Wagboss Missile

Based on game build 714014 | Last updated: 2026-03-07

Overview

wagboss_missile is a specialized projectile entity used exclusively in the Wagboss boss encounter. It manages missile flight physics (including circling and retargeting behaviors), visual FX synchronization between server and client, target tracking, and area-of-effect detonation logic. The component relies heavily on the updatelooper for per-frame updates, integrates with combat, planardamage, and several utility components to resolve targets and apply effects, and operates in a split server/client architecture to maintain network efficiency.

Usage example

-- Example: Launching a missile from the server
local launcher = TheSim:FindEntity(..., "wagboss") -- Get boss entity
local target = TheSim:FindEntity(..., "wilson")
local missile = SpawnPrefab("wagboss_missile")
missile.Launch(missile, 1, launcher, target, 0, {}) -- id=1, dir=0
missile.ShowMissile(missile)

Dependencies & tags

Components used: updatelooper, combat, planardamage
Tags added by missile prefab: CLASSIFIED, pseudoprojectile
Tags added by target FX prefab: CLASSIFIED
FX-related tags used internally: FX, NOCLICK

Properties

Property	Type	Default Value	Description
tilt	net_smallbyte (networked)	0	Current tilt angle in 0..60 units, mapped to animation frame.
circling	net_bool (networked)	true	Whether the missile is in circling mode.
shown	net_bool (networked)	false	Controls whether visual FX (rotator + looper) are spawned.
id	net_tinybyte (networked)	0	Unique ID for this missile instance (used in visual matching).
launcher	net_entity (networked)	nil	Reference to the launching entity (Wagboss).
target	EntityScript	nil	Current targeted entity.
targetpos	Vector3	(0,0,0)	Target position in world space.
grouptargets	table	{}	Shared table tracking which entities the missile group has already hit.
ring	EntityScript	nil	Visual ring FX associated with the target.
rotator	EntityScript	nil	Parent entity for visual FX loop and shadow.
launchpt, pt0	Vector3 / nil	nil	Visual launch point (client) and physical start point (server).

Main functions

Launch(inst, id, launcher, targetorpos, dir, grouptargets)

• Description: Initializes and launches the missile toward a target or fixed position. Sets up target ring, internal timers, and starts the flight physics loop.
• Parameters:
  id (number) - Unique missile ID for visual effects alignment.
  launcher (EntityScript) - The entity that fired this missile.
  targetorpos (EntityScript or Vector3) - Target entity or absolute world position.
  dir (number) - Initial launch direction in degrees.
  grouptargets (table) - Shared tracking table for the missile group to avoid duplicate hits.
• Returns: Nothing.
• Error states: No-op if pending flag is false.

Retarget(inst, target)

• Description: Updates the missile to track a new target. Handles smooth transition by reversing direction or continuing circling depending on current altitude.
• Parameters:
  target (EntityScript) - New target entity.
• Returns: Nothing.
• Error states: No-op if currently pending, noretarget is set, or target is unchanged.

CancelTargetLock(inst)

• Description: Immediately drops the current target without detonation. Clears associated event callbacks and ring parenting.
• Parameters: None.
• Returns: Nothing.

ShowMissile(inst)

• Description: Enables visual FX (rotator, looper) and starts the tracking sound. Must be called after Launch to reveal the missile.
• Parameters: None.
• Returns: Nothing.

Detonate(inst)

• Description: Triggers explosion FX, deals area-of-effect damage/ effects (fire/extinguish, perk burn, workables, pickables, tossable items), and destroys the missile entity.
• Parameters: None.
• Returns: Nothing.

UpdateFlightPath(inst, dt)

• Description: Core flight update logic. Handles circling, aimed flight, and retargeting flight paths using physics motor velocity and angle adjustments.
• Parameters:
  dt (number) - Delta time since last frame.
• Returns: Nothing.

UpdateLaunchOffset(inst)

• Description: (Client only) Adjusts visual FX launch position during the missile's initialization animation to match the launcher’s motion.
• Parameters: None.
• Returns: Nothing.

UpdateShadow(inst)

• Description: Dynamically scales the missile's shadow based on altitude.
• Parameters: None.
• Returns: Nothing.

UpdateAnimTilt(inst)

• Description: Updates the missile's visual tilt frame to match inst.tilt.
• Parameters: None.
• Returns: Nothing.

Events & listeners

• Listens to (client):
  launchdirty - Triggers OnLaunchDirty_Client to show or initialize visual FX.
  tiltdirty - Triggers OnTiltDirty_Client to manage circling update loop and animation tilt sync.
  wagboss_missile_target_detonated - Set in Launch and Retarget; fires inst._ontargetdetonated to prevent rapid retargeting.
  onremove (on target) - Triggers inst._onremoveringtarget to decouple target ring.
• Pushes:
  epicscare on the target every frame during flight (duration 1).
  wagboss_missile_target_detonated on target when missile detonates on or near it.
  wagboss_missile_target_fx prefabs do not push any events directly; they are managed via callbacks.