A spell (魔法 mahō)[1] is a pre-defined magical program, i.e. a list of instructions that, when implemented by a mage (or knight), will perform the automatic task of shaping of mana into specific forms and generating an associated magical effect.
Usage
A spell is a program, i.e. a list of instructions that will perform the automatic shaping of mana into a specific form when implemented by a mage. This results in the production of a magical effect that is associated with the form taken by mana. Spells are written using complex energy computations and their purpose is to simplify the process of casting magic by preparing and storing formulas beforehand, so they can be used on short notice, such as during combat.
Spells can be calculated (written) with and stored in either the brain of the mage creating it or the Device used by the mage to construct it. Because spells are programs, their major advantage is the ability to share their algorithms with others, with the intent of helping them create their own spells that produce similar, if not the same effects. The exact methods of developing and/or using spells however, are impossible to share between mages, so a mage who received an algorithm from another will often, if not always, have to use their own spell crafting methods to create a spell that utilizes the algorithms shared.
For instance, Nanoha's Starlight Breaker spell is based on the Divine Buster spell, but Teana Lanster's version of the same spell is a derivative of her own Phantom Blazer spell. A more extreme example is Subaru Nakajima's Divine Buster spell, which has no connection to Nanoha's spell, other than sharing the same name as hers and also being a bombardment-type spell.
The algorithms of some spells, which are known as Rare Skills, are known for being notoriously difficult to obtain. Whatever the reason for this, because they are difficult to obtain, the number of mages known to use such spells is incredibly low.
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 supplementary to Nanoha and A's, 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.
| Category | Type | Description (Subtypes formatted in bold) | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack (攻撃魔法 Kōgeki mahō) |
Shooting (射撃 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. There is a big difference between aimed (直射型 chokusha gata) shooting (resources allocated for speed, penetration and hit power, e.g. Photon Lancer) and 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 material accelerating (物質加速型 busshitsu kasoku gata) spells. |
Dragon King Mountain-breaking Fall, Photon Bullet, Flash Bullet (see all) |
| Bombardment (砲撃 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. | Impact Cannon, Blast Ray, Gun Flame (see all) | |
| Melee (打撃/斬撃 Dageki/Zangeki, 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. Belkan attack spells are normally not classified as melee type, since direct strikes by Belkan mages/knights are generally mana-enchanted (magic-enhanced) attacks. |
Revolver Cannon, Sword-drawing, Slaughter Arms (see all) | |
| Energy blade (魔力斬撃 Maryoku zangeki, 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). | Sprite Zanber, Twin Blades (spell), Plasma Pile (see all) | |
| Area-of-effect (広域攻撃 Kōiki kōgeki, lit. Wide area attack) |
This type includes all attacks that cover certain effective area from the centre of occurence or impact. | Thunder Rage, Gravity Bless, Blast Calamity (see all) | |
| Magic-enhanced attack (魔力付与攻撃 Maryoku fuyo kōgeki, 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. | Flying Dragon Flash, Zerstörungshammer, Revolver Spike (see all) | |
| Defense (防御魔法 Bōgyo mahō) |
Barrier (バリアタイプ 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. | Protection, Wide Area Protection, Harden Armor (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. Instead of absorbing, they defend by repelling the energy driven against them. | Round Shield, Exelion Shield, Holding 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. | Panzergeist, Armour Jacket, Barrier Jacket (see all) | |
| 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. | Armorize, Active Guard, Spinning Break (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 (e.g. Restrict Lock) or contain the target's mobility (e.g. Chain Bind). | Arresting Net, Thunder Rage, Counter Bind (see all) |
| Cage (ケージタイプ Kēji taipu) |
Cage type spells surround the target in an immobile prison. | Caging Spears, Scorching Cage, Thread Cage (see all) | |
| Force field (結界魔法 Kekkai mahō) |
Circle (サークルタイプ 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). | Floater Field, Absorption, Round Guarder Extend (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. | Overpressure Force Field, Prisoner Box, Temporal 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, replenishes or buffs the target. | Boost Up, Calming Heal, Thunder God Coat (see all) |
| Decline (デクライン タイプ Dekurain taipu) |
Either debuffs the target, or targets other spells and attempts to deactivate/dispel them (e.g. Bind Break). | Shield Break, Klargeheul, Barrier Break (see all) | |
| Transport[2] (移動系魔法 Idō kei mahō) |
Spells of this type include flying spells, movement enhancement spells (e.g. Flier Fin), teleportation spells etc. | Absorb Grip, Deep Diver, Dimensional Transfer (see all) | |
| 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), sealing and shapeshifting etc. For simplicity and browsing purpose, these spells are sub-categorised as "other supportive" spells. | Weichstütze, Investigation Spell, Mirror of Prospection (see all) | |
| Illusion (幻術魔法 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. | Environmental Camouflage, Cloud-turning Shadowization, Silver Curtain (see all) | |
| Summoning (召喚魔法 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. | Repatriation, Ultimate Summon, Dragon Soul Summon (see all) | |
| Manipulation (操作系魔法 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. | Hair Possession, Meist Arm, Rocket Punch (see all) | |
Other notable classifications not mutually exclusive with the above categories and types include:
Breaker
Breaker (
Nanoha Takamachi's Starlight Breaker (probably the etymology of this class) is referred to as a "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
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 Jackets, 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
Isolated (遠隔発生 enkaku hasei, lit. remote occurence)[4] 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 Rare Skill (
References
- ^ The original Japanese seems to make no difference between the terms for magic as a discipline and for individual spells.
- ^ Presumably, this type is indicated in the manga.
- ^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS, DVD Vol.3 Booklet (translation).
- ^ This classification is originally positioned between energy blade and area-of-effect (under Midchildan attack spell types) in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Visual Fanbook.