Displays

Displays define the visual representation of projectiles and impact effects — particles, entities, and sounds that render to players. Each skill can layer multiple displays simultaneously, allowing rich visual composition (e.g., particles + entity models + sound effects all at once).

Display architecture

Displays are configured in the display-params field of a skill's params section. This field accepts a list — each entry is an independent display with its own display-type and configuration:

display-params:
  - display-type: particle
    type: flame
    count: 5
  - display-type: item_display
    item: black_concrete
    glow: true

Each display type (particle, item_display, wither_skull, etc.) defines what visual element appears and how it behaves. A single projectile or impact can have multiple displays layered on top of one another — they all render at the same position/time.

Display types

Type	Description
`none`	No visual output (used when only effects are needed, no rendering)
`particle`	Bukkit particle system — colored dust, flames, smoke, trails, and hundreds of named particle types
`particle_ring`	Concentric rings of particles arranged in a circle; useful for telegraphs and AoE visuals
`particle_helix`	Double-helix pattern of particles rotating around the travel axis
`item_display`	Static or rotated item model (uses Bukkit `ItemDisplay` packet entity)
`advanced_item_display`	Keyframed item animation with transform actions (scale, rotate, translate over time)
`arrow`	Tipped or plain arrow entity with optional piercing visual level
`evoker_fang`	Evoker fangs entity with optional bite animation
`wither_skull`	Wither skull entity with optional "charged" (blue) state
`small_fireball`	Small fireball (Ghast-style) entity with optional custom item texture

`none`

Renders no visual output. Used when a skill only needs effects (damage, healing, status effects) with no particle or entity display.

No parameters.

display-params:
  - display-type: none

`particle`

The most flexible display type — spawns Bukkit particles (named in the Particle enum, e.g., flame, smoke, soul, dust). Supports colored dust particles, trails, item particles, and block particles.

Parameters

Field	Type	Default	Description
`type`	String	none	Bukkit `Particle` enum name (e.g., `flame`, `dust`, `soul`, `trial_spawner_detection`); case-insensitive, matched via `Particle.valueOf()`. If omitted or blank, the display silently spawns nothing.
`count`	Integer	0	Number of particles spawned per tick
`offset`	Vector	none	XYZ spread of particle spawn (each particle randomly offsets within this box)
`color`	Color	none	RGB color for colorable particles (dust, dust_transition, redstone, spell); see Color
`to-color`	Color	none	End color for dust_transition particles and trail particles
`extra`	Double	0.0	Particle speed / extra parameter (meaning varies by particle type)
`location-offset`	Vector	none	Fixed XYZ offset from the projectile/impact center; not randomized
`random-offset`	Vector	none	Additional random offset applied on top of `location-offset`
`apply-offset-in-direction`	Boolean	false	When true, apply `location-offset` relative to projectile travel direction instead of absolute world space
`material`	Material	none	Block/item material for particles requiring it (e.g., `block_crack`, `item_crack` require a `Material`)
`trail-duration`	Integer	0	Duration in ticks for trail particles (`Particle.Trail`) — how long the trail line persists
`trail-location-target-offset`	Vector	none	XYZ offset for trail end point; used with `trail-duration` to create line trails

Example: colored dust particles

display-params:
  - display-type: particle
    type: dust
    count: 2
    offset:
      x: 0.2
      y: 0.2
      z: 0.2
    color:
      r: 250
      g: 35
      b: 13
    extra: 0.0

Example: layered particle display (mage laser)

The laser projectile layers multiple particle types to create a rich flame effect:

display-params:
  - display-type: particle
    type: ash
    count: 4
    location-offset:
      y: -0.5
    offset:
      x: 0.1
      y: 0.1
      z: 0.1
    extra: 0.0
  - display-type: particle
    type: dust
    count: 2
    color:
      r: 250
      g: 35
      b: 13
  - display-type: particle
    type: small_flame
    count: 1
    extra: 0.01

`particle_ring`

Renders concentric rings of particles at the target location — useful for area telegraph visuals, impact rings, and spell telegraphs. Extends particle (inherits all particle params) and adds ring-specific configuration.

Parameters (extends `particle`)

Field	Type	Default	Description
`element-amount`	Integer	0	Number of particles per ring (points distributed evenly around the circle)
`max-radius`	Double	0.0	Outer radius of the largest ring (in blocks)
`rings`	Integer	0	Number of concentric rings to render. Leaving this unset renders no rings at all.
(inherited)			All `particle` params: `type`, `count`, `color`, `offset`, etc.

The ring spacing is automatic: if max-radius: 6.0 and rings: 2, the first ring is at radius 3.0 and the second at 6.0 (evenly divided).

