What classifies something as an "Army"?

[LunaMoonCustoms1212]

With all of these "Pony of the Day" topics here on the Arena, I was wondering: what classifies something as an "army"? Is it just having more then one of a specific character? Is it having multiple variations of said character, or does it have to be past a certain number?

I am eager too see everyone's interpretations 

[TwistedRiver]

I don't think armies have to have a certain amount of ponies, and I don't know if it has to be multiple versions necessarily. I've seen armies made up of the same version of a pony and armies made up of multiple versions. My army pony is Minty, only because Snuzzle never crossed generations. xD But I have at least one Minty from every generation she was released in and plush and custom Mintys as well and am always looking for more. I think for a lot of people their army pony ends up being one that for whatever reason they have a special attachment to. G1 Minty was the second pony I ever got when I was a little girl and was always one of my favorites and as time went on she's always been one that is near and dear to my heart.

[Leave a Whisper]

With all of these "Pony of the Day" topics here on the Arena, I was wondering: what classifies something as an "army"? Is it just having more then one of a specific character? Is it having multiple variations of said character, or does it have to be past a certain number?

I am eager too see everyone's interpretations 

Yes. Example; Lets say Applejack is your most favourite pony ever.

G1 Applejack, possibly a variant of two, Baby Applejack, Applejack plush, G3 Applejack and at least one G4 Applejack would make up an army.

[Evilunicorn]

hmmm....I tend to say I have several armies, consisting of multiple versions of the same character. I collect Loki action figures/collectibles and have quite a few, enough to take up their own shelf. I'd say for an army at least 5 for a small army or the start of one? Heck I could just say I have a doll army in general since I have so many, or more specifically I have two pony armies, muffin pony and Luna armies as I collect every version of those two I can get my hands on

[Ponyfan]

To me an army is having multiples of the same pony and it can also include merchandise that features that pony. I have a small Twilight the unicorn army that includes 2 G1 Twilights and several customs. I have a Baby Twilight, a G3 Twilight , a G4 Twilight and a blind bag Twilight. I also have 2 charms of Twilight I'd like to get more merchandise featuring her.

Ponyfan

[Taxel]

To me, it counts as an army once you have multiple copies/versions of a pony on purpose. Which includes accidents you end up falling for! If its totally unintentional and you don't plan to keep them or get more I don't really consider it a true army, though some people call those an "accidental army".

[Shaiyeh]

To me, it counts as an army once you have multiple copies/versions of a pony on purpose. Which includes accidents you end up falling for! If its totally unintentional and you don't plan to keep them or get more I don't really consider it a true army, though some people call those an "accidental army".

I agree with this, though I sort of think accidental armies are a thing, too. But now that I think of it, I don't think I would actually label it an ~accidental army~ unless I decided to keep it? I mean, my Lemon Drop/CP army (which is a very intentional army now) started out as an accidental one, which I decided to build on.

But yes. Deliberate collecting of the same pony (either variants, merch or same release, IMO ) is what I would call an army. And I think the minimum amount would be 3, for me. It's more like a little squad, but two are doubles, and if you have three, there will soon be at least 3 more...

[tootie_tails]

I think it's having many of same pony, whether it's on purpose or accidental.
To include different versions of the pony or merchandise is more of a "added for good measure" thing.
About the number, I think it depends on the pony, whether it's a common or htf pony.
If you have three of German Nightlight I would still consider that an army because it's so unusual to have even one of her. But if it was Peachy or Baby Cotton Candy, I would expect at least 7-10 ish for it to make up an army.

[Leave a Whisper]

Would a bunch of the same sea ponies or merponies be a navy or a fleet?

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Would a bunch of the same sea ponies or merponies be a navy or a fleet?

very amusing! 

[dragonfly]

I never put a number to it. More than two, certainly. Two is twins, three is triplets.
Maybe 5 or 6+ if I had to guess? It seems like armies of same release are same pose are more accidental, like you keep getting CC G1 Minty in a lot. Deliberate armies are where you collect different variations of the same pony.

[HoustonCollector72]

3 or more of the same /or different versions of the same pony is for me is an Army
I have many armies, G4s and g2s, G3 Star Catcher

[mlp4me]

3 or more of the same /or different versions of the same pony is for me is an Army
I have many armies, G4s and g2s, G3 Star Catcher

Agreed, 3 or more of the same pony.
For me, I have a Nightglider army simply because I've been fortunate enough to come across 3 of her!
The only army I've purposefully added to by different countries is Blue Bell.
(In my eyes, you can have a Sundance army without even realizing it... 3 versions of her.)

[LunaMoonCustoms1212]

okay, thanks for the info guys 

[Epona]

If its an intentional army with plans to increase I think you can start at 2. My Blossom army started at 2 with my childhood  CF and Plush and grew from there.
If you have doubles, triples or more that you don't intend to keep, they aren`t an army. (I have 5-6 G3 loop-de-la`s but I don't consider them an army, just multiples)
If you are a completionist, having different varients of the same pony doesn't necessarily make it an army, unless you want it to be.

Would a bunch of the same sea ponies or merponies be a navy or a fleet?

My vote is for "Navel school" lol