diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
index 47502fd71..68d4ac85d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
 #include <map>
 #include <set>
 
+#include <osg/ref_ptr>
+#include <osg/Node>
+
 #include <components/esm/cellid.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
@@ -534,7 +537,7 @@ namespace MWBase
             /// Spawn a blood effect for \a ptr at \a worldPosition
             virtual void spawnBloodEffect (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, const osg::Vec3f& worldPosition) = 0;
 
-            virtual void spawnEffect (const std::string& model, const std::string& textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f& worldPos) = 0;
+            virtual void spawnEffect (const std::string& model, const std::string& textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f& worldPos, float scale = 1.f, bool isMagicVFX = true) = 0;
 
             virtual void explodeSpell(const osg::Vec3f& origin, const ESM::EffectList& effects, const MWWorld::Ptr& caster,
                                       const MWWorld::Ptr& ignore, ESM::RangeType rangeType, const std::string& id,
@@ -576,6 +579,8 @@ namespace MWBase
 
             /// Preload VFX associated with this effect list
             virtual void preloadEffects(const ESM::EffectList* effectList) = 0;
+
+            virtual osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> getInstance (const std::string& modelName) = 0;
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
index 68dc17915..29a6d5e3b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
@@ -833,6 +833,7 @@ CharacterController::CharacterController(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr, MWRender::Anim
         refreshCurrentAnims(mIdleState, mMovementState, mJumpState, true);
 
     mAnimation->runAnimation(0.f);
+    mAnimation->updateEffects(0.f);
 
     unpersistAnimationState();
 }
@@ -1996,6 +1997,13 @@ void CharacterController::update(float duration)
     }
 
     osg::Vec3f moved = mAnimation->runAnimation(mSkipAnim ? 0.f : duration);
+
+    // treat player specifically since he is not in rendering mObjects
+    if (mPtr == getPlayer())
+    {
+        mAnimation->updateEffects(mSkipAnim ? 0.f : duration);
+    }
+
     if(duration > 0.0f)
         moved /= duration;
     else
@@ -2191,6 +2199,7 @@ void CharacterController::forceStateUpdate()
     }
 
     mAnimation->runAnimation(0.f);
+    mAnimation->updateEffects(0.f);
 }
 
 CharacterController::KillResult CharacterController::kill()
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
index 7570cb9ba..802020b0e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
@@ -6,8 +6,12 @@
 
 #include <boost/format.hpp>
 
+#include <osg/BoundingBox>
+#include <osg/ComputeBoundsVisitor>
+
 #include <components/misc/rng.hpp>
 #include <components/settings/settings.hpp>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwbase/windowmanager.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/soundmanager.hpp"
@@ -24,6 +28,7 @@
 #include "../mwworld/inventorystore.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/animation.hpp"
+#include "../mwrender/vismask.hpp"
 
 #include "npcstats.hpp"
 #include "actorutil.hpp"
@@ -996,11 +1001,13 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         return true;
     }
 
-    void CastSpell::playSpellCastingEffects(const std::string &spellid){
-       
+    void CastSpell::playSpellCastingEffects(const std::string &spellid)
+    {
         const MWWorld::ESMStore& store = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore();
         const ESM::Spell *spell = store.get<ESM::Spell>().find(spellid);
 
+        std::vector<std::string> addedEffects;
+
         for (std::vector<ESM::ENAMstruct>::const_iterator iter = spell->mEffects.mList.begin();
             iter != spell->mEffects.mList.end(); ++iter)
         {
@@ -1009,18 +1016,72 @@ namespace MWMechanics
 
             MWRender::Animation* animation = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getAnimation(mCaster);
 
-            if (animation && mCaster.getClass().isActor()) // TODO: Non-actors should also create a spell cast vfx even if they are disabled (animation == NULL)
+            const ESM::Static* castStatic;
+
+            if (!effect->mCasting.empty())
+                castStatic = store.get<ESM::Static>().find (effect->mCasting);
+            else
+                castStatic = store.get<ESM::Static>().find ("VFX_DefaultCast");
+
+            // check if the effect was already added
+            if (std::find(addedEffects.begin(), addedEffects.end(), "meshes\\" + castStatic->mModel) != addedEffects.end())
+                continue;
+
+            std::string texture = effect->mParticle;
+
+            float scale = 1.0f;
+            osg::Vec3f pos (mCaster.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3());
+
+            if (animation && mCaster.getClass().isNpc())
             {
-                const ESM::Static* castStatic;
+                // For NOC we should take race height as scaling factor
+                const ESM::NPC *npc = mCaster.get<ESM::NPC>()->mBase;
+                const MWWorld::ESMStore &esmStore =
+                    MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore();
 
