History Main / TrainingTheGiftOfMagic

* ''Literature/SchooledInMagic'': You need to be magically-gifted to use most forms of magic. Using it well and safely however requires training, which [[WizardingSchool schools like Whitehall provide]] (some rich magicians get tutors).

** The one big attempt we see by untrained and ungifted characters to work significant magic, in ''Literature/GuardsGuards'', involves lengthy rituals and external sources of power. It sort of works, very spectacularly, but does not end at all well.

* In ''LightNovel/MyNextLifeAsAVillainessAllRoutesLeadToDoom'', the magical power a magic-user has is more or less determined when their powers first manifest at about four or five; any training only gives {{linear|WarriorsQuadraticWizards}} improvements ''at best''. Training, however, improves the user's control over their magic. This is important to people like Keith whose magic is both [[MarionetteMaster very powerful and very difficult to control]]; PowerIncontinence is part of his DarkAndTroubledPast.

* In ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'', the magical gift comes in [[FantasticMeasurementSystem two measurable parts]]: "bucket capacity" (how many "spell points" you can use with one spell) and "pool capacity" (how many "spell points" you can have in total). High levels of either attribute are an in-born gift, but if you have those, you also need to study and learn magical lore. Gourry Gabriev, for example, has magical gifts but lacks the intelligence and memory to learn magical skill. Furthermore, only pool capacity can be increased through training and practice; bucket capacity is something determined at birth, so the only ways to increase it are by magical "cheating" (e.g. wearing extremely rare and specialized power-boosting talismans, or undergoing the [[FusionDance chimera process]] with magical creatures like Brau Demons).

* ''Literature/SchooledInMagic'': You need to be magically gifted to use most forms of magic. [[spoiler: Rune Magic doesn't require this, but magicians don't teach that to {{muggles}} because the Subtle Art is a serious pain in the ass as it is. Alchemy also technically doesn't require magic, but using it safely generally requires magical wards and some forms of alchemy use magic directly in the brewing. However, originally Alchemy and magic were separate skills.]]

In some settings with functional magic (or magic-like powers), the ability to work it properly is an innate talent which not everyone possesses--and if you haven't got it, you'll never be a high-power spell-caster. But you ''also'' need training to use this gift to full effect.

This is not the same as magic as an innate super-power, used instinctively; magic-working still requires study, and high levels of skill give a large advantage over under-trained casters. But you still need the "gift" to start with. Where magic works and is a matter of education but this trope isn't in play, anyone with enough smarts, determination, and training can be able to use magic as well as anybody else.

# one must train in order it use it effectively

Likewise, in some cases, even a person with the gift can only work magic after learning the requisite skill or otherwise having it "unlocked" in some way. In others, the gifted can produce magical effects, perhaps when under stress or through intense concentration, but can't ''control'' them properly. The latter situation usually makes gifted but untrained individuals [[PowerIncontinence highly dangerous to themselves and others]]; magic-workers may consider locating and training the gifted to be an important social duty. If too many untrained gifted individuals have done too much accidental damage, they--and sometimes other magic workers--may be the target for semi-justified {{Witch Hunt}}s. More trivially, the ungifted may be at once jealous of the gifted, and puzzled about why they spend so much time in laboratories and classrooms, not understanding the importance of training.

* Magic involves both some kind of gift and training in ''LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero'', though the details are vague. The protagonist, Louise, is notoriously bad at casting magic, so much so that she's been nicknamed "Zero" by her classmates (and the fact that she is able to summon a familiar is seen as a miracle), but it's unclear if ranks on the FantasticMeasurementSystem are in-born or achieved through training.[[note]]It turns out that her problem is complex. Magic in this setting is based on elemental powers -- [[DishingOutDirt Earth]], [[BlowYouAway Air]], [[MakingASplash Water]] and [[PlayingWithFire Fire]]. Most individuals can only control one element, or at least are ''much'' better with one element than with the others. Louise is inheritor to the long-lost ElementNumberFive, [[ThePowerOfTheVoid Void]], and as a result she can't use ''any'' other form of magic -- implying an obvious problem in acquiring the necessary training.[[/note]]

* In ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'', the magical gift comes in [[FantasticMeasurementSystem two measurable parts]]: "bucket capacity" (how many "spell points" you can use with one spell) and "pool capacity" (how many "spell points" you can have in total). High levels of either attribute are an in-born gift, but if you have those, you also need to study and learn magical lore. Gourry Gabriev, for example, has magical gifts but lacks the intelligence and memory to learn magical skill. Furthermore, only pool capacity can be increased through training and practice; bucket capacity is something determined at birth, so the only ways to increase it are by magical "cheating" (e.g. wearing extremely rare and specialized power boosting talismans, or undergoing the [[FusionDance chimera process]] with magical creatures like Brau Demons).

