User blog:Perchan/How to Make Techniques Efficently

Okay, guys, this was originally a guide written up for Hana and Aha because Aha said he was having trouble writing abilities and describing them, but I've decided to let you guys in on the "fun". Be warned that this DOES include a lot of Naruto ideas, but it pretty much works with all the fanons; just exchange some terms.

Aha, I know you have trouble writing abilities; so I've written you a little guide. This is mainly because you rarely describe how your abilities actually work; not explaining the mechanics behind each attack.

Let's use Natsu Dragneel from Fairy Tail for an example, and his named ability, Fire Dragon's Roar (火竜の咆哮 Karyū no Hōkō). Let's say you'd just write "Natsu breathes a huge torrent of fire that burns anything it touches", right?

Well, that tells us basically jack shit.

So, Natsu's breathing fire? What the hell does the name have to do with anything? What purpose does this power have? If you don't understand how a power works, then it's virtually impossible to use it effectively with your abilities. As opposed to creating a set of powers that when used together allow you to do things you otherwise couldn't do, you instead have a collection of attacks, not much different than, "slash, pierce, thrust, chop", with some minor differences.

So you want to add the fundamentals to "Fire Dragon's Roar", let's begin with the naming. Roar. This implies that it comes from the mouth, hence the "roar", breath, etc. So Natsu's breathing flames? Or is he? Let's say that his attack actually releases highly combustible air released from his lungs, that when it comes into contact with the atmosphere, it ignites.

Alright, so now we know why Natsu's attack appears as a bunch of flames spewing from his mouth. It's not actually flames being released from his throat, but an ignitable substance. It's different, and can still be expanded on. So let's add more to it. Fire Dragon's? Pretty ambiguous, but let's do it. Fire Dragon. Dragon fire is pretty damn powerful, and in Fairy Tail they can eat their respective element. Alright, so let's add in the secondary effect that flames, in whatever form it's in, is a fuel for this fire. Meaning Natsu's attack can devour other forms of fire to make itself bigger and more powerful.

Good work. While we haven't worked out how this function works, at the very least you have a basic understanding of how Natsu's power works. We're making building blocks so we can get to the smaller details later. So now you have a powerful attack, but now it needs a weakness. Why? Because it's a fucking powerful attack, that can be used both offensively and defensively. So let's assume this weakness comes from its overwhelming potential for damage. Natsu doesn't like to use it too close to him, since even HE is not immune to the flames once it gets strong enough. Now you have a viable and interesting attack. And since it's unique in how it works, and you've included its basic fundamental principles, they can modified or later expanded on.

The process of creating the mechanics for your powers is simpler than it sounds. For Fire Dragon's Roar, it had an intended effect, flames come from mouth, burn everything. Simple, but lacking in details to set it apart from virtually any other fire based ability. So I asked myself the question, what form does this attack take? Obviously, it's a bunch of fire originating from his mouth. So then my next question was 'how does it form'? Is Natsu literally breathing out a bunch of fire, or is it something else? For Fire Dragon's Roar, I decided to go with ignitable air. With his attack now formed, it was time to add some secondary effects, because it's not the primary power that gets the enemy; it's the secondary ones they don't know. Expanding on the "combustible air" that Natsu exhales, I added in the fact that it can use opposing fire elemental magic as a source of fuel, which led to it consuming the flames in other attacks. The form the attack takes and how the attack actually forms, are good places to start for any given power.

Even Ichigo Kurosaki's power from Bleach, as simple as it is has a defining mechanic behind it. Zangetsu eats up its spiritual energy, condenses it, which in turn amplifies its power, then releases it through the tip of the blade during an attack to release a wave of energy. His Bankai expands on this "compression" by compressing all of his spiritual energy into his body (and not just his sword), which in turn amplifies his own physical abilities, particularly his speed. His Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō takes this up to eleven, by compressing his entire spiritual energy into his body, allowing not even a speck to be released further increasing his abilities. Despite the apparent ambiguity of his powers, they've all got the same mechanic of compression. Since Kubo has constantly stated that Ichigo's spiritual pressure is vast and he's unable to control it, his Zanpakutō is perfect for him since it augments it through granting him the ability to enhance his control over it via compression and amplification. See? You can make a whole slew of techniques just by using ONE mechanic.

I'm going to tell you that while training helps your character grow, as do RPs and such, the real way for them to progress in terms of learning techniques is to detail the mechanics. When you address the basics of any given technique, ask yourself what form it takes, how it forms, and what unique abilities does it have. The more specific you get with a power, the more uses it has. By doing so, you provide a means of expanding on them, and creating new variants from one. A single technique should be able to spawn a thousand different uses. You can't do this if you just go "it does this".

