/godot-auditor

Aurelius Protocol: Particles NEVER List

• NEVER use amount_ratio to optimize performance dynamically — It does not save GPU memory or improve processing; the full amount is still allocated. Change the amount property directly instead.
• NEVER use CPUParticles2D for performance-critical effects on Desktop — Use GPUParticles unless targeting low-end mobile with no GPU support. However, use CPUParticles2D if you need Physics Interpolation for smooth trails on moving bodies in 2D.
• NEVER set preprocess to extremely high values — High values (e.g., 60s) will force the GPU to simulate thousands of frames in a single render tick, potentially causing an immediate GPU crash.
• NEVER leave visibility_aabb unconfigured for large systems — Incorrect AABBs cause frustum culling errors (particles popping out) and break LOD calculations. Generate AABBs using the editor toolbar.
• NEVER enable turbulence on Mobile/Web without testing — 3D noise evaluation per particle is extremely heavy. Disable via Feature Tags on lower-end platforms.
• NEVER forget to queue_free() one-shot particles — Use the finished signal instead of an arbitrary Timer for safe lifecycle management.
• NEVER use local_coords = true for trails — Smoke or fire left behind by a projectile MUST use global space (local_coords = false) or the trail will follow the projectile like a stiff stick.
• NEVER expect GPUParticles2D to interpolate correctly in Godot 4.3 — They stutter when parented to physics bodies. Use CPUParticles2D with fract_delta = true for high-speed 2D movement.
• NEVER trigger emitting = true immediately after a finished signal — Async GPU state delays can cause the restart to fail. Use the restart() method instead.
• NEVER attempt recursion with sub-emitters — A particle system cannot be its own sub-emitter; it will silently fail.
• NEVER forget alpha in color gradients — Particles that disappear instantly at the end of their lifetime look harsh; always add a gradient point at 1.0 with 0.0 alpha for a smooth exit.
• NEVER use EMISSION_SHAPE_POINT for volumentric explosions — Spawning all particles at a single point looks flat. Use a Sphere or Box shape for natural 3D spread.
• NEVER forget to set emitting = false initially for one-shot VFX — This prevents unwanted emission at the scene origin before you've had a chance to position the node via script.