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!!! READ THIS FIRST !!!

I am no longer supporting this test, nor do I support using the term "Mary Sue" to describe any character for any reason. The test is simply here for archival purposes and to provide this message to anyone who follows a link to this page. Instead of using it, please go to "Does My Character Work Okay?" - How To Tell For Yourself!. This article streamlines everything into eleven simple questions that cut straight to the core issues.

If you still really really really want to use this test for some reason, please at least stop using the term "Mary Sue." There are far better ways to talk about characters who just don't work for one reason or another than using a term that's more often than not just used to tear down female characters simply for having a prominent, active role in a story.

The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST AND READ THEM CAREFULLY - MISUSE OF THIS TEST WILL CAUSE INACCURATE RESULTS!

How to use this test:

First, if you're unsure of what a Mary Sue is, please read this page.

Answer all questions for which the answer is 'yes' or 'technically yes' unless the item mentioned is so commonplace in the universe you are writing for that it doesn't really make your character remarkable or unusual. If it's established that anyone can have technicolor hair (as in many anime shows) pink coifs don't apply as "unusually" colored hair. If your character had an exotic name because you make up most of your characters' names, you would not answer yes to having an unusual-sounding name that you made up. Sue-ness is relative. ;)

If your character is a role-playing character and the only reason you can answer 'yes' is because of other players acting of their own free wills (IE, everyone has their characters throwing themselves at your character's feet and you've done nothing to force this) do not answer yes to the corresponding question. Update: Do answer 'yes' if you want or expect other players' characters to behave this way concerning your character, unless you have talked it out with the players beforehand and have come to an agreement. So, for example, if you want your character's intended love interest to fall in love with your character at first sight, click the box - unless you and the other player have agreed that this is how you want the storyline to play out.

Make sure that you answer the questions properly depending on what type of universe your character is in:

Fanfiction - a story set in a world you didn't make up.

Original Fiction - a story set in a world you created yourself.

MMO/RPG - Role-Playing Game/MMORPGs.

If you see a question that looks like it's been linked, rest your cursor over it - it contains a tool tip, which should contain further information on the subject.

Also, this test is divided into five sections to help prevent confusion and speed up the testing process:

Part 1 - All Characters

Questions that pertain to all characters everywhere.

Part 2 - Original Fiction Characters

Questions for original fiction characters only.

Part 3 - Fan Characters & Newcomers

Questions for fan characters (RPG and fiction) and characters you may be planning to add to an original fiction universe you've already established.

Part 4 - RPG Characters

You guessed it - questions for role-playing characters and MMORPG-based characters.

Part 5 - De-Suifiers

Questions that subtract from the final score.

Furthermore, this test has never been nor probably will be perfect. At best, I can only offer it as a guide, not an instruction manual. The test should not be taken as the absolute final word on the quality of a character, but rather as a way to gauge whether or not a character might need some adjustment.

And for those who wonder about it - I use the gender-neutral terms "xe," "xir", and "xirself" because A: it's shorter than typing out "he/she" etc. all the time, and B: there are plenty of characters, particularly within the SF supergenre, who are neither male or female, and C: "They" often results in weird grammatical snaggles that make it sound like one is talking about a collective.

(Are you a roleplayer? You can find all kinds of roleplaying tips and advice - including tips to make better and more balanced roleplaying characters - You can find all kinds of roleplaying tips and advice - including tips to make better and more balanced roleplaying characters - here!

Part 1 - All Characters

This area applies to RPG characters, fanfiction characters, and original fiction characters.