LANTERN purge B6: delete the legacy single-ability path (sockets are THE ability model)

AbilityRef, AbilityCooldown, EffectiveAbilityStats, DefaultAbility deleted.
GoInGameServerSystem seeds the per-frame 4-socket Spark loadout UNCONDITIONALLY
(was gym-only); ClassSelectReceiveSystem + DebugOp.SetClass swap FrameId +
re-seed sockets + zero SocketCooldown; ClassSwapUtil.Apply drops newAbilityId;
EquipSystem weapons become stat-sticks (GrantedAbilityId removed from the item
blob/authoring); StatRecomputeSystem folds CharacterStatsRef + sockets only;
HUD cooldown bar reads socket 0 of SocketCooldown/EffectiveSocketStats; class
HUD readers are FrameId-only (ClassForAbility/AbilityFor deleted);
DebugModifierInjectionSystem drops CycleAbility.

390 tests green; Play-verified: a non-gym spawn gets frame=2 with Sparks
[7,8,6,9] and no console errors.

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

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Authoring/Items/ItemDatabaseAuthoring.cs

@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
                         Tier = def.Tier,
                         StackMax = def.StackMax,
                         EquipSlot = def.EquipSlot,
-                        GrantedAbilityId = def.GrantedAbilityId,
                         Mod0 = ModAt(def, 0),
                         Mod1 = ModAt(def, 1),
                         Mod2 = ModAt(def, 2),

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Authoring/Items/ItemDefinition.cs

@@ -33,9 +33,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
         [Tooltip("EquipSlotId byte: 0=Weapon, 1=Armor, 2=Trinket, 3=Tool, 255=not equippable.")]
         public byte EquipSlot = 255;
 
-        [Tooltip("AbilityId granted when equipped in the Weapon slot (0=none): 1=Primary, 2=FastLight, 3=SlowHeavy.")]
-        public byte GrantedAbilityId = 0;
-
         [Tooltip("Stat modifiers granted while equipped (first 4 used).")]
         public List<ItemModAuthoring> Mods = new List<ItemModAuthoring>();
     }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Authoring/Player/PlayerAuthoring.cs

@@ -19,9 +19,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
         [Tooltip("Character-stats definition (move speed, turn rate, max health). Single source of those values.")]
         public CharacterStatsDefinition Character;
 
-        [Tooltip("Ability definition occupying the player's primary slot.")]
-        public AbilityDefinition PrimaryAbility;
-
         [Header("Fallbacks (used only if a definition above is unassigned)")]
         [Min(0f)] public float FallbackMaxHealth = 100f;
 
@@ -42,14 +39,11 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
             {
                 var entity = GetEntity(authoring, TransformUsageFlags.Dynamic);
 
-                // Re-bake when a referenced definition's serialized values change.
+                // Re-bake when the referenced definition's serialized values change.
                 if (authoring.Character != null) DependsOn(authoring.Character);
-                if (authoring.PrimaryAbility != null) DependsOn(authoring.PrimaryAbility);
 
                 byte characterId = authoring.Character != null
                     ? (byte)authoring.Character.Id : (byte)CharacterId.Default;
-                byte abilityId = authoring.PrimaryAbility != null
-                    ? (byte)authoring.PrimaryAbility.Id : (byte)AbilityId.Primary;
                 float maxHealth = authoring.Character != null
                     ? authoring.Character.MaxHealth : authoring.FallbackMaxHealth;
 
@@ -57,14 +51,11 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
                 AddComponent<PlayerFacing>(entity);
                 AddComponent<PlayerInput>(entity);
 
-                // Data-driven stat refs (replace M2's inlined PlayerMoveStats / AbilityStats values).
+                // Data-driven stat ref (replaces M2's inlined PlayerMoveStats values); the ability model is the
+                // 4-socket kit below (the legacy AbilityRef/DefaultAbility/EffectiveAbilityStats bakes are deleted).
                 AddComponent(entity, new CharacterStatsRef { Id = characterId });
-                AddComponent(entity, new AbilityRef { Id = abilityId });
-                // Unarmed/base ability restored on weapon-unequip (AbilityRef.Id mutates when a weapon is equipped).
-                AddComponent(entity, new DefaultAbility { Id = abilityId });
 
                 // Effective stats: zeroed at bake, recomputed every predicted tick by StatRecomputeSystem.
-                AddComponent(entity, new EffectiveAbilityStats());
                 AddComponent(entity, new EffectiveCharacterStats());
 
