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Ribbon-Knight — Litmus Test Fun
Published: 2012-07-16 19:30:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 2110; Favourites: 17; Downloads: 9
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Finished it! This is some of my problems with the Mary-Sue litmus tests out there on the internet. Feel free to disagree with them but this is my view on them.All characters here did the tests and were either borderlines, Mary-Sues or "kill it with fires" (here's to you Rita and Rinx) and really I thought that was a bit unfair so I went about illustrating. The personality thing really gets me the most, I think. Rita wouldn't get so many points if there was a question like "is your character an abhorrent human being" or Rinx got one like "is your character vainer than a peacock in a mirror room with a head bigger than the sun". But there are so many appearance/how many people does she sleep with questions that Rinx just keeps racking (not sorry for using the word rack for her) up all the points. It's especially funny since Rinx is a robot designed to BE attractive. Her gimmick is that she's so hot she can sleep with anyone/thing. When she says in the last panel "it's just the way she was made" she ain't kidding! Being a robot also technically gives her no parents so there's that too...
Seriously, though. They ask things like "does the authority go easier on them?" and for certain characters I just go "well yeah but there's a reason for that" but the reason doesn't seem to matter. Dan-Mei is rich and noble so it makes sense she gets off easier. And Renee is so crazy that no one really screws with her. And Rita racks up a huge amount of points because of how smart and rich she is but no one asks how dumb people are - otherwise Nina wouldn't get such a score.xDD And anytime there is a negative, they all get mashed together in a stupid way like "has your character ever been outright selfish or lazy" which applies to pretty much everyone. And what if they're MOSTLY selfish or lazy? It's just silly business I swear.
I might do a second version of this, I've still got some complaints but I'm glad I got this off my chest.xD I just KNOW I could make an awesome Mary-Sue litmus test, that's part of why it irks me so much. I love the idea behind it but there hasn't been one that's succeeded so far.
Oh the characters here are all mine obviously and for those that don't know them here's a helpful guide (and links):
Nina Lockett: The one with the musical note jumper. [link]
Rita Hoffman: The toff with the two braids. [link]
Dan-Mei/Yana: The girl with the ying-yang dress. [link]
Rinx: The girl with the two ponytails and huge rack. [link]
Vanessa Rosswood: The tan girl with the stripy top. [link]
Sherry Mason: The girl with the fuzzy jacket, black tights and shorts. [link]
Renee Richards: Only appears once - she's the one by Yana with the two-tone hair. [link]
Mr. Fat Tap Squibbleball: Ah, my very first villain (believe it or not) he's the only dude here. And uh, fat's in his name so...
Edie Jewels: The one in the wheelchair.
Huang Dan-Mei/Ying-Yang Yana, Sherry Mason, Vanessa Rosswood, Rinx, Renee Richards, Rita Hoffman, Mr. Fat Tap Squibbleball, Edie Jewels and Nina Lockett all belong to me~
NO YOU CANNOT HAVE MR. FAT TAP I WON'T LET YOU
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Comments: 41
I completely agree. One of my ocs, Shelia, gets super high points on Mary Sue tests. They don't care that she's a self-centered bitch who needs to buy her friends and is completely dependent on her servants, they just care that she's rich, beautiful, blonde and has a weird name.
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That's the problem in a nutshell, unfortunately. They rarely ask the damning and important questions - particularly the ones centered on personality. It's a little sad, honestly. I'm glad it's not just me.
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Trueeee, so trueee
My character got 108 points mostly because originally she used to be based on me and only thing we share now are our looks (kinda, black hair and asian build) and pessimism. And the other one, who's a total psychopath, slices people in cubes, makes dolls of their body parts is apparently a Mary Sue because he's hot and belong to an original spiritual race which are kinda of Gods and are important part of the Universe. Wait, my universe can't have Gods? Argh!
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It is, isn't it?
Pffft, it's stuff like that that really just makes me want to tear my hair out because it really is ridiculous. Most Mary-Sues, I'd say, DON'T really look like us. They're prettied up,for one. And yeah you're better off not having psychotic or powerful characters tested because they always get the Sue treatment, unfortunately. It's sad but true.
Glad I'm not the only one with these issues though. ;v;
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All that matter is how interesting story is written. Everything else, really, doesn't matter that much
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I couldn't agree with you more. I took the quiz for one of my characters who is a male model. He got so many points simply because of his looks, and all the while I'm thinking "....Yeah, and? He's a model! If he doesn't look hot, he doesn't have a job!" *headdesk*
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It's absurd, isn't it? Some people are naturally pretty, others work at it and some NEED to be pretty like your guy does to do what they do. To get Mary-Sue points for that is like... getting points for your character knowing how to cook because they're a cook or something. It's really silly. >:
I'm glad you agree though!
