Post "Random Poll #11 : Cheats for Main Character" by "DevilHex" from patreon

Bogdan Bogojevic

I really like the reincarnation to the past or to the future of the Mc like with Tales of demons and Gods and Return of the Mount hua sect Granted the Mc' in both achieved the peak power lvl before they were sent back but it was always fun and interesting for me to read because while they were insanely strong for their age when they got reincarnated it balansed out with them finding out a lot of hidden things they didn't know and just having stronger and older enemies so they still struggled and had to really on wits a lot

Jack Nathaniel Mikhail

I picked moderate cheats like foreknowledge or system. The system cannot be too op.

Devil Hex

I know. Was one of the first cultivation novels I read, lol. Though my memory is more than a bit blurry.

Kwabena Kumi

I mean the novel is not perfectly written but i like stocking up on chapters.. cuz the fights be crazy..very enjoyable..it does have some harem in it tho...diesnt get too crazy

Devil Hex

Yeah, but that novel isn't 💀

Kwabena Kumi

😂😂😂...the character is hilarious but perfectly written given the circumstances

Devil Hex

Lol, that's a fun twist. Thanks :)

Kwabena Kumi

Hex there is also another perfect example the story is called "nine star hegemony body arts"(great novel ongoing)....this is not the main character but close to him....he is so weak the heavens take pity on him and to make up for the fact that in the universe he is the weakest...he is extremely lucky wherever he goes....hes so lucky he can dig up the ground and find gold...but the main character with the crazy technique has horrible luck

HighSocks

As long as the cheats do not manifest as a system with a personality that gives quests

Mr Falcon

Ah, thank you both!! I have read a lot of that then, I didn't that's how it was categorised

Devil Hex

System basically turns the journey into a game. MC has a system in his body/mind/head, which gives him tasks and rewards him on completing it. There are several Naruto fics with systems where MC can buy bloodlines and other op stuff.

Devil Hex

Agreed.

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

👍 True. Almost slipped my mind. Fujin has this particular cheat too, lol.

GastricSalmon36

They’re also cheats like future knowledge (just like this novel) that are inherently useless by itself that requires the MC to take advantage of it to plan things out. Stuff of this nature is what I find the best as it needs to rely on the effort of the one using it to get results.

GastricSalmon36

Go watch or read solo leveling, it will give you an idea of what the concept is.

GastricSalmon36

I would generally pick talent over cheats because strength progression would feel more natural that way, but I don’t really have a problem with cheats if the author knows how to use it well. Their are some stories that the cheats feel earned like if the MC spent his whole previous life trying to get this thing or if the cheat has both massive advantages and disadvantages to balance things out. I’ve also read trash stories where the cheat was you could steal all the abilities of the opponent if you defeated them or stuff like that where the MC didn’t earn an ounce of his strength and didn’t use 90% of his abilities, anyways, it doesn’t really matter if it’s talent or cheat as long you show the MC plan or push himself to his limits over and over to get his strength.

Veileihi

Really feel like it depends on the story and the writer. A lot of the satisfaction in wind calamity comes from seeing Fujin work so hard to eek out advantage after advantage, grinding his way to the top; peoples reactions to him, how his prescence changes the story, and how he explores the nuances of the established power system in ways that feel natural. All of these would be diminished if he had any significant degree of 'cheats'. Even in one punch man, the writer has to kinda bend over backwards in order for Saitama not to be recognised for his strength too quickly. I'd say this is because the focus of the story is soley on the MC. On the other hand, you have novels like Overlord, which take the OP MC but have a significant focus of the story be the other characters in the world. They still use the good ol' unknown --> known curve, but it isn't as necessary because of how the characters of other groups are developed. So I'm a Spider, so what? Does something similar with its SS chapters... Anyway, with how well you focus on politics; you could totally do a cheat MC, but it would need a pretty slow unknown --> known curve - which are always hard to get right - while focusing on the political changes and perceptions that different groups have of them.

