A spell (魔法 mahō)[1] is a pre-defined magical formula or program that shapes (links) mana into a specific form.
Usage
Each use of magic requires complex energy computations to achieve the desired effects. The purpose of the spells is to simplify casting magic by preparing and storing common formulas beforehand, so they can be used on short notice, e.g. in combat. The spells can be both stored and calculated either within a mage's brain or in their Device.
A major advantage of using spells is that it is possible to teach them to others (although some abilities, known as Rare Skills, are notoriously difficult to learn). When a mage teaches a spell to another, the latter will often adapt it to their existing methods instead of copying them verbatim. For instance, Nanoha's Snipe Shot and Starlight Breaker were based on her Axel Shooter and Divine Buster respectively, but Teana Lanster's versions of the same spells were derivatives of her Shoot Barret and Phantom Blazer. A more extreme example is Subaru Nakajima's Divine Buster, which was merely named after Nanoha's spell and has nothing in common with it apart from being a bombardment-type spell.
Classification
- For the complete list of known spells and their classification, see Special:BrowseData/Spells or the semantic list.
The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Visual Fanbook, a Nanoha universe guide book, provided the first system of classification for the various spells seen in the anime series. Apparently other categories have appeared in the manga series or DVD booklets, describing each spell in detail as they are thrown.
| Category | Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack (攻撃魔法 Kōgeki Mahō) |
Shooting (射撃 Shageki) |
Spells of this type are guided (like Divine Shooter) or aimed (like Photon Lancer) at targets. It also includes the rare material accelerating spells. | Stardust Fall, Shooting Ray, Rapid Trigger (see all) |
| Bombardment (砲撃 Hōgeki) |
This type denotes any aimed attack that fires a cone or stream of energy. This includes collection type (集束砲 Shūsoku Hō, lit. "Focused Ordnance" or "Accumulatory Cannonfire") spells, such as Starlight Breaker, which gather up mana dispersed in the surroundings to release it as a single blast (rather than use the caster's own mana).[2] Rarely, there are also guided bombardment spells like Exelion Buster. | Plasma Discharger, Gun Flame, Strike Stars (see all) | |
| Melee (打撃/斬撃 Dageki/Zangeki) |
This type affects attacks that directly use the device as a weapon. Melee type spells also include energy blade type (魔力斬撃 Maryoku Zangeki, described in the fanbook) spells such as Arc Saber. | Sword Break, Oscillating Knuckle, Maneuver S.S.A (see all) | |
| Area-of-effect (広域攻撃 Kōiki Kōgeki) |
This type categorizes all attacks that affect targets within a general area. | Thunder Rage O.D.J, Ray Storm, Divide Zero "Eclipse" (see all) | |
| Magic-enhanced attack (魔力付与攻撃 Maryoku Fuyo Kōgeki) |
As the Belka system prefers melee attack over other magic types, spells of this type enhance the attack power of the device, or expand its attack capabilities. | Flying Dragon Flash, Accel Smash, Smashing Fang (see all) | |
| Defense (防御魔法 Bōgyo Mahō) |
Barrier (バリアタイプ Baria Taipu) |
These spells erect defensive barriers such as Protection, usually in spherical or hemispherical shape. They can defend in all directions, but are relatively easy to break. They work by absorbing the power of an attack in order to reduce damage. | X Defender, Hard Shell, Wheel Protection (see all) |
| Shield (シールドタイプ 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. Also unlike a barrier type defense, these spells defend by repelling the energy driven against them. | Panzerschild, Exelion Shield, Tri Shield (see all) | |
| Field (フィールドタイプ 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 protective clothing or auras. | Blade Bite, Reactor Purge, Barrier Jacket (see all) | |
| Capture (捕獲系魔法 Hokaku Kei Mahō) |
Bind (バインドタイプ Baindo Taipu) |
Bind type spells directly inhibit a target's freedom of movement and the use of action triggers by attaching themselves to them. Bind type spells may prevent movement outright, as in Restrict Lock, or contain the target's mobility, as in Chain Bind. | Arresting Net, Commandment Chain, Struggle Bind (see all) |
| Cage (ケージタイプ Kēji Taipu) |
Cage type spells surround the target in an immobile prison. | Caging Spears, Crystal Cage, Scorching Cage (see all) | |
| Force field (結界魔法 Kekkai Mahō) |
Circle (サークルタイプ Sākuru Taipu) |
These force fields originate from a magic circle, which can be placed by the caster at any location. An example is Yuuno Scrya's Round Guarder Extend. | Caging Circle, Absorption, Floater Field (see all) |
| Area (エリアタイプ 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. The imprisoning field used by the TSAB Armed Forces in A's episodes 04 and 05[3] is one such type of field. | Temporal Force Field, Prisoner Box, Overpressure Force Field (see all) | |
| Support (補助魔法 Hojo Mahō) |
Increase (インクリースタイプ Inkurīsu Taipu) |
Directly heals or replenishes the target. | Calming Heal, Thunder God Coat, Raging Fire Blade (see all) |
| Decline (デクラインタイプ Dekurain Taipu) |
Presumably, spells of this type lower the target's defenses. However, the known spells of this type directly target other magic spells and attempt to deactivate them. An example is Bind Break. | Dispel Force Field, Shield Break, Extermination Fang (see all) | |
| Transport[4] (移動魔法 Idō Mahō) |
Spells of this type include movement enhancement spells such as Flier Fin, as well as teleportation spells. | Short Jump, Flier Fin, Aerial Rave (see all) | |
| Illusion (幻術魔法 Genjutsu Mahō) |
Although illusion magic is not recognized as a distinct magic category by canon sources, it appears to be one, in which e.g. Teana Lanster and Quattro specialize. Spells of this type create visual and audible illusions, that either make the caster harder to locate or distract the opponent. | Fake Silhouette, Optic Hide, Mirage Hide (see all) | |
| Summoning (召喚魔法 Shōkan Mahō) |
The summoning magic, officially introduced in StrikerS, specializes in conjuring living creatures to serve the mage. It is so uncommon, however, that is considered a Rare Skill on Mid-Childa. | Wrought Iron Summon, Repatriation, Stehlenkönigin (see all) | |
Some defense spells are not sub-categorized. There are also a large number of uncategorized support spells, ranging from telepathy, shapeshifting, and sealing.
References
- ^ The original Japanese seems to make no difference between the terms for magic as a discipline and for individual spells.
- ^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS DVD 3 Booklet (translation).
- ^ Shamal says that the field can only be broken by Vita's Gigantform or Signum's Sturm Falken, but Signum manages to break through with her Schwertform.
- ^ Presumably, this category is indicated in the manga.