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I was wondering what magic is considered to be dark. I know technically magic is a tool and it depends on the users intention but some magical knowledge comes with certain negative associations. Off the top of my head I am thinking of Necromancy, Soulmancy, Blood Magic and Rune Magic. I added Rune magic because it involves the use of a living beings live essence/soul to power the item being created. I am sure there are others.

What are your thoughts on the subject?

Cheers

Magic in Rifts is not just a tool though. It can literally corrode your soul.

Add Demon magic to your list

Shifter's Summoning magic is often considered 'Dark' by others.

One could add Life Force Magic from PFRPG. While Through the Glass Darkly (Nightbane) states there are good Cybermages it generally involves torture and enslavement.

I think you would have to add bio-wizardry.

jtjr26 wrote: Sun Jun 29, 2025 11:55 pm I was wondering what magic is considered to be dark. I know technically magic is a tool and it depends on the users intention but some magical knowledge comes with certain negative associations. Off the top of my head I am thinking of Necromancy, Soulmancy, Blood Magic and Rune Magic. I added Rune magic because it involves the use of a living beings live essence/soul to power the item being created. I am sure there are others.

What are your thoughts on the subject?

Cheers

Bio-Wizardry (WB2), though this might be included in Rune Magic

CIrcle Magic (PF2E), due to sacrifice requirements

Witchcraft, due to making a pact with dark forces

Magic practiced by Nxla's (sp?) Harvesters (WB12), though this might be lumped into Necromancy

Horune Dreamer Magic (WB7), their Combat Drones enslave creatures

Techno-Wizardry (half in jest), I mean you're perverting magic and technology to work together and can be done with any magic (including recognized dark magics so...)

I don't think there are rules per say or a class, but magic can be used to perform mutation/transformation on subjects and I'm not thinking of Bio-Wizardry, given AI (Lord of the Deep for example) and other statements that suggest this happens (like with Dark Hounds in WB16).

Elves might find Tattoo Magic to be Dark (given the negatives that apply to just them)

Walked the streets of the Chi-town Burbs and got a couple opinions via survey...

Mjr Tarik Ordel, Psi-Net, Chi-Town Sector 26 wrote:"Dark" magic? It is all dark. Every stinkin' mage is the embodiment of evil.

Arique Loofansa, humanoid in a large hooded cape and a strange accent wrote:Any magic that involves an element of destruction or control in opposition to the nature of the megaverse, either spiritual or physical

Lulo, street urchin wrote:The answer'll cost ya 10 creds... 20 creds for the right answer

Kaleb Goss, shopkeep wrote:Ya gonna buy summat?

Madame Bovanoy, Psychic Fortune Teller Extraordinaire (in a semi-trance) wrote:The spirit world... tells me to tell you... ah! What is written in the book is guidance enough for the one that masters the game....hmm more cryptic than usual, hope you know what to do with that...

I love that last one Grazzik.

I don't know that Major Ordel seems a little biased to me.