DRAGON BOOSTER MARY-SUE LITMUS TEST

Based on the various other Mary-Sue tests out there. Any edit suggestions appreciated; this test is edited from time to time, and if your score varies in a way you think needs changing please tell me. :)

(One point for every ‘yes’ unless otherwise stated. If you think it's unfair that one story event penalises you for more than one question, only count the closest one or the one with the highest score, although some questions are meant to be cumulative (eg. "This? +5; And this? +10"). If you're using the test to flesh out a minor canon character, don't count their canon attributes.)

Note: Some Sues will pass this test, and some good OCs will fail. In the end, these tests are good for two things: convincing some Suethors that yes, their precious character IS a Mary-Sue, and the humour value. Out of my list of five ways by which Sueish characters are redeemable—genuine flaws, humour value, sheer secondaryness, exploring times/places/events not covered in canon, and good writing—the last would be by far the greatest, and can make up for any number of other flaws. Trouble is, good writing is a lot harder than ‘knows what the F7 button does’.

PHYSICAL:

Note: This section has been written in the knowledge of the fact that most people in Dragon City do have unusual hair/eye colours.

Physical appearance described in more than two sentences at once, or physical appearance described in particularly descriptive prose? (+6 for one, +14 for both, -3 for the latter if the entire story is written this way)
Because physical appearance is particuarly repulsive? (Take as many points as necessary to bring score down to 0 at this point. Please note that 'repulsive' does not mean 'interesting-looking scar betraying a tragic history' or 'unconventional beauty'.)
The majority of the description concerns the details of the OC's clothing (and is not told from the view of someone who especially cares whether their belt buckle is maroon or puce)? +10

Hair Colour:

Mentioned frequently?
Noticed by canon character (as attractive)?
Noticed by other OC (as attractive)?
Mentioned frequently in descriptive prose (‘tresses’, ‘cornsilk’, ‘night-dark,’ etc.)? +5.

Eye colour:

Mentioned frequently?
Noticed by canon character (as attractive)?
Noticed by other OC (as attractive)?
Sounds like it could possibly come from a jeweller’s (sapphire, crystalline, ruby, etc.)? +2
Unrealistic relative to the canon universe? +4
Changes according to mood? +5
Mentioned frequently in descriptive prose (aforementioned jewel metaphors, ‘orbs’, ‘liquid’, ‘swimming in her deep eyes’, etc.)? +5.

Height/Weight:

If the Body Mass Index (for metric system, weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared) is below 18.5, add 2 points to your score. If it is above 24.5, you may subtract 2 points, and if it is above 30 you may subtract 6. If you don’t know your character’s exact height and weight, don’t worry.
Slender or lean build? +3
Slender or lean build (ie. without much muscle) AND in a physically demanding occupation (dragon racing counts)? +6
Honestly and noticeably overweight? -5
Obese? -10

Age:

16? +2
If not sixteen, between 13 and 21 or else young-looking?
If female, a year younger than their love interest?
If male, a year older than their love interest?
Unusually mature for their young age? +8
Above 40? -5
Immortal or undead and young-looking/without disadvantage like decaying? +10

Appearance:

Is your character stunningly beautiful/handsome? +10
Is their attractive appearance noticed by a canon character who wants to become romantically involved with them? +8
By another OC? +5

ORIGINS:

Related to any canon character? +5

Related to any canon character and with the skills of that character: +10

Word Paynn or Connor Penn’s OTHER child? +10 (If ‘and’, send it to me)

Suddenly turns up on their relative's doorstep for no particular reason? +5

Would have probably been mentioned in canon if they existed? +10

Dead parents? +3

Dead friend or family member? (only counts if character angsts over it during story) +2

Abusive parents/guardians? +5

Non-human ancestry? +3

Non-human ancestry where the parental relations are potentially traumatising to imagine (eg. dragon/unicorn/human)? +5

This is not explained in the story? +10

Non-human ancestry for a species previously unknown on the Dragon Booster world? +3

The non-human ancestry grants the character superpowers? +3

And no drawbacks? +7

The character was transported from another time and/or place? +10

Transported from a television set? +20

Transported from a television set AND knows what’ll happen after seeing the show? +30

Knew what would happen in the show but can’t remember it? +20

Feels guilty about something that happened in the past that wasn’t his/her fault? +10

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES:

Hangs around with canon characters more than own friends? +3

Quickly becomes friends with canon characters? +3

Those canon characters are not known to easily trust people and make new friends (or have good reason not to want too many friends)? +10

There is a really good reason for the canon character to want their friendship? -3 or -10 (depending on which of the above were answered affirmatively)

Saves the life of or is saved by a canon character?

