Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-174.135.62.244-20160603201323/@comment-26018514-20160729095943

The Devil&#039;s Advocate WP wrote:

What would be bad writing is introducing a team of characters based off figures who die for reason other than old age at the end of their stories, kill one in a way that is a clear nod to how that figure died and then just not do that to the others for no apparent reason. Them rejecting destiny doesn't cut it as an excuse to avoid that. As I said, in order to truly subvert this Pyrrha's death must be subverted in some way. Even if she stays dead and doesn't otherwise influence them actively, something about her death has to prevent them from suffering the same fate.

Again, the confirmed theme was Genderbent, not death. Never have RT stated that all of their inspirations had to die, and right off the bat you yourself admit Mulan is a stretch... and a suicide. Nora's inspiration dies at the literal end of the world(or the possible beginning of a world without gods, but that's neither here nor there) after a divinely long life... that's the opposite of a death flag.

Pyrrha had Multiple and quite varied reasons she had to die, most of them not involving Achilles at all(I'm pretty sure the writers even stated in the commentary the heels shot was a very late addition for shits and giggles) that was discussed at length before she died on this very Wiki... she was too powerful and created far too little drama, depleting the risk of any situation by merely existing and being there... there are reasons superman is almost always being split from the JLA when shit goes down... and Pyrrha was like superman except for one very important difference... she had no "instant win" or "here I am" abilities.

If you leave her out? She isn't there... so she needs to be close or just shut-out entirely to let the others shine.

If you challenge her? Nora was reckless, Ren was squishy, and Jaune would mostly get in her way until he ass-pulled a winning strategy she was often able to provide herself in a better manner... JNR would probably have died or be far less believable as competent, much less equals.

She solved almost all of her own emotional issues, with only her love for Jaune as a potential flaw/room for growth.

JNR all have readily identifiable flaws and foibles to exploit for growth Pyrrha just didn't have [and so too is this true for Penny, who I believe will be recreated and fill in as JNR's new member when RWBY(or at least Ruby) is ready to reassemble(or at least leave JNR to pursue separate goals simultaneously). though this is all not really relevant at the moment]