diff --git a/plugin/src/main/java/com/denizenscript/denizen/scripts/commands/world/PlayEffectCommand.java b/plugin/src/main/java/com/denizenscript/denizen/scripts/commands/world/PlayEffectCommand.java
index 2da37c6516..5c0a842e80 100644
--- a/plugin/src/main/java/com/denizenscript/denizen/scripts/commands/world/PlayEffectCommand.java
+++ b/plugin/src/main/java/com/denizenscript/denizen/scripts/commands/world/PlayEffectCommand.java
@@ -10,17 +10,12 @@
 import com.denizenscript.denizencore.exceptions.InvalidArgumentsException;
 import com.denizenscript.denizencore.objects.Argument;
 import com.denizenscript.denizencore.objects.ObjectTag;
-import com.denizenscript.denizencore.objects.core.ColorTag;
-import com.denizenscript.denizencore.objects.core.DurationTag;
-import com.denizenscript.denizencore.objects.core.ElementTag;
-import com.denizenscript.denizencore.objects.core.ListTag;
+import com.denizenscript.denizencore.objects.core.*;
 import com.denizenscript.denizencore.scripts.ScriptEntry;
 import com.denizenscript.denizencore.scripts.commands.AbstractCommand;
 import com.denizenscript.denizencore.utilities.CoreUtilities;
 import com.denizenscript.denizencore.utilities.debugging.Debug;
-import org.bukkit.Effect;
-import org.bukkit.Particle;
-import org.bukkit.Vibration;
+import org.bukkit.*;
 import org.bukkit.block.data.BlockData;
 import org.bukkit.entity.Player;
 import org.bukkit.inventory.ItemStack;
@@ -40,7 +35,7 @@ public class PlayEffectCommand extends AbstractCommand {
 
     public PlayEffectCommand() {
         setName("playeffect");
-        setSyntax("playeffect [effect:<name>] [at:<location>|...] (data:<#.#>) (special_data:<data>) (visibility:<#.#>) (quantity:<#>) (offset:<#.#>,<#.#>,<#.#>) (targets:<player>|...) (velocity:<vector>)");
+        setSyntax("playeffect [effect:<name>] [at:<location>|...] (data:<#.#>) (special_data:<map>) (visibility:<#.#>) (quantity:<#>) (offset:<#.#>,<#.#>,<#.#>) (targets:<player>|...) (velocity:<vector>)");
         setRequiredArguments(2, 8);
         isProcedural = false;
     }
@@ -59,7 +54,7 @@ public PlayEffectCommand() {
 
     // <--[command]
     // @Name PlayEffect
-    // @Syntax playeffect [effect:<name>] [at:<location>|...] (data:<#.#>) (special_data:<data>) (visibility:<#.#>) (quantity:<#>) (offset:<#.#>,<#.#>,<#.#>) (targets:<player>|...) (velocity:<vector>)
+    // @Syntax playeffect [effect:<name>] [at:<location>|...] (data:<#.#>) (special_data:<map>) (visibility:<#.#>) (quantity:<#>) (offset:<#.#>,<#.#>,<#.#>) (targets:<player>|...) (velocity:<vector>)
     // @Required 2
     // @Maximum 8
     // @Short Plays a visible or audible effect at the location.
@@ -80,12 +75,16 @@ public PlayEffectCommand() {
     // The distinction is in whether you include the (now expected to use) "at:" prefix on your location argument.
     // If you do not have this prefix, the system will assume your command is older, and will apply the 1-block height offset.
     //
-    // Some particles will require input to the "special_data" argument. The data input is unique per particle.
-    // - For REDSTONE particles, the input is of format: <size>|<color>, for example: "1.2|red". Color input is any valid ColorTag object.
-    // - For DUST_COLOR_TRANSITION particles, the input is of format <size>|<from_color>|<to_color>, for example "1.2|red|blue". Color input is any valid ColorTag object.
-    // - For BLOCK_MARKER, FALLING_DUST, BLOCK_CRACK, or BLOCK_DUST particles, the input is any valid MaterialTag, eg "stone".
-    // - For VIBRATION, the input is <duration>|<origin>|<destination> where origin is a LocationTag and destination is either LocationTag or EntityTag, for example "5s|<context.location>|<player>"
-    // - For ITEM_CRACK particles, the input is any valid ItemTag, eg "stick".