Let's use Amaterasu. It only has one effect: burning everything in its path. Because it only has one effect and cannot be used in other ways because all that is explained is that it's black fire coming from the user's eyes which really can't be manipulated in a lot of ways (sans a few uses), it further shows the impracticality of the Mangekyō Sharingan, regardless of how powerful fanon or the manga makes it out to be. A truly powerful technique isn't super strong, or it's magnitude, but rather how variable it can be and it's number of uses. This is why Rasengan is one of the greatest techniques in the Naruto manga. And variation and utility can't exist without developing the mechanics behind the attack, so it is ESSENTIAL.

Decisions
You know that some people just make techniques because they look cool, or are highly powerful, right? Well, that's not a good idea to do. For example, let's use the Mangekyō Sharingan and it's derived techniques. They're powerful, they're threatening, and they're IMPRACTICAL. Most idiots on Naruto Fanon use the Mangekyō because it's cool and well, the most badass characters have it. Well, they're only going by the fact that Sasuke is the Creator's Pet and Itachi is hax...though if they paid attention, the Mangekyō was a key in Itachi's death. Sure, you've got all these hax abilities, but is it really worth going blind for, when you can just use the Rasengan, which is less powerful, but more reliable?

In addition, a technique that uses magical crap to explain how it works isn't reliable. It's a well-known fact that science is a good deal more reliable than magic; this translates into techniques as well – you can always trust a Rasengan to be a Rasengan and you can always trust it to be used with just as much power as you intended. However, you cannot always trust Susanoo to be perfect, in fact, due to the notorious difficulty of it, it's very easy to misuse it or to be incapable of bringing out its full potential before it destroys your eyes: There's of course also the fact that Dōjutsu attacks may not always succeed, if you're not very talented or proficient at using them.

Another asset is customization. This is one of the greatest differences, one technique may be customized rather easily in comparison to another; Naruto has customized his Rasengan into many, MANY different jutsu, most of which on the fly. Stuff like Susanoo require much more skill and effort to customize, and when you can, it's only a few minor changes that don't matter much in the long run—and also, only the strongest of the strongest are proficient enough to provide jutsu variations to their flashiest techniques.

Let's take the revamped Gaishiki for example; she also only knows one Fire Release. That's fine. Because she's mastered the technique to such a level that she can modify its shape, range, etc. If she wants to focus it into a stream, she can. Quality over quantity, you know what they say.

Having a powerful technique and using it effectively is two different things; if you simply use it to spice up your attacks, provide distractions or as an effort to look extra badass; which probably includes Susanoo in some shape or form, you're not using it effectively, in fact; you might as well throw large chunks of your character's energy-levels out the nearby window. Massive jutsu; however powerful they may be are rather limited on their own and can easily be avoided if it isn't too powerful or if you haven't planned ahead. The more you write the stronger the technique will be interpreted as, remember that.

It's also pretty much required that you know the exact function and mechanic behind a technique if you want to use it correctly, take Gentle Fist for example. The strength behind the art isn't that you're hitting the opponent really, really fast (and I've seen noobs think that that's the real strength; really)—it's that you're attacking the foe's chakra circulatory system and subsequently injuring organs which are closely intertwined with the area of the network which has been struck. Basically, pummeling your foe is pretty useless compared to it's ACTUAL ability—your foe will be long dead before things get serious if you're good enough.

Also, think about your character's personality and what you want to accomplish with the jutsu you have. If all you want is to defeat your opponent; attune your jutsu in such a way as to make it harder for him or her to counter them; and by constantly targeting their weaknesses – chain together multiple jutsu if your character's skill level permits it and watch with a smug face as the opponent, unused to effective utilization of jutsu as he likely is, struggles to keep his head above water.

Honestly, it's a plus if you can chain together multiple jutsu through varied means; personally I find this to be best done with a single elemental release, with this I mean that mold several start-ups of a jutsu together into one in order to effectively "fuse" all the affected spells together into one. If you do this, amuse yourself by finding out how these jutsu would be if they were fused together with one another; then do just that.

Don't
Also, don't just slap random jutsu on because they're cool; simply using them all together without thinking about what effect they'd have or how to use them in a serious battle (aka strategically) is pretty much a waste of time. Let's say you used Amaterasu, Susanoo, a Tailed Beast Ball, Izanagi, and some Wood Release techniques in quick succession in order to kill your foe ASAP. If your opponent knows what they're doing (such as N, Void, Ten, Fire, Sei, or I) then they'll have dodged it and countered it with something far more effective in a single post. The result to your character? Almost blind and pretty much drained of chakra. You'd be much better off using an ordinary technique than whoring your strongest abilities.

Don't use high-level jutsu unless it is absolutely necessary. If you don't know how to use a technique properly and how to make the most efficient use of a jutsu of that level the only thing you'll accomplish is to tire out your character and remember that using any jutsu IS tiring; a powerful one probably more so than most techniques given the way it is structured. A single Susanoo would likely consume as much energy as five Rasengan; unless you have a good plan or ridiculous amounts of energy, you simply don't waste that much energy just to look cool.

