The X-ssential Personality Traits Challenge

[Beezzi]

A common complaint is that the X-Men aren't written in character anymore - that writers no longer care about those essential things that make an X-Man. Is this a fair complaint?

I took the Red Letter Media personality challenge and tried to list the ingrained traits that must exist for my favourites to have their voice. And it wasn't as easy as I thought.

I'm interested to hear what others believe certain characters base traits are. I think we might see some interesting and debatable lists.

So five traits, of which at least two must be negative. Why? Because without negatives, that X-Man is flying dangerously close to Sueville - and besides, it’s more interesting than a list of awesome.

Important: These are personality traits only: no descriptions of powers or their roles allowed. Try to avoid common buzzwords like: quirky, spunky, edgy, nice....etc. This is supposed to be a challenge. And please don't bother posting: “My character is awesome and perfect” - it contributes nothing of value.

Jubilee:

Impulsive: Runs into situations without thinking things through, like adopting Shogo.
Cynical: “Knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing” - Jean Grey on Jubilee
Gregarious: Likes being around people...used to like snacking on people...
Resourceful: Kept herself alive on the streets and in the Outback
Stubborn: See tortured by Bastion
Compassionate: Cries over kids named Elliot and dying Sentinels. (Ok, I’ll admit this last one is kinda lame, but I just can’t think of the right word for it.)

[ChronoRogue]

Rogue

Sassy: Humor is pretty important to the character, she's no Spider-Man or Deadpool, but her spunk should be apart of her character
Loyal: Her friends and loyalties are important to her. Also tends to be very stubborn, but not to Wolverine levels.
Impulsive: Rogue doesn't like plans much, they cramp her style. That doesn't mean she can't think or that she isn't tactical, she just prefers it on the fly and to adapt as the situation requires.
Emotional (passionate): Sometimes loses her cool. Whether of anger, or being too forgiving, or by being sad at her situation, she needs to use her head more instead of her gut and heart.
Brave: She shouldn't know the meaning of giving up. The only real thing that terrifies her are her powers, everything ele she should face with a grin.

[Mutant God]

Cyclops:
Loyal (..to the dream)
Task-Oriented
Pratical
High Expectations
Critical

[Beezzi]

Rogue

Sassy: Humor is pretty important to the character, she's no Spider-Man or Deadpool, but her spunk should be apart of her character
Loyal: Her friends and loyalties are important to her. Also tends to be very stubborn, but not to Wolverine levels.
Impulsive: Rogue doesn't like plans much, they cramp her style. That doesn't mean she can't think or that she isn't tactical, she just prefers it on the fly and to adapt as the situation requires.
Emotional (passionate): Often ruled by her emotions. Whether of anger, or being too forgiving, or by being sad at her situation, she needs to think with her head more instead of with her gut and heart.
Brave: She shouldn't know the meaning of giving up. The only real thing that terrify's her are her powers, everything ele she should face with a grin.

I'd add vulnerable, but I can see this. :-)

Don't think I'd accept sassy as an essential personality on anyone, but Rogue. The southern belle must have sass!

Cyclops:
Loyal (..to the dream)
Task-Oriented
Pratical
High Expectations
Critical

I can see people debating the first.

I totally agree with Critical and High Expectations.

[Ambaryerno]

X-23

Laconic - Tends to speak infrequently, and short and to the point when she does.
Withdrawn - Struggles interacting with others, particularly emotionally. She's learning, but still sometimes falls short.
Analytical - Carefully appraises the current situation before acting.
Self-Sacrificing - Constantly puts the needs and good of others ahead of her own, and willing to sacrifice her own life to protect others.
Dolorous - Prone to depressive states of varying severity, and struggles with her sense of self-worth and value.

[Rickbarry]

Colossus

-Communist
-White
-Ideal bloodpressure
-Hung

[Beezzi]

X-23

Laconic - Tends to speak infrequently, and short and to the point when she does.
Withdrawn - Struggles interacting with others, particularly emotionally. She's learning, but still sometimes falls short.
Analytical - Carefully appraises the current situation before acting.
Self-Sacrificing - Constantly puts the needs and good of others ahead of her own, and willing to sacrifice her own life to protect others.
Dolorous - Prone to depressive states of varying severity, and struggles with her sense of self-worth and value.

