EFF file format

Applies to:

BG1: TotS, BG2, BG2: ToB, IWD, IWD:HoW, IWD:TotL, PST, BGEE

General Description

This file format describes an effect (opcode) and its parameters. The format is only ever found embedded in other files (e.g. ITM or SPL). The engine appears to roll a probability for each valid target type, rather than one probability per attack.

EFF V1.0

Overall structure:

Header

EFF V1.0 Header

Offset	Size (datatype)	Description
0x0000	2 (word)	Effect type
0x0002	1 (byte)	Target type 0 ⟶ None 1 ⟶ Self 2 ⟶ Projectile target Affects each target of the specified projectile, as it impacts them. 3 ⟶ Party 4 ⟶ Everyone 5 ⟶ Everyone except party 6 ⟶ Caster group Everyone matching `specific` value of caster. If cast by a party member, then it functions as `Party`. Ability target (`ITM/SPL`) doesn’t matter. 7 ⟶ Target group Everyone matching `specific` value of target. Ability (`ITM/SPL`) must target a creature, not a location, container, door, etc… 8 ⟶ Everyone except self 9 ⟶ Original caster Affects Caster, as the specified projectile impacts its target(s), once or for each target depending on the projectile’s flags (see here). The specified projectile only determines when/if it’s applied. Note: `ITM` global (equipped) effects: Target is always the wearer, this field isn’t relevant. `SPL` global (casting) effects: Will not work with `Projectile Target`. `Everyone` stands for “in current area”. Excluding `Target type` `2`, all other `Target type`s apply the effect using projectile `#1\|None`. `Target type`s `2` and `9` are applied in effect order, but always after the others, even when using projectile `#1\|None`. `Target type`s (`1`, `3–8`) are applied in effect order. If a spell/item has effects listed in this order: `op(1), target = 2` `op(2), target = 3` `op(3), target = 1` `op(4), target = 9` `op(5), target = 2` `op(6), target = 6` They will be applied in this order: op(2), op(3), op(6), op(1), op(4), op(5). Similar to Melee Weapon Attacks, when `Target type`s other than `1`, `2`, `9` apply the effect, they are subjected to opcode #197 (`parameter2=0`) but not to opcode #83. (Excluding when they’re affecting the caster). Be aware that opcode #146`^*p2=2`, opcode #326, and opcode #333 might behave differently when it comes to `Self`/`Projectile Target`/`Original Caster`.
0x0003	1 (byte)	Power
0x0004	4 (dword)	Parameter 1
0x0008	4 (dword)	Parameter 2
0x000c	1 (char)	Timing mode 0 ⟶ Instant/Limited This timing mode measures `Duration` in seconds. Instantly converts to `Absolute duration`, `new duration(ticks) = Gametime(ticks) + 15 * Duration(seconds)`. 1 ⟶ Instant/Permanent If the opcode doesn’t directly modify a `STAT/STATE` in the target’s CRE file, then it will last until removed (or it self-terminates). `New duration(ticks) = Duration(ticks)` (mostly unused). 2 ⟶ Instant/While equipped As global `ITM` effect: Applied when item is equipped, lasts until item is unequipped (or polymorph bug). “Equipping” also occurs when game loads, and for weapons whenever they are selected from quickbar (even if it’s already the active weapon). Never expires, and not considered a “Limited” effect. As `SPL` or header `ITM` effect: applies instantly, lasts until game is reloaded. `New duration(ticks) = Duration(ticks)` (mostly unused). 3 ⟶ Delay/Limited This timing mode measures `Duration` in seconds. Instantly converts to `Limited after duration`, `new duration(ticks) = Gametime(ticks) + 15 * Duration(seconds)`. 4 ⟶ Delay/Permanent This timing mode measures `Duration` in seconds. Instantly converts to `Permanent after duration`, `new duration(ticks) = Gametime(ticks) + 15 * Duration(seconds)`. 5 ⟶ Delay/While equipped This timing mode measures `Duration` in seconds. Instantly converts to `Equipped after duration`, `new duration(ticks) = Gametime(ticks) + 15 * Duration(seconds)`. 6 ⟶ Limited after duration This timing mode measures `Duration` in ticks (¹⁄₁₅ second). At `Gametime(ticks) >= Duration(ticks)` converts to `Absolute duration`, `new duration(ticks) = 2 * Duration(ticks) - Time Applied(ticks)`. (If previously converted from `Delay/Limited`) At `Gametime(ticks) >= Duration(ticks)` converts to `Absolute duration`, `new duration(ticks) = 16 * Duration(ticks)`. (If effect applied directly with `Limited after duration`) `16 x Duration(ticks) = Duration(ticks) + 15 * Duration(seconds)` (Yes, it calculates a new duration using its current `Duration` field as both ticks and seconds). It will convert to `Absolute duration` at the same `Gametime(ticks)` no matter when the effect was applied. That `Absolute duration` will expire at the same `Gametime(ticks)` no matter when the effect was applied. 7 ⟶ Permanent after duration This timing mode measures `Duration` in ticks (¹⁄₁₅ second). At `Gametime(ticks) >= Duration(ticks)` converts to `Instant/Permanent`, `new duration(ticks) = 2 * Duration(ticks) - Time Applied(ticks)`. (If previously converted from `Delay/Permanent`) At `Gametime(ticks) >= Duration(ticks)` converts to `Instant/Permanent`, `new duration(ticks) = 16 * Duration(ticks)`. (If effect applied directly with `Permanent after duration`) It will convert to `Instant/Permanent` at the same `Gametime(ticks)` no matter when the effect was applied. 