Editing Spell

A {{nihongo|'''spell'''|魔法|mahō}}<ref>The original Japanese seems to make no difference between the terms for magic as a discipline and for individual spells.</ref> is a magical formula or program for producing a specific effect.     

==Function==
In order to use [[magic]] to create the desired effect, one must perform complex energy calculations. As pre-prepared formulas that can be stored in the brain or [[Device]] of a [[mage]], spells can allow for magic to be cast on short notice, such as during combat.  

While spells can be shared and therefore taught, methods of casting them cannot. For example, Nanoha's [[Starlight Breaker]] is based on [[Divine Buster]], but [[Teana Lanster]]'s version is derivative of her [[Phantom Blazer]]. An extreme example is [[Subaru Nakajima]]'s Divine Buster, which has no connection to Nanoha's spell, other than its name and the fact that it is an bombardment-type spell.  

[[Rare Skill]]s are spells that have no wide-spread use due to the fact that they are notoriously difficult to obtain.   

==Classification==
:''For the complete list of known spells and their classification, see [{{fullurl:Special:BrowseData/Spells|_single}} Special:BrowseData/Spells] or [[Special:Ask/-5B-5BCategory:Spells-5D-5D/-3FCaster/-3FMagic_system/-3FSpell_category/-3FSpell_type/-3FSpell_rank/-3FAppears_in|the semantic list]].''

The ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha/A's Visual Fan Book]]'' provided the first system of '''classification''' for the various spells seen in the anime series. Other classifications (not limited to categories, types or subtypes) have appeared in the manga series or DVD booklets subsequent to ''A's'', describing each spell in details as they are cast.