                 // Empty replicated modifier stack (grown by upgrades/pickups/debug hook, server-authoritative).
@@ -82,7 +73,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
                 // damageable hit radius, predicted cooldown state, and the per-tick damage inbox.
                 AddComponent(entity, new Health { Current = maxHealth, Max = maxHealth });
                 AddComponent(entity, new HitRadius { Value = authoring.HitRadius });
-                AddComponent<AbilityCooldown>(entity);
                 AddBuffer<DamageEvent>(entity);
                 // MC-1 dash: predicted dash window (derived from PlayerInput.Dash) + cooldown gate, baked idle/ready.
                 AddComponent<DashState>(entity);
@@ -110,17 +100,17 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
                 // the Returning edge) + the server-only Blade-Dash per-dash dedup accumulator (non-replicated).
                 AddComponent<BoonEffects>(entity);
                 AddComponent<DashTrailState>(entity);
-                // LANTERN Phase 1 (Step 1): 4-socket kit data model - parallels AbilityRef/AbilityCooldown
+                // LANTERN Phase 1 (Step 1): 4-socket kit data model — THE ability model (the legacy single
-                // (both kept until the AbilityFireSystem migration in Step 2). AbilitySocket = cold per-socket
+                // AbilityRef/AbilityCooldown path is deleted). AbilitySocket = cold per-socket loadout
-                // loadout (EquipmentSlot-modelled, 4 empty rows); SocketCooldown = hot owner-predicted per-socket
+                // (EquipmentSlot-modelled, 4 empty rows; GoInGameServerSystem seeds the frame loadout at spawn);
-                // cooldown; FrameId = replicated frame/class signal (baked 0, written server-side at frame select).
+                // SocketCooldown = hot owner-predicted per-socket cooldown; FrameId = replicated frame/class signal
+                // (baked 0, written server-side at frame select).
                 var sockets = AddBuffer<AbilitySocket>(entity);
                 for (int sk = 0; sk < SocketId.Count; sk++)
                     sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = 0 });
                 AddComponent<SocketCooldown>(entity);
                 AddComponent<FrameId>(entity);
-                // Step 1b: per-socket effective-stats buffer (4 rows), folded each predicted tick by
+                // Step 1b: per-socket effective-stats buffer (4 rows), folded each predicted tick by StatRecomputeSystem.
-                // StatRecomputeSystem (additive; the legacy single EffectiveAbilityStats stays until steps 2/2.5).
                 var effSockets = AddBuffer<EffectiveSocketStats>(entity);
                 for (int sk2 = 0; sk2 < SocketId.Count; sk2++)
                     effSockets.Add(new EffectiveSocketStats());

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Presentation/ClassPrepPortalHudSystem.cs

@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             // Local class from the replicated AbilityRef (tracks the dev class-switch; PlayerClass is server-only).
             byte localClass = ClassTraits.WarriorClass;
             bool haveLocalPlayer = false;
-            foreach (var (fr, ar) in SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<FrameId>, RefRO<AbilityRef>>().WithAll<PlayerTag, GhostOwnerIsLocal>())
+            foreach (var fr in SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<FrameId>>().WithAll<PlayerTag, GhostOwnerIsLocal>())
             {
-                localClass = fr.ValueRO.Value != 0 ? fr.ValueRO.Value : ClassTraits.ClassForAbility(ar.ValueRO.Id); // FrameId signal, AbilityRef fallback
+                localClass = ClassTraits.Normalize(fr.ValueRO.Value); // FrameId is the sole class signal (legacy AbilityRef deleted)
                 haveLocalPlayer = true;
                 break;
             }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Presentation/HudSystem.cs

@@ -134,8 +134,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             // stays correct the day a Health/stats writer is parallelised.
             EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<Health>();
             EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<EffectiveCharacterStats>();
-            EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<EffectiveAbilityStats>();
+            EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<SocketCooldown>();
-            EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<AbilityCooldown>();
+            EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<EffectiveSocketStats>();
             EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<RespawnInvuln>();
 
             float dt = SystemAPI.Time.DeltaTime; // wall-frame delta — correct in a presentation system
@@ -330,9 +330,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             float hp = 0f, maxHp = 1f, cdFrac = 1f;
             bool dead = false, shielded = false;
 
-            foreach (var (health, effChar, effAbility, cd, invuln, entity) in
+            foreach (var (health, effChar, cd, invuln, entity) in
-                     SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<Health>, RefRO<EffectiveCharacterStats>, RefRO<EffectiveAbilityStats>,
+                     SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<Health>, RefRO<EffectiveCharacterStats>,
-                             RefRO<AbilityCooldown>, RefRO<RespawnInvuln>>()
+                             RefRO<SocketCooldown>, RefRO<RespawnInvuln>>()
                          .WithAll<GhostOwnerIsLocal, PlayerTag>().WithEntityAccess())
             {
                 found = true;
@@ -340,8 +340,15 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                 maxHp = effChar.ValueRO.MaxHealth > 0f ? effChar.ValueRO.MaxHealth : health.ValueRO.Max;
                 dead = SystemAPI.IsComponentEnabled<Dead>(entity);
 
