Classic fantasy versus urban fantasy

Classic fantasy

• Lots of walking or horse riding dotted with long ocean voyages
• Swords
• Bows and arrows
• Knights on horses
• Magic systems involving geosystems
• Old and wise magicians
• Classic creatures like dwarves, elves, fairies and pixies etc.
• Wicked witches and the occasional good witch
• Magic is usually part of the person although it can be a natural occurrence within the land itself
• The handsome and/or golden hearted hero
• Fantasy maps
• Wide landscapes
• A natural setting
• Old buildings and building styles
• Feudal systems
• Evil overlords
• Beautiful heroines with or without the ability to defend themselves or support others
• A smattering of fighting skills, usually European in origin but sometimes, just sometimes, martial arts based fighting skills
• Mystical realms
• An easily accessible alternate dimension or afterlife
• The possibility of an old-world setting instead of an alternate world
• 'Old' technology reminiscent of new technology
• Magic wands
• Mythical giant monsters frequently appear
• A wide variety of creatures referenced
• Leathers
• More day than night
• Important magical charms or objects
• The end of the world is always nigh
• Saving the world is only temporary
• Slim chance of nakedness

Urban fantasy

• Short trips in fast cars or on motorbikes dotted with the occasional plane ride or use of magical teleportation
• An urban setting (a necessity) as the main setting
• The possibility of rural through to city settings
• Swords
• Sometimes there are bows and arrows but mostly there are modern crossbows
• Knights in leathers and body armour who ride on motorbikes
• Magic systems involving geosystems
• Old wise woman or man, magical or knowledgable
• A range of strange creatures from different mythological origins crammed together in a single setting
• Good witches and the occasional wicked witch
• Magic is usually part of the person
• The handsome and/or golden hearted hero
• Tight or small landscapes and a feeling of claustrophobia
• Grey cityscapes or buzzing and colourful life
• A range of new and old architectural styles
• Evil businessmen or crime lords
• Ancient creatures machinating within modern day politics
• Beautiful heroines likely to deal out grievous bodily harm
• Fighting skills usually of Eastern origin but occasionally or European
• Mystical realms
• An easily accessible alternate dimension or afterlife
• The possibility of an steampunk or Victorian setting instead of an alternate world
• Modern weapons or modern versions of ancient weapons
• Magic wands
• Mythical giant monsters rarely appear
• Fewer types of creatures mentioned unless it is allowable within the constructed world (rarer)
• Leathers
• More night than day
• Important magical charms or objects
• The end of the world is sometimes nigh but the main character/s is definitely in peril
• Saving the world is only temporary as is surviving
• High chance of nakedness