Is mistakenly distrusted by canon characters initially, but eventually becomes friends with them? +6

Liked by the canons you like?

Even though the canons don't like each other? +5

And your OC brings them together? +5

Instantly distrusts Word, Moordryd or Cain? +5

For no better reason than “he looked funny”? +15

Does a canon character attempt to sexually assault your character (arranged/forced marriages count)? +10

Another OC? +8

Because they were just so darn gorgeous? +20, + a gazillion more for victim-blaming

Does your character dislike the characters you dislike?

On sight? +5

For no in-story reason? +10

Do the characters you dislike suffer as a result of your character's justified actions? +5, unless the characters are Word Paynn or Armeggaddon, in which case +3

Your character is "better" than the characters you dislike in an area they value in canon, and the story firmly establishes this? +5

Fall in love with canon character? +3

Have it reciprocated? +6

Fall in love with canon character who has a canon love interest? +2, +15 if reciprocated

And that canon love interest cheated on/was abitch/was a bastard towards their significant other? +25 (unless they canonically did or are)

Sleep with canon character (if actually described in the story)? +5

End up married to him/her? +7

This all took place some time after canon, with a non-bashing reason why the character didn't end up with their canon love interest if any? -8

The OC/canon relationship development isn't a major part of the story? -4

SKILLS:

Talented dragon racer? +3

Wins one or more races? +4

Beats any Crew-leader? +6

Beats Artha Penn? +8

Beats Kitt Wann? +10

Talented jouster? +3

Wins one or more (non-racing) competitions? +4

Beats any canon character in an area the character is good at? +5

(Note: the above questions about beating a canon character only apply if the character actually competes against canon characters.)

Has the ability to beat any canon character in an area they are good at? +4 unless they are an antagonist

And chooses not to compete against them because they don't want to win too easily? +6

Has the same or similar skills as any present day canon character (gear technician or similar counts here)? +5

This character is Artha, Moordryd, Contis or Word? +10 (note: stable sweeping, general Dragon Priesting and suchlike don't count)

Has the same or similar skills (of any sort) as any present day canon character put out of action before or during the story? +6 (only counts if that's the reason why your character steps in)

Has the same or similar skills (of any sort) as any present day canon character with a similar role to your character (ie. both protagonists, both villains), and you didn't answer yes to the previous question? +10

Usurps the role of any present day character (villains included)? +5

Was designed specifically to replace that present day canon character? +5

Because you don't like that character? +10

Has the same or similar skills as any ancient canon character (ie. Armeggaddon or one of the original Boosters)? +5

Is an ancient character with a good reason to have them? -5

Is an ancient character who should probably have been recalled as existing if they were as you describe, bearing in mind big conspiracies against the truth are quite difficult to carry out across three thousand years? +10 (similar skills as Armeggaddon/the Boosters will likely count here)

Is not an ancient character? +15

Academy champion? +5

Academy student better than Chute (unless more experienced)? +8

Academy student racing in Down City? +6

Because they are a greedy cheat exploiting their unfair advantage? -6

Meant to be a typical Academy student in an Academy story? -6

Martial arts? +3

Martial Arts Of Legend? +10

Was trained in any skill by or with a canon character? +5

That character does not usually train or train with many people? +6

Has more than one separate skill they are extremely good at? (Good racer AND mag-tech specialist, talented singer AND mag-jumper, etc.) +7

Their skills are a natural result of the environment in which they grew up, and this environment is reasonably common in canon? -9 (if just the former, -3)

Their skills more or less correspond to the training they received or sought out? -2

Their skills were unlikely for someone growing up in their circumstances to attain? +7

Their skills are self-taught but still at expert level (ie. greater than what canon/probability would expect)? +9

Is the best or one of the best in the city at anything? +10 (If the ‘anything’ is housework-related or otherwise unglamorous and not glamorised, -5.)