-                uint nextFire = cd.ValueRO.NextFireTick;
+                // Cooldown bar = socket 0 (the primary Spark) of the 4-socket kit (the legacy single
-                int cdTicks = effAbility.ValueRO.CooldownTicks;
+                // AbilityCooldown died — LANTERN purge). EffectiveSocketStats row 0 supplies the duration.
+                uint nextFire = cd.ValueRO.Get(0);
+                int cdTicks = 0;
+                if (SystemAPI.HasBuffer<EffectiveSocketStats>(entity))
+                {
+                    var effSockets = SystemAPI.GetBuffer<EffectiveSocketStats>(entity);
+                    if (effSockets.Length > 0) cdTicks = effSockets[0].CooldownTicks;
+                }
                 var nextTick = new NetworkTick(nextFire);
                 cdFrac = (haveTick && nextFire != 0 && cdTicks > 0 && nextTick.IsValid && nextTick.IsNewerThan(nt.ServerTick))
                     ? Mathf.Clamp01(1f - nextTick.TicksSince(nt.ServerTick) / (float)cdTicks)

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Presentation/MetaShopHudSystem.cs

@@ -74,9 +74,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             // server-only); tiers from the replicated MetaTierState record on the director ghost.
             byte localClass = ClassTraits.WarriorClass;
             bool haveLocalPlayer = false;
-            foreach (var (fr, ar) in SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<FrameId>, RefRO<AbilityRef>>().WithAll<PlayerTag, GhostOwnerIsLocal>())
+            foreach (var fr in SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<FrameId>>().WithAll<PlayerTag, GhostOwnerIsLocal>())
             {
-                localClass = fr.ValueRO.Value != 0 ? fr.ValueRO.Value : ClassTraits.ClassForAbility(ar.ValueRO.Id); // FrameId signal, AbilityRef fallback
+                localClass = ClassTraits.Normalize(fr.ValueRO.Value); // FrameId is the sole class signal (legacy AbilityRef deleted)
                 haveLocalPlayer = true;
                 break;
             }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Server/Combat/ClassSelectReceiveSystem.cs

@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@ using Unity.NetCode;
 namespace ProjectM.Server
 {
     /// <summary>
-    /// Server receiver for <see cref="ClassSelectRequest"/> — the player picks their class at base. Honored ONLY in
+    /// Server receiver for <see cref="ClassSelectRequest"/> — the player picks their frame at base. Honored ONLY in
-    /// Staging (class = a between-runs choice; mid-run it would desync the fight). Resolves sender → player (the
+    /// Staging (frame = a between-runs choice; mid-run it would desync the fight). Resolves sender → player (the
     /// MetaSpend/ReadyToggle idiom), then applies the FULL in-place swap via <see cref="ClassSwapUtil"/> (class seeds +
-    /// permanent-meta re-sync) and writes AbilityRef / PlayerClass / AbilityCooldown + <see cref="ClassSwapUtil.HealClamp"/>.
+    /// permanent-meta re-sync), writes FrameId / PlayerClass, re-seeds the 4-socket Spark loadout, and calls
-    /// Plain server group, before RunDirectorSystem (the receiver convention); requests are ALWAYS destroyed. NOT
+    /// <see cref="ClassSwapUtil.HealClamp"/>. Plain server group, before RunDirectorSystem (the receiver convention);
-    /// Burst-compiled (a cross-assembly blob+buffer helper on a low-frequency RPC — Burst safety over micro-perf).
+    /// requests are ALWAYS destroyed. NOT Burst-compiled (a cross-assembly blob+buffer helper on a low-frequency RPC).
+    /// </summary>
     /// </summary>
     [WorldSystemFilter(WorldSystemFilterFlags.ServerSimulation)]
     [UpdateInGroup(typeof(SimulationSystemGroup))]
@@ -50,18 +51,26 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
                 var conn = receive.ValueRO.SourceConnection;
                 if (!PlayerResolve.TryResolve(ref state, playerByConn, conn, out var player))
                     continue;
-                if (!SystemAPI.HasComponent<AbilityRef>(player)) continue;
+                if (!SystemAPI.HasBuffer<AbilitySocket>(player)) continue;
 
                 var mods = SystemAPI.GetBuffer<StatModifier>(player);
                 var metaRecord = haveMeta ? SystemAPI.GetBuffer<MetaTierState>(dir) : default;
-                ClassSwapUtil.Apply(req.ValueRO.ClassId, mods, haveMeta, metaCat, metaRecord,
+                ClassSwapUtil.Apply(req.ValueRO.ClassId, mods, haveMeta, metaCat, metaRecord, out byte newClass);
-                    out byte newClass, out byte newAbilityId);
 
