Moonstorm Static

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

Overview

moonstorm_static.lua defines five key prefabs for the Moonstorm event in DST: moonstorm_static, moonstorm_static_nowag, moonstorm_static_item, moonstorm_static_catcher, and moonstorm_static_roamer. These prefabs implement both stationary static containers (which explode or complete an experiment) and mobile, catchable lightning sparks that roam during Moonstorms. The prefabs integrate with components for health, combat, locomotion, trading, and custom Moonstorm-specific systems like moonstormstaticcapturable and moonstormstaticcatcher.

Usage example

-- Spawn a stationary static container
local static = SpawnPrefab("moonstorm_static")
static.Transform:SetPosition(x, y, z)

-- Spawn a roaming Moonstorm spark
local roamer = SpawnPrefab("moonstorm_static_roamer")
roamer.Transform:SetPosition(x, y, z)

Dependencies & tags

Components used: health, combat, inspectable, inventoryitem, upgrader, tradable, stackable, locomotor, equippable, moonstormstaticcatcher, moonstormstaticcapturable, hudindicatable, trader, locomotor

Tags: moonstorm_static, soulless, moonstormstatic_catcher, moonstormstaticcapturable

Properties

Property	Type	Default Value	Description
experimentcomplete	boolean	nil	Set when moonstorm_static completes its animation sequence. Controls whether explosion occurs on death.
playermade	boolean	nil	Set when moonstorm_static_item is crafted by a player, altering visual appearance.
_needs_tool	boolean	nil	Used by moonstorm_static_nowag to indicate it's waiting for a WAG tool.
zigzagtask	Task	nil	Reference to the recurring zigzag movement task for roamer entities.
roamerdecaytask	Task	nil	Reference to the decay timer for roamer entities.

Main functions

finished(inst)

• Description: Initiates the completion animation for moonstorm_static. When the animation finishes, the prefab is replaced with moonstorm_static_item.
• Parameters: inst (entity instance) — the static container instance.
• Returns: Nothing.
• Error states: Sets inst.experimentcomplete = true to prevent explosion on subsequent death.

stormstopped(inst)

• Description: Schedules a delayed health kill for the static entity if it is no longer inside a Moonstorm.
• Parameters: inst (entity instance).
• Returns: Nothing.

MakePlayerMade(inst)

• Description: Applies player-crafted visual overrides to moonstorm_static_item (replaces empty symbols and changes inventory image).
• Parameters: inst (entity instance).
• Returns: Nothing.

PlayInitAnimation(inst)

• Description: Plays the pre_newgame animation on moonstorm_static_nowag upon capture; sets 4-faced orientation and triggers a follow-up animation.
• Parameters: inst (entity instance).
• Returns: Nothing.

OnZigZagUpdate(inst)

• Description: Controls the erratic, zigzag movement of moonstorm_static_roamer. Adjusts speed multiplier and position randomly, and evaluates whether to start/stop decay based on Moonstorm zone membership.
• Parameters: inst (entity instance).
• Returns: Nothing.

OnCaught_roamer(inst, obj, doer)

• Description: Converts a captured moonstorm_static_roamer into moonstorm_static_nowag, preserves the catcher's rotation, and plays the init animation. Fires a world event upon capture.
• Parameters: inst (roamer), obj (unused), doer (entity doing the capturing).
• Returns: Nothing.

ShouldTrackfn_roamer(inst, viewer)

• Description: Determines if a moonstorm_static_roamer should be tracked for HUD indicators by a given viewer.
• Parameters:

• inst (roamer entity)
• viewer (potential tracker entity)

• Returns: true if viewer has moonstormevent_detector, is within range (1.5x max indicator range), not in frustum, and can line-of-sight see the roamer.
• Error states: Returns false if viewer is invalid or outside valid tracking conditions.

Events & listeners

• Listens to:
  • attacked — triggers onattackedfn (plays hit animation and sound for static containers).
  • death — triggers ondeath (explosive or silent removal based on experimentcomplete).
  • ms_stormchanged — on Moonstorm events, schedules stormstopped to kill if out of storm.
  • animover — delegates to cleanup callbacks like finished_callback, inst.Remove, or PlayInitAnimation_pst.
  • exitlimbo / enterlimbo — manages idle sound loops for moonstorm_static_item.
  • need_tool / need_tool_over — toggles idle animation and state for moonstorm_static_nowag.
• Pushes:
  • ms_moonstormstatic_roamer_spawned — fired when a roamer is created.
  • ms_moonstormstatic_roamer_captured — fired when a roamer is captured.
  • imagechange — fired via inventoryitem:ChangeImageName during player-craft handling.