hey, i have two other particle-based questions:
1. is it possible to have a particle that goes in a circle? like an orb going around a battlemage or something (and i dont mean adding it to the model)
2. and can i make a pillar of "particles"? like a pillar of light?
I'm not sure this is what you want but:
You can have a splash g3d model. This will be displayed on the target.
That's how omega's Labyrinth White Wizzard attack works and Dark Magic's Allyp attack too.
If you want to have the effect around the unit attacking (not the target which is what I said above gives you)... just model and animate it!
Or... if you're modding for Megaglest, there's the unit particle system ... like the fire of the Fire Golem.
EDIT: Will you (or have you) ever posted anything yet? Models, factions, ...? 'Cause you keep doing interesting questions but I never notice anything you modded out there...?
EDIT #2: I mistakenly type Black Wizzard instead of White... Corrected.