Power scaling is the practice of comparing and ranking the physical strength, speed, durability, and abilities of fictional characters. The goal is to figure out their maximum speed, strength, and other abilities, usually by using science and math.
For example, in The Boys TV show, we know MM said Homelander can lift a dozen Mack trucks, which means, using math, we know he can lift at least 552 tons. He also moved faster than a C4 explosion in Season 1, so he can move at Mach 24.
In Season 5, A-Train’s top speed was Mach 195 when he was running away from Homelander, and Homelander was catching up with him. So, we know Homelander’s top speed is at least Mach 195, too.
When it comes to durability, that can also be scaled because there are different levels of durability. For example, Luke Cage might be bulletproof, but he’s not completely invincible, and his internal organs can still be damaged. Captain Man, on the other hand, can swallow the core of a nuclear missile and survive.
So, what’s your opinion on power scaling?
Me personally, I like it, but I mainly like it because you can take a character with multiple powers and, depending on how you scale them, they can still be street-level if you want.
However, if you’re going to use power scaling, you need to be consistent with it. If someone can only lift 500 tons, then they shouldn’t suddenly be lifting a massive iceberg. If they can only run at Mach 100, then they shouldn’t suddenly be running at the speed of light.
It makes sense in a video game or a fantasy story, but in real life people grow weaker over time. I’ve never really seen that exemplified in fiction, kind of like how in fiction nobody needs to go to the bathroom.
For the competent writer, its a useful way to introduce higher and higher stakes. You can even subvert the power scaling by having the protagonist defeat the more powerful foe through intellect or technique (Dragon Ball Z did this a lot).
However, if the writer isn’t careful, the power scaling starts to lose meaning as the protagonist and his foes reach unimaginable heights of power.
TLDR: powerscaling is fine as a trope; it depends on how it is used.
Hahaha I thought you were talking about actual power scaling in electronics and amplification. But, no, you’re not.
In the 80s, some of the kids at school played with and traded Top Trumps cards. Kinda the same thing. If you enjoy it and it harms nobody, do what you like.
