Magic is an integral part of creating a compelling fantasy world, but how do you decide what kind of magic you want in your story? For the most part, magic in fiction falls into two categories: Hard magic and Soft magic.
Hard magic is a logical system with rules. These can be based on scientific or mathematical principles that are explained to the reader.
Soft magic on the other hand has loose rules, is mystical, and has unknown sources and limits.
So which magic system is better? The answer to that is up to you as a writer and how you want your magic to feature in your story. Neither magic system is better than the other, but they both have pros and cons that we will discuss to help you decide which one works best for you.
The categorizing of soft magic and hard magic is credited to Brandon Sanderson, author of the immensely popular fantasy book series’ Mistborn and the Stormlight Archive.
On Sanderson’s website Dragonsteel, he talks about these categorizations and how they can fit into fantasy in a set of rules he calls “The Law of magics”. In it, Brandon Sanderson states, “An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic.” What he means by this is that you should decide how you use magic in your story depending on how it’s related to the conflict.
Sanderson thought that soft magic should not be used as often to solve problems because it affects the tension of the story. Whereas hard magic is directly connected to the conflict and problem solving in the story.
What Is Soft Magic?
Soft magic describes a type of magic in fantasy fiction that is mysterious with a generally unknown source and undefined limitations. It creates a sense of awe for the reader and the rules are often vague or entirely a mystery to the reader.
I typically think of the magic in fairy tales and folklore as using a soft magic system because the magic is often mysterious, enchanting and can be infused with emotion and moral meaning.
Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding if the soft magic system is right for you.
Soft Magic Pros
It can create a sense of wonder and enchantment. The reader doesn’t know all the ins and outs of the magic system so they are more likely to be surprised by the magical elements of the story. The reader relies more on their imagination, adding more mystery to the fantasy world.
Choosing a soft magic system can make your fantasy world more approachable for readers. If someone is not familiar with fantasy and its various tropes, a hard magic system could be intimidating.
If a reader has a preference for more whimsy and enchantment in their fantasy world, soft magic is a great choice. You can infuse emotional, philosophical and metaphorical meaning into the magic giving you flexibility in how magic is expressed and how it’s tied to the character’s journey.
Soft Magic Cons
There can appear to be inconsistencies in the story due to unexplained magical phenomena. Your reader may wonder why magic may have worked in one instance but not when used in different situations.
You risk Deus ex machina, which is an event that comes seemingly out of nowhere and saves the day. The reader may find this frustrating making the payoff from overcoming the main conflict underwhelming.
The loose rules or unexplained structure of a magic system could potentially affect how invested the reader is in the character or characters of the story. If they believe they can simply create some new magic when the moment demands, the reader may not feel as connected to the struggle of the character.
What Is Hard Magic?
Hard magic on the other hand works on a set of rules that is thoroughly explained to the reader. The source of the magic and the way it works would be highlighted so that the reader is aware of exactly what risks a character can take and what they can’t. They can sometimes be based on science or mathematical principles, or even blends of science fiction elements, but they typically rely on a logical system with clearly defined limits.
The hard magic system lends itself to a lot of creativity but also has its pros and cons to consider before tackling this magic type for your story.
Hard Magic Pros
A clearly defined magic system can create more satisfying problem solving because the reader is aware of the rules and limitations that the character faces.
It can more fully engage the reader with the world because they develop a thorough knowledge of the magic system and its rules, which makes the reader feel more involved in the story and therefore more invested in the characters and the plot.
A hard magic system can increase tension because it clearly outlines the stakes and is closely tied to the plot of the story. A reader will understand that a character may have to think outside the box to meet the stakes of the story.
Hard Magic Cons
Set rules can make it difficult for the magic system to expand. If a writer wants their character to increase in power they have to come up with an explanation that follows their set system or they risk coming across as inconsistent.
It’s harder to add mystery and enchantment for the reader because everything is spelled out. It can make it difficult to come up with twists because the hard magic system is more predictable in its outcomes.
Choosing to utilize a hard magic system can potentially alienate readers. For example, If someone is new to fantasy and starts to read a story with a complex magical system, they may become overwhelmed and opt for a different kind of book.
Tips For Writing a Soft Magic System
Make it Rare
Soft magic, as previously discussed, can be more liable to plot holes and unsatisfactory problem solving if used excessively. My tip for using this magic type is to make magic exclusive. Make it unique to the number of characters who can practice it or experience it so that the reader feels that it is a rare and mystical thing. A good example is seen in Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. The story takes place in a mythical world but it follows ordinary characters who have to solve their problems the old fashioned way. Magic in this world is so rare that it’s regarded as mythical and even superstitious so when magic does appear it’s more impactful.
Make it Unpredictable
Instead of using magic to conveniently solve problems for your characters, try making it more unpredictable. Brandon Sanderson also talks about this in his “rules for magic”. He says in his article Sanderson’s First Law, “If the characters try to use the magic, it shouldn’t do what they expect it to—as the reader doesn’t know what to expect either.”
Since the magic system is already vague, use it to make unexpected twists and moments in your story. This preserves the sense of wonder for the reader and keeps the tension.
Blend Hard and Soft Magic Systems
If you want to create a mysterious atmosphere and fill your story with wonder but you want to have some limitations and structure, consider blending the two types by having your magic system more towards the direction you want to emphasize.
You can keep the rules and knowledge of the magic limited to the reader but still have defined areas in which magic appears. For example you can have only certain characters who are able to practice magic but it’s not explained why or how they do it.
