Hi,
I am writing my own engine in DirectX using SharpDX for a game I am making. So far I have a running engine, that can render characters, animate them... they can do fighting moves etc. I need to make my characters to do some attacks and I need to do effects like shooting firebals, cover a character in flames, get fire to envelope characters hands, shooting lightning, paralized effect (electrified effect on character) or air slashed, air flow covering body, water bolts, etc.
How would one achieve these effects and what approaches could one take? Particle system? Using transparent textures? Shader techniques? Or do the work in a modeling program and then try to get the effect to the engine?
I am also thinking about effects like a dragon head (modelled in a modeling program like Maya) made of fire/water... something like Water Dragon Attack or something, y'know.
I will be glad for any tips, pointers... thank you in advance.