Example: red ring telegraph

display-params:
  - display-type: particle_ring
    element-amount: 50
    max-radius: 6.0
    rings: 1
    type: dust
    count: 1
    color:
      r: 255
      g: 0
      b: 0
    extra: 0.0

Example: warden explosion display (stacked rings and column)

Multiple displays layered to show both vertical column and concentric rings:

display-params:
  - display-type: particle
    type: soul_fire_flame
    count: 30
    location-offset:
      y: -2
    offset:
      x: 0.03
      y: 0.45
      z: 0.03
    extra: 0.1
  - display-type: particle_ring
    element-amount: 50
    max-radius: 1.0
    rings: 1
    type: squid_ink
    count: 1
    color:
      r: 0
      g: 0
      b: 0
    location-offset:
      y: -2
    extra: 0.01

`particle_helix`

Renders a double-helix pattern of particles spiraling around the projectile's travel axis — creates flowing, twisted trails. Extends particle and adds helix-specific rotation.

Parameters (extends `particle`)

Field	Type	Default	Description
`helix-radius`	Double	0.0	Radius of the helix spiral (distance from the travel axis to each strand)
(inherited)			All `particle` params: `type`, `count`, `color`, `offset`, etc.

The helix automatically rotates around the travel direction, creating a twisted spiral effect as the projectile moves.

`item_display`

Renders a static or rotated item model using Bukkit's ItemDisplay packet entity. Renders the given item as a 3D model, optionally scaled, colored, and rotated. The display spawns on the first tick and follows the projectile/impact.

Parameters

Field	Type	Default	Description
`item`	ItemStack	required	Block or item to display. Accepts either a bare material name (e.g., `black_concrete`) or a full AstralCore item definition (`material`, `item-model`, etc.)
`glow`	Boolean	false	When true, adds glowing effect (white outline, or team color if applicable)
`color`	Color	none	Tint color (RGB) applied to the item model (appears as a glow layer)
`scale`	Vector	`{x: 1, y: 1, z: 1}`	XYZ scale multiplier for the item size
`offset`	Vector	none	XYZ position offset relative to the projectile
`rotation`	Vector	none	XYZ rotation in degrees; applied each tick
`apply-offset-in-direction`	Boolean	false	When true, apply `offset` relative to projectile travel direction
`copy-rotation`	Boolean	false	When true, orient the item to face the projectile's travel direction on spawn
`despawn-delay`	Long	15000	Milliseconds after which the item entity despawns (default: 15 seconds)

Example: red glowing concrete projectile

display-params:
  - display-type: item_display
    item: black_concrete
    glow: true
    color:
      r: 255
      g: 0
      b: 0
    scale:
      x: 0.3
      y: 0.3
      z: 0.3

`advanced_item_display`

Extends item_display with keyframed animation — apply a sequence of transform actions (scale, rotate, translate) scheduled over time. Useful for animated spell projectiles, morph effects, and visual combos.

Parameters (extends `item_display`)

Field	Type	Default	Description
`actions`	List[Action]	`[]`	List of scheduled actions. Each entry has a top-level `delay` (milliseconds from spawn), an `action` type, and a nested `params` block specific to that action type. The item display despawns automatically once the last scheduled action's delay elapses.
(inherited)			All `item_display` params: `item`, `glow`, `scale`, `offset`, etc.

Action structure

Only action: transform is handled — any other action value (e.g. wait) is accepted but runs as a no-op, which is a useful way to push the display's despawn time out without applying another transform:

actions:
  - delay: 0
    action: transform
    params:
      tick-duration: 0
      rotation-x: 180
      rotation-y: 0
      rotation-z: 90
      rotation-w: 30
      offset:
        x: -0.4
        y: -0.4
        z: 0.5
      scale:
        x: 1
        y: 1
        z: 1
  - delay: 350
    action: wait
    params: {}

transform's params block accepts:

Field	Type	Default	Description
`tick-duration`	Integer	0	Client-side interpolation duration (ticks) for this transform step.
`rotation-x`/`rotation-y`/`rotation-z`/`rotation-w`	Double	0.0	Sequential rotations (degrees) applied around X, Y, Z, then a further Y-axis "W" rotation — not a single combined XYZ vector rotation.
`scale`	Vector	(0, 0, 0)	Multiplies the display's current scale.
`offset`	Vector	(0, 0, 0)	Translates the display along its own (rotated) local axes.

Each transform is applied on top of the display's current transformation, so successive actions compose rather than replace.

`arrow`

Renders a Bukkit arrow entity following the projectile, oriented along its travel direction. Supports tipped-arrow tinting and visual piercing level.

Parameters

Field	Type	Default	Description
`color`	Color	none	Tipped-arrow tint color (RGB); null renders a plain arrow
`glow`	Boolean	false	When true, adds glowing flag (white outline)
`in-ground`	Boolean	false	When true, renders the arrow as stuck in a block (no wobble animation)
`piercing-level`	Integer	none	Visual piercing level (0–4) shown on the arrow's fletching
`offset`	Vector	none	XYZ position offset from the projectile center
`apply-offset-in-direction`	Boolean	false	When true, apply `offset` relative to travel direction

Orientation

The arrow is automatically oriented to face the projectile's travel direction using yaw/pitch (following Minecraft's arrow entity convention, not the player look-direction convention).

