History Main / OriginalCharacterBattleTournament

An [[OriginalCharacter original character]] battle/tournament. Also commonly known as an OCT, this refers to any sort of competition where artists come together for a bit a good-natured competition that pits one artist's original character against others, tournament style in either an IntercontinuityCrossover or {{Elseworld}}. This is mostly done through comics, but tournaments have been known to include animation and literature (including some literature-specific tournaments). Usually has some sort of audition process to pick participants.

Tournaments range from completely obscure to high-stakes popularity mills and all the drama that comes with it and everything in between. These are extremely popular on DeviantArt - most of them draw their talent and audience and even are hosted on there, so there you go.

How these characters actually ''fight'' each other can vary from contest to contest. Sometimes they depict their characters in an out and out brawl (hence the "battle" part of the name). Other times there's a plotline and it's all about who has the most compelling overarching story. Occasionally, it can be both. In any case, the entries for each round are given to a judge or panel of judges to choose which is better. The winner continues on and their entry becomes official {{canon}}; the loser gets knocked out. Occasionally, the contest-runners also allow some sort of non-judged ''side entry'' (aka an SE) that can be used as BonusMaterial. The overall winner typically gets some sort of prize - commissions from an artist, DeviantArt subscriptions, fame, fortune, power, etc.

A variation is the '''League''' format, which keeps the entries and judging part and does away with the tournament structure.

Please note that on DeviantArt and in the OCBT scene, an OriginalCharacter refers to a character that is PURELY original. Fan characters are usually not allowed.

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!!Some tropes common in OCBTs include:

* ArtShift - between different artists interpretation of the characters.
* BonusMaterial - Usually in the form of Spectator or Special Entries that occur outside of the rounds.
* DependingOnTheArtist - see ArtShift.
* DisContinuity - Although some eliminated artists try to finish their story or work their character into the overall tournament plot, many just let the story drop as soon as they lose.
* ScheduleSlip - Though rounds have a set deadline, most tournament managers don't mind giving a little extra time when competitors run behind.
* SturgeonsLaw - YourMileageMayVary, but in a few different ways.
** First, the popularity and hype that precede some OCBTs end up with lots of subpar auditions full of [[{{MarySue}} mary sues]] and generally weaker art.
** Second, the popularity and hype of some OCBTs has lead to a glut of would-be tournament runners to base theirs on the same tried-and-true premise. Seriously, half the tournaments out there have your character transported [[{{LawOfTalos}} to a strange and possibly supernatural realm where you fight each other to win some sort of wish.]]
* StoryArc - Each OCBT either has one to start out or develops one during its run with rare exceptions.
* TournamentArc - Many of them are actual tournament settings.
* UltimateShowdownOfUltimateDestiny - Many OCBTs fall into this, especially if its more of an IntercontinuityCrossover rather than a {{Elseworld}}.
* UnnecessaryRoughness - It's not uncommon for a friendly round of competition to end with a horrific death.


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!!Some examples of OCBTs include:

[[index]]
* [[{{Artists At the Ready}} Artists At the Ready/The Real]]
* {{Break}}
* {{BloodOCT}}
* {{Burning Avalon}}
* [[{{CivilWarOCT}} Civil War]]
* {{The Colosseum}}
* {{Corrupted Core}}
* [[{{TheCureOCT}} The Cure]]
* {{Desire The Writing OCT}}
* DeviantDead
* {{Ebon Spire}}
* {{Endzone}}
* {{Entervoid}}
* {{Escape from Nevara}}
* {{TheExchange}}
* {{TheGrandBattle}}
* {{Henshin Scramble}}
* {{Infractious Fatality}}
* {{Inter-Dimensional Derby}}
* {{Law of Talos}}
* {{ManlyMens}}
* {{Masque}}
* {{Oberons Garden}}
* [[{{OneTruePairingOCT}} One True Pairing]]
* {{Original Character Battle Zone}}
* {{Project Minotaur}}
* {{Rise}}
* {{Rogue Skies}}
* {{Samurai Duelers League}}
* {{Sanguine}}
* {{Sovereign City}}
* {{Survivor Deviantart}}
* {{Swirly}}
* {{WorkingMansOCT}}
* {{Yeah Swing It}}
[[/index]]

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