Detached Lightning
⚪ Last updated 2022⚠️ Install Order · 6 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview
🔍 Analysis
- 👍 0.2% endorsement rate
- 🏆 #12 of 13 Magic - Gameplay mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
Detached Lightning
In Skyrim, Lightning Bolt spell effects are attached to the caster's hands, and thus they move and rotate with the caster. This produces some strange visuals if you move the camera immediately after firing such a spell. I wanted something more like Quake 3's railgun, where the bolts stay in-place in the air until they fade away.
The only mod I could find that did this was FenixProjectilesAPI as an optional side feature. However that mod was not updated to AE and likely won't ever be. So I took it upon myself to finally learn to reverse-engineer Skyrim, and two days later this mod was finished. The original source code was invaluable for that work, and thankfully it was released under an open source license.
As it was developed using CommonLibSSE-NG, it should be compatible with SE, AE, and VR. VR support was added in 1. 3 with a pull request by alandtse, the person behind the VR address library. AE 1. 16. 640 is also supported without having to change anything, just make sure your skse and address library are up to date.
Closely based on one of the features from FenixProjectilesAPI, whose code is released under the MIT license.
Thanks to the SkyrimSE RE discord for help with the reverse-engineering.
Requirements
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[]SKSE
[
]Address LibrarySourcegithub
Detached Lightning is a SKSE plugin for Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition that removes the visual connection between lightning spells and the caster's hands, making the effects appear detached. With 420 endorsements and 270,961 downloads, it's a popular utility for magic users seeking a more realistic or cinematic look.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Community-approved with 420 endorsements and a massive download count
- Simple, focused fix that enhances visual immersion for lightning spells
- Works for both SE and AE, so most players can use it
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in September 2022, so may not support the latest Skyrim patches
- Requires SKSE, which adds an extra setup step
- Only affects lightning spells—if you want other spell effects changed, this won't help
For Skyrim players who use lightning magic and want a more detached, realistic effect. Perfect for mage builds or modded playthroughs focused on visual immersion. Skip if you don't care about lightning spell visuals or don't want to bother with SKSE.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Make sure you have the correct version of SKSE for your Skyrim edition (SE or AE) and that it's installed properly.
- If you're using a mod manager like Vortex or MO2, install the plugin through it to keep your load order clean.
- Test the mod with a quick lightning spell cast to see the effect—if it doesn't work, double-check your SKSE version and game patch level.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim Mods
- Author
- kpvw
- Version
- 1.3
- Downloads
- 270,961
- Endorsements
- 420
- Category
- Magic - Gameplay
- Created
- 9/18/2022
- Updated
- 9/21/2022
🔧 How to Install Skyrim Mods
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