If you’re a reader that delves mainly into the fantasy genre, then you are aware of the many different types of magic that exist within the plethora of fictional universes out there. And if you are a writer that delves mainly into the fantasy genre, then (I would hope) you are aware of just how much thought needs to be put into the magic that exists within your universe.
For starters, let’s take a look at Hard and Soft Magic systems.
From what I gather, the terms Hard and Soft were coined by famed fantasy and science fiction author Brandon Sanderson. And at its most basic definitions, a Hard Magic system is built on a foundation of rules, laws, and limitations; a Soft Magic system, on the other hand, is much more flexible with what can be done and how.
As with all things, each magic system has its own list of pros and cons.
For instance, establishing a Hard Magic system within your story can make world building and plot developments much easier to keep track of. When you have a list of rules and guidelines that must be followed in order for magic to occur, it makes it less likely for your readers to stumble across an enormous plot hole or technical error that very nearly undoes everything you envisioned (giant eagles carrying the One Ring to Mordor, anyone?)
One prime example of a Hard Magic system can be found in the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist, in which the workings of magic are narrowed down to a literal science—and that science is chemistry. This makes the process of magic rather interesting to observe, and it also provides the characters with a number of limitations, more often than not leading to conflict and thus pushing the story forward. In fact, the limitations, and sometimes consequences, of Hard Magic are part of what can up the stakes and add to the tension and drama of a story.
However, it is important to also note that herein lies the greatest con of a Hard Magic system: limitation. When establishing a system of Hard Magic, the possibilities for working the plot or the characters’ actions around it if need be are lessened, and it can also leave your audience with a lack of mystery in the long run. Spelling absolutely everything out for your readers can make the magic seem dull and predictable at times (And then there’s the Young Wizards series, which gets so unbearably technical that more often than not you skip over the preparation scenes entirely).
A Soft Magic system, on the other hand, provides more freedom for the author and for the world building as a whole. A good example of this would be Schmendrick’s magic in The Last Unicorn. Within a realm driven by Soft Magic there is always a level of uncertainty with just what exactly is doable and what isn’t. Again, this provides a wide range of possibilities for your world and your characters. It also leaves the impression overall that the magic is more—well, magical, than if you work it down to a science.
However, once again it must be taken into consideration that Soft Magic systems can expose your plot to a number of holes and errors that will eventually need fixing. And a particular con that is frequently linked with Soft Magic is the temptation to fix such problems with a quick and half-assed Deus ex Machina—or a last-minute wave of a wand that fixes everything and simultaneously makes your readers go, “Wait a minute… Why didn’t they just do that in the first place?”
The great thing about these two magic systems, however, is that they are located at opposing ends of a spectrum. It is not a question of using one instead of another; your magic system could be a mixture of both. Your Hybrid Magic system, as it were, could therefore be mostly Soft with a few specified rules for certain spells / procedures. Or it could be mostly Hard with some unexplained and mysterious higher powers at work.
The beauty of this spectrum is that your magic system is always your own, and how you go about establishing it is ultimately your choice. Just make sure that, whether your magic is Hard or Soft or a mixture of the two, you know how it works and what you can and can’t expect from it.
Night Owls, what magic system are you working with?
