Updates to spells, HUD, Gold, and Camera Controls. New sound effects!

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Assets/_Project/Audio/Sound Effects/FireballExplosion.ogg.meta

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Assets/_Project/Audio/Sound Effects/TimeSlow.ogg.meta

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Assets/_Project/Definitions/BuilderSpells/FireballSpell.asset

@@ -14,18 +14,19 @@ MonoBehaviour:
   m_EditorClassIdentifier: Assembly-CSharp::TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells.FireballSpellDefinition
   DisplayName: Fireball
   Description: Shoot a fireball
-  Icon: {fileID: 0}
+  Icon: {fileID: 21300000, guid: eff45e5e3dab24f438c054a095d34578, type: 3}
-  Cooldown: 5
+  Cooldown: 1
   TargetType: 0
-  Radius: 3
+  Radius: 5
   enemyLayerMask:
     serializedVersion: 2
     m_Bits: 1024
   impactVfxPrefab: {fileID: 158073311046191680, guid: 80eaad6d0b024835482b64625b63053c, type: 3}
   impactVfxLifetime: 3
+  impactDelay: 0.9
   impactSound:
-    clip: {fileID: 8300000, guid: 4ee1b63f27ea04451802bafd35ecef89, type: 3}
+    clip: {fileID: 8300000, guid: e54448243d0478045b6566412c54e4a7, type: 3}
-    volume: 0.5
+    volume: 0.603
     minPitch: 1.048
     maxPitch: 0.969
-  Damage: 50
+  Damage: 500

Assets/_Project/Definitions/BuilderSpells/SlowAreaSpell.asset

@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ MonoBehaviour:
   m_EditorClassIdentifier: Assembly-CSharp::TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells.SlowAreaSpellDefinition
   DisplayName: Slow Area
   Description: Slows enemies in an area
-  Icon: {fileID: 0}
+  Icon: {fileID: 21300000, guid: 5f5072d8c9f626c4690a7b231c7488f9, type: 3}
-  Cooldown: 5
+  Cooldown: 10
   TargetType: 1
   Radius: 5
   enemyLayerMask:
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ MonoBehaviour:
     m_Bits: 1024
   areaVfxPrefab: {fileID: 1462673130280185047, guid: bf2f1f2a9a54e9162b80673e3f7eeaf6, type: 3}
   areaSound:
-    clip: {fileID: 0}
+    clip: {fileID: 8300000, guid: 038ff3eab9aa0034bac26ccb648ef2a1, type: 3}
-    volume: 0
+    volume: 0.632
-    minPitch: 0
+    minPitch: 1.14
-    maxPitch: 0
+    maxPitch: 0.96
   SlowFactor: 0.5
-  EffectDuration: 3
+  EffectDuration: 8

Assets/_Project/Definitions/GoldConfig.asset

@@ -17,44 +17,40 @@ MonoBehaviour:
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 65f66289ea1233b4897f46cd997d9c7a, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 5
     CompletionBonus: 25
-    NoLeaksBonus: 50
+    NoLeaksBonus: 10
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 190e39db44aa0794aa808fd60976f7c4, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 7
     CompletionBonus: 30
-    NoLeaksBonus: 50
+    NoLeaksBonus: 10
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 39921b44a1a0a56478200028940c5202, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 10
     CompletionBonus: 35
-    NoLeaksBonus: 50
+    NoLeaksBonus: 10
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 50f498bc5bfc46e44b064cc96403e2cb, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 15
     CompletionBonus: 40
-    NoLeaksBonus: 50
+    NoLeaksBonus: 10
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 9ee6dee12f0660844b4d46880f01c02f, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 15
     CompletionBonus: 45
-    NoLeaksBonus: 50
+    NoLeaksBonus: 10
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 41231de63e8f25d448f19f3816e0c22f, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 20
     CompletionBonus: 50
-    NoLeaksBonus: 100
+    NoLeaksBonus: 10
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 6290df178cbd3144aa92a0f09833a7be, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 20
     CompletionBonus: 55
-    NoLeaksBonus: 100
+    NoLeaksBonus: 20
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 86736fd52c18fa84e8ced40f30b514fa, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 25
     CompletionBonus: 60
-    NoLeaksBonus: 100
+    NoLeaksBonus: 20
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 8fdf53cfc405a5f41a00f376198b8d84, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 25
     CompletionBonus: 65
-    NoLeaksBonus: 100
+    NoLeaksBonus: 20
   - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 4db677d2940202340841471f90a5b73a, type: 2}
     GoldPerEnemy: 25
     CompletionBonus: 70
-    NoLeaksBonus: 100
+    NoLeaksBonus: 20
-  - Wave: {fileID: 11400000, guid: fc1a55fab4ce81047b4925f53a3a8b8d, type: 2}
-    GoldPerEnemy: 50
-    CompletionBonus: 75
-    NoLeaksBonus: 500

