Bring a little more life to your game with free pixel art effects from pixelfx. Explore slashes, spells, projectiles and more, then download the sprite sheets and animation data.
56 curated effectsTransparent PNG + JSONFree to downloadMIT licensed
THE COLLECTION
Find your next finishing touch.
Explore combat effects, spells, impacts, pickups and atmosphere. Each ZIP includes a transparent sprite sheet, JSON timing data and the original license notices.
The downloaded effect is a separate animation. Place it in your scene and choose when to play it; it does not automatically follow a character.
01 / DOWNLOAD
Unpack the ZIP
Keep the PNG and JSON together. The JSON lists each frame rectangle and duration. Use the included license and notices when redistributing the files.
02 / GODOT
Create an animation
In AnimatedSprite2D, create a SpriteFrames resource and add frames from the sprite sheet. Match the grid and playback rate to the JSON; choose loop for looping effects. Set the texture filter to Nearest for crisp pixels.
03 / UNITY
Slice and play
Set the PNG texture type to Sprite (2D and UI), choose Multiple, then slice the sheet in Sprite Editor using the frame dimensions from the JSON. Create an animation from the frames and match the timing; use Point filtering to preserve pixel edges.
COMBINE IN YOUR EDITOR
Give a swing its moment.
Match a standalone effect to the attack, rather than keeping it attached throughout every movement. These steps use your own animation editor or game engine.
01 / PREPARE
Choose the motion and effect
Use a complete attack animation and download an effect that suits its direction and style. Import the PNG and use the JSON frame sizes and durations to set up the effect animation. Keep the character and effect as separate layers.
02 / POSITION & TIMING
Place it at the swing
Find the frames where the weapon begins to swing. Position and, if needed, mirror or resize the effect near the blade; start it at that moment and stop it when the effect ends. Play the complete attack and adjust until the direction and timing make sense. A fixed position is only suitable when the action and camera allow it.
03 / CHOOSE A WORKFLOW
Compose or trigger it
In Aseprite, put the character and effect on separate timeline layers and place the effect on the intended frames. In Godot or Unity, keep the effect as a separate animated object and trigger it at the attack moment with an animation track or event. Preview the result in your project and adjust placement and timing there.
Watch the whole action, including the wind-up and recovery. Check that the effect does not hide the character or look detached, and that its pixel style and transparency suit your game. If the blade travels far, adjust the effect or use a moving anchor in your engine.
CREDITS & LICENSE
Made by Patch. Shared with care.
These effects come from the open-source pixelfx library by Patch. The code and effects are available under the MIT License, including commercial use. Retain the copyright and permission notice when redistributing the files. Some effects include upstream attribution; see the included notices.
Sprite sheets are rendered from pixelfx at 12 frames per second. Some effects include translucent glow or soft edges; inspect them against your game’s pixel-art requirements. The gallery previews may repeat for display.
