It's time to settle the debate...
May 18, 2023 2:24 am
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Dear reader,
It's time to cast your votes. Which is better, HARD magic systems or SOFT magic systems?
This has been a fairly common debate among fantasy readers lately, but in case you're unfamiliar with the terms, let me give you a brief run-down.
Hard Magic Systems have clearly defined rules. There are strict limitations to what a character can or cannot do with magic, and often some kind of a price or consequence for using it. This is a more "scientific" approach to magic: the kind of magic you could put to a set of D&D dice.
Soft Magic Systems are the opposite. They are mysterious. Nebulous. More, well... magical. Soft systems have no clear limitations, at least not ones that are communicated to the reader. Pretty much anything can happen.
So, which is better?
Critics of hard systems say they're too rigid, that they take all the magic out of magic. But critics of soft systems say they lead to deus ex machina, that magic stops being impressive or satisfying if it can do whatever the author wants it to do.
While most authors tend to favor one or the other, I've seen a few that beautifully blend both. Take Tolkien for example. The one ring is a hard magic system with strict rules, limitations, and consequences. But Gandalf? Super soft. Think about it. What can Gandalf do? Kind of anything. Patrick Rothfuss also uses a blend in The Kingkiller Chronicles. Sympathy, Sygaldry, and Alchemy are all basically sciences. But Naming? Naming is absolutely bonkers.
But what do you think, friends? Do you prefer soft systems, hard systems, or a blend of both? Shoot me an email with your thoughts. Who knows? If you make a compelling argument, it may change the way I write magic in my next series.
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Thanks for reading friends! Don't forget to shoot me an email. I love hearing your thoughts.
Ben Schwarting
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My Books:
The Sum of Ages Series is available from a variety of retailers
Kindred Straits is available from a variety of retailers
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