My Favorite Magic Systems!

[@martijnvanweele6204]

I think the main problem with Harry Potter's Killing Curse is actually sort of the opposite of what you say. It's too useful. Especially in the later books, the bad guys start using it more and more to the detriment of anything else, because if you have a spell that can just instantly kill the person you're trying to kill and that's impossible to defend against, why would you ever use anything else? There's this scene in the final book during the Battle of Hogwarts where it describes how the castle is filled with flashes of red and green from Stupify spells and Killing Curses, and that's a cool visual for about five seconds. Then you realize that, instead of taking this opportunity to call back to all the cool and varied spells from throughout the books, the book just has everyone in the battle using the same, boring two. I think the magic system could be way more interesting if perhaps the Killing Curse was Tom Riddle's signature spell, a curse so powerful that no other witch or wizard alive has mastered it. This would force the bad guys to use a wider variety of spells, it would make the Killing Curse and Tom Riddle even scarier, and it would lend more weight to Harry being the only person to ever have survived it.

[@moonangel97]

I LOVE this idea. I've always hated the battles in the last few books because it really was just a back n forth of red and green spells when we know very well that they have way more spells than that. And having only Voldemort know the killing curse does help this! Like you said, they would have to get more creative with their spells. We could have seen more magical fights like the one between Voldemort and Dumbledore.

[@gustsword6588]

Also the killing curse is plain stupid imo. Like, it's an instakill which is overpowered but also it's fast and in a sense even merciful? I'm not sure if it's painless or not, but its very fast. I'm going off of the movies but Molly Weasley literally vaporised all whater from Bellatrix and then exploded her. How is that not more forbidden than a simple killing curse? The only one of forbidden spells that makes sense to me is Cruciatus. How is mind control forbidden but love potion is not? The more I rewatch HP the more weird and hole-y it is honestly.

[@gustsword6588]

that's more of a tangent on worldbuilding and logistics and ethics than a magic system tho.

[@martijnvanweele6204]

@@gustsword6588 True, but a good magic system and good worldbuilding mutually support one another. A poorly integrated magic system is bad worldbuilding, and bad worldbuilding can severely undermine a good magic system.

[@matityaloran9157]

@@moonangel97Uniquenameasaurus made a video about that specifically. I believe it was titled “the best fight in Harry Potter and why Avada Kedavra is a stupid spell”

[@nathananiki2363]

The more complex a magic system is, the funnier it is when a character randomly pulls a glock.

[@aratheonfantasyworld1514]

I'm a total Sanderson fan and the Mistborn magic system is definitely unique. Sanderson definitely comes up with the most unique magic systems. I'm still scratching my head at how he came up with spren for Stormlight Archive, but I absolutely love the idea of someone's magical power being tied to their ideals. And the metal magic system is pretty cool and I love how it changes slightly in the next era as the world changes. Also loved the other picks you presented.

[@moonangel97]

Sanderson always amazes me with his unique settings and weird magic systems! Do you have a favorite Sanderson series?

[@aratheonfantasyworld1514]

​@@moonangel97 that's a tough question. There are so many good series. I had recently read the Skyward novels in the cytoverse and loved them, and the Sunlight man was amazing. Great concept again with the world that's constantly being burned and the mystery of who Nomad is (Which opens up a whole can of worms with a ton more questions). Same with Tress of the Emerald Sea. The spore concept was quite unique. Perhaps Stormlight Archive simply for some truly emotionally impactful moments and a huge twist with who the Voidbringers were and the Raboniel arc. But Wayne from the Wax and Wayne series is one of my favorite Characters. Although Lopen is right up there and his many cousins. Warbreaker had me hooked. Loved the way he reversed the perception of the Emperor. Loved their concept of religion. And Lightsong is another one of my favorite characters. Of course, that's a standalone, same with Sunlight and Tress. And Mistborn Era 1 had such a good twist that was tied together with the Lord Ruler and how it makes you question the concept of morality. It's such a hard decision. Perhaps I'll pick Stormlight, mostly because of Raboniel I think. That moment with her and her daughter really hit hard.

[@aratheonfantasyworld1514]

@@moonangel97 And hbu?

[@viyusavery248]

I appreciate your insight on basically pointing out that hard systems is not rule stacking but more so how in story etc characters come in CONTACT with the hard rules Made me agree with full metal alchemist being more on the softer side because we almost never encounter "NON- equivalent exchange scenarios"

[@moonangel97]

Thank you! It's always bothered me when people put Full Metal at the top of a hard magic list, when it doesn't really use the rules it sets in place.