8 ⟶ Equipped after duration This timing mode measures `Duration` in ticks (¹⁄₁₅ second). At `Gametime(ticks) >= Duration(ticks)` converts to `Instant/While equipped`, `new duration(ticks) = irrelevant`. 9 ⟶ Instant/Permanent (after Death) Effect is applied instantly. Never expires, but can terminate or be removed. `New duration(ticks) = Duration(ticks)`. 10 ⟶ Instant/Limited This timing mode measures `Duration` in ticks (¹⁄₁₅ second). Instantly converts to `Absolute duration`, `new duration(ticks) = Gametime(ticks) + Duration(ticks)`. If `Duration = 0`, it won’t function any differently from timing mode `0`. 4096 ⟶ Absolute duration Effect is applied instantly. This timing mode treats the `Duration` field as the effect’s expiration time (in ticks). Expires at `Gametime(ticks) >= Duration(ticks)`. If the `Duration` field is 108000, the effect will expire when the game timer reaches 24 hours, or instantly if the game timer has already passed that point. `108000 = 300(1 hour) * 24 * 15 (ticks ➔ seconds)`. Note: All effects except those with Timing mode `9` are removed by death. Some effects use a measurement of gametime in seconds, and multiply it by 15, rather than taking the exact gametime in ticks. This results in them lasting longer/shorter than they should (by up to 14 ticks). One of such effects is Time Stop (this is in addition to lasting half its specified `Duration`).
0x000d	1 (byte)	Dispel / Resistance The default behaviour is that effects cannot be dispelled and ignore magic resistance. bit 0 ⟶ Can be dispelled, affected by magic resistance bit 1 ⟶ Ignores magic resistance (when used in combination with bit 0) This can also be presented in the more traditional way: 0 ⟶ Natural/Nonmagical 1 ⟶ Can be dispelled/Affected by resistance 2 ⟶ Cannot be dispelled/Ignores resistance 3 ⟶ Can be dispelled/Ignores resistance The only difference between `0` and `2` is that `0` will automatically convert to `2` when targeting yourself.
0x000e	4 (dword)	Duration This field is measured in seconds or ticks (¹⁄₁₅ second), depending on `Timing mode`.
0x0012	1 (byte)	Probability 1
0x0013	1 (byte)	Probability 2 Info: The `BG1` engine treats probability as a single word, effects are applied in the range `0–probability`. Other engines treat probability as two values. When an event fires, a random number (let us denote it by `x`) in the `0–99` range is generated. If `x <= Probability1 && >= Probability2`, the event fires. Some counter-intuitive cases: if you set both `Probability1` and `Probability2` to `0`, you get an effect with a 1％ chance of firing (it fires whenever the random number generator spits out zero). if you set `Probability1` to `1` and `Probability2` to `0` (as, e.g., happens in BGT/BGEE’s implementation of the iron crisis), you don’t get an effect with a 1％ chance of firing, but one with a 2％ chance of firing.
0x0014	8 (resref)	Resref key
0x001c	4 (dword)	Dice Thrown / Maximum Level When this field is non-zero, all opcodes except for opcode #12, opcode #17, opcode #18, opcode #218 (only when `parameter2=1`), opcode #331, and opcode #333, treat it as `Maximum Level`, meaning that only creatures whose level attribute is less than or equal to this value will be affected by the effect. Note: When this field is used as `Maximum Level`: A `7 ➔ 1` dual-class character qualifies as HD 7, even though the level 7 class is still inactive. A `1/7/1` multi-class character qualifies as HD 7, not level 3 (average). The 2^nd/3^rd class levels are NOT included for single-classes. A `1/30/1` single-class character qualifies as HD 1.
0x0020	4 (dword)	Dice Sides / Minimum Level When this field is non-zero, all opcodes except for opcode #12, opcode #17, opcode #18, opcode #218 (only when `parameter2=1`), opcode #331, and opcode #333, treat it as `Minimum Level`, meaning that only creatures whose level attribute is greater than or equal to this value will be affected by the effect. Note: When this field is used as `Minimum Level`: A `7 ➔ 1` dual-class character qualifies as HD 7, even though the level 7 class is still inactive. A `1/7/1` multi-class character qualifies as HD 7, not level 3 (average). The 2^nd/3^rd class levels are NOT included for single-classes. A `1/30/1` single-class qualifies as HD 1.
0x0024	4 (dword)	Saving throw type bit 0 ⟶ Spells bit 1 ⟶ Breath bit 2 ⟶ Paralyze / Poison / Death bit 3 ⟶ Wands bit 4 ⟶ Petrify / Polymorph bit 10 ⟶ Ignore primary target (EE only) Line AoE projectile doesn’t affect end target. bit 11 ⟶ Ignore secondary target (EE only) Line AoE projectile doesn’t affect bystanders. bit 24 ⟶ Bypass mirror image (EE/TobEx only) This bit is only relevant for opcode #12 and opcode #25. All other opcodes bypass Mirror Image by default, setting/unsetting this bit is harmless. bit 25 ⟶ Ignore difficulty (EE only) This bit is specific to opcode #12 only. It refers to the damage multiplier to Party Members based on Game Difficulty. Limit effect stacking (ToBEx only) bit 26 ⟶ TobEx internal (don’t use) Suspends effect application. Note: If more than 1 Saving Throw Type is specified (`BIT0 – BIT4`), the target rolls against their best save.
0x0028	4 (dword)	Saving throw bonus