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He also does need to work at it. If he didn't do half of the things he did to keep up his looks, then he'd just look like your average pretty boy. But nooo, the test doesn't think about that! "Hot character? YOU GET POINTS BECAUSE HOT CHARACTERS ARE SUUUUUUES."
I definitely agree on the personality bit, too. One of my characters got a lot of points for her backstory and abilities, but she's basically Neutral Evil on the D&D Alignments: selfish, willing to harm others for her own personal gains, won't do anything unless there's something in it for her, etc.
Ugh, it's just....I don't even know. I give up.
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Having a pet turtle makes you a sue? BECAUSE HEY, LOGIC IS OVERRATED. AND SO ARE REASONS FOR WHY CHARACTERS ARE HOW THEY ARE. Indeed context is important. Hell, it's the most important part! Perhaps they don't take it into account in order to make the tests more generic or so that people who make sues won't find petty excuses etc. Why not make your own test, as you said? I bet it'd be better than most test, and you'd help a lot of people out there!
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Well it gives you two points, that's for sure. Nina always gets an absurdly high score for some reason. 
I really don't think so; my view is that the test maker makes Mary-Sues and leaves these little clauses and get-outs so their characters have a nice tiny score. >_>
Well! That certainly is an idea! I tried to a couple of times but I couldn't find a good medium for it. I'd really love to do it sometime though - if I could help people with it, that'd just be great!
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You really make some good points here. And I really do agree with you. Context is very important. My favorite drawing is Nina's test XD Anyway, whenever you're not look and when you least expect it, I WILL STEAL MR. FAT TAP! XD
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Thank you, I'm glad! That's really all I was trying to do. Context is really the most important - my other favourite C contradiction is very important too. Haha, that was fun to do actually - glad it's your favourite<3
NOT SURE HOW I WON'T NOTICE THAT BUT
OKAY
WELL
FINE
HOW ARE YOU GONNA GET HIM OUT OF THE DOOR HUH
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You're welcome! C contradiction? :3
WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT DOO---AW MAN.
WELL THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE WINDOWS.
VERY
VERY
LAAARGGEEE
windows.
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I remember talking with you about this
I do find those tests somehow helpful some times, they give me ideas on character building. But of course they can't be taken as a bible for character creating, a character simply can't be resumed by answering to yes/no questions. They are so much more complex than that.
It's just a shame one can't have Mr. Fat Tap Squibbleball. That alone could make everything so much more meaningful XD
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Yep! Went ahead and just did it though.
Oh I'm glad they're helpful to you! To be honest I always wish they'd help me out more because I'm a bit of a perfectionist with characters so I always think a little extra something would help them but the tests never give me that. But you are right and characters are more complex than that. Or at least, they should be.
Hahahaha, yeah we could all do with a bit of meaning in our lives, couldn't we? it's okay i will loan u him
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Oh man! I laughed so hard at this! It was so much fun to read. I'm so glad you were able to put this idea to pen and paper! It was too good not too! Thank you thank you for sharing! heheheh. I'll write a more proper comment when my sides stop hurting from giggling. XD
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G'awwww thank you so much! I really appreciate that Leaf! And I'm really glad you laughed at it since it's a bit of a personal pet peeve of mine so doing a comic of it was a bit indulgent.xD Hahaha I'm really just happy to hear you liked it; your comment here made me really happy actually.<333
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Hhehehe. I'm glad that I could brighten you up with my comment. I also wanted to note that your expressions in this are nicely done and varied. I also like how you used more than one character to make your point/case with each thing. The girl with the music note on her shirt is completely adorable by the way.
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You definitely did!~
Really? Oh wow, I'm glad to hear that! This was pretty simple and quickly done but I still wanted everyone to look different and expressive so it was fun. And yeah, that was probably more selfish on my part but I'm glad it helps illustrates points better. ;v;
Hahaha oh wow thank you! That's Nina, she's twelve. She's from my modern magic story. Glad to hear you think so!
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I didn't know you had a modern magic story. Is it posted up somewhere for reading?
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Blahhhh I guess in a fashion. I did one chapter ages ago but a lot's changed. I had to revamp a bunch of things (from small thigns to Nina's accent, Nina's surname and Melody's name to big things like how it ends and such) so it doesn't work as well. But here y' go: [link]
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I really enjoyed it! The details make it clear to visualize what is happening. Nina seems like a cheery head strong girl. I have a "gut feeling" that she did get poisoned after all though. XD Thank you for sharing.
