History Main / SpellConstruction

* MageTheAwakening runs the gambit. Improvised magic can be cast without any of the construction methods, buts its pretty unreliable so most mages use rotes which require [[MagicalGesture mudras]]. To get more benefits mages often also use, [[LanguageofMagic High Speech]][[MagicalIncantation incantations]], [[MagicWand dedicated magical tools]], and less frequently [[GeometricMagic runes and sigils]]. If they really need to increase the power they can use a ritual with the right [[EyeOfNewt sacraments]]. Also, while they can usually get enough from the ambient magic, but some spell require them to spend [[Magic Prerequisite mana]].

* In ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha,'' most spells use InstantRunes which have to be properly calculated [[FormulaicMagic with math]]. Most mages also use Devices, MagicWand|s with built in AIs to facilitate casting. A MagicalGesture or a short MagicalIncantation is often used as a trigger command to cast a spell once it has been prepared, although those are just mental shortcuts. There are also some spells, such as Nanoha's [[WaveMotionGun Starlight Breaker]], that recycle recently used {{Mana}}, and as such are more powerful at the end of a battle.

* In ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha,'' most spells use InstantRunes which have to be properly calculated [[FormulaicMagic with math]]. Most mages also use Devices, MagicWand|s with built in AIs to facilitate casting. A MagicGesture or a short MagicalIncantation is often used as a trigger command to cast a spell once it has been prepared, although those are just mental shortcuts. There are also some spells, such as Nanoha's [[WaveMotionGun Starlight Breaker]], that recycle recently used {{Mana}}, and as such are more powerful at the end of a battle.

* The British TV show Knightmare featured spellcasting which was literally having to spell a specific word. However the spell first had to be taught by an npc or found within the dungeon (most often in pieces)

* In ''Ethshar'', wizardry combines EyeOfNewt, {{magical gesture}}s, and {{magical incantation}}s.

* In PiersAnthony's ''Apprentice Adept'' series, each of the powerful wizards in Phaze has their own form of SpellConstruction; the Blue Adept uses MagicMusic, the Yellow Adept uses EyeOfNewt, White uses GeometricMagic, Green uses MagicalGesture, etc.

** EquivalentExchange

** HermeticMagic

[[folder:{{TV Shows}}]]
* The British TV show Knightmare featured spellcasting which was literally having to spell a specific word. However the spell first had to be taught by an npc or found within the dungeon (most often in pieces)

* [[ShadowRun Shadowrun]] has all of the above as entirely optional. By default, no magic requires anything (except the specific combination of [[HermeticMagic hermetic]] [[SummonMagic conjuration]] always requires [[EyeOfNewt expensive components]] and [[GeometricMagic a summoning circle]]). Otherwise, you can accept any of the above as a limitation to offset the magical power lost because CyberneticsEatYourSoul (at the cost of not being able to use magic at all when you don't meet the requirements). Alternatively, or even on top of this, you can learn individual spells with such limitations in order to make them even more powerful (but likewise, you can never cast that spell, even a weakened version, if you can't meet your self-imposed restriction).

* ''TheSims 2''. All spells require [[EyeOfNewt reagents]] (except for teleportation). Strangely, all the potions only require a cauldron and level 2 magic.

<<|MagicAndPowers|>>

* ''DungeonsAndDragons'' spells typically use [[EyeOfNewt material]], [[MagicalGesture somatic]], and [[MagicalIncantation verbal]] components.
** It also has [[MagicWand focuses]] that are reusable but specific to a particular spell, and a few {{Prestige Class}}es that use GeometricMagic.
*** Dungeons and Dragons can use all six depending on the spell and the person casting it, but it is also possible to cast a spell without any construction, typically by taking certain feats. The construction is mostly a helper.

Hooray, you've got phenomenal magical powers! Mastery of the universe is in your hands... at least the parts of the universe that let you throw fireballs or turn princes into frogs. But wait... in order to command the elements or the spirits, you'll need to follow very precise instructions and use just the right ingredients. Casting a spell, it seems, is less like pulling a trigger and more like baking a cake. You might find the recipe in a SpellBook.

[[NoJustNoReaction Stop it.]]

Stop it.

C-O-N--

* In ''MageTheAscension'', every magic wielder pretty much defined his own "foci", as they were called. And while each Tradition had classic types of foci associated with them, you could have your own as long as it made sense within your belief system. For example, a mage who was also an archaeologist might use his [[MagicWand bullwhip]] to affect physical changes, while charging [[EyeOfNewt bullets]] with magic for destructive effects. Later on, however, as the mage became "enlightened", he could begin to use various types of magic WITHOUT his foci, though using them still made it easier.

* MageTheAwakening runs the gambit. Improvised magic can be cast without any of the construction methods, buts its pretty unreliable so most mages use rotes which require [[MagicalGesture mudras]]. To get more benefits mages often also use, [[LanguageofMagic High Speech]][[MagicalIncantation incantations]], [[MagicWand dedicated magical tools]], and less frequently [[GeometricMagic runes and sigils]]. If they really need to increase the power they can use a ritual with the right [[EyeOfNewt sacraments]]. Also, while they can usually get enough from the ambient magic, but some spell require them to spend [[Mana mana]].

* ''FateStayNight'' requires {{Mana}} and an incantation for magic to be cast -- higher rank spells require several verses (one verse is equivalent to 4-6 lines) in order to cast. Caster bypasses this because she has access to the skill "High-Speed Spellcasting", which allows her to use the language of the Gods and significantly reduce casting time, and of course allowing her to use Rank-A spells with ease.

The more unusual examples of each component may blur into each other, but they can be distinguished by the way they are handled. if it's kept in a bottle, it is EyeOfNewt, even if it's the sound of a child laughing.

Note that the spells do not neccessarily have to be casted as soon as they are created. If the setting allows for the user to hold onto a spell after construction to be used later, then it can have a construction method that takes very long such as RitualMagic, and still allow for spells that are cast instantly when they are needed, or to be used for fast-paced magical battles. See VancianMagic for this kind of solution.

Note that the spells do not neccessarily have to be casted as soon as they are created. If the settings allows for the user to hold onto a spell after construction to be used as a later, then setting can use a construction method that takes very long such as RitualMagic, and still allow that they can be cast instantly when needed, such asfor fast-paced magical battles. See VancianMagic for this kind of solution.

A setting's FunctionalMagic needn't use all of these, but which it uses makes a big difference to how the wizards in that setting work. If all magic needs is the [[MagicalIncantation right words]], spells can be cast fast but a gagged wizard is powerless. If all magic is requires drawing [[GeometricMagic complex diagrams]], it won't be as fast, but even a bound and gagged wizard might be able to draw an explosive sigil with their elbow.