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Active Effect Guide

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Up to date as of 2.3.x

This document only covers Active Effects available to the Core dnd5e System.

Legend

[number] - These square brackets mean "replace this with your value of the type within the brackets". So this example: +[number] would mean you input +3.

[formula] - When formula is mentioned in this document it means this value can be populated with any dice formula. For example, Bless adds several effects with the Effect Value of 1d4.

As part of this, an Actor's Rolldata is available as "@attributes." Useful examples:

@attribute Description
@abilities.dex.mod Actor's Dexterity Modifier
@prof Actor's Proficiency Bonus
@details.level Actor's overall Level
@classes.barbarian.levels Actor's Barbarian Class Level

Note

When using formulas in an Active Effect Value, the actor sheet display that corresponds to the changed value will not display the evaluated formula, but it will be applied when rolled. E.g. When adding [email protected] to system.bonuses.abilities.save to simulate a Paladin's Aura of Protection, the actor sheet will not display that bonus applied to saving throws. The bonus will be present when the saving throw is rolled.

Change Mode Description
Add Adds the provided value to the specified attribute. For numerical attributes, this can be used to both add and subtract from a particular value by specifying +1 or -1 as the value to add.
Multiply Multiplies the defined attribute by the numeric value in the Effect Value field.
Override Replaces the defined attribute with the value provided in the Effect Value field.
Downgrade Reduces the defined attribute only in cases where the current value of that attribute would be greater than value specified in the Effect Value field.
Upgrade Increases the defined attribute only in cases where the current value of that attribute would be less than value specified in the Effect Value field.
Custom The Custom change mode applies logic defined by a game system or add-on module. The dnd5e system does not utilize the Custom Change Mode

Important

When using the ADD change mode, it is always recommended to include the + in the Effect Value, this will ensure that if you have multiple effects targeting the same Attribute, they will not be concatenated (e.g. two effects that ADD | +1 will result in a bonus of +1+1, whereas two effects that ADD | 1 will result in a bonus of +11.

Commonly Desired Effect Examples

Abilities

system.abilities.[abbreviation].value
                                bonuses.check
                                        save
Ability Abbreviations
Ability Abbreviation
Strength str
Dexterity dex
Constitution con
Wisdom wis
Intelligence int
Charisma cha

Source: CONFIG.DND5E.abilities

Overriding an Ability Score

E.g. an Item or potion that sets an ability score to a set value while in use

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.abilities.[abbreviation].value Override [number]

Upgrading an Ability Score

E.g. an Item or potion that sets an ability score to a set value, if the value does not already exceed that value, such as the Gauntlets of Ogre Power

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.abilities.[abbreviation].value Upgrade [number]

Bonus to a Specific Saving Throw

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.abilities.[abbreviation].bonuses.save Add +[number/formula]

Bonus to a Specific Ability Check

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.abilities.[abbreviation].bonuses.check Add +[number/formula]

Bonus to All Ability Checks

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.bonuses.abilities.skill Add +[number/formula]

Bonus to All Saving Throws

E.g. Paladin Aura of Protection

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.bonuses.abilities.save Add +[number/formula]

Bonus to Initiative

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.attributes.init.bonus Add +[number/formula]

Skills

system.skills.[abbreviation].bonuses.check
                                     passive
Skill Abbreviations
Skill Abbreviation
Acrobatics acr
Animal Handling ani
Arcana arc
Athletics ath
Deception dec
History his
Insight ins
Investigation inv
Intimidation itm
Medicine med
Nature nat
Persuasion per
Perception prc
Performance prf
Religion rel
Sleight of Hand slt
Stealth ste
Survival sur

Source: CONFIG.DND5E.skills

Bonus to a Specific Skill Check

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.skills.[abbreviation].bonuses.check Add +[number/formula]

Bonus to a Specific Skill Passive

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.skills.[abbreviation].bonuses.passive Add +[number/formula]

Bonus to All Skill Checks

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.bonuses.abilities.skill Add +[number/formula]

Movement

system.attributes.movement.[movementType]
Movement Types
Movement Type Value
Burrow burrow
Climb climb
Fly fly
Swim swim
Walk walk

Source: CONFIG.DND5E.movementTypes

Multiply Speed by modifier

E.g. An Item or Spell which doubles/halves/etc. an Actor's speed.

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.attributes.movement.[movementType] Multiply [number]

Add a different Speed

E.g. An Item or Spell which grants an Actor a flying or swimming speed.

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.attributes.movement.[movementType] Override [number]

Armor Class

system.attributes.ac.bonus
                     formula
                     calc
                     cover
                     flat

Add a Bonus to AC

E.g. An Item or Spell which adds something to the Actor's current AC for the duration.

