Magic is real and it's dangerous. At least that's what Lev Grossman's hit Magicians Trilogy would have you believe. These books are like Harry Potter and Narnia for fully grown adults. Via his Magicians books, Grossman critically examines many tropes associated with the Fantasy Genre. Grossman's novels are so popular that the SyFy network adapted them into a live-action series.
While there are numerous differences from the Magicians Trilogy and the show based on it, Grossman's core theme remains intact. Magic is just as dangerous in the show as it is in the books. Today, we'll look at ten of the most powerful spells on the Magicians TV series.
Voltaic Transfer
Voltaic Transfer is a prime example of a spell that's dangerous in the wrong hands. VT is supposed to transfer magical energy from one being into another. Experienced magicians can cast this on wild animals and reap its benefits without incident. However, inexperienced casters could kill themselves if they misuse this spell.
In the wrong hands, Voltaic Transfers can be overwhelming. Someone who doesn't know what they're doing might overload themselves with energy. Penny Adiyodi can personally attest to the inherent danger of this powerful spell. Long ago, he witnessed a group of magicians burns themselves to ash after improperly casting VT!
Necromantic Resurrection
Death is supposed to be the end of a person's journey in life. No matter how well or poorly we live, death waits for us all. That sentiment is supposed to be an inevitable fact of life. Thanks to the Necromantic Resurrection spell, however, it becomes more of a suggestion.
Using NR, a caster can tell the Grim Reaper to take five. This spell is far from easy to cast; you need a freshly deceased corpse and a rare spellbook. After setting everything up, you then need to burn the book - ensuring that you can't immediately recast NR. Upon success, a caster can commune with the dead for a brief time.
Woven Strength
Woven Strength is a powerful spell in the literal sense. Anyone who casts this will benefit from enhanced strength. WS will allow users to send foes flying with a punch and lift cars with ease! We imagine a magician could jump massive distances and land without injury, thanks to their super strength.
WS also seems to be an easy spell to cast. Margo Hanson/ Janet Pluchinsky quickly used this spell after a long trip through the desert! Compared to some of the other spells in the Magicians universe, WS might be too simple and limited in scope. The way we see it, this is the go-to spell for a caster in a fist fight.
Paralysis Spell
Have you ever experienced Sleep Paralysis? If you haven't, then consider yourself lucky as Sleep Paralysis is common. SP occurs when a person's mind is conscious, but their body is still asleep. Folks who've experienced SP recount feeling helpless and struggling to breathe. Some people even experience vivid hallucinations and hear voices talking to them!
Now imagine if someone could weaponize SP. That's where the Paralysis Spell comes in. Martin Chatwin created this technique many years ago. The Beast is able to incapacitate mere mortals and full-fledged gods alike with PS! Beings with a lot of experience and willpower can resist this spell, but that's easier said than done.
Modus Hex
We're delving into Invasion of the Body Snatchers territory with the Modus Hex. Using this spell, a caster can take over another person's body! Imagine a magician using this spell on a world leader or an elite soldier? Or, potentially worse, if they use Modus Hex on one of your loved ones?!
MH isn't powerful because it can instantly kill one's enemies. On the contrary, this spell doesn't seem to do inflict any immediate damage. What makes Modus Hex strong, and scary is the psychology behind it - anyone that you know or love could be under MH's thrall. If your intuition isn't good enough, you might not even know!
Scarlotti Web
Much like the Paralysis Spell, the Scarlatti Web traps and incapacitates its targets. But whereas PS cripples the body, SW traps the mind. The Scarlatti Web places its victims into a deep trance. While under its thrall, a victim is stuck in a mental prison of sorts. Escape is almost impossible; no amount of kicking or crying is going to bail you out of SW's control.
The only way to break free is to conjure a Matarese. It's a spiritual scorpion-like creature that feeds off of Scarlotti's Webs. The fact that SW has such a niche weakness only increases its effectiveness and power.
World Creation Spell
Imagine holding an entire world in your hands - a complete plain of existence with laws of physics and entropy. The World Creation spell allows an experienced magician to do just that! With enough concentration and effort, a caster can create a pocket world that' small enough to fit in a glass bottle.
The World Creation spell hails from the mythical land of Fillory. Presumably, the godly twins Ember and Umber used it long ago. The power of creation isn't a toy; a caster could create a world full of benevolent beings or a world full of monsters! WC is rarely used for a reason after all.
Fergus's 'Really Useful Combat Spells'
The proper name is 'Fergus's A Whole Lot of Other Really Useful Combat Spells,' but that's kind of a mouthful. FCS (Fergus' Combat Spells) is a unique combination of hexes and charms. When a caster uses FCS, they drastically increase their combat effectiveness. FCS users become stronger, faster, tougher, and mentally sharper!
Eliot Waugh is a known master of FCS. He used this spell to defeat the Vile Father a while back. FCS isn't easy to learn at all. Only seasoned sorcerors can properly use this technique and get the most bang for their bucks. It's worth the trouble to learn, however, as FCS users are forces to be reckoned with.
Ars Deicidium
In Lev Grossman's world, gods walk among men and influence the lives of mortals. All of these beings possess immense magical power, but not all of them are benevolent. Some goddesses and gods get a rise out of messing with people. Others won't hesitate to kill someone for getting on their bad side.
If you ever have to defend yourself against a deity, use this spell; Ars Deicidium can turn any piece of metal into a weapon capable of killing a god! It takes a lot of effort and raw material to pull off, but it's possible. AD's so powerful, the Order forbids magicians from practicing this spell.
Rhinemann Ultra
Rhinemann Ultra; when you absolutely, positively got to kill every muscle pumper in the room, accept no substitutes. In terms of powerful spells, RU takes the cake, eats most of it and then atomizes whatever's left. Rhinemann Ultra is such a difficult spell that only a Master Magician can hope to cast it without incident!
We've only seen a few magicians use it on the show. Whenever they whip this baby out, heads roll and bodies pile up! Battle Magic spells are very destructive in general. However, Rhinemann Ultra is the most powerful a magician could ever learn by a mile.