AoE Effects

[bwatford]

Please see the FORGE for the latest version.

AoE Effects – Now Available!

After a major overhaul and extensive testing, we’re proud to release AoE Effects v1.0 — the next evolution of the popular Aura Effects extension.

AoE Effects expands far beyond simple auras. It is now a powerful and flexible Area of Effect management tool for Fantasy Grounds, giving GMs precise control over how effects are applied based on token proximity and shape.

Download AoE Effects on the Forge

Key Features

• Multiple Shape Support — Spheres, Cylinders, 3D Rectangles (including Cubes), and now full Cone support with adjustable angles and orientation.
• Smart Token Detection — Choose exactly how auras trigger with the new Token Overlap Behavior setting (Center, Quarter, Near Edge, or Edge).
• Global Aura Adjustment — Fine-tune every aura in your campaign at once using the new Aura Size Adjustment option (in feet).
• Advanced 3D Calculations — Accurate height-aware detection for cylinders, cubes, and cones.
• Performance Focused — Efficient token tracking and movement filtering to keep games running smoothly.

What’s New in v1.0

• Official name change from “Aura Effects” to AoE Effects to better reflect its expanded capabilities.
• Full support for Cone shaped effects.
• New GM options for controlling aura triggering behavior and global size adjustments.
• Improved accuracy and internal tweaks (especially for Edge-based cubes).
• Cleaner architecture and better long-term maintainability.

This extension is compatible with D&D 5E, D&D 4E, D&D 3.5E, PFRPG, PFRPG2, SFRPG, and SFRPG2.

We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the original Aura Effects extension, as well as the community members who helped test and shape this major update.

Feedback, bug reports, and feature suggestions are all welcome in this thread.

Get AoE Effects on the Forge →

If you are looking for the old Aura Effects forum thread you can find it here!

[Lo Zeno]

I just downloaded the new version and it's giving an error when launching a campaign:

[6/9/2026 9:31:14 AM] [ERROR] Unable to locate extension file. [AoE Effects] [/strings/strings_aura.xml]

This happens on a new, blank campaign with no other extensions. Once the campaign loads, the extension effects don't actually work.

[bwatford]

I just downloaded the new version and it's giving an error when launching a campaign:

[6/9/2026 9:31:14 AM] [ERROR] Unable to locate extension file. [AoE Effects] [/strings/strings_aura.xml]

This happens on a new, blank campaign with no other extensions. Once the campaign loads, the extension effects don't actually work.

Delete the old one and update again and it should fix it. I uploaded a new build.... a trailing / was the cause.

[Lo Zeno]

Indeed, it's fixed and it works now, thanks.

The Forge page mentions this:

Disabling Aura Effect Chat Messages

You can suppress aura apply/removal notifications for specific factions or all factions by adjusting the “Silence Notifications for Aura Types” setting.

I can't find that setting in the Options window though, where is it available?

[MrDDT]

Thanks for all the work you put into this and keeping this running and adding in good stuff. Thanks!!!!!

[cds29]

I noticed there were AoE effects, one using the old Aura effects thumbnail and the newest one with the banner you have in your op. Are they both the same?

[bwatford]

I noticed there were AoE effects, one using the old Aura effects thumbnail and the newest one with the banner you have in your op. Are they both the same?

They are identical, it is a glitch that is causing both to show in the Forge, it has been reported to Moon Wizard.

[bwatford]

Indeed, it's fixed and it works now, thanks.

The Forge page mentions this:

I can't find that setting in the Options window though, where is it available?

That was left over coding from the old Aura Effects, looking into that issue.

[SilentRuin]

In case anyone wants some examples I use in my GAL extension - these show different AURA shape uses - look between "AURA:" and the following ";" skipping any colors which was for some other extension I don't even use (lot of BCEG effect syntax you can ignore).. FYI a lot of default arguments taken advantage of - and I'll be danged to hockey sticks if I ever use that misnamed misbegotten "cube" keyword that is really an orthogonal 2D flat square. Most of these are also designed to not be placed at 0 degrees but instead respect the tokens orientation.