{| class="wikitable"
! style="width:100px;"| Category !!style="width:100px;"| Type !! Description (Subtypes formatted in bold)!!style="width:100px;"| Examples
|-
|rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Attack'''<br/>|攻撃魔法<br/>|Kōgeki mahō}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Shooting'''<br/>|射撃<br/>|Shageki}} || Firing bullets processed from mana is the basic attack of Midchildan mages. Mana can also be turned into firable "spheres" for consecutive or controlled shooting. For Belkan system practitioners, the finishing may instead be enchanting mana into physical bolts to boost their speed and power. In many cases, Belkan shooting spells have worse speed and range but better destructive power than Midchildan ones. <br/>There is a big difference between {{nihongo|'''aimed'''|直射型|chokusha gata}} shooting (resources allocated for speed, penetration and hit power, e.g. [[Photon Lancer]]) and {{nihongo|'''guided'''/guided-control|誘導/誘導操作型|yūdō/yūdō sōsa gata}} shooting (resources allocated for variable mobility or homing ability, e.g. [[Axel Shooter]]). In rare cases, there are also {{nihongo|'''material accelerating'''|物質加速型|busshitsu kasoku gata}} spells. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Attack]] [[spell type::Shooting]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Attack|Shooting|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Bombardment'''<br/>|砲撃<br/>|Hōgeki}} || Bombardments are simple and strong attacks by unleashing mana directly. They are generally '''aimed''' attacks without additional effects (e.g. binding) or finishing variations (e.g. cone instead of stream) in order to enhance power and speed. However, excellent bombardment mages can cast '''guided''' bombardments (e.g. [[Exelion Buster]]) or enchant additional effects to the spells. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Attack]] [[spell type::Bombardment]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Attack|Bombardment|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Melee'''<br/>|打撃/斬撃<br/>|Dageki/Zangeki|<br/>lit. Strike/Slash}} || Melee type refers to direct strikes by using Device or one's body as weapon. At the early stage of the canon, Midchildan mages mainly use melee spells for restraining, or in combination with supportive spells (e.g. speed battles). After [[Strike Arts]] and striker championship become popular, more melee spells are seen casting by Midchildan strikers. <br/>Belkan attack spells are normally not classified as melee type, since direct strikes by Belkan mages/knights are generally mana-enchanted (magic-enhanced) attacks. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Attack]] [[spell type::Melee]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Attack|Melee|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Energy blade'''<br/>|魔力斬撃<br/>|Maryoku zangeki|<br/>lit. Mana slash}} || Energy blade type refers to attacks aiming at slashing opponents with blades compressed from mana, or with uncompressed mana in rare cases (e.g. [[Splash Edge]]). Comparatively, weapon enchantment is used by a small number of Midchildan mages. After the generation of mana blades, certain mages may even fire them as shooting spells (e.g. [[Arc Saber]]). || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Attack]] [[spell type::Energy blade]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Attack|Energy blade|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Area-of-effect'''<br/>|広域攻撃<br/>|Kōiki kōgeki|<br/>lit. Wide area attack}} || This type includes all attacks that cover certain effective area from the centre of occurence or impact. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Attack]] [[spell type::Area-of-effect]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Attack|Area-of-effect|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Magic-enhanced attack'''<br/>|魔力付与攻撃<br/>|Maryoku fuyo kōgeki|<br/>lit. Mana-enchanted attack}} || Like its literal meaning, power is boosted explosively by enchanting mana into one's weapon or body before attacking. It is the basic as well as the heart of Belkan knights' attack techniques. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Attack]] [[spell type::Magic-enhanced attack]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Attack|Magic-enhanced attack|see all}})
|-
|rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Defense'''<br/>|防御魔法<br/>|Bōgyo mahō}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Barrier'''<br/>|バリアタイプ<br/>|Baria taipu}} || These spells erect defensive barriers (e.g. [[Protection]]), usually in spherical or hemispherical shape, to absorb the power of an incoming attack in order to reduce damage. They can defend in all directions, but are relatively easy to break. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Defense]] [[spell type::Barrier]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Defense|Barrier|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Shield'''<br/>|シールドタイプ<br/>|Shīrudo taipu}} || This type describes spells that generate powerful shields. In contrast to barrier type spells, shield type spells can only guard in one direction, but are much more difficult to penetrate. Instead of absorbing, they defend by repelling the energy driven against them. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Defense]] [[spell type::Shield]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Defense|Shield|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Field'''<br/>|フィールド<br/>タイプ<br/>|Fīrudo taipu}} || Not to be confused with force field spells below, field type spells directly affect an area around the user to nullify a specific energy type, thermal or electrical for example. They mostly take form of [[Barrier Jacket|protective clothing]] or auras. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Defense]] [[spell type::Field]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Defense|Field|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| '''Other defense''' || In rare cases, defensive spells can hardly fit into any of the three canonical types above. For simplicity and browsing purpose, these spells are sub-categorised as "other defensive" spells. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Defense]] [[spell type::Other defense]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Defense|Other defense|see all}})
|-
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Capture'''<br/>|捕獲系魔法<br/>|Hokaku kei mahō}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Bind'''<br/>|バインドタイプ<br/>|Baindo taipu}} || Bind type spells directly inhibit a target's freedom of movement and the use of [[trigger|action triggers]] by attaching themselves to them. Bind type spells may prevent movement outright (e.g. [[Restrict Lock]]) or contain the target's mobility (e.g. [[Chain Bind]]). || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Capture]] [[spell type::Bind]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Capture|Bind|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Cage'''<br/>|ケージタイプ<br/>|Kēji taipu}} || Cage type spells surround the target in an immobile prison. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Capture]] [[spell type::Cage]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Capture|Cage|see all}})
|-
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Force field'''<br/>|結界魔法<br/>|Kekkai mahō}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Circle'''<br/>|サークルタイプ<br/>|Sākuru taipu}} || These force fields usually originate from a [[magic circle]], which can be placed by the caster at any location (e.g. [[Round Guarder Extend]]). || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Force field]] [[spell type::Circle]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Force field|Circle|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Area'''<br/>|エリアタイプ<br/>|Eria taipu}} || Area type force fields affect a large region, and generally are much more powerful than circle type fields. In contrast to defensive spells, force field spells apparently have more varied roles, from protecting property and civilians from collateral damage, to confining enemy magic users to a predetermined area. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Force field]] [[spell type::Area]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Force field|Area|see all}})
|-
|rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Support'''<br/>|補助魔法<br/>|Hojo mahō}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Increase'''<br/>|インクリース<br/>タイプ<br/>|Inkurīsu taipu}} || Directly heals, replenishes or buffs the target. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Support]] [[spell type::Increase]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Support|Increase|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Decline'''<br/>|デクライン<br/>タイプ<br/>|Dekurain taipu}} || Either debuffs the target, or targets other spells and attempts to deactivate/dispel them (e.g. [[Bind Break]]). || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Support]] [[spell type::Decline]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Support|Decline|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Transport'''<ref name="manga">Presumably, this type is indicated in the manga.</ref><br/>|移動系魔法<br/>|Idō kei mahō}} || Spells of this type include [[flight|flying]] spells, movement enhancement spells (e.g. [[Flier Fin]]), [[teleportation]] spells etc. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Support]] [[spell type::Transport]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Support|Transport|see all}})
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| '''Other support''' || There are a large number of supportive spells not sub-categorised, whose effects range from communication (e.g. [[telepathy]]), investigation, rescuing (e.g [[Holding Net]]), [[seal]]ing and [[shapeshifting]] etc. For simplicity and browsing purpose, these spells are sub-categorised as "other supportive" spells. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Support]] [[spell type::Other support]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Support|Other support|see all}})
|-
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Illusion'''<br/>|幻術魔法<br/>|Genjutsu mahō}} || Although illusion magic is not recognised as a distinct spell category by early canon sources, it appears to be one, in which [[Teana Lanster]] specialises. Spells of this category create visual and audible illusions, that either make the caster harder to be located or distract the opponent. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Illusion]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Illusion||see all}})
|-
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Summoning'''<br/>|召喚魔法<br/>|Shōkan mahō}} || The [[summoning magic]], officially introduced in ''StrikerS'', specialises in conjuring living creatures to serve the mage. It is so uncommon, however, that is considered a [[Rare Skill]] on Midchilda. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Summoning]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Summoning||see all}})
|-
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| {{nihongo|'''Manipulation'''<br/>|操作系魔法<br/>|Sōsa kei mahō}} || Officially introduced in ''ViVid'', manipulation magic can be used to control the body parts of oneself or others (e.g. golems) with the mind of the caster. || {{#ask:[[Category:Spells]] [[spell category::Manipulation]]|limit=3|format=list|order=random|searchlabel=}} ({{spells|Manipulation||see all}})
|}

