Board Thread:Art, Stories and Songs/@comment-26872802-20150620231252

Oh hi, I didn't see you there. Do you want to make an OC, but can't help but feel your OCs are absolute trash? Not to fear! With this simple guide, you'll have more confidence in no time!

Personality
What does OC stand for? Well you're correct if you said "Original Character" to yourself! OCs simply must be original, hence the name. One of the most important parts about a character is personality, something every character has!

Making original personalities does not mean having a perfect, cool character. In fact, that is the opposite of what you should be doing, here's some steps -

    1. Study the traits of other characters in the roleplay/story.

            Observe the personalities of other characters, why? Because doing so would get you an idea of what types of personalities aren't being used, then your OCs personality can really stick out.

    2. Avoid overpowered characters.

            This one's a no brainer, overpowered (also known as OP) characters are not good characters at all, just the creator's bad attempt at having a "badass" or "cool" character, when really they're making a uncreative OC. I'm not saying that having a cool character is roleplay sin, just try not to overdo it.

    3. Mary Sues and Gary Stus must not be made.

            Characters like these are roleplay sin. Mary Sues and Gary Stus are not a good OC choice. Too avoid making a character like this, give your OC negative personality traits (being evil doesn't count) or weaknesses.

   4. Don't let one trait describe them entirely.

            A example of not doing this is Fluttershy from My Little Pony. Fluttershy's main trait is that she is very shy, but that doesn't just describe her. She is also kind, and has a deep love of animals. She's also easily frightened, and is not skilled in flying. All these traits combine into one fantastic personality, imperfectly marvelous.

'''    5. Personality change. '''

            Not all traits will stay. Losing traits and gaining new traits is common in roleplay, mainly because it strengthens character developement. I despise characters who are "Born badass", a phrase meaning they possess a trait that normally must be worked for to gain, but the character simply was that trait  and always had it, despite it making less actual sense.

    6. Stereotypes

            Personality stereotypes in roleplays are common, and should be avoided. Contributing to step one, having a typical OC that doesn't really have a personality that stands out isn't too original.

Following these steps can help you achieve a good personality for your OC, onto the next topic!

Appearance
I know what you're probably thinking, "Watch as Animoo rants about how black and red OCs are shit", and no, that's not going to happen.

Appearance matters in an OC because the look of a character is original itself.

Take a look at Sophia Orr's OC on the left. The character's colors are well done and thought out, and I don't know one other OC in the saga that has an appearance like this character.

Rules one, five, and six of Personality apply to appearance as well.

The first rule applies because, well, look at Sophia's character. She sticks out, and other OCs do not share similiraties.

The fifth rule applies because appearance change is slightly apart of character developement.

And finally, the sixth applies because appearance stereotypes aren't good either. However, appearance stereotypes only stick to the roleplay, not roleplaying in general. For instance, in anime, characters with long, black hair is very common for mysterious and secretive characters, but that's not really bad as long as the anime doesn't have very similar characters with similar appearances, just like in FNAF Friends with Janette and Night. (Janette was created first, damn it. >:|)

Having an original appearance for your character is good because it makes those observing be able to identify the character easier and better, like Sophia Orr does with the OC above.

As I said, colors do not matter at all. Even red and black is fine, however, red and black characters do have a stereotype following the two colors in an OC, so if you are going to have a red and black character, AVOID the stereotype at all cost!

Making your OCs Special
This part requires creativity.

On the left is TheKrazyStew's character named Krazy, but what makes him special? When I first think of Krazy, I think of Paxadora. If I think of other characters, I won't immediately think of Paxadora. Why? Because Krazy is special.

But your character doesn't have be an alien. Think about Sophia again, one thing that makes her special is her muteness, something no other character has.

There's all sorts of ways to have a special character, it can come in all sorts of ways. Take Janette for example, I don't know any other characters with multiple personalities like her, and the curse itself is original. (Not to boast.)

And, how about Alana? She is a homosexual, something no other character is.

Consider what other characters are not, like the OCs I described. That's what makes OCs special and different especially.

Epilogue and Credits
Thank you for reading this guide! I'd appreciate a reply, but for the love of cats, keep your negative opinions to yourself.

OCs Featured
Krazy by TheKrazyStew

Sophia by Sophia Orr

Alana by ChickenAndBeer

Janette "Shade" Alya by Animetrex

Night by Drago, Lord of Dragons

''Thanks again for reading! ''

~ Nyx 