Visual effects tutorial Post #1

For my visual effects tutorial I am demonstrating the layering of multiple smaller and simpler effects to create a complex effect.

The effect I am breaking down is the Ragnarok attack from the Kingdom Hearts series

Through examing the effect in game and through videos and still images.

I determined the effect could be broken down into 6 sections comprised of multiple small effects.

Section 1: The Charge Up

1. Wide flare burst

2. Surrounded by 2 circular lens flares

3. Lines begin to be drawn into the center flare area along with lines that change angles to give a digital effect

4. Entire effect glows and then fades and pops out

Section 2: Hit Effect

1. Animation trail coming from the weapon

2. Big circular burst

3. Thick rays coming from center that move out over time.

4. 2 circular bubble flares

5. Tiny particles coming from impact

6. Big themed particles (Stars and others based on weapon)

Section 3: The Big Hit

1. All of the previous effects from Section 2

2. Wide flare burst

3. Bright light

4. Wide horizontal burst ring

Section 4: Secondary Charge Up

1. Small ball of light
2. Ring bubble
3. Arrow particles start orbiting the center coming inwards
4. lines start coming into the center
5. Circle with hexagon tile pattern grows from center
6. Entire effect changes from orange to bright white

Section 5: On Firing

1. Bright wide flare burst
2. Small rays bursting out
3. Arrow particles spawn in outward facing circle
4. Arrows move out from there
5. Arrows follow target in clockwise rotation

Section 6: On Arrow 
1. Bright Circular explosion that fades to ring
2. Ring Fades to dust cloud effect
3. Tiny particles