History Main / VancianMagic

'''Leeky Windstaff:''' Truly, more wizards have been laid low by the writings of Creator/JackVance than by any single villain.\\

* Aside from [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Gaiden]] and its remake, FireEmblem uses this system, where magic is stored within various items (mainly tomes for offensive use and staffs for utility/healing) to be used, and like the weapons, [[BreakableWeapons have a set number of uses]].

* The first ''HeroesOfMightAndMagic'' game uses this system, using the Knowledge stat as the cap on the number of uses the hero can have in each spell. Visiting a Mage Guild recharges the spells found in the Mage Guild.

* In ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'', Black Mage started being able to use the Level 9 [[KamehameHadoken Hadoken]] once per day, [[CripplingOverspecialization and nothing else]]. Or at least, [[TheAllSolvingHammer nothing else he's in the mood to use]], as "not-level 9 spells aren't [his] idiom". Later on, his CharacterDevelopment means he ''does'' start filling his lower-level spell slots with fiery death...only to use them, if anything, even more irresponsibly than his level 9 spells.

** 5th Edition moved away from static spell slots. In 5th Edition, spell-casing classes can "prepare" (i.e. memorize) a certain number of spells. They then get spell slots each level (for example, a 5th level Wizard has four 1st level slots, three 2nd level slots, and two 3rd level slots). They can use those slots to cast any of their prepared spells which "uses up" that slot for the day. They can cast their prepared spells in any combination they wish as long as they have a slot equal to or higher than the spell's level. In addition, some spell-casting classes have "level 0 cantrips" that they can cast at will once they learn them without using spell slots at all. The cantrips include minor effects (creating a light, minor telekinesis, simple illusions, etc.) as well as direct damage spells.

* Aside from FireEmblemGaiden and its remake, FireEmblem uses this system, where magic is stored within various items (mainly tomes for offensive use and staffs for utility/healing) to be used, and like the weapons, [[BreakableWeapons have a set number of uses]].

* Diverging from it's [[VideoGame/DemonsSouls spiritual predecessor's]] ManaMeter, ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' and [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsII its sequel]] follows this model. Each spell has a given number of uses, which replenishes when resting at a bonfire. Spells must be equipped at a bonfire before they can be cast, and take up one or more Attunement slots. The number of slots can be increased by leveling the Attunement stat, or by wearing certain rings. Multiple copies of the same spell can be equipped at once in order to increase the number of uses before having to rest. ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'' just goes back to using a ManaMeter, but like ''Demon's'' and all its predecessors you can only have a limited number of spells equipped at a time.

* Diverging from it's [[VideoGame/DemonsSouls spiritual predecessor's]] ManaMeter, ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' and [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsII its sequel]] follows this model. Each spell has a given number of uses, which replenishes when resting at a bonfire. Spells must be equipped at a bonfire before they can be cast, and take up one or more Attunement slots. The number of slots can be increased by leveling the Attunement stat, or by wearing certain rings. Multiple copies of the same spell can be equipped at once in order to increase the number of uses before having to rest. ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'' just goes back to using a ManaMeter.

* Diverging from it's [[VideoGame/DemonsSouls spiritual predecessor's]] ManaMeter, ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' and [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsII its sequel]] follows this model. Each spell has a given number of uses, which replenishes when resting, and takes up one or more "Attunement Slots." The number of slots can be increased by leveling your Attunement stat, or wearing a couple of rings. If you have acquired more than one "set" of spell uses, you can put more of them into slots to increase your total capability of casting that specific spell. ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'' just goes back to using a ManaMeter.

This tends to create the problem that the mage must somehow ''know'' (or at least predict) which spells will be most useful in the near future. If you are expecting combat, then you (probably) aren't going to prepare a "talk with animals" spell that day, which may leave you up a creek if that's precisely what you need to do later. (And if you use up all your spells too quickly, you may ''really'' be up a creek later.) To work around this problem, some writers use a {{Mana}} or "spell points" system, where the mage can cast any spells they know at any time as long as they have a large enough reserve of energy at the time, which they can replenish later (either by RegeneratingMana or with a ManaPotion).

* Diverging from it's [[VideoGame/DemonsSouls spiritual predecessor's]] ManaMeter, ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' and its sequel follows this model. Each spell has a given number of uses, which replenishes when resting, and takes up one or more "Attunement Slots." The number of slots can be increased by leveling your Attunement stat, or wearing a couple of rings. If you have acquired more than one "set" of spell uses, you can put more of them into slots to increase your total capability of casting that specific spell. ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'' just goes back to using a ManaMeter.

* ''Literature/VillainsByNecessity'': In keeping with the ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' style fantasy parody, magic works in this way. Valerie duels a good mage, and their spells keep harmless blocking each other until they use up all the ones they've prepared. They simply cast their last ones (which are not offensive) then politely take their leave of each other, as neither is then capable of harm by magic at that point.

* In the web novel ''Literature/{{Anachronauts}}'' most wizards ''do not'' use magic this way, but the protagonist, Emily, has a "memory issue" which forces her to cast spells from page, i.e. manually copy them on pieces of paper that burn after use. [[spoiler: This turns out to be BlessedWithSuck, because spells burn anything they're written on, ''brains'' included, which is why other human mages end up showcasing that WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity.]] Later on, all mages are given this spell-memorising restriction.

