Ambiguous Name: Magic Missile

I think this is a clear consensus and can be called by now.

Agreed.

Although, should the name still be changed? If we're reworking the description so that the trope doesn't have to involve a direct, line-of-sight path, then D&D's Magic Missile spell would still be a valid example, so the trope name would no longer be ambiguous.

I don't think Magic Missile counts even with the revised description, for two reasons. First, I think the magic missiles are the effect of the spell, not a manifestation of the spell itself. (Like the fireball non-example given in the description.) More importantly, it unerringly seeks its target and cannot be dodged, only blocked (by a Shield spell) or countered/nullified.

How important is that distinction, really? I think not much. A large share of the misuse seems to be potholing the Trope Namer just because. If we want to limit it to strictly magic spells that take effect in a projectile manner but NOT magical projectiles (literally "magic" "missiles") then by that standard the share of misuse is higher.

edited 20th Jun '13 7:02:45 AM by Stratadrake

Because the second one is still blatantly against the spirit of the trope.

edited 20th Jun '13 11:03:19 AM by KylerThatch

While I guess I can see the difference between a spell that needs to touch its target to take effect and a spell with the effect of creating dangerous objects that fly through the air, I don't think that's what this trope is about at all. It's about magical missiles. Or perhaps projectile spells.

Is there a difference? Does that difference matter?

Compare:

• A spell in the form of a projectile that sets whatever it hits on fire.
• A spell that creates a projectile that sets whatever it hits on fire.

I'd say the "difference" is mostly semantics. It may have meaning in specific situations — such as when Anti-Magic is involved and it needs to be determined whether the projectile counts as magic — but this trope does not appear to be one of those situations.

I don't think the difference is notable. At most it might be worth splitting out a subtrope, but I don't think it's a good idea to have a narrow trope without the supertrope.

No, that's not a substantial difference.

@Kyler: Okay, I'll try to respond point by point:

1. The official description of the trope-naming Magic Missile is along the lines of magical energy that "darts out" from the caster's fingertips and flies towards its target to inflict force damage upon impact.
2. So what if the trope namer is also an Always Accurate Attack?

edited 20th Jun '13 7:41:04 PM by Stratadrake

I will not argue #1 anymore, it's a silly triviality anyway.

#2, however. One of the big defining points of the trope is that you can physically avoid being hit by the spell if you sidestep or leap out of the way, or you throw a smoke bomb at your feet and the caster can't see you properly, or they have an unsteady aim, et cetera. An Always Accurate Attack is the exact opposite of that concept.

edited 20th Jun '13 11:47:11 PM by KylerThatch

The defining point of the trope is that the attack has travel time. It's the difference between the wizard just waving the wand and the target suddenly being on fire, and them doing the same and shooting a fireball. Because, you know, magic. There's no fundamental reason for magic to have a travel time from point A to point B. If it does it's because the writers chose to use this trope. Whether or not they can dodge it seems secondary to me.

edited 20th Jun '13 11:59:55 PM by Clarste

^ Thank you.

IMO, claiming that an AAA is not an example of a MM is like saying a homing missile is somehow not a missile.

A good example of what is or is not: In Psychonauts one of your psi powers is a psychic projectile (Psi Blast) which fires a "bullet" of energy towards your target. But with Pyrokinesis, you simply target your opponent, a thermometer meter appears over them and when it peaks, they burst into flames. The first could be a MM, but the second is not.

edited 21st Jun '13 9:33:09 AM by Stratadrake

Calling the crowner.

Projectile Spell, at +17 (yeas:19 nays:2) 9.50 : 1 No other option even in the green.

Go ahead and do the move. Thread is starred.

edited 21st Jun '13 2:10:40 PM by Madrugada

I'll take this one too.

Took care of the wicks (save for the one on the soon-to-be-cut laconic), the page and the tagging (discussion, Renamed Tropes and the thread)

Now only the discussion move remains.

Discussion moved. Locking the thread. Thank you for finishing it up.

edited 21st Jun '13 3:19:21 PM by Madrugada