Academy · Worldbuilding
Hard magic vs soft magic
Whats the difference between hard magic and soft magic?
Beginner
Hard magic has rules the reader knows: costs, limits, side effects, and predictable outcomes. The reader can usually anticipate what magic will and won't do, which is what makes hard-magic systems great for plot solutions (no deus ex machina if the rules are known). Soft magic is mysterious and intuitive; the reader doesn't know its limits and that's the point. Soft magic is great for atmosphere and wonder, less great for solving plot problems (it'll feel like cheating). Most stories sit somewhere in the middle.
Standard
Brandon Sanderson's First Law applies here without naming names: the reader's ability to use a magic system to solve a problem in your story is directly proportional to how well the reader understands the magic system. If you're using magic to solve plot problems, lean hard. If magic is mostly atmosphere and the human conflicts solve themselves, lean soft.
What to try
- Add a Natural Laws entry for your magic system
Related questions
- How do I design a magic system?
- What are common magic costs?