Gestalt Alterguardian Projectile

Based on game build 714014 | Last updated: 2026-03-05

Overview

gestalt_alterguardian_projectile is aPrefab generator function that produces fast-moving, flying entities used by Gestalt’s alterguardian variants in DST. These projectiles are spawned as short-lived combat units that fly toward a target position, hunt enemies within range, and deal damage via direct combat or non-combat interactions (e.g., sanity drain, grogginess, or sleepiness). They rely heavily on the combat, sanityaura, and follower components, and support multiple subclasses (gestalt, small guard, hat guard, large guard, and planting visual) with varying stats, scales, and targeting logic.

Usage example

local inst = SpawnPrefab("smallguard_alterguardian_projectile")
inst.Transform:SetPosition(x, y, z)
inst.SetTargetPosition(inst, target_pos) -- Optional: sets the destination/track point
inst:SetProjectileDistance(10, my_callback) -- For custom projectiles only

Dependencies & tags

Components used: combat, sanityaura, follower, transparentonsanity, health, grogginess, sleeper, sanity
Tags added: brightmare, NOBLOCK, NOCLICK, lunar_aligned, and subclass-specific tags such as brightmare_gestalt, brightmare_guard, crazy, extinguisher, _health, _combat

Properties

Property	Type	Default Value	Description
attack_speed	number	TUNING.ALTERGUARDIAN_PROJECTILE_SPEED	Forward motor speed (X-axis override), modified per subclass scale.
attack_speed_mod	number	1	Dynamic multiplier applied during flight (set via SetProjectileDistance).
_no_combat_gestalt	boolean	false	If true, disables periodic attack tasks during flight.
find_attack_victim	function	default_find_attack_victim	Function used to locate the nearest valid target within range.
blobhead	Entity	nil (client-only)	Reference to the spawned head FX entity used for transparency effects.
persists	boolean	false	Indicates the projectile does not save to world.
scrapbook_hide	table	{"angry"}	Animation layers hidden in scrapbook.

Main functions

SetTargetPosition(inst, target_pos)

• Description: Sets the internal _target_pos reference used during flight control and final positioning. Used to guide the projectile to a destination before attack state.
• Parameters: inst (Entity), target_pos (Vector3 or location object with :Get()) — destination position.
• Returns: Nothing.

attack_behaviour(inst, target)

• Description: Executes combat or alternative effects (sanity/grogginess/sleepiness) on the target, depending on its components and state (e.g., not knocked out or asleep).
• Parameters: inst (Entity), target (Entity) — the entity being attacked.
• Returns: true if any attack effect was applied, false if attack was blocked or invalid.
• Error states: May return false if CanBeAttacked fails or no compatible component is present.

try_attack(inst)

• Description: Queries for a valid attack victim using find_attack_victim and invokes attack_behaviour if one is found. Cancels the scheduled stop motion task to immediately end flight.
• Parameters: inst (Entity).
• Returns: Nothing.
• Error states: No-op if no victim found or combat is missing and no applicable target components exist.

SetProjectileDistance(inst, dist, callback)

• Description: Adjusts attack_speed_mod and registers a callback for the exact landing position and final animation transition. Used for visual planting effects (e.g., in gestalt_evolved_planting_visual_projectile).
• Parameters:
  • dist (number) — desired travel distance before stopping.
  • callback (function) — called after motion ends and position locked.
• Returns: Nothing.
• Error states: Only applies to subclasses that support custom distance (i.e., plantingvisualfn).

Events & listeners

• Listens to: animover — triggers on_anim_over to handle emergence completion, animation transitions, and cleanup.
• Pushes: None directly. However, attacked is pushed on the target entity when non-combat damage is applied.
• Callbacks:
  • OnEntitySleep — schedules removal if entity sleeps.
  • OnEntityWake — cancels scheduled removal on wake.