On units
On units: Fire Curse and 11 more
Weakens an enemy.
12 spells the game runs with the same code.
WeakensHow is the total effect worked out?
Total effect: what one unit receives over the whole spell. The real figure depends on who casts and who receives it, so it is worked out for a fixed reference: the caster has magic 30 (Isaac at level 1), the element at level 1–10 and a perfect stroke (quality 1); the receiver has defense and magic defense 0, a neutral element and no weakness or shield; no random factor. “up to” is a maximum that needs every hit to land, or the unit to stay where the spell reaches it; “not confirmed” marks what the code read so far does not settle.
To cast a spell you draw its runes, each in one stroke and each scored on its own: a long stroke with many turns takes longer and gives more chances to slip out of the shape. Each spell shows its runes, drawn from their strokes, with their level (I to III) and how long their strokes are added up, in widths of the rune: the game scales the drawing, so its size on screen does not count. A higher level is usually longer, but not always (Water II is shorter than Wind I).
Best spells · Which spells pay off and why, each with the number behind it. The filters leave only what Isaac already has at hand.
Curse
50 MP
Effect
×2 fire magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Fire
Effect
×2 wind magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Wind
Effect
×2 water magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Water
Effect
×2 earth magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Earth
Effect
×2 dark magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Dark
Effect
×2 light magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Light
Level II
70 MP
Effect
×2 fire magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Fire
Effect
×2 wind magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Wind
Effect
×2 water magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Water
Effect
×2 earth magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Earth
Effect
×2 dark magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Dark
Effect
×2 light magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Light
Fire · Curse
Effect
×2 fire magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Lasts 1 s
Fire · Level II
Effect
×2 fire magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Radius 50 px · Lasts 1 s
Water · Curse
Effect
×2 water magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Lasts 1 s
Water · Level II
Effect
×2 water magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Radius 50 px · Lasts 1 s
Wind · Curse
Effect
×2 wind magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Lasts 1 s
Wind · Level II
Effect
×2 wind magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Radius 50 px · Lasts 1 s
Earth · Curse
Effect
×2 earth magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Lasts 1 s
Earth · Level II
Effect
×2 earth magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Radius 50 px · Lasts 1 s
Light · Curse
Effect
×2 light magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Lasts 1 s
Light · Level II
Effect
×2 light magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Radius 50 px · Lasts 1 s
Dark · Curse
Effect
×2 dark magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 38.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and 2 times with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Lasts 1 s
Dark · Level II
Effect
×2 dark magic damage, 30 s
- Affects
- Enemies
- Status chance
- 100 %
- Status lasts
- 30 s
Per MP
Not applicable: this spell’s effect is not measured in HP, so it cannot be divided by its MP.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
MP
What it costs with the element at level 1–10; with the element at level 41–50 it costs 54.
With Isaac’s full bar he casts it not once in a row with 30 MP (level 1) and once with 130 MP (level 50).
In a battle Isaac recovers 5 MP every 0.5 s, and 1 more for each rise in a row without chanting, up to +5. Each mana crystal of his adds 1 more per rise (2 MP/s). After a chant the first rise comes after 3 s, 0.5 s sooner for each crystal, 0.5 s at least.
Range 120 px · Radius 50 px · Lasts 1 s
Worked out for a caster with magic 30 and a perfect stroke, against defense and magic defense 0, with no random factor. How is it worked out?
Fire Curse
Fire · Curse
Effect
×2 fire magic damage, 30 s
MP
50
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 50
- Runes
- IIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 7.3
Range and area
- Radius
- —
- Aim
- Tap a unit
Blaze Curse
Fire · Level II
Effect
×2 fire magic damage, 30 s
MP
70
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 70
- Runes
- IIIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 8.2
Range and area
- Radius
- 50 px
- Aim
- Draw a circle
Water Curse
Water · Curse
Effect
×2 water magic damage, 30 s
MP
50
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 50
- Runes
- IIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 7.6
Range and area
- Radius
- —
- Aim
- Tap a unit
Ice Grudge
Water · Level II
Effect
×2 water magic damage, 30 s
MP
70
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 70
- Runes
- IIIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 7.7
Range and area
- Radius
- 50 px
- Aim
- Draw a circle
Wind Curse
Wind · Curse
Effect
×2 wind magic damage, 30 s
MP
50
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 50
- Runes
- IIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 7.9
Range and area
- Radius
- —
- Aim
- Tap a unit
Gale Grudge
Wind · Level II
Effect
×2 wind magic damage, 30 s
MP
70
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 70
- Runes
- IIIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 8.9
Range and area
- Radius
- 50 px
- Aim
- Draw a circle
Earth Curse
Earth · Curse
Effect
×2 earth magic damage, 30 s
MP
50
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 50
- Runes
- IIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 7.6
Range and area
- Radius
- —
- Aim
- Tap a unit
Rock Grudge
Earth · Level II
Effect
×2 earth magic damage, 30 s
MP
70
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 70
- Runes
- IIIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 8.5
Range and area
- Radius
- 50 px
- Aim
- Draw a circle
Light Curse
Light · Curse
Effect
×2 light magic damage, 30 s
MP
50
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 50
- Runes
- IIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 7.8
Range and area
- Radius
- —
- Aim
- Tap a unit
Pure Grudge
Light · Level II
Effect
×2 light magic damage, 30 s
MP
70
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 70
- Runes
- IIIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 8.1
Range and area
- Radius
- 50 px
- Aim
- Draw a circle
Dark Curse
Dark · Curse
Effect
×2 dark magic damage, 30 s
MP
50
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 50
- Runes
- IIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 7.0
Range and area
- Radius
- —
- Aim
- Tap a unit
Dark Grudge
Dark · Level II
Effect
×2 dark magic damage, 30 s
MP
70
Cost
- MP (level 1–10)
- 70
- Runes
- IIIII
- Stroke (rune widths)
- 8.6
Range and area
- Radius
- 50 px
- Aim
- Draw a circle
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.