* In Matthew Stover's ''Literature/TheActsOfCaine'' series, spells can be patterned into a variety of items and then used as necessary, essentially creating this effect. As the world is a very LowFantasy take on the ''ForgottenRealms'', the inspiration is likely a direct one.

** [[{{Mana}} Spell-point]] systems of all official products were used only in [[ForgottenRealms Netheril]] setting [[note]]where arcanists were ''supposed to be'' quite powerful[[/note]] and Players Options[[note]]PO were [[ExecutiveMeddling sadly half-baked]] on average, so even best of innovations didn't take root[[/note]]; plus, of course, [[GameMod homemade variants]] -- in ''The Net Wizard's Handbook'' alone 3 of 6 systems were spellpoint-based.

Naturally, this approach to magic is a lot more common in non-interactive media (where it's of course easy for the creators to match the character's spell selection -- when it's even explicitly shown -- to the later needs of the plot) than it is in video games, which, while often inspired by VancianMagic, stretch its rules quite a bit since demanding a lot of magic preparation in a game could easily become annoying and/or create pacing issues. As such, most games that involve magic base its rules around the much simpler ManaMeter. Or sometimes a mix, you may only be able to "equip" a certain number of spells for any given level, but use them as often as you can afford the cost.

** The Warlock class, as it appeared in 3.5e's ''CompleteArcane,'' was completely non-vancian. Warlocks can cast Invocations ''at will'', an unlimited number of times per day, without penalty. However, unless you go epic or invest in feats, [[CompetitiveBalance you can only learn 12]]. In addition, the list of invocations is far smaller than the list of available spells.

* Early Series/FinalFantasy games, being heavily inspired by D&D, utilize this to a degree. There are 8 levels of spells, with three slots per level. Classes that are more magically inclined can use the higher level spells, and more importantly get more charges per level. Later releases would replace the charges with MP, which simplifies the system while removing the resource management required.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasy'' used a fairly TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons-inspired system, if limited by the technology of the time. Every magic user had a number of spell charges for each level of magic, with the preparation aspect coming from the fact that they could only learn 3 spells out of the four for each level (Red Mages had both schools available). Unlike the Elixirs and Ethers in later games, spell charges could only be recovered by resting. Some of the remakes use the ManaMeter instead but the learning restrictions still apply.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasy'' used a fairly DnD-inspired system, if limited by the technology of the time. Every magic user had a number of spell charges for each level of magic, with the preparation aspect coming from the fact that they could only learn 3 spells out of the four for each level (Red Mages had both schools available). Unlike the Elixirs and Ethers in later games, spell charges could only be recovered by resting. Some of the remakes use the ManaMeter instead but the learning restrictions still apply.

* In [[http://yourplayersaidwhat.tumblr.com/post/133930221462 one story]] featured in the Website/{{Tumblr}} blog "Shit Your Players Say", a spellsword constantly wrote in a book for years during a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' game and warned her allies to never open it. It turns out that she was writing explosive runes each of which doing 5d6 of force damage (6-30 points) in every available spell slot in there (1200 slots per page [there being 100 pages in the book] totalling to an average of ''600,000d6 of force damage'') and used it to wipe out a third of the {{BigBad}}'s forces, punch a gateway into another plane of existence pulling in every psionic that uses that plane, creating living explosive spells that destroy everything in their way, and sent the surrounding area into ruin.

* Elona follows this to the letter, and piles on a ManaMeter, [[MagicMisfire spell failure rates,]] and [[AdamSmithHatesYourGuts extortionate prices]] for [[ResourcesManagementGameplay spellstock-restoring books]] to boot, seeing them as the only way to prevent [[LinearWarriorsQuadraticWizards Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards.]] While it doesn't quite manage to [[Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick deliberately force some kind of arbitrary equality between those of us who can reshape matter with our thoughts and those who cannot,]] it does wedge magic users into a very comfortable spot high up in DifficultButAwesome territory.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* In ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'', Black Mage started being able to use the Level 9 [[KamehameHadoken Hadoken]] once per day, [[CripplingOverspecialization and nothing else.]] Or at least, [[TheAllSolvingHammer nothing else he's in the mood to use]], as "not-level 9 spells aren't [his] idiom". Later on, his CharacterDevelopment means he ''does'' start filling his lower-level spell slots with fiery death...only to use them, if anything, even more irresponsibly than his level 9 spells.

* In [[http://yourplayersaidwhat.tumblr.com/post/133930221462/over-the-course-of-a-long-campaign-that-sent-young one story]] featured in the Website/{{Tumblr}} blog "Shit Your Players Say", a spellsword constantly wrote in a book for years during a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' game and warned her allies to never open it. It turns out that she was writing explosive runes each of which doing 5d6 of force damage (6-30 points) in every available spell slot in there (1200 slots per page [there being 100 pages in the book] totalling to an average of ''600,000d6 of force damage'') and used it to wipe out a third of the {{BigBad}}'s forces, punch a gateway into another plane of existence pulling in every psionic that uses that plane, creating living explosive spells that destroy everything in their way, and sent the surrounding area into ruin.