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Ordinary humans are limited to being able to make a circle (which just requires a drop of blood and an effort of Will) and work a ritual, which Dresden describes as "a cosmic vending machine" -- perform ritual, insert sacrifice, get result, because the power comes from the being you're invoking. You need to have magical potential to work proper spells, but how hard you train ultimately affects what you can use your magic for, it being explicitly stated that even a relatively minor talent, properly trained and [[StrongerWithAge given time]] can "grow teeth." Harry starts out as UnskilledButStrong - he's one of the top 50 strongest mages in the world in his mid-twenties, despite the fact that practitioners hit their magical prime at around 100 years old. However, he's not overly subtle, lacks control and stamina, and often wastes power as a result in the earlier books. Over the course of the books, he learns a lot about using far more precision and focus (especially after he takes [[spoiler: Molly]] as his apprentice, meaning that he gets a much better understanding of the basics after re-examining them as an adult). This is made most apparent in ''Literature/SkinGame'', when he encounters another mage who he says has a similar level of raw power, but because she's only ever practiced fire magic and [[CripplingOverspecialization neglected everything else, she's ultimately the weaker of the two]]. At the end, even though he's tired and carrying a number of broken bones, while she's relatively fresh and backed up by [[spoiler: Lasciel]], with extensive knowledge of most of his offensive and defensive skills, he still beats her comfortably, even while trying to talk her down. As he says afterwards, sickened, "that wasn't a fight. It was murder."

* In the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series, you're either a witch/wizard or a "muggle." Witches and wizards can only perform minor and largely uncontrolled magic without training and the assistance of a wand, but a muggle can study all they like, they'll ''never'' be able to do it. "Muggleborn" wizards exist, so the gift isn't always inherited direct from your parents, but WordOfGod is that they must all have ''[[RecessiveSuperGenes some]]'' wizard ancestors.\\\

The strength of Gifts varies wildly, with Mage gifts in particular being divided into tiers[[note]]Divided after the fact. Not every culture or school of magic agrees on the tiers. It's a categorization, not a level system.[[/note]] by the strongest source of magical energy they can access without backlash. Each power source offers upwards of an order of magnitude more energy than the last, yet it's oft-noted that a WeakButSkilled caster can still defeat somebody at a higher tier that does nothing but clumsily throw their weight around.

* In Creator/CassandraClare's ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments'' and its prequel series ''Literature/TheInfernalDevices'', Warlocks and Shadowhunters are an example of this. Warlocks are the HalfHumanHybrid offspring of demons and possess an innate ability to wield magic. But they can only do so in the most crude ways without training in magical languages, writing and spells. Likewise, the Shadowhunters have angelic blood that gives them the potential to scribe [[GeometricMagic magical runes]] from the language of Heaven. However, this is akin to learning calligraphy, as the runes are often very complex. They also have to be drawn with focused intent using an implement called a ''stele'' (analogous to a wand) in order to work. Most Shadowhunters only know a fraction of the runes originally given to them by the [[CelestialParagonsAndArchangels Angel Raziel]].

* ''Literature/SchooledInMagic'': You need to be magically-gifted to use most forms of magic. [[spoiler: Rune Magic doesn't require this, but magicians don't teach that to {{muggles}} because the Subtle Art is a serious pain in the ass as it is. Alchemy also technically doesn't require magic, but using it safely generally requires magical wards, and some forms of alchemy use magic directly in the brewing. However, originally Alchemy and magic were separate skills.]]

* ''Literature/SwordOfTruth'': People who have the gift need training for them to use magic (this requires touching their "Han", or life force). The gifted are trained in the Palace of the Prophets. When sorceresses, this is fairly easy. However, if they're wizards this can take ''centuries''. As a result, the Palace is under a spell which stops people aging while they're there so they don't simply die of old age before this is possible. Wizards used to be trained in the Wizards' Keep, but the old wizards have died out except for Zedd by the time of the series (he's too busy to train anyone as well).

