Squishy and beautifully plump is exactly the right description of Quibbel. His colouring is a nice green, and his tentacles as flexible as they’re strong. You might not be too sure if the creature in front of you is actually a Squid or a Mushroom. But is this important?
Though, it is important you’re having fun!
Just a bit of fun
You shouldn’t stay serious all the time. Even duelling you can allow yourself to be creative. Why not try to use cartoon logic?
There is no place to hide? No problem! Quibble can use Tunneltraum (‘dream tunnel’) to draw a hole on the floor, so he can hide inside to avoid Clapbats Gust of Wind.
Flamey is throwing a huge fireball? Quibbel can eat it without any issue. He can even strengthen himself with it. Now he is prepared for a counterattack!
Sir René is attacking Quibbel without prior warning and headbutts him? There is only one answer: Pull a hammer out of thin air – literally! – and hit him. The victory is yours!
Show details
Translation:Top Row:
Cartoon-Hammer Grabs a hidden hammer with tentacles and hits; Cartoon
Dream Tunnel Draws a tunnel on the floor and hides inside; Cartoon
Grab and Snack Uses tentacle to catch enemy attacks, eats them to strengthen itself
Bottom Row:
Rock Throw Fun cartoonish rock throw that flattens the enemy for a bit
Bowling Alley Splits itself in three spheres, overruns enemies as if they were bowling pins
Is more always better?
Promptables isn’t designed around strength as singular measurement for the efficiency of an ability. Just adding violence or writing about how strong an ability is, does not guarantee you the victory. Creativity might be the better angle. Especially cartoon logic!
Additionally, it is a fun way to get away with abilities deemed too strong or too illogical by the ai referee. If it works in Cartoons, it should be fine!
Does it work with every Promptable?
Even for abilities based off cartoon logic, the specialities of the different Promptables stay important. The AI referee might complain if you try to make Quibbel eat an enemy attack without reference to his specific features, like using his tendrils.
Quibbel might not be the best choice for throwing rocks. His body is just too soft and amphibious. But it works perfectly fine for Orebite, a rock based Promptable. If the enemy gets flattened for only a short time, the ability can’t be too strong!
However, it doesn’t work to justify everything with using obvious statements like “as if it were a Cartoon”. Instead, it might work better if you integrate the (absurd) consequences of an ability within its description.
The idea of cartoon logic does indeed work for every Promptable.
Mini Challenge
Try to write an ability that will get declined by the AI Referee. It should be too strong or too illogical. Read the reason for the rejection carefully.
How can you change the ability without weakening it?
What do you want the ability to do? Can you describe the effect in a way to make it seem more absurd, or by deliberately exaggerating it in a way that’s clearly intentional? Can you change the atmosphere of the ability?
Maybe a good reason to rewatch an old Cartoon to gather more inspiration!
Concluding remarks
It’s important to leave some room for fun. Do you have any Promptables with fun abilities? How did it work out in duels?
And did it make a difference what abilities your opponent uses and which scenarios you fought in?
I’m looking forward to hearing your stories!