X23 in a nutshell...kinda expected you to be able to do X.

Colossus

-Communist
-White
-Ideal bloodpressure
-Hung

Technically incorrect, but on pure awesomeness...I'd say bugger it and totally find it to be reasonable. :-)

[The Thunderbird]

Jean Grey

Loving: Generally likeable and friendly to everyone she meets, there's a reason why she's loved by the X-Men in spite of being a telepath that people might be nervous around. She also shows tremendous compassion whenever she sees someone hurt or upset. She's deeply selfless and willing to give her own life for the sake of others. Sometimes she takes it to the point of recklessness, she was willing to stay with a dying Mastermind to comfort him despite the risk to her own life and got herself killed by Xorneto trying to comfort him.
Repressed: She may try to push things down that make her uncomfortable like her sexuality or her powers for instance. She's afraid of hurting others.
Mercurial: Can be emotionally volatile at times. She has quite a hot temper that she really lets you know whenever she gets mad at something or someone.
Idealistic: She's strongly devoted to her values and beliefs. She's one of the biggest proponents of Xavier's dream, a believer in true love, and believes that most people are generally good.
Obstinate: Wants to get things done her way and no one else's. Cyclops once said that it's very difficult to talk Jean out of doing something she wants to do.

[ariwl1]

Jean Grey

Loving: Generally likeable and friendly to everyone she meets, there's a reason why she's loved by the X-Men in spite of being a telepath that people might be nervous around. She also shows tremendous compassion whenever she sees someone hurt or upset. She's deeply selfless and willing to give her own life for the sake of others. Sometimes she takes it to the point of recklessness, she was willing to stay with a dying Mastermind to comfort him despite the risk to her own life and got herself killed by Xorneto trying to comfort him.
Repressed: She may try to push things down that make her uncomfortable like her powers for instance.
Mercurial: Can be emotionally volatile at times. She has quite a hot temper that she really lets you know whenever she gets mad at something or someone.
Idealistic: She's strongly devoted to her values and beliefs. She's one of the biggest proponents of Xavier's dream, a believer in true love, and believes that most people are generally good.
Obstinate: Wants to get things done her way and no one else's. Cyclops once said that it's very difficult to talk Jean out of doing something she wants to do.

Good entry. Here's how mine was going to be:

Jean Grey

Cons
Stubborn: When Jean gets an idea in her head she has a hard time getting it out. She is smart and wise which can lend one an air of feeling like they're always right which is a problem, even if they often are.
Lack of confidence: This applies more to her younger iterations but she's always been scared of her abilities and what they can do to the point of constantly holding herself back, both out of fear of what might happen and how her friends and family would see her.
Temper: This one walks a line because it's a flaw none of her fans want to see removed from her. Fans like seeing a pissed off Jean because it treads into "righteous anger" territory when she takes it out on someone who arguably deserves it, though it has gotten her in trouble on other occasions. But having a short fuse IS a flaw, and Jean's is one of the shortest.

Pros
Compassionate: Jean cares so darn much it comes dangerously close to being a fault. But when you need a shoulder to lean on hers is always there. Just look at how many hugs she's been part of in ANX alone.
Dedicated: If Scott is Mr. X-Man, Jean is Ms. X-Man. There's a reason Xavier was going to make her headmistress of the school before she died.
Evolving: Jean believes in change, and once she's set her mind to something she will stop at nothing to grow and improve.

[yogaflame]

Storm

Authoritarian/Self-Righteous-she is MISTRESS(feminine of MASTER) of the elements after all, and is equally adept at commanding her teammates as well. Her willpower is adamantine. This rubs some people the wrong way, but she gets things done.

Magnanimous- "greatness of soul"; she is compassionate, tranquil, noble and giving. She will help those in need, even if they spit at her. She delights in benevolent acts.

Attuned- one with her environment, not only as it relates to her powers, but the people around her. She can sense the subtitles of interpersonal relationships, and is invested in nurturing balance.

