Game logic
Spell families
The 396 spells in 67 families: the ones the game runs with the same code. 16 have no other spell in theirs.
Catalog of families
Each card shows how the family’s spells look when cast and what they do; the colored dots and the levels under the animation switch between them. Open a family to see its table. What each family does comes from the data: it has every effect of its spells, the most common first.
Best spells · Which spells pay off and why, each with the number behind it. The filters leave only what Isaac already has at hand.
67 of 67 families
Red Cloud
Creates a cloud that damages every unit inside it; some also weaken, burn, or freeze.
DamagesWeakens· 3 of 15Burns· 3 of 15Freezes· 3 of 15Charms· 3 of 15Earth Wall
Raises a rock wall that blocks walkers, flyers and shots.
Summons or placesRed Wall
Raises a wall that damages whoever touches it; some also heal.
Summons or placesDamages· 16 of 19Heals· 3 of 19Fireball
Fires a shot that damages the enemy it reaches; some also push them back, burn, or freeze.
DamagesKnocks down or back· 9 of 37Burns· 8 of 37Freezes· 8 of 37Weakens· 3 of 37Light Lance
Fires a beam that damages and weakens the enemy it reaches.
DamagesWeakens· 3 of 6Blows a bubble that damages and slows or roots the enemy it reaches.
DamagesSlows or rootsFire Whirl
Sends a whirlwind that damages the enemies it passes through.
DamagesWind Arrow
Shoots an arrow that damages the enemies it passes through.
DamagesExplosion
Sets off an explosion that damages everyone nearby; some also burn or knock them down.
DamagesBurns· 1 of 6Knocks down or back· 1 of 6Unleashes a storm over an area that damages everyone in it and changes the ground; some also heal or weaken.
Damages· 5 of 6Changes the ground· 4 of 6Heals· 1 of 6Weakens· 1 of 6Wind Shards
Sends a cutting whirl that damages everyone in its way; some also knock them down.
DamagesKnocks down or back· 1 of 5Restore
Blows a pure wind over an area that heals everyone in it and changes the ground.
Changes the groundHeals· 3 of 5Ice Storm
Unleashes an ice storm that damages everyone in it; some also knock them down.
DamagesKnocks down or back· 1 of 4Earth Fury
Shakes the ground of an area and damages everyone on it; some also knock them down.
DamagesKnocks down or back· 1 of 4White Light
Brings down a bolt that damages everyone it strikes; some also knock them down.
DamagesKnocks down or back· 2 of 8Ice Maiden
Calls an ice maiden that damages and freezes the enemies around her and changes the ground.
DamagesFreezesChanges the groundDrops a rain of rocks that damages whoever it hits.
DamagesDrops a rain of objects that damages whoever it hits; some also change the ground or freeze.
DamagesChanges the ground· 6 of 19Freezes· 1 of 19Shoots a rain of arrows that damages whoever it hits.
DamagesLight Shot
Shoots a rain of rays that damages whoever it hits and changes the ground.
DamagesChanges the groundFire Armor
Wraps an ally in an aura that protects them and damages the enemies that come close.
DamagesProtectsBarrier
Wraps an ally in a barrier that protects them.
ProtectsSwamp Fog
Fills an area with swamp mist that slows or roots the enemies inside.
Slows or rootsWind Zone
Marks out a zone that speeds up everyone inside; some also protect, strengthen, or change the ground.
Speeds up· 5 of 10Protects· 3 of 10Strengthens· 3 of 10Changes the ground· 3 of 10Weakens· 1 of 10Slows or roots· 1 of 10Heal Light
Heals an ally.
HealsTough Armor
Protects an ally; some also strengthen or speed up.
Protects· 8 of 16Strengthens· 5 of 16Speeds up· 3 of 16Weakens an enemy; some also protect or slow or root.
Weakens· 5 of 6Protects· 1 of 6Slows or roots· 1 of 6Transport
Takes the caster to another point of the field.
Moves unitsDamages and poisons an enemy.
DamagesPoisonsBurn Up
Damages and burns an enemy.
DamagesBurnsRebound
Weakens an enemy.
WeakensDisarms an enemy.
Stops attacksTake Light
Damages an enemy and heals Isaac with what it takes.
DamagesHealsBomb Man
Sends a bomber that blows up and damages whoever is close.
DamagesFire Aura
Protects an ally.
ProtectsFire Warmth
Heals an ally; some also protect, strengthen, or speed up.
HealsProtects· 1 of 13Strengthens· 1 of 13Speeds up· 1 of 13Purge Curse
Heals an ally.
HealsMad Warrior
Strengthens an ally.
StrengthensMagic Up
Heals and protects an ally.
HealsProtectsFire Curse
Weakens an enemy.
WeakensPower Down
Weakens an enemy; some also slow or root.
Weakens· 15 of 18Slows or roots· 3 of 18Betrayal
Charms an enemy; some also weaken.
CharmsWeakens· 1 of 3Weakens an enemy.
WeakensPeace Call
Disarms an enemy.
Stops attacksSleep Call
Puts an enemy to sleep.
Puts to sleepFire Dance
Isaac dances next to an enemy and hits it with his steps.
DamagesFairy Trick
Protects the allies in an area.
ProtectsSets a trap that captures the enemy that steps in.
CapturesSummons or placesDrops a tub that takes a little HP and wakes up whoever it hits.
DamagesHealsSummons or placesRage Trap
Lays a mine that damages and knocks down the enemy that steps on it.
DamagesKnocks down or backSummons or placesFire Wyrm
Summons a dragon that damages the enemies it touches.
DamagesSummons or placesStops time in an area and damages and freezes everyone in it.
DamagesFreezesDrops a meteor that damages everyone it lands on.
DamagesFloods an area and damages everyone in it.
DamagesStrikes the flying units in an area and damages them.
DamagesShakes the ground under the walking units in an area, damaging them and knocking them down.
DamagesKnocks down or backFires a homing missile that damages the enemy it reaches.
DamagesFreezes an enemy.
FreezesStrengthens the allies and weakens the enemies in an area.
StrengthensWeakensSwaps Isaac’s HP with an enemy’s.
DamagesIsaac shoots himself at an enemy, damaging it and knocking it down.
DamagesKnocks down or backMoves unitsHeals an ally.
HealsHeals an ally with HP taken from the enemies.
HealsBrings the allies next to Isaac.
Moves unitsDamages the unit the cursor stops on and the ones around it.
DamagesHeals an ally with HP taken from the other allies.
HealsLifts an enemy into the air; when it lands, it damages and burns the units nearby.
DamagesBurns
No family does that with that element.
Grouped by the effect class and subkind of each spell in the game’s data, as the research did; the notes come from reading the code, not from playing.