effectgroups.md

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Effect Groups

Each power has a set of effect groups that describe what the power actually does when a character activates it.

Field	Type	Description
pve_or_pvp	enum	Some effect groups only apply when used in either PVE or PVP. If this is present, this will indicate which one. If not present, the effect group is active in both PVE and PVP. PVE PVP
tags	array	This is an array of enums that describe different aspects of the effect group. See below for descriptions: FieryEmbrace - This effect group only applies if Fiery Embrace is active. Critical - This effect group represents extra damage from a critical hit. Domination - This effect group only applies if a Dominator's Domination inherent is active. Scourge - This effect group represents extra damage from a Corrupter's Scourge inherent. Containment - This effect group represents extra damage from a Controller's Containment inherent. DualPistolsLethalMode, DualPistolsFireMode, DualPistolsColdMode, DualPistolsToxicMode - This effect group only applies if the corresponding Swap Ammo toggle is active.
visible_in_info_window	bool	If true, this effect is visible in the power info window in the game UI.
chance_percent	percent	This represents the chance that the effect group actually activates when the power is activated.
procs_per_minute	float	Not used by powers.
after_delay_seconds	time	If present, this is a number of seconds that must pass after the power is activated before this effect group is applied to the target.
requires	expression	An expression that must be satisfied in order for the effect group to actually take effect.
flags	array	An array of enums of additional info about the effect group. I think these are outdated and may not actually be used anymore. PVEOnly - Effect group is ignored on PVP maps. PVPOnly - Effect group is ignored on PVE maps. Fallback - Fallback effect groups are usually ignored. (Not sure when they're not?) LinkedChance - Deprecated.
effects	array	An array of effects that describe the specific effects applied by this effect group.
child_effect_groups	array	Effect groups can have additional effect groups that trigger when activated.

Effects

Effects are individual effects applied to a target of a power when the containing effect group is applied. These are also referred to as "attribute modifiers" or "attribmods" internally.

Field	Type	Description
attributes	array	If the effect applies modifications to specific character attributes on the target, they will be listed here. See attributes for values.
applies_to	enum	Attribute modifiers can be applied in a few different ways. Describing how these are used is a bit arcane because the game logic is very specific to this value combined with the specific character attribute. CurrentValue - The current value of the modifier. Strength - The "strength" of the modifier, i.e. a buff above the baseline. Resistance - Damage or status resistance (a percentage). CurrentModifier - The current modifier, such as status effects applied. AbsoluteValue - Applies a simple add/subtract to the current value. Special - Meaning depends on the specific attribute being modified.
application_type	enum	How and when the effect is applied. Immediate - Once, immediately. OnTick - Continuously while the power is active (re-applied based on the auto-cast interval or continuous_apply_seconds if present). OnActivate - When the power is turned on. OnDeactivate - When the power is turned off. OnExpire - When the power is turned off. OnEnable - When the power becomes able to be turned on. OnDisable - When the power becomes no longer able to be turned on.
tick_chance_percent	percent	If the application_type is OnTick, this is the chance that the effect is applied on each tick. If not specified, assumed to be 100.0.
magnitude	float	The strength of a particular effect, if the scaling is based on duration. Most powers that have a "magnitude" as described in game terms actually have the magnitude in the scaled effect.
magnitude_expression	expression	If this is present, this must be evaluated to calculate the value of magnitude.
duration	enum	A general description of the effect's duration. InSeconds - Check duration_seconds or duration_expression for the explicit duration. UntilKilled - The effect will last until the target or the caster are killed. UntilShutOff - The effect will last until the power is deactivated.
duration_seconds	time	If duration is InSeconds, this is the time in seconds that the effect will last.
duration_expression	expression	If this is present, this must be evaluated to calculate the value of duration_seconds.
after_delay_seconds	time	If present, this is a number of seconds that must pass after the effect group is activated before this effect is applied to the target.
continuous_apply_seconds	time	If present, the effect is applied again every time this amount of time has passed.
ticks	int	If present, the number of "ticks" applied over time. This is a funciton of duration_seconds divided by continuous_apply_seconds and is provided for convenience.
flags	array	A set of enum values that describe miscellaneous aspects of this effect. See effect flags below.
parameter	object	Some effects can have an additional parameter that provides additional information about the effect.
stacking	object	If the effect can stack, this object will be present. See stacking below.
scaled	array	An effect generated by different archetypes will have different specific values for damage, resistance, etc. This array will have one scaled effect object per archetype that can use the power. Note: Where possible, I've tried to narrow this group down to ATs that can actually use the power. In some cases, however, that wasn't possible to determine programmatically, and you'll see data for every AT even if it's not available to some of them.