Flirtatious- whether she's flirting with danger or the cute boys(or Yukio), Storm likes to play with the possibilities, enjoying life's pleasantries(and uncertainties).

Enigmatic- after Onslaught, the X-Men were bereft of Xavier's money, so Storm went into a barn and dug up some gold coins to float the team for a while. Jean remarked, "Even after all this time, she still plays it close to the chest". Just when you think you've got her figured out, a new shape emerges from the clouds. A multi-dimensional persona, Storm always has some surprises hidden away.

[CraigTheCylon]

Neat thread idea. Lemme try for (who else?) Domino:

Headstrong - Faces most situations with confidence bordering on arrogance, fully convinced she's got the skillz to handle it.
Loyal - When she gives her trust to someone, it's not easily broken.
Blunt - Doesn't sugar-coat her words or keep her opinion to herself. If you're wrong, she'll let you know it.
Maternal - Adopts protective/compassionate attitude with those notably younger than herself (girls especially).
Promiscuous - Enjoys sex without attachment, moves between multiple partners without need of true 'relationship' drama.

[From The Shadows]

Nightcrawler:

Gentle
Loyal but not to a fault (hey Amanda its ok you hid a magic sword in my stomach that almost got me killed, hey Logan no biggy you tried to kill Wicaan and Hulking)
Optimistic but not really naive (Re: Wanda - he was there for darn sakes!)
Level-headed yet has a temper when it comes to things he feels strongly about
Strong but not overbearing
Spiritual yet accepting for the most part
Charming
Flamboyant
He has both alpha and beta traits - Can lead and be lead - yes, he can be the initiator!
Flirtatious/chivalrous and has an attraction to strong women but he tends to hide from them when they get too close
Warm to others but is a bit guarded about his own inner feelings and thoughts (maybe due to feelings of rejection)
Outgoing and sociable extrovert with periods of being introverted - a bit moody with outbursts
Has a good sense of humor and wit but can act the clown to cover up his insecurities
Smart/Cunning/Creative thinker
Also, like Storm and most X-Men he can be a bit self-reighteous at times. Also, he can go through bouts of bitterness and self-pity

[Sea Hound]

Prof X:

Cerebral. He's someone who thinks deeply, and acts from the head, not the heart.
Idealist. All about the dream. Willing to sacrifice enormously for it.
Chilly. Well you'd never call him warm, would you?
Manipulative. It's a massive trap for a telepath with a dream, and sometimes he falls into it.
Lonely. Somehow his important relationships never work out. Lilandra, Moira, Magneto, Scott, Legion...
He's one of those people who can fill his house with other people, and still seem alone.

[AgentFelix]

Really smart idea for a thread Bezzi

[Gray Lensman]

Good entry. Here's how mine was going to be:

Jean Grey

Cons
Stubborn: When Jean gets an idea in her head she has a hard time getting it out. She is smart and wise which can lend one an air of feeling like they're always right which is a problem, even if they often are.
Lack of confidence: This applies more to her younger iterations but she's always been scared of her abilities and what they can do to the point of constantly holding herself back, both out of fear of what might happen and how her friends and family would see her.
Temper: This one walks a line because it's a flaw none of her fans want to see removed from her. Fans like seeing a pissed off Jean because it treads into "righteous anger" territory when she takes it out on someone who arguably deserves it, though it has gotten her in trouble on other occasions. But having a short fuse IS a flaw, and Jean's is one of the shortest.

Pros
Compassionate: Jean cares so darn much it comes dangerously close to being a fault. But when you need a shoulder to lean on hers is always there. Just look at how many hugs she's been part of in ANX alone.
Dedicated: If Scott is Mr. X-Man, Jean is Ms. X-Man. There's a reason Xavier was going to make her headmistress of the school before she died.
Evolving: Jean believes in change, and once she's set her mind to something she will stop at nothing to grow and improve.

Jean's stereotypical redhead temper is a critical part of the character to me. She might be quick to anger, but she is also (normally) quick to forgive, and rarely holds grudges.