diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yml b/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yml
index 4e0cc2f..762d92c 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build (shared -> frontend -> backend)
         run: npm run build
 
+      - name: Test
+        run: npm test
+
+      - name: Lint
+        run: npm run lint:check
+
       - name: Deploy to host pages mount
         if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
         run: |
diff --git a/backend/src/game-server.ts b/backend/src/game-server.ts
index e321737..5e92f3b 100644
--- a/backend/src/game-server.ts
+++ b/backend/src/game-server.ts
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ export class GameServer extends CommandReceiver {
             this.players.deletePlayer(player);
             this.sendServerStateUpdate();
           });
-        } catch {
+        } catch (e) {
+          console.error('Failed to register joining player; disconnecting socket', e);
           socket.disconnect();
         }
       });
@@ -168,6 +169,9 @@ export class GameServer extends CommandReceiver {
 
   private timeSinceLastPointUpdate = 0;
   private physicsAccumulator = 0;
+  // Frames since the last stats report where physics ran over budget (more
+  // substeps than the cap). Surfaced by handleStats as a saturation signal.
+  private saturatedFrames = 0;
 
   private handlePhysics() {
     const delta = this.deltaTimeCalculator.getNextDeltaTimeInSeconds({ setAsBase: true });
@@ -189,12 +193,24 @@ export class GameServer extends CommandReceiver {
 
     const fixedDelta = settings.targetPhysicsDeltaTimeInSeconds;
     const maxSubstepsPerFrame = 5;
+    // Cap on retained physics backlog when saturated, so a long stall can't
+    // accumulate an unrecoverable catch-up.
+    const maxBacklogSeconds = 0.25;
 
     this.physicsAccumulator += delta;
     let substeps = Math.floor(this.physicsAccumulator / fixedDelta);
     if (substeps > maxSubstepsPerFrame) {
+      // Saturated: run the cap's worth of substeps but KEEP the remaining
+      // backlog (clamped) instead of zeroing it. Dropping it silently slowed
+      // simulated time for everyone — and diverged client prediction, whose
+      // wall-clock keeps running. Clamping bounds the catch-up so a transient
+      // spike recovers without a death spiral.
+      this.saturatedFrames++;
+      this.physicsAccumulator = Math.min(
+        this.physicsAccumulator - maxSubstepsPerFrame * fixedDelta,
+        maxBacklogSeconds,
+      );
       substeps = maxSubstepsPerFrame;
-      this.physicsAccumulator = 0;
     } else {
       this.physicsAccumulator -= substeps * fixedDelta;
     }
@@ -237,6 +253,23 @@ export class GameServer extends CommandReceiver {
       console.info(
         `Memory used: ${(process.memoryUsage().rss / 1024 / 1024).toFixed(2)} MB`,
       );
+
+      const rtts = this.players.connectedPlayerRttsMs.filter((r) => r > 0);
+      if (rtts.length > 0) {
+        rtts.sort((a, b) => a - b);
+        console.info(
+          `Player RTT median ${rtts[Math.floor(rtts.length / 2)].toFixed(0)} ms ` +
+            `(min ${rtts[0].toFixed(0)}, max ${rtts[rtts.length - 1].toFixed(0)}, n=${rtts.length})`,
+        );
+      }
+
+      if (this.saturatedFrames > 0) {
+        console.warn(
+          `Physics saturated on ${this.saturatedFrames} frame(s) since last report — shedding backlog`,
+        );
+        this.saturatedFrames = 0;
+      }
+
       this.deltaTimes = [];
     }
   }
diff --git a/backend/src/objects/character-physical.ts b/backend/src/objects/character-physical.ts
index 2f60597..11990d9 100644
--- a/backend/src/objects/character-physical.ts
+++ b/backend/src/objects/character-physical.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ import {
   CharacterMovementState,
   CharacterWorld,
   GroundSurface,
+  headRadius,
+  feetRadius,
+  headOffset,
+  leftFootOffset,
+  rightFootOffset,
+  boundRadius,
 } from 'shared';
 import { DynamicPhysical } from '../physics/physicals/dynamic-physical';
 import { CirclePhysical } from './circle-physical';
@@ -38,48 +44,14 @@ export class CharacterPhysical extends CharacterBase implements DynamicPhysical
   public readonly canCollide = true;
   public readonly canMove = true;
 
-  private static readonly headRadius = 50;
-  private static readonly feetRadius = 20;
   private projectileStrength = settings.playerMaxStrength;
 
-  // offsets are measured from (0, 0). The head sits this far above the feet,
-  // which sets the leg length: kept short so the body reads as a compact head on
-  // stubby legs rather than a long-legged strider.
-  private static readonly desiredHeadOffset = vec2.fromValues(0, 55);
-  private static readonly desiredLeftFootOffset = vec2.fromValues(-20, 0);
-  private static readonly desiredRightFootOffset = vec2.fromValues(20, 0);
-  private static readonly centerOfMass = vec2.scale(
-    vec2.create(),
-    vec2.add(
-      vec2.create(),
-      vec2.add(
-        vec2.create(),
-        CharacterPhysical.desiredHeadOffset,
-        CharacterPhysical.desiredLeftFootOffset,
-      ),
-      CharacterPhysical.desiredRightFootOffset,
-    ),
-    1 / 3,
-  );
-
-  private static readonly headOffset = vec2.subtract(
-    vec2.create(),
-    CharacterPhysical.desiredHeadOffset,
-    CharacterPhysical.centerOfMass,
-  );
-  private static readonly leftFootOffset = vec2.subtract(
-    vec2.create(),
-    CharacterPhysical.desiredLeftFootOffset,
-    CharacterPhysical.centerOfMass,
-  );
-  private static readonly rightFootOffset = vec2.subtract(
-    vec2.create(),
-    CharacterPhysical.desiredRightFootOffset,
-    CharacterPhysical.centerOfMass,
-  );
-
-  public static readonly boundRadius =
-    (CharacterPhysical.headRadius + CharacterPhysical.feetRadius * 2) * 2;
+  // Body geometry (head/foot radii, posture offsets, bound radius) is defined
+  // once in the shared movement module and imported here, so the authoritative
+  // body and the client's predicted body are bit-identical by construction
+  // instead of by a hand-synced "copied verbatim" duplicate. Re-exposed as a
+  // static only because external callers reference CharacterPhysical.boundRadius.
+  public static readonly boundRadius = boundRadius;
 
   private timeSinceDying = 0;
   private isDestroyed = false;
@@ -129,20 +101,20 @@ export class CharacterPhysical extends CharacterBase implements DynamicPhysical
   ) {
     super(id(), name, killCount, deathCount, team, settings.playerMaxHealth);
     this.head = new CirclePhysical(
-      vec2.add(vec2.create(), startPosition, CharacterPhysical.headOffset),
-      CharacterPhysical.headRadius,
+      vec2.add(vec2.create(), startPosition, headOffset),
+      headRadius,
       this,
       container,
     );
     this.leftFoot = new CirclePhysical(
-      vec2.add(vec2.create(), startPosition, CharacterPhysical.leftFootOffset),
-      CharacterPhysical.feetRadius,
+      vec2.add(vec2.create(), startPosition, leftFootOffset),
+      feetRadius,
       this,
       container,
     );
     this.rightFoot = new CirclePhysical(
-      vec2.add(vec2.create(), startPosition, CharacterPhysical.rightFootOffset),
-      CharacterPhysical.feetRadius,
+      vec2.add(vec2.create(), startPosition, rightFootOffset),
+      feetRadius,
       this,
       container,
     );
@@ -154,6 +126,9 @@ export class CharacterPhysical extends CharacterBase implements DynamicPhysical
   }
 
   private initMovementBridge() {
+    // The movementState object-literal getters/setters below can't use `this`
+    // (it would bind to the literal), so alias the character instance.
+    // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-this-alias
     const self = this;
     this.movementState = {
       head: this.head,
@@ -411,8 +386,8 @@ export class CharacterPhysical extends CharacterBase implements DynamicPhysical
   }
 
   private animateScaling(q: number) {
-    this.head.radius = CharacterPhysical.headRadius * q;
-    this.leftFoot.radius = this.rightFoot.radius = CharacterPhysical.feetRadius * q;
+    this.head.radius = headRadius * q;
+    this.leftFoot.radius = this.rightFoot.radius = feetRadius * q;
   }
 
   public getPropertyUpdates(): PropertyUpdatesForObject {
diff --git a/backend/src/players/npc.ts b/backend/src/players/npc.ts
index 23177b6..655ade7 100644
--- a/backend/src/players/npc.ts
+++ b/backend/src/players/npc.ts
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ export class NPC extends PlayerBase {
 
     const charge =
       distance > npcTuning.chargeRangeThreshold &&
-        Random.getRandom() <
+      Random.getRandom() <
         npcTuning.chargeBaseChance + npcTuning.chargeAggressionChance * this.aggression
         ? Random.getRandomInRange(npcTuning.chargeMin, 1)
         : 0;
diff --git a/backend/src/players/player-base.ts b/backend/src/players/player-base.ts
index 3d6a561..6de34cd 100644
--- a/backend/src/players/player-base.ts
+++ b/backend/src/players/player-base.ts
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ export abstract class PlayerBase extends CommandReceiver {
   protected findEmptyPositionForPlayer(preferredCenter: vec2): vec2 {
     let rotation = 0;
     let radius = 0;
-    for (; ;) {
+    for (;;) {
       const playerPosition = vec2.fromValues(
         radius * Math.cos(rotation) + preferredCenter.x,
         radius * Math.sin(rotation) + preferredCenter.y,
diff --git a/backend/src/players/player-container.ts b/backend/src/players/player-container.ts
index afc67bb..01a1c96 100644
--- a/backend/src/players/player-container.ts
+++ b/backend/src/players/player-container.ts
@@ -57,6 +57,12 @@ export class PlayerContainer {
     return this._players.length;
   }
 
+  // Measured round-trip times (ms) of the real connected players, for
+  // server-side latency stats. NPCs have no socket and are excluded.
+  public get connectedPlayerRttsMs(): Array<number> {
+    return this._players.map((p) => p.rttMs);
+  }
+
   public step(deltaTimeInSeconds: number) {
     this.players.forEach((p) => p.step(deltaTimeInSeconds));
   }
diff --git a/backend/src/players/player.ts b/backend/src/players/player.ts
index 5081f48..923be65 100644
--- a/backend/src/players/player.ts
+++ b/backend/src/players/player.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ import { PhysicalContainer } from '../physics/containers/physical-container';
 import { PlayerContainer } from './player-container';
 import { PlayerBase } from './player-base';
 