Always has the money to do whatever s/he wants? +5

For no good reason? +10

CREW:

Is the best anything in their Crew? +5
(If the best loser, best cook, best cleaner or similar, -5)

Is a lieutenant? +5

Belongs to the Dragon Eyes, Dragon Winds, or Dragon Flares? +6

Belongs to Penn Racing? +8

Belongs to Mechanists? +3

Belongs to Keepers? +2

Belongs to Prophets? +1

Belongs to more than one? +10

Because they really wanted the extra paycheck? -4

Because they're so talented more than one Crew wanted them and don't mind that they share their time around? +10

Is a valued member of another crew? +3

We've never heard of the crew before? +5

The crew has particuarly unusual dragons or membership arrangements? +5

Is a Dragon Priest? +1

Who knows Mortis? +3

Who knows Mortis’ true identity? +5

Is in the Academy? +5, +1 if story is set in the Academy

Is in the Academy aged sixteen or less? +1 if sixteen, +4 if fifteen, +1 more for every year below that

BONE COLOUR:

Gold? +10

Grey? +5

Red, black, blue, or white? +3

More than one primary influence? +7

More than three secondary influences? +5

And just happens to be influenced by all four main colours? +5

Has influences directly complementary to their love interest? +8

A colour not mentioned in canon (eg. silver, pink)? +10

SPECIAL ABILITIES:

If your character has ANY other ability that has not been mentioned in ‘skills’, add five points to your score.

If they are an unknown booster, ten points.

If they are an unknown booster of a colour, item, or concept that has never before been mentioned in canon or included as something important, fifteen more points.

If they are a known booster who get the position instead of or in addition to Artha, Parm, Kitt or the originals, fifteen points.

If they get the blue-influenced booster position instead of or in addition to Lance or the original, five points.

If they are an unknown booster who has similar or greater powers compared to one or more existing Boosters, ten more points.

If said special ability in any way involves powers that could be compared to magic, add ten points.

If said special ability is not mystical or legendary, should logically exist, and is likely to be reasonably common in the city, take three points from your score.

If said special ability involves legendary draconium powers, add thirty points. This includes being able to manipulate a bonemark. (Unless said character is from three thousand years ago, in which case add ten points.)

If your character has any knowledge of the future, add fifteen points.

If said special ability was gained by five or more years of difficult study as an adult or otherwise was gained via a normal process of study and effort, and said special ability has negative consequences for your character, you may subtract ten points. If just the former, subtract five points. If just the latter, subtract nothing.

NAME:

Is the character named after you (includes pen name, nickname, middle name, family name, name you’d like to have, etc.) or someone close to you? +10

Is the character, for all intents and purposes, you? +20

Only with more powers/abilities/privileges? +50

Is the character, for all intents and purposes, someone you care about more so than any other characters in the story or admire? +6

Does the name have special significance to you personally? +7

Is it or is it based on the name of a divinity or other exalted personage, or is it otherwise intended to reflect the character's extraordinary qualities? +12

Is your character’s middle name or names mentioned? +2

Does your character have an unusually long name? +5

Does your character’s name fit into Dragon City? (Use your discretion here. Most names are mythological/legendary, often misspelled (Moordryd, Artha, Cain) or words (Reepyr, Khatah, Word). Good names might be: Morgaine, Merlyn, Faiye, Sythe; bad names might be: anything sounding Modern American, Cat, Hunter, Raven, Serenity or any variant of the above.) +10 if no.

Did you choose the name of your character’s dragon because you thought it sounded cooler than any canon names and/or highlighted an extraordinary quality (ie. atypical skills/inheritance)? +2

FLAWS:

(Note: this section is intended to apply to what you consider to be your character's flaws as against their characteristics. Quirks are characteristics; problems are flaws. If you want this to be really accurate, write up a list of their flaws before taking this section.)

Has a flaw that causes debilitating consequences that are the fault of the character? -8

Has flaws that lead to minor mistake-making? -5 per flaw that causes some sort of negative consequence

Has no flaws? +10

Has flaws which do not lead to any poor consequences for the character (mistakes, wrongdoing, etc)? +8

Has a fiery temper and/or an 'attitude'? +5

You describe a flaw or flaws as being too much of any virtue? (Too kind, giving, etc.) +6 if all flaws are described this way, otherwise +1

You describe a flaw or flaws with a "but" or the linguistic equivalent attached to negate them, eg "can get very angry but it's because of his keen sense of justice", "lazy although she always gets done what she needs to"? +10 if all flaws are described this way, otherwise +3

Their flaws are habits such as biting nails, twirling hair, etc.? +3

These are not written as being annoying/inconvenient to other characters/the character? +5

All their flaws are described as an inability to do something, eg 'can't dance'? +3, and these do not count as personal flaws that help create a well-rounded character

Their inability to dance/cartwheel/pat their head while stroking their stomach is never required? +5

And isn't even mentioned in the story itself? +5

Has a flaw that s/he suddenly overcomes at just the right moment to save the day? +5

Has a disability of some sort? -3

(Note: stories about disabled characters can be very interesting, especially if the author thoroughly knows their subject. The below questions only try to eliminate characters whose disabilities are used for glamorising purposes rather than showing the problems real people with these disabilities experience, and even then the disability may serve a useful function as a distinguishing trait.)

