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Author: Cider

Aug 1st 2012 at 8:30:16 AM

Technically, I don't like the title, as the description goes on to point out, you're not really omnipotent if someone else is. But it is also way too narrow in its application, since TropesAreFlexible. Why does it have to strictly be about one All Powerful Character getting eclipsed by another? That's simply AlwaysSomeoneBetter, but more specific. We haven't tolerated TheSameButMoreSpecific in the past so why start now?

More broad, would just be a type of limit on a character who would otherwise ''be'' omnipotent. For example in Gnosticism, why is there bad when there is an all powerful, all knowing, all present God of goodness? Because he/she is busy holding the leash of an equally powerful, vast but [[DumbMuscle stupid]] force called the Demiurge.

An example from fiction, rather than philosophy/religion, the Chousin from Tenchi Muyo can obliterate, shape and remake the multiverse to her liking. What's stopping her from doing whatever she wants to do? Two sisters with the exact same abilities. Things are the way they are because that's what they settled on. Another would be the Living Tribunal from Marvel comics. Why can't he do whatever he wants? Because he has three heads and they rarely agree on anything.

Now true, in Tenchi the main character ends up surpassing all three Chousin, because he's a MarySue, and in Marvel it is implied there is One Above All who gives tribunal his marching orders but again, that in itself is just AlwaysABiggerFish or AlwaysSomeoneBetter. If you include say, the Great Evil Beast from DC comics, the Anti-God from ''PrinceOfDarkness'' or the Demiurge who predates them both, you've got a kind of more distinct trope. Neither proves more powerful than the God, the presence, or whatever the stand in is but does kind of explain why things aren't always to God's liking.

The trope title would be simple enough too. TwoCantBeOmnipotent.

*Type 1:The supposed omnipotent has an equal to balance it.
*Type 2:The supposed omnipotent is weaker than a stronger force or creature.