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Other Gaming => RPGs & Adventure Gaming => Topic started by: bayonetbrant on February 17, 2020, 07:59:36 AM

Title: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 17, 2020, 07:59:36 AM
https://www.armchairdragoons.com/articles/analysis/musings-on-rpg-magic-systems/
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Martok on February 17, 2020, 02:58:38 PM
I just learned two things: 


1.)  I'm apparently one of the only people on Earth not particularly bothered by how magic works in D&D. 

2.)  "Vancian"?  ??? 



Anyway, it was a good article.  Even if I don't personally have a problem with D&D's magic system (or lack thereof), I can certainly see why others might be.  Having a more concrete, defined set of mechanics governing it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. 

Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: mirth on February 17, 2020, 03:08:39 PM
1.)  I'm apparently one of the only people on Earth not particularly bothered by how magic works in D&D. 

I've ever had a problem with it, but I have friends who have literally spent hundreds of hours developing their own magic rules and spells to go with them.
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: BanzaiCat on February 17, 2020, 03:20:54 PM
My idea with fun with magic is the old gold box D&D games, and figuring out the correct tile to drop a 9th-level Fireball on, in order to crisp as many monsters as possible, without burning one of my characters.
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 17, 2020, 03:43:46 PM
2.)  "Vancian"?  ??? 


Based on the writings of Jack Vance
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: bbmike on February 17, 2020, 05:38:56 PM
Currently, I'm liking the Dungeon Crawl Classics magic system.
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: mirth on February 17, 2020, 05:41:41 PM
Currently, I'm liking the Dungeon Crawl Classics magic system.

No one asked you :P
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: bbmike on February 17, 2020, 08:14:56 PM
Yeah, I'm feeling very pebbly concretis around here lately.
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Staggerwing on February 17, 2020, 08:22:46 PM
There are herbal salves for that, made from rare medicinal flowers which grow only on the banks of the Danube.
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: mirth on February 17, 2020, 10:45:23 PM
There are herbal salves for that, made from rare medicinal flowers which grow only on the banks of the Danube.



Cleric.... losers
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: BanzaiCat on February 18, 2020, 07:21:35 AM
Yeah, you all say that until you need some healing.

(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/oots/images/d/d2/OOTS0006.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20150601004903)
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Capn Darwin on February 18, 2020, 09:08:37 AM
We left the D&D magic system in the early 80s because it sucked. In fact we left D&D period for our own game system. 40 years, a number of revisions, but still getting played to this day.  :nerd:
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Dalinore on February 18, 2020, 09:21:49 AM
I did not mind the DnD system for magic, but have not pls DND past 3rd edition our group went with pathfinder. Rifts rpg had an ok system but had on spell you can cast at lower level that was more powerful then most high level. (Carpet of Adhesion).  Role master was an ok system there is no perfect system or spell progression with any system. Been rpging for 36 years and have not found one that was perfect.
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 18, 2020, 10:04:36 AM
the point of the article wasn't necessarily to try and find or describe the perfect one, b/c there are different fits for different types of games.

the idea was to describe the facets of a magic system that could/should be addressed by the designers, in figuring out how to implement their system for their particular game


I happened to like the DD4e system for a high-fantasy sort of system, but I fully recognize that I'm an outlier in how much I liked 4e compared to pretty much everyone else under the sun
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Martok on February 18, 2020, 12:04:03 PM
2.)  "Vancian"?  ??? 


Based on the writings of Jack Vance

Ah.  And here I thought it might be some obscure reference to a magic system Bartheart had come up with.  :D 
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Barthheart on February 18, 2020, 12:06:26 PM
2.)  "Vancian"?  ??? 


Based on the writings of Jack Vance

Ah.  And here I thought it might be some obscure reference to a magic system Bartheart had come up with.  :D

Me too!!  :D
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: bob48 on February 18, 2020, 01:39:12 PM
........that probably involves the manipulation of black holes.
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Bison on February 23, 2020, 03:03:53 AM
I don’t mind the D&D magic mechanics but I guess playing the game for several decades now has made me indifferent. It’s a system we frequently house rule as we like and move on with the game.

Now if you want to start talking about class parity and developing decent campaigns post level 8...
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: bob48 on February 23, 2020, 06:16:56 AM
Bison!

Slight change of subject, for which I apologise, but did you do much with the MtG 2020 stuff yet?
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Bison on February 23, 2020, 06:42:20 AM
Bison!

Slight change of subject, for which I apologise, but did you do much with the MtG 2020 stuff yet?

I'm pretty busy with work but I did take the kids to the pre-release and we started to build a core set cube. We will finish it in a few months just in time to deal with the next core set. :D It's a really good core set.

A buddy and I each bought a $20 star city games box o' cards to build janky decks to play. Its been a fun and cheap way to teach someone the game.
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: bob48 on February 23, 2020, 07:36:49 AM
 :bigthumb:
Title: Re: Musings on RPG Magic Systems
Post by: Silent Disapproval Robot on February 24, 2020, 12:02:19 PM
I thought the magic system in The Dark Eye was pretty good.