History Main / MuggleWithADegreeInMagic

* In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', most of Harry's non-magical allies are BadassNormal to some degree, but:
** [[ThePaladin The Knights of the Cross]] might have the odd miracle come their way, but otherwise rely on normal technology and their own knowledge of the supernatural to protect humanity.
** Waldo Butters follows this trope the best. In particular, learning how to draw a magic circle to protect his technology from magic (wizards like Harry being {{Walking Techbane}}s) proves to be [[spoiler:useful for keeping undead armies at bay]]. Not to mention [[spoiler:he inherits Harry's magically bulletproof BadassLongcoat in ''Skin Game'' and becomes a [[ThePaladin Knight of the Cross]] himself.]]

* In ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'', in a Low or Normal Mana world only characters with the Magery advantage can cast spells. Because the standard magical system treats spells as skills like any other, it's entirely possible for characters without Magery to ''learn'' spells, even if they can't cast them. The Thaumatology skill represents a knowledge of the underlying structure of magic, and likewise does not require Magery or spellcasting ability.

* In the {{Hentai}} series ''Bible Black'', [[TheProtagonist Taki Minase]] is a normal schoolboy who found the aforementioned book of BlackMagic and eventually manages to make its spells work since the beginning, first for his own desires, and later, to stop [[BigBad Reika Kitami]] with the same book.

* In ''Manga/OutlawStar'', there are the "Caster Guns", which are basically weapons that shoot magic spells. The "bullets" are basically [[SealedEvilInACan canned]] [[SealedGoodInACan magic]] that can be released with these special guns, but also requires the lifeforce and will of the user to make them work, so not all the people can be able to use it. [[TheProtagonist Gene Starwind]] is one of the few porters and users of Caster Guns, but also other characters like [[SiblingsInCrime McDougall brothers]] have some of them.

* In ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}'', Alex has no inherent magical talent, but he understands the theory well enough to use the Staff of One after stealing it from Nico.

%% Not an example - applying self-help principles is not expertise in magic.
%% * In ''ComicBook/YoungAvengers'', Hulkling, who has no magical training, helps his boyfriend Wiccan figure out how to use magic by applying principles from his mother's self-help book.

** In the Advance Generation of the anime, May's brother Max is too young to be a trainer, but he studies Pokémon day and night, and is more knowledgeable about the Hoenn region and its creatures than anyone else on the team.
** Team Rocket's Meowth often keeps Jessie and James updated on Pokémon moves and types, and being one himself, can even translate what they say for them. Since he spent most of his life learning to be sapient, however, his own abilities as a Pokémon are limited, making him an ineffective battler most of the time.

* In ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'', in a Low or Normal Mana world only characters with Magery can cast spells. Because the standard magical system treats spells as skills like any other, it's entirely possible for characters without Magery to ''learn'' spells, even if they can't cast them. The Thaumatology skill represents a knowledge of the underlying structure of magic, and likewise does not require Magery or spellcasting ability.

* ''Literature/LordDarcy'' has a person who has no magical ability, but is the world's leading expert in creating new spells due to his knowledge of magical theory.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'': In early editions, a character without any magical ability could take the skill Magical Theory and understand how magic works. They could create new magic spells, design magic items, etc. -- they just couldn't cast the spells or create the items. However, they could teach magicians how to do so.

!!Examples

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* In the {{Hentai}} series ''Bible Black'', [[TheProtagonist Taki Minase]] is a normal schoolboy who found the aforementored book of BlackMagic and eventually managed to make their spells work since the beginning, first for his own desires, and later, to stop [[BigBad Reika Kitami]] with the same book.
* ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'': Index Librorum Prohibitorum has 103,000 magical grimoires commited to memory. She can survive this because she (allegedly) lacks the mana to cast any of the spells in them. This doesn't stop Index from disrupting or hijacking Sorcerer's spells.

** In the Advance Generation of the anime, May's brother Max is too young to be a trainer, but he studies Pokemon day and night, and is more knowledgeable about the Hoenn region and its creatures than anyone else on the team.
** Team Rocket's Meowth often keeps Jessie and James updated on Pokemon moves and types, and being one himself, can even translate what they say for them. Since he spent most of his life learning to be sapient however, his own abilities as a Pokemon are limited, making him an ineffective battler most of the time.

[[folder:Fanfiction]]

[[folder:Film — Live-Action]]

* In ''Series/NowhereBoys''.

