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SpellMasters — Enchanting vs. Alchemy

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questccg
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I've run into a bit of a funny issue regarding the schools of magic in SpellMasters.

My original instincts were to have an "Enchanter" who could harness magic and wield it into physical forms such as items and also have ways to SOURCE magic too into things like magical waters from Magical Springs or by using Mana to transfer magical properties. The bottom line: I saw the "Enchanter" as someone who could make Potions as well as "charging" other items.

But then I came upon another type of character, I don't know if he can also be considered a "Wizard", certainly his school of magic is a logical one and could be even more realistic than my "Enchanter". This is namely "Alchemy" and the character in question would be an "Alchemist".

The problem with the "Alchemist" is that his is RESTRICTED to making solutions and Potions of all types. Which is cool... But the "Enchanter" has even GREATER powers in that he can transfer and command magic in all kinds of vessels such as weapons (staffs, darts, wands, etc.) and other trinkets that can be useful at certain times.

So which do you think is more appropriate: The Enchanter or The Alchemist???

Feel free to provide comments along with your preference. I'm just curious which of the two (2) is more popular of a choice (and why).

Cheers!

questccg
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Bump!

Anyone have opinions on this topic??? Just curious in seeing what people may be thinking! One versus the other, fors and/or againsts...

wob
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just on instinct i would say

just on instinct i would say an alchemist would use potions etc. which can be used to- magicify (i know its not a real word) items (ie pour a potion on a broom to make it fly) but an enchanter has the ability to enchant (coerce) other wizards and (possibly) animals to use their powers to do the enchanters bidding.

Enveroth
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Alchemist / Enchanter(Enchantress)

Both of those characters are more support roles when compared to mage, sorcerer, warlock, etc... And based on what you depicted wouldn't be chosen as often.
However, they both have more self sufficient roles depending on which lore you go by. Just some ideas for you.

Alchemist- makes potions like you mentioned, but also manipulates natural elements. This could be as simple as changing materials from 1 thing to another (water to wine, lead to gold, coal into diamond), manipulating the elements in something to create something else (pull the iron out of the dirt to make a weapon) or as complicated as fusing creatures together (making chimeras).

Enchanter/Enchantress- does what you mentioned, but also can disenchant magical objects or other enchantments, as well as enchant him/herself (greater intellect), enchant other people (weaken, invisibility) or creatures (calm, enlarge, enrage), enchant a place (conceal) or with enough power a whole area (enchanted forest) these things might not work if your game already has an illusionist as they are very similar, difference being most illusions are more grand but merely scare tricks, while enchantments have physical aspects that can affect other things. Also, enchantments are more permanent and stay regardless what happens to the caster.

gxnpt
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enchant vs alchemy

An enchanter uses some source - usually self - to imbue magic into an item -- is limited by personal power handling capability and how suited the target is to the enchantment - can also remove imbued magic - imbued magic is always an overlay on the object imbued

An alchemist refines and recombines elements to concentrate and purify the inherent magic in a substance or compound -- is limited by raw materials and skill - inherent magic cannot be dispelled by normal methods while imbued magic acts like other magics

birblady
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I guess I'm not understanding

I guess I'm not understanding the question, but I don't see the two as overlapping.

When I think alchemist, sure I think potions and making things into other things, but to me the alchemist is the science of magic. they aren't magic in and of themselves, but they know how to create and manipulate it. thus they can make potions, or use existing magic to create things. they have no inner source of generating magic, but they can corral it to do what they want.

Whereas, enchanters have intrinsic magic and are able to imbue items with said magic, but they don't have the same grasp of controlling it as an alchemist. They look for places and things to contain their magic because there is so much of it, whereas alchemist have to work with what they have and so are experts at manipulating it.

questccg
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Nobody answered the question...

questccg wrote:
I've run into a bit of a funny issue regarding the schools of magic in SpellMasters.

So which do you think is more appropriate: The Enchanter or The Alchemist???

Feel free to provide comments along with your preference. I'm just curious which of the two (2) is more popular of a choice (and why).

I know what both do... That's not my question. My question is:

Which do you think is more appropriate for a game about Spells & Wizards?

Arguably the "Enchanter" by trade is more of a Wizard... And he can craft items with magical power. Yes, yes, I understand all that. The "Alchemist" is more of a "scientist" than a Wizard (in my mind).

So I'll be the first one to say: "The Enchanter" is more appropriate since he actually deals with magic. "The Alchemist" deals more with elements in nature, makes solutions and potions ... but he is not a Wizard (In my mind).

What do you think???

Jay103
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I think either would work in

I think either would work in a game about Wizards. The important thing is having the class clearly defined. Like "Wizards do offensive fire magic", "Enchanters affect properties of objects or people", "Alchemists make potions". They would all fit well, but I think you want to be sure that the classes are distinct. If there's not THAT much difference between the Enchanter and your other class(es), then I'd say go with the Alchemist, who is clearly very different and will give a totally different play experience.

birblady
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Honestly, like I said, the

Honestly, like I said, the two don't overlap to me so you could include both as they have different roles. You seem to want a more purist stance on your game, which is fine if your audience is someone who might recognize that distinction and think an alchemist isn't a wizard AND be fussy about it.

However, in my opinion, they both fit the theme and so could both be included in the game. If you only want to include one of them and you're looking to appeal to a wider audience, I would say go with the alchemist as it is much more accessible than the enchanter imo. Many people are familiar with the idea of alchemy, while the enchanter is a term you'd only encounter through playing games with magic like WoW or reading books like Harry Potter.

Enveroth
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questccg wrote: Arguably the

questccg wrote:

Arguably the "Enchanter" by trade is more of a Wizard... And he can craft items with magical power. Yes, yes, I understand all that. The "Alchemist" is more of a "scientist" than a Wizard (in my mind).

So I'll be the first one to say: "The Enchanter" is more appropriate since he actually deals with magic. "The Alchemist" deals more with elements in nature, makes solutions and potions ... but he is not a Wizard (In my mind).

What do you think???

I was just saying you could use both, they only overlap in certain lores/games. It all depends on what you decide for your game.
It sounds like you're leaning towards the enchanter, and you may have found your answer already.

But if you're still not sure, look up Full-metal Alchemist, it's essentially rune magic with scientific elements to create "spells"

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