The Overlooked position of Sidekick (An opinion)

Saywihee · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 389 Location: USA - IL

Before anyone posts anything about it. I would like to dispel this right now.

I know already: RP as Though Wilt. But I would like to state an opinion. Which I'm entitled to.

Now then, back to the topic.

There are a lot of people these days that want to play the Hero. And you know, sometimes, playing the Hero is great and grand.

Then there are others who want to be the villain, and that's also good. It's hard to do plots without a proper antagonist.

But.. what about your sidekicks?

And to be frank, what's wrong with being a sidekick?

Sidekicks are important part of many stories. The Sidekick adds a little bit of flavor in the relation ship of hero/heroine and said sidekick. They also get to suffer less... or MORE than the hero.

Not to mention. The Sidekick's point of view is, in many cases, the most important point of view of the story (Sherlock Holmes and Watson is a good example of this).

Personally, I like playing sidekicks over heroes. Because you get the advantage of not having all the decisions weigh on your character. And you can add to the story.

Granted, there are examples of BAD sidekicks (Navi from Zelda: Ocarina of time.. >.<) But still, a good sidekick is great.

What about your opinions? In a hero/Villain situation, who would you rather be? What is your opinion on playing the assistant? Do you have some good RP examples?
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CountVladDracula · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 8020 Location: USA - NY

Sidekicks are great, when I play in The Dresden files role playing game I usually prefer to play Thomas Raith or Bob as opposed to Harry Dresden himself. Sometimes I think I like Thomas more than Harry.

And there are some characters I simply won't play unless the person who plays my sidekick is on.

Though I can and do play Dracula solo I won't go into my Castle Dracula anymore without Renfield at my side because the person who plays Renfield knows how to get rid of the love sick romantic role players who tend to swamp me. Often we work so well in tandem that we've been asked if I'm actually somehow both playing on two different computers or something.

And where would Sherlock Holmes be without Watson? Batman without Robin? Or Bo in Lost Girl without Kenzi? And where would Buffy The Vampire Slayer be without her Scoooby gang? ("What if Buffy can't defeat it?" "Beady eyes is right, we're needed!" - Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical, Once more with feeling).
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CountVladDracula · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 8020 Location: USA - NY

Saywihee · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 389 Location: USA - IL

A lot of my favorite characters were not the hero.

I think one that sticks out to me in particular (as sort of a younger self favorite) Were Timon and Pumba from the Lion King. Sure, they didn't exactly give Simba the Life lesson that was necessary to rise to the throne, but they were responsible for helping him when he was young, and in many ways were sort of foster parents to him. And even when he decided to go back, they stuck by him to the very end. Talk about best friends. I LOVED those two.
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CountVladDracula · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 8020 Location: USA - NY

Even the malicious historical figure Ceazare Borgia was practically nothing without Michelleto.

When I watched The Dresden Files the TV series I was a LOT more interested in Bob than in Harry. Sometimes the sidekicks are more interesting than the hero.

Alfred in Batman is another under-rated sidekick.
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Yes, I know I'm a little batty! Thank you for noticing.

CountVladDracula · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 8020 Location: USA - NY

Heroes aren't the only ones with sidekicks. In the Dracula novel and in the Dracula comedies like Love at first bite there's always Renfield (even on the Emo Vampire Video). And in Van Helsing there are The Brides.

In Fred Saberhagen's Dracula books, where Dracula is sort of the hero, there's the human detective Joe, who we meet in Old Friend of the Family, and Connie, who first appears in Matter of Taste, the slightly hyper and incompetent gypsy vampire. In Hellsing Dracula (under the name Alucard) had Siras Victoria AKA "Police Girl."

Scar in Lion King had the trio Hyenas. Baron Greenback in Danger Mouse had Stiletto.

Dr. Frankenstein's son had the treacherous and iconic Igor.

The minion in Despicable Me.

Harmony with Spike in Buffy The vampire Slayer (Though Spike himself became a sidekick to Buffy later).
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Yes, I know I'm a little batty! Thank you for noticing.

GibbertjeDeWolf · Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Posts: 431 Location: USA - NY

Saywihee · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 389 Location: USA - IL

I loved Gabrielle! Though a tiny part of me liked her and Jockster more than her and Xena.. but I like Gabby/Xena too.

And for Villain examples, what about Harley and the Joker in Batman?
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GibbertjeDeWolf · Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Posts: 431 Location: USA - NY

Saywihee · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 389 Location: USA - IL

When it came to Harley and Ivy, there's was less a Villain/Minion roll rather than an Equal Duo of Villanry. Harley is great on her own too, but with the Joker, she is DEFINITELY the Minion.
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END DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NON-VIP MEMBERS! I spent money on IMVU too! and I have just as much right to create as they do!

Roleplay is about Balance Giving a little, getting a little, so that everyone can enjoy it

CountVladDracula · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 8020 Location: USA - NY

GibbertjeDeWolf · Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Posts: 431 Location: USA - NY

Saywihee · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 389 Location: USA - IL

Another good one from the same Universe. Lex Luthor and Mercy.
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END DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NON-VIP MEMBERS! I spent money on IMVU too! and I have just as much right to create as they do!

Roleplay is about Balance Giving a little, getting a little, so that everyone can enjoy it

CountVladDracula · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 8020 Location: USA - NY