+// How often the server pings each client to measure round-trip time.
+const pingIntervalSeconds = 1;
+
 export class Player extends PlayerBase {
   // default, until the clients sends its real value
   private aspectRatio: number = 16 / 9;
@@ -41,6 +44,12 @@ export class Player extends PlayerBase {
   private lastInputClientTimeMs = 0;
   private lastLeapClientTimeMs = 0;
 
+  // Measured round-trip time to this client (ms) — the latency primitive that
+  // lag compensation, a latency HUD, and adaptive interpolation build on.
+  public rttMs = 0;
+  private timeSinceLastPing = 0;
+  private lastPingSentMs = 0;
+
   protected commandExecutors: CommandExecutors = {
     [SetAspectRatioActionCommand.type]: (v: SetAspectRatioActionCommand) =>
       (this.aspectRatio = v.aspectRatio),
@@ -71,6 +80,15 @@ export class Player extends PlayerBase {
     super(playerInfo, playerContainer, objectContainer, team);
     this.createCharacter();
     this.step(0);
+
+    // The client already echoes a Pong for every Ping (see game.ts). Only one
+    // ping is ever in flight, so RTT is simply now − send-time; no payload
+    // needed and no client change required.
+    this.socket.on(TransportEvents.Pong, () => {
+      if (this.lastPingSentMs > 0) {
+        this.rttMs = performance.now() - this.lastPingSentMs;
+      }
+    });
   }
 
   protected createCharacter() {
@@ -191,6 +209,12 @@ export class Player extends PlayerBase {
       this.queueCommandSend(new RemoteCallsForObjects(remoteCalls));
     }
 
+    if ((this.timeSinceLastPing += deltaTime) > pingIntervalSeconds) {
+      this.timeSinceLastPing = 0;
+      this.lastPingSentMs = performance.now();
+      this.socket.emit(TransportEvents.Ping);
+    }
+
     if ((this.timeSinceLastMessage += deltaTime) > settings.updateMessageInterval) {
       this.handleAnnouncements();
       this.handleViewAreaUpdate();
diff --git a/frontend/src/main.scss b/frontend/src/main.scss
index c8aab8f..3ab46d2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/main.scss
+++ b/frontend/src/main.scss
@@ -332,6 +332,26 @@ body {
         &::after {
           content: '\25C9';
         }
+
+        // Twin-stick aim indicator: drawn from the button centre toward the
+        // current drag direction while aiming a shot (see TouchListener).
+        .aim-line {
+          position: absolute;
+          left: 50%;
+          top: 50%;
+          width: 130px;
+          height: 3px;
+          border-radius: 2px;
+          transform-origin: left center;
+          transform: translateY(-50%) rotate(0rad);
+          background: linear-gradient(90deg,
+              rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85),
+              rgba(255, 255, 255, 0));
+          box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
+          opacity: 0;
+          pointer-events: none;
+          transition: opacity 80ms;
+        }
       }
 
       &.leap {
@@ -594,8 +614,8 @@ body {
   .hitmarker {
     position: absolute;
     transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
-    @include square(26px);
-    opacity: 0.9;
+    @include square(34px);
+    opacity: 0.95;
 
     &::before,
     &::after {
@@ -603,10 +623,13 @@ body {
       position: absolute;
       top: 50%;
       left: 50%;
-      width: 12px;
-      height: 2px;
+      width: 16px;
+      height: 3px;
+      border-radius: 2px;
       background-color: white;
-      box-shadow: 0 0 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
+      box-shadow:
+        0 0 6px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9),
+        0 0 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);
       transform-origin: center;
     }
 
@@ -618,31 +641,58 @@ body {
       transform: translate(-50%, -50%) rotate(-45deg);
     }
 
-    animation: hitmarker-pop 250ms ease-out forwards;
+    animation: hitmarker-pop 220ms cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.9, 0.3, 1) forwards;
 
     &.charged {
+      @include square(44px);
 
       &::before,
       &::after {
-        width: 18px;
-        height: 3px;
+        width: 24px;
+        height: 4px;
         background-color: $accent;
+        box-shadow:
+          0 0 10px rgba($accent, 0.9),
+          0 0 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);
       }
     }
   }
 
+  .kill-flash {
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    pointer-events: none;
+    background: radial-gradient(ellipse at center,
+        transparent 42%,
+        rgba($accent, 0) 56%,
+        rgba($accent, 0.55) 100%);
+    animation: kill-flash 420ms ease-out forwards;
+
+    &.charged {
+      background: radial-gradient(ellipse at center,
+          transparent 36%,
+          rgba($accent, 0) 50%,
+          rgba($accent, 0.8) 100%);
+    }
+  }
+
   .kill-popup {
     position: absolute;
     transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
-    font-weight: 700;
-    font-size: 1.4rem;
+    font-weight: 800;
+    font-size: 1.7rem;
     white-space: nowrap;
     color: $bright-neutral;
-    text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);
-    animation: kill-popup-rise 1200ms ease-out forwards;
+    text-shadow:
+      0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9),
+      0 0 18px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.35);
+    animation: kill-popup-rise 1200ms cubic-bezier(0.18, 0.9, 0.3, 1) forwards;
 
     &.charged {
       color: $accent;
+      text-shadow:
+        0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9),
+        0 0 18px rgba($accent, 0.6);
     }
 
     .heal {
@@ -655,12 +705,14 @@ body {
     top: 33%;
     left: 50%;
     transform: translateX(-50%);
-    font-weight: 700;
-    font-size: 2.6rem;
+    font-weight: 800;
+    font-size: 3rem;
     color: $accent;
-    text-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);
+    text-shadow:
+      0 0 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9),
+      0 0 24px rgba($accent, 0.7);
     white-space: nowrap;
-    animation: streak-pop 1400ms ease-out forwards;
+    animation: streak-pop 1400ms cubic-bezier(0.18, 0.9, 0.3, 1) forwards;
   }
 
   .killfeed {
@@ -685,6 +737,34 @@ body {
       }
     }
   }
+
+  // Centred "Eliminated" overlay shown while the local player is dead; the
+  // respawn countdown is the server-driven "Reviving in N…" announcement.
+  .elimination {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 42%;
+    left: 50%;
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
+    text-align: center;
+    animation: elimination-in 220ms ease-out;
+
+    .elimination-title {
+      font-weight: 800;
+      font-size: 3.4rem;
+      letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+      color: $accent;
+      text-shadow:
+        0 0 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9),
+        0 0 28px rgba($accent, 0.6);
+    }
+
+    .elimination-sub {
+      margin-top: 6px;
+      font-size: 1.3rem;
+      opacity: 0.85;
+      text-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);
+    }
+  }
 }
 
 @keyframes contested-pulse {
@@ -748,46 +828,72 @@ body {
 @keyframes hitmarker-pop {
   0% {
     opacity: 0;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1.6);
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(2);
   }
 
-  25% {
+  18% {
+    opacity: 1;
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(0.82);
+  }
+
+  36% {
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1.06);
+  }
+
+  100% {
+    opacity: 0;
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(0.95);
+  }
+}
+
+@keyframes kill-flash {
+  0% {
+    opacity: 0;
+  }
+
+  12% {
     opacity: 1;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1);
   }
 
   100% {
     opacity: 0;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(0.9);
   }
 }
 
 @keyframes kill-popup-rise {
   0% {
     opacity: 0;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -30%) scale(0.8);
+    transform: translate(-50%, -20%) scale(0.6);
   }
 
-  20% {
+  12% {
     opacity: 1;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -60%) scale(1);
+    transform: translate(-50%, -56%) scale(1.25);
+  }
+
+  28% {
+    transform: translate(-50%, -62%) scale(1);
   }
 
   100% {
     opacity: 0;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -160%) scale(1);
+    transform: translate(-50%, -170%) scale(1);
   }
 }
 
 @keyframes streak-pop {
   0% {
     opacity: 0;
-    transform: translateX(-50%) scale(0.6);
+    transform: translateX(-50%) scale(0.5);
   }
 
-  20% {
+  16% {
     opacity: 1;
-    transform: translateX(-50%) scale(1.1);
+    transform: translateX(-50%) scale(1.25);
+  }
+
+  32% {
+    transform: translateX(-50%) scale(0.95);
   }
 
   70% {
@@ -819,4 +925,16 @@ body {
   100% {
     opacity: 0;
   }
+}
+
+@keyframes elimination-in {
+  0% {
+    opacity: 0;
+    transform: translate(-50%, -42%) scale(0.9);
+  }
+
+  100% {
+    opacity: 1;
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1);
+  }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/charge-indicator.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/charge-indicator.ts
index 7b44718..239e33b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/charge-indicator.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/charge-indicator.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import { holdDurationToCharge } from 'shared';
 import { Pointer } from './helper/pointer';
 