TESTED GAL NPCs - Token moving into aura:
- at height inside, above, below, and within shape range
- when alive or dead
- if single that it only applies once per round
- if once that it only applies once
- Center/Quarter/Near Edge/Edge overlap of target tokens.
- any speed effects applied to movement by step counter

Entangle - worked:
Entangle; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self,3drect, point; AoE Entangle; IF: !DYING; SPEED: difficult

(BCEG SRE - remove on source end turn)
Entangle; (with save); (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, 3drect, point, once; AoE Entangle; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: [SDC] STR (M); SAVEADD: EntangleRestrained

EntangleRestrained; Restrained; 'Use Action to make STR check to escape

Fog cloud - worked (need to test OBSCURED: physical)

Fog Cloud; (C); LIGHT: 20/20 darkness; AURA: 20 all,!self, point; AoE Fog Cloud; OBSCURED: physical

Darkness - worked (need to test OBSCURED: magical darkness)

Darkness; (C); LIGHT: 15 /15 darkness; AURA: 15 all,!self,point; AoE Darkness; OBSCURED: magical darkness; [D: 1 hour]

Flaming Sphere - worked:

Flaming Sphere; (C); LIGHT: 20 torch; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 5 all,!self; AoE Flaming Sphere; IF: !DYING; SAVEE: [SDC] DEX (M)(H); SAVEDMG: 2d6 fire, spell

Moonbeam - worked (though lighting does not seem to apply unless something else is done to the CT entries effects like add/remove) (need to test height):

Moonbeam; (C); LIGHT: 5/0 91C9E7FF; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 5 all,!self, cylinder|0|40, point, single; AoE Moonbeam; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (M)(H); ; SAVES: [SDC] CON (M)(H); SAVEDMG: 2d10 radiant, spell; IF: TYPE(shapechanger); DISSAV

Spike Growth - worked

Spike Growth; (C); AURA: 20 all,!self, point; AoE Spike Growth; SPEED: difficult; 'Camouflaged spikes: WIS(Perception) DC (SDC) to notice take 2d4 piercing damage every 5ft

Web - worked

Web; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self,3drect|20|0|5, point; AoE Web; IF: !DYING; SPEED: difficult; DISSKILL: perception

Web; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, single, 3drect|20|0|5, point; AoE Web; IF: !DYING; IF: !CUSTOM(WebRestrained); SAVEA: [SDC] DEX (M); SAVES: [SDC] DEX (M); SAVEADD: WebRestrained; 'Escape DC (SDC) STR

WebRestrained; Restrained

Call Lightning - worked - just asset placement for this one

Call Lightning; (C)

Hunger of Hadar - worked

Hunger of Hadar; (C); LIGHT: 20/20 darkness; IFT: !DYING; AURA: all, !self, 20 point; AoE Hunger of Hadar; IF: !DYING; OBSCURED: magical darkness; SPEED: difficult; DMGO: 2d6 cold, spell; SAVEE: [SDC] DEX (M); SAVEDMG: 2d6 acid, spell

Sleet Storm - worked

Sleet Storm; (C); LIGHT: 40/40 darkness; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 40 all,!self, cylinder|0|20, point; AoE Sleet Storm; IF: !DYING; OBSCURED: physical; SPEED: difficult

Sleet Storm; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 40 all,!self, cylinder|0|20, point, single; AoE Sleet Storm; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: [SDC] DEX (M); SAVES: [SDC] DEX (M); SAVEADD: SleetStormDeluge

SleetStormDeluge; prone; 'If you fail save and concentrating on spell, lose concentration

Stinking Cloud - worked but darkness issues where tokens see when they should not.

Stinking Cloud; (C); LIGHT: 20/20 darkness; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, point; AoE Stinking Cloud; IF: !DYING; OBSCURED: physcial; SAVES: [SDC] CON (M); SAVEADD: Retching and Reeling

Retching and Reeling; incapacitated

Evard's Black Tentacles - worked

Evard's Black Tentacles; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, 3drect, point; AoE Evard's Black Tentacles; IF: !DYING; SPEED: difficult

Evard's Black Tentacles; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, single, 3drect, point; AoE Evard's Black Tentacles; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: (SDC) DEX (M); SAVES: (SDC) DEX (M); SAVEDMG: 3d6, bludgeoning, spell; SAVEADD: EvardRestrained

EvardRestrained; Restrained

Ice Storm - worked

Ice Storm; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self,cylinder|0|40,point; AoE Ice Storm; IF: !DYING; SPEED: difficult

Wall of Fire * - worked

Wall of Fire Inner Circle; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 10 all,!self, cylinder|0|20, point; AoE Wall of Fire Inner Circle; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEE: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEDMG: 5d8 fire