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/BuilderInputController.cs

@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
         // Cached reference to the local TowerPaintController, looked up lazily (same
         // rationale as the placement controller).
         private TowerPaintController cachedPaintController;
+        private BuilderSpellCastController cachedSpellCastController;
 
         // ----- Lifecycle --------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
 
             // Placement and paint are both modal: while either is active, the local
             // controller for that mode owns left-/right-click, so selection here yields.
-            bool isModal = IsLocalPlayerPlacing() || IsLocalPlayerPainting();
+            bool isModal = IsLocalPlayerPlacing() || IsLocalPlayerPainting() || IsLocalPlayerAimingSpell();
             Vector2 mousePos = mouse.position.ReadValue();
 
             // UI Toolkit dispatches button click events AFTER Update runs, but raw mouse
@@ -292,5 +293,21 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
             }
             return cachedPaintController.IsPainting;
         }
+
+        private bool IsLocalPlayerAimingSpell()
+        {
+            if (cachedSpellCastController == null)
+            {
+                // Find lazily — controller may have been added after this component spawned.
+                cachedSpellCastController =
+                    UnityEngine.Object.FindAnyObjectByType<BuilderSpellCastController>();
+                if (cachedSpellCastController == null) return false;
+            }
+            // IsAiming covers "aiming, click not yet made"; ConsumedCastClickThisFrame covers the
+            // frame the confirming click casts and exits aim mode — together they suppress the
+            // selection click regardless of Update order between the two controllers.
+            return cachedSpellCastController.IsAiming
+                   || cachedSpellCastController.ConsumedCastClickThisFrame;
+        }
     }
 }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/BuilderSpellCastController.cs

@@ -56,6 +56,21 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
 
         // -1 when not aiming.
         private int activeSlot = -1;
+
+        // Frame on which the confirming cast click was consumed. Lets the selection controller
+        // ignore that click order-independently — see ConsumedCastClickThisFrame.
+        private int lastCastClickFrame = -1;
+
+        /// <summary>True while a spell is being aimed (awaiting the confirming click). The
+        /// selection input controller treats this as a modal state, so the click that confirms
+        /// the cast doesn't also fall through to selection and deselect the builder.</summary>
+        public bool IsAiming => activeSlot >= 0;
+
+        /// <summary>True during the frame the confirming cast click was consumed. Aim mode exits
+        /// the same frame the cast is submitted, flipping <see cref="IsAiming"/> false; this stays
+        /// true for the rest of that frame so the selection controller ignores the click no matter
+        /// which controller's Update ran first.</summary>
+        public bool ConsumedCastClickThisFrame => lastCastClickFrame == Time.frameCount;
         private BuilderSpellDefinition activeDefinition;
 
         private bool lastHitValid;
@@ -85,6 +100,14 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
 
             if (activeSlot < 0) return; // idle — nothing to aim
 
+            // Deselecting the builder mid-aim cancels the cast, so you can't start aiming while
+            // selected and then deselect to sneak a cast past the gate above.
+            if (!LocalBuilderSelected())
+            {
+                ExitAimMode();
+                return;
+            }
+
             var keyboard = Keyboard.current;
             if (keyboard != null && keyboard.escapeKey.wasPressedThisFrame)
             {
@@ -115,16 +138,32 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
 
             if (mouse.leftButton.wasPressedThisFrame && lastHitValid)
             {
+                // Record the frame so the selection controller ignores this click even though
+                // TrySubmitCast exits aim mode this same frame (IsAiming flips false). Without
+                // this, whether the click also deselected the builder depended on Update order.
+                lastCastClickFrame = Time.frameCount;
                 TrySubmitCast();
             }
         }
 
