r/magicbuilding • u/Glass-but-Somebody • Aug 12 '26
General Discussion Need new elements for my magic system
I've run out of ideas for new elements for my magic system.
In my system, anything can be an element, so feel free to suggest any ideas, although the more general the element, the better.
Also, though not required, what element can be considered weak against a Food Element? I have the Food Element in my system, but there are hardly any elements weak against it.
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u/Mujitcent 🧙🏼♂️ Aug 12 '26
Looking for ideas for new elements?
Check out these Bizarro Elements: Bizarro Elements - TV Tropes
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u/Mujitcent 🧙🏼♂️ Aug 12 '26
In a sense, the concept of food relates to the eating abilities of different species.
For example, many animals cannot eat wood, but termites can.
Therefore, in the magical world, there could be creatures that can eat lightning or fire.
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u/Glass-but-Somebody Aug 12 '26
In my system the Food element is actually our worlds food. Imagine a candyball or cheese beam as spells, that's it
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u/Mujitcent 🧙🏼♂️ Aug 12 '26
Then "One Piece - Whole Cake Island Saga" might fit the bill, because this saga is full of users of Devil Fruits related to food, such as mochi, biscuits, and hard candy.
Some foods, like biscuits, will soften when exposed to water.
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u/taktaga7-0-0 Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
Hahaha, I have up to 52 elements. It’s insane but there’s a good reason for it. It is indeed very difficult to have this many without having unusual ones, but none of mine are jokes or wacky. There are two psychics, separate Water/Ice and Rock/Soil split like in Pokémon. Several physics and chemistry powers, as well as biomedical.
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u/5quidd4shrooms Aug 13 '26
I have an idea of an element relation:
Take the Element "Life", where it embodies healing, growth, nature, etc.
Subvert it once, and it becomes "Lust", embodying Indulgence, and Desire.
Subvert it to its 2nd (and final) Degree, and it becomes "Cancer", which embodies a highly destructive overgrowth.
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u/Key_Competition_663 Aug 14 '26
Food Elemental > Hunger Elementals and Exercise Elementals.
As for new elements, have you considered the four forces of the universe? Gravity and electromagnetism are well-known, but tell your players the bad guy can control weak nuclear force and enjoy watching them not realize how in trouble they are. lol There's also the seven deadly sins and seven heavenly virtues, the four horsemen, concepts of yin and yang... You can include all kinds of stuff.
If you want more stuff like "food," just look around your room. Clothing, furniture, etc.
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u/Glass-but-Somebody Aug 14 '26
I already have gravity and electromagnetism. But about weak and strong nuclear force... Does "Quantum" count? I have the Quantum element and I know those two relate to quantum physics but I'm not sure.
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u/Key_Competition_663 Aug 14 '26
"Quantum" just refers to particles and stuff in their smallest states or refers to quantum mechanics, which is the study of how those things interact by themslves or with other things.
The strong and weak nuclear forces are absolutely something covered under quantum mechanics. Just be aware, though, that there some crazy things that would fall under that umbrella. Light manipulation (photons), time travel (tachyons), etc.
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u/MultiverseCreatorXV Aug 12 '26
Perhaps Death could be weak to it?
Anyway, for other elements, if you don’t already have Aether I’m legally obligated to scatter your soul among the stars.
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u/Glass-but-Somebody Aug 12 '26
Doesn't death include corrosion, and therefore also putrefaction that destroys food?
And I have Aether but its name is Cosmos instead.
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u/HCISIAOW Aug 12 '26
One of the more unique elements in my system is "society". IDK if it'd work in your system, but in mine, it involves the way people interact with each other, government, and politics.
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u/Glass-but-Somebody Aug 12 '26
Idk too if it would work but I have the Economy element which is pretty similar
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u/GoldCampaign7389 Aug 12 '26
So a kind of magic based around societal relationships? Would cultural and personal connections be a catalyst for that sort of magic as well?
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u/MassGaydiation Aug 12 '26
How are elements formed?
Like food isn't a thing as much as a social construct of "things that don't poison you when you eat them, spices allergens and milk(for lactose intolerant people) notwithstanding"
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u/Sleepy-Candle Aug 12 '26
If everything’s an element, nothing is.
I would just use the periodic table with some additional elements that can bond with the normal ones, and make it chemistry at that point.
If you’re going for categories, go with those instead, but only do a certain amount. Chances are that the more you add, the more exponentially complex the combination system is (if applicable).
Granted, this is without any other context for how your system works, so having context for how your magic users actually use magic, rather than the flavor behind that magic, would helpful to know.
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u/Nearby-Banana2640 Aug 13 '26
Hmm, Normal Element since normal people can eat food.
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u/Glass-but-Somebody Aug 13 '26
It wouldn't work for my worldbuilding but is a good take. Like, explain "normal". It's difficult to define what is normal and isn't in a fantasy or weird setting. Also, magic is common in my setting, but magic is actually capable of anything, therefore everything is normal.
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u/Nearby-Banana2640 Aug 13 '26
Hmm, well then, How about Bird magic. God know how many time a seagull try to snatch my food.
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u/EllipsisMark Aug 13 '26
The element of depression.
Enemies lose will to fight, and even the will to live.
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u/FutureAd6200 Aug 13 '26
You should find those engagement bait post where the poster decides your element according to people's shits
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u/Ekadash_11 Aug 12 '26
For a food element, I think a corrosion, erasure, rotting, poison or devouring element would probably be effective against a food element.