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Really? Eeep, but I'm so bad at writing! XDD;; I'd say "was" but I'm still pretty lame to be honest. I'm so glad you enjoyed it though. Hahaha, she didn't get poisoned, that's about when she gets her powers. The ladybug's just a cute detail that repeats. As I said, it went under quite a few changes.
You're welcome - my pleasure really!
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Well, if you ever decide to post any more I'd be more than happy to read it. ^_^
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Aw, thanks! I'll keep that in mind.
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Sooooo true! lol
Admittedly I sometimes takes those tests just to see what ridiculous score comes up. 8D
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Haha, glad you agree!
Mostly I do them in vague hope of it being good and accurate but sometimes I admit I'm just messing around with it.xDD That's why I always try Rinx and Rita, they always get so many points.
By the way sorry I missed your birthday, I'm doing you a belated pressie! ;v;
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Awww, you don't have to feel obligated to do anything for me. You're always drawing gifts for people~ <3
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That's okay I want to! Plus I'm almost done with it.^u^ You're my friend after all!
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My god, your artwork of Mr. Fat is just delightful. I can't believe my little Jordi-pie has grown up enough to capture the beauty of her old villain. Bravo.
I would Rinx needs a bit of anatomy work but you might take that to mean she needs implants upgrades.
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F-fank you. But I'd stop that talk because Mr. Fat is a married man and he doesn't need anymore admirers. There are so many.
Haha, yeah. Rinx is so bloody charactertured that she's just really hard to get right. It's no excuse but that's the reason.xD I'll get there I'm sure. Thanks though!
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Mary Sue tests amuse me, they're just so ridiculous and silly. But ohmyglob, Ribbon- this- this comic. It's pure win
I give you the highest of high 99999999999999/10 for this this is sheer brilliance. And it's so long and neat and shaded, gosh. I can't even imagine how it'll take me to finish something like this.
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Hahaha, I find them amusing myself but I still wish there was a good one. I always find it hilarious how Rita and Rinx are always burn it hell Sues despite one being abhorrent and the other being a robot. Really happy this is win though that's just so nice of you to say, you're awes Runey! ;v;
Hahaha well it's the furthest thing from neat but that's really sweet of you to say! The shading's messy too; at least it was easy to do though.xD I'm really just happy you liked it and found it funny.xD Appreciate it! IT CAME FROM THE HEART, THIS COMIC. XD
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Aaaaaaaand here's my overly late reply Sorry about that, Ribbon! ; n ;
lagsh ikr, some people are just so weird tbh, all characters can be mary sues. It just depends on the person that sees them, cause, well, we all have different opinions, really. But yeah, this Mary Sue test is honestly pretty biased if you ask me xD and it is a win! it's amazing, Ribbon!
And PPTFFF- this is totally neat, dude it's like neat linearting and neat coloring, the shading compliments it if you ask me~ and of course I did! BUT I THOUGHT ALL ARTS CAME FROM THE ART?
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I agree with this, especially the context bit. I disregard Mary Sue tests in favour of my beloved Universal Power Scale :>
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I'm glad you agree. What's the Universal Power Scale thing about? C:
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Context
It's about how the character's powers lie within the power scale of that universe There will always be an established highest ground that a character can't surpass. For example, in Humanity and Freedom (my story), Suzume sits at the top of the UPS, and remains undefeated due to this
The higher up the UPS you are, theory has it, the more flaws and weaknesses you should have. This unfortunately isn't the case in most manga - for example, Naruto has precious little flaws to make up for the NINE-TAILED FECKING DEMONFOX inside of him. Going back to my H&F example, Suzume has several massive weaknesses, including the need to eat for ten people, the high chance of anything he tries to do outside his known limits backfiring in his face, and the tendency to drop dead (that one's complicated, I'll explain it if you want though). If a character is high on the UPS and has no flaws to balance them out, that's a Mary Sue
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I see. That's an interesting way to go about it. For me I really just base it on how lucky they are and how the world/characters bend to them. Usually gives me a good idea of where they stand. Because I think a character with a million and two powers with no real drawback can still not be a Sue so I more focus on the personality and personality flaws. Personality flaws usually make a character more interesting anyway. C:
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Yeah, it drives me nuts. Some of the context ones though you just have to kind of ignore it, I guess? Like for example, in a Digimon group, the question about having a animal companion with magical properties (or whatever the exact question is) is sort of unimportant since it's deemed standard to have one as far as characters go. So I just keep that sort of thing in mind and don't tick those boxes.
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I suppose that's true, yes. I often just answer those ones anyway to be safe but I think even if I didn't I'd still get a lot of points. Just a bit silly really.
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Yeah, I just use my judgement, I guess? Usually it says my characters are sorta boring XD
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