-
 export abstract class ChargeIndicator {
   private static element?: HTMLElement;
   private static heldSince = 0;
@@ -41,8 +40,9 @@ export abstract class ChargeIndicator {
       (performance.now() - ChargeIndicator.heldSince) / 1000,
     );
     element.style.opacity = charge < 0.12 ? '0' : '1';
-    element.style.background = `conic-gradient(rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85) ${charge * 360
-      }deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15) 0deg)`;
+    element.style.background = `conic-gradient(rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85) ${
+      charge * 360
+    }deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15) 0deg)`;
     element.classList.toggle('full', charge >= 1);
 
     if (ChargeIndicator.followPointer) {
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/commands/touch-listener.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/commands/touch-listener.ts
index 9dd2cfa..ab91ce8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/commands/touch-listener.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/commands/touch-listener.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ import { localCharacterPredictor } from '../helper/prediction/local-character-pr
 export class TouchListener extends CommandGenerator {
   private static readonly deadZone = 8;
   private static readonly deltaScaling = 0.4;
+  // Min screen drag (px) from the fire button before a shot is aimed by the
+  // drag direction instead of firing straight ahead.
+  private static readonly aimDeadZone = 18;
 
   private joystick: HTMLElement;
   private joystickButton: HTMLElement;
@@ -24,9 +27,12 @@ export class TouchListener extends CommandGenerator {
 
   private fireButton: HTMLElement;
   private fireStrengthRing: HTMLElement;
+  private fireAimLine!: HTMLElement;
   private leapButton: HTMLElement;
 
   private fireDownAt: number | null = null;
+  private fireButtonCenter: vec2 | null = null;
+  private fireAimScreen: vec2 | null = null;
 
   constructor(
     private target: HTMLElement,
@@ -45,8 +51,12 @@ export class TouchListener extends CommandGenerator {
     this.fireStrengthRing = document.createElement('div');
     this.fireStrengthRing.className = 'strength-ring';
     this.fireButton.appendChild(this.fireStrengthRing);
+    this.fireAimLine = document.createElement('div');
+    this.fireAimLine.className = 'aim-line';
+    this.fireButton.appendChild(this.fireAimLine);
 
     this.fireButton.addEventListener('touchstart', this.fireButtonDownListener);
+    this.fireButton.addEventListener('touchmove', this.fireButtonMoveListener);
     this.fireButton.addEventListener('touchend', this.fireButtonUpListener);
 
     this.leapButton = document.createElement('div');
@@ -159,12 +169,41 @@ export class TouchListener extends CommandGenerator {
     this.swallowTouch(event);
     this.fireDownAt = performance.now();
     const rect = this.fireButton.getBoundingClientRect();
-    ChargeIndicator.begin(rect.left + rect.width / 2, rect.top + rect.height / 2);
+    this.fireButtonCenter = vec2.fromValues(
+      rect.left + rect.width / 2,
+      rect.top + rect.height / 2,
+    );
+    this.fireAimScreen = null;
+    ChargeIndicator.begin(this.fireButtonCenter[0], this.fireButtonCenter[1]);
+  };
+
+  // Dragging from the fire button aims the shot: the drag vector sets the
+  // direction, decoupling aim from movement so a touch player can fire one way
+  // while walking another. A tap with no meaningful drag fires straight ahead.
+  private fireButtonMoveListener = (event: TouchEvent) => {
+    this.swallowTouch(event);
+    if (this.fireDownAt === null || !this.fireButtonCenter) {
+      return;
+    }
+    const touch = event.targetTouches[0] ?? event.changedTouches[0];
+    if (!touch) {
+      return;
+    }
+    this.fireAimScreen = vec2.fromValues(touch.clientX, touch.clientY);
+    const dx = this.fireAimScreen[0] - this.fireButtonCenter[0];
+    const dy = this.fireAimScreen[1] - this.fireButtonCenter[1];
+    if (dx * dx + dy * dy > TouchListener.aimDeadZone * TouchListener.aimDeadZone) {
+      this.fireAimLine.style.opacity = '1';
+      this.fireAimLine.style.transform = `translateY(-50%) rotate(${Math.atan2(dy, dx)}rad)`;
+    } else {
+      this.fireAimLine.style.opacity = '0';
+    }
   };
 
   private fireButtonUpListener = (event: TouchEvent) => {
     this.swallowTouch(event);
     ChargeIndicator.end();
+    this.fireAimLine.style.opacity = '0';
     if (this.fireDownAt === null) {
       return;
     }
@@ -174,12 +213,28 @@ export class TouchListener extends CommandGenerator {
 
     const character = this.game.gameObjects.player;
     if (!character) {
+      this.fireButtonCenter = null;
+      this.fireAimScreen = null;
       return;
     }
+
+    // Screen drag → world aim direction (flip Y: screen +y is down). Below the
+    // dead-zone it's a tap, so fall back to firing along the facing direction.
+    let direction = character.facingDirection;
+    if (this.fireButtonCenter && this.fireAimScreen) {
+      const dx = this.fireAimScreen[0] - this.fireButtonCenter[0];
+      const dy = this.fireAimScreen[1] - this.fireButtonCenter[1];
+      if (dx * dx + dy * dy > TouchListener.aimDeadZone * TouchListener.aimDeadZone) {
+        direction = vec2.normalize(vec2.create(), vec2.fromValues(dx, -dy));
+      }
+    }
+    this.fireButtonCenter = null;
+    this.fireAimScreen = null;
+
     const aim = vec2.scaleAndAdd(
       vec2.create(),
       character.bodyCenter,
-      character.facingDirection,
+      direction,
       settings.touchAimRange,
     );
     this.sendCommandToSubscribers(new PrimaryActionCommand(aim, charge));
@@ -195,8 +250,9 @@ export class TouchListener extends CommandGenerator {
 
     const character = this.game.gameObjects.player;
     if (character) {
-      this.fireStrengthRing.style.background = `conic-gradient(rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75) ${character.strengthFraction * 360
-        }deg, transparent 0deg)`;
+      this.fireStrengthRing.style.background = `conic-gradient(rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75) ${
+        character.strengthFraction * 360
+      }deg, transparent 0deg)`;
     }
   }
 
@@ -207,6 +263,7 @@ export class TouchListener extends CommandGenerator {
     this.target.removeEventListener('touchend', this.touchEndListener);
 
     this.fireButton.removeEventListener('touchstart', this.fireButtonDownListener);
+    this.fireButton.removeEventListener('touchmove', this.fireButtonMoveListener);
     this.fireButton.removeEventListener('touchend', this.fireButtonUpListener);
     this.leapButton.removeEventListener('touchstart', this.leapButtonListener);
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/feedback-hud.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/feedback-hud.ts
index 316aecf..adbf068 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/feedback-hud.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/feedback-hud.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { Pointer } from './helper/pointer';
 export abstract class FeedbackHud {
   private static root?: HTMLElement;
   private static killfeed?: HTMLElement;
+  private static elimination?: HTMLElement;
 
   private static ensureRoot(): { root: HTMLElement; killfeed: HTMLElement } {
     if (!this.root || !this.killfeed) {
@@ -47,6 +48,11 @@ export abstract class FeedbackHud {
     const { killfeed } = this.ensureRoot();
     const charged = charge >= settings.chargedHitThreshold;
 
+    // A quick crimson vignette pulse around the whole frame to punctuate the kill.
+    const flash = document.createElement('div');
+    flash.className = 'kill-flash' + (charged ? ' charged' : '');
+    this.addTransient(flash, 420);
+
     const entry = document.createElement('div');
     entry.className = 'kill-entry';
     entry.innerHTML = `Eliminated <b>${this.escape(victimName ?? 'enemy')}</b>`;
@@ -70,6 +76,29 @@ export abstract class FeedbackHud {
     }
   }
 
+  // Persistent centred overlay shown while the local player is dead and waiting
+  // to respawn. The countdown itself is the server-driven "Reviving in N…"
+  // announcement; this makes the death state unmistakable and stays up until
+  // hideElimination() is called on respawn.
+  public static showElimination(): void {
+    if (this.elimination) {
+      return;
+    }
+    const { root } = this.ensureRoot();
+    const el = document.createElement('div');
+    el.className = 'elimination';
+    el.innerHTML =
+      '<div class="elimination-title">Eliminated</div>' +
+      '<div class="elimination-sub">Respawning…</div>';
+    root.appendChild(el);
+    this.elimination = el;
+  }
+
+  public static hideElimination(): void {
+    this.elimination?.parentElement?.removeChild(this.elimination);
+    this.elimination = undefined;
+  }
+
   private static streakName(streak: number): string | undefined {
     switch (streak) {
       case 2:
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/game.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/game.ts
index a212d5a..4b8678f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/game.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/game.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import { localCharacterPredictor } from './helper/prediction/local-character-pre
 import { Tutorial } from './tutorial';
 import { Scoreboard } from './scoreboard';
 import { Minimap } from './minimap';
+import { ScreenShake } from './screen-shake';
 
 export class Game extends CommandReceiver {
   public gameObjects = new GameObjectContainer(this);
@@ -80,6 +81,9 @@ export class Game extends CommandReceiver {
     this.socket?.close();
     serverTimeline.reset();
     localCharacterPredictor.reset();
+    // Clear any leftover shake/zoom so a kill at the end of one match can't bleed
+    // its camera impact into the next.
+    ScreenShake.reset();
     this.gameObjects = new GameObjectContainer(this);
     this.overlay.innerHTML = '';
     this.keystoneArrow = undefined;
@@ -232,6 +236,11 @@ export class Game extends CommandReceiver {
     this.resolveStarted();
     deltaTime /= 1000;
 
+    // Decay the camera impact effects on raw wall-clock time, before any of the
+    // end-game slow-motion scaling below. These only adjust the rendered view,
+    // never the simulation, so they stay decoupled from prediction and netcode.
+    ScreenShake.step(deltaTime);
+
     // Stepped before the end-game time scaling on purpose: the slow motion is
     // already baked into the snapshots the server sends, so the playback
     // cursor itself must keep running on wall-clock time.
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/helper/prediction/local-character-predictor.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/helper/prediction/local-character-predictor.ts
index c147477..5d23c1c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/helper/prediction/local-character-predictor.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/helper/prediction/local-character-predictor.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,14 @@ import { InputHistory } from './input-history';
 const stepMs = 1000 / 200; // match the server's 200 Hz fixed tick
 const stepSeconds = 1 / 200;
 
+// Clock source for the predictor. Injectable so deterministic reconciliation
+// tests can drive prediction without real time passing; defaults to the
+// browser wall clock in production.
+let nowMs: () => number = () => performance.now();
+export const setPredictorClockForTesting = (clock: () => number): void => {
+  nowMs = clock;
+};
+
 // Don't replay more than this far back: if the last acknowledged input is older
 // (a stall, or a backgrounded tab catching up) snap to the authoritative pose
 // instead of grinding through hundreds of steps.
@@ -74,6 +82,12 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
   // Latest streamed shooting-strength, to gate predicted leaps as the server does.
   private currentStrength = settings.playerMaxStrength;
 
+  // Whether the local body is alive on the server. While dead (awaiting respawn)
+  // prediction is suppressed so the corpse/ghost can't keep walking in response
+  // to input — the server ignores a dead player's movement, so a predicted body
+  // that still moved would be a pure client-side desync.
+  private alive = true;
+
   // Continuous state carried between replays (the snapshot carries only poses).
   // The facing direction is NOT carried — it is re-derived from the pose each
   // frame (see directionFromPose / simulate); only the latched planet and the
@@ -100,7 +114,7 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
   // Stamp a movement command and record it for replay. Returns the wall-clock
   // time the command should carry so the server can echo it back.
   public recordInput(direction: vec2): number {
-    const timeMs = Math.round(performance.now());
+    const timeMs = Math.round(nowMs());
     this.inputHistory.record(direction, timeMs);
     return timeMs;
   }
@@ -112,7 +126,10 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
   ): void {
     // Inputs only advance the acknowledgement forward; the launch momentum and
     // leap boundary always adopt the latest authoritative values.
-    if (this.lastAckClientTimeMs === undefined || clientTimeMs > this.lastAckClientTimeMs) {
+    if (
+      this.lastAckClientTimeMs === undefined ||
+      clientTimeMs > this.lastAckClientTimeMs
+    ) {
       this.lastAckClientTimeMs = clientTimeMs;
     }
     vec2.set(this.authoritativeBodyVelocity, bodyVelocity[0], bodyVelocity[1]);
@@ -121,7 +138,7 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
 
   public setAuthoritative(head: Circle, leftFoot: Circle, rightFoot: Circle): void {
     this.authoritative = { head, leftFoot, rightFoot };
-    this.authReceiptMs = Math.round(performance.now());
+    this.authReceiptMs = Math.round(nowMs());
   }
 
