How Spells Work
Spells in Elemental Wizards follow a structured lifecycle:1
Casting
Hold the spell key to begin casting. Each spell has a unique cast duration and animation.
2
Targeting
Spells target enemies, allies, or locations based on their target type (AIM, BEAM, CLOUD).
3
Release
Release the spell key to unleash the spell with release animations and effects.
4
Delivery
The spell travels to its target via projectiles, beams, or instant delivery.
5
Impact
On impact, spells deal damage, apply effects, or heal targets.
Spell Power Coefficient
Every spell has a spell power coefficient that determines its effectiveness. Your actual damage or healing is calculated as:Final Value = Base Spell Power × Spell Power Coefficient
```java
### Example Spell Power Coefficients
<CodeGroup>
```json Aqua Splash (Healing)
{
"action": {
"type": "HEAL",
"heal": {
"spell_power_coefficient": 1.0
}
}
}
```java
```json Aqua Splash (Damage)
{
"action": {
"type": "DAMAGE",
"damage": {
"spell_power_coefficient": 0.6
}
}
}
```java
```json Hydro Beam
{
"action": {
"type": "DAMAGE",
"damage": {
"spell_power_coefficient": 1.1
}
}
}
```java
</CodeGroup>
<Info>
Higher tier spells generally have higher coefficients, but also longer cooldowns and cast times.
</Info>
## Spell Tiers
Spells are organized into tiers (0-4), representing their power level:
| Tier | Description | Examples |
|------|-------------|----------|
| **0** | Basic spells, no cooldown | Aqua Splash, Terra Stone Throw, Wind Gust |
| **1** | Early-game spells | Water Whip, Stone Spear |
| **2** | Mid-game spells | Bubble Beam, Stone Flesh |
| **3** | Advanced spells | Explosive Bubbles, Air Cutter |
| **4** | Ultimate spells | Hydro Beam, Shattering Stone, Tornado |
### Spell Tier Configuration
From the spell JSON files:
<CodeGroup>
```json Tier 0 (Basic)
{
"tier": 0,
"group": "primary",
"cost": {
"item": {
"id": "more_rpg_classes:aqua_stone"
}
}
}
```java
```json Tier 4 (Ultimate)
{
"tier": 4,
"cost": {
"exhaust": 0.2,
"cooldown": {
"duration": 22,
"haste_affected": true,
"proportional": true
},
"item": {
"id": "more_rpg_classes:aqua_stone"
}
}
}
```java
</CodeGroup>
## Cooldowns
Higher-tier spells have cooldowns to balance their power:
### Cooldown Types
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Haste-Affected" icon="clock">
Cooldown duration is reduced by your Haste stat.
Example: Hydro Beam (22s, haste-affected)
</Card>
<Card title="Proportional" icon="chart-line">
Cooldown scales with channel or cast duration.
Example: Tornado (30s, proportional)
</Card>
</CardGroup>
### Example Cooldowns from Source
```json
// Hydro Beam - 22 second cooldown
"cooldown": {
"duration": 22,
"haste_affected": true,
"proportional": true
}
// Shattering Stone - 18 second cooldown
"cooldown": {
"duration": 18,
"haste_affected": true
}
// Tornado - 30 second cooldown
"cooldown": {
"duration": 30,
"proportional": true
}
```java
<Tip>
Water armor sets provide Haste bonuses, significantly reducing cooldowns for all schools.
</Tip>
## Spell Costs
All spells require **elemental stones** to cast:
| School | Resource Item | Registry ID |
|--------|---------------|-------------|
| Water | Aqua Stone | `more_rpg_classes:aqua_stone` |
| Earth | Terra Stone | `more_rpg_classes:terra_stone` |
| Air | Storm Stone | `more_rpg_classes:storm_stone` |
### Exhaust Cost
Some powerful spells also apply **exhaust** (hunger):
```json
"cost": {
"exhaust": 0.2, // Reduces hunger
"cooldown": { ... },
"item": { ... }
}
```java
<Warning>
Keep food in your inventory when using high-tier spells with exhaust costs!
