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Or, The Systematic Problem With Composite / Combined Profiles
So.
Recently there has been much discussion and controversy relating to the topic of Composite and Combined profiles, and their place and purpose in our website. Some argue that VsBattles is not limited to strictly traditional fiction, as we allow profiles for Real Life weapons and animals, and compare these profiles with Composite Versions of fictional characters like Super Mario and Link.
I don't agree with this sentiment, and I stand with the opposite side, who argue that there has to be some line between what is and isn't allowed in VsBattlesWiki, even if vague.
The problem with Real Life Composite profiles is simple: There's way too many of them, and they have no real criteria of standard of analysis. They are all build by mish-mashing the characteristics of multiple beings of a species, or of multiple species which are broadly linked under a single definition, with no real analysis put into it, and no standard of what is acceptable or not.
Characteristics are just merged together with no regard for what is contradictory or mutually exclusive, and what you end up left with isn't a Composite, but rather a bizarre chimera that fuses every single strength of a species or multiple species to the point of being nearly unrecognizable.
Some have argued that they should be allowed, as Fictional Character Composites are allowed, but the comparison is flawed and naive at best. Not only do we have limits and regulations for Fictional Composites, but they are also far easier to handle, as each character is bound to a specific setting with clearly defined feats and scaling. Meanwhile not only is Real Life not a clearly-defined setting, but there are absolutely no regulations to what is or isn't allowed, leading to absolutely ludicrous profiles that are more in-line with what is found in JokeBattlesWiki, like the Composite Tree.
Real Life Composites could only be compared to Fictional Composites if the later had no regulations, and were built under the idea that outliers don't exist. If I made A Composite Krillin profile, and used bullshit scaling and logic to make him 3-A or 2-C, that wouldn't be accepted. The way Real Life Composites are made have no such thing.
Speaking of which, currently we have the following profiles.
Of this, quite frankly, only Composite Human and maybe Composite Virus have an argument for existing. The former is a basic concept that's existed in VsForum for many years, and the later is sufficiently well done and interesting to be allowed. Everything else? Nah son.
Not only are they frankly random and poorly made, they are often repetitive. Composite Shark is made redundant by the existence of Composite Fish, which was demonstrated in this thread, while Composite Plant is just Composite Tree +1, and Composite Primate is just Composite Human with the strength of an Ape.
And Combined Human? That is just ludicrous. It is a linear addition of the strength of every human who ever lived, with no regard for physics or logic. It has zero argument to be kept.
At the very least, we need to rethink how we regulate and allow such profiles, and at worse they should all be axed with a few exceptions, so things can start anew.
So.
Recently there has been much discussion and controversy relating to the topic of Composite and Combined profiles, and their place and purpose in our website. Some argue that VsBattles is not limited to strictly traditional fiction, as we allow profiles for Real Life weapons and animals, and compare these profiles with Composite Versions of fictional characters like Super Mario and Link.
I don't agree with this sentiment, and I stand with the opposite side, who argue that there has to be some line between what is and isn't allowed in VsBattlesWiki, even if vague.
The problem with Real Life Composite profiles is simple: There's way too many of them, and they have no real criteria of standard of analysis. They are all build by mish-mashing the characteristics of multiple beings of a species, or of multiple species which are broadly linked under a single definition, with no real analysis put into it, and no standard of what is acceptable or not.
Characteristics are just merged together with no regard for what is contradictory or mutually exclusive, and what you end up left with isn't a Composite, but rather a bizarre chimera that fuses every single strength of a species or multiple species to the point of being nearly unrecognizable.
Some have argued that they should be allowed, as Fictional Character Composites are allowed, but the comparison is flawed and naive at best. Not only do we have limits and regulations for Fictional Composites, but they are also far easier to handle, as each character is bound to a specific setting with clearly defined feats and scaling. Meanwhile not only is Real Life not a clearly-defined setting, but there are absolutely no regulations to what is or isn't allowed, leading to absolutely ludicrous profiles that are more in-line with what is found in JokeBattlesWiki, like the Composite Tree.
Real Life Composites could only be compared to Fictional Composites if the later had no regulations, and were built under the idea that outliers don't exist. If I made A Composite Krillin profile, and used bullshit scaling and logic to make him 3-A or 2-C, that wouldn't be accepted. The way Real Life Composites are made have no such thing.
Speaking of which, currently we have the following profiles.
- Composite Human
- Composite Ant
- Composite Bat
- Composite Cat
- Composite Canid
- Composite Fish
- Composite Lizard
- Composite Primate
- Composite Plant
- Composite Shark
- Composite Snake
- Composite Spider
- Composite Tree
- Composite Virus
Of this, quite frankly, only Composite Human and maybe Composite Virus have an argument for existing. The former is a basic concept that's existed in VsForum for many years, and the later is sufficiently well done and interesting to be allowed. Everything else? Nah son.
Not only are they frankly random and poorly made, they are often repetitive. Composite Shark is made redundant by the existence of Composite Fish, which was demonstrated in this thread, while Composite Plant is just Composite Tree +1, and Composite Primate is just Composite Human with the strength of an Ape.
And Combined Human? That is just ludicrous. It is a linear addition of the strength of every human who ever lived, with no regard for physics or logic. It has zero argument to be kept.
At the very least, we need to rethink how we regulate and allow such profiles, and at worse they should all be axed with a few exceptions, so things can start anew.
