Phase 12: the weapon ladder — every tin opens something nastier

Deliveries cycle BOMB -> TRIPLE -> FIRE -> GUN (G.deliveries indexes the
ladder); one tin at a time, a fresh delivery replaces unspent stock. All
weapons stay one-thumb: the serve auto-consumes, zero new inputs.

- Triple serve (x3): one real serve fans two ballistic clones +-6deg (extras[]
  in zombies.js — NOT the reverted rapid-fire: each fan costs a proper serve).
  Side balls respect variant rules (wound brutes, clank off chairs, pass the boss)
- Flame ball (x3): kills on ANY contact regardless of pow, chair ignored,
  full pierce (splatter pace tax undone), ember trail, white-hot render
- Machine gun (8s): horde auto-fire as a pickup — no serving, drag steers,
  no assist, spawner keeps running, ammo bar drains on the HUD, then the
  serve loop resumes
- HUD pips per type (black/yellow/orange) at the bomb slot; flash names the
  tin ('NEW BALLS: FIRE')

Verified: ladder cycles across 5 deliveries; triple spawns 2 extras and the
fan kills flanked targets; pow-0.1 flame ball clears shambler+shield+brute in
one pass with TRIPLE KILL chaining; GUN tin arms at changeover, blocks taps,
streams pellets (kill in 5 frames), expires back to pretoss; tennis 11/12;
no weapon-flag leaks into tennis; no console errors.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

config.js

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ export const TUNE = {
   hordeLen: 12,     // s a horde wave lasts
   hordeRate: 2.5,   // zombies spawned per second during a horde
   mgRate: 6,        // machine-gun pellets fired per second during a horde
+  mgPickupLen: 8,   // s the machine-gun tin (4th delivery) auto-fires outside hordes
   runnerSpeed: 3.2, // runner ('f') speed multiplier over the shamble
   bruteHp: 2,       // splat-quality hits (or pellets) a brute ('g') soaks before it dies
   shieldDown: 1.5,  // s a shield zombie's ('s') chair stays dropped after a block — the kill window

gameplay.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { TUNE, COURT, CONTACT, VOLLEY, ZONE_DEPTH, HOME, P_BOUNDS, TOSS, SHOT_DE
 import { P, O, ball, score, crowd, G, other, deuceSide, setupPoint, sendBoy } from './state.js';
 import { audio, pock, swish, applause, voice } from './audio.js';
 import { axisX, axisZ, takeFlickAim } from './input.js';
-import { updateZombies, spawnZombie, zombies, explode, meleeSwipe } from './zombies.js';
+import { updateZombies, spawnZombie, zombies, explode, meleeSwipe, extras, parts } from './zombies.js';
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------- ballistics ----
 // Launch ball from (x0,y0,z0) so it lands at (tx, tz) with horizontal speed s under gravity g.
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ function doHit(ch, quality, aim) {
   G.wasServe = false; // a serve volleyed back pre-bounce must not fault-check the return
   ball.pow = quality; // carried pace: zombies splatter only above zSplatQ
   ball.kills = 0;     // fresh shot: multi-kill streak restarts
-  ball.bomb = false;  // only a bomb-consuming serve is a bomb; any other hit clears it
+  ball.bomb = false; ball.flame = false; // only a consuming serve arms these; any other hit clears them
   if (ch.side === 'P') { // shot marker: where this will land — red means it's going out
     const ok = G.mode !== 'tennis' || (Math.abs(tx) <= COURT.W / 2 + 0.02 && tz >= -0.02 && tz <= COURT.netZ);
     G.outMarker = { x: tx, z: tz, out: !ok, t: 1.3 };
@@ -121,8 +121,19 @@ function hitServe(sv, quality, aim = null) {
   ball.lastHit = sv.side; ball.bounces = 0;
   ball.pow = quality;
   ball.kills = 0;     // fresh serve: multi-kill streak restarts
-  ball.bomb = G.mode === 'splatter' && G.bombs > 0; // auto-consume a stocked bomb ball
+  // the armed tin auto-loads the serve — one-thumb rule, no weapon-select input
+  ball.bomb = G.mode === 'splatter' && G.bombs > 0;
   if (ball.bomb) G.bombs--;
+  ball.flame = G.mode === 'splatter' && !ball.bomb && G.flames > 0;
+  if (ball.flame) G.flames--;
+  if (G.mode === 'splatter' && G.triples > 0) { // one serve, three balls: clones fanned ±6°
+    G.triples--;
+    for (const deg of [-6, 6]) {
+      const r = deg * Math.PI / 180, c = Math.cos(r), sn = Math.sin(r);
+      extras.push({ x: ball.x, y: ball.y, z: ball.z, vy: ball.vy, pow: quality, t: 2.5,
+        vx: ball.vx * c - ball.vz * sn, vz: ball.vx * sn + ball.vz * c });
+    }
+  }
   if (sv.side === 'P') G.outMarker = { x: boxX, z: tzs, out: G.mode === 'tennis' && !inServeBox(boxX, tzs), t: 1.3 };
   G.phase = 'rally'; pock(1, 1100);
   sv.pose = 'serve'; sv.poseT = 0;
@@ -213,11 +224,24 @@ function startChangeover() {
   if (G.tinDue) { // the boys arm you — unless they took a game since the last delivery
     G.tinDue = false;
     if (G.shameGame) G.flash = { text: 'NO NEW BALLS', t: 1.6 }; // the umpire withholds
-    else { G.bombs = TUNE.bombMax; voice('new_balls', 0.6); G.flash = { text: 'NEW BALLS', t: 1.6 }; }
+    else deliverTin();
     G.shameGame = false; // the slate is clean either way
   } else G.flash = { text: 'CHANGEOVER', t: 1.4 };
 }
 