         // ----- Hotkey scan --------------------------------------------------
 
+        // True when the local player's own builder is the current selection. Casting is gated
+        // on this so it matches the spell HUD (shown only for the selected builder).
+        private static bool LocalBuilderSelected()
+        {
+            var selected = SelectionState.Instance?.SelectedObject;
+            return selected is Builder builder && builder.IsOwner;
+        }
+
         private void ScanHotkeys()
         {
             if (activeSlot >= 0) return; // already aiming — hotkeys re-scanned only when idle
 
+            // Spells cast only while the local player's OWN builder is selected — keeps casting
+            // in sync with the spell HUD, which is shown only for the selected builder.
+            if (!LocalBuilderSelected()) return;
+
             var loadout = PlayerSpellLoadout.Local;
             if (loadout == null) return;
 

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/BuilderSpells/BuilderSpellDefinition.cs

@@ -24,8 +24,9 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells
     /// <para><b>Server-only resolution, client-only visual.</b> <see cref="ServerCast"/> runs on
     /// the server and applies damage/status via the same <c>Physics.OverlapSphereNonAlloc</c> +
     /// <c>EnemyHealth</c>/<c>EnemyStatus</c> pattern <c>TowerCombat</c> already uses.
-    /// <see cref="ClientPlayVfx"/> runs on every peer (including the server) after a successful
+    /// Presentation is split into <see cref="ClientSpawnVfx"/> (on cast) and
-    /// cast, purely for presentation.</para>
+    /// <see cref="ClientPlayImpact"/> (on contact, <see cref="ImpactDelay"/> seconds later for a
+    /// projectile spell), both running on every peer including the server.</para>
     /// </remarks>
     public abstract class BuilderSpellDefinition : ScriptableObject
     {
@@ -82,10 +83,28 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells
         public abstract bool ServerCast(ulong clientId, Vector3 targetPoint);
 
         /// <summary>
-        /// Runs on every peer (via <see cref="PlayerSpellLoadout"/>'s ClientRpc) after a
+        /// Seconds between the cast and the effect landing. 0 = instant: damage and the impact
-        /// successful <see cref="ServerCast"/>. Default no-op; override to spawn an impact VFX
+        /// sound resolve immediately on cast. A projectile-style spell (e.g. the Fireball meteor)
-        /// prefab and self-destroy it, the same idiom used elsewhere for one-off visuals.
+        /// overrides this with its fall/travel time, so <see cref="PlayerSpellLoadout"/> spawns the
+        /// visual on cast but holds <see cref="ServerCast"/> (damage) and <see cref="ClientPlayImpact"/>
+        /// (sound) until the projectile reaches the ground. Set it to match the VFX's fall time.
         /// </summary>
-        public virtual void ClientPlayVfx(Vector3 targetPoint) { }
+        public virtual float ImpactDelay => 0f;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Runs on every peer (via <see cref="PlayerSpellLoadout"/>'s ClientRpc) the moment the
+        /// spell is cast. Spawns the visual: for an instant spell that's the whole effect; for a
+        /// delayed spell it's the projectile/travel visual that lands after <see cref="ImpactDelay"/>.
+        /// Default no-op.
+        /// </summary>
+        public virtual void ClientSpawnVfx(Vector3 targetPoint) { }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Runs on every peer when the spell makes contact — immediately for an instant spell, or
+        /// <see cref="ImpactDelay"/> seconds after cast for a delayed one. Play the impact sound
+        /// (and any impact-moment visual) here so it lands with the effect, not the throw.
+        /// Default no-op.
+        /// </summary>
+        public virtual void ClientPlayImpact(Vector3 targetPoint) { }
     }
 }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/BuilderSpells/BuilderSpellPool.cs

