Powerplaying

This essay was written by Kitsufox in an effort to help avoid continued confusion on the issue of powerplaying.

Powerplaying & How to Avoid It

The single most common mistake made by players, specifically those attempting the transition from another game to CoSC, is the act of powerplaying in the character sheet (what some games call 'biographies' or simply 'characters'). CoSC takes a unique stand with the idea that a character sheet can contain powerplaying. What most games overlook is that two characters may see the same thing in completely different lights.

Paleeyes, who constantly plays pranks and tells jokes might be seen as jovial and light-hearted by his cousin Tansypaw while the older Senior Warrior Strongstrike (who mentors Tansypaw) sees him as an irresponsible cat and a bad influence for young minds. Even worse - the she-cat he courts, Robinwing, might find him a irritating and lackadaisical sort.

Where would all of the RP in that paragraph have gone if Paleeye's character sheet had simply said "Paleeyes is a friendly cat that everyone love and finds entertaining. He tells jokes that raise the spirits of all those that hear them."? None of it would have been possible: The character sheet would force Tansypaw, Strongstrike, and Robinwing to see him exactly the same!

This is why it's so important to us here at CoSC that the time is taken to capture the essence of the character without interpreting the character for other players. To clarify how to avoid powerplaying I've provided three examples in two parts each. The first version will be the fandom standard style approach to describing something. The second version will be a CoSC appropriate version in which powerplaying is avoided.

Example #1 - Personality

Powerplayed

She is an entertaining cat with an upbeat attitude.

Not Powerplayed

She takes joy in telling jokes and pulling pranks. She puts a great deal of effort into keeping her pranks harmless. She works to keep a bright outlook and focus on positive, rather than negative things.

Example #2 - Appearance

Powerplayed

Her smooth, sleek pelt always attracts the attention of toms, the only feature to attract more attention are her striking green eyes.

Not Powerplayed

Her pelt lies smooth against her body and she takes care to keep it clean and neat whenever possible. Her eyes contrast greatly with her dark gray tabby pelt, being a pale green, and are of almond shape.

Example #3 - History

Powerplayed

He was isolated as a kit, and everyone else in the nursery made fun of him for his small size.

Not Powerplayed

History is tricky. That above statement could become a non-powerplay if every player of a character who would have shared the nursery is contacted and the permission is given for it to be true. Otherwise it would have to be changed and another explanation provided for such isolation to have happened.