Magic System
Encyclopedia
A magic system is a set of rules that magical effects in a fictional setting follow. Magic systems are most elaborate in video games and role-playing game
s, due to the need to balance the game. A common feature to many magic systems is a way to limit the number of spells a magic user can cast.
system. This system gives the magic user a certain number of points (commonly abbreviated MP) that represent either the amount of magic stored in his body or the amount of energy he can channel before being unable to use magic (it is not always specified which). Each spell costs a certain number of magic points to cast. In most systems that use magic points, a magic user has a maximum number of magic points that he can have at any one time, which is different for each magic user. There is almost always a way to restore lost magic points, usually by sleeping or drinking potions.
A few systems that use magic points do not have a maximum number that may be stored, but instead make it more difficult to recover or gain new magic points.
Examples of magic points limited systems include Rolemaster
, High Adventure Role Playing
, GURPS
, and Tunnels and Trolls
.
It is common in skill-limited systems for a spellcaster to be able to combine multiple magical skills to perform effects not covered by the skills given. Typically, such combinations are more difficult than the basic uses of the Skills.
Examples of skill-limited systems include Talislanta
, Dice & Glory
and Ars Magica
.
Spell-slot systems often employ a rationale that the spell is forgotten when cast, or that the caster has a finite supply of the ingredients required to cast the spell. In the first case, the spellcaster must re-memorize the spell from a source of such, typically a grimoire
. In the second case, the caster must hunt up new ingredients and prepare the equipment needed to cast the spell.
Examples of spell-slot systems include Dungeons & Dragons
in all of its editions, and HackMaster
.
uses a skill-limited system that may be augmented by spending quintessence to lower the difficulty of a magical skill roll. Rolemaster
employs a spell-point system, but includes devices called spell adders, that grant additional spell shots with no associated spell-point cost. Ars Magica
uses a skill based system, but a mage can only cast so many spells before becoming too fatigued to continue. Dice & Glory
uses a skill-limited system that also limits a magic caster not just by a magical skill roll but also by the source of the caster's magic, a sorcerer uses a point system, an arcane caster can cast a certain number of spells before suffering knockout-point damage causing fatigue or unconscioussness, and casters that channel their magic from other sources are limited to a specific number of spells that they can cast per day. High Adventure Role Playing
also uses a hybrid system between the magic point system and the skill system, and to some extent the spell slot version, which requires a skill roll based on the strength of the spell effect limiting the total number of spells cast in a day by a magic cost system with the caster having a certain set of magic points available each day. As in Rolemaster
there are item that can reduce the magic point cost for spell as well as item like spell adders that allow extra spells to be cast without the expenditure of magic points.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s, due to the need to balance the game. A common feature to many magic systems is a way to limit the number of spells a magic user can cast.
Magic Points
The most common way to limit spells is the magic pointMagic point
Magic points are units of magical power that are used in many role-playing, computer role-playing and similar games as an expendable resource that is needed to pay for magic spells and other abilities, such as special attacks...
system. This system gives the magic user a certain number of points (commonly abbreviated MP) that represent either the amount of magic stored in his body or the amount of energy he can channel before being unable to use magic (it is not always specified which). Each spell costs a certain number of magic points to cast. In most systems that use magic points, a magic user has a maximum number of magic points that he can have at any one time, which is different for each magic user. There is almost always a way to restore lost magic points, usually by sleeping or drinking potions.
A few systems that use magic points do not have a maximum number that may be stored, but instead make it more difficult to recover or gain new magic points.
Examples of magic points limited systems include Rolemaster
Rolemaster
Rolemaster is a role-playing game published by Iron Crown Enterprises. Rolemaster has come in four separate editions. The 3rd edition, first published in 1995, is also known as the "Rolemaster Standard System" . There are two editions currently in production...
, High Adventure Role Playing
High Adventure Role Playing
High Adventure Role Playing is a fantasy role-playing game, designed by Tim Dugger & Heike A. Kubash, and published by Iron Crown Enterprises .- Background :...
, GURPS
GURPS
The Generic Universal RolePlaying System, or GURPS, is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to allow for play in any game setting...
, and Tunnels and Trolls
Tunnels and Trolls
Tunnels & Trolls is a fantasy role-playing game designed by Ken St. Andre and first published in 1975 by Flying Buffalo. The second modern role-playing game published, it was written by Ken St...
.
Skill-Limited
A skill-limited magic system breaks the spells down into a number of skills, usually requiring a die roll to perform. The more difficult the magical effect, the higher the difficulty of the die roll. Such systems are often limited by an increase in the difficulty of the Skill roll based upon the number of spells in a certain time period that have already been cast.It is common in skill-limited systems for a spellcaster to be able to combine multiple magical skills to perform effects not covered by the skills given. Typically, such combinations are more difficult than the basic uses of the Skills.
