Magic and Headcanon · 5:54am Apr 11th, 2015
Finger is getting better, but typing is little hard. In the meantime though, I thought I'd share a headcanon I have regarding spell and magic usage in general. It will have a small mention in the next chapter of Heavy Crown, but I thought I'd put the entire concept here first.
Given the way magic is as essential to life in Equestria as machinery and other technology is on Earth, I felt there might be some sort of ranking system in place to give a general classification of magic as well as cover restrictions.
Class D: the lowest ranked magic. It's everyday use is ubiquitous to Equestria. Basic Flight, levitation spells, and unfocused facilitation of plant growth are all examples of Class D magic. While it varies among the three main pony races, foals as young as six months old can control this magic.
Class C: Requires a conscious effort by a pony to preform. It is possible to perform this kind of magic without proper training but it will be rough. Younger ponies are capable of using this level of magic, but may struggle with it. Mainly used on inorganic or non-sentient life. Examples: Cleaning Spells, advanced flight maneuvers, speeding up the germination of seeds.
Class B: Can usually only be employed by ponies that have received their cutie mark (Equalized/Depowered ponies can only use Class D and C Magic). Magic at this point becomes more specialized and regulations start coming into places. Permanent color alteration spells, creation of thunderclouds, and exponential concentrated plant growth are examples that, if misused, could cause significant property damage. While not standardized, most professions and/or unions require ponies to complete tests and receive a license allowing them to use Class B magic. Unauthorized usage of certain Class B magic can result in fines and/or jail time.
Class A: Highly Specialized Magic. Unlike the previous levels, this rank does have various standardized tests depending on the race in question. Earth Ponies are the only exception as Class A or higher Earth Pony Magic is so rare it is usually related specifically to a pony's cutie mark. For the other races though, steep fines and heavy jail time can be incurred for illegal usage of Class A magic. Even the study of this magic class requires special certification to access books or attend classes on it. Examples include: F-0 through F-3 Tornado creation, basic body augmentation spells (such as growing mustaches) as well as some very basic sleep and paralysis spells.
The ranks above this are reserved only for usage by High-Ranking government entities, the Royal Guard, and the Princesses themselves.
Class S: Magic on this level can heavily damage entire towns or affect large numbers of ponies. Their usage is heavily monitored and regulated. Illegal usage can result in life imprisonment or exile from Equestria. Examples: Chaotic Weather Manipulation (Rarity's attempt at weather manipulation in Magical Mystery Cure), Time Travel Spells, Earthquakes generated via Earth Pony Magic.
Class X: The highest ranked magic that can be classified. It has the potential to heavily damage cities the size Manehattan. Its usage is only permitted in times of emergency. Illegal study of Class X magic is punishable by exile. Illegal usage of Class X spells on another sentient being is the only crime in Equestria punishable by death (due to the severe restrictions on Class X Magic though, such a sentence has never been carried out). While a large group of pegasi could theoretically craft weather of a Class X level, only alicorns and incredibly skilled unicorns (Twilight Pre-wings) can use Class X magic individually. Examples: Brainwashing and other mind manipulation spells, thaumic beams (unlike fire or other elemental spells, thaumic beams fire pure concentrated magic and can devastate entire cities if enough magic is put into it)
Unclassified: This is where all other magic is put. It contains two subcategories, but some overlap can occur both within the subcategories themselves and with the previous rankings.
Type 1: Foal magic and magic related specifically to a cutie mark are the most prominent magics in this group. Due to the variance is skill and power, it is impossible to rank this kind of magic anywhere else. Examples: the Cake Twins' abilities which will eventually fade leaving them at Class D until they are older, Pinkie's summoning abilities and Pinkie Sense, and Rainbow Dash's ability to perform a Sonic Rainboom. Currently, it is being debated by Thaumic Researchers in Equestria if Crystal Pony Magic should belong here, in Type 2, or if a new rank should be created for them.
Type 2: Alicorn, Combined, and Other magics. These magics should be considered superior to all other magic though they may dwarf one another or cancel the other out. For example, both Celestia's magic and Discord's are in this category, but Discord is far more powerful than her. This category also includes combined magic that incorporates a mixture of different rankings. Shining Armor's Shield Spell was a Class X augmented by his Type 1 Cutie Mark Magic, but combined with Cadence's magic, it became Type 2. FInally, this is the only category to include magic not belonging to living creatures. This includes objects such as the Alicorn Amulet and the Elements of Harmony.
Glad to hear you're on the mend. I quite like the magic classification system. I can tell it's a robust, well thought out system from how it includes a specific "off-the-chart" category for Pinkie powers. (And, you know, other stuff.)
2973000
Dude, it's just a head canon that applies to my stories. Do what you want on your own page.
2973158 I apologize. I spend too much time in group forum discussions.