   // The player pressed leap; remember when, so the replay applies the same
@@ -129,7 +146,7 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
   // it — a rejected leap (no strength/cooldown) self-corrects via the streamed
   // authoritative momentum.
   public recordLeap(): number {
-    const timeMs = Math.round(performance.now());
+    const timeMs = Math.round(nowMs());
     this.leapHistory.push(timeMs);
     const cutoff = timeMs - 1500;
     while (this.leapHistory.length > 0 && this.leapHistory[0] <= cutoff) {
@@ -142,6 +159,10 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
     this.currentStrength = strength;
   }
 
+  public setAlive(alive: boolean): void {
+    this.alive = alive;
+  }
+
   public reset(): void {
     this.inputHistory.reset();
     this.leapHistory = [];
@@ -154,6 +175,7 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
     this.carriedPlanetId = undefined;
     this.carriedSecondsSinceSurface = 1;
     this.hasRender = false;
+    this.alive = true;
   }
 
   public get canPredict(): boolean {
@@ -175,7 +197,7 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
   // caller should use (otherwise fall back to interpolation). `planets` is the
   // current collision world; `frameSeconds` is the render delta.
   public update(planets: Array<PredictablePlanet>, frameSeconds: number): boolean {
-    if (!this.canPredict || this.isAnimatingInOrOut) {
+    if (!this.alive || !this.canPredict || this.isAnimatingInOrOut) {
       // Resume from the authoritative pose with a snap rather than gliding from
       // a stale rendered one.
       this.hasRender = false;
@@ -209,7 +231,7 @@ export class LocalCharacterPredictor {
 
   private simulate(): CharacterMovementState {
     const auth = this.authoritative!;
-    const now = Math.round(performance.now());
+    const now = Math.round(nowMs());
     // Predict forward from the latest snapshot by its age, clamped so a stall
     // (or a backgrounded tab catching up) snaps instead of grinding hundreds of
     // steps. This advances with wall-clock time even while a held key sends no
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/join-form-handler.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/join-form-handler.ts
index e9c2b71..c2bd37f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/join-form-handler.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/join-form-handler.ts
@@ -16,8 +16,12 @@ export class JoinFormHandler {
   private resolvePlayerDecision!: (d: PlayerDecision) => void;
   private pollServersTimer: any;
   private keyUpListener = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
-    if (e.key === 'enter') {
-      this.form.submit();
+    // KeyboardEvent.key for Return is 'Enter' (capital E); the old lowercase
+    // comparison never matched, so pressing Enter silently did nothing.
+    // requestSubmit() (unlike submit()) fires the form's onsubmit handler and
+    // runs HTML5 validation, so Enter behaves exactly like clicking Join.
+    if (e.key === 'Enter' && !this.joinButton.disabled) {
+      this.form.requestSubmit();
     }
   };
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/landing-page-background.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/landing-page-background.ts
index 0e2be9a..bafe559 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/landing-page-background.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/landing-page-background.ts
@@ -3,19 +3,19 @@ import {
   CircleLight,
   FilteringOptions,
   hsl,
-  NoisyPolygonFactory,
   Renderer,
   renderNoise,
   runAnimation,
   WrapOptions,
 } from 'sdf-2d';
 import { settings, rgb, PlanetBase, Random } from 'shared';
+import { PlanetShape } from './shapes/planet-shape';
 
-const landingPageVertexCount = 9;
-const LandingPagePolygon = NoisyPolygonFactory(
-  landingPageVertexCount,
-  rgb(0.5, 0.4, 0.7),
-);
+// PlanetShape colours by mixing blue (0) -> red (1). The two backdrop planets
+// read as the two in-game teams; the red planet is pulled a little off the
+// pure-red end so it shows as a more muted, less saturated red.
+const bluePlanet = 0;
+const redPlanet = 0.85;
 
 export class LandingPageBackground {
   private isActive = true;
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ export class LandingPageBackground {
       canvas,
       [
         {
-          ...LandingPagePolygon.descriptor,
+          ...PlanetShape.descriptor,
           shaderCombinationSteps: [0, 1, 2],
         },
         {
@@ -74,34 +74,41 @@ export class LandingPageBackground {
       0.7 * renderer.canvasSize.y,
     );
 
-    const topPlanet = new LandingPagePolygon(
+    const topPlanet = new PlanetShape(
       PlanetBase.createPlanetVertices(
         topPlanetPosition,
         Random.getRandomInRange(150, 400),
         Random.getRandomInRange(150, 400),
         Random.getRandomInRange(10, 20),
-        landingPageVertexCount,
       ),
+      redPlanet,
     );
 
-    (topPlanet as any).randomOffset = 0.5 + time / 3500;
+    // Fixed terrain phase (no longer animated -> no pulsing); the planet spins
+    // instead, the same way in-game planets do: PlanetShape's rotation uniform
+    // turns the whole body, terrain and outline together, in its own frame.
+    // Speeds sit in the game's per-planet range (~0.05-0.12 rad/s) and
+    // counter-rotate so the two planets don't drift in lockstep.
+    topPlanet.randomOffset = Random.getRandom();
+    topPlanet.rotation = (time / 1000) * 0.09;
 
     const bottomPlanetPosition = vec2.fromValues(
       0.3 * renderer.canvasSize.x,
       0.3 * renderer.canvasSize.y,
     );
 
-    const bottomPlanet = new LandingPagePolygon(
+    const bottomPlanet = new PlanetShape(
       PlanetBase.createPlanetVertices(
         bottomPlanetPosition,
         Random.getRandomInRange(150, 800),
         Random.getRandomInRange(150, 400),
         Random.getRandomInRange(10, 40),
-        landingPageVertexCount,
       ),
+      bluePlanet,
     );
 
-    (bottomPlanet as any).randomOffset = time / 2500;
+    bottomPlanet.randomOffset = Random.getRandom();
+    bottomPlanet.rotation = (time / 1000) * -0.06;
 
     const planetDistance = vec2.subtract(
       vec2.create(),
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/objects/game-object-container.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/objects/game-object-container.ts
index fa48f08..2b03836 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/objects/game-object-container.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/objects/game-object-container.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import {
 } from 'shared';
 import { BeforeDestroyCommand } from '../commands/types/before-destroy';
 import { StepCommand } from '../commands/types/step';
+import { FeedbackHud } from '../feedback-hud';
 import { Game } from '../game';
 import { serverTimeline } from '../helper/server-timeline';
 import { PredictablePlanet } from '../helper/prediction/client-character-world';
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ export class GameObjectContainer extends CommandReceiver {
   protected objects: Map<Id, GameObject> = new Map();
   public player!: CharacterView;
   public camera: Camera = new Camera(this.game);
+  private wasLocalPlayerAlive = false;
 
   protected commandExecutors: CommandExecutors = {
     [CreatePlayerCommand.type]: (c: CreatePlayerCommand) => {
@@ -37,6 +39,9 @@ export class GameObjectContainer extends CommandReceiver {
       // Fresh character (first spawn or respawn at a far planet): drop any
       // prediction state so it snaps to the new body instead of gliding across.
       localCharacterPredictor.reset();
+      // Respawned — clear the elimination overlay.
+      FeedbackHud.hideElimination();
+      this.wasLocalPlayerAlive = true;
     },
 
     [CreateObjectsCommand.type]: (c: CreateObjectsCommand) =>
@@ -45,15 +50,32 @@ export class GameObjectContainer extends CommandReceiver {
     [StepCommand.type]: (c: StepCommand) => {
       this.defaultCommandExecutor(c);
 
-      if (this.player) {
+      // The local body is alive only while its object still exists (the server
+      // deletes it on death) and its health is above zero — `player` keeps
+      // pointing at the now-stale view after death, so both checks are needed.
+      const bodyPresent = !!this.player && this.objects.has(this.player.id);
+      const alive = bodyPresent && this.player.health > 0;
+
+      // Show the elimination overlay on the alive→dead edge; CreatePlayerCommand
+      // clears it on respawn.
+      if (this.wasLocalPlayerAlive && !alive) {
+        FeedbackHud.showElimination();
+      }
+      this.wasLocalPlayerAlive = alive;
+
+      if (bodyPresent) {
         // Override the interpolated pose of the local player with the predicted
-        // one so it responds to input immediately. Remote objects keep
-        // interpolating. A large correction (respawn / death) snaps inside the
-        // predictor rather than rubber-banding.
+        // one so it responds to input immediately. Suppressed while dead so the
+        // corpse can't be walked around (the server ignores a dead player's
+        // input — a moving predicted body would be a pure client-side desync).
+        // A large correction (respawn / death) snaps inside the predictor.
+        localCharacterPredictor.setAlive(alive);
         localCharacterPredictor.setStrength(
           this.player.strengthFraction * settings.playerMaxStrength,
         );
-        if (localCharacterPredictor.update(this.predictablePlanets(), c.deltaTimeInSeconds)) {
+        if (
+          localCharacterPredictor.update(this.predictablePlanets(), c.deltaTimeInSeconds)
+        ) {
           this.player.head = localCharacterPredictor.head;
           this.player.leftFoot = localCharacterPredictor.leftFoot;
           this.player.rightFoot = localCharacterPredictor.rightFoot;
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/objects/types/camera.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/objects/types/camera.ts
index f1cf670..c607c38 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/objects/types/camera.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/objects/types/camera.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
 } from 'shared';
 import { RenderCommand } from '../../commands/types/render';
 import { Game } from '../../game';
+import { ScreenShake } from '../../screen-shake';
 
 export class Camera extends CommandReceiver {
   public center: vec2 = vec2.create();
@@ -46,7 +47,16 @@ export class Camera extends CommandReceiver {
       this.game.aspectRatioChanged(canvasAspectRatio);
     }
 