-                SystemAPI.SetComponent(player, new AbilityRef { Id = newAbilityId });
+                if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<FrameId>(player))
+                    SystemAPI.SetComponent(player, new FrameId { Value = newClass });
                 if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<PlayerClass>(player))
                     SystemAPI.SetComponent(player, new PlayerClass { ClassId = newClass });
-                if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<AbilityCooldown>(player))
+                // Re-seed the 4-socket Spark loadout for the new frame + clear its cooldowns (fires now).
-                    SystemAPI.SetComponent(player, new AbilityCooldown { NextFireTick = 0 }); // swapped ability fires now
+                ClassTraits.FrameLoadout(newClass, out byte f0, out byte f1, out byte f2, out byte f3);
+                var sockets = SystemAPI.GetBuffer<AbilitySocket>(player);
+                sockets.Clear();
+                sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f0 });
+                sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f1 });
+                sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f2 });
+                sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f3 });
+                if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<SocketCooldown>(player))
+                    SystemAPI.SetComponent(player, default(SocketCooldown)); // 0 = ready: the swapped kit fires now
                 if (haveDb && SystemAPI.HasComponent<Health>(player) && SystemAPI.HasComponent<CharacterStatsRef>(player))
                 {
                     byte charId = SystemAPI.GetComponent<CharacterStatsRef>(player).Id;

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Server/Connection/GoInGameServerSystem.cs

@@ -79,26 +79,24 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
                 ecb.SetComponent(player, new GhostOwner { NetworkId = networkId.Value });
                 // Tag the player into the base region (M6 region/relevancy split).
                 ecb.AddComponent(player, new RegionTag { Region = RegionId.Base });
-                // Slice 2: seed the chosen class on the just-instantiated player. AbilityRef selects the Fire slot
+                // Slice 2 -> LANTERN: seed the chosen frame on the just-instantiated player. The 4-socket Spark
-                // (Warrior = cone / Ranger = projectile); the DRG-asymmetry traits ride permanent StatModifiers
+                // loadout IS the ability model (the legacy single-AbilityRef path is deleted); the DRG-asymmetry
-                // (CharacterStatsRef stays Default -> deltas replicate via the OwnerSendType.All buffer). 0 -> Warrior.
+                // traits ride permanent StatModifiers (CharacterStatsRef stays Default -> deltas replicate via the
+                // OwnerSendType.All buffer). 0 -> Warrior/Bathynaut.
                 byte classId = ClassTraits.Normalize(goReq.ValueRO.ClassId);
-                ecb.SetComponent(player, new AbilityRef { Id = ClassTraits.AbilityFor(classId) });
                 ClassTraits.AppendSeeds(classId, player, ecb);
                 // Expedition redesign: the server-only class anchor the meta systems key on (born-correct meta
                 // seeding at Step 12a + per-class spend at Step 13 resolve the tier record through this).
                 ecb.AddComponent(player, new PlayerClass { ClassId = classId });
-                ecb.AddComponent(player, new FrameId { Value = classId }); // Add (not Set): baked on the real player; absent on the minimal test prefab // replicated frame/class signal (HUD reads this, not AbilityRef)
+                ecb.AddComponent(player, new FrameId { Value = classId }); // Add (not Set): baked on the real player; absent on the minimal test prefab // replicated frame/class signal
-                if (isGym)
+                // Per-frame default Spark loadout on keys 1-4 (UNCONDITIONAL since the legacy path died — without
-                {
+                // this a non-gym spawn would have four empty sockets and no abilities at all).
-                    // GYM: per-frame default Spark loadout on keys 1-4 (AbilityFireSystem reads sockets, not AbilityRef).
                 ClassTraits.FrameLoadout(classId, out byte f0, out byte f1, out byte f2, out byte f3);
-                    var gymSockets = ecb.SetBuffer<AbilitySocket>(player);
+                var sockets = ecb.SetBuffer<AbilitySocket>(player);
-                    gymSockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f0 });
+                sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f0 });
-                    gymSockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f1 });
+                sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f1 });
-                    gymSockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f2 });
+                sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f2 });
-                    gymSockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f3 });
+                sockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = f3 });
-                }
                 // Step 12a: born-correct PERMANENT meta seeding — replay this class's persisted tiers as
                 // meta-band StatModifiers on the just-instantiated player (same ECB as Instantiate, the
                 // ClassTraits idiom). Skip tier 0 / unknown ids (preserve-don't-crash); CLAMP a saved tier above a

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Server/Debug/DebugCommandReceiveSystem.cs

