Hazel Stagner | Portfolio

Magic Missile

A magic effect made in Unreal Engine 4 as part of an ongoing project to create one particle effect per day.
My goal was to create an effect which might be used for some sort of quick volley of pure magic energy. I wanted to combine swirly and flamey elements to sell the magic energy.

Two ribbon trails with a hand-painted smoke texture & a custom shader were used for the main trail

Magic “flames” complement the ribbon trail and add volume

The head of the projectile is a flickering glow and some fast-moving angled “sparks” and flames.

Drifting sparkles are left behind as the projectile moves

Another smaller trail adds extra volume near the head of the projectile

The impact starts with a quick flash

The main flames of the impact

Sparks fly away from the impact center

Another layer of stretched spark particles for the impact

Another layer of quick flames stretched away from the impact center

Circular “shockwaves” from the point of impact