(Originally posted on March 17, 2014.)
Kaoru Koganei from Flame of Recca
One of the big things in fantasy books happens to be oddly controversial too. The use of magical items is common, but many people disagree with how they should be used. Some people don’t want them at all in the stories unless they’re an ancient item of great power that is essential to the plot. Others think they should be forbidden items and only villains have them even if there is a heroic spellcaster. On the other end of the spectrum, you have worlds where magic items are commonplace such as Harry Potter. I could keep going with the list of beliefs on magic items, but I’m sure people will voice some more in the comments.
Personally, I think it depends on the world and characters. If it is a low magic world then items of power shouldn’t be common. Of course, the exception would be if the only sources of magic are these items, so they’ve been mass produced. Now a world with magic everywhere like Windemere makes it believable that such items are easy to find. There would be stores for magic rings with high prices and not every magic item will have the power to change the world. For example, there is a class of item called Durable Gear, which means they’re stronger than normal items. As the Lich says ‘everyone and their dog seems to have one of these items’. Nobody said a crafting caster couldn’t be in it for the money.
There is also a question of who can wield magic items, which is another world-dependent entity. I’ve never understood the idea that only spellcasters can use magic items with the exception of scrolls and wands. A magic sword is something that sounds like it can be used by anyone who can swing it. If the system states that one needs to study magic to awaken an item’s power then that’s how the world works and I’ll go along with it. I might question a spellcaster wielding a magical great axe, so I think the items have to be crafted accordingly. I’ve gone for magic items that everyone can use if they are in the proper situation. Luke’s new ring requires a catalyst as do a few later items.
So, what do people think of magical items in stories? Do you want them to be around, limited, or absent?
Legends of Windemere 
I like a magical item, especially if the story involves the search for one like the horcruxes in Harry Potter. I like special items that only one chosen person can wield—like Thor’s hammer, though Steve Rogers was able to pick it up. But I also like the ones anyone can use—like the invisibility cloak and the marauder’s map in HP. But I agree that there need to be some rules to them and that maybe they should be used sparingly for a greater impact.
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Limited use definitely increases the longevity of the item. Doesn’t grow stale.
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I like them and think they add wonderful flavor to a story. I don’t like them to be a cure all for every problem.
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That’s always the challenge. Useful, but limited.
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Magical items enhance a story so I’m in favor of having them in.
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Same here.
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😊
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Who doesn’t?
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Surprisingly, I’ve run into a lot of people who don’t.
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It does depend on the needs of the story. In my first novel, The Magister’s Mask, I wanted a sorceress to solve crimes with magic, so magic had to be something widely known and understood. Otherwise, the public would not accept accusations or verdicts achieved with magic. So everyone knew about it, and could use it to varying degrees.
But you could go the other way and have a setting where magic items are rare and sought after. Archaeologists might go searching just for them and get into various hijinks.
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It really does depend on high or low fantasy setting.
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I think most do.
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I’m surprised how often I find people who don’t like them.
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