VPP: Magic only vs. Magic Special Effect

[The Alien]

Greetings. I am returning from a 15 year or so period of not getting to play Champions to find you have this fine new (if somewhat more complicated) system in place. It looks like you have done a great job! I have a question, inspired by the first character I've made (and am about to play) under the new system:

What is the difference between having a VPP where the special effect is 'magic' and actually having the Limitation "Only Magic" (-1/4)?

Thank you for being so accessible!

[Steve Long]

Well, I suppose from a sort of absolutist perspective there really isn't any difference -- if the special effect is "magic," then in theory the Pool should be Limited so it only can do magic stuff.

However, as I think most GMs would interpret it, if a Pool has a Limitation "Magic Only," then a character cannot, for example, use the VPP to "magically create" a technological device (for example) -- that violates the spirit of "Magic Only." If the VPP lacks the Limitation, then technically it can do anything, with the special effect of "it's magic."

Hope that helps! If not, I'd suggest starting a discussion on the "Discussion" board -- you're likely to get all sorts of helpful information and perspectives. Welcome back to the game!