History PlayingWith / MagicAisMagicA

** See SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic

* Marcy is introduced on ''Generic Fantasy Show'' by a writer who doesn't bother to think through the implications of her magic. When other writers use her in the first season, [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands her powers work as the plot demands]] without [[AssPull reference to how previous episodes handled it]]. Eventually, one of the writers comes up with consistent rules for Marcy's magic, which some of the writers remember to use, others don't, and a few handwave special exceptions for. Worse, the episodes are not aired in the order they were produced, so Marcy may not have a spell this week that she had last week. Fans trying to write Marcy up for role-playing games have fits.
* Marcy uses arcane magic, which is worked through spells and symbols and follows consistent rules. Her friend [[BadassPreacher Nigel]] uses divine magic, which involves praying to God and works however God feels like making it work today.

* '''Zig Zagged''': Marcy is introduced on ''Generic Fantasy Show'' by a writer who doesn't bother to think through the implications of her magic. When other writers use her in the first season, [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands her powers work as the plot demands]] without [[AssPull reference to how previous episodes handled it]]. Eventually, one of the writers comes up with consistent rules for Marcy's magic, which some of the writers remember to use, others don't, and a few handwave special exceptions for. Worse, the episodes are not aired in the order they were produced, so Marcy may not have a spell this week that she had last week. Fans trying to write Marcy up for role-playing games have fits.

* '''Enforced''': The writers of ''Generic Fantasy Game'' put strict limits on how magic works so that mages are balanced with other Character Classes.

** If magic is so consistent in its rules that they can be determined by the scientific method, [[ClarkesThirdLaw then mages are just engineers and scientists in funny robes]].\\
\\
After all, magic is supposed to ignore the laws of physics. If it does, then its just another rule of the universe, like gravity or electromagnetism.

** Despite having consistent rules magic is seen as too 'mystic' to be 'real science' and mages are looked down on by engineers and scientists etc. The mages, for their part, see magic as 'more art than science'.
** The {{Mana}} that powers the spells comes from {{Physical God}}s and the rules are consistent because they help teaching new mages how to use magic. They could change the rules on a whim and without warning.
** Being consistent prevents magic from being [[GameBreaker thoroughly abused]].

** If magic is so consistent in its rules that they can be determined by the scientific method, [[ClarkesThirdLaw then mages are just engineers and scientists in funny robes]].
*** After all, magic is supposed to ignore the laws of physics. If it does, then its just another rule of the universe, like gravity or electromagnetism.

* '''Exploited''': ???

* '''Downplayed''': Marcy's spells have set rules to work, but different spells have quite a lot of variety in their applications.

* '''Downplayed''': ???

* '''Deconstructed''':
** If magic is so consistent in its rules that they can be determined by the scientific method, [[ClarkesThirdLaw then mages are just engineers and scientists in funny robes]].
** See SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic
* '''Reconstructed''':
** If magic is so consistent in its rules that they can be determined by the scientific method, [[ClarkesThirdLaw then mages are just engineers and scientists in funny robes]]. Cue the {{Magitek}} {{Science Hero}}es.
** Despite having consistent rules magic is seen as too 'mystic' to be 'real science' and mages are looked down on by engineers and scientists etc. The mages, for their part, see magic as 'more art than science'.
** The {{Mana}} that powers the spells comes from {{Physical God}}s and the rules are consistent because they help teaching new mages how to use magic. They could change the rules on a whim and without warning.

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'''Basic Trope''': FuctionalMagic and [[AppliedPhlebotinum other paranormal abilities]] have consistent rules that govern their use and limitations.

'''Basic Trope''': Magic and other paranormal abilities have consistent rules that govern their use and limitations.

** Despite having consistent rules magic is seen as too 'mystic' to be 'real science' and mages are looked down on by engineers and physists etc. The mages, for their part, see magic as 'more art than science'.

** The {{Mana}} that powers the spells comes from {{Physical God}}s and the rules are consistent because they help teaching new mages how to use magic.

** Those engineers and scientists [[BadassBookworm are still mages]].

** Marcy and the PlayerParty meet [[AnIcePerson Boris]], who can do things with his magic that violate the rules as Marcy has explained them.
** See WrongContextMagic
** Also see BeyondTheImpossible.

* '''Justified''': The gods who made the world don't want mages to break it too easily, so they put limitations to hold magic back from being too easy to use.
** Or it's just sufficiently advanced science, and so follows laws similar to the rest of physics. See deconstructed.
* '''Inverted''': Magic is chaotic in nature--it can do anything, and sometimes does, except that it's not often the effect the mage desired, and may suddenly stop working for no discernable reason. Anyone who tries to determine the laws of magic goes mad.

* '''Subverted''': Marcy and the PlayerParty meet [[AnIcePerson Boris]], who can do things with his magic that violate the rules as Marcy has explained them.

* '''Deconstructed''': If magic is so consistent in its rules that they can be determined by the scientific method, [[ClarkesThirdLaw then mages are just engineers and scientists in funny robes]].

* '''Reconstructed''': Those engineers and scientists [[BadassBookworm are still mages]].

In accordance with the ancient laws of Deep Magic, you may go Back to MagicAIsMagicA, and may the Source be with you.

** Also BeyondTheImpossible.

In accordance with the ancient laws of Deep Magic, you may go Back to MagicAIsMagicA, and may the Source be with you.

* '''Deconstructed''': If magic is so consistent in its rules that they can be determined by the scientific method, [[{{ptitletnnwhqnhdt9x}} then mages are just engineers and scientists in funny robes]].

* '''Deconstructed''': If magic is so consistent in its rules that they can be determined by the scientific method, then mages are just engineers and scientists in funny robes.

* '''Zig Zagged''': Marcy is introduced on ''Generic Fantasy Show'' by a writer who doesn't bother to think through the implications of her magic. When other writers use her in the first season, her powers work as the plot demands without reference to how previous episodes handled it. Eventually, one of the writers comes up with consistent rules for Marcy's magic, which some of the writers remember to use, others don't, and a few handwave special exceptions for. Worse, the episodes are not aired in the order they were produced, so Marcy may not have a spell this week that she had last week. Fans trying to write Marcy up for role-playing games have fits.

* '''Reconstructed''': [[BadassBookworm They're still mages]].

* '''Reconstructed''': [[BadassBookworm So what?]]

* '''Reconstructed''': But really, what's wrong with being engineers and scientists in funny robes?