Attributes

These are the possible attributes that can be modified by an effect.

• Smashing_Dmg, Lethal_Dmg, Fire_Dmg, Cold_Dmg, Energy_Dmg, Negative_Energy_Dmg, Psionic_Dmg, Toxic_Dmg
• Melee_Def, Ranged_Def, Area_Def, Smashing_Def, Lethal_Def, Fire_Def, Cold_Def, Energy_Def, Negative_Energy_Def, Psionic_Def, Defense
• Melee_Elusivity, Ranged_Elusivity, Area_Elusivity, Smashing_Elusivity, Lethal_Elusivity, Fire_Elusivity, Cold_Elusivity, Energy_Elusivity, Negative_Energy_Elusivity, Psionic_Elusivity, ElusivityBase
• HitPoints, Absorb
• Endurance
• Insight (deprecated)
• Rage
• ToHit, Accuracy
• RunningSpeed, FlyingSpeed, SwimmingSpeed, JumpingSpeed, JumpHeight
• MovementControl, MovementFriction
• Stealth (not what it sounds like, at some point it was co-opted into Domination)
• StealthRadius_PVE, StealthRadius_PVP, PerceptionRadius
• Regeneration, Recovery, InsightRecovery
• ThreatLevel, Taunt, Placate
• Confused, Afraid, Terrorized, Held, Immobilized, Stunned, Sleep
• Fly, Jump Pack, Teleport
• Untouchable, Intangible, OnlyAffectsSelf
• ExperienceGain, InfluenceGain, PrestigeGain
• Evade (deprecated)
• Knockup, Knockback, Repel
• Radius, Arc, Range
• TimeToActivate, RechargeTime, InterruptTime
• EnduranceDiscount
• InsightDiscount (deprecated)
• Meter

Effect Flags

Value	Description
NoFloaters	Suppresses floating damage/healing numbers (but not explicit float text).
BoostIgnoreDiminishing	Ignores diminishing returns from enhancements (a.k.a. enhancement diversification). Only used if applies_to is Strength.
CancelOnMiss	If the check against tick_chance_percent fails, the effect is ended.
NearGround	The target must be on the ground for this effect to be applied.
IgnoreStrength	The effect does not scale based on the attacker's strength.
IgnoreResitance	The effect does not scale based on the target's resistances.
IgnoreLevelDifference	The effect does not scale based on level difference between attacker and target.
ResistMagnitude	The effect's resistance applies to magnitude rather than the default for the attribute modifier.
ResistDuration	The effect's resistance applies to duration rather than the default for the attribute modifier.
CombatModMagnitude	The effect applies to magnitude rather than the default for the attribute modifier.
CombatModDuration	The effect applies to duration rather than the default for the attribute modifier.
Boost	This is an enhancement template or a set bonus granted by enhancements (not used by powers).
HideZero	The float text will only display if the result of applying this effect is a non-zero adjustment.
KeepThroughDeath	The effect will not be removed when the target dies.
DelayEval	Delays evaluation of any expressions until the last possible moment before the effect is applied.
NoHitDelay	Used by the animation / visual effects.
NoProjectileDelay	Used by the animation / visual effects.
StackByAttribAndKey	When making comparisons for stacking, also take the specific attribute into account as well as the key.
StackExactPower	When stacking, compare the specific power rather than the template. Implies stacking by individual caster.
IgnoreSuppressErrors	Used for testing.
VanishEntOnTimeout	If a summoned entity times out, it vanishes rather than dying.
DoNotDisplayShift	Causes a level shift to not be reported by the game client.
NoTokenTime	Don't update the token timer when a token is added or removed from the target.
RevokeAll	Revokes all copies of the power from the target, regardless of how many they have.
DoNotTintCostume	Do not apply power tinting to a pet's costume.
CopyBoosts	Copy enhancements to a created power or pet if they apply.
CopyCreatorMods	Copy the owner's strength buff values to a pet.
NoCreatorModFX	If CopyCreatorMods is used, this will suppress copying the visual FX of the copied buffs.
PseudoPet	Creates a generic entity the same class as its creator (i.e. doesn't use a specific villain definition).
PetVisible	Forces a created entity to show up in the owner's pet window.
PetCommandable	Forces a created entity to be commandable like a mastermind pet.

Parameters

An effect can have one of these paramaters attached to it to describe additional information needed to generate the effect. For example, an effect that summons a pet will have an EntCreate parameter that specifies what pet to create.