-    const viewArea = calculateViewArea(this.center, canvasAspectRatio);
+    // Shake displaces only the rendered view centre and the zoom-punch shrinks
+    // only the rendered view area — neither touches the followed position, so
+    // impacts jolt the frame without nudging the camera off the player. Passing
+    // the zoom as oversizeRatio scales the area about the (shaken) centre.
+    const shakenCenter = vec2.fromValues(
+      this.center[0] + ScreenShake.offsetX,
+      this.center[1] + ScreenShake.offsetY,
+    );
+    const scale = ScreenShake.viewScale;
+    const viewArea = calculateViewArea(shakenCenter, canvasAspectRatio, scale * scale);
     renderer.setViewArea(viewArea.topLeft, viewArea.size);
 
     renderer.setRuntimeSettings({
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/objects/types/character-view.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/objects/types/character-view.ts
index 1806993..5c0d751 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/objects/types/character-view.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/objects/types/character-view.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { vec2 } from 'gl-matrix';
+import { vec2, vec3 } from 'gl-matrix';
 import { CircleLight, Renderer } from 'sdf-2d';
 
 import {
@@ -23,10 +23,18 @@ import { CharacterShape } from '../../shapes/character-shape';
 import { SoundHandler, Sounds } from '../../sound-handler';
 import { VibrationHandler } from '../../vibration-handler';
 import { FeedbackHud } from '../../feedback-hud';
+import { ScreenShake } from '../../screen-shake';
 
 const muzzleFlashDecaySeconds = 0.12;
 const hitFlashDecaySeconds = 0.15;
 
+// A white-hot pop of light thrown at the spot a character dies, seen by everyone
+// who can see the body. No radius knob on a CircleLight, so the burst is sold by
+// a bright (HDR) colour with a fast-decaying intensity envelope.
+const deathBurstDecaySeconds = 0.42;
+const deathBurstMaxIntensity = 1.7;
+const deathBurstColor = vec3.fromValues(2.5, 2.3, 2.1);
+
 const killIcon =
   '<svg class="icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">' +
   '<path d="M6.2,2.44L18.1,14.34L20.22,12.22L21.63,13.63L19.16,16.1L22.34,19.28C22.73,19.67 22.73,20.3 22.34,20.69L21.63,21.4C21.24,21.79 20.61,21.79 20.22,21.4L17,18.23L14.56,20.7L13.15,19.29L15.27,17.17L3.37,5.27V2.44H6.2M15.89,10L20.63,5.26V2.44H17.8L13.06,7.18L15.89,10M10.94,15L8.11,12.13L5.9,14.34L3.78,12.22L2.37,13.63L4.84,16.1L1.66,19.28C1.27,19.67 1.27,20.3 1.66,20.69L2.37,21.4C2.76,21.79 3.39,21.79 3.78,21.4L7,18.23L9.42,20.7L10.83,19.29L8.71,17.17L10.94,15Z"/></svg>';
@@ -39,6 +47,8 @@ export class CharacterView extends CharacterBase {
   private muzzleFlash: CircleLight;
   private muzzleFlashIntensity = 0;
   private hitFlashIntensity = 0;
+  private deathBurst: CircleLight;
+  private deathBurstIntensity = 0;
   private strength = settings.playerMaxStrength;
   private strengthInterpolator = new LinearInterpolator(settings.playerMaxStrength);
   private nameElement: HTMLElement = document.createElement('div');
@@ -79,6 +89,7 @@ export class CharacterView extends CharacterBase {
       settings.paletteDim[settings.colorIndices[team]],
       0,
     );
+    this.deathBurst = new CircleLight(vec2.clone(this.head!.center), deathBurstColor, 0);
 
     this.leftFootInterpolator = new CircleInterpolator(this.leftFoot!);
     this.rightFootInterpolator = new CircleInterpolator(this.rightFoot!);
@@ -166,6 +177,9 @@ export class CharacterView extends CharacterBase {
 
       if (this.isMainCharacter) {
         VibrationHandler.vibrate(Math.min(200, damage * 4));
+        // Getting hit jolts the frame too, so taking fire has weight, not just
+        // dealing it.
+        ScreenShake.add(clamp01(0.12 + (0.5 * damage) / settings.playerMaxStrength));
       }
     }
   }
@@ -174,17 +188,23 @@ export class CharacterView extends CharacterBase {
     if (this.isMainCharacter) {
       VibrationHandler.vibrate(150);
     }
+    // Visible to everyone who can see the body: a white-hot flash plus a
+    // full-body whiteout, so a kill reads as a violent burst rather than the
+    // character quietly blinking out.
+    this.deathBurstIntensity = 1;
+    this.hitFlashIntensity = 1;
   }
 
   public onHitConfirmed(charge = 0) {
     if (!this.isMainCharacter) {
       return;
     }
-    // A charged hit lands lower and harder than a panic tap.
-    SoundHandler.play(Sounds.click, mix(0.4, 0.75, charge), mix(1.7, 1.05, charge));
-    if (charge >= settings.chargedHitThreshold) {
-      VibrationHandler.vibrate(25);
-    }
+    // Layer a meaty thud under the crisp confirmation tick; a charged hit lands
+    // lower and harder than a panic tap.
+    SoundHandler.play(Sounds.hit, mix(0.35, 0.7, charge), mix(1.3, 0.95, charge));
+    SoundHandler.play(Sounds.click, mix(0.4, 0.75, charge), mix(1.7, 1.1, charge));
+    ScreenShake.add(mix(0.22, 0.5, charge));
+    VibrationHandler.vibrate(Math.round(mix(12, 35, charge)));
     FeedbackHud.hitMarker(charge);
   }
 
@@ -192,8 +212,14 @@ export class CharacterView extends CharacterBase {
     if (!this.isMainCharacter) {
       return;
     }
-    SoundHandler.play(Sounds.click, 1, mix(0.7, 0.5, charge));
-    VibrationHandler.vibrate(mix(60, 110, charge));
+    // A heavy low thud for the kill with a brighter confirmation over the top,
+    // a hard frame jolt, a zoom-punch toward the action for weight, and a
+    // double-thump rumble.
+    SoundHandler.play(Sounds.hit, 1, mix(0.62, 0.5, charge));
+    SoundHandler.play(Sounds.click, 0.9, mix(0.6, 0.45, charge));
+    ScreenShake.add(mix(0.75, 1, charge));
+    ScreenShake.addPunch(mix(0.7, 1, charge));
+    VibrationHandler.vibrate([45, 35, Math.round(mix(80, 130, charge))]);
     FeedbackHud.killConfirmed(victimName, streak, charge);
   }
 
@@ -230,6 +256,18 @@ export class CharacterView extends CharacterBase {
         this.hitFlashIntensity - deltaTimeInSeconds / hitFlashDecaySeconds,
       );
     }
+
+    if (this.deathBurstIntensity > 0) {
+      this.deathBurstIntensity = Math.max(
+        0,
+        this.deathBurstIntensity - deltaTimeInSeconds / deathBurstDecaySeconds,
+      );
+      this.deathBurst.center = this.bodyCenter;
+      // Square the envelope so the flash blooms then drops off sharply rather
+      // than fading out in a flat ramp.
+      this.deathBurst.intensity =
+        deathBurstMaxIntensity * this.deathBurstIntensity * this.deathBurstIntensity;
+    }
   }
 
   public onShoot(strength: number) {
@@ -273,6 +311,10 @@ export class CharacterView extends CharacterBase {
     if (this.muzzleFlashIntensity > 0) {
       renderer.addDrawable(this.muzzleFlash);
     }
+
+    if (this.deathBurstIntensity > 0) {
+      renderer.addDrawable(this.deathBurst);
+    }
   }
 
   private calculateGazeTarget(renderer: Renderer): vec2 {
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/screen-shake.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/screen-shake.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75c5bce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/screen-shake.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+// Camera impact effects fed by combat hits, sampled by the camera at render
+// time. Kept as a process-wide singleton so any view can feed it without
+// threading a camera reference through the deserialized object graph. Both
+// effects touch only the *rendered* view (centre offset + view-area zoom), never
+// the followed position or the simulation clock — so they can't drift the camera
+// off the player, and they're completely decoupled from prediction/netcode.
+//
+// Two effects:
+//   - shake: a trauma model (Eiserloh) — the felt shake is trauma SQUARED so
+//     small taps stay subtle while a kill punches hard; it bleeds off linearly.
+//   - punch: a brief zoom-in on a kill that snaps back fast, for "weight".
+//
+// Honours prefers-reduced-motion: callers can fire freely and it simply no-ops
+// for players who have asked the OS to minimise motion.
+export abstract class ScreenShake {
+  private static trauma = 0;
+  private static punch = 0;
+
+  // Peak translation, in world units, at full trauma. The visible world is
+  // ~3800 units wide, so this tops out at a few percent of the screen.
+  private static readonly maxTranslation = 150;
+  // Fraction the view zooms in at full punch (smaller view area = zoomed in).
+  private static readonly maxZoom = 0.07;
+  private static readonly traumaDecayPerSecond = 1.7;
+  // Snaps back quickly so the punch reads as a sharp bite, not a slow drift.
+  private static readonly punchDecayPerSecond = 6;
+
+  private static offsetXValue = 0;
+  private static offsetYValue = 0;
+
+  private static get reducedMotion(): boolean {
+    return (
+      typeof window !== 'undefined' &&
+      typeof window.matchMedia === 'function' &&
+      window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches
+    );
+  }
+
+  public static add(trauma: number): void {
+    if (this.reducedMotion) {
+      return;
+    }
+    this.trauma = Math.min(1, this.trauma + trauma);
+  }
+
+  public static addPunch(amount: number): void {
+    if (this.reducedMotion) {
+      return;
+    }
+    this.punch = Math.min(1, this.punch + amount);
+  }
+
+  public static step(deltaTimeInSeconds: number): void {
+    this.trauma = Math.max(
+      0,
+      this.trauma - this.traumaDecayPerSecond * deltaTimeInSeconds,
+    );
+    this.punch = Math.max(0, this.punch - this.punchDecayPerSecond * deltaTimeInSeconds);
+    const shake = this.trauma * this.trauma;
+    this.offsetXValue = this.maxTranslation * shake * (Math.random() * 2 - 1);
+    this.offsetYValue = this.maxTranslation * shake * (Math.random() * 2 - 1);
+  }
+
+  public static get offsetX(): number {
+    return this.offsetXValue;
+  }
+
+  public static get offsetY(): number {
+    return this.offsetYValue;
+  }
+
+  // Multiplier for the view-area size: <1 zooms in. Squared so the punch bites
+  // sharply near its peak rather than ramping linearly.
+  public static get viewScale(): number {
+    return 1 - this.maxZoom * this.punch * this.punch;
+  }
+
+  public static reset(): void {
+    this.trauma = 0;
+    this.punch = 0;
+    this.offsetXValue = 0;
+    this.offsetYValue = 0;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/shapes/planet-shape.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/shapes/planet-shape.ts
index 1d1ec9e..ceb2e35 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/shapes/planet-shape.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/shapes/planet-shape.ts
@@ -103,8 +103,8 @@ export class PlanetShape extends PolygonFactory(settings.planetEdgeCount, 0) {
               if (dist < minDistance) {
                 minDistance = dist;
                 color = mix(${colorToString(settings.bluePlanetColor)}, ${colorToString(
-        settings.redPlanetColor,
-      )}, planetColorMixQ[j]);
+                  settings.redPlanetColor,
+                )}, planetColorMixQ[j]);
               }
             }
 
