: Re: How to make side-characters look competent next to the chosen one? I'm writing a storyline for a game where the forces of evil have humanity cornered. Truly everything seems lost, that is, until

@Pierce369

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Until now, Bob had one way to solve problems: Stumble into them and then punch them until they fall. It works for the monsters he has encountered, because they were minor monsters. Too powerful for humans, too weak for him.

However, recently the big bad has decided to send stronger monsters out. The monsters are armored and smart enough to set traps. Bob can still defeat them, but his hands hurt after punching their thick armor and they injure him as well when they surprise him. Not a lot, just a scratch here and there. Bob tried to wield a sword or axe, but he ended up hitting himself with it. That wasn't fun.

Dave recognizes Bobs weaknesses. He sees that Bob doesn't even recognize obvious ambushes and is too clumsy to wield a weapon, so he decides to train him. Of course in a straight up fight he wouldn't win against the raw strength of Bob, but he can still teach him finesse. You don't have to be stronger or smarter to teach someone, as long as you have more knowledge and experience.

Examples (in prose, not in videogame form):
Bob and Dave are walking around in the forest when Dave stops, a concerned look on his face. Bob looks around confused, seeing nothing.
"Do you hear the birds?" Dave asks.
Bob shrugs. "What birds? I don't hear anything."
Dave smirks. "Exactly. Now look at that bush over there."
"It's a bush. There are many around here. Plenty for you to beat around, for that matter."
"Stay patient, Bob. I'm getting to the point. Look closer. You see that broken branch? And the footprint?"
Bob shrugs again. "Plenty of animals in a forest."
"Not with that footprint."
"Ambush?"
"Ambush."
They draw their weapons and charge the bush, surprising the hidden monster.

"Now hit the target dummy, Bob," Dave said.
Bob raised his sword and slashed down on the dummy, but only hit the ground next to it.
Dave rolled his eyes. "Remember what I told you about your stance? Keep your feet on the ground. Try again."
Bob adjusted his stance and tried again, this time hitting the shoulder of the dummy.
"That's better, Bob. Let's try it a few more times."

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