A magic system should include...

[Kahuna Burger]

This won't be the best poll, cause there are so many options, I know I won't hit them all. Just check off the aspects you think go into a 'good' magic system. If you think lots of magic systems can be good, feel free to check contridicting options. Flame the left out options....

Kahuna Burger

 

[Kahuna Burger]

As a bump and a random note, I really wish that the percentages in the multiple answers polls showed the percentage of voters who chose that option, not percentage of total votes it got. So if 10 people voted and 6 chose option C, the percentage listed for option c should be 60%, not "whatever percentage 6 is out of however many total options the 10 people chose".

Kahuna Burger

 

[GuardianLurker]

I checked all three origin options and the "language" one. I'm not advocating that there be three different types of spellcasters (sorcerors/wizards/clerics), but that some of the base components - the vast majority of which are learnable by anyone - be limited to being aspects of bloodline/gifts.

Also, one option I think was missed -
A good magic system should have a good, consistent, organized theory of magic to hang all of its spells on.

 

[seasong]

Well, with only 10 votes so far, that's easy-peasy . 90% of people think subtle effects and influences are good!

 

[Umbran]

There are only a comple of things a magic system needs to be good, but none of them are in the poll. What you have here is a list of stylistic details. I've seen what I felt were good systems using each of these things.

Ergo, none of them are necessary. What's necessary in a good magic system is a manageable mechanic that yields interesting and effective results. It ought to have a flavor that fits the game world in which it will be used. Restricting yourself to saying that good magic systems have style details X, Y, and Z and no system without them is "good" is to work with blinders on.

 

[Storminator]

My choice isn't there!

I just want it to be playable. If it's too much trouble, I don't like it.

PS

 

[Quinn]

Huh...I just voted for both flashy and subtle effects...gotta have my fireball type spell alongside my charm person!

Really, I just want a magic system to be playable and have some flavor to it...some story behind it that has meaning in the campaign. Whether spellcasters have innate powers or whether it comes from years of study, whether it comes from a mana pool or is a fire and forget system, etc...I leave that up to the game designer.

On the other hand, I do not think a good magic system would contain ALL of the various choices.

 

[DementiaSummoner1]

OK im sorry

Preporation for spells is pontless. it gets rid of the quick thinking for the game. You need to be able to just look at your character sheet and cast "Magic missle"
So your ideas really dont work in my eyes. But thats just my stupid opinion dont listen to me. And just to let you know Sorcy has that so D&D beet you to it buddy ;-)
<Marquee> Not Gunna WorK!!!</Marquee>

 

[Kesh]

Chaos Magic (Mongoose Publishing) really suits my style well. Needs a few more effects, but I really like systems that are flexible, on-the-fly, and take a toll on the spellcaster (rather than using preparation).

 

[Starman]

I chose the option "knowledge anyone can learn" over "special talent only a few are born to" but I think that it works best when it is not quite "anyone can learn." I like to picture years and years of hard work and dedication that lead to learning the rudiments of magic. Many of those who start quit because the path to magic is too grueling, but those who stick with it become wizards/sorcerers/magic-users/whatever. So it is not quite anyone, but rather only those dedicated enough.

Starman