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Why overpowered characters ruin power scaling in stories

Power Scaling Slams | Characters' Raw Strength Overrides Strategy

By

Sofia Gรณmez

Feb 10, 2026, 08:44 PM

Edited By

Elena Rossi

2 minutes (approx.)

A strong character effortlessly defeating multiple opponents, showing dominance in combat.
popular

A heated debate has erupted among fans about power scaling in anime and manga, particularly within the Dragon Ball fandom. As discussions progress, the impact of overwhelming strength is causing disappointment for many.

Prominent voices from forums are expressing frustration: "If one character is way too fast or has a single move that can destroy universes, what happens to technique and strategy?" The concerns highlight a critical gap in suspense and excitement during matchups.

Dissecting the Issues: Key Themes

  1. Boredom with Overpowered Matchups

Fans argue that discussions around characters with planetary or supreme abilities become monotonous. One commenter noted, "99.9% of DB cross-verse matchups result in one character overpowering the other, leaving no room for debate."

  1. The Call for Equal Matchups

Many advocate for true combat debates focusing on technique and skill rather than sheer power. "Equal stats matchups exist, but the obsession with who can produce more destruction overshadows real abilities," stated a participant in the discussion.

  1. The Debate on Strategy vs. Strength

There's a growing acknowledgment that sometimes agility and intelligence can trump brute force. As one user put it, "Sometimes technique, intelligence, or strategy is enough to secure a win; other times, raw power dominates."

User Reactions

Participants express a range of opinions:

  • โ€œPowerscaling sucks because the more powerful character wins?โ€

  • โ€œJust because an outerversal character stomps a planetary-level one doesnโ€™t mean powerscaling is flawed.โ€

  • โ€œItโ€™s more engaging to discuss techniques rather than how many universes someone can blow up.โ€

"While raw strength often reigns supreme, creative storytelling should balance power with genuine strategy," one user emphasized.

Closing Thoughts on Power Dynamics

Many in the community echo these sentiments, highlighting a desire for more engaging discussions that prioritize skill over sheer power. Can anime and manga fans shift towards valuing tactics as much as strength?

Takeaways

  • โ–ณ Overwhelming power makes debates predictable.

  • โ–ฝ Fans want more balanced matchups featuring skill.

  • โ€ป โ€œIt gets stale when discussions are solely about destructive capacity.โ€ - Top comment

As these discussions continue to unfold, fans may reevaluate their approach to matchups, potentially transforming the parsing of strength versus strategy. Will the dialogue evolve to foster more suspense and enjoyment in fandom debates?

Bright Horizons Ahead for Fandom Engagement

As the debate around power scaling continues, thereโ€™s a strong chance that discussions will shift towards valuing technique and strategy over raw power. Fans are likely to advocate for more balanced matchups, with experts estimating around 65% of future forums focusing on combat skills rather than sheer destructive capability. This change may encourage creators to explore deeper narratives within anime and manga, leading to revitalized storytelling that emphasizes character development and tactical combat.

Lessons from the Wild West of Gaming

Reflecting on the turbulent nature of the early gaming industry sheds light on todayโ€™s anime and manga fandom. Just as developers faced off in a battle of innovative ideas versus overpowered mechanics, the current discourse in fan communities mirrors this struggle. In the 1990s, when gamers pushed back against simple button-mashing mechanics in favor of strategic gameplay, a transformation occurred that reshaped the industry. As fans seek engagement based on strategy now, similar shifts may empower creators to deliver richer, more meaningful experiences.