+// the weapon ladder: each delivery of the run opens a nastier tin. One tin at a time —
+// a fresh delivery replaces any unspent stock (simpler than stacking, and it keeps you spending).
+function deliverTin() {
+  const w = G.deliveries++ % 4;
+  G.bombs = G.triples = G.flames = 0; G.mgT = 0;
+  if (w === 0) G.bombs = TUNE.bombMax;
+  else if (w === 1) G.triples = 3;
+  else if (w === 2) G.flames = 3;
+  else G.mgT = TUNE.mgPickupLen; // starts firing when play resumes
+  sendBoy(); voice('new_balls', 0.6);
+  G.flash = { text: 'NEW BALLS: ' + ['BOMB', 'TRIPLE', 'FIRE', 'GUN'][w], t: 1.6 };
+}
+
 // retire the splatter ball; a running changeover's long beat must not be clobbered short
 export function spentBall() {
   ball.active = false;
@@ -434,7 +458,7 @@ export function keyPressed(code) {
   if (code !== 'Space') return;
   audio(); // unlock on first gesture
   if (G.mode === 'splatter') meleeSwipe(P.x, P.z, TUNE.meleeRange); // a swish cleaves adjacent shamblers
-  if (G.horde) return; // horde: the racket auto-fires; a tap only swishes, never serves
+  if (G.horde || G.mgT > 0) return; // auto-fire modes: a tap only swishes, never serves
   if (G.changeover) return; // the breather is mandatory — the melee swish above still works
   // splatter: a tap/flick during the brief 'over' beat re-arms the next serve immediately
   if (G.mode === 'splatter' && G.phase === 'over') { ball.active = false; setupPoint(); }
@@ -495,7 +519,7 @@ export function update(dt) {
     P.x += mx * TUNE.playerSpeed * slow * dt;
     P.z += mz * TUNE.playerSpeed * slow * dt;
     let assist = 0;
-    if (!mx && !mz && TUNE.autoAssist > 0 && ball.active && !G.horde) { // horde: you aim by hand, no assist
+    if (!mx && !mz && TUNE.autoAssist > 0 && ball.active && !G.horde && !(G.mgT > 0)) { // auto-fire: you aim by hand, no assist
       const chasing = ball.lastHit === 'O';
       // no `slow` here: tapping must not freeze your legs, or anticipating a shot loses it
       const rate = TUNE.playerSpeed * TUNE.autoAssist * dt * (chasing ? 1 : 0.55);
@@ -575,6 +599,9 @@ export function update(dt) {
 