[@christianboi7690]

I always come back to Mother of Learning. I love the idea of magic being this primal, insanely hard to control ability that you have to work at. Basically everyone used glyphs (either drawn or envisioned) to cast spells and in order to fill those glyphs with magic they practice shaping magic which is just basic manipulation of mana, but as it turns out you can do basically anything that you can do with glyphs with shaping magic, it just gets exponentially more difficult with the complexity of the spell, so you could cast powerful spells with no setup or anything with the proper training, but it’s still more practical to use normal magic for most spells and it’s that practicality that leads most universities to skim over shaping magic aside from the efficiency it’s mastery can provide in powering glyphs. It’s fun, because it feels like there potential there that you can hammer away at to accomplish a task with simple skill instead of memory, though it’s inconceivable that someone could replicate the more complicated of spells and I think that give some good balance to the magic system. Everyone needs to learn shaping magic before they can cast spells and the better you get at it, the more efficient you can be, but if you want an edge casting some of the simpler spells or simply want better control over their application without having to mess with the glyphs, you can learn it through shaping. Also, basic shaping is essentially telekinesis, except even at higher levels that application of it isn’t gonna be powerful enough to be useful in combat usually. You basically just train it by hovering things in the air and practicing stability at first and then maneuvering those object when you learn to control them. There’s a lot more complexity to the magic system and cool applications of it, but I think the main reason it sticks with em so much is because the series took its time with unveiling how it works and helping me understand the authors vision.

[@thunderhawk3147]

I LOVED MOTHER OF LEARNING. easily my favorite just basic form of magic taken to its extreme, that and LoTM are top of the pyramid for me.

[@bakublade1]

My favorite magic systems: Nen(Hunter x Hunter), Alchemy(FMAB), Bending(ATLA), Magic(Frieren)

[@moonangel97]

And they are all fantastic shows!

[@matityaloran9157]

23:37, in Warbreaker (another Brandon Sanderson book) the magic system strongly affects the world to the point where it’s part of the religions in that world

[@moonangel97]

I haven't read that one yet but I've been thinking about getting it recently. Is it good?

[@matityaloran9157]

@@moonangel97 I liked it

[@davidedwards3206]

Power / Magic systems based around having limits, and how the characters overcome / work within those limits makes for far better stories.

[@matityaloran9157]

18:36, there is no movie in Ba Sing Se. Here we are safe. Here we are free

[@moonangel97]

🤣🤣

[@LTTLSUNSHN]

Enjoying the videos so far. If you're not familiar with the Wheel of Time (I don't know) the magic system is really well defined and quite in depth, I think it's one of my favorites.

[@moonangel97]

Thanks! I've heard a lot about Wheel of Time but haven't tried it for myself yet. I'll definitely try it out someday.

[@arcanegenius4697]

mistborn seen in thumbnail, immediately subbed

[@acidrien]

My favorite magic system EVER is Eragon's. Now of course that wouldn't really work in a movie, since it's mostly mental fights, but the simplicity (and depth) as well as the limiting rules are fascinating

[@andiesmiley]

I always appreciated that Christopher Paolini really full sent on the magic being tied to the Ancient Language, to the point that when readers pointed out he messed up his own language, he made that failed spell a plot element based on Eragon's own inexperience rather than handwaving it away. It added a level of depth and danger to learning magic that justified why it was so hard to control and why formal training was both so important and so inaccessible.

[@matityaloran9157]

3:07, Aladdin has a magic system

[@KangarooKommando]

I really liked the magic in China Mieville’s Kraken. You get magic even if you don’t believe in it or want it :P

[@felixheitzer2262]

One thing on Stranger Things: I think, what you call 'telekinesis', is rather 'psyonics' or 'psychic powers'. Because 'tele-kinesis' is literally: "movement at a distance" Just like 'tele-vision' "viewing at a distance" is. As I understand it, Eleven can do all sorts of things, that aren't movement.

[@АлексейИванов-ь4ъ5н]

Yes, she can.

[@xiiir838]

This will be funny. Knowing that you're a big Sanderson fan that also likes Harry Potter, i have an idea for you: what if Harry Potter was part of the Cosmere? There's many ideas for different videos here, but what interests me the most is *how would the magic of the wizarding world (including fantastic beasts) would work as a Sanderson system?* I have my own ideas, but since I'm not a KZbinr, I'll leave the idea to you if you want to pick it up. Nice video 👍 As an author It's always useful to know what others like and why

[@АлексейИванов-х6л9ш]

It is interesting idea.