@@ -141,10 +141,7 @@ export class PlanetShape extends PolygonFactory(settings.planetEdgeCount, 0) {
   ) {
     super(vertices);
 
-    this.cullCenter = vertices.reduce(
-      (sum, v) => vec2.add(sum, sum, v),
-      vec2.create(),
-    );
+    this.cullCenter = vertices.reduce((sum, v) => vec2.add(sum, sum, v), vec2.create());
     vec2.scale(this.cullCenter, this.cullCenter, 1 / vertices.length);
 
     this.cullRadius = vertices.reduce(
diff --git a/frontend/src/scripts/vibration-handler.ts b/frontend/src/scripts/vibration-handler.ts
index 951efaa..3ae8420 100644
--- a/frontend/src/scripts/vibration-handler.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/scripts/vibration-handler.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 import { OptionsHandler } from './options-handler';
 
 export abstract class VibrationHandler {
-  public static vibrate(time: number): void {
+  // Accepts either a single duration or an on/off pattern (e.g. a double-thump
+  // [40, 30, 90] for a kill).
+  public static vibrate(pattern: number | number[]): void {
     if (OptionsHandler.options.vibrationEnabled && this.isVibrationEnabled) {
-      navigator.vibrate(time);
+      navigator.vibrate(pattern);
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index b1364f0..3e123bd 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -12,11 +12,15 @@
     "eslint-plugin-unused-imports": "^4.4.1",
     "prettier": "^3.8.3",
     "typescript": "^6.0.3",
-    "typescript-eslint": "^8.60.1"
+    "typescript-eslint": "^8.60.1",
+    "vitest": "^4.1.9"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "build": "cd shared && npm run build && cd ../frontend && npm run build && cd ../backend && npm run build",
     "lint": "eslint ./**/src/**/*.{js,ts} --fix && prettier --write ./**/src/**/*.{js,ts,json}",
+    "lint:check": "eslint ./**/src/**/*.{js,ts} && prettier --check ./**/src/**/*.{js,ts,json}",
+    "test": "vitest run",
+    "test:watch": "vitest",
     "init": "cd shared && npm install && cd ../frontend && npm install && cd ../backend && npm install",
     "dev": "concurrently --kill-others-on-fail \"cd shared && npm dev\"  \"cd backend && npm dev\"  \"cd frontend && npm dev\""
   }
diff --git a/shared/package.json b/shared/package.json
index 67ebd4c..bf2597b 100644
--- a/shared/package.json
+++ b/shared/package.json
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@
   "files": [
     "lib"
   ],
+  "engines": {
+    "node": ">=20"
+  },
   "scripts": {
     "build": "npx webpack --mode production",
     "dev": "npx webpack --mode development --watch",
diff --git a/shared/src/objects/game-object.ts b/shared/src/objects/game-object.ts
index 93ab8c2..f851137 100644
--- a/shared/src/objects/game-object.ts
+++ b/shared/src/objects/game-object.ts
@@ -15,10 +15,24 @@ export class RemoteCall {
   }
 }
 
+// Every object property streamed via UpdatePropertyCommand. A single union means
+// a typo or rename on the producing (server *-physical) or consuming (client
+// *-view) side is a compile error instead of a silently dropped update that
+// just stops a body interpolating. The wire format is unchanged — these remain
+// the same strings, only now compiler-checked at both ends.
+export type SyncPropertyKey =
+  | 'head'
+  | 'leftFoot'
+  | 'rightFoot'
+  | 'strength'
+  | 'center'
+  | 'ownership'
+  | 'rotation';
+
 @serializable
 export class UpdatePropertyCommand extends Command {
   constructor(
-    public readonly propertyKey: string,
+    public readonly propertyKey: SyncPropertyKey,
     public readonly propertyValue: any,
     public readonly rateOfChange: any,
   ) {
@@ -45,16 +59,40 @@ export class PropertyUpdatesForObject {
 export abstract class GameObject extends CommandReceiver {
   private remoteCalls: Array<RemoteCall> = [];
 
+  // The only methods a peer may invoke over the wire. processRemoteCalls
+  // dispatches by a raw string taken straight off the network, so without this
+  // gate a malformed or hostile packet could call ANY method on the object
+  // (toArray, resetRemoteCalls, even prototype methods). Keep in sync with the
+  // remoteCall() emitters on the *-physical classes.
+  private static readonly allowedRemoteCalls: ReadonlySet<string> = new Set([
+    'onShoot',
+    'onLeap',
+    'onDie',
+    'onHitConfirmed',
+    'onKillConfirmed',
+    'setHealth',
+    'setKillCount',
+    'onFlipped',
+    'setContested',
+    'generatedPoints',
+    'setLight',
+  ]);
+
   constructor(public readonly id: Id) {
     super();
   }
 
   public processRemoteCalls(remoteCalls: Array<RemoteCall>) {
-    remoteCalls.forEach((r) =>
-      (this[r.functionName as keyof this] as unknown as (...args: Array<any>) => unknown)(
-        ...r.args,
-      ),
-    );
+    remoteCalls.forEach((r) => {
+      if (!GameObject.allowedRemoteCalls.has(r.functionName)) {
+        console.warn(`Dropped disallowed remote call: ${r.functionName}`);
+        return;
+      }
+      const fn = this[r.functionName as keyof this];
+      if (typeof fn === 'function') {
+        (fn as (...args: Array<any>) => unknown).apply(this, r.args);
+      }
+    });
   }
 
   public getPropertyUpdates(): PropertyUpdatesForObject | void {}
diff --git a/shared/src/objects/types/character-base.ts b/shared/src/objects/types/character-base.ts
index b461127..f6cad5c 100644
--- a/shared/src/objects/types/character-base.ts
+++ b/shared/src/objects/types/character-base.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { Id } from '../../communication/id';
 import { Circle } from '../../helper/circle';
 import { serializable } from '../../serialization/serializable';
+import { toArrayFromFields } from '../../serialization/serialized-fields';
 import { GameObject } from '../game-object';
 
 export enum CharacterTeam {
@@ -11,6 +12,18 @@ export enum CharacterTeam {
 
 @serializable
 export class CharacterBase extends GameObject {
+  private static readonly serializedFields = [
+    'id',
+    'name',
+    'killCount',
+    'deathCount',
+    'team',
+    'health',
+    'head',
+    'leftFoot',
+    'rightFoot',
+  ] as const;
+
   constructor(
     id: Id,
     public name: string,
@@ -26,37 +39,27 @@ export class CharacterBase extends GameObject {
   }
 
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars
-  public onShoot(strength: number) { }
+  public onShoot(strength: number) {}
 
-  public onLeap() { }
+  public onLeap() {}
 
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars
-  public onHitConfirmed(charge?: number) { }
+  public onHitConfirmed(charge?: number) {}
 
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars
-  public onKillConfirmed(victimName?: string, streak?: number, charge?: number) { }
+  public onKillConfirmed(victimName?: string, streak?: number, charge?: number) {}
 
   public setHealth(health: number) {
     this.health = health;
   }
 
-  public onDie() { }
+  public onDie() {}
 
   public setKillCount(killCount: number) {
     this.killCount = killCount;
   }
 
   public toArray(): Array<any> {
-    return [
-      this.id,
-      this.name,
-      this.killCount,
-      this.deathCount,
-      this.team,
-      this.health,
-      this.head,
-      this.leftFoot,
-      this.rightFoot,
-    ];
+    return toArrayFromFields(this, CharacterBase.serializedFields);
   }
 }
diff --git a/shared/src/objects/types/lamp-base.ts b/shared/src/objects/types/lamp-base.ts
index 794e75b..9f86ca6 100644
--- a/shared/src/objects/types/lamp-base.ts
+++ b/shared/src/objects/types/lamp-base.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,17 @@
 import { vec2, vec3 } from 'gl-matrix';
 import { Id, serializable } from '../../main';
+import { toArrayFromFields } from '../../serialization/serialized-fields';
 import { GameObject } from '../game-object';
 
 @serializable
 export class LampBase extends GameObject {
+  private static readonly serializedFields = [
+    'id',
+    'center',
+    'color',
+    'lightness',
+  ] as const;
+
   constructor(
     id: Id,
     public center: vec2,
@@ -19,7 +27,6 @@ export class LampBase extends GameObject {
   public setLight(color: vec3, lightness: number) {}
 
   public toArray(): Array<any> {
-    const { id, center, color, lightness } = this;
-    return [id, center, color, lightness];
+    return toArrayFromFields(this, LampBase.serializedFields);
   }
 }
diff --git a/shared/src/objects/types/planet-base.ts b/shared/src/objects/types/planet-base.ts
index e3835e1..bafea38 100644
--- a/shared/src/objects/types/planet-base.ts
+++ b/shared/src/objects/types/planet-base.ts
@@ -2,12 +2,22 @@ import { vec2 } from 'gl-matrix';
 import { Random } from '../../helper/random';
 import { settings } from '../../settings';
 import { serializable } from '../../serialization/serializable';
+import { toArrayFromFields } from '../../serialization/serialized-fields';
 import { GameObject } from '../game-object';
 import { Id } from '../../communication/id';
 import { CharacterTeam } from './character-base';
 
