5 KEYS to Crafting an EPIC Magic System for Your Fantasy

Unlock the secrets to creating an unforgettable magic system in your fantasy writing.

Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting your journey in imaginative fiction, this guide will provide invaluable writing advice that enhances your narrative development and plot crafting. Dive into the essential elements that make magic mechanics captivating and integral to your story.

We'll explore how to weave fantasy tropes seamlessly into your world building and creative writing, ensuring your magic system feels believable and immersive. Discover storytelling techniques that elevate your fantasy genres, from epic adventures to rich, complex settings. Join us as we break down the creative process behind crafting a compelling magic system that resonates with readers.

With these storytelling tips, you’ll be well on your way to developing a fantasy narrative that captivates your audience and ignites their imagination. Whether you're focusing on fantasy elements or exploring unique fantasy mechanics, this video is your ultimate guide to story generation and world crafting. Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your fantasy writing skills and create a magic system that stands out in your storytelling journey!

00:00 Intro
01:23 Hard vs Soft Magic Systems
03:54 Inputs
08:33 Outputs
10:10 Limitations
14:10 Opportunities
17:39 Integrations

[justinfikestorycastle]

What are some of your favorite magic systems from a fantasy story? Are there any that have really stuck with you since you first read or watched them?

[Derekivery]

I like that you went over input and output. Because most Magic system writing advice talks about them as if they are the same thing.

[liannajohnson]

My WIP is a Percy Jackson meets Hellblade. I have created my own Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. Children that are born half god and half human/elf/dwarf are called Godlings. A godling inherits a piece of their godly parents' abilities. For example, a godling who is the child of the goddess of Nature may be able to talk to animals, whereas the other child might just be really good at keeping plants alive. Godlings are the only ones BORN with magic, and this magic could consume the child if they do not learn to control it. The only other people that can posses magic are the Elves and the Dwarves, and only through a crystal that the Earth, Fire, Water and Air gods have created together. So the powers that someone wielding this crystal could control would be related to the four elements. This crystal has to be on them in order for the magic to work. So they have found ways, like wearing the crystal as jewelry, or they crush it and put it in the metal when creating their sword or dagger.

Still trying to flesh things out, but I'm happy with what I have so far lol

[reidchikezie]

I created 5 magic systems and now with this video i can integrate and perfect them, thanks man.

[dark_xcaliber_]

Just came across your channel. I am Loving this breakdown of how to build a magic system and applying it into our stories.
Exercise for the imagination muscle. Lol
Thank you!

[PhoenixCrown]

This video was awesome! Great content.
1) An integration I can think of is some sport where the different elements compete. Especially if society and geographies are separated by element, you would naturally get some tribal behavior, and sport could be a healthy way for a integrated society to express that.
2) My magic system starts hard and moves to soft. i) The input is a resource called denny. ii) The outputs at first are the 4 forms of matter--turning denny into solid, liquid, gas, or plasma for various reasons. As we get deeper into the magic, the outputs get more squishy, like fortifying your own body or flying. iii) Limitations are the resource availability, individual ability, and a loss of one's self to the cosmic all, iv) Opportunities center around the divide between those who can use magic and those who can't--and we learn it's all a lie, and anyone can use magic. v) Magic is completely integrated as the "haves" and "have nots" that is the theme of my first book in the series. In later books, we learn the roles magic plays in religion and historical power dynamics, health of the planet and more.
Thanks!

[viyusavery]

This is the second time i see someone adress magic inputs only yumesuke's library tackles this point where he mentioned that with books inputs are more revelant for drama creation where as in a medium like anime almost all imputs are the same but the output is superior.. although in anime magic systems are called power systems

[aouyiu]

This was an absolutely fantastic video, thanks man.

[akwashington]

I love this! I especially love the idea of inputs and integrations. Those two aren't something that's usually discussed when it comes to creating magic systems, but it's the part that I both struggle with and enjoy figuring out the most. Great video!

[randomcommenter]

My magic system is still a WIP, but I have the foundation. Magic is fuelled by emotion. For instance, your magic will be stronger when protecting something you care about. Being angry might cause your magic to lash out violently and uncontrollably, while being calm might give you more precise control. Now I just need to figure out what's stopping a really angry farmer from tearing down a castle. 🤔

[elementeight]

Your content is brilliant and this video is on point. Thank you very much.

