Elemental Magic and Non-Elemental Magic (They Are Not Balanced)

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This is something that I've never quite understood for the longest time. Magic to me should be easily proportional, with ups and downs. However, for some reason, there is a massive imbalance when it comes to elemental and non-elemental magic.  

But first, there needs to be some context.

Elemental magic consists of fire, water, air, earth, electricity, etc. Basically, think of Avatar: The Last Airbender. That kind of magic is often seen as closely connected to nature through natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.

As opposed to elemental magic, non-elemental magic is described as the use of raw Ki, Mana or some kind of cosmic force. A few examples would be clairvoyance, telekinesis, healing, teleportation, space, time and so on.

It’s simply too versatile to be a non-elemental mage compared to the elemental mage restricted for single use. When you think of time and space, you think about God-like beings wielding that power. For elements, not so much. Their power is not as groundbreaking almost as if reserved for mortals.

In any case, for the following scenarios, I’ll be using the element of fire in comparison to the non-element of space manipulation and for utility’s sake, let’s pretend that the two mages’ powers have maxed out their limits.

Elemental

Fire magic in everyday life

  • Cooking

  • Making light/keeping warm

As you can see, it’s rather basic. Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that elemental magic is more drawn for combat and battles. While there is some utility to, let's say fire magic, in day-to-day life, it is very minimal and not that essential to living.

This also depends on which world setting those mages are in. If it’s a medieval fantasy, the examples given would be useful, but if it's a modern setting, science can easily replace those functions.

Fire magic in combat

  • Much more destructive than non-elements

  • Not very subtle/flashy

  • Not much versatility.

I’ll admit I read a manga where a certain fire user manages to burn through time but at this point, it’s not even fire magic anymore. Because if that character could burn through time of all things, then he could burn through literally everything else, and it’s not keeping things consistent or balanced in the slightest.

Unfortunately, there is a big lack of creativity when it comes to elemental magic, simply because adding more to it would not make it elemental anymore.

Now, I’ll be moving on to the spatial mage.

Non-elemental

Space magic in everyday life

  • Easy transportation

  • Self-portable inventory

In comparison to the fire mage, no matter which setting this space mage ends up in, his magic is still convenient. But of course, rather than being an offensive fighter like the elemental mage, this kind of magic is more all-around. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the non-elemental mage lacks in combat prowess.

Space magic in combat

  • Can easily avoid opponent

  • Use portals as a weapon (kinda morbid, but you could cut someone's arm off by closing a portal on their limbs.)

  • Home advantage (If unsatisfied with current area can relocate.)

  • Easy escape

  • Inventory allows use for weapons if necessary

  • Redirect attacks through portals

  • Send opponent away 

The reason non-elemental magic has so much more bullet points than the one for elemental magic was because of creativity. It’s so much easier to shape and bend space magic since its use is much more versatile compared to fire magic which is stricter.

Whenever I write stories in the fantasy genre, I have so much trouble trying to balance the two, and oftentimes feel myself getting frustrated. The solution to this would simply be to set laws and rules to the magic system and give drawbacks since those are usually not implemented.

Briefly put, the two sub-categories of magic are not equal. Elemental magic cannot compare to non-elemental magic. Their value is completely different from the other, and it goes without saying that non-elemental magic dominates elemental magic; it’s hard to give an edge to elemental magic when it’s so straightforward and linear while there is so much more use to non-elemental magic as long as one is creative.

CHLOÉ LANDRY - Writer by day, artist by night. I’m a student at Algonquin College and currently writing blogs for my course, Writing For the Web. I’ll be writing a few fantasy-related stuff here, so go check it out whenever you have the time.