 @serializable
 export class PlanetBase extends GameObject {
+  // centre/radius are derived from vertices in the constructor, so they are not
+  // serialized — only the constructor parameters are.
+  private static readonly serializedFields = [
+    'id',
+    'vertices',
+    'ownership',
+    'isKeystone',
+  ] as const;
+
   public readonly center: vec2;
   public readonly radius: number;
 
@@ -57,6 +67,6 @@ export class PlanetBase extends GameObject {
   }
 
   public toArray(): Array<any> {
-    return [this.id, this.vertices, this.ownership, this.isKeystone];
+    return toArrayFromFields(this, PlanetBase.serializedFields);
   }
 }
diff --git a/shared/src/objects/types/projectile-base.ts b/shared/src/objects/types/projectile-base.ts
index c334cb8..f96fd94 100644
--- a/shared/src/objects/types/projectile-base.ts
+++ b/shared/src/objects/types/projectile-base.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,21 @@
 import { vec2 } from 'gl-matrix';
 import { settings } from '../../settings';
 import { serializable } from '../../serialization/serializable';
+import { toArrayFromFields } from '../../serialization/serialized-fields';
 import { GameObject } from '../game-object';
 import { Id } from '../../communication/id';
 import { CharacterTeam } from './character-base';
 
 @serializable
 export class ProjectileBase extends GameObject {
+  private static readonly serializedFields = [
+    'id',
+    'center',
+    'radius',
+    'team',
+    'strength',
+  ] as const;
+
   constructor(
     id: Id,
     public center: vec2,
@@ -23,6 +32,6 @@ export class ProjectileBase extends GameObject {
   }
 
   public toArray(): Array<any> {
-    return [this.id, this.center, this.radius, this.team, this.strength];
+    return toArrayFromFields(this, ProjectileBase.serializedFields);
   }
 }
diff --git a/shared/src/physics/character-movement.ts b/shared/src/physics/character-movement.ts
index a5744b9..21355a5 100644
--- a/shared/src/physics/character-movement.ts
+++ b/shared/src/physics/character-movement.ts
@@ -107,7 +107,13 @@ const springMove = (
 
 const keepPosture = (state: CharacterMovementState) => {
   const center = characterCenter(state);
-  springMove(state, state.leftFoot, center, leftFootOffset, settings.postureFeetStiffness);
+  springMove(
+    state,
+    state.leftFoot,
+    center,
+    leftFootOffset,
+    settings.postureFeetStiffness,
+  );
   springMove(
     state,
     state.rightFoot,
@@ -133,7 +139,12 @@ const carryWithRotatingPlanet = (
   const angle = -planet.angularVelocity * deltaTimeInSeconds;
   const center = planet.center;
   state.head.center = vec2.rotate(vec2.create(), state.head.center, center, angle);
-  state.leftFoot.center = vec2.rotate(vec2.create(), state.leftFoot.center, center, angle);
+  state.leftFoot.center = vec2.rotate(
+    vec2.create(),
+    state.leftFoot.center,
+    center,
+    angle,
+  );
   state.rightFoot.center = vec2.rotate(
     vec2.create(),
     state.rightFoot.center,
@@ -148,10 +159,7 @@ const carryWithRotatingPlanet = (
 // server's leap() and the client's prediction apply the exact same impulse.
 // The caller does the gating (strength, cooldown, alive); this is a no-op when
 // not on a surface.
-export const applyLeapImpulse = (
-  state: CharacterMovementState,
-  moveDirection: vec2,
-) => {
+export const applyLeapImpulse = (state: CharacterMovementState, moveDirection: vec2) => {
   const planet = state.currentPlanet;
   if (!planet) {
     return;
@@ -206,7 +214,9 @@ export const tickPlanetDetachment = (
   state: CharacterMovementState,
   deltaTimeInSeconds: number,
 ) => {
-  if ((state.secondsSinceOnSurface += deltaTimeInSeconds) > settings.planetDetachmentSeconds) {
+  if (
+    (state.secondsSinceOnSurface += deltaTimeInSeconds) > settings.planetDetachmentSeconds
+  ) {
     state.currentPlanet = undefined;
   }
 };
@@ -255,10 +265,7 @@ export const decayMomentum = (
   }
 };
 
-const decayBodyMomentum = (
-  state: CharacterMovementState,
-  deltaTimeInSeconds: number,
-) => {
+const decayBodyMomentum = (state: CharacterMovementState, deltaTimeInSeconds: number) => {
   decayMomentum(state.bodyVelocity, !!state.currentPlanet, deltaTimeInSeconds);
 };
 
@@ -293,7 +300,11 @@ export const stepCharacterMovement = (
   const center = characterCenter(state);
   const grounds = world.groundsNear(center, boundRadius + settings.maxGravityDistance);
 
-  const movementForce = vec2.scale(inputDirection, inputDirection, settings.maxAcceleration);
+  const movementForce = vec2.scale(
+    inputDirection,
+    inputDirection,
+    settings.maxAcceleration,
+  );
   applyForce(state.leftFoot, movementForce, deltaTimeInSeconds);
   applyForce(state.rightFoot, movementForce, deltaTimeInSeconds);
 
