the Hothead. Defense ability is a versatile Wall of Fire, good for defensive and offensive area control. Attack ability is obviously a classic Fireball. Hothead's fire abilities not only give that typical burn damage over time, but also a high chance of a fear/panic effect that prevents enemies from attacking until they put themselves out. Plenty of funni value to be had with the panic debuff, with enemies having unique voice lines, behaviors and/or animations to really sell that "oh my God I'm on FIRE!" gag.

"grass" protagonist is a "support" character in name only, the D&D Cleric kind of healer vibes- allies get the healing while the enemies get to burn in holy fire. Defense ability is a group heal that can revive allies as well, pretty standard. Attack ability could be a lot of things honestly, but let's go with something akin to a Captain America shield bounce- a ricochet projectile that deals a fair bit of damage while stunning the enemies hit.

Now, the key thing to do with this trope is to let the player get really accustomed to those other protagonists helping out, build up that connection both through gameplay and through the story. Why are these characters friends? What are their goals? What do they plan to do after the adventure is over? What are their favorite hobbies? Give the player an incentive to grow attached, like collectables or completion percentage or whatever you have to...

Because this tropes true purpose is to exploit that connection- one of the friends suffers cruel death at the hands of the antagonist, or perhaps they get captured and even mind controlled to fight against you, or most cruel of all, a betrayal-they were never your friend to begin with...

The Drama, the Suspense, the Hurt and Anger, UTTER PERFECTION!

[a-dope-fiend]

It irritates me alot when people say that making medic more compassionate is ''missing the point of his character'' when he is literally shown to be in the comics.... did you miss the part where he showed concern for both sniper and miss pauling's well being in comic 5 and 6.

His actions are a combination of genuine attachment + clinical interest and these things do not cancel out one another. He is always pushing boundaries and going against the grain and i think this is what led to him losing his license in the first place. He felt stifled by the rules imposed on him.

He is shown to be extremely passionate so it makes sense that he would use his endless fascination with medicine as a way to show his affection. He loves his friends so he will find a way to make them borderline indestructible. Malpractice is his love language.

[shouts-into-the-void]

Begging Komahina and Hinanami shippers to realize that it is possible for multiple people to be attracted to Hajime Hinata at once

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

"witches are EVIL they steal men's SEMEN" nadja you eat people

[notbecauseofvictories]

Hi, just wanted to say that you post sometimes about how important it is just to go to things sometimes and socialise. One of your posts inspired me to join the meetup website and since then I've been to 3 groups and had a really nice time and talked to some potential new friends! I moved to a new city a few years back and never really made friends and now I feel really pleased to be getting out there so thank you!

I don't know why this particular lesson took me so long to learn (or why I have to keep learning it, over and over again) but the simple act of forcing yourself out of your space to do things really does make an appreciable difference. Life gets richer and deeper the more you engage with it, and you will never, ever know if you stay inside the four walls of your apartment and wait for it to come to you.

[faeriedoodles]

I give you … them

[lemonlurkrr]

posts where two brothers declare a thing. blond on the right brunette on the left. same face syndrome but its not just an artist thing it's because they're actually the same guy. but like not EXACTLY exactly the same guy. they have the same name though.

[egophiliac]

(Geats 20 spoilers)

speaking of being hilariously bad at predictions...

I was SO convinced that the twist was going to be that nobody was the Desistar, it was all just to psych the players out, that actually having it turn out to be, like, a real thing completely blindsided me. you got me again, children's show!

[taitavva]

when ur girlfriend is some eldritch horror, or vast unknowable being vs. just two guys in college

[djevelbl]

Ilu and I get it, but PLEASE just bc u ain't helpless don't just GO AROUND SOLVING OTHER PPL'S PROBLEM???? that's how u get another homunculus manga--

[reapkusho]

If isagi yoichi has no fans im FUCKING DEAD

[the-owl-tree]

i dont think wof is at least as outwardly egregious as wc in terms of portrayal of women but like. the queens still do fulfill some misogynistic caricatures/stereotypes of women and i dont think that's unfair to say or a complete damnation of the series.

[salty-an-disco]

(Explore) Can you stop talking 'about' me, and talk 'to' me? I want answers!

The Hero demands inside their own head, not taking a single step forward till they get the answers they want.

Do they really care for what answers they might receive, or are they simply delaying their inevitable fate? Standing here talking to disembodied voices is much less consequential than confronting a world-ending princess, after all.

[lucky-clover-gazette]

adhd king 🗣️🗣️🗣️

[incompleteninny]

The seventy-second free, unedited chapter of my upcoming book, “The Heist at Cordia Aquarium” is now available on its website (or click here to read from the beginning).

Salt winds between Waylon's feet like a snow-covered mountain range. Stride steady, his heart pounds against his rib cage. Over and over. Footstep, crash, footstep, crash. The sound is inside his head. Deep, quaking, and painful. Veins bulge at his temples: thin, wiry things that pulse in tandem with his heart's thunder.

It'll work out. This job didn't, but I have plenty of time to work through something else. Plenty.

Following the trail of salt, he whips around a corner. Light pierces through the darkness ahead. Two doors sit ajar in-line, one leading to the other: the tank maintenance area from earlier and the Hall of Discovery beyond it.

Striding past tables laden with spare tanks, air pumps, and whatever else, Waylon yanks at his hair band. Strips of black unfurl from the bun atop his head and fall to his shoulders. Heavy — damp with sweat. I'll get to the truck, get home, then I'll figure out what's next. She'll manage until then.

She has to.

[...]

Here’s this gay boy’s character concept sheet

[pttucker]

Despite the lack of time, Yoo Joonghyuk hesitated. He hesitated while holding tightly to my collar. "…We don't have to hold another funeral, right?" I smiled because of Yoo Joonghyuk's question. "Even if I die, I will rise again." "That isn't what I mean." Yoo Joonghyuk's expression was serious. A high wind blew between me and Yoo Joonghyuk. I looked at him for a moment before asking, "Do you remember the second scenario?" The subway of Oksu Station. It was where Yoo Joonghyuk first appeared after smashing everything. He was a cold-blooded regressor who would use whatever means necessary for the results. Yoo Joonghyuk's calm eyes shook at my words. Who would've known at the time? Me and this guy, we would actually end up as companions. I hadn't wanted to admit it but now I had to. The things that hadn't seemed possible became reality. I was actually going through the scenarios with him. That's why I could now say it. Just like I did when I first met him on Han River Bridge. This was the way that suited us best. "Release your hand and get lost, you damn son of a bitch."

*Screaming*

Hey guys, remember when Heewon and Dokja had that totally random conversation about dating right in the middle of the arc about figuring out who the person Dokja loves most is?

Remember how Heewon said that Dokja's the type of person to want a "fateful meeting"?