+    // Some particles will require input to the "special_data" argument. The data input is a MapTag with different keys per particle.
+    // - For DUST particles, the input is of format [size=<size>;color=<color>], e.g. "[size=1.2;color=red]".
+    // - For DUST_COLOR_TRANSITION particles, the input is of format [size=<size>;from=<color>;to=<color>], e.g "[size=1.2;from=red;to=blue]".
+    // - For BLOCK, BLOCK_CRUMBLE, BLOCK_MARKER, DUST_PILLAR, or FALLING_DUST particles, the input is of format [material=<material>], e.g. [material=stone]
+    // - For VIBRATION particles, the input is of format [origin=<location>;destination=<location/entity>;duration=<duration>], for example: [origin=<player.location>;destination=<player.cursor_on>;duration=5s]
+    // - For ITEM particles, the input is of format [item=<item>], e.g. "[item=stick]".
+    // - For TRAIL particles, the input is of format [color=<color>;target=<location>;duration=<duration>], e.g. "[color=red;target=<player.cursor_on>;duration=20s]".
+    // - For ENTITY_EFFECT particles, the input is of format [color=<color>], e.g. "[color=green]".
+    // - For SHRIEK particles, the input is of format [duration=<duration>], e.g. "[duration=1m]".
+    // - For SCULK_CHARGE particles, the input is of format [radians=<element>], e.g. "[radians=<element[90].to_radians>]".
     //
     // Optionally specify a velocity vector for standard particles to move. Note that this ignores the 'data' input if used.
     //
@@ -104,6 +103,26 @@ public PlayEffectCommand() {
     // @Usage
     // Use to play some effects at spawn.
     // - playeffect effect:FIREWORKS_SPARK at:<world[world].spawn_location> visibility:100 quantity:375 data:0 offset:50.0
+    //
+    // @Usage
+    // Use to spawn a cloud of rainbow-colored ENTITY_EFFECT particles around yourself.
+    // - foreach <util.color_names> as:color:
+    //     - playeffect effect:ENTITY_EFFECT at:<player.eye_location> quantity:25 special_data:[color=<[color]>]
+    //
+    // @Usage
+    // Use to shoot particles in to the direction you're looking at.
+    // - repeat 10:
+    //     - playeffect effect:TRAIL at:<player.eye_location> quantity:1 offset:0 special_data:[color=red;target=<player.eye_location.ray_trace[default=air]>;duration=5s]
+    //     - wait 1t
+    //
+    // @Usage
+    // Use to spawn a SCULK_CHARGE effect upside down.
+    // - playeffect effect:SCULK_CHARGE at:<player.eye_location.add[0,1,0]> quantity:1 offset:0 special_data:[radians=<element[180].to_radians>]
+    //
+    // @Usage
+    // Use to play a SHRIEK effect with a 5-second delay.
+    // - playeffect effect:SHRIEK at:<player.eye_location.add[0,1,0]> quantity:1 special_data:[duration=5s]
+    //
     // -->
 
     @Override
@@ -292,62 +311,178 @@ else if (particleEffect != null) {
                         Debug.echoError("Missing required special data for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
                         return;
                     }
-                    else if (clazz == Particle.DustOptions.class) {
+                    MapTag dataMap = MapTag.valueOf(special_data.asString(), scriptEntry.getContext());
+                    if (dataMap == null) {
                         ListTag dataList = ListTag.valueOf(special_data.asString(), scriptEntry.getContext());
-                        if (dataList.size() != 2) {
-                            Debug.echoError("DustOptions special_data must have 2 list entries for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
-                            return;
-                        }
-                        else {
+                        BukkitImplDeprecations.playEffectSpecialDataListInput.warn(scriptEntry.getContext());
+                        if (clazz == Particle.DustOptions.class) {
+                            if (dataList.size() != 2) {
+                                Debug.echoError("DustOptions special_data must have 2 list entries for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
                             float size = Float.parseFloat(dataList.get(0));
                             ColorTag color = ColorTag.valueOf(dataList.get(1), scriptEntry.context);
                             dataObject = new Particle.DustOptions(BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(color), size);
                         }
-                    }
-                    else if (clazz == BlockData.class) {
-                        MaterialTag blockMaterial = MaterialTag.valueOf(special_data.asString(), scriptEntry.getContext());
-                        dataObject = blockMaterial.getModernData();
-                    }
-                    else if (clazz == ItemStack.class) {
-                        ItemTag itemType = ItemTag.valueOf(special_data.asString(), scriptEntry.getContext());
-                        dataObject = itemType.getItemStack();
-                    }
-                    else if (clazz == Particle.DustTransition.class) {
-                        ListTag dataList = ListTag.valueOf(special_data.asString(), scriptEntry.getContext());
-                        if (dataList.size() != 3) {
-                            Debug.echoError("DustTransition special_data must have 3 list entries for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
-                            return;
+                        else if (clazz == BlockData.class) {
+                            MaterialTag blockMaterial = MaterialTag.valueOf(special_data.asString(), scriptEntry.getContext());
+                            dataObject = blockMaterial.getModernData();
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == ItemStack.class) {
+                            ItemTag itemType = ItemTag.valueOf(special_data.asString(), scriptEntry.getContext());
+                            dataObject = itemType.getItemStack();
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == Particle.DustTransition.class) {
+                            if (dataList.size() != 3) {
+                                Debug.echoError("DustTransition special_data must have 3 list entries for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            else {