Jack

I feel like the main reasons cheats tend to suck is when they take away the satisfaction of progression and hard work. In something like "the novels extra" while they have a cheat the best it really does is gives them a way to keep up with super talented people. So it doesn't feel like it takes away from the story

TrustZee

One of the reasons why I like that fanfic is that the MC doesn't have a system. I like that the MC learns to use chakra himself, trains, he needs to practice the technique and he relies only on himself, etc. In fanfics with a system, the MC, who, for example, only has an affinity for fire, often completed a task to kill 10 bandits and received a water elemental technique with which he has 0 affinity and can already perform it perfectly the first time without seals and the power of one of the best users of the water element. And this is very stupid and uninteresting to me. After all, if suddenly at one moment the system disappears, the MC will remain disabled.

Aldar

I've read so many novels with cheat codes that it makes me sick. But thanks to this, I have experience :) As for me, there are two important mistakes authors make with bonuses for the main characters: 1. This is a benefit from God with the mind of a human teenager arguing with the main characters. 2. A talking AI who moonlights as a comedian. You don't need to do things like this and explain them from a human point of view. You need to present it as a higher power or a rational explanation thanks to science.

Mr Falcon

Lot of people here are talking about system or not system. What does it mean to not have a system?

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

Cool, ty :)

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

👍 Haven't. Tbh, there are some decently done system type novels too. Solo Leveling is an example. It's just that it makes MC way too overpowered compared to the rest. Only option to keep the story interesting is to rapidly do world expansion and bring stronger opponents, but that gets repetitive very quickly.

Devil Hex

Thanks :)

Devil Hex

👍

J.Rogue

So I feel if a main character doesn’t have a cheat he needs to have idiot Savant level talent in some category, but if they have a cheat, they need to have some kind of moderate or minor or even average talent for growth otherwise they just stagnate

One piece #1

How you currently have written this story is amazing.

Book Warm

It seem DH senpai is not a fan of system type novels xD, I wonder if u read some of it, like a good one, have u ever read a fiction novel “SUPER DETECTIVE IN THE FICTIONAL WORLD”. It pretty interesting marvel fiction to me.

Book Warm

For me, I really enjoy the mystery aspect in a story—whether it's a talented MC with a mysterious origin (preferably one that doesn’t benefit them early on) or a cheat ability with an unknown background. For example, the Purple Crystal that Xu Qing has in Outside of Time by Er Gen. (By the way, I saw in the comments that you also read Er Gen’s novels—nice!) I like when the cheat isn’t too overpowered at the start, or its usage is limited, but its origins remain completely unknown, making it interesting.

Tristan Cercado

I think letmelaugh the creator of ttp wrote soul master which is about one of Han Jue’s descendants gaining power throufh absorbing souls

Kwabena Kumi

Some find techniques acquire skills through dangerous situation body types weak or strong...but 1 thing ilike tho that I find interesting is summoner and necromancy novels..I haven't read one on souls without a system yet...need some suggestions

Jaimenz

Doesn't matter to me so long as your clear about it from the beginning.

Kwabena Kumi

Fujins situation is pure hard work...the cheat in his case is prior knowledge in the path to get powerful...in the originalkurama was naruto's cheat...every main character has something unique that gives them a bigor small advantage in order to separate themselves from everyone else...whether its born with godly talent or no talent and hard work...then earns many opportunities overtime and becomes powerful

تركي القحطاني

You can give him a good talent then look for items that improve his talent. Like martial peak I think.

Turean Allen

Read 'Savage Divinity'! Excellent cultivation novel, very much so not wuxia though.