Wall of Fire Inner Line; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 60 all,!self, 3drect|10|0|20, point; AoE Wall of Fire Inner Line; SAVEA: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEE: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEDMG: 5d8 fire

Wall of Fire Outer Circle; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 10 all,!self, cylinder|0|20|20, point; AoE Wall of Fire Outer Circle; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEE: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEDMG: 5d8 fire

Wall of Fire Outer Line; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 60 all,!self, 3drect|10|0|20, point; AoE Wall of Fire Outer Line; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEE: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEDMG: 5d8 fire

Cloudkill - worked

Cloudkill; (C); LIGHT: 20 /20 darkness; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self,point; AoE Cloudkill; IF: !DYING; OBSCURED: physical

Cloudkill; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, single, point; AoE Cloudkill; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (M)(H); SAVES: [SDC] CON (M)(H); SAVEDMG: 5d8 poison,spell

Insect Plague - worked

Insect Plague; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, point, once; AoE Insect Plague; IF: !DYING; SPEED: difficult; DISSKILL: perception; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (M)(H); SAVEE: [SDC] CON (M)(H); SAVEDMG: 4d10 piercing, spell

Wall of Light - worked

Wall of Light; LIGHT: 120 light; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 60 all,!self,3drect|5|0|10,single,point; AoE Wall of Light; SAVEA: (SDC) CON (H)(M); SAVEE: (SDC) CON (H)(M); SAVEDMG: 4d8 radiant, spell; SAVEADD: WallofLightBlinded

WallofLightBlinded; Blinded

Wall of Thorns * - worked

Wall of Thorns Circle; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, cylinder|0|20, point; AoE Wall of Thorns Circle; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEDMG: 7d8 slashing, magic

Wall of Thorns Line; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 60 all,!self, 3drect|5|0|10, point; AoE Wall of Thorns Line; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: (SDC) DEX (H)(M); SAVEDMG: 7d8 slashing, magic

Incendiary Cloud - worked

Incendiary Cloud; (C); LIGHT: 20/20 darkness; IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, point; AoE Incendiary Cloud; IF: !DYING; OBSCURED: physical

Incendiary Cloud; (C); IFT: !DYING; AURA: 20 all,!self, point, once; AoE Incendiary Cloud; IF: !DYING; SAVEA: [SDC] DEX (M)(H); SAVEE: [SDC] DEX (M)(H); SAVEDMG: 10d8 fire, spell

These all need to use state RTS to make sure its instant one time operation as best you can - NEED TESTING

Burning Hands; AURA: 15 all, cone, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] DEX (H)(M)(RA); SAVEDMG: 3d6 fire

Cone of Cold; AURA: 60 all, cone, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(M)(RA); SAVEDMG: 8d8 cold

Aganazzar's Scorcher; AURA: 30 all, 3drect|*5, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] DEX (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 3d8 fire

Lightning Bolt; AURA: 100 all, 3drect|*5, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] DEX (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 8d6 lightning

Thunderwave; AURA: 15 all, 3drect|*15|0|15, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d8 thunder

Breath Weapons (need to use state RTS to make sure its instant one time operation as best you can) - NEED TESTING

Black Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 30 all, 3drect|*5, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 acid
Blue Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 30 all, 3drect|*5, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 lightning
Brass Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 30 all, 3drect|*5, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 fire
Bronze Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 30 all, 3drect|*5, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 lightning
Copper Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 30 all, 3drect|*5, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 acid

Gold Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 15 all, cone, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 fire
Green Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 15 all, cone, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 poison
Red Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 15 all, cone, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 fire
Silver Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 15 all, cone, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 cold
White Dragonborn Breath Weapon; AURA: 15 all, cone, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] CON (H)(RA); SAVEDMG: 2d6 cold

Fear (need to use state RTS to make sure its instant one time operation as best you can) - NEED TESTING

Fear; AURA: 30 all, cone, single, !self; SAVEA: [SDC] WIS (RA); SAVEADD: Frightened

[bwatford]

Thanks for that list @SilentRuin, that is very helpful.

We are already hard at work, on correcting the "cube" issue that is present in the extension that was left over from the old Aura Effects coding.

The logic that we will be using for version 2 of this extension will address the issue and make cubes, well cubes (3 dimensional), and squares will be flat.

- default will stay sphere (3d)
- circle (flat, no height)
- cylinder (3d)
- square (flat, no height)
- cube (3d)
- wall (3d)
- Line (flat, no height)

But that is down the road a bit, trying to get beyond the version 1 release at the moment.