Other notable classifications not mutually exclusive with the above categories and types include:

===Breaker===
{{nihongo|'''Breaker'''|{{ruby|集束系魔法|ブレイカー}}|Bureikā|lit. collection-type spell, 集束 sometimes misplanted as 収束}} refers to spells which gather up mana dispersed in the surroundings during the charging/initiating process, rather than only using the caster's own mana.<ref name="StrikerSDVD2">''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS'', DVD Vol.3 Booklet ([http://asnano.wordpress.com/2007/10/07/nanoha-strikers-dvd-3-booklet-2/ translation]).</ref>

[[Nanoha Takamachi]]'s [[Starlight Breaker]] (probably the etymology of this class) is referred to as a {{nihongo|"collection bombardment"|集束砲|shūsoku hō}}, and her [[Restrict Lock]] is a high-rank collection-type spell. Surprisingly, in ''ViVid'', Breaker can also be a cross-range attack (e.g. [[Sword-drawing]]).

===Ceremonial===

===Eraser===
{{nihongo|'''Eraser'''|イレイザー|Ireizā}}, introduced in ''ViVid'' without much explanation, apparently refers to spells which can easily dispel/erase the magical effects they hit, such as [[Barrier Jacket]]s, force fields and capturing spells, without much effort (c/w decline-type spells).

Spells classified as Erasers so far include [[Sieglinde Eremiah]]'s "Geist-" attacks (e.g. [[Geistqual]], [[Geistnagel]]) and [[Hallie Tribeca]]'s [[Eraser Burst]].

===Isolated===
{{nihongo|'''Isolated'''|遠隔発生|enkaku hasei|lit. remote occurence}}<ref>This classification is originally positioned between energy blade and area-of-effect (under Midchildan attack spell types) in ''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Visual Fanbook''.</ref> attack is a technique or an ability to make the spells occur at somewhere far from the caster but close to the opponents, to avoid weakening of power due to range reaching and make opponents difficult to dodge.

[[Fate Testarossa]] manages to isolate her [[Photon Lancer]] in ''Nanoha'' episode 11. [[Hayate Yagami]] possesses the talent of casting spells in isolated ways (e.g. [[Diabolic Emission]]). Other examples of isolated spells include Hallie Tribeca's [[Volcanic Blaze]].

===Rare Skill===
A {{nihongo|'''[[Rare Skill]]'''|{{ruby|稀少技能|レアスキル}}|Rea Sukiru|lit. Rare Ability}} is a rare or unique [[magic]]al ability (e.g. mind-reading, summoning). Such an ability does not require a standalone spell arrangement, but those with rarely-seen effects may be "classified" as Rare Skills.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Magic]]