Applying Enchantments to an Item

In this tutorial, we will be using our previous ModSword.esp to further edit our modified weapon to have an enchantment on it. The enchantments in the Creation Kit give you a tremendous amount of freedom in modifying the behaviors of specific weapons and armors in the game. You can even combine the enchantments with Papyrus scripts to customize items on a completely new level. However, we will get to scripting much later in this tutorial series.

NOTE: This tutorial assumes you are continuing from the end of my last tutorial, Editing an Item.

Step 1: Loading our ModSword.esp

Similar to how we loaded the Master file last time, we now have to load our ModSword.esp to continue editing our sword.

1. Go to File>Data…
2. A new window should open up called “Data.”
3. With “ModSword.esp” highlighted, click the “Set as Active File” button.
4. Make sure that a black “x” appears nest to “ModSword.esp.” See Figure 1.
5. Hit “OK”
6. Hit “Yes to all” to all prompts that appear.

Figure 1: Load "ModSword.esp" so we can continue editing our mod.

This will load both our “ModSword.esp” and the ‘Skyrim.esm’ file simultaneously.

NOTE: I like to keep the text “ModSword” in my filter so that way I only see objects with that name in these windows, reducing loading time.

Step 2: Creating a New Enchantment Form

First, we need to create an enchantment form that we can apply to our weapon.

1. In your “Object Window”, go to Magic>Enchantment.
2. Right-click in the object area and select “New.”

A new windows should appear allowing you to create an enchantment. The following instructions will make sure that the sword simply casts off the enchantment whenever it hits an enemy.

1. Give the enchantment an ID and Name. I used ‘ModSwordEnch’ and ‘Mod Sword Enchantment’ for the ID and Name respectively.
2. Set “Casting” to “Fire and Forget.” See Figure 2.
3. Set “Delivery” to “Contact.” See Figure 2.
4. Right-click in the blank effect area and select “New.”

Figure 2: Change the enchantment's Casting mode and Delivery method.

Step 3: Modifying the Enchantment

An “Effect Item” window should appear.

Now we are going to apply an actual enchantment to the enchantment form. We can apply as many enchantments to this form as we want, and then apply the entire form to the weapon.

1. Select “EnchFireDamageFFContact” in the “Effect” menu. See Figure 3.
2. Set the “Magnitude” to 100. See Figure 3.
3. Set the “Duration” to 4 s. See Figure 3.
4. Click “OK” on both the “Effect Item” window and the “Enchantment” window.

This will apply a fire damage enchantment that will deal 100 damage over 4 seconds to whatever we attack.

Figure 3: Set the Effect, Magnitude, and Duration of our enchantment.

NOTE: For simplicity, this tutorial only glances over the options the ‘Effect Item’ window allows you. You can apply various conditions to your enchantments for further customization.

UPDATE: You may also want to change the “Enchantment Cost” in the “Enchantment” window to a lower value so that the weapon will not run out of charge.

Step 4: Applying the Enchantment

You should now be able to see our new enchantment form in the “Object Window.” We will now apply this enchantment to our weapon. If you type “ModSword” in the filter, you can also easily navigate between the different objects we have made by going to the “*All” category of the “Object Window.”

1. Navigate to our “ModSword” and double-click.
2. In the “Weapon” window, look for “ModSwordEnch” in the “Enchanting” field. See Figure 4.
3. Hit “OK.”

Figure 4: Apply our new enchantment to our modified weapon.

Now, Simply save your mod again like last time, load the game, and the “Mod Sword” should now have your enchantment.

Posted in: Tutorials