The parameter will be one of the folllowing objects.

Costume (costume)

The effect applies a costume to the target.

Field	Type	Description
costume_name	string	An internal costume name to apply.

Effect (effect)

Applies a visual effect to the target.

Field	Type	Description
tags	array	An array of visual FX tags.

CreateEntity (create_entity)

Creates an entity ("pet"). This could be a true pet such as a mastermind summon, or it could be a pseudo-pet used to generate effect, like Archery's Rain of Arrows.

Field	Type	Description
name	key	The unique name of the villain definition for the entity.
display_name	string	The name of the entity as it's displayed in the game client.
powers	array	An array of objects that point to the granted powers. See power reference below.
power_refs	array	If for some reason the specific powers can't be loaded, this will contain the names of the powers as specified by the villain definition.
redirects	array	An arry of objects that point to redirected powers. These replace the effect of summoning a pet if present. See power reference below.

Phase (phase)

Adjusts the "phase" of the target, which modifies what the target can see and/or interact with. I'm not 100% sure how this is used.

Field	Type	Description
exlcusive_vision_phase	int
combat_phases	array
vision_phases	array

Power (power)

Grants a power to the target or executes a power.

Field	Type	Description
count	int	If a granted power that gives more than 1 stack, this will be the number granted.
powers	array	An array of objects that point to the granted/executed powers. See power reference below.

Reward (reward)

Grants a reward to the target.

Field	Type	Description
rewards	array	An array of reward names.

Teleport (teleport)

Causes the target to be teleported to a specific destination.

Field	Type	Description
destination	string	The name of the location to teleport to.

Token (token)

Grants a token to the target.

Field	Type	Description
tokens	array	An array of token names.

Behavior (behavior)

Applies AI behaviors to the target.

Field	Type	Description
behaviors	array	An array of behavior names.

ScriptValue (script_value)

Adjusts the values of script variables.

Field	Type	Description
values	array	An array of key/value pairs to adjust.

Power Reference

References a power elsewhere in the data set.

Field	Type	Destruction
name	key	The internal name of the power.
url	url	A URL pointing to the power set where the referenced power can be found.

Stacking

Describes how the effect stacks, if at all.

Field	Type	Description
behavior	enum	The specific stacking behavior. Stack - Allow multiple. Extend - Update the parameters and extend the existing effect. Replace - Update the parameters and replace the existing effect. Overlap - Update the parameters, but don't extend the existing effect. StackToLimit - Allow multiple up to limit times (see below). Refresh - Update the duration of all similar effects, then add a new copy. RefreshToLimit - As Refresh, but if below limit (see below), also add a new copy. Maximize - If the new effect has a greater magnitude, replace the current effect. Suppress - Keep all copies, but only apply the highest magnitude.
by_caster	bool	If true, then each caster can apply their own stacks to a target. Otherwise, effects placed by any caster are treated as the same for stacking.
limit	int	If behavior is StackToLimit or RefreshToLimit, this is the maximum number of times the effect will stack.
key	string	If this value is present, then stacking happens based on effects with this same key value, rather than the specific effect.

Scaled Effects

Describes the specific scaled values for an effect based on a particular archetype that generates that effect.

Field	Type	Description
archetype	string	The display name of the archetype for which this scaled effect applies.
average	float	For damage / healing, this is a convenience field with the average amount applied (averages based on number of ticks and tick chance).
per_activation	float	For damage / healing, this is a convenience field with the average amount per activation. This is average divided by the total cast time (activation, wind up, follow through).
per_cast_cycle	float	For damage / healing, this is a convenience field with the average amount per cast cycle. This is average divided by the total cast time and recharge time.
display_info	array	This is an array of strings that attempts to replicate how the effect is described in the power info window in the game client.
base_value	float	The base value of the effect, provided for reference.
scale	float	The scale applied to base_value, provided for reference.

There will only be one of the following fields present.

The final value of the below fields is a function of base_value mulitplied by scale.

Field	Type	Description
damage	float	An amount of damage applied to the target's hit points (subtracted).
healing	float	An amount of healing applied to the target's hit points (added).
percent	float	A scaled percentage (0.0 to 100.0) to apply to the attribute (multiplied).
duration_seconds	time	The duration of the effect in seconds (absolute).
magnitude	float	A magnitude of a status effect to be applied to the attribute (added/subtracted).
distance	float	A distance in feet to be applied to the attribute (added/subtracted).
value	float	A generic value for effects that aren't one of the above (added/subtracted).