@@ -142,13 +142,13 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
                         }
                         break;
                     case DebugOp.SetClass:
-                        // Swap an already-spawned player's class IN PLACE (editor dev tool). Class = two replicated
+                        // Swap an already-spawned player's frame IN PLACE (editor dev tool). Frame = FrameId + the
-                        // pieces: the AbilityRef Fire slot + the ClassSourceId-tagged StatModifier seeds; the owner's
+                        // ClassSourceId-tagged StatModifier seeds + the 4-socket Spark loadout; the owner's
-                        // StatRecomputeSystem refolds EffectiveCharacterStats. Server-authoritative + prediction-correct
+                        // StatRecomputeSystem refolds EffectiveCharacterStats. Server-authoritative + prediction-
-                        // (same buffer-mutation path as GrantUpgrade). Reapply + AbilityRef run unconditionally so the
+                        // correct (same buffer-mutation path as GrantUpgrade). The swap runs even on a corpse; the
-                        // class is correct even on a corpse; the heal is gated on a LIVING player so we don't resurrect
+                        // heal is gated on a LIVING player so we don't resurrect out-of-band and race
-                        // it out-of-band and race PlayerRespawnSystem (which refills to the new max on respawn itself).
+                        // PlayerRespawnSystem (which refills to the new max on respawn itself).
-                        if (sender != Entity.Null && SystemAPI.HasComponent<AbilityRef>(sender)
+                        if (sender != Entity.Null && SystemAPI.HasBuffer<AbilitySocket>(sender)
                                                   && SystemAPI.HasBuffer<StatModifier>(sender))
                         {
                             var classMods = SystemAPI.GetBuffer<StatModifier>(sender);
@@ -156,15 +156,23 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
                             bool haveMeta2 = SystemAPI.TryGetSingleton<MetaUpgradeCatalog>(out var metaCat2)
                                 && SystemAPI.TryGetSingletonEntity<ResourceLedger>(out dir2) && SystemAPI.HasBuffer<MetaTierState>(dir2);
                             var metaRec2 = haveMeta2 ? SystemAPI.GetBuffer<MetaTierState>(dir2) : default;
-                            // DR-046: the FULL swap (class seeds + meta re-sync) now lives in the shared ClassSwapUtil,
+                            // DR-046: the FULL swap (class seeds + meta re-sync) lives in the shared ClassSwapUtil,
                             // used by BOTH this dev path and the base ClassSelectReceiveSystem so they cannot drift.
                             ClassSwapUtil.Apply((byte)cmd.ArgA, classMods, haveMeta2, metaCat2, metaRec2,
-                                out byte swNewClass, out byte swNewAbility);
+                                out byte swNewClass);
-                            SystemAPI.SetComponent(sender, new AbilityRef { Id = swNewAbility });
+                            if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<FrameId>(sender))
+                                SystemAPI.SetComponent(sender, new FrameId { Value = swNewClass });
                             if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<PlayerClass>(sender))
                                 SystemAPI.SetComponent(sender, new PlayerClass { ClassId = swNewClass });
-                            if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<AbilityCooldown>(sender))
+                            ClassTraits.FrameLoadout(swNewClass, out byte sf0, out byte sf1, out byte sf2, out byte sf3);
-                                SystemAPI.SetComponent(sender, new AbilityCooldown { NextFireTick = 0 });
+                            var swSockets = SystemAPI.GetBuffer<AbilitySocket>(sender);
+                            swSockets.Clear();
+                            swSockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = sf0 });
+                            swSockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = sf1 });
+                            swSockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = sf2 });
+                            swSockets.Add(new AbilitySocket { SparkId = sf3 });
+                            if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<SocketCooldown>(sender))
+                                SystemAPI.SetComponent(sender, default(SocketCooldown));
                             if (SystemAPI.HasComponent<Health>(sender) && SystemAPI.HasComponent<CharacterStatsRef>(sender)
                                 && SystemAPI.TryGetSingleton<AbilityDatabase>(out var abilityDb2))
                             {
@@ -178,6 +186,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
                             }
                         }
                         break;
+                        break;
                     case DebugOp.SpawnEnemy:
                         // GYM: spawn a chosen enemy KIND (Drowner/Grindylow) from the baked roster near the sender.
                         if (sender != Entity.Null && SystemAPI.HasComponent<LocalTransform>(sender)

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Server/Debug/DebugModifierInjectionSystem.cs