Intellectually disabled? -12

Physically disabled in manner making them appear grotesque? -7

Mute? -1, only if not glamorised as in "pure, beautiful silences" and the like

Blind? -2

Deaf? -3

Otherwise physically disabled? -5

They overcome the disability within the story? Although overcoming problems is a perfectly good idea for a story, add the points you took off for having a disability in the first place.

They overcame the disability in their backstory? Return the points you took off for the disability, and then -1.

The disability doesn't hamper them in any significant respect (eg. blind but developed Daredevil-esque other senses, deaf but with expert lip-reading skills so that it doesn't slow them down any)? Add the same number of points you subtracted for the disability.

The disability causes dependence on another, but doesn't otherwise hamper them? +2 (you should not have answered the previous question in the affirmative)

The disability is the reason why they're more amazing than characters without that disability in areas people with that disability would not be expected to excel? +2 (This question is directed at Daredevil's martial arts skills and so on, not Helen Keller.)

You don't know anyone in RL with this disability, and you have done little to no research on the subject of living with this disability? +5, and get thee the heck to a google search at the very least

ROLE:

Is the story told all or mostly from your character’s point-of-view? +10

First-person (from character’s point-of-view)? +3

Second-person (from character’s point-of-view)? +6

Does the story focus on your character? +7 (if you answered no to the point of view questions)

Does the story focus more on your character than the canon characters (where the known canons are or would likely be involved)? +8 (add points regardless of previous answers)

Does your character introduce a plot point which otherwise would not have existed? +8 (Does not count if your character is used for a plot point we already know or can easily assume exists, eg that current Academy students exist or some Sun City people dislike Down City racers)

Does a major character in the story happen to dislike, strongly disagree with on fundamental principles, or feel utterly indifferent to your character for reasons other than misunderstanding, their own error, or external circumstances causing the rift? -15

Is your character a secondary or tertiary character? -18 tertiary, -12 secondary (and, depending on how minor, not likely a Sue at all)

Is this story all about this character's introduction to the Dragon Booster world? +8

Does this story need the character to play a role none of the existing canon characters fulfil? -8 (note: new destinies, new prophecies and so on do not count; this is directed at random Academy students, physicians, bystanders and the like.)

Does your character belong to a time or place relatively unexplored by canon, and do all prominent canon characters play secondary or smaller roles? -10

Is your character honestly the antagonist/villain of the piece, and remains so for the duration of the story? -8

Did you answer yes for the previous question, but they were actually forced into it by whatever circumstances? +10

Did you answer yes, but you find them the most attractive or sympathetic character in the story? +10

Did you answer yes, but they reform at the end? +10

Does the character do things you don't intend the reader to like or approve of? -5

Does your character do something in the story you consider wrong, twisted and/or utterly inappropriate? -10

To what extent do you consider their actions justified? +10--completely justified, the villain of the piece was going to destroy the city and kill their pet kitten if they didn't; +0--they made a bad choice with full awareness and intent; pick the most appropriate score between 0 and 10 to add back.

Do you think a reader who dislikes your character is likely to dislike the story? +6 if yes, -4 if no (be honest here!)

MORALITY:

Does your character work at any point (indirectly or directly) for Word Paynn or Armeggaddon? (Being a Dragon Eye crew member counts here.) +1

If yes:
Do you think their employer's actions are overall justified and that Artha and friends are essentially wrong? +5
Does your character know Word’s/Armeggaddon's true goals? If no, add three unless it is because your character is stupid.
Does your character do it just to support their family or themselves, and wouldn’t do it otherwise? +5
Did Word/Armeggaddon specially recruit your character? +5
Using unconventional methods that would more likely turn a normal person against them? +5
Because he just couldn't live without them on their side? +10

If no:
Does your character think the Dragon Booster is right and Word Paynn is wrong? +3
With hardly any evidence? +8
Because they are stupid? -8
Do you agree with your character? +3
Disagree? -3

SCORING:

Below 25: Congratulations, chances are it isn’t a Mary-Sue.
25-45: A bit iffy here. Ask for a second opinion if you're not confident.
Above 45: Heading into Sue-territory. If it's parody, you're set, but otherwise you might want to change some things...
Above 200: Send me a copy, please.