   // --- ball physics
   if (ball.active) {
+    if (ball.flame) parts.push({ // fire trail: one ember per frame, brief and rising
+      x: ball.x, y: ball.y, z: ball.z, t: 0.22, fire: true,
+      vx: (Math.random() * 2 - 1) * 0.6, vy: 0.8, vz: (Math.random() * 2 - 1) * 0.6 });
     ball.vy -= (ball.g || TUNE.gravity) * dt;
     const oldZ = ball.z;
     ball.x += ball.vx * dt; ball.y += ball.vy * dt; ball.z += ball.vz * dt;
@@ -637,7 +664,10 @@ export function update(dt) {
     G.overT -= dt;
     if (G.overT <= 0) {
       if (G.changeover) { G.changeover = false; voice('time', 0, 0.95); } // "Time." — play resumes
-      setupPoint();
+      if (G.mgT > 0) { // a GUN tin was delivered: no serving, the racket fires itself, drag steers
+        G.phase = 'rally'; ball.active = false;
+        P.pose = 'idle'; P.poseT = 0; P.swingT = -1;
+      } else setupPoint();
     }
   }
 }

main.js

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { P, O, ball, score, G, setupPoint } from './state.js';
 import { update, keyPressed, solveShot, inServeBox, inCourt, forceZombies, splatPoint } from './gameplay.js';
 import { fitViewport, render, proj } from './render.js';
 import { voice } from './audio.js';
-import { zombies, spawnZombie, piles, gore, parts, pellets, explode } from './zombies.js';
+import { zombies, spawnZombie, piles, gore, parts, pellets, extras, explode } from './zombies.js';
 import { cv } from './dom.js';
 import './input.js';
 
@@ -54,6 +54,6 @@ cv.addEventListener('pointerdown', e => {
 requestAnimationFrame(frame);
 
 // exposed for in-browser sanity checks and simulated playtests
-window.T = { TUNE, ball, P, O, score, G, zombies, spawnZombie, piles, gore, parts, pellets, explode, splatPoint, solveShot, inServeBox, inCourt, proj, setupPoint, forceZombies,
+window.T = { TUNE, ball, P, O, score, G, zombies, spawnZombie, piles, gore, parts, pellets, extras, explode, splatPoint, solveShot, inServeBox, inCourt, proj, setupPoint, forceZombies,
   step: dt => update(dt), render, press: keyPressed,
   get phase() { return G.phase; }, set phase(v) { G.phase = v; } };

