The Best Magic (and stuff) System of them All!

[willpax]

My homebrew system uses the Star Wars basic mechanic, with a vastly expanded powers list (more like standard d20). I chose Star Wars, but I've actually tried to combine the best of several systems.

As Vaxalon has correctly written, it depends on what world you want it to fit in.

 

[Silverthrone]

The free form option for BESM or the Sorcery power for the old DC / Mayfair / Blood of Heroes system.

 

[Chun-tzu]

When I read the title of this poll, I thought it would be something else. Even within standard D&D, there are several systems of magic.

The most obvious difference is arcane vs divine magic. And within arcane magic, there's wizardry vs sorcery. For bards, there's the standard spell system vs the spellstrings that Monte's bard uses. In Rokugan, the divine vs arcane distinction doesn't seem very significant. Instead, spells are split into the four primary elements for Shugenja. Then there's the psionic system.

Outside of the core books, Wizards has publsihed some alternate forms of magic, including Rune magic and Gem magic in the Forgotten Realms.

Outside of Wizards, there are many alternate magic systems in the various d20 books, like Spells and Spellcraft by FFG, Spells and Magic by Bastion, and Magic by AEG.

As far as this poll goes, though, I abstain, since I'm only familiar with standard magic and psionics.

 

[Teflon Billy]

I chose "other", meaning Ars Magica.

 

[tsadkiel]

Out of the d20 stuff I've seen, my favorite is probably the rune system from Spells and Magic. I'm not sure if that counts as standard D&D or Other, though.

I'm still waiting to be astounded.

 

[Eternalknight]

My personal favourite is my own homebrew (which you can find on my website; check my sig plug plug!), but of the ones you listed, I like the Wheel of Time the best. I haven't seen Sovereign Stone's system as of yet.

 

[JeffB]

Other: Decipher's new LotR RPG is the way I personally like magic to work in a fantasy world.

Other than that, I would say out of the d20 versions I've seen the Star Wars Force powers is the coolest; much less complicated than standard D&D magic

 

[FungiMuncher]

Non-D20, I really liked Earth Dawn. It has well defined spells, like D&D, but cooler mechanics. I also liked the variety of flavors that were available in Fantasy Hero, but the mechanics bogged things down (though I admittedly have limited experience with it).

While I like the concept of a free-form magic system, actual play isn't so good with a group full of power-mongering min-maxers.

Of the D20 offerings, Sovereign Stone and Rune Magic have aspects that I like, but feel they're incomplete. I too have high hopes for Elements of Magic.

FM

 

[Cedric]

If you meant d20, you should have specified. Cause I voted "other" and I am also throwing my vote in the hat for Ars Magica.

Best magic system, hands down. Flexible, inovative, demanding, powerful, self-limitating and COOL!

Cedric

 

[Zappo]

*shakes his head*

This depends too heavily on the setting. For D&D, the best system is the D&D one.