-                if (!effect->mCasting.empty())
-                    castStatic = store.get<ESM::Static>().find (effect->mCasting);
-                else
-                    castStatic = store.get<ESM::Static>().find ("VFX_DefaultCast");
+                const ESM::Race *race =
+                    esmStore.get<ESM::Race>().find(npc->mRace);
 
-                std::string texture = effect->mParticle;
+                scale = npc->isMale() ? race->mData.mHeight.mMale : race->mData.mHeight.mFemale;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                std::string casterModel = mCaster.getClass().getModel(mCaster);
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getInstance(casterModel);
 
-                animation->addEffect("meshes\\" + castStatic->mModel, effect->mIndex, false, "", texture);
+                osg::ComputeBoundsVisitor computeBoundsVisitor;
+                computeBoundsVisitor.setTraversalMask(~(MWRender::Mask_ParticleSystem|MWRender::Mask_Effect));
+                model->accept(computeBoundsVisitor);
+                osg::BoundingBox bounds = computeBoundsVisitor.getBoundingBox();
+
+                if (bounds.valid())
+                {
+                    float meshSizeX = std::abs(bounds.xMax() - bounds.xMin());
+                    float meshSizeY = std::abs(bounds.yMax() - bounds.yMin());
+                    float meshSizeZ = std::abs(bounds.zMax() - bounds.zMin());
+
+                    // TODO: take a size of particle or NPC with height and weight = 1.0 as scale = 1.0
+                    float scaleX = meshSizeX/60.f;
+                    float scaleY = meshSizeY/60.f;
+                    float scaleZ = meshSizeZ/120.f;
+
+                    scale = std::max({ scaleX, scaleY, scaleZ });
+
+                    //pos = bounds.center();
+                    //pos[2] = bounds.zMin();
+                }
+            }
+
+            // If the caster has no animation, add the effect directly to the effectManager
+            if (animation)
+            {
+                animation->addEffect("meshes\\" + castStatic->mModel, effect->mIndex, false, "", texture, scale);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // We should set scale for effect manager manually
+                float meshScale = !mCaster.getClass().isActor() ? mCaster.getCellRef().getScale() : 1.0f;
+                MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->spawnEffect("meshes\\" + castStatic->mModel, effect->mParticle, pos, scale * meshScale);
             }
 
             if (animation && !mCaster.getClass().isActor())
@@ -1030,6 +1091,8 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                 "alteration", "conjuration", "destruction", "illusion", "mysticism", "restoration"
             };
 
+            addedEffects.push_back("meshes\\" + castStatic->mModel);
+
             MWBase::SoundManager *sndMgr = MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager();
             if(!effect->mCastSound.empty())
                 sndMgr->playSound3D(mCaster, effect->mCastSound, 1.0f, 1.0f);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
index 1bd839ead..1b508e593 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 #include <osg/MatrixTransform>
 #include <osg/BlendFunc>
 #include <osg/Material>
+#include <osg/ComputeBoundsVisitor>
+#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 
 #include <osgParticle/ParticleSystem>
 #include <osgParticle/ParticleProcessor>
@@ -1115,8 +1117,6 @@ namespace MWRender
                 ++stateiter;
         }
 
-        updateEffects(duration);
-
         if (mHeadController)
         {
             const float epsilon = 0.001f;
@@ -1366,7 +1366,7 @@ namespace MWRender
                             useQuadratic, quadraticValue, quadraticRadiusMult, useLinear, linearRadiusMult, linearValue);
     }
 