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.attributes.ac.bonus Add +[number/formula]

Override the AC Calculation to a custom formula

E.g. An Item or Spell which sets the Actor's AC to 12 + Int for the duration.

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.attributes.ac.calc Override custom
system.attributes.ac.formula Override 12 + @abilities.int.mod

Attack Roll Bonuses

system.bonuses.msak.attack
               mwak
               rsak
               rwak
Attack Roll Types
Movement Type Value
Melee Spell attack msak
Melee Weapon attack mwak
Ranged Spell attack rsak
Ranged Weapon attack rwak

Source: CONFIG.DND5E.itemActionTypes

Bonus to All Melee Attack Rolls (both spell and weapon)

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.bonuses.mwak.attack Add +[number/formula]
system.bonuses.msak.attack Add +[number/formula]

Bonus to All Ranged Attack Rolls (both spell and weapon)

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.bonuses.rwak.attack Add +[number/formula]
system.bonuses.rsak.attack Add +[number/formula]

Damage Roll Bonuses

system.bonuses.msak.damage
               mwak
               rsak
               rwak
Attack Roll Types
Movement Type Value
Melee Spell attack msak
Melee Weapon attack mwak
Ranged Spell attack rsak
Ranged Weapon attack rwak

Source: CONFIG.DND5E.itemActionTypes

Bonus to All Melee Attack Damage Rolls (both spell and weapon)

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.bonuses.mwak.damage Add +[number/formula]
system.bonuses.msak.damage Add +[number/formula]

Bonus to All Ranged Attack Damage Rolls (both spell and weapon)

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.bonuses.rwak.damage Add +[number/formula]
system.bonuses.rsak.damage Add +[number/formula]

Immunities/Resistances/Vulnerabilities

system.traits.ci.value
              di
              dr
              dv

Warning

These only serve as a marker on the actor sheet, the core system has no automations around immunities, resistances, or vulnerabilities.

Add a Condition Immunity

Condition Types
Condition Value
Blinded blinded
Charmed charmed
Deafened deafened
Diseased diseased
Exhaustion exhaustion
Frightened frightened
Grappled grappled
Incapacitated incapacitated
Invisible invisible
Paralyzed paralyzed
Petrified petrified
Poisoned poisoned
Prone prone
Restrained restrained
Stunned stunned
Unconscious unconscious

Source: CONFIG.DND5E.conditionTypes

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.traits.ci.value Add [conditionType]

Add a Damage Type Immunity

Damage Types
Damage Type Value
Acid acid
Bludgeoning bludgeoning
Cold cold
Fire fire
Force force
Lightning lightning
Necrotic necrotic
Piercing piercing
Poison poison
Psychic psychic
Radiant radiant
Slashing slashing
Thunder thunder

Source: CONFIG.DND5E.damageTypes

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.traits.di.value Add [damageType]

Add a Damage Type Resistance

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.traits.dr.value Add [damageType]

Add a Damage Type Vulnerability

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.traits.dv.value Add [damageType]

Scale Value

system.scale.[classIdentifier].[scaleIdentifier]
                                                .value
                                                .number
                                                .die
                                                .faces
Dice Scale Values

The Dice Scale Values have a few unique keys, here is an example of the result for these keys based on a scale value that is 3d8

Key Value
system.scale.[classIdentifier].[scaleIdentifier] 3d8
system.scale.[classIdentifier].[scaleIdentifier].number 3
system.scale.[classIdentifier].[scaleIdentifier].die d8
system.scale.[classIdentifier].[scaleIdentifier].faces 8

Increase the value of a Scale Value

E.g. An Item or Spell which allows additional use(s) of a Class Feature (e.g. adds an additional use of a Barbarian's Rage).

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.scale.barbarian.rages.value Add +[number]

Increase the number of die of a Dice Scale Value

E.g. An Item or Spell which increases the number of die in a Dice Scale Value (e.g. adds a die to a Rogue's Sneak Attack).

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.scale.rogue.sneak-attack.number Add +[number]

Hit Points

system.attributes.hp.value
                     max
                     temp
                     tempmax
                     bonuses.level
                             overall

Warning

Never alter the value, max, or temp attributes with an active effect, as this will cause issues.

Temporary Bonus to the Maximum HP

E.g. An Item or Spell which temporarily increases a character's Max HP (e.g. Aid).

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.attributes.hp.tempmax Add +[number]

Bonus to the Maximum HP

E.g. An Item or Feature which increases a character's Max HP.

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.attributes.hp.bonuses.overall Add +[number/formula]

Bonus HP for each Character Level

E.g. An effect that provides a bonus to the HP a character gains for each Level they acquire (e.g. Tough).

Attribute Key Change Mode Effect Value
system.attributes.hp.bonuses.level Add +[number/formula]
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