@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells
     /// <remarks>
     /// Plain MonoBehaviour: identical on every peer (same assets), so there is nothing to sync.
     /// The server reads it to resolve casts; clients read it to resolve <see
-    /// cref="BuilderSpellDefinition.ClientPlayVfx"/> and to render the cast hotbar. Mirrors
+    /// cref="BuilderSpellDefinition.ClientSpawnVfx"/> / <see
+    /// cref="BuilderSpellDefinition.ClientPlayImpact"/> and to render the cast hotbar. Mirrors
     /// <see cref="BuilderEffects.BuilderEffectPool"/> exactly.
     /// </remarks>
     public class BuilderSpellPool : MonoBehaviour

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/BuilderSpells/FireballSpellDefinition.cs

@@ -28,6 +28,14 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells
         [Min(0f)]
         [SerializeField] private float impactVfxLifetime = 2f;
 
+        [Tooltip("Seconds from cast until the falling fireball reaches the ground. Damage and the " +
+                 "impact sound are held until then so they land with the visual — SET THIS TO MATCH " +
+                 "the meteor VFX's fall time. 0 = everything resolves instantly on cast.")]
+        [Min(0f)]
+        [SerializeField] private float impactDelay = 0.8f;
+
+        public override float ImpactDelay => impactDelay;
+
         [Header("Impact Sound")]
         [Tooltip("Sound played on every peer when this spell resolves successfully. Same " +
                  "SoundConfig struct TowerBuiltSound uses — reuse a tower's clip directly if " +
@@ -59,11 +67,16 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells
             return hitAny;
         }
 
-        public override void ClientPlayVfx(Vector3 targetPoint)
+        public override void ClientSpawnVfx(Vector3 targetPoint)
         {
+            // The meteor VFX plays its full fall-and-crash animation from here; it reaches the
+            // ground after ImpactDelay, which is when ClientPlayImpact and ServerCast fire.
             if (impactVfxPrefab != null)
                 Destroy(Instantiate(impactVfxPrefab, targetPoint, Quaternion.identity), impactVfxLifetime);
+        }
 
+        public override void ClientPlayImpact(Vector3 targetPoint)
+        {
             if (impactSound.clip != null)
                 AudioManager.Instance?.Play(impactSound.clip, AudioCategory.Combat,
                                              impactSound.RandomPitch(), impactSound.volume);

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/BuilderSpells/SlowAreaSpellDefinition.cs

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells
             return hitAny;
         }
 
-        public override void ClientPlayVfx(Vector3 targetPoint)
+        public override void ClientSpawnVfx(Vector3 targetPoint)
         {
             if (areaVfxPrefab != null)
             {
@@ -70,7 +70,11 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.BuilderSpells
                 instance.transform.localScale *= Mathf.Max(Radius, 0.01f);
                 Destroy(instance, EffectDuration);
             }
+        }
 
+        public override void ClientPlayImpact(Vector3 targetPoint)
+        {
+            // Instant spell (ImpactDelay = 0), so this fires on cast alongside ClientSpawnVfx.
             if (areaSound.clip != null)
                 AudioManager.Instance?.Play(areaSound.clip, AudioCategory.Combat,
                                              areaSound.RandomPitch(), areaSound.volume);

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/CameraController.cs

@@ -227,16 +227,17 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
         {
             Vector2 dir = Vector2.zero;
 
