I decided to try my hand at making a SDXL/Pony merge, going for a semi-realistic checkpoint. Sharing so when I use it people know what I am using, and for the use of any else that likes it.

I recommend this VAE: https://civarchive.com/models/296576/sdxl-vae and ADetailer: https://github.com/Bing-su/adetailer

A Negative Prompt is not necessary; although, they can help correct issues at times. Also, I am not really sure that Pony 'score' prompts have that much of an effect. I do use them at times just in case. I always try to include my prompts on my images, so if there is a look you want to replicate, the info is there.

Settings used in examples:

VAE: sdxl_vae

Sampler: DPM++ 2M

Steps: 24+

CFG scale: 6.5- 7

Size: 832x1216