Inverse Law of Ninja explained.

[Gorefiend]

It depends, on the old hermit question. If the hermit apprenticed a named ninja, and the other one has reason to hate this apprentice, then the old hermit may be toast.

[Aerozord]

or if that named ninja is the apprentice.

Oh and there is perhapps the greatest of all bonuses, main character power. Which garentees victory, or atleast survival, reguardless of the odds.

[bananarama]

Don't forget the last-minute training bonuses as well as secret-move-that-had-not-been-revealed-until-now-and-just-so-happens-to-solve-the-current-situation bonuses

[Kerensky287]

I have a question... how does plot work into this?

I mean, say you have a ninja who will EVENTUALLY have a name, and EVENTUALLY have distinguishing marks, but at the time is just a rank-and-file ninja who nobody knows about? I think that he will be awesome just because he's going to have an awesome past. Think about it: a ninja grunt who takes out one of the main characters! He will naturally end up being special in some way.

Or how about this.... what if a normal ninja grunt gets cut across the face with a sword or something? You know... so you can both see his eyes and so that he gets a distinctive scar! It would be the Super Saiyan of ninjas, so to speak.

[Telephalsion]

You can't get boons ahead of time, if you get a scar during a fight, survive, get named, fetch a named blade, train vigourously using a montage* and then seek absolute revenge, you'll probably win.

*montages always make the character win.

[Zilla]

This thread makes me want to make a parody video that violates these laws in unexpected ways.

I don't quite know about the old hermit vs young question though, youth has a certain advantage as well. After all, Beatrix Kiddo beats Pei Mei eventually.

Generally, it's all about the old person being cocky or the young person feeling rightous in their cause. The cockier the old hermit, the more powerful, as this arrogence is usually founded on experience. The youth relies solely on virtue of rebeliousness and upsetting the status quo, and if this feeling is strong enough, the youth will win.

And of course, a youth is more likely to have a montage, which is an instant win.

[Fifthfiend]

Originally Posted by Kerensky287

Or how about this.... what if a normal ninja grunt gets cut across the face with a sword or something? You know... so you can both see his eyes and so that he gets a distinctive scar!

He's allowed to survive to reappear later in the series with a name and differentiated clothing.

[Zilla]

Well, there is that 5 second window where he may die yet after recieving the scar, before it's magical plot boosting takes effect.

Of course, if he lives, you won't see him for a long time yet, the length of time being inversely porportional to how early he recieves the scar. (the earlier he gets it, the later you see him).

[Gorefiend]

And the later you see him, the stronger he has become. Don't forget that, either. After all, he has:

• the trauma bonus (from witnessing mission failure and possibly the death of a mentor)
• the scar bonus
• the name bonus
• the revenge bonus
• the unique clothing bonus
• (possibly) the named weapon bonus
• the single fighter bonus, as he is more likely to engage the other ninja in single combat to obtain his revenge

Only the montage bonuses can save the other ninja then. Of course, montage bonuses trump pretty much all bonuses.

Also, Zilla, if you make such a video parody, let us know.

[Telephalsion]

What variables besides the following are there?

• trauma
• scar
• name
• revenge
• unique clothing
• named weapon
• single fighter
• group fighter
• clan survivor
• montage
• lead character