Tips For Writing a Hard Magic System
Make it Relatable
This advice comes from talking to people who don’t like fantasy. They have said to me “It’s not realistic” or “ the character’s powers are limitless so it’s not relatable”. I don’t believe they’re necessarily saying that fantasy has to be realistic, more that it is too unpredictable which makes it hard to relate to.
That’s why I think stories with a hard magic system can appeal to some readers because it can feel more like something from real life. If a magic system is structured with rules of math and logic or just has a set of rules that the characters must abide by, then readers problem solve along with the characters which can make them feel more a part of the story.
Create a Unique Magic System
The fantasy genre, especially for seasoned readers can sometimes become convoluted. The tropes can seem predictable and repetitive leaving readers confused and at worst bored.
Creating your own magic system can help your story stand out and give it a unique spin on complex magic systems. Your specific type of magic style can become the signature to your fantasy story inviting readers to experience a twist on a heavily utilized genre.
Drive the Plot Forward
As indicated at the beginning of this article, in Sanderson’s quote about the influence of magic on conflict, hard magic can be used to solve problems. Tying your magic system to the conflict in your story helps to build tension and create a satisfying payoff for the reader.
With a hard magic system the characters can use magic to directly approach obstacles. The limitations and rules of a hard magic system influence what a character can and cannot do in a conflict. A character only has so much wiggle room because of the set limitations so they have to use critical thinking and problem solving.
Soft Magic System Examples
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The most well known example of this type of magic system is the classic fantasy series Lord of the Rings. Gandalf is the most central wizard and magic user in the story, and while the source and rules of his powers are generally unknown, he does not use it to solve every problem he comes across.
Most of the action and problem solving is done using weapons, and magic is often used as a last resort. An example is when Gandalf finally faces the Balrog near the end of the first book. It’s not explained why he didn’t use magic for every other instance of danger, but Gandalf uses magic as a last resort with great cost making it one of the most memorable moments of the book.
Game of Thrones series by J.R.R. Martin
Magic in the world of Westeros is rare. There is necromancy, shadow magic, and Arya’s ability to change her face, but exactly how this magic works or in the way each person uses it is not explicitly detailed.
When magic finally appears at the end of the first book to bring about the return of dragons to Westeros, the magic is awe inspiring but still mostly mysterious.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass
In this widely popular romance fantasy, the ability to manipulate magic is a skill only faeries possess. Their abilities range from mind control and manipulation of shadows, to seeing the future.
The magic structure in this world can also be linked to the fact that some of the fae have powers specific to their courts using elemental powers.
While there is a wide range of magic use in this series, the limits and exact rules of all the magic is not explained with strict rules and limits. There are parameters to it but most of the magic is used to enhance the fae realm, the characters, or provide impact to important arcs of this series.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rawling
This magic system is typically thought to use a soft magic system, but it does have elements of hard magic because it has some rules. The users use a wand to cast magic and usually a witch or wizard has to say a spell to use magic.
You discover later that there are exceptions to this like if the wizard is very powerful and can cast spells without a wand or spells spoken out loud. The source and exact limitations of the magic of this world are not spelled out entirely but there is enough structure that when the young wizards and witches are taught specific spells and hand movements with the wands, there is a predictable result when performed correctly. Think of when Harry and his friends are learning the “Swish and Flick” motion to levitate objects.
Hard Magic System Examples
Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson
While his Mistborn series is a great example of hard magic, I am personally partial to the magic in his Stormlight Archive series, the first book in the series being Way of Kings.
The magic is so technical that you almost forget it’s magic at all and it seems like a completely plausible ability. They draw from Stormlight, which is one of the power sources of this world. Users of this magic can do surgebinding and even power objects by themselves using the stormlight. The stormlight, however, is a finite resource so when a surgebinder runs out of it their power runs out.
The limits and varying abilities of the different sources of magic are explicitly set and explained making this a complex and fascinating example of a hard magic system.
The Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan
This beloved fantasy series has magic that is deeply connected to the plot and conflict of the book. One power is the magic featured in this fantasy story and draws from a deeper power called the True source.
The story’s premise is driven by a prophecy that states that a reincarnated hero known as the Dragon born will appear as their hope to battle the ultimate antagonist, The Dark one. The magic in this story is complex, with elemental aspects and gender specific division to the True Source.
Gideon the Ninth from the Locked tomb series by Tamsyn Muir
An example of a hard magic system with a darker twist: necromancy. The nine houses system uses two types of magic called thanergy and thalergy. The magic users, or adepts, control these energies that are further categorized into schools of magic: bone, flesh, and spirit magic.
This magic system is varied and unique, using terminology that crosses into science fiction with its use of space, planets, and the manipulation of energy.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfus
This fantasy series is another example of how magic systems can be on a range between hard and soft magic. The magic in this world is more on the hard magic side of the spectrum, but with some elements of soft magic.
This was the first fantasy I read with such a complex and detailed description of magic and how it’s used. The magic is called the Arcanist arts. One notable aspect of arcanist magic is Sympathy, which is the ability to exert your will on the physical world by splitting your mind. This ability takes training and is extremely technical. There is also Fae magic and an ability called naming where if you know something’s true name, you can control it.
It is more mysterious in nature giving this story a sense of wonder, but it also gives the reader the satisfaction of understanding a technical magic system.
Now that you have an idea of what Hard and soft magic are in fantasy fiction, remember that there is no perfect way in which to use these principles. They are more like guidelines when considering how magic plays a role in your story so be creative and have fun with it!