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
     /// client. In-editor single-process only (client + server worlds in one process). Poke from execute_code:
     ///   DebugModifierInjectionSystem.AddModifier((byte)StatTarget.Damage, (byte)ModOp.Flat, 50f);
     ///   DebugModifierInjectionSystem.AddModifier((byte)StatTarget.MoveSpeed, (byte)ModOp.PercentAdd, 0.5f);
-    ///   DebugModifierInjectionSystem.CycleAbility();   // Primary -> FastLight -> SlowHeavy -> Primary
     ///   DebugModifierInjectionSystem.ClearModifiers();
     /// All applied to the first player on the next server tick.
     /// </summary>
@@ -25,7 +24,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
 
         static readonly List<PendingModifier> s_Pending = new List<PendingModifier>();
         static bool s_Clear;
-        static bool s_Cycle;
 
         /// <summary>Queue a modifier to append to the first player on the next server tick.</summary>
         public static void AddModifier(byte target, byte op, float value)
@@ -36,17 +34,15 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
         /// <summary>Clear the first player's whole modifier stack on the next server tick.</summary>
         public static void ClearModifiers() => s_Clear = true;
 
-        /// <summary>Cycle the first player's primary ability id on the next server tick.</summary>
-        public static void CycleAbility() => s_Cycle = true;
 
         protected override void OnUpdate()
         {
-            if (s_Pending.Count == 0 && !s_Clear && !s_Cycle)
+            if (s_Pending.Count == 0 && !s_Clear)
                 return;
 
             Entity player = Entity.Null;
-            foreach (var (abilityRef, e) in
+            foreach (var (tag, e) in
-                     SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<AbilityRef>>().WithAll<PlayerTag, StatModifier>().WithEntityAccess())
+                     SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<PlayerTag>>().WithAll<StatModifier>().WithEntityAccess())
             {
                 player = e;
                 break;
@@ -70,19 +66,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
                 }
                 s_Pending.Clear();
             }
-
-            if (s_Cycle)
-            {
-                var abilityRef = EntityManager.GetComponentData<AbilityRef>(player);
-                abilityRef.Id = abilityRef.Id switch
-                {
-                    (byte)AbilityId.Primary => (byte)AbilityId.FastLight,
-                    (byte)AbilityId.FastLight => (byte)AbilityId.SlowHeavy,
-                    _ => (byte)AbilityId.Primary,
-                };
-                EntityManager.SetComponentData(player, abilityRef);
-                s_Cycle = false;
-            }
         }
     }
 }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Server/Economy/EquipSystem.cs

@@ -11,14 +11,14 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
     /// Resolves the sender's player (SourceConnection -> NetworkId -> GhostOwner, the AbilityUpgradeSystem /
     /// InventoryDepositSystem owner-map idiom) and applies the change IN-PLACE: moves the item between the
     /// personal <see cref="InventorySlot"/> bag and the <see cref="EquipmentSlot"/> loadout (buffer index = slot),
-    /// sets <see cref="AbilityRef"/>.Id from the Weapon slot (restoring <see cref="DefaultAbility"/> on
+    /// and adds/strips the item's inline stat mods as <see cref="StatModifier"/>s tagged by a
-    /// weapon-unequip), and adds/strips the item's inline stat mods as <see cref="StatModifier"/>s tagged by a
     /// per-slot SourceId (<c>Tuning.EquipSourceIdBase + slot</c>), stripped TARGET-AGNOSTICALLY via
-    /// <see cref="TimedModifierUtil.RemoveBySourceId"/>.
+    /// <see cref="TimedModifierUtil.RemoveBySourceId"/>. (LANTERN purge: weapons are stat-sticks — the old
+    /// weapon->ability grant is deleted; abilities live in the 4-socket Spark loadout.)
     ///
-    /// Effects are EVENT-DRIVEN (applied once here): AbilityRef + StatModifier are [GhostField]s re-folded by the
+    /// Effects are EVENT-DRIVEN (applied once here): StatModifier is a [GhostField] buffer re-folded by the
     /// predicted StatRecomputeSystem every tick and replicated to the owner, so the swap is prediction-correct
-    /// (DebugModifierInjectionSystem.CycleAbility is the precedent) and survives respawn (the entity persists).
+    /// and survives respawn (the entity persists).
     /// Atomicity: an equip into an occupied slot verifies the bag can hold the swapped-out item BEFORE any
     /// withdrawal and rejects otherwise — no item loss (the co-op-placement commit-in-place rule). Plain server
     /// SimulationSystemGroup (NOT predicted -&gt; applied once, no rollback double-apply); only the request entity
@@ -127,10 +127,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
 
