Variable. Magic may be a part of the original legend and it may be kept in the retelling, or not. Magic may be introduced to an otherwise non-magical legend. Magic can make a legend more entertaining, it can add a level of mysticism, and it can explain events. While magic has lots of potential, it is not necessary to Legend Retelling.

High. Legends tackle big issues. Legends often begin as an attempt to explain human origins, or to teach morality. They also pass on historical knowledge (whether the knowledge is factual, is up for debate). These characteristics make legends a window into where they originated. When a legend is retold there is another layer of meaning and another window to look through.

Moderate. In a Legend Retelling readers are already familiar with the characters. The challenge of Legend Retelling is making readers see a well-known character in a new way—to develop the complexity of a character that others have already shaped. Some authors take this challenge and run with it, while others will simply rely on the shared knowledge and spend more time on other aspects of the story.

High. Legends have to do something. Action is an integral part to legendary feats and so the plots of Legend Retellings are filled with forward momentum. In addition, because this is a sub-genre of retelling, writers will be reinventing the classic storylines—writers will be adding in their own twists and turns in order to make the story new again.

Variable. The level of violence will depend on the legend are being told and which aspects the writer chooses as a focus. Take the legends of King Arthur as an example: there are great and bloody battles, there is the quest for the holy grail, there are legendary romances. So, depending on what parts of Arthurian legend a writer wishes to retell, the resulting story could be incredibly violent, or not so much.