I get the impression that while Rainbow Dash would be a great leader in times of war, she would also be an expert in delegating duties more suited to friends she trusts, and also forming powerful allies with other countries. The advantages both Sunset and RD have as potential leaders over the current princesses is that they believe in decisions based on the safety and capability of the people, rather then making a risky plan of action based off hedging on their biggest gun and betting on the citizens being okay with the process after.
@HunterSClopson
Even more pressing were her need for loyalty and her pride. She told herself she would keep Equestria safe no matter what, while she was also subconsciously trying to outshine her predecessor Princess Celestia so much that ponies would stop mentioning the old princess and compare her to Rainbow Dash.
@FanOfMostEverything
Agreed on the second point. Dash has the potential to be a military leader definitely in wartime and maybe in peacetime too, but she’d never be happy with a position based around politicking and manipulation.
@PonyPon
Well Cadence and Celestia are definitely rulers; those two do their jobs.
@Background Pony #CAC5
We see Luna’s duties a bit in the comics though when she takes celestia’s job for a day: luna’s completely stressed out by red-tape and actual ruling duties (though she CAN do them), and her nightly job is mainly just going around punching monsters in the face with her personal guard.
Luna is acting vice ruler when Celestia’s gone, but she generally doesn’t seem to be more than a military advisor.
@Background Pony #965F
We don’t really see any of them doing any ruling, including Celestia, so I don’t think we can tell what Luna’s government duties are just from the show. Twilight’s probably too inexperienced to rule anyway right now, but I could see her taking some of the duties in 10-20 years.
@Background Pony #965F
Honestly, being a princess doesn’t really seem to require being an actual ruler looking at what we have now. Luna doesn’t actually seem to do any actual ruling duties besides just sitting in a chair next to Celestia, and her role seems to be just looking after the night. Similarly, Twilight doesn’t actually do any ruling either. Seems the mane six really wouldn’t have to do anything different from what they’re already doing if they were princesses, all things considered, being a princess seems more like a greek god or fairy’s role than anything, just looking over certain jobs.
@Background Pony #965F
I believe the plan is to dilute the concept of an alicorn in the public’s mind such that they don’t automatically equate it with a ruler, freeing the Mane Six from their assumed obligations and allowing them to enjoy their vastly expanded powers and possibly eternal lives.
That, or they’re genuinely growing as characters. Dash is already something of a inspiring figure and has administrative experience with Ponyville’s weather team and organizing the waterspout in “Hurricane Fluttershy.” She may not be much of a diplomat or statesmare, but she’s a competent leader.
@Background Pony #965F
Rainbow Dash was Princess of the Day. She kept Equestria aggressive and conquering. Fluttershy was Princess of the Night. That was all way before Luna Eclipses, when Woona was still a thing. “The Sun Never Sets”, it was called.
@Starswirl
Which was which?
To be honest, I can’t really see either of them as the princess of the night; Twilight or rarity night princess sure, but RD and FS seem day ponies.
but she wouldn’t
.
Rainbow Dash as Qin.
Even more pressing were her need for loyalty and her pride. She told herself she would keep Equestria safe no matter what, while she was also subconsciously trying to outshine her predecessor Princess Celestia so much that ponies would stop mentioning the old princess and compare her to Rainbow Dash.
Yeah, she does seem like the kind of ruler to keep Equestria at war so she can keep fighting battles.
Not for long though… Dashie will smash others in ten. seconds. flat! And than she could rule the world alone!
Turning them all into some sort of rulers is basically inviting factionalism/clan wars.
Agreed on the second point. Dash has the potential to be a military leader definitely in wartime and maybe in peacetime too, but she’d never be happy with a position based around politicking and manipulation.
Well Cadence and Celestia are definitely rulers; those two do their jobs.
@Background Pony #CAC5
We see Luna’s duties a bit in the comics though when she takes celestia’s job for a day: luna’s completely stressed out by red-tape and actual ruling duties (though she CAN do them), and her nightly job is mainly just going around punching monsters in the face with her personal guard.
Luna is acting vice ruler when Celestia’s gone, but she generally doesn’t seem to be more than a military advisor.
We don’t really see any of them doing any ruling, including Celestia, so I don’t think we can tell what Luna’s government duties are just from the show. Twilight’s probably too inexperienced to rule anyway right now, but I could see her taking some of the duties in 10-20 years.
And the other half of them?
Honestly, being a princess doesn’t really seem to require being an actual ruler looking at what we have now. Luna doesn’t actually seem to do any actual ruling duties besides just sitting in a chair next to Celestia, and her role seems to be just looking after the night. Similarly, Twilight doesn’t actually do any ruling either. Seems the mane six really wouldn’t have to do anything different from what they’re already doing if they were princesses, all things considered, being a princess seems more like a greek god or fairy’s role than anything, just looking over certain jobs.
I believe the plan is to dilute the concept of an alicorn in the public’s mind such that they don’t automatically equate it with a ruler, freeing the Mane Six from their assumed obligations and allowing them to enjoy their vastly expanded powers and possibly eternal lives.
That, or they’re genuinely growing as characters. Dash is already something of a inspiring figure and has administrative experience with Ponyville’s weather team and organizing the waterspout in “Hurricane Fluttershy.” She may not be much of a diplomat or statesmare, but she’s a competent leader.
Eh, I don’t understand the idea behind making all of the mane six alicorns, they’d be terrible princesses and miserable as alicorns.
Rainbow Dash was Princess of the Day. She kept Equestria aggressive and conquering. Fluttershy was Princess of the Night. That was all way before Luna Eclipses, when Woona was still a thing. “The Sun Never Sets”, it was called.
Which was which?
To be honest, I can’t really see either of them as the princess of the night; Twilight or rarity night princess sure, but RD and FS seem day ponies.
/bows
“Twilight?”
“Yes, Rarity?”
“Is Rainbow Dash Awake or not this Loop?”
“You know, I really can’t tell.”