-            // Keyboard: WASD + arrow keys. Suppressed entirely while the player
+            // Keyboard: arrow keys only. WASD is reserved for tower-build hotkeys (the command
-            // is typing — pressing 'a' or 'w' into chat should not pan the camera.
+            // grid) — camera panning is arrow keys plus the mouse edge-pan below. Suppressed
-            // (Edge-pan below stays active since it's mouse-driven.)
+            // entirely while the player is typing so arrow keys in chat navigate text instead of
+            // panning. (Edge-pan below stays active since it's mouse-driven.)
             var kb = HUDController.IsTextInputActive ? null : Keyboard.current;
             if (kb != null)
             {
-                if (kb.aKey.isPressed || kb.leftArrowKey.isPressed) dir.x -= 1f;
+                if (kb.leftArrowKey.isPressed)  dir.x -= 1f;
-                if (kb.dKey.isPressed || kb.rightArrowKey.isPressed) dir.x += 1f;
+                if (kb.rightArrowKey.isPressed) dir.x += 1f;
-                if (kb.sKey.isPressed || kb.downArrowKey.isPressed) dir.y -= 1f;
+                if (kb.downArrowKey.isPressed)  dir.y -= 1f;
-                if (kb.wKey.isPressed || kb.upArrowKey.isPressed) dir.y += 1f;
+                if (kb.upArrowKey.isPressed)    dir.y += 1f;
             }
 
             // Edge-pan: mouse near screen edge adds to keyboard direction.

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/Draft/BuilderSpellDraftOption.cs

@@ -37,5 +37,14 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.Draft
             var loadout = PlayerSpellLoadout.GetForClient(clientId);
             return loadout != null && loadout.ServerGrantSpell(Kind);
         }
+
+        /// <summary>Inherits the granted spell's icon (resolved from the pool by
+        /// <see cref="Kind"/>) unless this option assigns an override.</summary>
+        public override Sprite ResolveIcon()
+        {
+            if (Icon != null) return Icon;
+            var def = BuilderSpellPool.Instance != null ? BuilderSpellPool.Instance.Get(Kind) : null;
+            return def != null ? def.Icon : null;
+        }
     }
 }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/Draft/DraftOption.cs

@@ -34,9 +34,19 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.Draft
         [TextArea(2, 4)]
         public string Description;
 
-        [Tooltip("Icon shown on the draft card. Optional for placeholder content.")]
+        [Tooltip("OPTIONAL override for the draft card icon. Leave empty to inherit the icon of " +
+                 "the item this option grants (its tower / spell); assign one only when you want " +
+                 "to override that inherited icon.")]
         public Sprite Icon;
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// The icon actually shown on the draft card. Returns the explicit <see cref="Icon"/>
+        /// override when one is assigned; otherwise subclasses fall back to the icon of the item
+        /// they grant (tower, spell). The base class has no referenced item, so it just returns
+        /// <see cref="Icon"/> (which may be null).
+        /// </summary>
+        public virtual Sprite ResolveIcon() => Icon;
+
         [Header("Generation")]
         [Tooltip("Relative draw weight. Higher = offered more often. Rarer rewards use " +
                  "lower weights. Must be > 0.")]

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/Draft/NewTowerDraftOption.cs

