Wagdrone Laserwire

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

Overview

The wagdrone_laserwire prefab creates a networked, non-persistent entity that renders a dynamic beam (using visual segments) and detects nearby entities to deliver electric shock damage. It uses the combat component for attack execution and relies on client-server synchronization via networked net_byte variables (len, rot) to maintain visual and mechanical consistency. The component is tightly integrated with wagdrone_common.lua for target detection and uses health component state to avoid attacking dead entities.

Usage example

-- Example of creating and configuring a laserwire segment
local wire = Prefabs["wagdrone_laserwire_fx"]:Spawn()
wire:SetBeam(10, 45) -- length=10, rotation=45°
wire:PushEvent("beamdirty") -- Force refresh if needed

Dependencies & tags

Components used: combat Tags added: CLASSIFIED, notarget, FX, NOCLICK Tags checked: None (only combat/health states queried)

Properties

Property	Type	Default Value	Description
len	net_byte	0	Networked beam length (0–255), scaled to real units via MAX_LEN.
rot	net_byte	0	Networked beam rotation (0–255), scaled to degrees (0–360).
segs	table	nil	Local table of segment entities (seg), populated only on non-dedicated clients.
targetx / targetz	table	nil	tables of x/z coordinates for shock detection points, populated only on master sim.
targettask	DoPeriodicTask	nil	Periodic task for scanning and damaging nearby entities.

Main functions

SetBeam(inst, len, rot)

• Description: Updates the beam's length and rotation, triggers a redraw of visual segments, and resets the shock detection task.
• Parameters:
  • len (number) — physical length of the beam (max MAX_LEN = 15).
  • rot (number) — rotation angle in degrees (clamped to 0–360 internally).
• Returns: Nothing.

RefreshSegs(inst, animoverride)

• Description: Constructs and positions beam visual segments on clients; sets up shock detection points and the UpdateTargets task on master sim.
• Parameters:
  • inst (Entity) — the laserwire instance.
  • animoverride (string, optional) — animation name to override default ("follow_marker").
• Returns: Nothing.

ClearSegs(inst)

• Description: Removes all visual segments and cancels the targettask.
• Parameters: inst (Entity).
• Returns: Nothing.

UpdateTargets(inst, p1, p2, pv, targets)

• Description: Scans for entities near the beam segment using WagdroneCommon.FindShockTargets, and performs electric shock damage via combat.DoAttack if criteria are met. Reschedules itself with adaptive period (SLOW_PERIOD or FAST_PERIOD).
• Parameters:
  • p1, p2 (tables) — endpoints of the current beam segment.
  • pv (table) — temporary point buffer for distance calculations.
  • targets (table) — table of cooldown timestamps per entity to prevent spamming shocks.
• Returns: Nothing.

Events & listeners

• Listens to: beamdirty — triggers OnBeamDirty, which clears and regenerates segments (client-side only).
• Pushes: None (external events like electrocute are pushed on target entities via v:PushEventImmediate("electrocute")).