* On ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' Hunters are BadassNormal who hunt monsters. Most have no magical abilities and compensate by relying on centuries of accumulated ant-monster lore to give them a fighting chance. Sam and Dean are often shown studying old journals, books or searching the Internet to figure out what type of monster they are fighting and what its weaknesses are. Bobby used to have an extensive library of lore books and was often consulted by other Hunters who faced an unusual monster.

** The Artificer class specialises in creating magic items and altering their effects. While they cannot cast spells themselves, they can replicate the effects of just about any spell in the game by "infusing" an object to turn it into a temporary wand keyed to that spell.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* Most ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' personnel are basic humans who have to deal with supernatural/alien/eldricht/memetic/logic-defying anomalies on a monthly to daily basis. A lot of them die quite quickly, especially [[WeHaveReserves D-Class]] [[RedShirts personnel]], but those who survive long enough tend to accumulate a lot of knowledge of SCP s' properties and abilities, while usually developing no specific supernatural powers. Even doctors and professors who feature seriously anomalous properties themselves, most likely due to prolonged exposure to SCP s, rarely ever use direct powers. To contain or destroy dangerous SCP s, the foundation mostly relies on [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle knowledge]], other SCP s, planning, coordinated action, [[MoreDakka generous amounts of shooting]] if required (and efficient) and [[NukeEm on-site nuclear warheads]] as a last-resort measure.

** Sunburst. While he is indeed a unicorn and can cast spells, his magic skills are on the level of common people. Yet, his knowledge is far greater, and he considers it an embarrassment that he can't actually use that knowledge. However, Sunburst saves the day in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E2TheCrystallingPart2 "The Crystalling - Part 2"]] with his magic knowledge--he identifies the exact combination of obscure spells needed to avert the wintery apocalypse, though he has to rely on others to cast them.

A character has a expert-level understanding of magical theory and applications - too bad they can't use the magic themselves.

While they can't use the magic of their expertise, they're the best one to [[TheProfessor explain its theory]] and how it works better than anyone. If you need to know the history of an artifact, the reason a spell works the way it does, or the favorite foods of a magical creature, this is the guy you come to.

They may act as MissionControl to [[UnskilledButStrong less brainy mages]], who can put all of this muggle's knowledge and theories into practice. As TheSmartGuy of a team they may also be the one to solve ancient mystical riddles and give [[CombatCommentator play by plays]] of [[MrExposition what magic is being used and why.]]

The MuggleBornOfMages and the MageKiller are often this. {{Downplayed}} examples can overlap with IneptMage - the character doesn't need to be a literal {{Muggle}}. They just lack a ''useful'' level of magic compared to the DifferentlyPoweredIndividuals around them. See also FightLikeANormal.

See also OccultDetective, a regular occupation for these characters, and KungfuWizard, wizards with a degree in kung fu.

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'': Takahata grew up around experts in FunctionalMagic and KiAttacks, but lacks the ability to use them himself. To make up for this he became a master of Kanka - the simple but difficult technique of [[YinYangBomb connecting your body's mana and ki flows together]] to increase your physical abilities. True mages rarely bother with Kanka since [[AwesomeButImpractical while powerful it drains a lot of energy, and spells that enhance the user's strength are easier to learn]].

* Franchise/{{Nasuverse}}: Waver Velvet, later known as Lord El-Melloi II, is a magus who has excellent knowledge of magical theory but is incapable of all but the simplest spells (partly due to being a first-generation magus who lacks access to a family Magic Crest). In ''LightNovel/FateZero'', as a student, he still manages to find Caster's base before anyone else - [[BoringButPractical by collecting water samples from around town and performing the mana equivalent of a litmus test]]. As an adult he's become one of the Clock Tower's most popular lecturers: while cranky, he's excellent at breaking down complex concepts so that they're easy to understand, and his background enables him to speak to students as equals.

** Waldo Butters follows this trope the best. In particular, learning how to draw a magic circle to protect his technology from magic (wizards like Harry being {{Walking Techbane}}s) proves to be [[spoiler: useful for keeping undead armies at bay]]. Not to mention [[spoiler: he inherits Harry's magically bulletproof BadassLongcoat in ''Skin Game'' and becomes a [[ThePaladin Knight of the Cross]] himself.]]

* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'': In early editions, a character without any magical ability could take the skill Magical Theory and understand how magic works. They could create new magic spells, design magic items, etc. - they just couldn't cast the spells or create the items. However, they could teach magicians how to do so.

* ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'' is a world where magic is a fundamental force of the universe, so that comes in handy when local MadScientist Tedd doesn't wanna just sit around being mission control next time danger comes around. Cue him building a power fist that stores the minuscule amount of magical energy he generates, and releases it all at once in battle mode. This gives him BlackEyesOfEvil and lets him see an EldritchAbomination's true form. [[spoiler:Later Subverted when Tedd is revealed to be a rare type of wizard called a Seer. He can’t learn or cast spells naturally, but can learn how they work via AuraVision and then create wands with the same effects that anyone can use, himself included.]]

* Klarth from ''Videogame/TalesOfPhantasia'' is a human scholar in a world where magic can only be used by those with elven blood. He gets around this by rediscovering a different type of magic that involves [[SummonMagic making pacts with spirits and binding them into magical rings]].

* ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'' is a world where magic is a fundamental force of the universe, so that comes in handy when local MadScientist Tedd doesn't wanna just sit around being mission control next time danger comes around. Cue him building a power fist that stores the minuscule amount of magical energy he generates, and releases it all at once in battle mode. This gives him BlackEyesOfEvil and lets him see an EldritchAbomination's true form.

** The Factotum's "Arcane Dilettante" ability comes across something like this. Being a JackOfAllTrades class focused on improvisation, they don't study magic in the way a wizard does, but to quote its description: ''"[Y]ou acquire a vague understanding of magic. You know that with a few weird hand gestures and an array of grunts and bizarre words, you can conjure up something that looks like a spell."''. While these improvised spells are reasonably powerful and can be changed from day to day, the factotum can't use them very often, lacks access to advanced options like metamagic, and can't cast the same spell more than once per day.

* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'': Exorcisms depending on knowing a daemon's TrueName and holy relics are used even by non-psykers.

%% Neither of these examples demonstrate expertise in the power system, just using technology ot get around it. If context exists, please add it.

* ''VideoGame/DragonAge'': In Origins, Dagna is a dwarf who wants to study at the Circle of Magi. Dwarves have absolutely no magical talent beyond rune crafting and enchanting, which is a slight problem. However, Dagna's analytical understanding of magical theory is so impressive that she's made breakthroughs that gained the recognition of archmages. She puts this to use, along with her background as a smith's daughter, to craft [[InfinityPlusOneSword masterworks]] in Inquisition.

* ''VideoGame/{{ARMS}}'': A variant in Mechanica, who doesn't have natural ARMS, but built a mech she can pilot that serves that's just as good to get into the League.
* ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'': Copen is not an [[PsychicChildren Adept]], but he's gifted with genius mind that he uses to build gadgets that work for his Adept-hunting, including his special device that lets him [[PowerCopying take the power of Adepts for his use]].
* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'': Dagna is a dwarf who wants to study at the Circle of Magi. Dwarves have absolutely no magical talent beyond rune crating and enchanting, which is a slight problem. However, Dagna's analytical understanding of magical theory is so impressive that she's made breakthroughs that gained the recognition of archmages. She puts this to use, along with her background as a smith's daughter, to craft [[InfinityPlusOneSword masterworks]] in Inquisition.

While many are content just to [[FictionalFieldOfScience study and observe]], some are really longing to actually practice. If the fates are kind, they may just be a late bloomer who eventually develops the skill. If the fates are less kind but they're still determined, they might be able to build some {{Magitek}} that [[ClarkesThirdLaw functions mostly the same]]. While the applications of their inventions may be limited compared to TheArchmage, it still allows them to climb pretty high up the SuperWeight scale. Also, working twice as hard for half as much means they may discover a trick or two that conventional magic lacks the ingenuity to discover. It may be up to them to use their research and tools control magic run amok and kill dangerous creatures, or to restore the magic that has been [[LostTechnology lost to the ages]].

* ''Literature/{{Vampirocracy}}'': Leon doesn't ''literally'' have a degree (he was forced to drop out), but took college classes in Mythozoology, Thaumobiology, and Thaumodynamics. He understands how magic works, even if he doesn't or can't practice it himself. He's also part of the roughly 50% of humanity that can "feel" magic, and has deliberately cultivated this awareness. All this is important to his job as a supernatural PI and MonsterHunter.

* In ''Series/MutantX'', Adam had once used a couple of magical crystals and his knowledge of ancient Egyptian language to turn a resurrected ancient queen/sorceress/demigoddess' spell on her.

* ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'': John's friend Chas is usually the BadassDriver (he's a cabbie) and often the one to get screwed over by John's latest survival scheme, but on one occasion he manages to prevent a demonic invasion while John's out of town, by using the Knowledge [[note]]the comprehensive by-heart mental map of London's streetways required to become a cab driver there[[/note]], which [[MundaneMadeAwesome turns out to have been a sealing ritual.]]

