Skip to main content

Moonstorm Lightning

Based on game build 714014 | Last updated: 2026-03-06

Overview​

The moonstorm_lightning prefab creates a short-lived lightning strike effect. It is instantiated at a specific world position and serves as a localized visual and audio cue for a lightning event. It does not persist in the world and only runs on the client when not dedicated, while the master simulation handles player-impacting effects (screen flash, camera shake) and item spawning. It interacts with the lootdropper component of nearby moonstorm_glass entities to fling moonglass_charged prefabs.

Usage example​

This prefab is typically spawned internally during storm events via SpawnPrefab("moonstorm_lightning") at the strike location. Modders may use it similarly in response to custom weather logic:

local strike = SpawnPrefab("moonstorm_lightning")
if strike ~= nil then
    strike.Transform:SetPosition(target_position)
end

Dependencies & tags​

Components used: Transform, AnimState, Network, SoundEmitter, lootdropper (via external call on other prefabs) Tags: Adds FX

Properties​

No public properties.

Main functions​

This is a prefab constructor (fn) and not a component, so it does not define reusable methods. Its behavior is encapsulated in local helper functions invoked during instantiation:

PlayThunderSound(lighting)​

  • Description: Plays a positionally attenuated thunder sound for the local player, adjusting volume and effective source position based on distance.
  • Parameters: lighting (Entity) — the lightning strike entity whose position is used to calculate sound attenuation.
  • Returns: Nothing.
  • Error states: Early exit if lighting is invalid or TheFocalPoint (player camera) is nil.

StartFX(inst)​

  • Description: Triggers screen flash and camera shake effects for all players based on proximity to the lightning.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) — the lightning strike entity.
  • Returns: Nothing.

spawnglass(inst)​

  • Description: Attempts to spawn moonglass_charged near any existing moonstorm_glass entities within 4 units; if none found, spawns moonstorm_glass at the lightning's position.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) — the lightning strike entity.
  • Returns: Nothing.

fn()​

  • Description: Prefab constructor. Initializes the entity, sets up animation, sound, tags, and schedules cleanup and FX tasks.
  • Parameters: None.
  • Returns: The constructed entity (prefab instance).
  • Error states: Returns early on non-master clients (TheWorld.ismastersim == false) after client-side setup; the master sim continues to schedule FX and cleanup.

Events & listeners​

None identified — this prefab does not register or dispatch custom events.