Favorite Stock Character.

[Dfskelleton]

In media (books, movies, games, etc.), there are plenty of stock characters. Stock characters are characters based on a literary or social stereotype (according to Wikipedia). However, what must be noticed is that even the most deep and interesting characters have their roots in a stock character. The gruff, no-nonsense soldier, the unwilling hero, the dorky genius with no friends, etc. Most characters are built upon these stock characters to make them different from the norm. Think of it like picking out a christmas tree. The trees all look the same until you put ornaments on them.
We all know of at least one type of stock character, so I'm asking you which stock character you like the best. For example, my favorite is the strange yet efficient FBI agent (Cooper, Mulder, Morgan, etc.)
There are many stock characters to choose from, so which is your favorite?

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

The overly happy and energetic female that is in most JRPG's. Happy people are a rare sight in the WRPG's which I play more of so I really appreciate having a genuinely happy character in a game, even if it doesn't make sense. In fact, especially if it doesn't make sense.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

The overly happy and energetic female that is in most JRPG's. Happy people are a rare sight in the WRPG's which I play more of so I really appreciate having a genuinely happy character in a game, even if it doesn't make sense. In fact, especially if it doesn't make sense.

While I don't really like these "bubbly" characters, I definitely prefer them to the ones in most WRPGs. Seriously, look at Fallout 3. Within an hour, you'll meet asshole # 78. What is up with so many of the characters in this game being pricks?

OT: I'd say my favorite is the lead anime character who's insanely badass when needed, but funny otherwise. Mind you, this is rarely implemented well. The only good example I can think of is Vash the Stampede.

I find myself agreeing with both of your points. I love characters that blend action and comedy (think Jackie Chan for me), and do believe that in most WRPG's the characters are all so dull. Sure, you may have one or two good ones, but they are severely outnumbered by bland, boring characters. This is me talking about a genre I love, mind you.

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

The overly happy and energetic female that is in most JRPG's. Happy people are a rare sight in the WRPG's which I play more of so I really appreciate having a genuinely happy character in a game, even if it doesn't make sense. In fact, especially if it doesn't make sense.

While I don't really like these "bubbly" characters, I definitely prefer them to the ones in most WRPGs. Seriously, look at Fallout 3. Within an hour, you'll meet asshole # 78. What is up with so many of the characters in this game being pricks?

OT: I'd say my favorite is the lead anime character who's insanely badass when needed, but funny otherwise. Mind you, this is rarely implemented well. The only good example I can think of is Vash the Stampede.

I find myself agreeing with both of your points. I love characters that blend action and comedy (think Jackie Chan for me), and do believe that in most WRPG's the characters are all so dull. Sure, you may have one or two good ones, but they are severely outnumbered by bland, boring characters. This is me talking about a genre I love, mind you.

Probably why I cling so desperately to Alistair from Dragon Age: Origins.

I don't know what my favorite stock character is, apart from the goofy, self-effacing, optimistic dude (Alistair).

Oh right, one that isn't used too often: the female Han Solo. Rogueish, charming, sort of androgynous, wears male clothing in a totally sexy way...I guess the male version is awesome too, but the female version is even better and definitely needs to exist in more things. I actually can't even think of any examples right now, apart from a character I wrote.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

I find myself agreeing with both of your points. I love characters that blend action and comedy (think Jackie Chan for me), and do believe that in most WRPG's the characters are all so dull. Sure, you may have one or two good ones, but they are severely outnumbered by bland, boring characters. This is me talking about a genre I love, mind you.

Probably why I cling so desperately to Alistair from Dragon Age: Origins.

I don't know what my favorite stock character is, apart from the goofy, self-effacing, optimistic dude (Alistair).

Oh right, one that isn't used too often: the female Han Solo. Rogueish, charming, sort of androgynous, wears male clothing in a totally sexy way...I guess the male version is awesome too, but the female version is even better and definitely needs to exist in more things. I actually can't even think of many examples right now, apart from a character I wrote.

Would you believe I was actually about to say how Alistair was my one exception to the rule concerning WRPG characters? Happy, sane, and optimistic? In a WRPG? I love him in a manner that is only mostly platonic.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

*snip*

*snip*

Moira from Fallout 3 was pretty bubbly and cheery. Very strange considering the state of the Wastes, but her character did a great job of lightening the mood/tone. Although after too much time around her she starts to get annoying...until that cheeriness becomes something to despise, and you're filled with blind rage, then you imagine yourself killer her in the most horrifying of ways and doing unspeakable things to her corpse, only to leave her for the wild dogs to feast upon...but then she says something else which brings you back to reality and slowly, with great effort, you loosen your grip on whatever you have holstered.