@@ -48,5 +48,9 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay.Draft
 
             return deck.ServerGrantTower(typeId);
         }
+
+        /// <summary>Inherits the granted tower's icon unless this option assigns an override.</summary>
+        public override Sprite ResolveIcon()
+            => Icon != null ? Icon : (Tower != null ? Tower.Icon : null);
     }
 }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/PlayerSpellLoadout.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 // Assets/_Project/Scripts/Gameplay/PlayerSpellLoadout.cs
+using System.Collections;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using Unity.Netcode;
 using UnityEngine;
@@ -20,9 +21,12 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
     /// slot index and an aimed world point. The server re-validates everything (slot exists,
     /// off cooldown, <see cref="MatchPhase.Playing"/>) since client-side checks in
     /// <see cref="BuilderSpellCastController"/> are UX-only, resolves the
-    /// <see cref="BuilderSpellDefinition"/> via <see cref="BuilderSpellPool"/>, and calls
+    /// <see cref="BuilderSpellDefinition"/> via <see cref="BuilderSpellPool"/>. An <b>instant</b>
-    /// <see cref="BuilderSpellDefinition.ServerCast"/>. A successful cast starts the cooldown
+    /// spell (<see cref="BuilderSpellDefinition.ImpactDelay"/> == 0) resolves on cast: a hit starts
-    /// and fires <see cref="PlayVfxClientRpc"/> so every peer plays the same visual.</para>
+    /// the cooldown and fires <see cref="PlayVfxClientRpc"/>; a miss is a no-op. A <b>delayed</b>
+    /// spell (a projectile, e.g. the Fireball meteor) commits on the throw — cooldown + the falling
+    /// visual fire immediately — while its damage and impact sound are held until the projectile
+    /// lands <see cref="BuilderSpellDefinition.ImpactDelay"/> seconds later.</para>
     /// </remarks>
     public class PlayerSpellLoadout : NetworkBehaviour
     {
@@ -142,7 +146,7 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
         /// <paramref name="slot"/> at <paramref name="targetPoint"/>. All validation happens
         /// here on the server; the client only uses this to trigger an attempt.
         /// </summary>
-        [Rpc(SendTo.Server, RequireOwnership = true)]
+        [Rpc(SendTo.Server, InvokePermission = RpcInvokePermission.Owner)]
         public void RequestCastSpellRpc(int slot, Vector3 targetPoint)
         {
             if (MatchState.Instance == null || MatchState.Instance.Phase != MatchPhase.Playing)
@@ -160,18 +164,69 @@ namespace TD.Gameplay
                 return;
             }
 
+            if (definition.ImpactDelay <= 0f)
+            {
+                // Instant spell (e.g. Slow Area): resolve on cast. A miss (hit nothing) is a no-op
+                // and does NOT start the cooldown — unchanged behavior.
                 if (!definition.ServerCast(OwnerClientId, targetPoint)) return;
 
+                StartCooldown(slot, definition);
+                PlayVfxClientRpc(slotValue.Kind, targetPoint);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // Delayed spell (e.g. the Fireball meteor): the projectile has to fall before it
+                // lands, so the cast is COMMITTED on the throw — cooldown starts and the falling
+                // visual spawns now — while damage and the impact sound wait until it hits the
+                // ground (ImpactDelay later). Enemies are re-scanned at impact, so movement during
+                // the fall resolves correctly.
+                StartCooldown(slot, definition);
+                PlayVfxClientRpc(slotValue.Kind, targetPoint);
+                StartCoroutine(ServerResolveImpactAfterDelay(
+                    slotValue.Kind, OwnerClientId, targetPoint, definition.ImpactDelay));
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Server-only: stamp the slot's cooldown from the definition and replicate it.
+        private void StartCooldown(int slot, BuilderSpellDefinition definition)
+        {
+            var slotValue = spells[slot];
             slotValue.CooldownEndServerTime = NetworkManager.ServerTime.Time + definition.Cooldown;
             spells[slot] = slotValue;
+        }
 
-            PlayVfxClientRpc(slotValue.Kind, targetPoint);
+        // Server-only: apply a delayed spell's effect once its projectile has landed. Re-resolves
+        // targets at impact — the enemy set may have shifted during the fall.
+        private IEnumerator ServerResolveImpactAfterDelay(
+            BuilderSpellKind kind, ulong clientId, Vector3 targetPoint, float delay)
+        {
+            yield return new WaitForSeconds(delay);
+            if (!IsServer) yield break;
+            BuilderSpellPool.Instance?.Get(kind)?.ServerCast(clientId, targetPoint);
         }
 
