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SPL file format

Applies to:
BG1, BG1: TotS, BG2, BG2: ToB, PST, IWD, IWD:HoW, IWD:TotL

General Description
This file format describes a "spell". Spells include mage spells, priest spells, innate abilities, special abilities and effects used for game advancement (e.g. animation effects, custom spells). SPL files have a similar structure to ITM files.

Header:Size=114 Bytes Ext. Header: Size= 40 Bytes Feature Block: Size=48 Bytes

Detailed Description
SPL files consist of a main header, zero or more extended headers (each containing zero or more feature blocks) and zero or more casting feature blocks. All the feature blocks are stored as a continuous data segment, with each extended header containing an offset into this data, and the main header containing an offset into this data for the casting feature blocks.

Overall structure:
  • Header
  • Extended Headers
  • Feature Blocks

    • Header

    Offset Size (datatype) Description
    0x0000 4 (char array) Signature ('SPL ')
    0x0004 4 (char array) Version ('V1 ')
    0x0008 4 (dword) Spell Name - Unidentified (strref)
    0x000c 4 (dword) Spell Name - Identified (strref) (usu. -1)
    0x0010 8 (resref) Completion Sound
    0x0018 4 (dword) Flags
    0x001c 2 (word) Spell type:
    0=Special
    1=Wizard
    2=Cleric
    3=Psionic
    4=Innate
    5=Bardsong
    0x001e 2 (word) Exclusion Flags
    0x0020 2 (word) Priest Type. Grant spell to divine magic users of type
    0x0000=Any
    0x4000=Any (except Cleric/Paladin)
    0x8000=Any (except Druid/Ranger)
    0x0022 2 (word) Casting Graphics
    0x0024 1 (char) Unknown
    0x0025 2 (word) Primary Type (Spell school) (IWD: school.2da, BG2:mschool.2da)
    0x0027 1 (char) Secondary Type (BG2:msectype.2da)
    0x0028 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x002c 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x0030 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x0034 4 (dword) Spell Level
    0x0038 2 (word) Unknown
    0x003a 8 (resref) Spellbook icon (BAM). The engine replaces the last character of this filename with a C.
    0x0042 2 (word) Unknown
    0x0044 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x0048 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x004c 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x0050 4 (dword) Spell Description - Unidentified (strref)
    0x0054 4 (dword) Spell Description - Identified (strref) (usu. -1)
    0x0058 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x005c 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x0060 4 (dword) Unknown
    0x0064 4 (dword) Extended Header offset
    0x0068 2 (word) Extended Header count
    0x006a 4 (dword) Feature Block Table offset
    0x006e 2 (word) Casting Feature Block offset (must have target self)
    0x0070 2 (word) Casting Feature Block count

    Extended Header

    Extended headers represent the effects of a spell on the target. Multiple extended headers can be set in a spell, to allow the spell to use effects based on the level of the caster. Extended headers should be in the file in order of increasing level.

    Offset Size (datatype) Description
    0x0000 1 (char) Spell form
    • 1 - Standard
    • 2 - Projectile
    0x0001 1 (char) Unknown
    0x0002 1 (char) Location
    0x0003 1 (char) Unknown
    0x0004 8 (resref) Memorised icon (BAM). The engine replaces the last character of this filename with a B.
    0x000c 1 (char) Target:
    0 = Invalid (cannot be selected)
    1 = Creature
    2 = Inventory
    3 = Dead char
    4 = Area
    5 = Self
    6 = Crash
    7 = None (Self, ignores game pause)
    0x000d 1 (char) Target Number
    0x000e 2 (word) Range
    0x0010 2 (word) Level Required
    0x0012 4 (dword) Casting Time
    0x0016 2 (word) Dice Sides (unused)
    0x0018 2 (word) Dice Thrown (unused)
    0x001a 2 (word) Enchanted (unused)
    0x001c 2 (word) Damage Type (unused)
    0x001e 2 (word) Count of feature blocks
    0x0020 2 (word) Offset to feature blocks
    0x0022 2 (word) Charges (unused)
    0x0024 2 (word) Charge depletion behvaiour (unused)
    0x0026 2 (word) Projectile (BG2:projectl.ids)

    Feature Block

    Any action carried out by a spell is done by feature blocks, each of which holds an effect number as well as targetting and timing information.

