If you’re in the middle of writing your best fantasy work, but the magic you put into it feels like a disappointing last-minute trick. Brandon Sanderson’s Laws of Magic is just what you need to build magic your readers believe in (and remember).
Who Is Brandon Sanderson?
He’s one of the top names in modern fantasy, known for Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, and Skyward. As you might have expected, he built his stories oozing with clever magic systems, deep characters, and worlds that feel real.
Most of his books are part of a connected universe called the Cosmere. And if you like hidden details, check out Hoid, a mysterious character who shows up across different series.
Sanderson’s Rule of Magic
Sanderson’s Rule of Magic is simple, and as a matter of fact, you will only need to follow three laws for fantasy storytelling.
First Law
“An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic.” That’s the first law.
In short, if your hero uses magic to win the day, your reader needs to understand how that magic works beforehand. Otherwise, it feels like a cheat, a plot hole in disguise.
The solution? Set clear boundaries. Show what magic can and can’t do, who can use it, and what it costs.
Let’s see some examples:
- In Mistborn, for instance, Allomancy has rules: swallow metal and gain power. Readers know the system, so when Vin uses it to fight, the payoff feels earned.
- Compare that to Lord of the Rings, where Gandalf’s magic is mysterious. That works because magic isn’t solving problems but creating wonder. This is “soft magic,” and it’s best used to build atmosphere, not tie up plot threads.
- Harry Potter lands in the middle: spells need wands and words. We don’t know the science, but we understand the limits.
So here’s the rule of thumb: if magic is your plot’s solution, your readers need the manual first. Let them see the setup so they can enjoy the payoff.
Here’s the first prompt to use:
I am writing a fantasy novel about [insert info about your story].
My main character's power/magic is [insert info]
I want you to come-up with ideas that will:
- Show the origin of the character's power/magic
- Show what the character's power/magic can do
- Show what the character's power/magic can't do
- What the power/magic costs
The purpose is to help readers understand how that magic works beforehand.
Second Law
What your magic can’t do is more important than what it can. And that’s the heart of Sanderson’s second law.
While flashy spells and elemental chaos might grab a reader’s attention, it’s the boundaries, the weaknesses, the costs, and the rules that keep them hooked.
Again, think of Allomancy in Mistborn: characters can push or pull on metals, but only in straight lines and only if there’s something metal to push or pull on. That simple constraint leads to wild creativity.
Another Example:
In The Wheel of Time, male channelers risk madness every time they tap into magic. And that’s not only a limit but a ticking time bomb that shapes the characters’ lives and decisions. So, keep in mind that the best systems don’t just limit use. They impose real costs.
So, if you really want to deepen a character, tie their magic to something internal. Suddenly, every scene becomes a dance between emotion and action.
So, if your magic system feels too convenient, ask:
- What can’t it do?
- What does it cost?
- What happens when it fails?
I am writing a fantasy novel about [insert info about your story].
My main character's power/magic is [insert info]
I want you to come up with ideas that will:
- Set the boundaries/limitation of the main character's power/magic
- Tie the main character's power/magic to something internal
- What the power/magic costs
The purpose is to avoid having a character that feels too convenient. Third Law
More powers ≠ , better powers.
Sanderson’s Third Law says to dig deeper into the magic you’ve already shown instead of piling on new tricks. So before adding a brand‑new ability, ask: Have I squeezed every drop out of the ones I already introduced?
Fewer Powers, Bigger Payoff
- Mistborn uses a small metal‑based toolkit, yet every fight feels fresh because characters keep finding smarter ways to combine or stretch those same rules.
Extrapolate the Ripple Effects
- If someone can conjure food, what happens to farming, famine, or battlefield supply lines? One ability can reshape politics and culture, so explore that before inventing the next spell.
Interconnect and Streamline
- Keep your system thematically linked. Give a single heat‑crafting power to multiple cultures: warriors forge blades with it; nomads cook on the move; merchants dry goods for trade. Same magic, new flavor—no world‑bloating required.
I'm writing a fantasy story and want to deepen my existing magic system based on Sanderson's Third Law (fewer, better powers).
My Story: [e.g., "Gritty urban fantasy," "Epic quest in a medieval world," "Sci-fi with psionics"]
Main Character's Power/Magic: [Describe the core ability and its basic rules/limitations.]
Help me brainstorm:
Clever Uses: How can this power be used in unexpected or advanced ways?
Ripple Effects: What are the broader impacts of this magic on the world, society, or culture?
Variations: How might different groups or individuals use or interpret this same power differently?
Master the Magic You’ve Already Cast
If you’re tempted to fix every plot hole with a new spell, stop and take a closer look at what you’ve already built.
Sanderson’s Laws remind us that great fantasy doesn’t come from stacking powers but comes from understanding, limiting, and expanding the ones we already have. When magic is logical, earned, and part of the world’s DNA, your readers feel it. So, before adding more, dig deeper. That’s where the real magic happens.