From 3f9a214cb07cb176ad54c74a290696c61d181fd9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Mod Documentation Updater <github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:46:36 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] docs: update modding documentation

---
 docs/concepts/modapi.md  | 35 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 docs/concepts/scaling.md |  2 ++
 2 files changed, 37 insertions(+)

diff --git a/docs/concepts/modapi.md b/docs/concepts/modapi.md
index d6d4b49..665db1a 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/modapi.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/modapi.md
@@ -203,6 +203,41 @@ window.modAPI.actions.startCombat(
 );
 ```
 
+### Technique Effect Reference
+
+The `technique.effects` array supports different effect kinds. This section documents notable fields on each kind.
+
+#### `buffTarget`
+
+Apply a buff to the enemy (or the current combat target):
+
+```typescript
+{
+  kind: 'buffTarget',
+  buff: myBuff,
+  amount: { value: 3 },      // stacks to apply
+  initialState?: Record<string, Scaling>,  // seed buff internal state at application time
+}
+```
+
+- **`initialState`** -- Seeds the created buff's internal state at application time. Each value is a Scaling expression evaluated in the applier's context, so values only known at apply-time (e.g. `absorbed` damage) can be captured into the debuff. The buff's `internalState` then uses these seed values as starting values rather than defaults. Both `CreateBuffTargetEffect` (in `buff.ts`) and `BuffTargetTechniqueEffect` (in `technique.ts`) expose this field. This mirrors the `initialState` already available on the `buffSelf` effect kind.
+
+**Example use case:** a debuff that stores the damage it absorbed so it can repay that amount when the buff expires:
+
+```typescript
+const absorbedDamageTracker: Buff = {
+  name: 'Absorbed Damage Tracker',
+  internalState: { stored: { value: 0 } },
+};
+
+{
+  kind: 'buffTarget',
+  buff: absorbedDamageTracker,
+  amount: { value: 1 },
+  initialState: { stored: { eqn: 'absorbed' } },  // capture absorbed damage at apply time
+}
+```
+
 ### Modifying Existing Locations
 
 Add content to locations that already exist in the game:
diff --git a/docs/concepts/scaling.md b/docs/concepts/scaling.md
index b093214..e2700c0 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/scaling.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/scaling.md
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ Every damage number, healing amount, buff strength, and stat modifier flows thro
 ```typescript
 interface Scaling {
   value: number;          // Base multiplier
+  /** When false, this stat remains active but is omitted from buff tooltips. */
+  tooltipCondition?: string;
   stat?: string;          // Stat to multiply by (see valid stat names below)
   scaling?: string;       // Special scaling mode (e.g. 'stacks', 'consumed', or a buff name)
   eqn?: string;           // Expression MULTIPLIED onto the result