* After her SuperpoweredEvilSide's RoaringRampageOfRevenge at the end of Season 6, ''Series/{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}'''s Willow Rosenberg undergoes magical training in England. This is a slightly odd example, in that she had already reached a pretty advanced stage of development as a witch, but it's implied that she relied too much on raw power with less-than-perfect discipline, and Season 6 certainly saw the development of a very [[AddictiveMagic unhealthy approach to her power]]. Her post-England attitude to magic is noticeably more Zen, or at least more focused and less wild, than it had ever been up to this point. Characters in the series such as Giles who possess sufficient education but no apparent gift can work magic, but must perform complex rituals and are a lot more tentative about it.

* The Ocampa on ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' have absolutely enormous potential for PsychicPowers, with the possibility of even becoming EnergyBeings and AscendingToAHigherPlaneOfExistence. However, this is something that the vast majority of them will never achieve, as it usually requires are great deal of training (or something pushing them into SuperMode) to get them to this point. The SufficientlyAdvancedAlien Suspiria has made it her mission to train a small group of Ocampa to reach their full potential and join her in AnotherDimension. It also doesn't help that the Ocampa have an average lifespan of only 9 years, limiting their training time.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' magic users work this way. Around .1% of the Earth's population are born "Awakened" and able to perceive magic at all, which in gameplay terms means having a Magic stat higher than 0. Within the Awakened population there are also varying talents that decide how you can use your magic. Gameplay-wise, your talent determines what you can use your Magic stat to actually do, by limiting which magically active skills you can learn. One's talent is also limited by birth; full-blown magicians (who can learn any magic-related skill) are extremely rare setting-wise and a tiny percentage of the overall Awakened population. Finally, there is how much raw power you have, which is decided by your Magic stat, your known spells and rituals/[[MagicEnhancement Power Points (for adepts)]], and your skill rating(s) in your magical skills. This final part can be changed over time by improving characters with [[ExperiencePoints Karma]] and money, representing training your gift. A sorcerer (a magic user who can only cast spells, not perform rituals, summon spirits or enchant items) with a high Magic stat, training in spellcasting and knowing the right combat spells can and will ruin the day of a full blown mage who is less trained, but will never be able to match the latter's flexibility.

* In the [[Franchise/DragonAge Dragon Age series]] everyone (except dwarves) is connected to [[BackgroundMagicField the]] [[DreamLand Fade]], a magical realm that exists alongside the normal world. Mages are those who are born with unusually strong connections that allow them to draw power from it by shaping [[WillOTheWisp wisps]] into spells. While potential is at least partially genetic, it is impossible to say who will or will not be a mage at birth as the power usually begins to manifest at [[PubertySuperpower the onset of puberty]]. When discovered, a mage is required to join [[MutantDraftBoard the Circle of Magi]] immediately and permanently to receive training in using their powers. Those who fail to receive training as soon as possible risk stunted magical potential, [[PowerIncontinence dangerous accidents]] and DemonicPossession.

** Ezreal was born with the potential to be a powerful mage, but he wanted to be an explorer too much to waste time in magic lessons. His gift went untapped for many years, but eventually his explorations turned up an artifact that would channel his power for him. In his old lore, he 'paid' for the artifact by letting it summon him into League matches -- in his new lore the cost is not yet known.

[[folder:WebComics]]

* ''Webcomic/StandStillStaySilent'': Only a select number of individuals are able to use magic at all, and the differences in power between the three mages introduced in the story comes from the amount of training and practical experience that they've each had.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Ordinary humans are limited to being able to make a circle (which just requires a drop of blood and an effort of Will) and work a ritual, which Dresden describes as "a cosmic vending machine" -- perform ritual, insert sacrifice, get result, because the power comes from the being you're invoking. You need to have magical potential to work proper spells, but how hard you train ultimately affects what you can use your magic for, it being explicitly stated that even a relatively minor talent, properly trained and [[StrongerWithAge given time]] can "grow teeth." Harry starts out as UnskilledButStrong and over the course of the books learns a lot about using far more precision and focus (especially after he takes [[spoiler: Molly]] as his apprentice, meaning that he gets a much better understanding of the basics). This is made most apparent in ''Literature/SkinGame'', when he encounters another mage who he says has a similar level of raw power, but because she's only ever practiced fire magic and [[CripplingOverspecialization neglected everything else, she's ultimately the weaker of the two]]. [[spoiler: At the end, even though he's tired and carrying a number of broken bones, while she's relatively fresh and backed up by Lasciel, he still beats her comfortably.]]

