Moonstormover Lightning

Based on game build 714014 | Last updated: 2026-03-08

Overview

MoonstormOver_Lightning is a UI widget responsible for rendering lightning visual and audio effects during Moonstorms. It is instantiated with an owner entity (typically the HUD or a screen controller) and listens for stormlevel events to activate/deactivate. When active, it schedules random lightning strikes via a countdown timer, playing randomized animations and sound effects with positional offset.

Usage example

-- Typically used internally by the Moonstorm HUD system.
-- Example instantiation (not usually called directly by modders):
local lightning = MoonstormOver_Lightning(owner, dustlayer)
-- The component automatically listens for "stormlevel" events on `owner`
-- and activates/deactivates based on storm intensity.

Dependencies & tags

Components used: None (uses UIAnim, Widget, and global systems TheNet, TheFocalPoint.SoundEmitter) Tags: None identified

Properties

Property	Type	Default Value	Description
owner	Entity?	nil	The entity that owns this widget (used for listening to stormlevel events).
lightning	UIAnim	—	The child UIAnim widget that renders the lightning animation.
active	boolean	false	Whether the lightning effect is currently scheduled to fire.
next_time	number	math.random()*20	Seconds remaining until the next lightning strike (client-side timer).
minscale	number	0.9	Minimum supported scale (hardcoded for art constraints).
maxscale	number	1.20625	Maximum scale (derived from camera range [15, 50], default 30).

Main functions

Activate(level)

• Description: Activates or deactivates the lightning effect based on storm intensity. If level > 0 and currently inactive, starts the update loop. If level <= 0 and active, stops the update loop.
• Parameters: level (number) — Current Moonstorm intensity level. Positive values activate the effect.
• Returns: Nothing.

OnUpdate(dt)

• Description: Handles the periodic countdown and rendering of lightning strikes. Runs every frame while active. Decrements next_time each frame; when it reaches 0, plays a randomized animation, emits sound, and schedules the next strike.
• Parameters: dt (number) — Delta time in seconds since the last frame.
• Returns: Nothing.
• Error states: Exits early if TheNet:IsServerPaused() returns true.

Events & listeners

• Listens to: stormlevel (on owner) — triggers Activate(level) when storm level changes.
• Pushes: None.