The difference between hard magic systems and soft magic systems
Not all magic is created equal. Fantasy would be quite monotonous if it was. To me, the beauty of fantasy is its infinite possibilities. Give me a new take on dragons. Show me witches in a way that hasn’t been done yet. I want elemental magic, spells and potions, magical objects, rituals (both light and dark), magic from other worlds, and magic from Gods. I want it all.
Above is me as a reader. Me as a writer, was a bit overwhelmed by these infinite possibilities. What helped me create my own magic system was understanding the difference between hard magic systems and soft magic systems and how they could be used in a story. Allow me to share my knowledge (and a link to the master, Brandon Sanderson).
The system
There is a general consensus in the writing community that magic systems are on a spectrum. This theory was put forward by famous fantasy and science-fiction author Brandon Sanderson. He explains this in his first law of magic systems: Sanderson’s First Law.
“An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic.”
While I don’t necessarily agree with Sanderson’s laws, I do like his explanation about different kind of magic systems and the spectrum he created. Let’s dive into it.
A hard magic system is defined by rules and logic, and the author explains these rules to the reader. Brandon states this is done so that the reader can feel like they are a part of the magic. This is also fun for the author, because s/he can reveal more and more about the magic system with unexpected twists and turns as the story moves forward. What I love about this is that Sanders describes hard magic as a grounded character itself that can be used for worldbuilding, twists, and characterization.
Typical for a hard magic system are the rules. These rules explain how magic works, but also determine the boundaries of the magic system, so it’s clear from the start what can and can’t happen. It can be argued that this restricts creative freedom and has the risk of painting yourself (your characters) into a corner they can’t get out of. But when you treat your magic as a tool, your characters can wield their magic to get themselves out of tricky situations. Not deus ex machine-like, but by following the rules; especially finding the loopholes in the rules.
A soft magic system lies on the other side of the spectrum. Soft magic is based on mysticism and lets the reader wonder about what might could happen. There are little to no rules. Magic is something bigger than the characters. It’s there to inspire awe and remind the reader of how little the characters, especially the ones they connect with, are in the grand scheme of things.
Lord of the Rings is a beautiful example of this. Most people connect with the hobbits because they feel familiar. A particular adventurous person might imagine himself as Aragorn or Boromir, but not many see themselves as Gandalf, Saruman or Arwen. That is because we do not know how Gandalf’s magic works, only that he is a powerful wizard not to cross. He deals with things much too grand for us little hobbits, and we cannot begin to comprehend the unimaginable powers at work behind the curtain.
The biggest danger of soft magic systems is falling into the deus ex machina trap. When magic has no limits, it’s easy to just conjure up a solution that saves everybody and they all lived happily ever after. Sanderson made the clever observation that good authors of soft magic systems rarely use magic as a solution to a character’s problem. Gandalf doesn’t fly into Mordor. Dumbledore has to use logic to track down the horcruxes.
Most people end up somewhere in the middle. I love the awe of soft magic systems, but I also need some logic and rules to build my magic system around. My magic usually comes from “somewhere deep inside”, but it is pretty clear what their magic can and can’t do.
The power of perspective
There is one flaw in Sander’s theory about soft magic, and that is the power of perspective. Stories are told through characters. When a character knows how to use magic, then the reader will also know. Imagine the Lord of the Rings told through Gandalf’s perspective. If we have Gandalf’s knowledge about magic, then we move along the spectrum toward the hard magic side.
Which magic system is right for me?
Sorry to disappoint you, but I can’t answer that. The choice depends on who you are as an author, but also on what the story demands of you. Some stories need a specific type of magic system in order to make sense, and those stories don’t care if you like it or not. But don’t worry, there are a few guidelines to help you along.
Atmosphere
Ask yourself this: what is the atmosphere of your story? What mood do you want to convey to your readers? Soft magic systems inspire awe and wonder. They pull the reader into a world with endless possibilities. If you’re a ’90 kid, you must remember the first time reading or watching Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or even Star Wars. If that’s the feeling you’re after, stick to a soft magic system.
Hard magic is more for those who want clever new twists on old tropes. I believe hard magic systems are often a hit or miss; either readers love it or they hate it. Lightbringer (Brent Weeks) and Mistborn (Brandon Sanderson) both have hard magic systems, but they are completely different. Both series do have in common that their readers love to know everything there is to know about those magic systems because the more they know, the more connected they feel to it. And that’s the feeling hard magic systems create. (If done well.)
Problem creator or problem solver
In soft magic systems, the antagonist often creates a problem with magic that the protagonist must solve without magic. With hard magic systems, it’s the other way around: the protagonist used magic in a clever way to solve his or her problem.
Scope
A well-thought out hard magic system takes a lot of time and creativity. Nothing in new in fantasy – everything has been done at least once – so it’s up to you to create a magic system that is just new and interesting enough to get people’s attention. Expansion can be a problem with hard magic systems. You’ve just laid out all the logic and rules, but now you want to turn that trilogy into a series. How can your magic system evolve when you’ve already determined the boundaries?
Soft magic doesn’t have this problem. Since you barely have rules and logic, the reader won’t ask questions when you add a new element. It’s also easier to construct. You can start with the bare minimum of explanation and just add some logic here and there if the story demands it. You can shape your magic along the way instead of having to map it out before the start.