Skyrim Mod:Mod File Format/MGEF

MGEF records hold information about magical effects which are used in spells, enchantments and potions.

C	V	Field	Name	Type/Size	Info
+		EDID	EditorID	zstring	Max 0x200 bytes, including null terminator.
-		VMAD	unknown	VMAD
-		FULL	name	lstring
-		MDOB	static	formID	Menu Display Object
-		KSIZ	keywordCount	uint32
*		KWDA	keywords	formID[KSIZ.keywordCount]
+		DATA	data	struct[152]
			00:Flags	uint32	Flags 0x00000001 = Hostile 0x00000002 = Recover 0x00000004 = Detrimental 0x00000008 = Snap to Navmesh 0x00000010 = No Hit Event 0x00000100 = Dispel Effects (toggle keywords to dispel type?) 0x00000200 = No Duration 0x00000400 = No Magnitude 0x00000800 = No Area 0x00001000 = FX Persist 0x00004000 = Gory Visual 0x00008000 = Hide in UI 0x00020000 = No Recast 0x00200000 = Power Affects Magnitude 0x00400000 = Power Affects Duration 0x04000000 = Painless 0x08000000 = No Hit Effect 0x10000000 = No Death Dispel 0x40000000 = ? 0x80000000 = ?
			04:Base Cost	float
			08:RelatedID	formID	The type of record here depends on the EffectType (see below).
			0C:Skill	int32	Usually a base magic skill ActorValue (index) or -1
			10:ResistanceAV	uint32	Resistance skill index (generally 39-45) ActorValue (index) or -1
			14:Unknown1	uint32	Mask of 0xffff0000 (lower 2 bytes always 0)
			18:LightID	formID	LIGH
			1C:TaperWeight	float	Somehow controls the tapering of the spell over time, 0-1 typically
			20:HitShader	formID	EFSH
			24:EnchantShader	FormID	EFSH
			28:SkillLevel	uint32	Required Skill level (0, 25, 50, 75, 100)
			2C:Area	uint32	0 for none
			30:CastingTime	float	probably default if not provided, normal range 0.5-3
			34:TaperCurve	float	Somehow affects the tapering of spell duration, 0-2 typically
			38:TaperDuration	float	Controls how fast the duration tapers off presumably, 0-5 typically
			3C:SecondAVWeight	float	Only valid if SecondAV is set, typical values of 0-2
			40:EffectType	uint32	The basic type of effect to apply (0-46). See below for effect type details.
			44:PrimaryAV	int32	ActorValue (index) or -1. Vast majority are 24 (direct health)
			48:ProjectileID	formID	PROJ
			4C:ExplosionID	formID	EXPL
			50:CastType	uint32	cast type: 0x00 - Constant Effect 0x01 - Fire and Forget 0x02 - Concentration
			54:DeliveryType	uint32	delivery type 0x00 - Self 0x01 - Touch 0x02 - Aimed 0x03 - Target Actor 0x04 - Target Location
			58:SecondAV	int32	Secondary ActorValue (index) or -1 (usually only shock/frost have this)
			5C:CastingArtID	formID	Hand effects ARTO
			60:HitEffectArtID	formID	Impact effects ARTO (eg ward getting hit)
			64:ImpactDataID	formID	Impact data IPDS of projectiles
			68:SkillUsageMult	float	Typically 0-10
			6C:DualCastID	formID	DUAL
			70:DualCastScale	float	0-3
			74:EnchantArtID	formID	ARTO
			78:NullData1	uint32	Always 0
			7C:NullData2	uint32	Always 0
			80:EquipAbility	formID	SPEL
			84:ImageSpaceModID	formID	IPDS
			88:PerkID	formID	PERK
			8C:SoundVolume	uint32	0-3 0 = Loud 1 = Normal 2 = Silent 3 = Very Loud
			90:ScriptAIDataScore	float	Unknown exact purpose, values of 0, 50, 9999, 100000, 1000000
			94:ScriptAIDataDelayTime	float	Unknown exact purpose, values of 0, 60, 10000, 600000
*		ESCE	CounterEffects	formid	Contain a magic effect formid that presumably counters the effects of the current one.
*		SNDD	soundData	list[struct[8]] dword Type formID SoundDesc	Array of structs, max 6 items. Sound types include: 0 = Draw/Sheathe 1 = Charge 2 = Ready 3 = Release 4 = Concentration Cast Loop 5 = On Hit
+		DNAM	Description	lstring	Effect description, e.g.: "Health regenerates <mag>% slower."
-		CTDA	conditionData	CTDA

Effect Types

The following are the valid effect types for each magic effect and their associated data:

0 = Value Mod: PrimaryAV selects which actor value to modify

1 = Script: No Extra data?

2 = Dispel: No extra data?

3 = Cure Disease: No extra data?

4 = Absorb: PrimaryAV selects which actor value to absorb

5 = Dual Value Mod: PrimaryAV and SecondAV select which actor value to modify along with SecondAVWeight

6 = Calm: PrimaryAV is forced to be "Aggression"

7 = Demoralize: PrimaryAV is forced to be "Confidence"

8 = Frenzy: PrimaryAV is forced to be "Aggression"

9 = Disarm: No extra data?

10 = Command Summoned: No extra data?

11 = Invisibility: PrimaryAV is forced to be "Invisibility"

12 = Light: RelatedID is the light formid

15 = Lock: No extra data?

16 = Open: No extra data?

17 = Bound Weapon: RelatedID is the weapon to summon

18 = Summon Creature: RelatedID is the NPC to spawn (must have the summonable flag set)

19 = Detect Life: No extra data?

20 = Telekinesis: No extra data?

21 = Paralysis: PrimaryAV is forced to be "Paralysis "

22 = Reanimate: No extra data?

23 = Soul Trap: No extra data?

24 = Turn Undead: PrimaryAV is forced to be "Confidence"

25 = Guide: RelatedID is a hazard, used only by Clairvoyance

26 = Werewolf Feed: No extra data?

27 = Cure Paralysis: No extra data?

28 = Cure Addiction: No extra data?

29 = Cure Poison: No extra data?

30 = Concussion: No extra data?

31 = Value and Parts: PrimaryAV is used, not used in game

32 = Accumulate Magnitude: PrimaryAV, used by Ward Steadfast/Lesser/Greater

33 = Stagger: No extra data?

34 = Peak Value Mod: PrimaryAV selects which actor value to modify, RelatedID is a keyword (Assoc. Item 2 in the C.K.) - SecondaryAV & SecondAVWeight are not used.

35 = Cloak: RelatedID is a spell (only some spells supported, either/both hand?)

36 = Werewolf: RelatedID is a race

37 = Slow Time: No extra data?

38 = Rally: PrimaryAV is forced to be "Confidence"

39 = Enchance Weapon: RelatedID is an enchantment

40 = Spawn Hazard: RelatedID is a hazard

41 = Etherealize: No extra data?

42 = Banish: PrimaryAV is forced to be "Confidence"

43 = Spawn Scripted Ref: No extra data?, used by ThrowVoice

44 = Disguise: No extra data?

45 = Grab Actor: No extra data?

46 = Vampire Lord: RelatedID is a race