-    void Animation::addEffect (const std::string& model, int effectId, bool loop, const std::string& bonename, const std::string& texture)
+    void Animation::addEffect (const std::string& model, int effectId, bool loop, const std::string& bonename, const std::string& texture, float scale)
     {
         if (!mObjectRoot.get())
             return;
@@ -1417,7 +1417,13 @@ namespace MWRender
 
         overrideFirstRootTexture(texture, mResourceSystem, node);
 
-        // TODO: in vanilla morrowind the effect is scaled based on the host object's bounding box.
+        osg::Vec3f scale3f (scale, scale, scale);
+
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::PositionAttitudeTransform> trans = new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform;
+        trans->setScale(scale3f);
+        trans->addChild(node);
+        parentNode->removeChild(node);
+        parentNode->addChild(trans);
 
         mEffects.push_back(params);
     }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.hpp
index cff98a4b7..74224c6bd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.hpp
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ public:
      * @param texture override the texture specified in the model's materials - if empty, do not override
      * @note Will not add an effect twice.
      */
-    void addEffect (const std::string& model, int effectId, bool loop = false, const std::string& bonename = "", const std::string& texture = "");
+    void addEffect (const std::string& model, int effectId, bool loop = false, const std::string& bonename = "", const std::string& texture = "", float scale = 1.0f);
     void removeEffect (int effectId);
     void getLoopingEffects (std::vector<int>& out) const;
 
@@ -446,7 +446,6 @@ public:
 
     void setLoopingEnabled(const std::string &groupname, bool enabled);
 
-    /// This is typically called as part of runAnimation, but may be called manually if needed.
     void updateEffects(float duration);
 
     /// Return a node with the specified name, or NULL if not existing.
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/effectmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/effectmanager.cpp
index 3e785a769..c44c5428a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/effectmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/effectmanager.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ EffectManager::~EffectManager()
 }
 
 void EffectManager::addEffect(const std::string &model, const std::string& textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f &worldPosition, float scale, bool isMagicVFX)
+{
+    osg::Vec3f scale3f (scale, scale, scale);
+
+    addEffect(model, textureOverride, worldPosition, scale3f, isMagicVFX);
+}
+
+void EffectManager::addEffect(const std::string &model, const std::string& textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f &worldPosition, const osg::Vec3f &scale, bool isMagicVFX)
 {
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = mResourceSystem->getSceneManager()->getInstance(model);
 
@@ -40,7 +47,7 @@ void EffectManager::addEffect(const std::string &model, const std::string& textu
 
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::PositionAttitudeTransform> trans = new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform;
     trans->setPosition(worldPosition);
-    trans->setScale(osg::Vec3f(scale, scale, scale));
+    trans->setScale(scale);
     trans->addChild(node);
 
     SceneUtil::AssignControllerSourcesVisitor assignVisitor(effect.mAnimTime);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/effectmanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/effectmanager.hpp
index 5873c00dd..cc1c1b42e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/effectmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/effectmanager.hpp
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ namespace MWRender
 
         /// Add an effect. When it's finished playing, it will be removed automatically.
         void addEffect (const std::string& model, const std::string& textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f& worldPosition, float scale, bool isMagicVFX = true);
+        void addEffect (const std::string &model, const std::string& textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f &worldPosition, const osg::Vec3f &scale3f, bool isMagicVFX);
 
         void update(float dt);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.cpp
index f0a3d2e38..523f1774c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.cpp
@@ -138,6 +138,14 @@ bool Objects::removeObject (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr)
     return false;
 }
 
+void Objects::updateEffects(float duration)
+{
+    for(PtrAnimationMap::iterator iter = mObjects.begin();iter != mObjects.end();)
+    {
+        iter->second->updateEffects(duration);
+        ++iter;
+    }
+}
 
 void Objects::removeCell(const MWWorld::CellStore* store)
 {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.hpp
index 659853763..e97395213 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.hpp
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ public:
     bool removeObject (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr);
     ///< \return found?
 