[AcanthaDante]

I realised three key ways magic is used in other media and restrict my cast to one of them. There are those who can only direct their magic on themselves, these ones become magic warriors. There are spell casters, and tbere are those who make magical items (magical items are different to spelled items, which are ordinary objects with spells cast on tnem after). Each character is restricted to one of these paths, and their magic is essentially an extension of their personality (so a fashion mad character excels at making magical garments, for example).

[Gokuknows]

The magic system I made is both hard and soft if you ask me, because there are endless possibilities to magic, but all of it has a defined limit and weaknesses.

Input: every mage needs knowledge of general magic first before using elemental magics, the three foundations of magic being the command, control, and commencement, more commonly known as the 3C, in order to cast magic, without knowledge to the 3C would result in uncontrolled magic release which is proven to be quite dangerous especially to high levels of mana used.

Output: higher usage of mana will result in more powerful magic, and using a higher rate of magic will also result in stronger attack, healing, empowerment and defense.

Limitations: the ignorance of your limits when using magic is proven to be insanely dangerous, that being said, "if magic has no other energy left for it to consume, it will feast on your own life", the over usage of magic can easily kill anyone, even an immortal would be gone if it gets drained out of energy, energy is what makes us exist, with no energy, you'll turn into nothing, boundless or not, it is the prime concept of inhibition that inhibits the abuse of things, no matter how powerful they are, everyone must sow what they can reap, death, is no exception.

Opportunities: "magic is the might of our will, the will that the god gave us, for as long as you follow him, your will shall be proven almighty and unbending!"
Magic is the base of every being, even if someone has no magic, they still have normal magic with them, which is used as a utility, such as ground control, no matter how blank someone is, magic will always be there for them, for it as the embrace of god.

Integrations: every single being in the world has the capability to use magic, everyone can use every single magic, and everyone can create their own signature magic, but for different levels of course, "nothing is equal, but there will always be equity, for the god who taught us how to keep balance and unity."

Bonus info:

Religion: in my world, there is only one so far in which it is Christianity.
"There is only one true god, not the strongest, but he is the mightiest of all things, he is not the most powerful, yet he is the only one who can protect us, not everyone believed in him, but he always protected all of us, despite all of our sins, he was the only one who was there besides us, he was not the most powerful, because he made us the most powerful things ever, but even with our shameful existence in which he regretted that he created us, he still sacrificed himself for us, he might be dead on the eyes of the close minded, but he will always be there for us, no matter what."

[fbafoundationalbuck-broken]

00:00 Intro
01:23 Hard vs Soft Magic Systems
03:54 Inputs
08:33 Outputs
10:10 Limitations
14:10 Opportunities
17:39 Integrations

[ChatarraCrow]

In Berserk the elemental magic seems to be based on personality. The magical items begin to bond with the characters. A young wild fighter is given a fire dagger and he immediately stabs the wooden table just to watch it burn. One character is given wind elemental items. He's a very will of the wind type of person who tries to reconcile being pulled around by the will of other people.
The main character has a sword that has been soaked in the blood of demons for so long that it's become a dark elemental weapon capable of damaging strong spiritual forces.

The magical system is very associated with elemental spirits, but the human world is seen as a spiritual force in itself that is consuming the natural world, destroying all other magic.

[ashleewilliams]

I’ve been trying my best to make my magic system make sense. Different races have access to different magic in my world. It’s been difficult for me to make it all make sense. I’m trying not to do too much or too little. It has been difficult to figure out where that balance truly lies.

[keerry_clover]

i’ve had an idea of my fantasy book since i was like 12 (i’m 23 now) and lately i’ve been working on it. so the thing is that my magic system is an elemental magic, and during past 11 years i stopped myself from working on it so many times because “nah it’s too obvious and familiar and repetitive blahblahblah”, and now i think that i finally did it pretty unique and deep so it can’t be called plagiarized.

and then this video pops up.

i mean, my magic system is still pretty different, but the concept of plenty elemental spirits and some type of bond with them - man, you made me question myself really hard 😭

[skryptre]

A way the earth kin could've retained an earth posture and deal with the betrayal:
"You're in a cave. It protects you from the predators outside. But if you start chipping away at the walls, breaking the load bearing core pillars, you're just asking to be crushed."