`evoker_fang`

Renders evoker fangs entity — the fangs summoned by evokers in vanilla Minecraft. Each spawn triggers an optional attack (bite) animation and scheduled removal.

Parameters

Field	Type	Default	Description
`glow`	Boolean	false	When true, adds glowing flag (white outline)
`offset`	Vector	none	XYZ position offset from the projectile/impact center
`apply-offset-in-direction`	Boolean	false	When true, apply `offset` relative to projectile travel direction
`attack-delay`	Integer	0	Delay in ticks before the bite animation triggers
`remove-delay`	Integer	20	Delay in ticks before the fangs entity is removed

Example: simple fangs telegraph

display-params:
  - display-type: evoker_fang
    glow: false
    attack-delay: 0
    remove-delay: 20

`wither_skull`

Renders a Wither skull entity following the projectile, oriented along its travel direction. Supports "charged" (blue) state for visual emphasis.

Parameters

Field	Type	Default	Description
`charged`	Boolean	false	When true, renders the skull as "charged" (blue glow), like the Wither's dangerous skulls
`glow`	Boolean	false	When true, adds glowing flag (white outline)
`offset`	Vector	none	XYZ position offset from the projectile center
`apply-offset-in-direction`	Boolean	false	When true, apply `offset` relative to travel direction

Example: charged wither skull + soul particles

display-params:
  - display-type: wither_skull
    charged: true
  - display-type: particle
    type: soul
    count: 1
    extra: 0.02

`small_fireball`

Renders a small fireball entity (Ghast-style projectile) following the projectile, oriented along its travel direction. Optionally renders a custom item texture instead of the vanilla fire-charge.

Parameters

Field	Type	Default	Description
`item`	ItemStack	none	Custom item texture to render as the fireball; null uses the vanilla fire-charge texture
`glow`	Boolean	false	When true, adds glowing flag (white outline)
`offset`	Vector	none	XYZ position offset from the projectile center
`apply-offset-in-direction`	Boolean	false	When true, apply `offset` relative to travel direction

Color

Colors are specified as RGB triplets (0–255 per channel). Some color fields also support optional randomness parameters:

Field	Type	Description
`r`	int (0–255)	Red channel
`g`	int (0–255)	Green channel
`b`	int (0–255)	Blue channel
`randomness-r`	Double	Optional — random variance added to the red channel each spawn (clamped to 0–255)
`randomness-g`	Double	Optional — random variance added to the green channel each spawn
`randomness-b`	Double	Optional — random variance added to the blue channel each spawn

color:
  r: 250
  g: 35
  b: 13
  randomness-r: 10
  randomness-g: 5
  randomness-b: 5

Vector

Positional/offset vectors are specified as XYZ triplets:

offset:
  x: 0.1
  y: 0.2
  z: 0.1

All vector fields are optional; omitting them defaults to zero.

Display execution

Displays are rendered every frame by the skill update engine:

Projectile/Laser — Displays fire once per display-update-rate (milliseconds), at the current projectile position
Impact — Displays fire once, at the impact center, when the skill is triggered
Entity orientation — Entity displays (arrow, wither_skull, evoker_fang, small_fireball) automatically orient to face the projectile's travel direction (or impact skill's caster direction for impacts)

Display update rate is tunable per skill via the display-update-rate param (see Cast Types).

Quick reference

Display Type	Common Use	Customizable	Animated
`particle`	Colored effects, flames, trails	Yes	No
`particle_ring`	Telegraphs, area indicators	Yes	No
`particle_helix`	Spiraling trails, twisted beams	Yes	No
`item_display`	Item models, static objects	Yes	No
`advanced_item_display`	Keyframed animations	Yes	Yes
`arrow`	Arrow projectiles	Limited	No
`wither_skull`	Wither attacks	Limited	No
`evoker_fang`	Fang attacks with bite	Limited	No
`small_fireball`	Fireball projectiles	Limited	No

Last modified: 25 July 2026

Displays

Display architecture

Display types

none

particle

Parameters

Example: colored dust particles

Example: layered particle display (mage laser)

particle_ring

Parameters (extends particle)

Example: red ring telegraph

Example: warden explosion display (stacked rings and column)

particle_helix

Parameters (extends particle)

item_display

Parameters

Example: red glowing concrete projectile

advanced_item_display

Parameters (extends item_display)

Action structure

arrow

Parameters

Orientation

evoker_fang

Parameters

Example: simple fangs telegraph

wither_skull

Parameters

Example: charged wither skull + soul particles

small_fireball

Parameters

Color

Vector

Display execution

Quick reference

`none`

`particle`

`particle_ring`

Parameters (extends `particle`)

`particle_helix`

Parameters (extends `particle`)

`item_display`

`advanced_item_display`

Parameters (extends `item_display`)

`arrow`

`evoker_fang`

`wither_skull`

`small_fireball`