+                                float size = Float.parseFloat(dataList.get(0));
+                                ColorTag fromColor = ColorTag.valueOf(dataList.get(1), scriptEntry.context);
+                                ColorTag toColor = ColorTag.valueOf(dataList.get(2), scriptEntry.context);
+                                dataObject = new Particle.DustTransition(BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(fromColor), BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(toColor), size);
+                            }
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == Vibration.class) {
+                            if (dataList.size() != 3) {
+                                Debug.echoError("Vibration special_data must have 3 list entries for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            else {
+                                DurationTag duration = dataList.getObject(0).asType(DurationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                                LocationTag origin = dataList.getObject(1).asType(LocationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                                ObjectTag destination = dataList.getObject(2);
+                                Vibration.Destination destObj;
+                                if (destination.shouldBeType(EntityTag.class)) {
+                                    destObj = new Vibration.Destination.EntityDestination(destination.asType(EntityTag.class, scriptEntry.context).getBukkitEntity());
+                                }
+                                else {
+                                    destObj = new Vibration.Destination.BlockDestination(destination.asType(LocationTag.class, scriptEntry.context));
+                                }
+                                dataObject = new Vibration(origin, destObj, duration.getTicksAsInt());
+                            }
                         }
                         else {
-                            float size = Float.parseFloat(dataList.get(0));
-                            ColorTag fromColor = ColorTag.valueOf(dataList.get(1), scriptEntry.context);
-                            ColorTag toColor = ColorTag.valueOf(dataList.get(2), scriptEntry.context);
-                            dataObject = new Particle.DustTransition(BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(fromColor), BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(toColor), size);
+                            Debug.echoError("Unknown particle data type: " + clazz.getCanonicalName() + " for particle: " + particleEffect.name() + ". Are you sure it exists and are not using a legacy format?");
+                            return;
                         }
                     }
-                    else if (clazz == Vibration.class) {
-                        ListTag dataList = ListTag.valueOf(special_data.asString(), scriptEntry.getContext());
-                        if (dataList.size() != 3) {
-                            Debug.echoError("Vibration special_data must have 3 list entries for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
-                            return;
+                    else {
+                        if (clazz == Particle.DustOptions.class) {
+                            ElementTag size = dataMap.getObjectAs("size", ElementTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (size == null || !size.isFloat()) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'size' key with a valid number, for particle " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            ColorTag color = dataMap.getObjectAs("color", ColorTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (color == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'color' key with a valid ColorTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            dataObject = new Particle.DustOptions(BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(color), size.asFloat());
                         }
-                        else {
-                            DurationTag duration = dataList.getObject(0).asType(DurationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
-                            LocationTag origin = dataList.getObject(1).asType(LocationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
-                            ObjectTag destination = dataList.getObject(2);
+                        else if (clazz == BlockData.class) {
+                            MaterialTag blockMaterial = dataMap.getObjectAs("material", MaterialTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (blockMaterial == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'material' key with a valid MaterialTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            dataObject = blockMaterial.getModernData();
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == ItemStack.class) {
+                            ItemTag itemType = dataMap.getObjectAs("item", ItemTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (itemType == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'item' key with a valid ItemTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            dataObject = itemType.getItemStack();
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == Particle.DustTransition.class) {
+                            ElementTag size = dataMap.getObjectAs("size", ElementTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (size == null || !size.isFloat()) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'size' key with a valid number, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            ColorTag fromColor = dataMap.getObjectAs("from", ColorTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            ColorTag toColor = dataMap.getObjectAs("to", ColorTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (fromColor == null || toColor == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'to' and 'size' key with a valid ColorTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            dataObject = new Particle.DustTransition(BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(fromColor), BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(toColor), size.asFloat());
