We need a page that explains how magic works in Konosuba, because it's a bit complex.
Personally, I think one of the variables is the amount of mana put into the spell, but that definitely has a limit.
- Both Wiz and Wolbach consider their Explosion Magic superior to the rest of their magic (with Wolbach it's vaguely implied, with Wiz it's quite obvious). If they could simply put the same amount of mana they use in Explosion into their Advanced Magic and achieve the same amount of power, neither would need that spell because they could achieve the same destructive power with any other.
- The power of spells varies considerably even if they are fueled by the same type of Manatite (i.e., the same amount of mana/MP). This wouldn't make sense if only the amount of mana mattered.
The level of the adventurer casting the spell is also an important factor, since leveling up increases magical abilities.
Another factor I noticed is the caster's class.
- The DK considered that Kazuma's explosion might not kill him because it was "an adventurer's explosion."
- Megumin wasn't surprised to learn that her explosion was weaker than Wiz's because she was a Lich, even though, unlike Megumin, Wiz never improved her spell after learning it.
- Vanir implies that the Explosion spell isn't meant to be learned by humans.
This is consistent because some types of magic are portrayed as superior to others even when the characters are aware of these variations, such as a Crimson Demon's Advanced Magic being inferior to Blasting Magic in general, or Explosion Magic being considered superior to Advanced Magic even when used by a weakling like Kazuma. One of Megumin's teachers also confidently stated that Advanced Magic was the most powerful of the three elemental magic types. All those comparisons would be meaningless if those types of magic didn't have a minimum and maximum level on which to base their classification as superior or inferior to others.
I believe the power of a spell depends on:
1- The amount of mana (with the aforementioned limit). If the amount of mana put into the spell is lower than necessary, it can still be cast, but it will be a weaker version than normal, like the intermediate spells Kazuma tried to use without Manatite or Kazuma's healing spells that were unable to heal a deep wound until he used a Manatite. If the amount of mana is low enough, the character won't even be able to do that.
2- The type of magic used (some types of magic are undeniably superior to others in every possible way).
3- The level of the caster.
4- The class of the character using the spell (For example, a Wizard's intermediate magic will be lower than an Arch-Wizard's intermediate magic).
Regarding the minimum power each type of magic must have (not considering weaker versions of these spells cast by characters with insufficient mana):
Basic Magic: 9-A (Kazuma had average stats when he performed the 9-A feat, so anyone using Basic Magic should be at least comparable to him. Variables like class type, level, or extra mana would only make this type of magic higher than the aforementioned value).
Intermediate Magic: 8-C (One of his spells literally creates a natural lightning bolt. Variables like class type, level, or extra mana would only make this type of magic higher than the aforementioned value).
Advanced Magic: 8-B (An average Crimson Demon is at this level. Iirc, it's never stated that Crimson Demons can use Advanced Magic above their base level [
I could be wrong about this because I read the series several months ago]; Crimson Demons are simply born with a very high magic level, allowing them all to access the Arch-Wizard class and learn Advanced Magic. Although there are a few who are more powerful than normal, such as Megumin and Yunyun. It's worth mentioning that almost all the characters who aren't Crimson Demons but are capable of using Advanced Magic in the series are characters with a higher mana pool than a Crimson Demon, such as Liches, Goddesses, High-Rank Demons, etc).
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