+    void updateEffects(float duration);
+
     void removeCell(const MWWorld::CellStore* store);
 
     /// Updates containing cell for object rendering data
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
index 6f0ddba3a..e5933a72a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
@@ -557,6 +557,7 @@ namespace MWRender
             mEffectManager->update(dt);
             mSky->update(dt);
             mWater->update(dt);
+            mObjects->updateEffects(dt);
         }
 
         mCamera->update(dt, paused);
@@ -841,9 +842,11 @@ namespace MWRender
         mObjects->updatePtr(old, updated);
     }
 
-    void RenderingManager::spawnEffect(const std::string &model, const std::string &texture, const osg::Vec3f &worldPosition, float scale, bool isMagicVFX)
+    void RenderingManager::spawnEffect(const std::string &model, const std::string& texture, const osg::Vec3f &worldPosition, float scale, bool isMagicVFX)
     {
-        mEffectManager->addEffect(model, texture, worldPosition, scale, isMagicVFX);
+        osg::Vec3f scale3f (scale, scale, scale);
+
+        mEffectManager->addEffect(model, texture, worldPosition, scale3f, isMagicVFX);
     }
 
     void RenderingManager::notifyWorldSpaceChanged()
@@ -1122,6 +1125,12 @@ namespace MWRender
             updateProjectionMatrix();
         }
     }
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> RenderingManager::getInstance(const std::string& modelName)
+    {
+        return mResourceSystem->getSceneManager()->getInstance(modelName);
+    }
+
     void RenderingManager::exportSceneGraph(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr, const std::string &filename, const std::string &format)
     {
         osg::Node* node = mViewer->getSceneData();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
index 1c689d29f..7a570f249 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
@@ -205,6 +205,8 @@ namespace MWRender
 
         LandManager* getLandManager() const;
 
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> getInstance(const std::string& modelName);
+
     private:
         void updateProjectionMatrix();
         void updateTextureFiltering();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/miscextensions.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/miscextensions.cpp
index 59f2cc9c6..243ba7b7e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/miscextensions.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/miscextensions.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <components/esm/loadcrea.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
+#include "../mwbase/mechanicsmanager.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/windowmanager.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/scriptmanager.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/world.hpp"
@@ -1051,6 +1052,7 @@ namespace MWScript
                 MWWorld::Ptr target = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPtr (targetId, false);
 
                 MWMechanics::CastSpell cast(ptr, target);
+                cast.playSpellCastingEffects(spell);
                 cast.mHitPosition = target.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3();
                 cast.mAlwaysSucceed = true;
                 cast.cast(spell);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index 6cf1ead87..bbca8a46e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -1535,6 +1535,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
     }
 
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> World::getInstance (const std::string& modelName)
+    {
+        return mRendering->getInstance(modelName);
+    }
+
     const ESM::Potion *World::createRecord (const ESM::Potion& record)
     {
         return mStore.insert(record);
@@ -3324,9 +3329,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
         mRendering->spawnEffect(model, texture, worldPosition, 1.0f, false);
     }
 
-    void World::spawnEffect(const std::string &model, const std::string &textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f &worldPos)
+    void World::spawnEffect(const std::string &model, const std::string &textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f &worldPos, float scale, bool isMagicVFX)
     {
-        mRendering->spawnEffect(model, textureOverride, worldPos);
+        mRendering->spawnEffect(model, textureOverride, worldPos, scale, isMagicVFX);
     }
 
     void World::explodeSpell(const osg::Vec3f& origin, const ESM::EffectList& effects, const Ptr& caster, const Ptr& ignore, ESM::RangeType rangeType,
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
index 0d168c912..023d91bca 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             /// Spawn a blood effect for \a ptr at \a worldPosition
             void spawnBloodEffect (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, const osg::Vec3f& worldPosition) override;
 
-            void spawnEffect (const std::string& model, const std::string& textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f& worldPos) override;
+            void spawnEffect (const std::string& model, const std::string& textureOverride, const osg::Vec3f& worldPos, float scale = 1.f, bool isMagicVFX = true) override;
 
             void explodeSpell(const osg::Vec3f& origin, const ESM::EffectList& effects, const MWWorld::Ptr& caster, const MWWorld::Ptr& ignore,
                                       ESM::RangeType rangeType, const std::string& id, const std::string& sourceName,
@@ -680,6 +680,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
             /// Preload VFX associated with this effect list
             void preloadEffects(const ESM::EffectList* effectList) override;
+
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> getInstance (const std::string& modelName);
     };
 }