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I really want to ring up my friends and family and complain to them about Worlds Without Number using Vancian Magic – but none of them would have the faintest clue what I was talking about, so I'm posting a rant here in the hopes that it will reach someone who understands.
Some Definitions
Vancian Magic: A magic system used in roleplaying systems, particularly of the D&D variety. Uses spell slots.
Stars Without Number: An awesome RPG, published by a guy who's far too enthusiastic about tables (of data; not the furniture), set in space.
Worlds Without Number: The new fantasy-setting RPG, published by the Stars Without Number guy. Still tonnes of tables.
A Brief Rant
Granted, Vancian Magic was an excellent system for using magic in wargaming, back when D&D was just beginning. Yep, as a wargaming tool it totally makes sense. And is even well designed.
Granted, the Worlds Without Number guy has actually done a reasonable job of justifying why Vancian Magic might make some sort of sense in-universe, which is more than Gary Gygax ever did.
BUT.
It only NEEDS justifying because Vancian Magic is an innately nonsensical system that no reasonable practitioner of magic would ever use. EVER.
Also? The stat+skill system along with using up a finite supply of mana was right there. It works perfectly well for RPGs, and makes sense in pretty much every universe you put it into. It's even customisable!
It's a good thing I like your books, Worlds Without Number guy. Because you're on thin ice with me right now.
Some Definitions
Vancian Magic: A magic system used in roleplaying systems, particularly of the D&D variety. Uses spell slots.
Stars Without Number: An awesome RPG, published by a guy who's far too enthusiastic about tables (of data; not the furniture), set in space.
Worlds Without Number: The new fantasy-setting RPG, published by the Stars Without Number guy. Still tonnes of tables.
A Brief Rant
Granted, Vancian Magic was an excellent system for using magic in wargaming, back when D&D was just beginning. Yep, as a wargaming tool it totally makes sense. And is even well designed.
Granted, the Worlds Without Number guy has actually done a reasonable job of justifying why Vancian Magic might make some sort of sense in-universe, which is more than Gary Gygax ever did.
BUT.
It only NEEDS justifying because Vancian Magic is an innately nonsensical system that no reasonable practitioner of magic would ever use. EVER.
Also? The stat+skill system along with using up a finite supply of mana was right there. It works perfectly well for RPGs, and makes sense in pretty much every universe you put it into. It's even customisable!
It's a good thing I like your books, Worlds Without Number guy. Because you're on thin ice with me right now.