What do you consider a strong character to be?

[CarburetorThompson]

I was thinking about this. Most of the weak to strong, strong mc stories you see have a character that is physically strong, or magically powerful. But personally, I'd consider a smart character to be strong if they use their intellect to their advantage, but would that just be a smart character? What about a character with strong political and social ties, to the point where they are always well protected? Is that a strength or something else?

Does a strong weapon make a strong character? Irl nobody has more power projection than a fighter pilot. If I picked a fight a military fighter pilot in the supermarket, however, they aren't gonna be dropping an AMRAAM missile on my head or anything. (Still, probably get my ass kicked though)

My main point is the word strength has a lot of definitions in English. So, to me, a strong character can be many things. What about you.

 

[SailusGebel]

To me, it's about battle power. Strength=battle power.

 

[CarburetorThompson]

To me, it's about battle power. Strength=battle power.

So is a fighter pilot strong? Or not because most of the power is from the weapon.

 

[greyblob]

a strong character needs to be strong mentally but not necessarily physically

 

[SailusGebel]

So is a fighter pilot strong? Or not because most of the power is from the weapon.

Depends on the world and his\her accessibility to the said fighter. If the pilot owns this fighter and the world is the usual world, our world, then yes, strong.

 

[IDKWtWrite-San]

Fantasy Genre = Experience ( Real Life )
Sci-Fi = Capability
For me, it was this trait
Action / Virtual Reality / MOBA = efficiency in usage of weapons/character.

 

[LABmaiL]

A strong character is one that is self reliant. Whether it's physical, emotional, intellectual, or monetary, the character can be powerful. If this character can serve as a great threat to other competent individuals and is able to combat others' resistance (whether through actual combat, dealings, or something political). It doesn't matter if your enemy can't fight if you are unable to pin them down or justifiably turn public opinion against them so you won't be in trouble afterwards. A truly strong character is one that cannot be feasibly combated without severe repercussions. That's why precogs or information specialists in media are generally very interesting. At least, that's my view on things.
Using your pilot example, killing him would probably have the law enforcement going after you for a while but eventually giving up. If it's the president, they're chasing you to the ends of the Earth. If it's a clever person that knows you or just somebody that's very socially aware, you may not even be able to kill them.

 

[Ilikewaterkusa]

I was thinking about this. Most of the weak to strong, strong mc stories you see have a character that is physically strong, or magically powerful. But personally, I'd consider a smart character to be strong if they use their intellect to their advantage, but would that just be a smart character? What about a character with strong political and social ties, to the point where they are always well protected? Is that a strength or something else?

Does a strong weapon make a strong character? Irl nobody has more power projection than a fighter pilot. If I picked a fight a military fighter pilot in the supermarket, however, they aren't gonna be dropping an AMRAAM missile on my head or anything. (Still, probably get my ass kicked though)

My main point is the word strength has a lot of definitions in English. So, to me, a strong character can be many things. What about you.

They need smugness

 

[hauntedwritings]

I think strength can be taken literally or figuratively.

In the literal case, it's the character's ability to overcome adversities with the blessings they've been given. In the figurative case, it's when the character is lacking the blessings required to overcome said adversities, but it doesn't stop the character from trying.

 

[JayDirex]

the strongest character is the one with the strong will. courageous and smart. the character that I absolutely detest is the one that cries and sniffles without being able to form a decision. I cannot identify with that character at all. but yes, strength in confidence strength in one's own decision making even if it's wrong and he makes a mistake he can admit it and try again with new information. that's a strong character, not the sniveling, crying, f**s that the Japanese like.

 

[noname22]

A build-up of the character. To me, the novel needs to paint the character properly to create an impression that the character is strong like his achievements. His achievements must have impacts, like people awe or fear him. You can't just create a character like a powerful mc but everyone looks down on him, it just doesn't work. An example I just thought of is John wick, where the mc is terrifying and the villains actually fear him and tried to reason with him. The character must have unwavering conviction, have no fear and isn't afraid to do what is necessary. And even in defeat, he doesn't get insulted, and accepts it like a man. I think it's out of place but like Jack said "You may kill me, but you can never insult me" I think it says alot.

 

[Bartun]

As you said, strength can be interpreted in many ways. I think a strong character is someone with the strength of mind to overcome obstacles, and with moral strength to don't let the world bend their own principles of what is right and what is wrong. Physical strength matters little, at least in real life, in fantasy of course you can have your Kirito-clone mowing down an army of mooks all by themselves, but in real life, even someone with the build of Dwayne "The Rock" Jonhson would probably have serious doubts if, for example, a company offers you money to turn the blind eye to something unethical or unfair. Most people find it easier to resist oppression or corruption, but very few people actually have the heart to refuse an unethical deal, especially if there are some kickbacks for them.

 

[longer]

A character that doesn't suffer backpain despite having D+ cupsize.

 

[Jemini]

I think the title and the subject material are in disagreement a little here.

Yes, if we were functioning strictly off the title, I'd agree to some arguments about psychologically strong characters. However, a certain key word was used in the OP of this thread. "weak to strong." That's a tag that we use in our stories for labeling them, and if you are using tags then you have to operate according to their accepted meaning.

The "strong protagonist" and "weak to strong" or "strong to stronger" tags all refer to personal combat strength, and the ability to solve problems with violence. While I am completely on board with the idea of soft power, those tags should only be used in situations where the story deals with conventional power. Aspects of soft power should receive the "smart protagonist," "cunning protagonist," "military," or "politics" tags.

 

[idontknowwhoiam]

The ones that are able to forgive and let go.

 

[Horizon42]

A character that can grow and overcome obstacles. Not simply walk through them unimpeded or unaffected.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

I was thinking about this. Most of the weak to strong, strong mc stories you see have a character that is physically strong, or magically powerful. But personally, I'd consider a smart character to be strong if they use their intellect to their advantage, but would that just be a smart character? What about a character with strong political and social ties, to the point where they are always well protected? Is that a strength or something else?

Does a strong weapon make a strong character? Irl nobody has more power projection than a fighter pilot. If I picked a fight a military fighter pilot in the supermarket, however, they aren't gonna be dropping an AMRAAM missile on my head or anything. (Still, probably get my ass kicked though)

My main point is the word strength has a lot of definitions in English. So, to me, a strong character can be many things. What about you.

someone who can tell a bitch no

 

[SirDogeTheFirst]

For me, it is a person with high charisma and leadership. A warrior who can handle a hundred enemies alone is strong, most definitely, but in my humble opinion, someone who can rally thousands if not millions behind his cause, now that's some serious power in my eyes. But then, if we talk about fantasy, charisma might become useless against a cosmic dude who can sneeze strong enough to destroy a planet.

 

[Layenlml]

It usually means personal strength meaning that he is stronger that those around him at equal grounds? Usually with age as a reference.

The stronger the harder it is to take them down.

Cunning or intelligence could mean using tricks and exploits to reduce that difference like the typical poisoning or many vs 1 ploy.

Family is the same, you mean hundreds of members, their wealth and their story so it's not their own power.

Weapons is complicated because it could become a weakness, if the person focus too much in it, when they lose it.

 

[Omnifarious]

What about you.

weak to strong?
the foolish to the wise
the naive to the mature

magic, martial arts, political/aristocratic powers are there but they a just a superficial red herring to distract the reader.