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == Vibration.class) {
+                            DurationTag duration = dataMap.getObjectAs("duration", DurationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (duration == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'duration' key with a valid LocationTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            LocationTag origin = dataMap.getObjectAs("origin", LocationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (origin == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'origin' key with a valid LocationTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            ObjectTag destination = dataMap.getObjectAs("destination", ObjectTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
                             Vibration.Destination destObj;
                             if (destination.shouldBeType(EntityTag.class)) {
                                 destObj = new Vibration.Destination.EntityDestination(destination.asType(EntityTag.class, scriptEntry.context).getBukkitEntity());
                             }
-                            else {
+                            else if (destination.shouldBeType(LocationTag.class)){
                                 destObj = new Vibration.Destination.BlockDestination(destination.asType(LocationTag.class, scriptEntry.context));
                             }
+                            else {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'destination' key with a valid LocationTag or EntityTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
                             dataObject = new Vibration(origin, destObj, duration.getTicksAsInt());
                         }
-                    }
-                    else {
-                        Debug.echoError("Unknown particle data type: " + clazz.getCanonicalName() + " for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
-                        return;
+                        else if (clazz == Particle.Trail.class) {
+                            ColorTag color = dataMap.getObjectAs("color", ColorTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (color == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'color' key with a valid ColorTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            LocationTag target = dataMap.getObjectAs("target", LocationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (target == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'target' key with a valid LocationTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            DurationTag duration = dataMap.getObjectAs("duration", DurationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (duration == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'duration' key with a valid DurationTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            dataObject = new Particle.Trail(target, BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(color), duration.getTicksAsInt());
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == Color.class) {
+                            ColorTag color = dataMap.getObjectAs("color", ColorTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (!dataMap.getObject("color").canBeType(ColorTag.class)) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'color' key with a valid ColorTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            dataObject = BukkitColorExtensions.getColor(color);
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == Integer.class) {
+                            DurationTag duration = dataMap.getObjectAs("duration", DurationTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (duration == null) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'duration' key with a valid DurationTag, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            dataObject = duration.getTicksAsInt();
+                        }
+                        else if (clazz == Float.class) {
+                            ElementTag radians = dataMap.getObjectAs("radians", ElementTag.class, scriptEntry.context);
+                            if (radians == null || !radians.isFloat()) {
+                                Debug.echoError("special_data input must have a 'radians' key with a valid number, for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            dataObject = radians.asFloat();
+                        }
+                        else {
+                            Debug.echoError("Unknown particle data type: " + clazz.getCanonicalName() + " for particle: " + particleEffect.name());
+                            return;
+                        }
                     }
                 }
                 else if (special_data != null) {
diff --git a/plugin/src/main/java/com/denizenscript/denizen/utilities/BukkitImplDeprecations.java b/plugin/src/main/java/com/denizenscript/denizen/utilities/BukkitImplDeprecations.java
index 235cc0d677..d7e3d01336 100644
--- a/plugin/src/main/java/com/denizenscript/denizen/utilities/BukkitImplDeprecations.java
+++ b/plugin/src/main/java/com/denizenscript/denizen/utilities/BukkitImplDeprecations.java
@@ -446,6 +446,9 @@ public class BukkitImplDeprecations {
     // Added 2025/01/12
     public static Warning arrowBasePotionType = new FutureWarning("arrowBasePotionType", "Using 'EntityTag.potion' to get an arrow's base potion type is deprecated in favor of 'EntityTag.potion_type'.");
 
+    // Added 2025/01/04
+    public static Warning playEffectSpecialDataListInput = new FutureWarning("playEffectSpecialDataListInput", "List input for the special_data argument in playeffect command is now deprecated. Please use a MapTag instead.");
+
     // ==================== PAST deprecations of things that are already gone but still have a warning left behind ====================
 
     // Removed upstream 2023/10/29 without warning.