    Offset Size (datatype) Description
    0x0000 2 (word) Opcode Number
    0x0002 1 (char) Target
    • 0=None
    • 1=Self
    • 2=Pre-Target
    • 3=Party
    • 4=Global
    • 5=Non-Party
    • 6=Non-evil
    • 7=Unknown
    • 8=Except Self
    • 9=Original Caster
    • 10=Unknown
    • 11=Unknown
    • 12=Unknown
    • 13=Unknown
    0x0003 1 (char) Power
    0x0004 4 (dword) Parameter 1
    0x0008 4 (dword) Parameter 2
    0x000c 1 (char) Timing Mode
    • 0=Duration
    • 1=Permanent
    • 2=While equipped
    • 3=Delayed Duration
    • 4=Delayed
    • 5=Delayed?
    • 6=Duration?
    • 7=Permanent?
    • 8=Permanent?
    • 9=Permanent (after Death)
    • 10=Trigger
    0x000d 1 (char) Resistance
    • 0=Nonmagical
    • 1=Dispel/Not Bypass
    • 2=Not Dispel/Not Bypass
    • 3=Dispel/Bypass
    0x000e 4 (dword) Duration
    0x0012 1 (char) Probability 1
    0x0013 1 (char) Probability 2
    0x0014 8 (resref) Resource
    0x001c 4 (dword) Dice Thrown
    0x0020 4 (dword) Dice Sides
    0x0024 4 (dword) Saving Throw Type
    • bit 0: Spells
    • bit 1: Breathe
    • bit 2: Death
    • bit 3: Wands
    • bit 4: Polymorph
    NB. If more than 1 saving throw type is specified, the target rolls against their best save.
    0x0028 4 (dword) Saving Throw Bonus
    0x002c 4 (dword) Unknown


    Header Flags

    Bit Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4
    0 Unknown Unknown Not in combat Unknown
    1 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
    2 Unknown Hostile/Breaks Invisibility Unknown Unknown
    3 Unknown No LOS required Unknown Unknown
    4 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
    5 Unknown Outdoors only Unknown Unknown
    6 Unknown High Level Ability Unknown Unknown
    7 Unknown Trigger/Contingency Unknown Unknown

    Exclusion Flags

    bit 0: Exclude Chaotic priests. (BG2 & HoW)
    bit 1: Exclude Evil priests. (BG2 & HoW)
    bit 2: Exclude Good priests. (BG2 & HoW)
    bit 3: Exclude GENeutral priests. (BG2 & HoW)
    bit 4: Exclude Lawful priests. (BG2 & HoW)
    bit 5: Exclude LCNeutral priests. (BG2 & HoW)
    bit 6: Exclude Abjurers
    bit 7: Exclude Conjurers
    bit 8: Exclude Diviners
    bit 9: Exclude Enchanters
    bit 10: Exclude Illusionists
    bit 11: Exclude Invokers
    bit 12: Exclude Necromancers
    bit 13: Exclude Transmuters
    bit 14: Wild Magic (exclude Generalists) (BG2)
    bit 15: Unused

    NB.Alignment and School exclusion bits cannot be combined.

    Casting Graphics

    BG1,BG2,IWD
    00
        ...No animation
    08
    09 Necromancy
    10 Alteration
    11 Enchantment
    12 Abjuration
    13 Illusion
    14 Conjuration
    15 Invocation
    16 Divination
    17 White sparks
    18 Black sparks
    19 White sparks
    20 White sparks
    21 White sparks
    22 White -> red sparks
    23 White -> purple/red sparks
    24 White -> red sparks
    26 White sparks
    32 White sparks
    34 White sparks
    56461 No animation
    65535 No animation

    NB. The 'spark' entries are related to sprklclr.2da (and probably opcode #41)

    PST
    35: Abjuration
    36: Alteration
    37: Conjuration
    38: Enchantment
    39: Divination
    40: Illusion
    41: Invocation
    42: Necromancy
    44: Special (Innate) Skill