Magic is one of my favorite things about a fantasy setting. You are not bound to the laws we know of and you can rewrite basic physics and reality to whatever you want. Also, building the world around it is extremely fun.

I like ping-pongs between harder and softer magic systems, but my favorite hard-leaning magic system has to be bending from Avatar. There are four elements, most people who can bend get one, and they can really stretch them out.

As for softer magic systems, I enjoy when it helps to make the world function. So far, I kind of enjoy the Owl House. Sure there are glyphs that harden it, but there are some branches like healing and construction that make it seem more like these magic covens are divided like labor guilds, rather than strictly element.

  • Sorath [she/her, it/its]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Noita. Magic in Noita doesn't care about you. It is not your friend, merely a fact of nature. Wield magic irresponsibly and it will destroy you.

    A key moment of learning in Noita, for me, was discovering Horiztonal Barrier. I cast it without much thought, as a child would. I was promptly bisected by the magical barrier.

    Noita works like this: There are wands, with slots. You finds spells and put them in these slots. Most spells aren't very good. Many spells modify the other spells on the wand. Making a good wand is vital to success. Making a bad want can kill you. Many spells are hidden behind secrets; They much be attained. It is your own cunning and desire for knowledge that will lead you to these secrets.

    Because magic does not care about you, it is a power you must respect. Lest it consume you.