Epic Scale

A measurement of how epic something or someone is according to its legendaryism, backstory, abilities, rarity, and level of power. Although there exists no universally accepted version of the Epic Scale, we have seven tiers on the scale that things can be placed on. Those tiers begin with Whatever, the zeroth tier. Just... no one cares. Tier 1 is the real first tier on which most things are placed. The everyday Innocent lives their whole life on the Lame tier with no hopes or dreams of going any higher. Basic, interchangeable tools like five-dollar construction hammers are also here and just as easily forgotten about. One wrung up and we have Tier 2, Average. The Hero begins their journey at this point so as long as they aren't a Chosen One with special powers, setting them on Tier 3's Amazing. An Average Hero has the proper balance of being interesting enough to pull the audience in for the starting acts while not going overboard and killing early suspense when they fall into danger. Though only a notch above Average, an Amazing main protagonist will have a harder time achieving this success with modern audiences who desire more flawed and relatable leads in stories. Even though the Hero themselves shouldn't be Amazing off the bat, their weapon can be. This is because the weapon is vulnerable to being lost, broken, or stolen, making it inaccessible and harshly cutting the Hero's power. Such a situation will force them to think creatively about how they can manage to move forward without what they came to rely on in the past. A person with supernatural powers like Telekinesis would be here, even if they can use it to a skillful degree. Amazing is just about the highest point any non-adventurous franchise reaches. Epic is Tier 4, fittingly the middle of the Epic Scale, which is where the Villain might be by the time The Hero's Journey is established. They're given more strength than their foe to pose a threat to them, their allies, and the Innocents they must protect. A Legendary weapon or trinket is commonly the focus of a story where many vie for its ownership. Such an object is on Tier 5 and begins to enter incredible territory. Anything Elusive holds such awesome power that it normally has its own backstory as proof that it deserves respect. It can easily corrupt a good soul or make a bad one a force to be reckoned with. The Good Guys would be hard pressed to find a greater foe on their adventure than a Villain who wields an Elusive equip at will. Since Collectable Counterparts are most meant to be Legendary, Elusive entities are lone in their kind as they stand in the shadow of the final level of the Epic Scale: Transcendent. Tier 6 is the pinnacle of the Scale, being reserved for deities capable of bending reality to their will. A Transcendent like God being is truly unique, often beyond what those on lesser tiers can comprehend with their inferior minds. This is the point where one becomes the most powerful entity in existence.

In a well-made story, entities on the Epic Scale stay in the ranges they are meant to be. A mature creator will care more about properly powering their own characters than showing up other storywriters. Still, there are those who would rather choose a godlike Villain to pit against the Hero and have the audience wonder how the Hero manages to win their battles.