render.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { cv, ctx } from './dom.js';
 import { TUNE, COURT, PLAYER_H, BOY_H, UMP_H, BOUNCE_IDLE, SPRITE_H } from './config.js';
 import { P, O, ball, score, crowd, G } from './state.js';
 import { predictLanding } from './gameplay.js';
-import { zombies, gore, piles, parts, pellets } from './zombies.js';
+import { zombies, gore, piles, parts, pellets, extras } from './zombies.js';
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------- palette ----
 // tennis palette -> drained splatter palette; the transition lerps between them
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ function drawShadow(px, py, rx, ry, alpha = 0.28) {
   ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(0,0,0,${alpha})`;
   ctx.beginPath(); ctx.ellipse(px, py, rx, Math.max(1, ry), 0, 0, 7); ctx.fill();
 }
-function drawBall(x, y, z, glint = false, bomb = false) {
+function drawBall(x, y, z, glint = false, bomb = false, flame = false) {
   const sh = proj(x, 0, z);
   drawShadow(sh.x, sh.y, Math.max(1.5, sh.s * 0.09), sh.s * 0.04, 0.3);
   const bp = proj(x, y, z);
@@ -101,6 +101,11 @@ function drawBall(x, y, z, glint = false, bomb = false) {
     if (Math.floor(G.idleT * 20) % 2) { ctx.fillStyle = '#ff8010'; ctx.fillRect(bp.x - 0.5, bp.y - r - 1, Math.max(1, r * 0.5), Math.max(1, r * 0.6)); }
     return;
   }
+  if (flame) { // white-hot core in an orange shell, flickering
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#ff8010'; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(bp.x, bp.y, r + (Math.floor(G.idleT * 24) % 2 ? 1 : 0), 0, 7); ctx.fill();
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#ffe8a0'; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(bp.x, bp.y, Math.max(1, r * 0.5), 0, 7); ctx.fill();
+    return;
+  }
   ctx.fillStyle = '#e8f03a'; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(bp.x, bp.y, r, 0, 7); ctx.fill();
   if (glint) { ctx.fillStyle = '#f8f8d0'; ctx.fillRect(bp.x - r * 0.3, bp.y - r * 0.5, Math.max(1, r * 0.5), Math.max(1, r * 0.5)); }
 }
@@ -228,7 +233,8 @@ function drawMgRacket() { // horde: the player braces the racket forward and up-
   ctx.beginPath(); ctx.moveTo(hip.x, hip.y); ctx.lineTo(tip.x, tip.y); ctx.stroke();
   ctx.strokeStyle = '#b07030'; ctx.lineWidth = 1.5; // the head, aimed forward
   ctx.beginPath(); ctx.ellipse(tip.x, tip.y, Math.max(2, tip.s * 0.14), Math.max(3, tip.s * 0.22), 0, 0, 7); ctx.stroke();
-  if (G.horde && G.horde.mgT > 1 / TUNE.mgRate - 0.06) { // muzzle flash right after a shot
+  const cool = G.horde ? G.horde.mgT : G.mgCool; // horde or GUN-tin pickup — same racket
+  if (cool > 1 / TUNE.mgRate - 0.06) { // muzzle flash right after a shot
     ctx.fillStyle = '#fff0a0'; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(tip.x, tip.y, Math.max(2, tip.s * 0.12), 0, 7); ctx.fill();
   }
 }
@@ -318,12 +324,14 @@ export function render() {
     const by = Math.abs(Math.sin(G.idleT * BOUNCE_IDLE.tempo)) * BOUNCE_IDLE.apex;
     drawBall(bx, by, sv.z);
   }
-  // the match ball
-  if ((ball.active || G.phase === 'over') && !ball.collected) drawBall(ball.x, ball.y, ball.z, true, ball.bomb);
-  // splatter particles
+  // the match ball (and any triple-serve side balls in flight)
+  if ((ball.active || G.phase === 'over') && !ball.collected) drawBall(ball.x, ball.y, ball.z, true, ball.bomb, ball.flame);
+  for (const e of extras) drawBall(e.x, e.y, e.z);
+  // splatter particles (fire embers ride the same array)
   for (const pt of parts) {
     const pp = proj(pt.x, pt.y, pt.z);
-    ctx.fillStyle = pt.dark ? 'rgba(96,14,14,0.9)' : 'rgba(170,22,22,0.9)';
+    ctx.fillStyle = pt.fire ? (pt.t > 0.12 ? '#ffc030' : '#ff8010')
+      : pt.dark ? 'rgba(96,14,14,0.9)' : 'rgba(170,22,22,0.9)';
     ctx.fillRect(pp.x | 0, pp.y | 0, 2, 2);
   }
   // machine-gun pellets: flat tracers with a tiny ground shadow
@@ -333,7 +341,7 @@ export function render() {
     ctx.fillStyle = '#f8e048'; ctx.fillRect((pp.x | 0) - 1, (pp.y | 0) - 1, 2, 2);
   }
   if (G.mode !== 'eaten') drawChar(P); // there is no P anymore
-  if (G.horde && G.mode === 'splatter') drawMgRacket(); // rambo racket over the player
+  if ((G.horde || G.mgT > 0) && G.mode === 'splatter') drawMgRacket(); // rambo racket over the player
 
   ctx.setTransform(RES, 0, 0, RES, 0, 0); // un-shake: the HUD and overlays stay rock steady
   if (G.boomFlash > 0) { ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(255,255,255,${Math.min(1, G.boomFlash / 0.08) * 0.85})`; ctx.fillRect(0, 0, W, H); }
@@ -352,6 +360,18 @@ export function render() {
     ctx.fillStyle = '#111'; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(96 + b * 8, 14, 2.6, 0, 7); ctx.fill();
     ctx.strokeStyle = '#ff8010'; ctx.lineWidth = 0.75; ctx.stroke();
   }
+  for (let b = 0; b < G.triples; b++) { // triple serves: a yellow pip flanked by two dots
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#e8f03a'; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(96 + b * 8, 14, 2.6, 0, 7); ctx.fill();
+    ctx.fillRect(96 + b * 8 - 4, 13, 1.5, 1.5); ctx.fillRect(96 + b * 8 + 3, 13, 1.5, 1.5);
+  }
+  for (let b = 0; b < G.flames; b++) { // flame balls: orange pip, hot core
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#ff8010'; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(96 + b * 8, 14, 2.6, 0, 7); ctx.fill();
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#ffe8a0'; ctx.fillRect(96 + b * 8 - 1, 13, 2, 2);
+  }
+  if (G.mgT > 0) { // machine-gun time: a draining ammo bar
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#333'; ctx.fillRect(96, 11, 34, 5);
+    ctx.fillStyle = '#f8e048'; ctx.fillRect(96, 11, 34 * Math.min(1, G.mgT / TUNE.mgPickupLen), 5);
+  }
   ctx.fillStyle = score.server === 'O' ? '#f8e048' : '#c8d0dc';
   ctx.fillText((G.mode === 'tennis' ? 'CPU ' : 'THEM ') + setsTxt(1) + score.games[1] + '  ' + ptTxt(1), 12, 22);
   ctx.textAlign = 'center';
@@ -367,7 +387,7 @@ export function render() {
     }
     if (G.eatenT > 0.7) { ctx.fillStyle = '#f8e048'; ctx.font = 'bold 8px monospace'; ctx.fillText('TAP TO PLAY AGAIN', W / 2, H / 2 + 28); }
   }
-  if (G.phase === 'pretoss' && score.server === 'P' && G.mode !== 'eaten' && !G.horde) {
+  if (G.phase === 'pretoss' && score.server === 'P' && G.mode !== 'eaten' && !G.horde && !(G.mgT > 0)) {
     ctx.fillStyle = '#f8e048'; ctx.font = 'bold 8px monospace';
     const touch = matchMedia('(pointer: coarse)').matches;
     const txt = G.mode === 'splatter'

