Hey guys, so having done a blog about Fusion Forms, I decided I should do a blog about using the wider spectrum of Alternate Forms.
Definition[]
Firstly, let's define what an alternate form is...no serious, because for there are different types of alternate forms. You have Type Changes, you have Battle Forms, you have Upgrades, you have Final/Ultimate Forms and Version Ups, and those need to be differentiated if you want to use them properly.
Firstly, let's start with the basic definition and go from there. An alternate mode, is just that, an alternate form to a user's 'default mode' that they can change into during battle. The 'default mode' is best understood as the natural state a hero is in when they first transform. They thus have change into any 'alternate mode' they have at the ready. Now with that out of the way, because I've learned that assuming everyone reading your work has the power of common sense, is not always the best (cries for his dying faith in humanity) let us get to the meat of the topic.
- Type Change - Simply put, the Ultra changes their 'type'. Said user is typically a multi colored Ultra naturally, but they can shift into another type and take on the characteristics associated with it. This is color based, generally they have three main forms, their default form, their red strength form and their speed and/or ESP based blue form. Type Change is generally presented as a natural ability at the start and is seen less as traditional form change (even though it's the prototype of the idea in the Ultra Series) and more as an Ultra adapting their body to better suit combat conditions.
- Battle Form - An alternate mode, whose purpose is specifically to increase the combat effectiveness of the user. For example Cosmos' Corona mode, where he turns mostly red. Nexus' Junis mode is also similar to this, and it basically is, but with an added twist. Like Type Change they are often there at the start.
- Upgrade Forms - Basically Battle Forms, but instead of having them at the start they are earned during the story, as a sign of the character's progression.
- Final/Ultimate Mode - As the name suggests this is the Ultimate form an Ultra attains (or should, 'glares at Shining Zero and Zero Beyond') and noted by their Super Ultra levels of power. The presence of this makes your character overpowered (which any good writer actively avoids) unles they've earned it, making it reward for their efforts. That said not every characters needs one.
- Version Up - Coming from Gaia, this is when an Ultra...is upgraded. Their default mode is permanently changed and they get a power increase, and possibly more abilities.
Does your Alternate Mode Fit?[]
The first and most important part of how to use alternate mode is to decide...does your story need them, any of them, any form of them? If not, putting them in is probably not the best idea. Don't get me wrong, an Alternate Mode can help indivisualize your character, but the gimmicky or spectacular, the more they overshadow your character them self.
Let take an example from my own body of work, Orion. One of the more respected pieces of fiction here during it's time, Orion's alternate mode all reflect the story and his character. In a way, his red form, Berserk Mode, represents his past, which he clearly takes issue with, as shown by the fact THAT HE HAD LONG BEFORE HE CAME TO EARTH! (Don't ask me why I'm shouting, it's night time when I'm writing this) Yet, it was only later on during the story that he started using it, signifying that he at least acknowledges his past. His Blue form, which literally comes at the end of the story, represents him having some sort of peace and Zen, his ultimate form, represents him getting over his issues.
On the other hand, we have Flare...he has no alternate forms. Yes, you can say he has a form of Version Up, but again, that's just it, his default form keeps getting upgrade as he grows, and matures. Flare doesn't and probably won't get a full blown alternate mode, because it doesn't fit in his story. This is also more than just not have 'themes' to put with each Alt Mode, as an entity, Flare and Orion and ultimately two different things. By Lore, Orion is a being whose body adapts and evolves, while Flare is a demigod, clawing his way back to his divinity.
This is also part of the issue with OrbGeed/ Fusion Forms, they are often added not because they would better serve the story/character, but just to be 'cool'.
Now this it not to say you cannot add an alternate form or two if you want, but do realize, adding untold numbers of them...is ridiculous, especially without proper in-story context. It's especially worse if you give an Ultra an ultimate form, just cause, and no context, no restraints, or even a sense that they have earned it.
Moderation[]
So, moving past the thematic reasons for an alternate form, what else? Well, is it excessive? You may wonder why that matters, but excessiveness can ruin a good alternate mode, bad execution with a good idea.
Even without the bad idea of comparing your Ultra to another, a form with absurd stats...is hard to take seriously. In terms of base brute strength, for the average Ultra warrior, the lower limits is generally around 100,000 tons, and upwards of 200,000 tons. Super Ultra maybe 3~400,000 tons, but putting seven million tons...is now just stupidly overboard.
It is the same with other stats, speed, jumping, etc. The lest restraint you have when making these stats, the less seriously people can take them, and frankly...it may go into parody territory. Now that may not seem bad, but do realize that parodies don't really need meticulously pointed out stats. Ergo, you have excessiveness taking your character into a realm, where said stats are redundant.
Final Thoughts[]
Look have fun when you make your character, no one can, or should take that away from you, but...put some thought into your characters, because I assure you, at least here, we will probably be thinking about how little or how much you did.