Tristan Cercado

I recommend a CN novel im nearly complete and that has already been completed called Everlasting that yoi can read on Wtr-lab. It’s a good cultivation story that has loss and growth as a character in the mortal world, and a high level of talent that makes him strong but the power system makes it to where even if your talented it doesn’t mean anything as it’s reliant on other factors like weapons, techniques, comrades, and opportunities. You can essentially have horrible talent but if you tough it out you can even become the strongest

Tristan Cercado

I would like to say having really good talent is what i want, atleast a top notch one. But having that shouldn’t allow the mc to shine above all others, it should allow him to enter a level of there world where all the other people have his level or even higher levels of talent. But what should allow the mc to be stronger or go further than the others is either those other people that are equal to him helping him or opportunities, as well as having a strong suit and some weaknesses like maybe he’s very strong in combat or even the strongest but his fine tuned skills like healing or something is very bad to where people at even lower strengths can be better than him. I think this allows for some more growth from side characters to make up for his weaknesses, and eventually through opportunities he can make up for these weaknesses but him going further can still be aided by those around him

Kwabena Kumi

I'm not a huge fan of gaming cuz of similarities to systems but if done right it does get good

Mat Hias

In the case of future knowledge: I read an interesting story where MC had no real knowledge of the future, but time plays out in several different timestreams. We only know MC from main one ofc. Later when it needed to be decided which one were to become the «real» timeline, mc fought other possibilities of himself. Taking advantage of loopholes with his great strength, he gained knowledge of the future through his counterparts that had lived longer in their timeline (mc reached said point before he should have, due to his greater strenght and luck). Also there are others with real knowledge of the future, that MC can steal from.

Mat Hias

A lot of stories with early cheats have a tendency to fall off in later chapters when one becomes used to the cheats. Also, I feel too much of an unparalleled talent just becomes redundant. What’s more interesting is the case of moderately superior talent, but a great nick for taking advantage of opportunities. Or another case would involve being extremely dedicated, or very ruthless to oneself. Like for instance using a method that’s extremely painful or dangerous. This is also how it’s the easiest to create character progression.

Yamir

Sword god in a world of magic 🙏😈🙏

Kwabena Kumi

he/she needs to have an advantage of some kind as to what makes him special even if it's a minute one and he gets everything with hard work

Kelevra

I guess it would also depend on what kind of powers are present in the world, whether it’s an unfamiliar system, which has no similarities when any other anime, that would probably be the most difficult. If it’s a ninja world, people can sorta use their own imagination because they are familiar with them

nivlek

Oh and what level of advantage the main character has tends to effect tone as well.

Kwabena Kumi

Just a few original works I've read or currently reading

nivlek

Every option listed can be good, frankly it's down to writing style and quality for me, I've seen good and bad for all the listed items, if it doesn't feel right to write one it probably doesn't fit your style and would consequently be harder to write with good quality.

Kwabena Kumi

NO SYSTEM Talisman emperor A Will Eternal Sage Monarch(action packed) Earth's strongest Magus Invincible A record of a mortal's journey to immorality Soul land 3: Legend of the Dragon king

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

Swallowed Star, I think I read. Desolate Era I haven't touched. Will check when I get time 😵‍💫

Kwabena Kumi

Bro there's another one I'm reading "Earth's greatest magus"...beautiful...godly talent and earns everything he gets with hard work..world building is amazing too

Devil Hex

Yup, agreed

Devil Hex

Lol, I got it. That could be fun too. Ty for the idea :)

Devil Hex

👍

Burntliquid

He also wrote Desolate Era which would be his best book but I have a problem with its romance and it kinda ruins it for me

Devil Hex

Fujin is talented, no doubts there. It's just that it took a long while to realize his talents, be it his control over wind or his talent in Space-Time Ninjutsu.

TrustZee

I once read a couple of Naruto fanfics where the main character moved into a young (15-20 years old) and adult character. And it's complete crap. An experienced shinobi who was a chunin-jonin yesterday woke up and can barely control his chakra and needs to relearn how to walk on trees. He doesn't know the traditions, doesn't know how to use forms of address like -san, -sama, etc. And the rest of the people around him don't pay attention to this or pretend that this happens to almost every second person.