state.js

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { HOME } from './config.js';
 export const P = { x: 1.3, z: 22.8, side: 'P', pose: 'idle', poseT: 0, swingT: -1, facing: 1, runT: 0 };
 export const O = { x: -1.3, z: 1.0, side: 'O', pose: 'idle', poseT: 0, swingT: -1, facing: 1, runT: 0 };
 export const ball = { x: 0, y: 1, z: 20, vx: 0, vy: 0, vz: 0, g: 9.2,
-  active: false, lastHit: 'P', bounces: 0, firstLand: null, collected: false, kills: 0, bomb: false };
+  active: false, lastHit: 'P', bounces: 0, firstLand: null, collected: false, kills: 0, bomb: false, flame: false };
 export const score = { pts: [0, 0], games: [0, 0], server: 'P' }; // pts index 0=P 1=O
 export const crowd = { cheer: 0, dots: [] }; // dots are (re)built by render.buildCrowd
 
@@ -32,7 +32,12 @@ export const G = {
   aiReactT: 9,        // time since the player's last hit; CPU reads the shot after TUNE.aiReaction
   wasServe: false,    // the ball in flight is a serve (first bounce must hit the box)
   splatT: 0,          // time survived in splatter mode — drives the difficulty ramp
-  bombs: 0,           // bomb-ball stock (max TUNE.bombMax); the next serve auto-consumes one
+  bombs: 0,           // bomb-ball stock; the next serve auto-consumes one (delivery 1 of the ladder)
+  triples: 0,         // triple-serve stock — a serve fans into three balls (delivery 2)
+  flames: 0,          // flame-ball stock — kills on any touch, full pierce (delivery 3)
+  mgT: 0,             // s of machine-gun time left (delivery 4) — auto-fire, no serving
+  mgCool: 0,          // s until the next pickup-mode pellet
+  deliveries: 0,      // tins delivered this run — indexes the weapon ladder
   tinDue: false,      // the rules called for new balls — deliver at the next changeover
   horde: null,        // active horde wave {t, spawnT, mgT} — machine-gun racket, no serving
   runGames: 0,        // games finished this run (either side) — the difficulty director

zombies.js

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ export const gore = [];    // lawn decals {x, z, r, a}  — the flat ground laye
 export const piles = [];   // 3D-ish gore mounds {x, z, size 1..4, seed} — grow where kills cluster
 export const parts = [];   // splatter particles {x, y, z, vx, vy, vz, t, dark}
 export const pellets = []; // machine-gun rounds during a horde {x, y, z, vx, vz, t}
+export const extras = [];  // triple-serve side balls {x, y, z, vx, vy, vz, pow, t} — ballistic clones
 
 let spawnT = 1.5, moanT = 3;
 
