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CacackleLasson

Either can be good if they are well written. Do what you like better and make sure that you have a consistent and logical character. I think a character needs to have a strong design, but they do not need to be physically strong.

Also, your plot should line up with how they are built. A story about fighting with a weak MC might be boring. However, a story about a weak MC that is a medic, journalist, genius, or something like that might be interesting. Think of it like a video game. If you are a healer, don’t try to do damage! If you are a damage dealing character, don’t try to heal! Make them make logical decisions.

@CacackleLasson #415856 in my opinion op MC has nothing to do with it, but the MC personality, history and interaction of characters has a lot to do with it.

CacackleLasson

CacackleLasson I like a relatable mc but if it's too relatedable it'll be a boring story. Shrugzies

CacackleLasson I think readers don't hate flawed MC but the character who has no development. You can ignore such comments if you have just started the novel since it takes time to do the character development. However, you have written more than hundred chapters and the MC has no development and doesn't learn from their mistakes is kinda boring I say. I am not saying as an author but as a reader. Weak MC is fine, no one is strong, however character development is important. And if you have negative comments, not spams but the actual comments which says that MC is too weak or something little descriptive, try to fix them if this does not mess with your plotline. Trust me, sometimes negative comments can save your story and can give you brilliant ideas. Some comments are not just negative but critical. So try to think about such comments as well and if you think what you are writing is right, then you don't need to change anything since it's your book. You choose what to write, but just try to understand some comments as well.

CacackleLasson It depends on how they are portrayed. If they're flawed without purpose, they might come across as inconsistent and without growth.

The way to keep them developing is having them work towards a goal they're passionate to achieve.

Consistency and character development are more important than OP vs weak... which rarely means much because plot usually dictates what happens to a character, not the other way around. (And being OP doesn't mean a character isn't flawed.)

I never understood labeling every male lead who doesn't have physical relations with nearly every female entity a beta. What kind of Freudian mentality is that?
In my opinion, a Gary Stu is terrible, but some people want to escape reality through the eyes of your characters, and... that is predominantly what sells here... But most will agree that a flawed character is an interesting character, which makes for good writing. So ask yourself: Who are you writing for? Why do you write?
Then look at your reviews. Is it descriptive, constructive feedback or is it a genre hater? Are they why you write?
Maybe leave an author's note at the end of the latest chapter to ask for feedback in the comments. Anyone who has read that far is hooked for some reason or another and a couple should be able to articulate some feedback.

I always like a good OP MC. Unless it’s very badly written, I usually enjoy them. That doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a flawed MC. That leaves room for improvement and character development. As long as they don’t stay trash, it’ll be good. I’m not so good with drama though and as if their flaws aren’t extremely glaring, I would enjoy it. I never like stupid MCs though.

Just providing another viewpoint.

Depends on what you mean by weak. I have no problem with an MC who lacks strength and struggles to get stronger, it's more interesting than a Gary Stu who instantly crushes everything in front of him, but I am not a fan of whiny or cowardly MCs unless they grow out of it.

Flawed characters are not an issue if there's character growth planned. I don't like anti-heros permanently flawed, especially if I can't relate to these flaws (an addict, a very stupid MC, a dense MC that has no awareness/desire for the opposite sex ect..)

The only flaws I can't deal with at all are author flaws: Basically when a character do very stupid things he/she shouldn't do under the premise that he/she is supposed to be smart. It's bad writing. When many readers can spot obvious mistakes like that there's an issue.

If a character acts out of character (for example a shy guy that suddenly acts bold, or a bad guy suddenly being nice, an aloof cold virgin girl falling in love with the MC at first sight (almost every harem) ect.. ), it's bad writing too.

Now, I think every author even the best writers do mistakes like this once in a while. As long as they're able to take the criticisms to improve it's fine. After all, all the original novels here are first draft.

Arkinslize

Had this recently happen to myself. Had a reader comment about dropping my book because they felt he was being too much of a cuck, when in fact the situation I wrote him into forced him to compromise. My failure in that instance was not clearly defining the situation, though to myself I think the setup that a gang of thugs has the mc's friends and loved ones under sword and outnumbered him like ten to one pretty much implies a smart mc shouldn't risk their lives.

What I didn't write was the massive physical difference between the races involved, my mc is a kobold, a special one to be sure but at that point of my book that specialty makes him about as strong as a normal human. His foes at the time were big beefy orcs. I often take for granted that my reader base is more knowledgeable than they probably are in D&D racial hierarchies and stereotypes.

Avidfan :( that seems sad and its kinda discouraging to write a good character now adays, no wonder most isekai protagonists are very forgettable.

CacackleLasson

Yes:( Somehow japanese like MCs are looked down upon while Dragonball MCs are look up upon.

It is very difficult to write a MC with personality and personality will mean having a weakness or quirky traits.

Many of the readers have a 8 year old mentality and trying to escape from reality.

CacackleLasson no. that makes them humane! Too perfect MC is not exist . too good to be true and unrealistic.

Kinda, but if the MC's flaws are justified then I think having him that way is justifiable.

I like a relatable MC. But I hate books with short chapters or way too many.