         [ClientRpc]
         private void PlayVfxClientRpc(BuilderSpellKind kind, Vector3 targetPoint)
         {
-            BuilderSpellPool.Instance?.Get(kind)?.ClientPlayVfx(targetPoint);
+            var def = BuilderSpellPool.Instance?.Get(kind);
+            if (def == null) return;
+
+            def.ClientSpawnVfx(targetPoint); // spawn the (possibly falling) visual now
+
+            if (def.ImpactDelay <= 0f)
+                def.ClientPlayImpact(targetPoint);
+            else
+                StartCoroutine(ClientPlayImpactAfterDelay(kind, targetPoint, def.ImpactDelay));
+        }
+
+        // Client-side: play the impact (sound + any contact visual) when the projectile lands.
+        // Timed locally off the same ImpactDelay so it stays in lockstep with this peer's own
+        // falling visual — no second RPC, no double latency.
+        private IEnumerator ClientPlayImpactAfterDelay(
+            BuilderSpellKind kind, Vector3 targetPoint, float delay)
+        {
+            yield return new WaitForSeconds(delay);
+            BuilderSpellPool.Instance?.Get(kind)?.ClientPlayImpact(targetPoint);
         }
     }
 }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/UI/HUDController.cs

@@ -116,13 +116,17 @@ namespace TD.UI
         private bool          draftSubscribed;
         private PlayerDraft   subscribedDraft;
 
-        // Spell hotbar (bottom-ui Section 6). Frame is display:none while the local player
+        // Spell hotbar (bottom-ui Section 6). Frame is visibility:hidden (but still occupies
+        // its reserved width, so the centered command bar never shifts) while the local player
         // has no granted spells; rebuilt on grant (append-only, so this is rare). Cooldown
         // state changes continuously and has no change event, so it's polled every Update.
         private VisualElement       spellHotbarFrame;
         private VisualElement       spellHotbar;
         private bool                spellLoadoutSubscribed;
         private PlayerSpellLoadout  subscribedSpellLoadout;
+        // The loadout the hotbar is currently showing — the SELECTED builder's, or null when
+        // no builder is selected (hotbar hidden). Cooldown polling reads this.
+        private PlayerSpellLoadout  displayedSpellLoadout;
         private readonly List<SpellSlotUi> spellSlotUis = new List<SpellSlotUi>();
 
         private readonly struct SpellSlotUi
@@ -419,9 +423,10 @@ namespace TD.UI
             title.style.marginBottom = 6;
             card.Add(title);
 
-            if (option.Icon != null)
+            var iconSprite = option.ResolveIcon();
+            if (iconSprite != null)
             {
-                var img = new Image { sprite = option.Icon };
+                var img = new Image { sprite = iconSprite };
                 img.style.width  = 48;
                 img.style.height = 48;
                 img.style.marginBottom = 6;
@@ -475,23 +480,41 @@ namespace TD.UI
 
         // ----- Spell hotbar -------------------------------------------------
 
-        // Rebuilds the hotbar cells from the local player's current loadout. Called on
+        // Rebuilds the hotbar cells for the SELECTED builder's loadout. Called on selection
-        // OnLoadoutChanged (a new spell granted) — spells are append-only, so this is rare,
+        // change and on OnLoadoutChanged (a new spell granted). Spells are append-only, so
-        // not a per-frame concern.
+        // this is rare, not a per-frame concern.
+        //
+        // The hotbar follows selection: it shows the selected builder's spells and is removed
+        // entirely when no builder is selected (spells belong to the builder). While a builder
+        // IS selected, the frame keeps its reserved width (visibility toggle, not display) so
+        // granting a spell mid-selection doesn't reflow/shift the centered command bar.
         private void RebuildSpellHotbar()
         {
             if (spellHotbar == null) return;
             spellHotbar.Clear();
             spellSlotUis.Clear();
 
-            var loadout = PlayerSpellLoadout.Local;
+            var loadout = GetSelectedBuilderLoadout();
-            int slotCount = loadout?.SlotCount ?? 0;
+            displayedSpellLoadout = loadout;
 
             if (spellHotbarFrame != null)
-                spellHotbarFrame.style.display = slotCount > 0 ? DisplayStyle.Flex : DisplayStyle.None;
+            {
+                if (loadout == null)
+                {
+                    // No builder selected → remove the slot (the command grid is hidden too).
+                    spellHotbarFrame.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
+                    return;
+                }
+                // Builder selected → keep the reserved slot in layout; toggle only visibility so
+                // a mid-selection spell grant doesn't jump the command bar.
+                spellHotbarFrame.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                spellHotbarFrame.style.visibility =
+                    loadout.SlotCount > 0 ? Visibility.Visible : Visibility.Hidden;
+            }
 
             if (loadout == null) return;
 
