Gestalt Guard

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

Overview

gestalt_guard defines the behavior and rendering logic for a boss-tier nightmare creature in DST. It is a specialized variant of the Gestalt family, designed to aggressively hunt players and shadow creatures. Its targeting logic dynamically evaluates potential targets using a multi-level priority system based on sanity, inventory, and tags. The guard also supports client-side transparency changes based on observer perception and includes logic to extinguish fire and suppress loot drops on specific kills.

Usage example

-- Typical instantiation via Prefab system (not direct component usage)
local guard = Prefab("gestalt_guard", nil, nil, nil)
-- The guard is spawned via world generation or brain logic, not manually added as a component

Dependencies & tags

Components used: sanityaura, locomotor, health, combat, knownlocations, gestaltcapturable, inspectable, transparentonsanity, burnable, lootdropper
Tags: Adds brightmare, brightmare_guard, crazy, NOBLOCK, extinguisher, soulless, lunar_aligned, gestaltcapturable, scarytoprey (conditionally); checks player, gestalt_possessable, gestaltnoloot, and various shadow* tags.

Properties

Property	Type	Default Value	Description
blobhead	Entity or nil	nil	Reference to the attached gestalt_guard_head prefab (client-only).
behaviour_level	number	0	Current targeting level: 0=idle, 1=ignore, 2=watch, 3=attack. Set by Retarget and OnNewCombatTarget.
isguard	boolean	true	Internal flag indicating guard identity.
_notrail	boolean	true	Prevents trail effects from rendering.
_level	NetVar (tinybyte)	1	Networked level value for replication.

Main functions

SetHeadAlpha(inst, a)

• Description: Sets the alpha (transparency) of the attached blobhead entity via multicolour override.
• Parameters: inst (Entity), a (number) — alpha value between 0 (invisible) and 1 (opaque).
• Returns: Nothing.

FindRelocatePoint(inst)

• Description: Computes a walkable point near the spawn location (if within range) or at the home point, using increasing offset radii and fallbacks. Used when the guard needs to reposition.
• Parameters: inst (Entity).
• Returns: Vector (x, z) representing a valid walkable position.
• Error states: Falls back to the spawn point if no walkable offset is found.

GetLevelForTarget(target)

• Description: Assigns a targeting level (1–3) to a given target based on sanity, inventory, and tags. Also returns the current sanity ratio.
• Parameters: target (Entity or nil).
• Returns: level (number), sanity (number) — level=1 (ignore), 2 (watch), 3 (attack); sanity is 0 for non-player targets, else normalized sanity (with penalty) or 1.
• Error states: Returns (1, 1) if target is nil.

Retarget(inst)

• Description: Core retargeting callback. Searches for new targets at aggressive (attack) and passive (watch) ranges using FindEntity, evaluates level, and updates combat state. Triggers droppedtarget if no new target exists.
• Parameters: inst (Entity).
• Returns: target (Entity or nil), changed (boolean) — whether the target changed.
• Error states: Drops current target if no new target is found; does not fire newcombattarget — callers must handle that event.

OnNewCombatTarget(inst, data)

• Description: Event handler called when a new combat target is assigned. Updates behavior level and ensures inspectable and scarytoprey tags are present.
• Parameters: inst (Entity), data (table) — contains target (Entity).
• Returns: Nothing.

OnNoCombatTarget(inst)

• Description: Event handler called when combat target is lost. Restarts attack cooldown, resets behavior level, and removes inspectable and scarytoprey.
• Parameters: inst (Entity).
• Returns: Nothing.

Client_CalcTransparencyRating(inst, observer)

• Description: Calculates transparency alpha for a given observer based on sanity and target level. Returns higher (less transparent) alpha for observers with low sanity or who are shadow-targeted.
• Parameters: inst (Entity), observer (Entity).
• Returns: alpha (number) — value in [0.2, TUNING.GESTALT_COMBAT_TRANSPERENCY] (default 0.85).
• Error states: Defaults to TUNING.GESTALT_COMBAT_TRANSPERENCY if inspectable component is present or level >= 3.

Events & listeners

• Listens to:
  • newcombattarget → OnNewCombatTarget
  • droppedtarget → OnNoCombatTarget
  • losttarget → OnNoCombatTarget
  • onattackother → onattackother (extinguishes shadow-fire targets)
  • killed → onkilledtarget (suppresses loot for gestaltnoloot targets)
• Pushes: None (does not fire custom events).