</Warning>
## Targeting Types
Spells use different targeting mechanisms:
### AIM Targeting
Most basic spells use aim targeting:
```json
"target": {
"type": "AIM",
"aim": {
"required": true,
"use_caster_as_fallback": false
}
}
```java
- **required: true** - Must have a valid target
- **use_caster_as_fallback** - Self-cast if no target (used in Aqua Splash for healing)
### BEAM Targeting
Channeled beam spells like Hydro Beam:
```json
"target": {
"type": "BEAM",
"beam": {
"texture_id": "elemental_wizards_rpg:textures/entity/hydro_beam.png",
"width": 0.08,
"flow": 2.0
}
}
```java
### CLOUD Targeting
Area-of-effect spells like Tornado:
```json
"deliver": {
"type": "CLOUD",
"clouds": [{
"volume": {
"radius": 4.0,
"area": {
"vertical_range_multiplier": 4.0,
"horizontal_range_multiplier": 4.0
}
},
"impact_tick_interval": 4,
"time_to_live_seconds": 10
}]
}
```java
## Cast Times and Animations
Each spell has a unique cast time and animation:
<CodeGroup>
```json Quick Cast (1.0s)
"cast": {
"duration": 1,
"animation": "spell_engine:one_handed_projectile_charge"
}
```java
```json Medium Cast (1.2s)
"cast": {
"duration": 1.2,
"animation": "more_rpg_classes:two_handed_ground_channeling"
}
```java
```json Long Channel (5s)
"cast": {
"duration": 5,
"animation": "spell_engine:two_handed_channeling",
"channel_ticks": 4
}
```java
</CodeGroup>
### Available Animations
- `spell_engine:one_handed_projectile_charge`
- `spell_engine:one_handed_projectile_release`
- `spell_engine:two_handed_channeling`
- `spell_engine:one_handed_sky_charge`
- `more_rpg_classes:two_handed_ground_channeling`
- `more_rpg_classes:two_handed_ground_release`
## Projectile Delivery
Many spells use projectiles to deliver their effects:
```json
"deliver": {
"type": "PROJECTILE",
"projectile": {
"launch_properties": {
"velocity": 1.1
},
"projectile": {
"client_data": {
"model": {
"model_id": "elemental_wizards_rpg:projectile/spell_stone",
"scale": 1.5
}
}
}
}
}
```java
### Projectile Models
- `elemental_wizards_rpg:projectile/spell_stone` - Stone projectiles
- `elemental_wizards_rpg:projectile/stone_shard` - Sharp stone fragments
- Custom particle effects for visual feedback
## Impact Effects
Spells can have multiple impacts on the same target:
```json
"impacts": [
{
"action": {
"type": "DAMAGE",
"damage": {
"spell_power_coefficient": 0.7
}
}
},
{
"action": {
"type": "STATUS_EFFECT",
"status_effect": {
"effect_id": "more_rpg_classes:bleeding",
"duration": 5,
"amplifier_power_multiplier": 0.2
}
}
}
]
```java
<Info>
Each impact can have its own particles, sounds, and target conditions.
</Info>
## Area Impact
Some spells affect an area around the impact point:
```json
"area_impact": {
"radius": 1.5,
"area": {
"distance_dropoff": "NONE"
},
"particles": [...],
"sound": {...}
}
```java
- **radius** - Affects all entities within this distance
- **distance_dropoff** - Whether damage decreases with distance
## Spell Scrolls
Tier 4 spells can be crafted into scrolls for single-use casting:
```json
"active": {
"scroll": {},
"cast": { ... }
}
```java
<Tip>
Create spell scrolls to use powerful spells without consuming your regular resources!
</Tip>
## Maximizing Spell Effectiveness
To get the most out of your spells:
1. **Increase Spell Power** - Use wands, staffs, and armor sets
2. **Stack Haste** - Reduce cooldowns with Water armor
3. **Build Crit** - Maximize burst with Earth/Air armor
4. **Manage Resources** - Always carry elemental stones
5. **Combo Effects** - Apply debuffs before high-damage spells
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Example Combo: Earth" icon="mountain">
1. Cast Stone Flesh for defense
2. Apply Bleeding with Shattering Stone
3. Finish with critical strikes
</Card>
<Card title="Example Combo: Air" icon="wind">
1. Apply Updraft debuff
2. Trap with Tornado
3. Unleash high crit damage spells
</Card>
</CardGroup>