+            int slotCount = loadout.SlotCount;
             var layout = SpellHotkeys.Layout;
             for (int i = 0; i < slotCount; i++)
             {
@@ -531,6 +554,17 @@ namespace TD.UI
             }
         }
 
+        // The loadout the spell hotbar should display: the currently-selected builder's
+        // (resolved via its owner, so it shows whichever builder is selected — normally the
+        // local player's), or null when the selection isn't a builder → hotbar hidden.
+        private PlayerSpellLoadout GetSelectedBuilderLoadout()
+        {
+            var selected = SelectionState.Instance?.SelectedObject;
+            if (selected is Builder builder)
+                return PlayerSpellLoadout.GetForClient(builder.OwnerClientId);
+            return null;
+        }
+
         // Per-frame: dims each slot while on cooldown and shows the remaining whole seconds.
         // Cooldown has no change event (it advances continuously with server time), so this
         // has to be polled — cheap at hotbar scale (at most MaxSpellSlots cells).
@@ -538,7 +572,7 @@ namespace TD.UI
         {
             if (spellSlotUis.Count == 0) return;
 
-            var loadout = PlayerSpellLoadout.Local;
+            var loadout = displayedSpellLoadout;
             if (loadout == null) return;
 
             for (int i = 0; i < spellSlotUis.Count; i++)
@@ -1403,6 +1437,10 @@ namespace TD.UI
             // hides via PopulateGridForSelection when there are no actions.
             PopulateInfoPanel(selection);
             PopulateGridForSelection(selection);
+
+            // Section 6 (spell hotbar) follows selection: show the selected builder's spells,
+            // hide entirely when the selection isn't a builder.
+            RebuildSpellHotbar();
         }
 
         /// <summary>

Assets/_Project/UI/HUD.uss

@@ -169,8 +169,11 @@
     flex-shrink: 0;
     flex-direction: row;
     align-items: flex-end;          /* short sections hug the bottom */
-    justify-content: flex-start;
+    justify-content: center;        /* keep the command bar centered at ANY resolution — the row
-    padding: 0 100px;               /* margin on either side — the X regions */
+                                       auto-centers, and re-centers symmetrically when the spell
+                                       hotbar appears/disappears */
+    padding: 0;                     /* was 0 100px; reclaimed so a smaller reference resolution
+                                       (= bigger HUD) still fits the bar without clipping */
     background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);
 }
 

Assets/_Project/UI/HUD.uxml

@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@
             <!-- Section 6: Spell Hotbar (short frame) — builder spells bound to fixed
                  hotkeys (grant order = slot order). Hidden entirely until the player has
                  been granted at least one spell. -->
-            <ui:VisualElement name="spell-hotbar-frame" class="spell-hotbar-frame" style="display: none;">
+            <ui:VisualElement name="spell-hotbar-frame" class="spell-hotbar-frame" style="visibility: hidden;">
                 <ui:Label text="spells" class="section-label"/>
                 <ui:VisualElement name="spell-hotbar" class="spell-hotbar"/>
             </ui:VisualElement>

Assets/_Project/UI/HUDPanelSettings.asset

@@ -18,14 +18,14 @@ MonoBehaviour:
   m_RenderMode: 0
   m_ColliderUpdateMode: 0
   m_ColliderIsTrigger: 1
-  m_ScaleMode: 1
+  m_ScaleMode: 2
   m_ReferenceSpritePixelsPerUnit: 100
   m_PixelsPerUnit: 100
   m_Scale: 1
   m_ReferenceDpi: 96
   m_FallbackDpi: 96
-  m_ReferenceResolution: {x: 1200, y: 800}
+  m_ReferenceResolution: {x: 1360, y: 765}
-  m_ScreenMatchMode: 0
+  m_ScreenMatchMode: 2
   m_Match: 0
   m_SortingOrder: 0
   m_TargetDisplay: 0