* In Creator/RobertJordan's ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', approximately one percent of people have the ability to touch the True Source and draw on the One Power, but they'll never do it unless they learn [[MeditationPowerUp the proper form of meditation]]; then they have to learn the precise ways of arranging the Power into [[GeometricMagic weaves]] to create a specific desired effect. This attribute is partly genetic, partly spiritual, which basically means it crops up more often among families, but the main characters are more capable than most BecauseDestinySaysSo. Of those who can channel, about one percent have what is called the "spark", and will eventually channel whether they try or not, often killing themselves in the process. A handful of those survive by putting an instinctive 'block' on their channeling, which makes it harder for them to learn how to do it correctly when they get official training.

* This is how "bending" works in the world of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. One is apparently born as either a "bender" or "non-bender". Without training, Katara's "waterbending" is little more than a parlor trick; you could move more water just by splashing with your hands. ''With'' training, she is capable of healing, manipulating, freezing, and thawing large quantities, and even (under the right circumstances) manipulating water ''in people's blood'' to make PeoplePuppets out of her enemies. It does appear to be possible for some prodigies (such as Avatar Korra of ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', who is seen bending three of the four elements at a very young age with little or no formal training) to be self-taught, but it is ''very'' rare. One exception to the inborn aspect of bending shows up in the third season of ''The Legend of Korra''. The Harmonic Convergence at the end of season 2 somehow grants Airbending to people all over the world (presumably to restore balance after the genocide of the Air Nomads by the Fire Nation).
* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', all unicorns can use active magic, but the amount varies drastically between them. For this reason, Celestia established a royal school where young prodigies can 1) learn spells, 2) learn responsibility, and 3) get their mistakes fixed by other strong unicorns.
* The ''WesternAnimation/SofiaTheFirst'' spinoff ''WesternAnimation/ElenaOfAvalor'' clarifies everyone has some level of amount of raw magic potential, but this can be changed through powerful spells and other magical processes.

Related to the Inherent Gift option described in FunctionalMagic, but that also encompasses magic as a "superpower" that requires no training. WizardingSchool may be one source of training, and perhaps the only one. See also OurMagesAreDifferent, which describes various ways of training or channeling magic, any of which may be required to enable someone with the gift to work effectively or safely, and WitchSpecies, which covers situations where magical power (usually specifically "witchcraft") is a hereditary gift, to the point of defining a separate human species, but these "witches" may or may not need some degree of training. Compare TheSparkOfGenius, for settings in which super-advanced science and engineering are a form of ''de facto'' magic for which [[MadScientist certain individuals]] have an inherent talent.

* ''Fanfic/AFrozenFlower'': Compared to dormant ''lamberos'' who have their powers in check and know how to use them properly, awoken ''lamberos'' tend to be more unruly with their powers, often suffering from PowerIncontinence but still growing stronger as they grow older to such an extent that they are [[PersonOfMassDestruction people of mass destruction]] that can blow up planets and [[StarKilling suns]]. Orchid is an example of the latter kind of ''lambero'', and was the apprentice of Oprah before a string of failures made her nearly give up on her. Oz, a dormant ''lambero'' himself, then stepped in as her mentor and taught her how to keep her powers under control, but died before he could train her any further. Despite this, however, Orchid manages to have a good handle on her powers by the end of the story.

* In the [[Franchise/DragonAge Dragon Age series]] everyone (except dwarves) is connected to [[BackgroundMagicField the]] [[DreamWorld Fade]], a magical realm that exists alongside the normal world. Mages are those who are born with unusually strong connections that allow them to draw power from it by shaping [[WillOTheWisp wisps]] into spells. While potential is at least partially genetic, it is impossible to say who will or will not be a mage at birth as the power usually begins to manifest at [[PubertySuperpower the onset of puberty]]. When discovered, a mage is required to join [[MutantDraftBoard the Circle of Magi]] immediately and permanently to receive training in using their powers. Those who fail to receive training as soon as possible risk stunted magical potential, [[PowerIncontinence dangerous accidents]] and DemonicPossession.

* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', all unicorns can use active magic, but the amount varies drastically between them. Some unicorns struggle to telekinetically flip over a page: others can brainwash entire towns on a whim. For this reason, Celestia established a royal school where young prodigies can 1) learn spells, 2) learn responsibility, and 3) get their mistakes fixed by other strong unicorns.

