The Rules of Magic in M20

Modern mages are kind of all in on what is happening which is an interpretation that is sometimes supported by the future editions and sometimes not. We get a description of how magic works that you state to desire. You say does the effect fit within the mages framework? You ask what is needed to bring it about? Then you roll for a simple effect. For complex effects that combine multiple pillars it is foundation plus highest pillar involved plus one per additional pillar. It uses the threshold rules because if you are doing something complex that involves two pillars at level four for instance suddenly you are at difficulty ten.