* The Noops of ''WesternAnimation/TheDreamstone'' seemingly possess no magic abilities, but Rufus is shown able to use the Dreamstone or recite other spells using the Dream Maker's tools to neutralise the villains odd occasions.

** Sunburst. While he is indeed a unicorn and can cast spells, his magic skills are on the level of common people. Yet, his knowledge is far greater he considers it an embarrassment that he can't actually use that knowledge. However, Sunburst saves the day in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E2TheCrystallingPart2 "The Crystalling - Part 2"]] with his magic knowledge--he identifies the exact combination of obscure spells needed to avert the wintery apocalypse, though he has to rely on others to cast them.

* ''VideoGame/QuestForGloryI'' has two different characters (a hermit and the "[[FakeWizardry Warlock]]" working with the brigands) who don't have true magical abilities, and thus cannot sling around the powerful spells that [[FighterMageThief a magic using hero can]], but thanks to being taught a few things by a wizard can do some simple tricks and/or protective charms and the like.

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* In Eliezer Yudkowsky's ''Truth of the Sith'', an alternate ending for Film/RevengeOfTheSith, Palpatine is revealed to actually be this. He studied ancient Dark Side practices all his life but cannot use them, hence why he was so determined to get Anakin to join him.

[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]
* In ''Franchise/StarWars'', some people can be quite well-versed in matters relating to the Force despite not being sensitive to it themselves.. Han Solo notably ends up like this by ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' despite his skepticism in the original trilogy. His mother-in-law Padme Amidala in the prequel trilogy became similarly savvy after marrying a Jedi.

* Jason Wood in ''[[Literature/JasonWood Paradigms Lost]]'' by Creator/RykESpoor. A data and image analyst, he has built a huge library magical and supernatural creatures from folklore and other sources, and makes use of that to both counter and communicate with them.

* Detective Steele, in the ''Daggers and Steele'' series of fantasy police procedural books, has a degree in the study of practical magic. She has no magic talent herself, but an early conceit of the series (more or less dropped in later books) is that she pretends to be a seer to get people to take her seriously despite being female in a male-dominated field. As it is, her understanding of the mechanics of magic frequently comes in handy when they have to investigate crimes involving magic.

* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' Dagna is a dwarf who wants to study at the Circle of Magi. Dwarves have absolutely no magical talent beyond rune crating and enchanting, which is a slight problem. However, Dagna's analytical understanding of magical theory is so impressive that she's made breakthroughs that gained the recognition of archmages. She puts this to use, along with her background as a smith's daughter, to craft [[InfinityPlusOneSword masterworks]] In Inquisition.

* The Noops of ''WesternAnimation/TheDreamstone'' seemingly possess no magic abilities, but Rufus is shown able to use the Dreamstone or recite other spells using the Dream Maker's tools to neutralise the villains odd occasions.

** Sunburst. While he is indeed an unicorn and can cast spells, his magic skills are on the level of common people. Yet, his knowledge is far greater. It's an embarrassment of him that he can't actually use his knowledge. It's also worth noting that Sunburst saves the day in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E2TheCrystallingPart2 "The Crystalling - Part 2"]] with his magic knowledge--he identifies the exact combination of obscure spells needed to avert the wintery apocalypse, though he has to rely on others to cast them.

* ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'' is a world where magic is a fundamental force of the universe, so that comes in handy when local MadScientist Ted doesn't wanna just sit around being mission control next time danger comes around. Cue him building a power fist that stores the minuscule amount of magical energy he generates, and releases it all at once in battle mode. This gives him BlackEyesOfEvil and lets him see an EldritchAbomination's true form.

* Jerry Russo from ''Series/WizardsOfWaverlyPlace'' is an unusual example in that he used to be a wizard, but gave up his powers to marry his mortal wife due to a law forbidding wizards from marrying mortals. He still knows everything about being a wizard, though, and is his children's primary teacher for magical subjects.

* In ''Franchise/StarWars'', only few people have the Force into them and can be enhanced, but there're certain people that can feel the Force without having it. Han Solo in [[Film/ANewHope the]] [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack first]] [[Film/ReturnOfTheJedi trilogy]] and Maz Kanata in ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' are some of these characters.

* Klarth from ''Videogame/TalesOfPhantasia'' is a human scholar in a world where magic can only be used by those with elven blood. He gets around this by creating a new type of magic that involves [[SummonMagic making pacts with spirits and binding them into magical rings]].