* This is how "bending" works in the world of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. One is apparently born as either a "bender" or "non-bender". Without training, Katara's "waterbending" is little more than a parlor trick; you could move more water just by splashing with your hands. ''With'' training, she is capable of healing, manipulating, freezing, and thawing large quantities, and even (under the right circumstances) manipulating water ''in people's blood'' to make PeoplePuppets out of her enemies. It does appear to be possible for some prodigies (such as Avatar Korra of ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', who is seen bending three of the four elements at a very young age with little or no formal training) to be self-taught, but it is ''very'' rare. One exception to the inborn aspect of bending shows up in the third season of ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra''. The Harmonic Convergence at the end of season 2 somehow grants Airbending to people all over the world (presumably to restore balance after the genocide of the Air Nomads by the Fire Nation).

* In the ''Franchise/StarWars'' franchise, not everyone is "strong in the Force;" a BadassNormal like Han Solo could meditate on hokey ancient religions all he liked, but it would be no match for a good blaster at his side. Without training, most Force-sensitives can use their powers only unconsciously, rendering them lucky in ways subtle enough to only be identified through (for example) statistical analysis of gambling patterns, or enhance their reflexes in ways that render them not much different from a BadassNormal. ''With'' training, they can do all the flashy quasi-magical Jedi tricks we see in the films, novels, video games, etc.

* In Creator/CassandraClare's ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments'' and its prequel series ''Literature/TheInfernalDevices'', Warlocks and Shadowhunters are an example of this. Warlocks are the HalfHumanHybrid offspring of demons and possess an innate ability to wield magic. But they can only do so in the most crude ways without training in magical languages, writing and spells. Likewise, the Shadowhunters have angelic blood that gives them the potential to scribe [[GeometricMagic magical runes]] from the language of Heaven. However, this is akin to learning calligraphy, as the runes are often very complex. They also have to be drawn with focused intent using an implement called a ''stele'' (analogous to a wand) in order to work. Most Shadowhunters only know a fraction of the runes originally given to them by the [[CelestialParagonsAndArchangels Angel Raziel]]

* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' magic users work this way. Around .1% of the Earth's population are born "Awakened" and able to percieve magic at all, which in gameplay terms means having a Magic stat higher than 0. Within the Awakened population there are also varying talents that decide how you can use your magic. Gameplay-wise, your talent determines what you can use your Magic stat to actually do, by limiting which magically active skills you can learn. One's talent is also limited by birth; full-blown magicians (who can learn any magic-related skill) are extremely rare setting-wise and a tiny percentage of the overall Awakened population. Finally, there is how much raw power you have, which is decided by your Magic stat, your known spells and rituals/[[MagicEnhancement Power Points (for adepts)]], and your skill rating(s) in your magical skills. This final part can be changed over time by improving characters with [[ExperiencePoints Karma]] and money, representing training your gift. A sorcerer (a magic user who can only cast spells, not perform rituals, summon spirits or enchant items) with a high Magic stat, training in spellcasting and knowing the right combat spells can and will ruin the day of a full blown mage who is less trained, but will never be able to match the latter's flexibility.

(There is a ''possible'' middle ground in the form of “squibs” like Argus Filch — the children of wizards who don't have magical powers. Filch tried to use a lesson series to use some magic but he never developed any abilities and it's highly implied those lessons were a scam.)

** In the Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar series, true magic and mind-magic (PsychicPowers) are both inborn gifts. Untrained Gifts suffer from PowerIncontinence; an untrained {{telepath|y}}, for example, could drive herself mad through HearingVoices and needs to learn a PsychicBlockDefense to stay sane. Gifts tend to [[PubertySuperpower manifest at puberty]]. Those with the potential to be Heralds attract the attention of the [[BondCreatures Companions]], who Choose likely youngsters and carry them off to the capital to be trained. Others get training with Healers, Bards, independent magic schools, or even foreign mages like the Tayledras.\\

* In Creator/RobertJordan's ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', approximately one percent of people have the ability to touch the True Source and draw on the One Power, but they'll never do it unless they learn [[MeditationPowerUp the proper form of meditation]]; then they have to learn the precise ways of arranging the Power into [[GeometricMagic weaves]] to create a specific desired effect. This attribute is partly genetic, partly spiritual, which basically means it crops up more often among families, but the main characters are more capable than most BecauseDestinySaysSo. Of those who can channel, about one percent have what is called the "spark", and will eventually channel whether they try or not. If they aren't guided the first few times, they have a three in four chance of dying.

