

I understand plenty the visual effect of Tatsuya and Crimson Prince shooting
magic bullets unto each other and other magical shooting plethora of effects.

But it seems to me that all those spells could be cast without those gun-
shaped CAD wihtout much fuss.

Is there any explanation to why there are gun-shaped CAD, from the point of
view of an advantage to the magician, or is it just for visual dramatic
effect?


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the-irregular-at-magic-high-school
Is there any in-universe explanation as to why some CAD have to look like guns?


As far as I know, this is mentioned only in the light novels, not the anime:  

> The Specialized CADs are often shaped in the form of guns as they have the
> auxiliary aiming systems incorporated in the area corresponding to the
> barrel. Co-ordinate data is input at the moment the activation sequence
> initiates, in order to reduce the calculation load on the user. Psions
> aren't emitted from the muzzle.

(Taken from the wiki, which takes it from Volume 1 - <http://mahouka-koukou-
no-rettousei.wikia.com/wiki/Casting_Assistant_Device_(CAD)#Specialized_CAD>)


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2017-03-01T04:25:29.457
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Omry is correct and so, to answer your question more fully, there is
technically no need for them to be shaped like guns. The auxiliary aiming
systems could be incorporated unto a differently-shaped CAD but, as you
suspect, it only helps slightly to have it in the shape of a gun. That being
said, even a slight advantage can tip the scales (not that Tatsuya needs it).


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