- Eating the heart of a dragon, or drinking its blood, is
traditional
- Sacrifice -- the more valuable and personal, the better
- Find the master; earn his respect so he'll teach you
- Deal with the (a) devil; (b) gods; (c) otherworlders, whether that's Sidhe, djinn, elementals, or Old Ones
- Study, study, study. Learn the secret language of magic, or the true names of things.
- Live in a magical place (Faerie, convergence of ley lines)
- Acquire a/the magical item (Excalibur, the One Ring, Harry Potter's wand)