Should the synonym between [spellcasting] and [spells] be broken?

Question

I ask this question because I have asked questions lately that play on the spellcasting mechanics of Anima: Beyond Fantasy lately, that nonetheless have almost nothing to do with a particular spell or spells in the space of possible answers, e.g. this one.

However, a question about getting a spellcasting attribute as high as possible clearly is about spellcasting, and I can't just not tag that, especially since there are particular points in the rules where "I'm using this attribute for spellcasting" matters - except it then is tagged spells!

Thus, I'd like to suggest we break the synonym between spellcasting and spells. It's not the same thing.

Answer 1

Tag Edit

Since this synonym break has been completed, I've taken a crack at editing the tag for this.

For questions relating to the process of casting spells within a game. Including, but not limited to: spell casting mechanics, improving likelihood of success when casting a spell, interrupting spell casting, and mechanics surrounding spellcasting attributes (when applicable by system).

I concur with the others that treating these two tags as synonymous probably originates from a D&D centric mindset, which is not appropriate. However, I think the tag has broad applicability that can extend to include questions relating to D&D, so I've attempted to reflect that within the edit.

Answer 2

I’m not a fan of having them synonymised, for pretty much the reasons you give.

There are some games where spellcasting = spells (D&D being the big one), but that’s not true for other games, so having them be synonyms always struck me as a bit D&D-centric.

I think there’s room for questions about spellcasting (the activity and process in rules and/or fiction) separate from spells (specific formalised bundles of effects).

It might be a distinction that’s not clear to a majority whose games of choice don’t make that distinction though, so it could be friction-y for the community to manage them as separate tags in practice. I think it’s worth a try though, to see if maybe that concern isn’t a real problem.

Answer 3

We should break the synonym

My question How does the Variant: Spell Points system from the DMG affect game balance? was clearly an example were the spells was inappropriate. Nothing in my question is related to a spell or its effects. spellcasting would have been the correct tag but we can't use it because it is a synonym.

I can't imagine this is the only such case where this has happened. After breaking them I believe spells will still be the more common tag, but spellcasting has its own use that deserves a tag.

Additionally both tags are distinct from magic as a concept. All three tags should exist separately.