True Power
You see, in order to show a "powerful" character, it's not that they can do everything with hundreds of techs; it's not that they can no sell everything while talking their foes down about how weak their foes are and they're getting stomped. And it's sure as shit not asspull powerups. Well, I'll explain why. Power can be broken down into a formula, it is the product or end result of three factors: Strength, Synergy, and Intelligence defined below.

Strength
Strength isn't just "enhanced strength" and crap like that. It's a whole range of factors, such as physical parameters, to techniques or even intelligence and equipment. Pretty much any named technique is considered strength. There is a WIDE difference between "enhanced" and "tremendous" strength. It's actually wrong to think that having all these powerful abilities and god-esque descriptions on the character's page makes them "powerful". Basically, the deciding factor in powerful a character is definitely...

Intelligence
This characteristic is by far the most important, and this attribute makes the other two abilities more effective than they otherwise would be. This trait is not defined by the intelligence of the actual character, but by YOU, the person using your character. Therefore the overall capabilities of a character are determined by how well you understand your characters abilities, know how and when to use them, and how to use them effectively. Honestly, YOU can enhance a weak character and make them appear very powerful, through the clever use of their abilities, and tactics; meaning yes people, it's capable to have a mere Fire Release user beat a person with the Rinnegan.

On the other hand, an idiot with a powerful character can actually reduce the effectiveness of their character's abilities, making them only somewhat strong, using them at a level weaker than they otherwise would be.

Basically, the intelligence of the author basically controls the character's actual power; with an idiot like many people on the Naruto Fanon weakening their Kage-level opponent to the point that they're basically genin-level in competence, or an experienced author such as Void, Sei, Ten, N, Fire and I making a genin seemingly Kage-level in competence.

Synergy
This is one of two most important traits to creating a special jutsu or using an existing one; synergy is the product of two or more abilities used together to produce an effect that they otherwise, independently couldn't do. This is much harder to work out due to the nature of how you describe your character's strength.

Hate to do this to you, but let's use my very own Gai Nagareboshi from TBF as an example, specifically in his Koshinhō techniques. His Meikyō (明鏡,"Soul Mirror") technique can be used to create clones of light; clones that are very much the same as his own body; and they can merge together for extra power. Now, his Kokugenei (剋幻影, "Victory Phantom") technique allows him to create a sonic boom and shoot forward with a burst of speed equaling the speed of light. These, in description, may seem like they're unrelated, but think about it in practice. If Gai uses Meikyō to create some clones with his light manipulation, he'll use the clones to surround his foe from any position, and then they'll all use Kokugenei; bombarding the foe from all directions at the same time. Also, Gai could merge a couple of clones into himself and then use Kokugenei, allowing him to achieve speeds that he couldn't have before. There is synergy between the two abilities since it allows for a new use of an existing power.

This extends into the basics as well. Say you know genjutsu and you're using Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique, which requires FOURTY FOUR damn hand seals. Ever consider just dropping an illusion over your hands to make them appear to move so rapidly the eye can't follow? Even if an Uchiha's Sharingan detects it's an illusion; it's already served its purpose as a distraction by hiding your technique—from this point just doing this simple tactic will cut the impracticality of a technique by more than half.

Kekkei Genkai
Oh, Kekkei Genkai. I think I speak for us all that Kekkei Genkai are a sore point for us all due to the Naruto Fanon making tons of stupid "elements". The main problem here is the fact that users are creating KG that in many ways have little if anything to do with making sense. It's simple with all the silly non-elemental Kekkei Genkai, but if you want to create a GOOD KG, stick with an element. It's not that many people don't have great ideas, but the way the people on Naruto Fanon implement them makes their effort appear half-assed, at best and at worst that they slapped together some vague conception of powers.

If you want to create a unique Kekkei Genkai, actually do the research on the subject or element you're trying to personify on the fanon. I'll use something I'm making right now; Ruby Release. Ruby is a form of crystal, yes, but should its main powers be just crystal? No, that's why you have Crystal Release, so then how to make it unique? Look up the special properties associated with Ruby, and see what you find. It's a gem used to augment magic, specifically fire magic, but it can also be used for healing and spiritual defenses.

Nice work, five minutes spent with Google and now you have a working concept for a plausible Kekkei Genkai. Yes, it's possible to create a KG that instead empowers certain types of other Releases, that the user heavily specializes in, and guess what? You can still make it deadly by making a few offensive jutsu, and BAM would you look at that, I've just made a Kekkei Genkai which isn't pants-on-head retarded.

The experienced users ain't asking much, just put in a LITTLE effort, hell just a few minutes' worth of research, and you'll have everything you need. It will turn out to be awesome; welcomed by the community and now you're the go-to guy for anything and everything Kekkei Genkai related since you're the shit, congrats.

In Closing
Well, that's my guide to creating a successful set of abilities correctly guys; I hope you learned a bit.