Burntliquid

Swallowed star, that one’s much better, one of my favorite cultivation novels

Devil Hex

Yeah. That's my biggest concern 😅

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

Yeah, similar thoughts :)

Kwabena Kumi

That's what makes this one interesting because as u read he doesnt trust the system itself

Devil Hex

Yup, World Building will definitely be the key.

Devil Hex

Yup

Devil Hex

👍

Devil Hex

System I ain't a fan off. It just takes the fun out of power progression.

Devil Hex

Lol, I think I read just two. The other was Star something, if I recall correctly.

Burntliquid

Coiling dragon is like his first and worst book 😭🙏 don’t use it as reference please. I read his other ones first and couldn’t even finish coiling dragon because of how cliche it was

Kwabena Kumi

All I read are original work the only ones I don't like are systems only if done right...for instance 'the innkeeper" he starts out with a system of an inn it gives him benefits pertaining only to the inn and maintaining it...the one power up he has is a technique but he needs to get himself into crazy situations to build it up and 2 he can die at any moment cuz hes so weak in comparison to his "guests"

Kwabena Kumi

"Talisman emperor" is a great original work example of no system no cheat jus godly talent

David Rafael Tamir

I can actually like most power up systems but what i think is best (and u didnt include) is a kind if system that promotes growing up persistently over time. Most known example is leveling up or killing monsters... but my point is just - to cut down on training arcs. Training arcs r fine ine the beginning and first half of the story After that i feel like they take too much focus off the story If u want a good example - my favorite "cheat" system or power up is Shadow Slave. Its similar to the last option (a lot of people have a cheat system) So thats what i chose

Devil Hex

Coiling Dragon, if I recall right... Been a long while since I read his two books. Yeah, his ones didn't have any (or many) cheats, if I recall correctly.

Devil Hex

Nah, Shadow Clones is hardwork. Chakra reserves can be a cheat, but not really in Fujin's case.

Devil Hex

Definitely a bit inspired from it :) Especially the comedy part.

Kwabena Kumi

Fan fic is much easier the audience already knows the world...it already has a fan base...the most important for original work is world building...doesnt matter how good the character is written if it's bad world building it's a brick...fan fics is not a problem...systems take the easy way out so I'm not into systems like that...only if done right...and it's hard to do but when done right its great

Diametric

Both are fine. They are different types of story with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Kwabena Kumi

I think for ur first original work...it would go much smoother if u made the character with no cheat and godly talent..u can focus on world building..which is the MOST Important in a novel or it's a brick...ive read many light novels and the best ones are the ones with the best world building...u feel like u know and are immersed into the world with the character

Rubén López

I think there is something that can be used, and it is the skill tree like in games where you can't go back unless you pass a threshold, it is something that focuses you on accomplishing certain things to advance to more possibilities but it focuses on growth. Although it is a hack that you must constantly feed.

Derrick Mills

I prefer a main character to just have a high intellect. It allows them to remain intertwined within their own world. Stories where the main character has ungodly talent that outshines everyone else makes them seem like cannon-fodder, and they fade into the background.

Rubén López

This is an aspect that can be linked to the personality of the protagonist, someone who has nothing and has come far normally has the side of being the secondary one of the story because normally the tragedy marks his life, it is perhaps the example of characters like Rock Lee and Guy, that perhaps although interesting, are more like complementary characters rather than protagonists of the story. It also depends a lot on the type of story to tell, if it is an adventure story with the first Dragon Ball or One Piece where the protagonists do not have to be otherwise broken, since their cast of characters complement each other in being a group. In a story like Naruto something that stands out is necessary. Talent is something that makes a difference and a hero always makes a difference, because the story of the nobody who doing without having anything special sometimes becomes implausible with the obstacles that sometimes they want to give him, perhaps if it is a recounting of life it works because the focus is not the action but the world that develops. As much as I want a character to make his way into the world, the world has to be known in order to deepen the path of the protagonist, hacks help to go through the world without so many complications. Personally, I don't read culture novels, I think that sometimes they seem a bit impersonal to me.