         static void ApplySlotEffects(ref SystemState state, Entity player, byte slot, ItemDefBlob def)
         {
-            // Weapon slot drives the active ability (swaps prefab + base stats via StatRecomputeSystem).
+            // LANTERN purge: weapons are stat-sticks — the old weapon->AbilityRef ability grant is deleted
-            if (slot == EquipSlotId.Weapon && def.GrantedAbilityId != 0)
+            // (abilities live in the 4-socket Spark loadout).
-                state.EntityManager.SetComponentData(player, new AbilityRef { Id = def.GrantedAbilityId });
-
             var mods = state.EntityManager.GetBuffer<StatModifier>(player);
             uint sourceId = Tuning.EquipSourceIdBase + (uint)slot;
             for (int i = 0; i < ItemDefBlob.MaxMods; i++)
@@ -145,13 +143,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
         {
             var mods = state.EntityManager.GetBuffer<StatModifier>(player);
             TimedModifierUtil.RemoveBySourceId(mods, Tuning.EquipSourceIdBase + (uint)slot);
-
-            // Weapon slot: restore the unarmed/base ability.
-            if (slot == EquipSlotId.Weapon)
-            {
-                byte fallback = state.EntityManager.GetComponentData<DefaultAbility>(player).Id;
-                state.EntityManager.SetComponentData(player, new AbilityRef { Id = fallback });
-            }
         }
 
         static int StackMaxOf(ref ItemDatabaseBlob db, ushort itemId)

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/AbilityCooldown.cs

@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-using Unity.Entities;
-using Unity.NetCode;
-
-namespace ProjectM.Simulation
-{
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Predicted per-player ability cooldown gate. Holds the earliest server tick at which the
-    /// owning player may fire again, so <see cref="AbilityFireSystem"/> can throttle shots
-    /// deterministically across client prediction and server simulation.
-    /// <para>
-    /// Replicated as a <see cref="GhostField"/> so the cooldown survives the frame→tick→rollback
-    /// boundary: when the client re-predicts ticks after a snapshot, it sees the same authoritative
-    /// gate the server applied and converges without double-firing. Stored as a raw <c>uint</c>
-    /// rather than a <see cref="NetworkTick"/> for simple, quantization-free serialization; compare
-    /// by wrapping it back into a <see cref="NetworkTick"/> and using
-    /// <see cref="NetworkTick.IsNewerThan"/> (raw subtraction is unsafe across tick wraparound).
-    /// </para>
-    /// </summary>
-    public struct AbilityCooldown : IComponentData
-    {
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Raw tick value of the earliest tick the player may fire again. <c>0</c> = ready (no
-        /// cooldown pending). Set by <see cref="AbilityFireSystem"/> to
-        /// <c>serverTick + max(1, CooldownTicks)</c> on fire; treat as "still cooling down" only
-        /// while a valid <see cref="NetworkTick"/> built from it is newer than the current
-        /// <c>ServerTick</c>.
-        /// </summary>
-        [GhostField] public uint NextFireTick;
-    }
-}

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/AbilityCooldown.cs.meta

@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-fileFormatVersion: 2
-guid: b7a2b67b22b2a4abaa8efd84759445c0

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/AbilityRef.cs

@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-using Unity.Entities;
-using Unity.NetCode;
-
-namespace ProjectM.Simulation
-{
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Which authored ability definition occupies this entity's primary slot - a light replicated key
-    /// into the AbilityDatabase blob, replacing M2's inlined AbilityStats values. Replicated so an
-    /// ability swap is server-authoritative and prediction-correct. <c>Id</c> stores an <see cref="AbilityId"/>.
-    /// </summary>
-    public struct AbilityRef : IComponentData
-    {
-        [GhostField] public byte Id;
-    }
-}

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/AbilityRef.cs.meta

@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-fileFormatVersion: 2
-guid: d6ea08a11ef3d4afdb722b735ca3ed03

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/ClassSwapUtil.cs

@@ -18,13 +18,16 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
         /// <summary>Re-seed the class band + re-sync the permanent-meta band for <paramref name="rawClass"/> on
         /// <paramref name="mods"/>. Returns the normalized class + its Fire ability id (the caller sets AbilityRef).
         /// <paramref name="haveMeta"/> false (no catalog/record) skips the meta replay (the strip still runs).</summary>
+        /// <summary>Re-seed the class band + re-sync the permanent-meta band for <paramref name="rawClass"/> on
+        /// <paramref name="mods"/>. Returns the normalized class (the caller writes FrameId/PlayerClass + re-seeds
+        /// the socket loadout). <paramref name="haveMeta"/> false (no catalog/record) skips the meta replay (the
+        /// strip still runs).</summary>
         public static void Apply(byte rawClass, DynamicBuffer<StatModifier> mods,
             bool haveMeta, in MetaUpgradeCatalog metaCat, DynamicBuffer<MetaTierState> metaRecord,
-            out byte newClass, out byte newAbilityId)
+            out byte newClass)
         {
             newClass = ClassTraits.Normalize(rawClass);
             ClassTraits.Reapply(newClass, mods);
-            newAbilityId = ClassTraits.AbilityFor(newClass);
 
             // Strip the OLD class's meta rows (Reapply only touched the class-seed band), then replay the NEW class's
             // persisted tiers (the GoInGame skip/clamp rules) so the permanent channel stays correct across the swap.

