Chosen One or The Power Runs in the Family?

[SkaraVaden]

What do you prefer, a character that obtains their power/responsibility/whatever because is the Chosen One, or because their lineage (knowing or not who their family is)? I'm talking about a character that lives normally and then is just involved in the tipical shit of every fantasy story, and then just discover they have a secret power that wakes up when they need it, with more or less training and such.

 

[expentio]

I kinda dislike both. I prefer true chance.
The character isn't really a normal person if they have the super advantage from the start. Nothing seems like their own. A factor of randomness makes it at least a story.
The thing is, the chance event that grants them power is what gets the story rolling. It's believable that this one crazy thing happens to a random person. You just were following that one in a million.
Yet if it's just some chosen one, this kinda makes the whole story running on rails. The character was just from the start destined for greatness. Yet that kinda takes any form of drive out of it. It becomes too clear that the story is running on rails.
That's at least my opinion on it.

 

[RainyLiquid]

I think it really comes down to the setting and characters themselves. I don't think either option on it's own is better. So long as the character is good and in an interesting enough world, I think readers will enjoy it regardless on if the main character is meant to fill some chosen role or if they're simply a byproduct of good genes.

It also mainly comes down to the setting and story. Does the plot need a chosen/destined one, does it have prophecies or a theme that benefits from the main character being the chosen one? If not then it would probably feel kind of forced and weird to suddenly tie that into the MC if the story isn't built around it.

On the flip side, someone being able to do something because of their bloodline/clan/parents, doesn't need as much plot relevance. Usually it can boil down to MC's mom/dad or grampa or great gramps is X so MC can do Y. In some stories it doesn't even have to be a power that is passed down but a skill. Luke Skywalker got his amazing talent for flying because his dad was also good at it.

So I think making it tied to family is easier, for building a character while the chosen one is more suited for the story. Although in a lot of cases the Chosen One is also typical related to someone important and fall into both categories.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

If the power runs in the family, you're faced with the task of explanations, origins, backstories, etc. Depends on how detailed you'd like to be, without being boring. A family-power, however, can be more exciting and unpredictable. My favorite stories stem from characters who have their lives completely turned around once they discover who they are, where they come from. It's more like real life too, and in a way, we can relate to it, pardon the pun. *^^*

 

[Zagaroth]

Here's some variants for you:

1) Chosen One because of circumstances. The character is not perfectly unique, but they get Chosen because they A) have the right personality traits and B) are in the right place at the right time. See Green Lantern and Captain America for examples.

2) Special power *potential*, but not unique. Their potential is noted by any of many circumstances, and they are offered a chance to step up and Become a Hero (or other motivation, such as pay off family's debt or what ever). The combination of the specific training they get and their own personality and motivations shape their potential into something that is now unique, or nearly so.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

With Between Worlds (aka Between Earth and Pyrroth) I split the difference, and one MC is kind of both.
But usually I don't go for either, preferring more a "wrong place, wrong time" scenario

 

[NotaNuffian]

The first one is expected of the main protagonist of the book I'm reading.

I occasionally hates it because "how convenient it must be for the person to have everything special provided".

For the second one, it is still quite popular in recent years and it is sort of the same as the first.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

The first one is expected of the main protagonist of the book I'm reading.

I occasionally hates it because "how convenient it must be for the person to have everything special provided".

For the second one, it is still quite popular in recent years and it is sort of the same as the first.

Since you are a proud CN novels consumer, I was expecting you to leave a single resounding "Both."

 

[NotaNuffian]

Since you are a proud CN novels consumer, I was expecting you to leave a single resounding "Both."

I read CN but I also hate it.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I read CN but I also hate it.

We all do.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I like characters who find their power through the bonds of love and friendship.

 

[Madmcgee]

I feel like, writing wise, you can get so much drama from a lineage perspective, especially if the power is restricted between siblings. One of my fav tropes for power that I never tried to write.

 

[CrimsonGenius]

hmm both can be managed well. Just try to make them struggle, think of situations they need to think out of and not punch harder.

 

[Edenc2708]

the power is from my family lineage, and the power is to be a chosen one

 

[LilythGeist]

I have taken... the middle approach in a way.

The MC has some... additional abilities, but so does every Terran who ends up on Dwynveia. And they mostly amount to jack shit.
One of her love interests is a granddaughter of a powerful demon mage. She is not the only one, the demon is an absolute douchebag and her power development arc involves abandoning them for stuff of her own choice. As in - it is not your blood that makes you. It is your choices.

Also the concept of a chosen one really does not exist in my world. My party are just a bunch of nobodies who end up doing semi-important shit.

 

[Ai-chan]

Chosen one? Runs in the family?

Nai nai.

True power is one you seize from the protagonist. Now, one would probably call this stealing, but Ai-chan doesn't think so. If anything, it is redistribution of wealth. After all, the protagonist has lots of plot armour. What's wrong with stealing- no, sharing some of it with a character less fortunate?

 

[LeilaniOtter]

I like characters who find their power through the bonds of love and friendship.

Vis-à-vis My Little Pony. ?

 

[kosamsel]

I'm a HUUUGE fan of "power runs in the family"--maybe not necessarily in the sort of scenario you're describing, but I think settings with inherited power give you so many opportunities for family drama, political intrigue, and fascinating worldbuilding.