MrLikeme123 .

Devil Hex, your style of writing often reminds me of the Author Ergen of "I Shall Seal the Heavens". That mixes seriousness with humor. Rationality with a hint of chaos and unpredictability. Also in that you have no tact in writing romance :) Jokes aside, best way I like cheats are if it's either earned through effort, or found with the consequence it can be lost. I also like if they come with a consequence that is not too fatal or hindrance, but can be overcome or progresses parts of the story.

Ahmad Ayoubi

one aspect was never built on, the Sharingans, he got multiple eyes during the massacre, why not build on it, like transplanting them or perhaps some plot twist with him ending up having some distant ancestor that is an uchiha. I know it is far fetched, i just find it a waste to have all those eyes with no build up on it. or perhaps he can study the sharingan eyes and create his own occular kekkei ginkai since he already knows everything about the sharingan, tenseigan, byakugan, and rennigan, just like he studied the scortch release.

rain

Fujin is 100% talented, its just like, 40 talent 60 hard work. No one else in the ninja world has wind like his, and he's got space-time talent as-well. Stuff like his fuinjutsu, medical jutsu, and his other elements.. all hard work. Do we count the shadow clone method as a cheat? I don't mind when an MC takes a shortcut. Out of the series mentioned here, HxH is my favorite, and also has my favorite power system since its the least elitist. If you wanna be a big shot in the one piece world, you need to be talented enough to unlock Conqueror's haki, without it, you just can't become a top tier. Anywho, no cheats, I prefer progression the best.

Viola

Agreed, besides the first few novels I read like that when it was new, I can't stand the body possession transmigration. Child or nothing unless it's your own body. But then that's Regression so....

Viola

I think talent that grows into a cheat or something unique is the most interesting and gives you the most latitude to work on in a convincing and satisfying way. While moderate cheats can achieve this too it is easy for it to turn into a total power wank, or just come of as cheap. I think you'd have the skill and given these posts the forethought to avoid this outcome but it'd be something for you to be careful of. I think it obvious like you said that cheats like "I awakened WOOD RELEASE and RINNEGAN, right from the start!?!?!?!" Or the "SSSSSS TIER GOD ABILITY" are not good ways to write a story, with some very rare exceptions. I've read many of these novels and even the ones I recommend to people I have not personally been able to finish or stay up to date....

Tiger Bond

I personally love to see MCs struggle and sometimes have to sacrifice something in order to progress. This could be they lose someone they care about, or even that the way they view themselves/the world changes drastically due to a tragic event or defeat. Obviously there’s something special about them if they’re the MC and we’re reading their story, but not to the point that there’s never even a little bit of doubt that they’ll succeed.

Kelevra

But yes I agree Fujins strength progression definitely hits different due to us already knowing the world and the powers. In an original work it would definitely have to be described very detailed and the main character probably have some kind of handicap/special about him for him to go a different way and become stronger.

Colin

In a sense, Fujin already has a power up by his space attribute being so high from his journey into the Naruto universe. The next power up could possibly be the sharigan he’s been saving, not to mention he still has Sage mode to learn.

Burntliquid

The biggest cheat is that the MC's are ultra talented but that could be dialed down a bit. Instead of having a massive cheat at the start, the cheat slowly develops and appears more into the later stages of the book and it feels validated due to MC's struggle.

Greedsmith

My favorite cheats are talent and regression (because of the knowledge). In this case, Fujin transmigrated into a world he (and we) knows and that gives him knowledge too (although to a lesser extent), but I only like transmigration when they are either born into the body or are very young, I abhor “body possession”.

Kelevra

Well a common trend of manga/anime is having the MC be an underdog but seemingly always win, this way of writing requires power ups later in the story as otherwise there is no way for the MC to compete

Micky

I believe i would enjoy one where mc is just insanely talented in like one aspect and not everything. Would be fun pike imagine some1 in the one piece world having a better talent for haki than roger and garp. And just working hard. Not sure if i phrased that well.