diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
index 71b1702e8..1fb22ce63 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
@@ -776,24 +776,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
     {
         if(!paused)
         {
-            // Note: we need to do this before any of the animations are updated.
-            // Reaching the text keys may trigger Hit / Spellcast (and as such, particles),
-            // so updating VFX immediately after that would just remove the particle effects instantly.
-            // There needs to be a magic effect update in between.
-            for(PtrControllerMap::iterator iter(mActors.begin());iter != mActors.end();++iter)
-                iter->second->updateContinuousVfx();
-
-            for(PtrControllerMap::iterator iter(mActors.begin());iter != mActors.end();++iter)
-            {
-                if (iter->first.getClass().getCreatureStats(iter->first).getMagicEffects().get(
-                            ESM::MagicEffect::Paralyze).mMagnitude > 0)
-                    iter->second->skipAnim();
-                iter->second->update(duration);
-            }
-        }
-
-        if (!paused)
-        {
+            // Reset data from previous frame
             for (PtrControllerMap::iterator iter(mActors.begin()); iter != mActors.end(); ++iter)
             {
                 // Reset last hit object, which is only valid for one frame
@@ -802,6 +785,35 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                 iter->first.getClass().getCreatureStats(iter->first).setLastHitObject(std::string());
             }
 
+            // AI and magic effects update
+            for(PtrControllerMap::iterator iter(mActors.begin());iter != mActors.end();++iter)
+            {
+                if (!iter->first.getClass().getCreatureStats(iter->first).isDead())
+                {
+                    updateActor(iter->first, duration);
+                    if(iter->first.getTypeName() == typeid(ESM::NPC).name())
+                        updateNpc(iter->first, duration, paused);
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Looping magic VFX update
+            // Note: we need to do this before any of the animations are updated.
+            // Reaching the text keys may trigger Hit / Spellcast (and as such, particles),
+            // so updating VFX immediately after that would just remove the particle effects instantly.
+            // There needs to be a magic effect update in between.
+            for(PtrControllerMap::iterator iter(mActors.begin());iter != mActors.end();++iter)
+                iter->second->updateContinuousVfx();
+
+            // Animation/movement update
+            for(PtrControllerMap::iterator iter(mActors.begin());iter != mActors.end();++iter)
+            {
+                if (iter->first.getClass().getCreatureStats(iter->first).getMagicEffects().get(
+                            ESM::MagicEffect::Paralyze).mMagnitude > 0)
+                    iter->second->skipAnim();
+                iter->second->update(duration);
+            }
+
+            // Kill dead actors
             for(PtrControllerMap::iterator iter(mActors.begin());iter != mActors.end();iter++)
             {
                 const MWWorld::Class &cls = MWWorld::Class::get(iter->first);
@@ -812,10 +824,6 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                     if(iter->second->isDead())
                         iter->second->resurrect();
 
-                    updateActor(iter->first, duration);
-                    if(iter->first.getTypeName() == typeid(ESM::NPC).name())
-                        updateNpc(iter->first, duration, paused);
-
                     if(!stats.isDead())
                         continue;
                 }