The Dragon Test

This one came out a bit shorter; again, the score may not be an accurate indicator of Sueism. Please also note that the smaller the role the dragon plays in the story, the less likely it is they're a Sue.

Is the dragon of a colour/breed not mentioned in canon (pink, silver, purple with yellow polkadots, etc)? +8

This breed has superpowers of some sort? +5

Matching the Dragon of Legend and/or is a legendary breed in its own right? +5

The non-canon breed has (actual) weaknesses that negatively affect it during the story and a reason why it hasn't been mentioned in canon? -5

Is this breed redundant in some respect (eg is 'crimson' but its abilities as described could be duplicated/exceeded by red or orange)? +2

Is the dragon some sort of blend (red/white, blue/purple/orange, etc)? +2

With abilities from all the colours present? +5 for two colours, +5 for every additional colour

And none of any possible accompanying weaknesses? +5

And some accompanying weaknesses? -3 for every (true) weakness (trivial ones or false ones such as 'appetite for danger and saving others' do NOT count)

Is the dragon gold or partly gold? +5

And is not: the Dragon of Legend, from thousands of years ago, from after the Dragon Booster returned all dragons to gold, otherwise canon? +15

Are the dragon and their rider perfectly matched in at least one respect (personality, appearance, abilities, etc)? +2

Is this commented on in the story (by author, by character etc)? +3

More than once (in a non-novel length piece)? +5

Frequently? +5

Does the dragon have powers uncommon for their breed (eg can read and control human minds though is not orange)? +5

Does the dragon gain special powers in the story by means other than their own efforts? +5 (bonemarks count)

Are the dragon's abilties high (+3) or exceptional (+7) for their breed (and depending on whether they're street-class or Elite-class)?

Is the dragon slender and graceful? +5

Yet also extremely strong and powerful? +8 (Just plain extremely strong and powerful: +5)

Just like their rider? +5

Is the dragon older than they appear (ie has strength and abilities equivalent to or exceeding the teenage/young adult dragons we see in canon but is in fact much older)? +8

Is the dragon from three thousand years ago? +2

Is the dragon from three thousand years ago, powerful, and has never been mentioned in canon? +8

Is the dragon from three thousand years ago and survived until present day? +5

Not in a bone mark? +15

Is the dragon a member of dragon royalty or some other dragon upper class? +10

Of which there are no hints concerning in canon? +15

Is the dragon an Elite class dragon? +2

Is the dragon an Elite class dragon wandering Down City? +6

For no good reason? +5

Does the dragon have an angsty past? (+10 -- beaten, used, heavily maltreated, bred to be killed, +0 -- once, their rider gave them their feed five minutes late; pick a score in between.)

Does the dragon have some sort of disability? Same questions as for human characters above apply.

Was the dragon especially bred/created for its special abilities? +8

Does the dragon have abilities no other dragon is shown to possess in canon? +4 per ability

Was the dragon's name chosen to reflect either yourself or a mythological/legendary concept or figure that represents the dragon's amazing abilities? +15 for the former, +5 for the latter

Does the dragon choose their rider (and is not: the Dragon of Legend, a Prophet, other canonically existing dragon which might have this choice)? +15

Is the dragon related to a canonically existing dragon (parents/ancestors don't count in this one)? +5

And has more powers than their relative (counts even if parent/ancestor, unless there is a solid canon reason why)? +10

Is the dragon a canonically existing breed with abilities normal for a dragon of this sort and also has a normal relationship with their rider? -7, is probably not a Sue

Did their rider fail the Mary-Sue test above? +2, likely a Sue if their rider is

Is the dragon a monster/enemy to the main characters and remains so for the duration of the story? -10 (and as long as plausible, gets a free pass from this test)

Is the dragon from three thousand years ago and remains in that time period for the duration of the story? -3

Is the dragon canon or possible canon from three thousand years ago and remains reasonably similar to what we know about canon? -7

Is the dragon from three thousand years ago and has powers 'normal' enough for a dragon of that age (ie. not exceeding those of the Dragon o' Legend, not exceeding Furox, etc)? -10

Is the story set in the Academy where they're no more or less special and talented than any other dragon there? -5

Scoring:

Under 10: Congrats, probably not a Sue
10-25: Might still escape Sueism, but ask for others' opinions
Over 25: So what's your good reason for not killing it?