Originally posted by Moogie
That would be uninspiring, uninventive, and unoriginal. Just like every other magic system in every other game out there.
It\'s fun to have a unique system where you actually have to use your brain and figure out the puzzle. Trial and error, experimentation, success and failure. Learning magic is a challenge... it\'s an art... it\'s something to be proud of when you finally figure out the complex glyph combination of a spell which will make you all-powerful.
Well the idea is far from unique, I seen this concept implimenet in a couple CRPGs in the last 15 years and a few Pen & Paper RPGs also have implimented. I also have one with me that has a very similar magic system that is at least 20 years old already.
The idea may be far from unique but is being proposed is even farther from unique.
I hate the story with the thief because to tell you the truth, a thief can steal a bow and arrows, and a sword and a shield etc... it is a bad example.
in any case I like the glyph system much more than a magic "skill"
if you are going to propose something I think you should propose something you don't see often, I mean sure combining glyphs may not be original, but if you were to pick any random mmorpg, chances are you will probably see magic "skills" not glyphs.
On that note... something I haven't seen often is magic requiring a physical effort. My two cents are based on the Harry Potter game (it sux except for the spell
learning system. When you start the game you don't know any spells. The instructor shows you a shape and you have to trace it as best as you can in the least amount of time. The first one (expel.... something) is a simple spiral. and you get graded on your accuracy and speed. I think this can be used as part of the spell casting system. It would be really nice if you could integrate it with the glyph system though... for example: The power of the spell is determined by your accuracy in tracing the figure, the speed it takes you to cast the spell is determined by the speed with which you trace the figure, and ofcourse, the glyphs determine what kind of magic skills you must posess to cast the spell (Red Crystal, Dark, Arure, Brown, and eh... Blue?). You could go back and trace the spell over and over to make it more powerful and faster, or you could let it slowly adjust with time by raising your magic skills. Now that must be a lot to implement, but it is just an idea, and it is a
rare find. (I won't call it original to save the "it's not original" phrases from piling up)
EDIT: you would need physical stamina to trace the shape of the spell. The heavier the item you're holding, the more physical stamina you need to cast the spell, so bear handed would turn out to be the best.
