History Main / SpellConstruction

* MagicWand--reusable tools for doing magic

** In ''The Sims 3'', spells require a MagicWand, which can vary in quality (the more expensive, the more likely the spell is to succeed) and also a certain level of magical skill.

* ''WoodruffAndTheSchnibbleOfAzimuth'': Once you've learned some of the Wisemen's Syllables, you must enter a special screen, where you make specific groups of three Syllables (using some instructions you find in the Bouzouk throne room) to create some magic Formulas.

[[Jerkass No.]] [[ExactWords S-T-R-U-C-T-I-O-N.]]

[[ExactWords C-O-N--]]

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 [[PlayingWithFire throw fireballs]] or [[BalefulPolymorph turn princes into frogs]]. But wait... in order to [[ElementalPowers command the elements]] or [[SoulPower 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.

* EyeOfNewt - physical ingredients

* FormulaicMagic - mathematical equations and formulas
* GeometricMagic - complex diagrams

* MagicalGesture - anything from simply pointing up to ritual dance.

* MagicalIncantation - the words of the spell

* MagicPrerequisite - external factors that have to be right

* MagicWand - reusable tools for doing magic

* In ''MahouSenseiNegima'', most spells are MagicalIncantation, although Pactios seem to require GeometricMagic. There are also some MagicPrerequisite spells, which require that the magic of TheWorldTree is active before they can be used.

* Aversion: In Feist's ''TheRiftwarCycle' the most powerful ''magician's'' would argue with you (if they'd tend to) since people such as nakor or Pug know rather well magic is just tricks and only idiots need chanting and those weird symbols others keep drawing.

* In PiersAnthony's ''Literature/ApprenticeAdept'' 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.

* In {{Academagia}}, magic spells are cast using special symbols, called "phemes", that are combined to produce spells a bit like phonetic sounds are combined to produce words. Spells are usually inscribed on magical three dimensional space, called a "palette", using a wand. However, it is the phemes that are essential to spell casting, specialized tools like palettes and wand are helpful in a number of ways but not necessary. Theoretically, a skilled mage could draw the phemes in dust or mud with a stick and still cast spells, provided the phemes are made accurately.
* ''TheSims 2''. All spells require [[EyeOfNewt reagents]] (except for teleportation). Strangely, all the potions only require a cauldron and level 2 magic.
* Several spells in ''WorldOfWarcraft'' require reagents, although they're generally very easy to get. It's also possible to use "Glyphs" to remove the material requirements for some spells.

* ''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. In addition, more complex magic rituals require runes (the Servant summoning ritual requires a circle made from blood) and a catalyst for the reaction (the aforementioned ritual requires something possessed by the Heroic Spirit in question).

** Pathfinder kept much of ''DungeonsAndDragons'' components, but also gave Sorcerers (mages that gain power from their blood, not their knowledge) the ability to cast without material components for free (Wizards still had to burn a feat for it).
* Magic in ''{{GURPS}}'' requires {{Mana}}, [[MagicalGesture MagicalGestures]] and [[MagicalIncantation MagicalIncantations]]. Certain spells also need EyeOfNewt and complex designs. Energy requirements often necessitate items that provide additional power. Casters can ignore most of these (but never the mana) with sufficiently high skill or by taking penalties when casting.

* ''VideoGame/EvilIslands'': You must craft spell before you use them, using a keystone and then adding runes to increase the attributes (damage, range, duration...) of the base spell.

* 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)

* ''DungeonsAndDragons'' spells typically use [[EyeOfNewt material]], [[MagicalGesture somatic]], and [[MagicalIncantation verbal]] components (However, any arcane caster can take a feat that removes the need for material components that don't cost money-useful in the middle of a dragon raid and you're out of fireball components). It also has [[MagicWand focuses]] that are reusable but specific to a particular spell, and a few {{Prestige Class}}es that use GeometricMagic. [[ReligionIsMagic Divine magic]] rarely uses material components, and its gestures are simple enough that they can be performed in armor, but often requires holding a holy symbol.

* ''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. [[ReligionIsMagic Divine magic]] rarely uses material components, and its gestures are simple enough that they can be performed in armor, but often requires holding a holy symbol.

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* In the WhateleyUniverse, most magic is MagicalGesture or MagicalIncantation, but some of Hekate's really dark magic is more EyeOfNewt.
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[[IncrediblyLamePun Stop it.]]

* In PiersAnthony's ''ApprenticeAdept'' 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.

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* 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)
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* In ''HarryPotter'', most magic is cast with {{magic wand}}s, waved in [[MagicalGesture just the right way]], [[MagicalIncantation while speaking in]] [[CanisLatinicus psuedo-Latin.]]
** The potions, however, are pure EyeOfNewt
* In ''{{Ethshar}}'', wizardry combines EyeOfNewt, {{magical gesture}}s, and {{magical incantation}}s.
** And {{magic wand}}s (the Athame, a dagger with part of the wizard's soul in it).
* In ''TheDresdenFiles'', minor magic requires magical words that can basically be anything the caster wants them to be so long as the intent is there, moderate magic and potions require EyeOfNewt, and very high levels of magic require rituals and a symbolic construction such as a model or magical circle. There are shortcuts around all of these so as long as you believe hard enough and have a large enough source of energy, but it might backfire badly if you try to do it without the spell components.