 

[Freaky Lou]

I'm always a fan of the Deadpan Snarker, but my favourite characters are ones with strong moral convictions who secretly fear their code is outdated. That's really relatable and compelling to me.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

*snip*

*snip*

Moira from Fallout 3 was pretty bubbly and cheery. Very strange considering the state of the Wastes, but her character did a great job of lightening the mood/tone. Although after too much time around her she starts to get annoying...until that cheeriness becomes something to despise, and you're filled with blind rage, then you imagine yourself killer her in the most horrifying of ways and doing unspeakable things to her corpse, only to leave her for the wild dogs to feast upon...but then she says something else which brings you back to reality and slowly, with great effort, you loosen your grip on whatever you have holstered.

She seemed a little bit too... crazy to me. Yes, she was happy and nice, but she crossed into stepford smiler territory (I won't include the tvtropes link for the sake of your free time). That's when she lost me. A beacon of pleasantness in an unpleasant world, yes, but an oddly distorted beacon.

 

[Strain42]

I like the laid back tough guy.

Wakka from FFX, Junpei from Persona 3, Gibari from Baten Kaitos to name a few.

It's a stock character I don't see as often as I'd like, but the characters usually stand out as my favorite.

EDIT: Now that I look at it, all of these are JRPG characters. Can anyone think of some non-JRPG examples?

 

[The Thinker]

My Personal Three Favorites Are The Deadpan Snarker (If done well, they can be the funniest characters on the show/in the book), The Affably Evil Villain (Something about an incredibly kind, happy, and overall "good" villain can be both terrifying and interesting.) and The "Bunny Ears Lawyer" (Seeing their eccentricities and how in spite or even because of those eccentricities they're amazing at their job can make for some entertaining characters.)

... Quick question: are you me? I also enjoy the scientist (you know there's only one) and the guy who is comically narcissistic and blusterous. And the distant person. I just want to give them a hug, if done well.

 

[Hal10k]

*snip*

*snip*

Moira from Fallout 3 was pretty bubbly and cheery. Very strange considering the state of the Wastes, but her character did a great job of lightening the mood/tone. Although after too much time around her she starts to get annoying...until that cheeriness becomes something to despise, and you're filled with blind rage, then you imagine yourself killer her in the most horrifying of ways and doing unspeakable things to her corpse, only to leave her for the wild dogs to feast upon...but then she says something else which brings you back to reality and slowly, with great effort, you loosen your grip on whatever you have holstered.

She seemed a little bit too... crazy to me. Yes, she was happy and nice, but she crossed into stepford smiler territory (I won't include the tvtropes link for the sake of your free time). That's when she lost me. A beacon of pleasantness in an unpleasant world, yes, but an oddly distorted beacon.

The wastes are a radioactive hellhole that have been in a rut of cultural stagnation for 200 years. The population is entirely composed of either nomadic scavengers or settlers who barely manage to eke out an existence, both of whom are constantly besieged by the third segment of the population: people who took one look around them, and said "Screw this, I'm gonna be a raider." Also, radioactive monsters.

Anybody who is legitimately "bubbly" in this setting needs medical attention. There's actually an implied reason for Moira's character. Check her inventory if you kill her: she always carries around a box of Mentats. She's basically floating 24/7.

OT: I'm going to have to go with the Unthinkable Horror Beyond Our Comprehension that the heroes manage to beat by hitting it with their swords.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

*snip*

*snip*

Moira from Fallout 3 was pretty bubbly and cheery. Very strange considering the state of the Wastes, but her character did a great job of lightening the mood/tone. Although after too much time around her she starts to get annoying...until that cheeriness becomes something to despise, and you're filled with blind rage, then you imagine yourself killer her in the most horrifying of ways and doing unspeakable things to her corpse, only to leave her for the wild dogs to feast upon...but then she says something else which brings you back to reality and slowly, with great effort, you loosen your grip on whatever you have holstered.

O_O

That's a disturbing amount of detail. Surely this is all hypothetical, right?

Moira is not bad, but she is literally the only character that fits the bubbly stereotype. Most of my conversations were like -

"Hello"

"Fuck off / Go away / *snarky line*"

That gets annoying really quick.

Of course it's hypothetical, why on earth would anyone want to hurt Moira? Now just go back to your homework and ignore the sounds of the chainsaw.

Really though, I enjoyed Moira's bubbly demeanor. If she could be a companion, that would've been pretty interesting. I couldn't imagine her hurting a bloatfly...

 

[Chevalier noir]

*Hugs Moira*

*Looks worriedly over at Mortis*

Stay back, this is like my favorite character from that game. >_>

On topic, I had a huge Crush on Rei Ayanami from evangelion when I was a kid. I still find the quiet sad ones end up being one of my favorites. I can't resist, I just wanna hug her. I swear. Also like most Moe characters. Probably related.