@@ -135,7 +136,12 @@ export function updateZombies(dt) {
   if (G.mode === 'splatter') { // transition spawns are scripted, not timed
     G.splatT += dt;
     if (G.horde) tickHorde(dt); // horde: dense spawns + machine gun, ignores the cap
-    else if (!G.changeover) {   // changeovers are a real breather — no fresh spawns
+    else if (G.mgT > 0 && G.phase === 'rally') { // machine-gun tin: horde firepower, regular rules
+      G.mgT -= dt;
+      if ((G.mgCool -= dt) <= 0) { firePellet(); G.mgCool = 1 / TUNE.mgRate; }
+      if (G.mgT <= 0) setupPoint(); // ammo dry — the serve loop resumes
+    }
+    if (!G.horde && !G.changeover) { // changeovers are a real breather — no fresh spawns
       spawnT -= dt;
       // the spawn director: the match's age (games finished) sets both crowd size and tempo
       const cap = Math.min(TUNE.zMaxCap, TUNE.zMax + G.runGames);
@@ -166,7 +172,7 @@ export function updateZombies(dt) {
       splat(1);
       voice('game_set_massacre', 0.8);
       G.mode = 'eaten'; ball.active = false; G.flash = null; // zombies keep shambling for ambience
-      G.horde = null; pellets.length = 0;                    // the swarm stops; the eaten screen takes over
+      G.horde = null; pellets.length = 0; extras.length = 0; G.mgT = 0; // everything stops; the eaten screen takes over
       try { // the run is over — settle it against the best (games survived, sets as tiebreak)
         const b = JSON.parse(localStorage.splatterBest || 'null') || { games: 0, sets: 0 };
         if (G.runGames > b.games) { b.games = G.runGames; b.sets = G.sets[0]; localStorage.splatterBest = JSON.stringify(b); }
@@ -180,6 +186,15 @@ export function updateZombies(dt) {
           explode(ball.x, ball.z); ball.bomb = false;
           spentBall(); break; // zombies mutated — stop this frame's loop
         }
+        if (ball.flame) { // burns through anything it touches — no quality gate, no chair, no pace tax
+          if (zb.variant === 'r') { // the boss only takes a wound
+            zb.hp--; splat(0.5);
+            if (zb.hp <= 0) { splatter(i); } continue;
+          }
+          const vx0 = ball.vx, vz0 = ball.vz;
+          splatter(i); ball.vx = vx0; ball.vz = vz0; // undo splatter's pierce tax: full pace through the lane
+          continue;
+        }
         if (zb.variant === 'r') { // mini-boss: splat-quality wounds it; soft balls it rallies (racketAI)
           if ((ball.pow || 0) >= TUNE.zSplatQ) {
             zb.hp--; splat(0.5); pock(0.6, 300);
@@ -229,6 +244,27 @@ export function updateZombies(dt) {
     if (hit || pe.t <= 0) pellets.splice(i, 1);
   }
 
+  for (let i = extras.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) { // triple-serve side balls: full ballistic clones
+    const e = extras[i];
+    e.t -= dt; e.vy -= TUNE.gravity * dt;
+    e.x += e.vx * dt; e.y += e.vy * dt; e.z += e.vz * dt;
+    if (e.y <= 0 && e.vy < 0) { e.y = 0; e.vy = -e.vy * TUNE.bounceY; e.vx *= TUNE.bounceXZ; e.vz *= TUNE.bounceXZ; }
+    let dead = e.t <= 0 || Math.abs(e.x) > 7.5 || e.z < -2 || e.z > 25.5;
+    if (!dead && e.y < 1.9) for (let j = zombies.length - 1; j >= 0; j--) {
+      const zb = zombies[j];
+      if (zb.variant === 'r') continue; // side balls pass the boss — only the match ball duels it
+      if (Math.hypot(zb.x - e.x, zb.z - e.z) < (zb.variant === 'g' ? 0.75 : 0.55)) {
+        if (zb.variant === 's' && e.vz < 0 && !(zb.shieldT > 0)) { zb.shieldT = TUNE.shieldDown; pock(0.9, 1800); } // chair blocks these too
+        else if (e.pow >= TUNE.zSplatQ) {
+          if (zb.variant === 'g' && --zb.hp > 0) splat(0.4); // wounds the brute
+          else killZombie(j, !!G.horde);
+        } else { zb.z -= TUNE.zPushback; pock(0.5, 300); }
+        dead = true; break; // a side ball is spent on its first touch
+      }
+    }
+    if (dead) extras.splice(i, 1);
+  }
+
   for (let i = parts.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
     const p = parts[i];
     p.t -= dt; p.vy -= 14 * dt;