Either he does but doesn't know about it, or he doesn't have it, or he does but it only prevents him from burning to a crisp, and getting torched still stings like the Dickens.

edited 17th Jul '11 3:39:50 PM by EgregiousEric

I'm not entirely sure what you're saying, to be honest, Ginger. I'm not saying they're rare or mythical in Equestria; actually, they seem pretty commonplace, at least in the Everfree Forest. It's just that, while they're natural and native to the setting, they're still magical. That's all I'm saying. =)

The ponies are magical by our standards, but - not to undermine my argument - it's normal for the setting. My point is, I'm not saying creatures with natural magic aren't normal for the setting - they are. But no matter how normal it is, they are still magical. They still have magic. That's all I'm saying.

x5Do we know that? I mean, we don't really know that much about dragons in this setting.

edited 17th Jul '11 3:40:12 PM by Crowfall

Spike does have thick scales we know that, he could handle pins being in his back with no problem

Oh and I meant that you were trying to differentiate between the behavioural patterns of both magic and non-magical creatures. You seemed to be implying that the fact that they were magical meant that they were more inclined towards violence than "normal" creatures, forgive me if that's not what you meant

edited 17th Jul '11 3:44:06 PM by gingerninja666

Dragonfire might be an Empathic Weapon and burn people the dragon intends to harm, while just warming others... I feel like I've read a series with that sort of mechanic in it before.

Yeah, there's pins and then the're getting hit by flames coming from a creature the size of an office building...

Even if Spike could survive the flames, the dragon was also trying to crush him with its spiked tale and bite him.

Adults of a species are generally capable of disciplining the young in a way that doesn't harm, but can hurt.

Was Spike ever hit with fire in the series?

edited 17th Jul '11 3:46:25 PM by gingerninja666

It's a D&D joke.

Remember that there's a difference in damage types between pins (and presumably pointy spines) and gouts of flame. Take plate armor, for example. Theoretically, it's possible to roast someone in their own armor, since metal conducts heat so easily.

It depends on the thermal conductivity of dragon scales. One would assume they're a good heat insulator, but it remains to be seen whether it's resistant enough to protect you from an angry dragon that's actively trying to scorch you.

Also, Spike is still a baby, so his scales probably aren't as strong as an adult dragon's.

I think we might be overanalyzing the whole thing a bit. The amount of fatal danger in the series is "whatever is necessary for the current plot". I don't think any of the producers ever sat down and went made a list of what crimes do and do not exist in the setting*

^{"No murder, no rape...assault is fine, stealing is fine", etc}

.

It's basically a Watsonian Versus Doylist view.

• Watsonian: We know the universe makes no sense unless there's potential for injury and/or death, so it must happen

• Doylist: It's a kid's show that's almost certainly not going to ever show or mention murder

edited 17th Jul '11 4:03:04 PM by JapaneseTeeth

I don't see where those facts are incompatible. People die, we just don't see it because that's not the point.

What I mean is that we simply don't have any barometer for how "realistic" the show is in regard to things like injury and death; I mean, Twilight got a piano dropped on her head and she was completely fine.

Having a consistent universe means that there must be some sort of threat of death (i.e. if you know the Ursa Minor or Hydra isn't going to kill you, why would you be so worried?), but the genre means that the threats never really happen (there was never any danger of the Ursa Minor actually killing anypony).

edited 17th Jul '11 4:06:32 PM by JapaneseTeeth

Rule of Funny.

I agree. That's why we can't think about this too hard or we know it's going to stop making sense.

But but...IT MUST COMPUTE!

maybe the danger from the dragon relies on Rule of Drama then?

edited 17th Jul '11 4:08:05 PM by gingerninja666

Pretty much. Like I said, the amount of "danger" in any given scene is "however much danger we need for the scene to work".

It would've made for a cute gag though if he did get hit full blast and emerged unscathed, only for him to say something like: "Oh right. DRAGON" and point to himself proudly

It honestly wouldn't have surprised me at all if that had actually happened.

I never suggested sawing OFF the horn, I said simply removing it instantly with magic. Like I said, there could even be a joke where a pony comes out wearing an executioner mask and acts like he's gonna do it in a violent way, but then just uses magic to instantly get rid of it painlessly. And it's like I said, this is a bizarro What If? situation, not an actual episode

What? Haven't you heard of Trollestia or Tyrant Celestia?

edited 17th Jul '11 5:11:27 PM by JackOfAllTrades

I could see Trixie getting turned temporarily into an Earth Pony.

Also, this is kinda random, but I have a question. We have one named dragon, Spike. What would be another good dragon name?