Examples of skill-limited systems include Talislanta
Talislanta
Talislanta is a fantasy role-playing game written by Stephen Michael Sechi, with significant stylistic input by artist P.D. Breeding-Black. Initially released in 1987 by Bard Games, the game quickly gained a reputation as an alternative to Dungeons & Dragons that was both much simpler mechanically...
, Dice & Glory
Dice & Glory
Dice & Glory is a generic role-playing game system created by Robert A. Neri Jr. and published by Ranger Games. The game was first published as a "Lite" version in late 2006 and later the Core Rulebook in February 2007 by Ranger Games...
and Ars Magica
Ars Magica
Ars Magica is a role-playing game set in Mythic Europe, a quasi-historical version of Europe around AD 1200 with added fantastical elements. The game revolves around wizards and their allies...
.
Spell-Slots
A magic system that is limited by a number of spell slots will give a spellcaster a certain number of spells per day that may be cast. These spells may be divided by level, or limited to certain types of spells. When all of a spellcaster's slots are used up, he or she is no longer able to perform magic until steps are taken (usually sleeping and re-studying the spells) to recover the spell slots.Spell-slot systems often employ a rationale that the spell is forgotten when cast, or that the caster has a finite supply of the ingredients required to cast the spell. In the first case, the spellcaster must re-memorize the spell from a source of such, typically a grimoire
Grimoire
A grimoire is a textbook of magic. Such books typically include instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets, how to perform magical spells, charms and divination and also how to summon or invoke supernatural entities such as angels, spirits, and demons...
. In the second case, the caster must hunt up new ingredients and prepare the equipment needed to cast the spell.
Examples of spell-slot systems include Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
in all of its editions, and HackMaster
HackMaster
HackMaster is a role-playing game produced by Kenzer & Company, being a revised expansion of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. It started out as a fictional game, a parody of the most ludicrous aspects of D&D played by the characters of the Knights of the Dinner Table comic strip by Jolly R. Blackburn...
.
Hybrid Systems
Many magic systems combine features of two or all three of the above. As an example, Mage: The AscensionMage: The Ascension
Mage: The Ascension is a role-playing game based in the World of Darkness, and was published by White Wolf Game Studio. The characters portrayed in the game are referred to as mages, and are capable of feats of magic...
uses a skill-limited system that may be augmented by spending quintessence to lower the difficulty of a magical skill roll. Rolemaster
Rolemaster
Rolemaster is a role-playing game published by Iron Crown Enterprises. Rolemaster has come in four separate editions. The 3rd edition, first published in 1995, is also known as the "Rolemaster Standard System" . There are two editions currently in production...
employs a spell-point system, but includes devices called spell adders, that grant additional spell shots with no associated spell-point cost. Ars Magica
Ars Magica
Ars Magica is a role-playing game set in Mythic Europe, a quasi-historical version of Europe around AD 1200 with added fantastical elements. The game revolves around wizards and their allies...
uses a skill based system, but a mage can only cast so many spells before becoming too fatigued to continue. Dice & Glory
Dice & Glory
Dice & Glory is a generic role-playing game system created by Robert A. Neri Jr. and published by Ranger Games. The game was first published as a "Lite" version in late 2006 and later the Core Rulebook in February 2007 by Ranger Games...
uses a skill-limited system that also limits a magic caster not just by a magical skill roll but also by the source of the caster's magic, a sorcerer uses a point system, an arcane caster can cast a certain number of spells before suffering knockout-point damage causing fatigue or unconscioussness, and casters that channel their magic from other sources are limited to a specific number of spells that they can cast per day. High Adventure Role Playing
High Adventure Role Playing
High Adventure Role Playing is a fantasy role-playing game, designed by Tim Dugger & Heike A. Kubash, and published by Iron Crown Enterprises .- Background :...
also uses a hybrid system between the magic point system and the skill system, and to some extent the spell slot version, which requires a skill roll based on the strength of the spell effect limiting the total number of spells cast in a day by a magic cost system with the caster having a certain set of magic points available each day. As in Rolemaster
Rolemaster
Rolemaster is a role-playing game published by Iron Crown Enterprises. Rolemaster has come in four separate editions. The 3rd edition, first published in 1995, is also known as the "Rolemaster Standard System" . There are two editions currently in production...
there are item that can reduce the magic point cost for spell as well as item like spell adders that allow extra spells to be cast without the expenditure of magic points.