When Does Plot Induced Stupidity become Character Induced Stupidity?

[Enterprise E]

All throughout comics, and other fictional mediums but especially comics, we've seen heroes have trouble against certain villains simply because they conveniently forget that they have a power that would allow them to end a fight in an instant or that is a hard counter to said villain and/or only remember it at the end of the fight when they're already on the ropes. However, I do know that this happens so that the story lasts more than one page or, in some cases, one panel, so it's clear that this is due to plot. However, this tends to happen a lot, especially with long-running heroes, especially in comics, so much so that it can make one wonder, especially a versus debater, whether or not the character is just that stupid, for lack of a better term, as well since it could affect the result of some debates. An example of this would be where the Flash, given his abilities, should win a fight in one panel against an opponent who is at or barely above Peak-human speed, reaction time, and reflexes, but since Flash has had trouble and actually been beaten by guys like this, such as Slade Wilson in comics, that an opponent that doesn't BS around and would go straight for the incapacitation or kill would beat him since he might not go all out until he realizes the threat and by then, it would be too late.

So, when does Plot Induced Stupidity become Character Induced Stupidity for the purposes of a versus debate?

[Tami]

The first step to answer your question is to define Plot Induced Stupidity and Character 'Induced' Stupidity. By my understanding

Plot Induced Stupidity (PIS): A situation in which something obvious is overlooked or a character or an action occurs (or doesn't occur) in order to set the Plot/Story heading in the direction the author wants it to, even of these actions lead to negative consequences.

Character Induced Stupidity (CIS) : A character who, by their very nature, often acts in ways that creates unnecessary problems for themselves or others.

From this, PIS can't become CIS, however CIS can drive a plot in the same chaotic ways that PIS can.

For debates, PIS is automatically turned off [Unless a set up requires it]

CIS can be turned off if you simply want to test one Powerset against another, as opposed to testing one Character against another. Or In some cases wherfe it is necessary to shut down CIS at least in part.

My best example is Ryouga from Ranma 1/2. His tendency to get lost or wander off usually has to be shut off when using him in a Rumbles Battle, simply for the sake of insuring that he remains in the Battle Arena.

There are different rules governing consistency or inconsistency of powers and power usage in a series.

[Pendaran]

When the comics actually depict the character as being stupid/inept for some reason with their powers as explicit, intentional, noted context. Otherwise it's just comics being comics.

[Nik Hasta]

Think of it as diagetic stupidity versus non-diagetic stupid.

CIS is diagetic, that means it is an established fact /in the universe/ that the character in question uses their powers in a dumb way. Rhino is diagetically stupid in narrative so him being dumb falls under CIS.

PIS is non-diagetic, which means that the character acting in a dumb way is not presented as or treated as such in the story.

[theoneandonly]

Hulk is a prime example of a PIS becoming a CIS literally.