Summary
Magic inDungeons & Dragonscan be a lot of fun , but it does come with sure limitations , and one upcoming tabletop RPG might at long last feature a magic organisation that surrender exactly what I ’ve always dreamed of . The heroic fantasy flavor ofDnDhas always put a prominent accent on conjuration , and destroying a horde of enemies with a well - placedfireballis as satisfying today as it was 50 long time ago . At the same time , DnD ’s magic system does n’t always feel as exciting as it does in its best moments , and I ’ve often found myself need a fiddling bit more .
My main job with thaumaturgy inDnDhas to distribute with how codified it is . A lot ofspells offer some tractableness , and a ripe DM will typically allow for creative utilization of spells if it makes the game more fun for everyone . Despite these allowances , however , most magic inDnDis design to be used in extremely specific ways . Although a Wizard can have a lot of playfulness try out with the more creative inclusions in the go inclination , a lot of their option still come down to hurl damage at foe , and other spellcasters can be even more circumscribed .
The 2024 Player ’s Handbook introduces 10 completely new enchantment , all of which seem like they could be fun for the right character construct .
The Cosmere RPG Could Make Magic Interesting
Great Magic Systems Are At The Core Of An Upcoming TTRPG
One Brobdingnagian TTRPG on the view is Brandon Sanderson’sCosmere Roleplaying Game , and although books for the secret plan wo n’t start releasing until 2025 , I ’m already getting excited about the magical possibleness . Like a lot of fantasy readers , I ’ve been a fan of Brandon Sanderson ’s books ever since I first readMistborn , and I ’m always happy to pluck up TTRPGs based on novels that I love . The One Ringis the pre - eminent exampleof a dandy TTRPG that stems from a phantasy novel , but I ’m also proud to have a transcript ofThe Wheel of Time RPGon my shelf .
Brandon Sanderson ’s books are n’t my absolute favorites in the fantasy vista — that accolade live on to Robin Hobb’sThe Realm of the Elderlings — buttheir strengths are perfectly poised for the TTRPG blank . Mistborndoesn’t feature lush prose or profoundly human lineament work , but it ’s electrify thanks to a dynamical patch , fascinating world , and an absolutely killer magic system . All of these can translate well to the TTRPG blank , peculiarly because Sanderson is involve in writing at least one of the escapade himself , but the magic arrangement is what makes it a sweep dunk .
Dungeons & Dragons is n’t the only good TTRPG on the mart , and some fantastic alternative fray similar itch while adding their own appeal .
The thing that makes Brandon Sanderson ’s magical systems ticking is that they are n’t just an array of spell , but canny ways of interacting with the world . Mistborn ’s allomancers can burn metals in their body to raise abilities and manipulate their environment , from stretching time to pushing themselves off of metal in their environment . The Stormlight Archive ’s system of rush can be used to similarly creative consequence , and the first book in the serial , The Way of mogul , quickly demonstrates how Surgebinding can reverse a skilled user into a most unstoppable force .
Magic inElantrisis a more mysterious factor give away across the course of the narrative , a storytelling element thatElantrismaterial for theCosmere RPGcould also play on .
Magic Is More Fun With A Focus On Improvisation
D&D’s Relatively Rigid System Has Its Limits
at long last , magic in Brandon Sanderson ’s novels provides a structured framework that naturally lend itself to experiment , and that ’s incisively what I need out of a TTRPG wizard organisation . By the audio of it , it ’s also what the creators of theCosmere RPGwant to bring to the forefront . TheKickstarterpage for the TTRPG describes an emphasis on " improvisionational magic , " explaining how Abrasion , the charming manipulation of clash , might help a character swallowed by a monstrous Chasmfiend . Making magic flexible in the same way that workaday skills are inDnDintegrates it more deep with every moment of gameplay .
A lot of Ranger patch still require assiduity in D&D ’s 2024 Player ’s Handbook . , but a few have received tweaks that make them light to use .
TheCosmere RPGisn’t the first TTRPG to take conjuration in this direction , but many others that emphasise improvisation can melt down into the opposite problem of lack a structure around it . I like using my miracle in a creative direction inWhitehack , a system where conjuration is balanced more by HP cost than by restrictive wording . Without heavy rule about the nature of that magic , however , I often feel hesitant to press my estimate to their limits , as it tends to experience less like canny trouble - solving and more like abusing loose biz mechanic .
In the case of theCosmere RPG , wizard systems should all be stick to to fundamental properties of nature and the use of senses , heightening thing without losing a palpable body structure . For those who prefer aDnD - similar system of specific choices , there are still a slew of discrete wizardly abilities in theCosmere RPG , so there ’s minimal endangerment of jumping into play and feel unmoored . This combination could make it a good agency to ease player used toDnDinto a magic system of rules rivet more on creativity , and I can opine some of my musician taking to it quickly .
I Really Hope The Cosmere RPG Sticks The Landing
I’m Excited As A DM And A Player
The other thing about Brandon Sanderson ’s sorcerous systems is that they ’re inherently cinematic , go to dynamical action minute that conflate the superhuman ability of spellcasters with the direct wallop that ’s often exclusive to soldierly classes . As a even DM , I might be most excited about describing how scenes feature magic users in theCosmere RPGplay out . Throw the clever addition of anew lineament hollo the secret plan dieinto the mix , and it feels right smart more likely that using magic trick will result in an interesting back and onward between thespian and game masters .
Although most of D&D 2024 is made up of tweak to 5e , one new increase is groundbreaking and could change the way people play the game .
I ’m patently placing a fortune of faith in a product that is n’t even out yet , and for all I know , the glide path to conjuration in theCosmere RPGcould end up disappoint me . Even if it does n’t stick the landing , though , the idea of magic that gives players and game masters a solid fabric that flex as needed is the fortunate ticket that I ’ve been searching for . At the end of the day , I loveDungeons & Dragons , but something that produce dynamic improvisation slowly has the voltage to thrill me in a way thatDnDmagic never has .
Source : Brotherwise Games / Kickstarter
