Your favourite magic system? - Page 2

jeff_wilson · 07-11-2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fwibos

Since I love games that model a "real world" view of magical systems that carry the verisimilitude of how Real World "magicians" and practitioners work,

Are you distinguishing between two senses of "real world" here, and if so, which two?

Fwibos · 07-11-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_wilson

Are you distinguishing between two senses of "real world" here, and if so, which two?

Ach, hell, I was desperately not trying to offend anyone who believes that magic actually exists. Political Correctness FAIL on my part, apparently.

Basically A "Real World" game is a game world like ours but with magic, the Real World is the world we live in, where the only magic is science!

It's also damn fine reality television programming. ;D

Refplace · 07-11-2010, 11:36 AM

I like them all and tend to use multiple versions in most fantasy campaigns.
I think the classic spell or college magic system is the most well developed and thus gets the most use.
But the Ritual system is based off it and pretty solid.
Rune or Symbol magic is also based but could use some more built samples.
Maybe Ill toss one at the upcoming Pyramid.
Realm Magic feels kinda kludgey to me but I like the concept and it was a port from the WoD licence.
Gem Magic I didnt really like.
Spirit Assisted magic was ok but not written up with enough detail for me so I replaced it with my own model.
I agree more Path/Book examples would be terrific.
And finally I have been tossing around ideas but not actually built and tested a Supers Magic system yet for duplicating comic mages or high power Fantasy mages. I have some ideas and the main thing I want is to allow good mage duels. If anyone is interested in that let me know and ill bump it up in priority.

Stormcrow · 07-11-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolemnGolem

Spell-based for the typical fantasy combat mage. Depends on mana, which ranges from Low to Very Low (with a few rare sinkholes where it is Normal).

The standard magic rules work for so much more than combat! Having recently reread A Wizard of Earthsea, I was struck my how closely the magic of Earthsea can be emulated with the standard magic rules in a normal mana environment by simply rearranging the colleges a little and aspecting magic in the Reaches.

zorg · 07-11-2010, 11:42 AM

I love Powers magic for the design flexibility, and I'm itching to try out Realms magic. I doubt I can interest my players in the latter, though...

panton41 · 07-11-2010, 11:55 AM

Path/Book or Realm/Powers for secret magic urban fantasy.

GURPS Magic for Dungeon Fantasy and Epic Fantasy.

Powers as magic for Supers and as a subset of Epic Fantasy.

I've actually found GURPS difficult to do some kinds of fantasy in properly because the sense of wonder is difficult to achieve when the rules are so ridged about defining effects. Urban Fantasy in particular is difficult to do since it's hard to make magic remain a mystery when it's so highly quantified in the rules. I suppose I just need to read the rules more closely, though.

Astromancer · 07-11-2010, 01:34 PM

I'm with the crowd in most of this. If I'm doing subtle secret or gothick magic, some kind of Path/Book mix works best.

If I'm doing a more conventional D&Dish or Dungeon Fantasy setting, GURPS: Magic magic, with spells ect. (modified to the setting) is lovely. Especially with the Decans and other Cabal-ish trick thrown in.

For grand mages in Ascenion Wars, Superhero Mages, or TL12 Space Opera superwizards, either disguised or obvious, Realm Magic, or some other syntactical magic has the oomph and the style.

cbower · 07-11-2010, 03:22 PM

My favorite is the standard spell-based magic system. It works well for me, as I tend to run nothing besides fantasy.

Voren · 07-12-2010, 02:18 AM

It really depends on the game I'm running -- and that's the beauty of it, between Powers, Magic, and Thaumaturgy, I have a lot of choices.

aesir23 · 07-12-2010, 06:04 AM

Path/Book Magic. Hands down. The only magic system I use (except in supers games, where I use Powers based magic).

It feels more like magic than any other system. It feels mythic and folkloric. It distinguishes magic from other niches even more, and the capabilities of magic from sufficiently advanced technology.

07-11-2010, 11:36 AM	#13
Refplace Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Yukon, OK	Re: Your favourite magic system? I like them all and tend to use multiple versions in most fantasy campaigns. I think the classic spell or college magic system is the most well developed and thus gets the most use. But the Ritual system is based off it and pretty solid. Rune or Symbol magic is also based but could use some more built samples. Maybe Ill toss one at the upcoming Pyramid. Realm Magic feels kinda kludgey to me but I like the concept and it was a port from the WoD licence. Gem Magic I didnt really like. Spirit Assisted magic was ok but not written up with enough detail for me so I replaced it with my own model. I agree more Path/Book examples would be terrific. And finally I have been tossing around ideas but not actually built and tested a Supers Magic system yet for duplicating comic mages or high power Fantasy mages. I have some ideas and the main thing I want is to allow good mage duels. If anyone is interested in that let me know and ill bump it up in priority.

07-11-2010, 11:42 AM	#15
zorg Experimental Subject Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: saarbrücken, germany	Re: Your favourite magic system? I love Powers magic for the design flexibility, and I'm itching to try out Realms magic. I doubt I can interest my players in the latter, though... __________________ Like a mail order mogwai...but nerdier - Nymdok understanding is a three-edged sword

07-11-2010, 01:34 PM	#17
Astromancer Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Virginia	Re: Your favourite magic system? I'm with the crowd in most of this. If I'm doing subtle secret or gothick magic, some kind of Path/Book mix works best. If I'm doing a more conventional D&Dish or Dungeon Fantasy setting, GURPS: Magic magic, with spells ect. (modified to the setting) is lovely. Especially with the Decans and other Cabal-ish trick thrown in. For grand mages in Ascenion Wars, Superhero Mages, or TL12 Space Opera superwizards, either disguised or obvious, Realm Magic, or some other syntactical magic has the oomph and the style. __________________ Per Ardua Per Astra! Ancora Imparo Last edited by Astromancer; 07-12-2010 at 10:46 AM.

07-11-2010, 03:22 PM	#18
cbower Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL	Re: Your favourite magic system? My favorite is the standard spell-based magic system. It works well for me, as I tend to run nothing besides fantasy.

07-12-2010, 02:18 AM	#19
Voren Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada	Re: Your favourite magic system? It really depends on the game I'm running -- and that's the beauty of it, between Powers, Magic, and Thaumaturgy, I have a lot of choices. __________________ GM, to player: "Yes, acid can look like water."

07-12-2010, 06:04 AM	#20
aesir23 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vermont	Re: Your favourite magic system? Path/Book Magic. Hands down. The only magic system I use (except in supers games, where I use Powers based magic). It feels more like magic than any other system. It feels mythic and folkloric. It distinguishes magic from other niches even more, and the capabilities of magic from sufficiently advanced technology. __________________ My ongoing thread of GURPS versions of DC Comics characters.