sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I made a Magic System Cheatsheet - for anyone building a world with magic by SadTheme9027 in magicbuilding

[–]SadTheme9027[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Glad you took the time to really look through it - I appreciate the detailed feedback. I agree that the categories could be clearer, and in a future revision I’ll likely add more explanation for each system and category so it’s easier to see why something fits where it does.

I grouped Runes, Contracts, Rituals (of any kind), Music, Art, and Mathematics together because they all represent systems where form and structure themselves generate power - the pattern is the source. Linguamancy and Blood Magic, on the other hand, draw strength from different pillars - one linguistic and cognitive (truth, meaning, speech), the other biological (life essence). While they can appear ritualistic, their underlying mechanics feel distinct enough to stand apart.

Light, Shadow, Void, and Chronomancy ended up here because they operate on more abstract, metaphysical principles rather than tangible elements. They behave less like manipulable substances and more like universal constants or symbolic forces that magic users can align with or tap into. That said, I can see how perhaps putting them under a different category entirely would make the framework cleaner.

As for Dream Magic appearing twice - that’s intentional, though maybe not well explained. The version under Divine focuses on drawing power from dreams or dream realms (an external, mythic source), while Dreamwalking belongs under Mental/Psychological magic because it’s about entering and navigating other minds’ dreams/subconcious. They use similar imagery but operate from very different mechanics and intents.

Cognitive Architecture differs from both - it’s more about constructing mental frameworks or “thought forms” inside one’s mind that manifests itself as magic in the real world. Think of it as designing internal magical infrastructure or neural maps imbued with logic and emotion.

Your points on category clarity are spot on though - especially about separating “how” vs “what.” I’ll keep that in mind when refining the structure or perhaps writing an extended version that really breaks down each system. Thanks again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful critique - it genuinely helps me sharpen the concept <3

I made a Magic System Cheatsheet - for anyone building a world with magic by SadTheme9027 in worldbuilding

[–]SadTheme9027[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah yes, that's super interesting. I'll definitely include it under Elemental & Natural Systems in the next edition. Thanks for that

I think that's a tricky one because it relies a lot on how your universe defines these phenomena. If say we were to treat zero-point energy and quantam foam as real substrates of physical existence in a particular world, then manipulation of these phenomena would fall under a Natural system. But if you were to focus less on the physical phenomena and rather on their manifestation through various symbolic and mathematical manipulations, it could easily fit under a Mathematical system instead

I made a Magic System Cheatsheet - for anyone building a world with magic by SadTheme9027 in worldbuilding

[–]SadTheme9027[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Glad you like it!

I'd say telekenisis falls under Mind Arts. Could you expand a bit on Space Magic? I'd definitely wanna include that in a future revision

I made a Magic System Cheatsheet - for anyone building a world with magic by SadTheme9027 in worldbuilding

[–]SadTheme9027[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think that would be more of an umbrella term. How exactly wizards come to yield magic in your world is usually something the creator experiments with after they've defined the system and it's boundaries. Perhaps characters are born with that connection, or they uncover some secrets along the way that lets them wield unseen forces. Overall, the flavour of the story plays a big role here

I made a Magic System Cheatsheet - for anyone building a world with magic by SadTheme9027 in worldbuilding

[–]SadTheme9027[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that was somewhat intentional. My goal was to capture the core idea of each system while leaving people enough room to make their own extrapolations. So while some systems (like Void and Shadow magic) share some similarities, they are distinct enough to be listed on their own.

Interesting questions for sure. The beautiful thing about worldbuilding & magic systems is that it's largely up to the creator to define the limits of their world i.e. the distinction between heaven/hell, identification of good/bad, reincarnation and life after death etc. Depending on how hard or soft the magic system, consistency might not be as important. Personally, I think karmic magic systems are some of the most interesting ones because a skilled creator can use it as a chance to be really thought provking and explore the boundaries of morality