* In ''LightNovel/MyNextLifeAsVillainessAllRoutesLeadToDoom'', the magical power a magic-user has is more or less determined when their powers first manifest at about four or five; any training only gives {{linear|WarriorsQuadraticWizards}} improvements ''at best''. Training, however, improves the user's control over their magic. This is important to people like Keith whose magic is both [[MarionetteMaster very powerful and very difficult to control]]; PowerIncontinence is part of his DarkAndTroubledPast.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Ordinary humans are limited to being able to make a circle (which just requires a drop of blood and an effort of Will) and work a ritual, which Dresden describes as "a cosmic vending machine" -- perform ritual, insert sacrifice, get result, because the power comes from the being you're invoking. You need to have magical potential to work proper spells, but how hard you train ultimately affects what you can use your magic for, it being explicitly stated that even a relatively minor talent, properly trained and [[StrongerWithAge given time]] can "grow teeth." Harry starts out as StrongButUnskilled and over the course of the books learns a lot about using far more precision and focus (especially after he takes [[spoiler: Molly]] as his apprentice, meaning that he gets a much better understanding of the basics). This is made most apparent in ''Literature/SkinGame'', when he encounters another mage who he says has a similar level of raw power, but because she's only ever practiced fire magic and [[CripplingOverspecialization neglected everything else, she's ultimately the weaker of the two]]. [[spoiler: At the end, even though he's tired and carrying a number of broken bones, while she's relatively fresh and backed up by Lasciel, he still beats her comfortably.]]

* In Lynn Flewelling's Literature/{{Nightrunner}} series, most of the [[OurElvesAreBetter Aurënfaie]] and many humans with 'faie ancestors exhibit some Inherent Gift. It is usually very minor unless they work to develop proficiency with it. The Third Orëska of Skala actively seeks children with magical potential and recruits them as apprentice wizards.

* In ''TabletopGame/TheDarkEye'', one has to have both magical talent and a long, involved education to become a full mage. A person who wasn't trained, or whose talent was weaker, is a "quarter-mage" or "magic-dilettant": they have a limited number of spells they can cast as a supernatural ability, but they can't learn other spells and have a smaller spell point pool. Half-mages are in between (depending on a character's culture and profession, they may have had more or less magical education). Only some humans are capable of magic, but all [[OurElvesAreBetter elves]] are, and every half-elf is at least a quarter-mage.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' magic users work this way. Around .1% of the Earth's population are born "Awakened" and able to use magic at all, which in gameplay terms means having a Magic stat higher than 0. Within the Awakened population there are also varying talents that decide how you can use your magic. Gameplay-wise, this determines what you can use your Magic stat to actually do, with full-blown magicians or shamans (who can use their Magic stat on any magic-related skill they're trained in) being extremely rare setting-wise and a tiny percentage of the overall Awakened population. One's talent is also limited by birth. Finally, there is how much raw power you actually have within your talent(s), which is decided by your Magic stat, your known spells and rituals, and your skill ratings. This final part can be changed over time by improving characters with [[ExperiencePoints Karma]] and money, representing training your gift by study and purchasing new equipment. A sorcerer (a magic user who can only cast spells, not perform rituals, summon spirits or enchant items) with a high Magic stat, training in spellcasting and knowing the right combat spells can and will ruin the day of a full blown mage who is less trained, but will never be able to match the latter's flexibility.

* ''Tabletop/{{Shadowrun}}''. Around .1% of the Earth's population are "Awakened" and able to use magic at all, which in gameplay terms means having a Magic stat higher than 0. People are born Awakened or not; losing your magic or becoming Awakened as an adult are singular occasions that needs something like a PlotDevice to happen. Secondly, within the Awakened population there are varying talents that decide how you can use your magic. Gameplay-wise, this determines what you can use your Magic stat to actually do, with full-blown magicians or shamans (who can use their Magic stat on any magic-related skill they're trained in) being extremely rare setting-wise and a tiny percentage of the overall Awakened population. One's talent is also usually limited by birth; try as you might, an Adept cannot become a Magician, or ''vice versa''. Finally, there is how much raw power you actually have within your talent(s), which is decided by your Magic stat and your skill ratings. This final part can be changed over time by improving characters with [[ExperiencePoints Karma]], representing training your gift.

* In ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening'', anyone has the potential to "Awaken" to a Supernal Path and begin to develop their powers in various "Arcana" of magic through a PointBuildSystem. However, each Path is associated with specific Arcana and a mage is limited in how far they can progress in other Arcana without outside help; for example, an Acanthus can master [[WindsOfDestinyChange Fate]] and {{Time|Master}} on their own, but needs a tutor to progress beyond the basics in Matter.