I've read some discussions about making a MC an underdog, as it gives the character a longer path to grow and change and also helps readers to connect with MC better. Yet I see many succsessful series where MC is quite powerful from the beginning.
Does it mean that readers have no problems connecting with powerful characters? What do you think? And which type of MC do you prefer as readers and authors and why?
My current MC (Merlin) is so totally overpowered, but that's not the point. The point for me is the internal struggle with using major power, especially when it has consequences. That's why I write first person, to get the internalizing as the main story.
As far as power goes though, there has to be an origin story, and a development timeline to get to being super powerful. Otherwise all you have is a mary-sue.
I don't mind an underdog. But if all they do is pull rabbits out of arses to win, that gets old very quickly.
The success of the Avengers suggests people accept superheroes readily. But all of them have their issues and demons. And are not all powerful.
One thing I don't like is the powerful MC in the beginning, who then keeps coming across even more powerful baddies, reducing him down to underdog all the time and resulting in pulling rabbits out of arses to survive. I find that totally stupid.
The whole powerful good must fight a more powerful bad thing bores me. Especially since the power is effectively nullified, and arse pulling is resorted to for winning.
I also despise the eternal recurring villain. Super good powerful faces off against super bad powerful, and they fight. Good wins, but bad pulls an arse rabbit and escapes. Then they do it all again. And again. And again. Then it gets rebooted. It's boring!