| [Edit]
|
Magic points or mana points (MP) are units of magical power (mana) that are used in many role-playing, computer role-playing and similar games as an expendable resource that is needed to pay for magic spells.
A character in such games will usually have a number of magic points based on his or her level and character class, among other things. Thus a mage will have more MP than a fighter and an experienced mage will have more MP than a novice. When a character uses a magic spell, a number of MP will be deducted from that character’s available MP to pay for the spell (more powerful spells generally cost more MP). If a character has too few MP, the spell cannot be cast. This system makes players choose between casting a few powerful spells, or many weaker ones.
In some games, MP replenish slowly over time, while in others a character must rest to recover MP. Other possibilities include stealing or absorbing them from other characters or from the ether, or by eating food or drinking mana fluids.
In many western computer games, the magic points gauge is depicted as being blue, in contrast with the red of the hit points gauge. These colors might be seen in the user interface and in the game’s items or spells (for example, a red potion is used for healing, a blue potion for restoring mana).
|
top
Examples
The concept of magic points has been used in numerous games of various types:
Magic: The Gathering uses mana as a way to pay for spells and creatures by drawing it from land. Different land gives different colors of mana. Mountains, for example, give red mana, which could be used for red spells.
top
Synonyms
Many alternate names are used in different games. Magic points are also referred to as
Potential Psychic Energy (P.P.E.) (Palladium)
Other terms designate units of psionic, or otherwise supernatural, power equivalent to MP:
top
Similar concepts
In traditional RPGs, magic points remained entirely in the realm of magic spells or psionic powers, while fighting skills and abilities were never under such a restriction. Many newer games, however, have introduced similar skill-limitation systems for fighters:
The Garou in Werewolf: The Apocalypse (1992) must spend Rage points for some of their special abilities (e.g., for changing forms, entering the spirit world, or performing extra attacks). These are distinct from the Gnosis points used to “fuel” spells and spell-like gifts.
In Diablo II (2000), all character classes (magic users as well as fighters) each have access to a unique and exclusive set of skills, and many of the skills in each set are powered by mana as if they were spells.
Also, magic points can be considered a specialized type of action points that are renewed slowly compared to other game events.
top
See also
|
|
