What's your favorite spell system?

[Yair]

So we agree it's not quite as good as 3.5 psionics or vancian magic then?

- Psion, Mr. 358, looking over his shoulder for Joe

LOL

In the office too, shameless.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

I have also always felt I am settling for an 'okay' system, but the ones that top my chart are:

Shadowrun 2e; skill based, limited by stun damage
Elements of Magic: Revised; point based and highly flexible

I am looking forward to Ranger Wickets EoM version 3 that is going to mix what he learned from EoM:R and EoM:ME to create a better system

 

[Nadaka]

I like the vancian system to a certain degree, it has some very strong features. But it isn't perfect for everything.

In my next campain, I think that arcanists will be the only vancian casters with memorization (Though I will try to re-balance with fewer spells at once, but a rapid recovery mechanic).

 

[greywulf]

Rolemaster forever!!!!!

I've a soft spot for Ars Magica and Elephants of Magic too. And I'm kinda proud of the system in Microlite20

What I like about D&D magic is the spells themselves. I don't like spell slots, vancian spell memorisation and silly material components. Take out those and it's great, but it's no longer D&D.......

 

[Geoffrey]

The magic system in the Call of Cthulhu RPG is my favorite published magic system. I like how it (especially in the earlier editions) mostly involves invoking, binding, conjuring, and banishing Cthulhoid entities. I do not like wizards who have powers "of their own". I prefer for them to have NO powers of their own. Instead, they have to make unspeakable pacts with unspeakable entities. I like this quote:

Magic in most modern fantasy fiction has become too nice. That's right: too nice. Wizards are sad-eyed fellows who say cryptic things . . . or they're Just Folks who raise cats or struggle for social reform. What has happened to Maleficent, to Elric, or to those wonderful fellows in black robes who wielded curved daggers and swore by Set? Whatever happened to the sorcerer as cosmic outlaw?

The one element missing is the classical sorcerer who, by himself or herself, wields NO magic: no spells, no powers, no senses. He or she just knows how to call up demons (whatever THEY are) and how to bind them. That's all.

(source: http://www.sorcerer-rpg.com/brochur...ml?PHPSESSID=d597c0b27b5790cfec669e5a2e7d3ecd )

 

[Khairn]

Favorite magic systems that I have played/ GM'ed ... ranked in a purely subjective order ....

1) - Mage The Ascension

2) - Ars Magica

3) - RMSS (Rolemaster)

4) - Arcana Evolved/ Unearthed

5) - Elements of Magic

6) - Harnmaster

7) - Psionics 3.5

8) - D&D 3.?

 

[WhatGravitas]

I also like elements of Monte Cook's revision in Arcana Unearthed/Evolved. Once again, rarity of the spell is a factor in availability. And unlike most previous published versions of the Vancian system, the quality of your material components can make a difference in the results of your spell- a nice touch.

Yes, that's definitively my favourite incarnation of the Vancian system... - combines flexibility and ease of use.

 

[sckeener]

Ars Magica is the best.

Having said that I am not a fan of mixing and matching systems. I feel like Ars Magica magic system works wonderfully in Ars Magica. The ports I have seen of it to other systems have left me under whelmed.

 

[Crothian]

And with 282 reviews, that's saying something.

It is not an accurate count.

 

[Slife]

It is not an accurate count.

*Does lookup*

http://www.enworld.org/member.php?u=232&sort=&order=0&page=16&pp=20

20 review per page * 15 pages of reviews +1 extra = 301 reviews.


See, one left over at 300 reviews per page