diff --git a/shared/src/serialization/serialized-fields.ts b/shared/src/serialization/serialized-fields.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48733e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shared/src/serialization/serialized-fields.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+// Derive a serializable object's positional wire array from a single declared
+// list of field names, so toArray() and the constructor share ONE source of
+// truth for field order instead of a hand-written array that can silently drift
+// out of step with the parameters.
+//
+// deserialize reconstructs via `new Ctor(...array.slice(1))`, so the field list
+// MUST name the constructor's parameters in order. Fields a constructor
+// recomputes from others (e.g. a planet's centre/radius from its vertices) are
+// derived, not serialized, and so are deliberately absent from the list.
+export const toArrayFromFields = (
+  object: any,
+  fields: ReadonlyArray<string>,
+): Array<any> => fields.map((field) => object[field]);
diff --git a/test/__snapshots__/physics-determinism.test.mjs.snap b/test/__snapshots__/physics-determinism.test.mjs.snap
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50ab1c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/__snapshots__/physics-determinism.test.mjs.snap
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+// Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
+
+exports[`shared character simulation determinism > matches the pinned reference pose (changes only with intentional physics edits) 1`] = `"{"head":[76.14,123.412],"leftFoot":[83.214,105.036],"rightFoot":[79.974,123.01],"bodyVelocity":[0,0]}"`;
diff --git a/test/physics-determinism.test.mjs b/test/physics-determinism.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0fee1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/physics-determinism.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+// Determinism guard for the shared character simulation. The client predictor
+// and the authoritative server run the EXACT same stepCharacterMovement; if it
+// were non-deterministic (a stray Math.random / Date, or an order-dependent
+// reduce) prediction would rubber-band and could never reconcile. This is also
+// the regression net for the upcoming GC/scratch-pool perf rewrites: the pinned
+// hash must not change unless physics behaviour is intentionally changed.
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import { createRequire } from 'node:module';
+
+const require = createRequire(import.meta.url);
+const shared = require('../shared/lib/main.js');
+const { vec2 } = require('../shared/node_modules/gl-matrix');
+
+const {
+  stepCharacterMovement,
+  resolveCircleMovement,
+  headRadius,
+  feetRadius,
+  headOffset,
+  leftFootOffset,
+  rightFootOffset,
+} = shared;
+
+const makeBody = (center, radius) => ({
+  center: vec2.clone(center),
+  radius,
+  velocity: vec2.create(),
+  lastNormal: vec2.fromValues(0, 1),
+  restitution: 0,
+});
+
+// A free-space world (no planets): the body is driven purely by the movement
+// input force, posture springs and momentum decay — enough to exercise the
+// deterministic core without coupling the test to planet SDF geometry.
+const emptyWorld = {
+  groundsNear: () => [],
+  stepBody: (body, dt) => {
+    resolveCircleMovement(body, dt, []);
+    return undefined;
+  },
+};
+
+const stepSeconds = 1 / 200;
+
+// Run a fixed, scripted input sequence through the shared sim and return a
+// stable string snapshot of the final pose + carried momentum.
+const runSimulation = () => {
+  const start = vec2.fromValues(100, 100);
+  const state = {
+    head: makeBody(vec2.add(vec2.create(), start, headOffset), headRadius),
+    leftFoot: makeBody(vec2.add(vec2.create(), start, leftFootOffset), feetRadius),
+    rightFoot: makeBody(vec2.add(vec2.create(), start, rightFootOffset), feetRadius),
+    direction: 0,
+    currentPlanet: undefined,
+    secondsSinceOnSurface: 1,
+    bodyVelocity: vec2.create(),
+  };
+
+  for (let i = 0; i < 300; i++) {
+    const angle = i * 0.1;
+    const input = vec2.fromValues(Math.cos(angle), Math.sin(angle));
+    stepCharacterMovement(state, emptyWorld, input, stepSeconds);
+  }
+
+  const round = (v) => Math.round(v * 1000) / 1000;
+  return JSON.stringify({
+    head: [round(state.head.center[0]), round(state.head.center[1])],
+    leftFoot: [round(state.leftFoot.center[0]), round(state.leftFoot.center[1])],
+    rightFoot: [round(state.rightFoot.center[0]), round(state.rightFoot.center[1])],
+    bodyVelocity: [round(state.bodyVelocity[0]), round(state.bodyVelocity[1])],
+  });
+};
+
+describe('shared character simulation determinism', () => {
+  it('produces identical output across independent runs', () => {
+    expect(runSimulation()).toBe(runSimulation());
+  });
+
+  it('matches the pinned reference pose (changes only with intentional physics edits)', () => {
+    // Regression pin — update deliberately when physics behaviour changes.
+    expect(runSimulation()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/test/prediction-reconciliation.test.ts b/test/prediction-reconciliation.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..98ffc1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/prediction-reconciliation.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+// Reconciliation guard for the REAL client predictor. It exercises
+// LocalCharacterPredictor end-to-end with an injected clock, verifying the two
+// properties reconciliation depends on:
+//   1. a fully-acknowledged snapshot reproduces the authoritative pose exactly
+//      (no spurious drift on top of server truth), and
+//   2. un-acknowledged input is replayed forward deterministically.
+// This is the net for prediction-touching changes (the death-while-dead fix,
+// future netcode work) — a regression shows up as drift or non-determinism.
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import {
+  LocalCharacterPredictor,
+  setPredictorClockForTesting,
+} from '../frontend/src/scripts/helper/prediction/local-character-predictor';
+
+const HEAD_RADIUS = 50;
+const FEET_RADIUS = 20;
+
+// A Circle-shaped pose; the predictor only reads .center / .radius, so plain
+// objects with array centres are sufficient (and avoid importing gl-matrix).
+const poseAt = (cx: number, cy: number) => ({
+  head: { center: [cx, cy + 37], radius: HEAD_RADIUS },
+  leftFoot: { center: [cx - 33, cy - 18], radius: FEET_RADIUS },
+  rightFoot: { center: [cx + 33, cy - 18], radius: FEET_RADIUS },
+});
+
+describe('local prediction reconciliation', () => {
+  it('reproduces the authoritative pose exactly when all input is acknowledged', () => {
+    let clock = 1000;
+    setPredictorClockForTesting(() => clock);
+
+    const predictor = new LocalCharacterPredictor();
+    const auth = poseAt(500, 500);
+
+    const t = predictor.recordInput([1, 0]);
+    predictor.acknowledge(t, [0, 0], -Infinity); // server has consumed this input
+    predictor.setStrength(80);
+    predictor.setAuthoritative(auth.head as never, auth.leftFoot as never, auth.rightFoot as never);
+
+    // No clock advance → zero replay window → predicted pose == authoritative.
+    const used = predictor.update([], 1 / 60);
+
+    expect(used).toBe(true);
+    expect(predictor.head.center[0]).toBeCloseTo(auth.head.center[0], 5);
+    expect(predictor.head.center[1]).toBeCloseTo(auth.head.center[1], 5);
+    expect(predictor.leftFoot.center[0]).toBeCloseTo(auth.leftFoot.center[0], 5);
+    expect(predictor.rightFoot.center[0]).toBeCloseTo(auth.rightFoot.center[0], 5);
+  });
+
+  it('replays un-acknowledged input deterministically', () => {
+    const drive = () => {
+      let clock = 0;
+      setPredictorClockForTesting(() => clock);
+
+      const predictor = new LocalCharacterPredictor();
+      clock = 1000;
+      predictor.acknowledge(900, [0, 0], -Infinity); // baseline ack (older than the input below)
+      predictor.setStrength(80);
+      const auth = poseAt(0, 0);
+      predictor.setAuthoritative(auth.head as never, auth.leftFoot as never, auth.rightFoot as never);
+      predictor.recordInput([1, 0]); // unacked rightward input at t=1000
+
+      clock = 1100; // replay ~100 ms forward
+      predictor.update([], 1 / 60);
+      return [
+        predictor.head.center[0],
+        predictor.head.center[1],
+        predictor.leftFoot.center[0],
+        predictor.rightFoot.center[0],
+      ];
+    };
+
+    const a = drive();
+    const b = drive();
+    expect(a).toEqual(b); // deterministic replay
+    expect(a.every((n) => Number.isFinite(n))).toBe(true);
+    expect(a[0]).toBeGreaterThan(0.5); // rightward input actually moved the body
+  });
+
+  it('suppresses prediction while the local player is dead', () => {
+    let clock = 5000;
+    setPredictorClockForTesting(() => clock);
+
+    const predictor = new LocalCharacterPredictor();
+    const auth = poseAt(200, 200);
+    const t = predictor.recordInput([1, 0]);
+    predictor.acknowledge(t, [0, 0], -Infinity);
+    predictor.setStrength(80);
+    predictor.setAuthoritative(auth.head as never, auth.leftFoot as never, auth.rightFoot as never);
+    predictor.setAlive(false); // dead, awaiting respawn
+
+    clock = 5200; // input + elapsed time that would otherwise be replayed forward
+    // Even with a valid authoritative pose and pending input, a dead body must
+    // not be predicted/moved — that was the "move while dead" bug.
+    expect(predictor.update([], 1 / 60)).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/test/serialization.test.mjs b/test/serialization.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c7bc11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/serialization.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+// Round-trip tests for the custom wire serializer — the single most fragile,
+// highest-blast-radius mechanism in the codebase (every networked message goes
+// through it, and dispatch is keyed on class name). We exercise the BUILT shared
+// bundle (shared/lib/main.js) rather than the TS source, so the decorators are
+// already applied exactly as they ship and there is no transform/ESM ambiguity.
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import { createRequire } from 'node:module';
+
+const require = createRequire(import.meta.url);
+const shared = require('../shared/lib/main.js');
+
+const {
+  serialize,
+  deserialize,
+  Circle,
+  ServerAnnouncement,
+  MoveActionCommand,
+  UpdatePropertyCommand,
+  PropertyUpdatesForObject,
+  // networked entity bases — their toArray() must mirror their constructor order
+  CharacterBase,
+  PlanetBase,
+  ProjectileBase,
+  LampBase,
+  // geometry — single source of truth shared by server & client prediction
+  headRadius,
+  feetRadius,
+  boundRadius,
+  headOffset,
+  leftFootOffset,
+  rightFootOffset,
+} = shared;
+
+describe('serialization round-trip (built shared lib)', () => {
+  it('reconstructs a ServerAnnouncement as the right class with its payload', () => {
+    const [out] = deserialize(serialize([new ServerAnnouncement('Hello <b>world</b>')]));
+    expect(out).toBeInstanceOf(ServerAnnouncement);
+    expect(out.text).toBe('Hello <b>world</b>');
+  });
+
+  it('round-trips a Circle and rounds floats to 3 decimals', () => {
+    const out = deserialize(serialize(new Circle([12.34567, -7.1], 5.43219)));
+    expect(out).toBeInstanceOf(Circle);
+    // serialize.ts rounds every float via toFixed(3)
+    expect(out.center[0]).toBeCloseTo(12.346, 6);
+    expect(out.center[1]).toBeCloseTo(-7.1, 6);
+    expect(out.radius).toBeCloseTo(5.432, 6);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps integer clientTimeMs exact (the predictor matches on it)', () => {
+    const t = 1718000000123;
+    const out = deserialize(serialize(new MoveActionCommand([1, 0], t)));
+    expect(out).toBeInstanceOf(MoveActionCommand);
+    expect(out.clientTimeMs).toBe(t);
+  });
+
+  it('round-trips nested property-update commands', () => {
+    const out = deserialize(
+      serialize(
+        new PropertyUpdatesForObject(42, [new UpdatePropertyCommand('strength', 80, 8)]),
+      ),
+    );
+    expect(out).toBeInstanceOf(PropertyUpdatesForObject);
+    expect(out.id).toBe(42);
+    expect(out.updates[0]).toBeInstanceOf(UpdatePropertyCommand);
+    expect(out.updates[0].propertyKey).toBe('strength');
+    expect(out.updates[0].propertyValue).toBe(80);
+  });
+
+  it('preserves per-item class identity across a mixed batch', () => {
+    // A clobbered name→constructor mapping (two classes sharing a name) would
+    // surface here as an item deserializing to the wrong class.
+    const batch = [
+      new ServerAnnouncement('a'),
+      new MoveActionCommand([0, 1], 5),
+      new Circle([1, 2], 3),
+    ];
+    const out = deserialize(serialize(batch));
+    expect(out[0]).toBeInstanceOf(ServerAnnouncement);
+    expect(out[1]).toBeInstanceOf(MoveActionCommand);
+    expect(out[2]).toBeInstanceOf(Circle);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('networked entity round-trips (toArray ↔ constructor contract)', () => {
+  it('round-trips a ProjectileBase', () => {
+    const out = deserialize(serialize(new ProjectileBase(7, [10, 20], 30, 'blue', 40)));
+    expect(out).toBeInstanceOf(ProjectileBase);
+    expect(out.id).toBe(7);
+    expect(out.center[0]).toBeCloseTo(10, 5);
+    expect(out.center[1]).toBeCloseTo(20, 5);
+    expect(out.radius).toBe(30);
+    expect(out.team).toBe('blue');
+    expect(out.strength).toBe(40);
+  });
+
+  it('round-trips a CharacterBase with its nested body Circles', () => {
+    const out = deserialize(
+      serialize(
+        new CharacterBase(
+          8,
+          'Bob',
+          2,
+          1,
+          'red',
+          100,
+          new Circle([1, 2], 50),
+          new Circle([3, 4], 20),
+          new Circle([5, 6], 20),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+    expect(out).toBeInstanceOf(CharacterBase);
+    expect(out.id).toBe(8);
+    expect(out.name).toBe('Bob');
+    expect(out.killCount).toBe(2);
+    expect(out.deathCount).toBe(1);
+    expect(out.team).toBe('red');
+    expect(out.health).toBe(100);
+    expect(out.head).toBeInstanceOf(Circle);
+    expect(out.head.center[0]).toBeCloseTo(1, 5);
+    expect(out.head.radius).toBe(50);
+  });
+
+  it('round-trips a LampBase', () => {
+    const out = deserialize(serialize(new LampBase(9, [7, 8], [1, 0.5, 0.2], 0.8)));
+    expect(out).toBeInstanceOf(LampBase);
+    expect(out.center[1]).toBeCloseTo(8, 5);
+    expect(out.color[2]).toBeCloseTo(0.2, 5);
+    expect(out.lightness).toBeCloseTo(0.8, 5);
+  });
+
+  it('round-trips a PlanetBase (derived centre/radius recomputed from vertices)', () => {
+    const out = deserialize(
+      serialize(new PlanetBase(10, [[0, 0], [100, 0], [50, 100]], 0.7, true)),
+    );
+    expect(out).toBeInstanceOf(PlanetBase);
+    expect(out.id).toBe(10);
+    expect(out.vertices).toHaveLength(3);
+    expect(out.ownership).toBeCloseTo(0.7, 5);
+    expect(out.isKeystone).toBe(true);
+    expect(out.center[0]).toBeCloseTo(50, 5); // recomputed by the constructor
+  });
+});
+
+describe('shared character geometry — single source of truth', () => {
+  it('matches the known body layout', () => {
+    expect(headRadius).toBe(50);
+    expect(feetRadius).toBe(20);
+    expect(boundRadius).toBe((headRadius + feetRadius * 2) * 2); // 180
+  });
+
+  it('posture offsets are measured from the centre of mass (they sum to ~0)', () => {
+    const sx = headOffset[0] + leftFootOffset[0] + rightFootOffset[0];
+    const sy = headOffset[1] + leftFootOffset[1] + rightFootOffset[1];
+    expect(sx).toBeCloseTo(0, 4);
+    expect(sy).toBeCloseTo(0, 4);
+  });
+});