Random complaints about Magic Systems since this post was too long for r/magicbuilding

1) Magic is a purely genetic or "superpower"-like ability that is manifested wholly from the body/person using it.

For me, magic needs to have some component of spiritual or mental acuity to use it. I don't have a problem with magic being heavily tied to a person's bloodline, even if it's "unfair" in the world its in like if it's only available to superhuman elves or spirits or whatever, but magic where humans can just wave their hands and simply can do it or can't doesn't feel magical to me, it feels more like a superpower. You need to have some component of at least mentally imagining the spell or willing it into existence somehow. I also like to self insert in most fantasy worlds I read or interact with (don't we all) and I much prefer magic being the result of hard work or at least special knowledge.

2) Magic that mixes symbolic and pseudo-scientific aspects.

Regardless of if a magic system is soft or hard; I dislike when magic systems mix these two aspects. If you want to make magic the result of different varieties of magical or elemental energy that is collected in crystals to power magitech machinery, that's fine. If you want to make magic more folkloric and/or occult and base it on symbolic methods; like making a voodoo doll that looks like someone to harm them remotely or nailing an iron horseshoe to your doorway to keep fairies away that's fine too. But don't tell me there are mystic curses that can only be broken with true love's first kiss AND you're a red wizard with 250 MP practicing your 2nd level fireball spell.

3) Magic "Schools" or categories that have inconsistent naming conventions

This one is probably the worst and most nitpicky of all; but I very much dislike magic systems where they have a sort of order to their spell schools. White magic, black magic, gray magic; ok that's cool, don't suddenly add in "charms" or "illusion" magic to that list, it completely ruins it. Same as systems that will inexplicably have elemental magic and then throw in mind-control or psychic phenomena as a category. No, if you're going to have a category that breaks the rules like that, you need to fit it into the existent naming scheme like letting elemental magic also affect people's moods and body humors or start over. The worst part is its not even the effects or spells, just the naming scheme. I have zero problem with Elder Scrolls magic schools as they exist in the game but having every spell school follow this naming convention of "AlteraTION, DestrucTION, RestoraTION," and then tossing in "Mysticism" or "Illusion" irks me.

4) Magic incantations that don't mean anything

Now obviously they mean "something" in the world-space when spoken aloud, you can't expect every creator or author to create an entire conlang just for this, but what I mean by this is if a magic system uses magic incantations that inevitably boil down to saying things like "water, form, towards target" in word form I get annoyed. Once again this is often abstracted but if its a magic system based on words and "you can't lie in this ancient language so whatever you say has to become true" or it's "imposing your will on reality" via speech then what needs to be said needs to be intelligible. I've come to enjoy magic incantations just spoken in plain English/whatever language the story is written in as being more evocative anyway; calling upon supernatural forces or commanding inanimate objects to obey and they suddenly spring to life is so much better then some keywords in some made-up gibberish language.

5) Sorcerers = Inherited Magic & Wizards = Learned Magic

This is literally just an annoyance I have with the naming convention once again; and only D&D in specific. The most famous Sorcerers in pop culture and fiction (named Sorcerer)? King Solomon, Dr. Strange, and Mickey Mouse (Sorcerer's Apprentice)- All had to learn or gain their powers through magic items. The most famous Wizards in fiction? Merlin, Harry Potter, Gandalf- all inherited or belonging to a magical bloodline. Once again, this is 100% down to taste, I just hate how D&D has created this connotation when if anything it should be the opposite. At least "Witch" can always mean a hearth caster!

6) Everything "magic" comes from the "Wizard class"

Not literally video games again, but if everything magical or supernatural in a world has to come from a magic using catch-all term or type of individual; it sucks all the suspense and intrigue out of the world for me. Magic swords should be crafted by the most skilled and experienced blacksmiths of the land; not "enchanted" in some process by some magical wizard guy. Once again this is down to flavor, and more scientific magic systems get a pass on this by necessity, but everything cool being made by the special snowflake Wizard-type is boring to me.

7) Magic is defined as an energy field + real world physics on top

This was described by other comments on this post better; but basically I really hate when fantasy magic is defined as a sort of magical energy field that can be turned off or on, "Anti-Magic Shell", etc. These things suck all the mysticism and spiritual aspects out of magic. You can have magic be weaker in certain places, or certain materials be resistant to it, but this should be because of a great lodestone or fallen star that disrupts the subtle "weave" that surrounds all living things, NOT an attempt to crease over a soft magic system with a hard-magic system explanation.

8) We don't see enough of it / Only brought out for the "cool" moments

Final complaint; magic systems that don't let us get any fun stuff out of it. Yes, I know this sounds a bit hypocritical from some of the stuff above, but if I get invested in a world, story, or game; I really want to at least get a taste of the magic. If it's a Lovecraftian style magic world with great costs and dangers for using magic, I get it, but in an attempt to not spoil the flavor with overexposure, many creativities make magic too rare, special, or plot-important to actually absorb and enjoy. Let me see how magic users use magic to rid themselves of annoying daily tasks or how low-powered magic stuff is sometimes used for entertainment or to play pranks on people. Let me steep myself in the unreal world. People are people even if they're elves; so you KNOW somebody is going to use these fantastic powers for something boring, something mean, or something kinky. It's inevitable and, if anything, a sign of good writing. It's a part of the world, so let me experience it in your world.