[@matityaloran9157]

1:56, I’m pretty sure the Protego charm works against guns

[@moonangel97]

Now, that's something I would like to see in a show or movie. Imagine how powerful Voldemort would have felt if the muggles started shooting at him and he just waved his wand and ricocheted all the bullets. But practically, you would have to have superhuman reflexes to put up a shield in time to block a bullet.

[@matityaloran9157]

@@moonangel97 Could be. That said, Muggles can’t see Hogwarts or Dementors and I suspect Voldemort would Avada Kedavra anyone before they even reached for a gun.

[@АлексейИванов-х6л9ш]

@@moonangel97 A wizard who wants to protect himself from bullets can erect a force field not at the moment the bullets are fired, but in advance. Thus, the spell will already be ready to protect the magician without the risk of not being able to protect itself.

[@AmbrosiaMooshine]

This is a great video, I loved it :)

[@AseAPS]

Based on your list, I recommend spinning silver by Naomi Novik. If you can, read it with snow on the ground. It's the perfect winter book.

[@moonangel97]

Thanks so much! Sounds like I have a new book to add to my Christmas list :]

[@loley975]

Agree on every spot and every point you mentioned! ❤

[@moonangel97]

I'm so happy to hear that!

[@TheUglyGoblin]

Lovin this video so far >:3 a great one to wrap up this "Magic System" series :3 can't wait to see what you get up to next :P Warmed my heart hearing how you teach you kid spells :,3 I can't wait to tell my children bedtime stories and maybe even play d&d as a family n_n When we have a child eventually uwu :3

[@TheUglyGoblin]

Oh also! Have you read the Earthsea series :3 one of my favourite fantasy series of all time

[@moonangel97]

Awwhh! I love the idea of playing DnD as a family! My kids will need to be older before they can enjoy playing but it's definitely something to look forward too!

[@moonangel97]

I haven't, actually. I'll be adding that one to my "To be read" list! Thank you! I love adding new books to my list :)

[@TheUglyGoblin]

@@moonangel97 they blew me away! But kind of spoilt all other fantasy books for me xD I just wanted more Earthsea from then on :P

[@TheUglyGoblin]

@@moonangel97 And yes! Haha DnD is a lil complicated uwu but I cannot wait to simply tell bedtime stories 🥰

[@i8osoi]

I love Mistborn 💯⭐️

[@Jen-xv6wt]

I would like to see a movie or tv show of misborn. Or even a video game. That would be cool

[@moonangel97]

Agreed!!

[@reidchikezie1161]

Your voice is so relaxing 😅

[@batmeme9349]

Have you read Witch hat ateliar?

[@moonangel97]

I haven't, but it's on my list!

[@batmeme9349]

@@moonangel97 btw, it's also getting an anime

[@АлексейИванов-х6л9ш]

@@moonangel97 This manga presents a very interesting magic system.

[@Super_Elio_Rose1310]

Try reading the Toaru Majutsu no Index light novel or Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga. There are also the other Toaru series that ypu can read

[@cablefeed3738]

3:19 Why, why must you hurt me so.

[@JoriamRamos]

*in a calm and collected tone, bearing no sign of the slightest aggression:* why don't they just use guns? Sorry 😂 it was stronger than me. I'd to see a deeper dive in on Avatar's martial art influences :) I loved the little bit with the video examples you added. Also, haven't watched My Hero Academia and the whole 'unusual powers' idea got me curious about it, thanks! Great vid :)

[@bigfloomfa6251]

hiii, i would love to join your discord, but you have a suuuper old link in the description and your about links, the description one is a channel link (only works if you're already in the server) and the about section one is expired

[@moonangel97]

Thank you for letting me know! I'll get on that and will let you know when the link is fixed!

[@moonangel97]

Alright I believe I have fixed it! but just let me know if it doesn't work for you.

[@miodaiu]

if you didn't have internet, howd you watch the movies? /gen

[@moonangel97]

We bought the DVDs

[@miodaiu]

@@moonangel97 oh 🦕🦕🦕🦕

[@generalcodsworth4417]

The fact wizards never use guns is the same reason they don't use *any* modern technology. Wizard society is super elitist and pretty bigoted agaisnt muggles and muggle creations. They don't want to use a muggle tool for anything that magic can do, even if magic does it worse. Cell phones? Nah, owls. Televisions? The radio and newspapers with magic gifs are good enough. Electric lights that can fully illuminate a room for comfortable reading? I like my eye strain from reading by magic candle light! And when the killing curse is seen as unforgivable, life in prison without parole on the spot, the idea that a muggle invention can so effectively replicate it is insulting. The villains who want to exterminate muggles certainly won't touch the thing, and the people who don't want to commit an unforgivable crime probably see it as a terrihle loophole that violates their morals.