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/ClassTraits.cs

@@ -36,14 +36,12 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
         public static byte Normalize(byte classId) => classId == RangerClass ? RangerClass : WarriorClass;
 
         /// <summary>The Fire-slot ability id for a class (Warrior = cone, Ranger = the default projectile).</summary>
-        public static byte AbilityFor(byte classId)
+
-            => classId == RangerClass ? (byte)AbilityId.Primary : (byte)AbilityId.WarriorCone;
 
         /// <summary>The class a Fire-slot ability id implies — the exact inverse of <see cref="AbilityFor"/> (Ranger
         /// iff Primary). Lets the CLIENT derive the local class from the replicated <see cref="AbilityRef"/> (tracks
         /// the dev class-switch, unlike the menu's ClassSelection static; PlayerClass itself is server-only).</summary>
-        public static byte ClassForAbility(byte abilityId)
+
-            => abilityId == (byte)AbilityId.Primary ? RangerClass : WarriorClass;
 
         /// <summary>Default 4-socket Spark loadout per frame (Harpooner = the Ranger slot, line-and-iron; Bathynaut =
         /// the Warrior slot, anchor-and-crash). Tunable; drives the gym's per-frame default sockets (Build Spec step 5).</summary>

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/EffectiveAbilityStats.cs

@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-using Unity.Entities;
-
-namespace ProjectM.Simulation
-{
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Per-entity effective ability stats: the authored base (from the AbilityDatabase blob keyed by
-    /// AbilityRef) folded with the entity's StatModifier buffer by StatRecomputeSystem each predicted
-    /// tick. Derived/local, NOT replicated - both worlds recompute it deterministically from the
-    /// replicated modifier buffer, so it matches under prediction without being in the snapshot.
-    /// </summary>
-    public struct EffectiveAbilityStats : IComponentData
-    {
-        public float Damage;
-        public float ProjectileSpeed;
-        public float Range;
-        public float AutoTargetRange;
-        public float AutoTargetConeRadians;
-        public int CooldownTicks;
-    }
-}

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/EffectiveAbilityStats.cs.meta

@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-fileFormatVersion: 2
-guid: a8bb3a5c343e74e7fb249e96c0c55fdc

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Combat/StatRecomputeSystem.cs

@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
 {
     /// <summary>
     /// Folds each modifiable entity's authored base stats (from the AbilityDatabase blob, keyed by
-    /// AbilityRef / CharacterStatsRef) with its replicated StatModifier buffer into the
+    /// CharacterStatsRef / the AbilitySocket loadout) with its replicated StatModifier buffer into the
-    /// EffectiveAbilityStats / EffectiveCharacterStats components - every predicted tick, on both worlds.
+    /// EffectiveCharacterStats / EffectiveSocketStats components - every predicted tick, on both worlds.
+    /// (The legacy single AbilityRef -> EffectiveAbilityStats fold is deleted — LANTERN purge.)
     ///
     /// Runs at the head of the predicted group (UpdateBefore PlayerAimSystem;
     /// AbilityFireSystem runs after PlayerAimSystem, so it sees fresh values too). Recompute is
@@ -34,24 +35,11 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
             var database = SystemAPI.GetSingleton<AbilityDatabase>();
             ref var db = ref database.Value.Value;
 
-            foreach (var (abilityRef, charRef, mods, effAbility, effChar) in
+            foreach (var (charRef, mods, effChar) in
-                     SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<AbilityRef>, RefRO<CharacterStatsRef>, DynamicBuffer<StatModifier>,
+                     SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<CharacterStatsRef>, DynamicBuffer<StatModifier>,
-                             RefRW<EffectiveAbilityStats>, RefRW<EffectiveCharacterStats>>()
+                             RefRW<EffectiveCharacterStats>>()
                          .WithAll<Simulate>())
             {
-                if (db.TryGetAbility(abilityRef.ValueRO.Id, out var a))
-                {
-                    effAbility.ValueRW = new EffectiveAbilityStats
-                    {
-                        Damage = StatMath.Apply(a.Damage, StatTarget.Damage, mods),
-                        ProjectileSpeed = StatMath.Apply(a.ProjectileSpeed, StatTarget.ProjectileSpeed, mods),
-                        Range = StatMath.Apply(a.Range, StatTarget.Range, mods),
-                        AutoTargetRange = StatMath.Apply(a.AutoTargetRange, StatTarget.AutoTargetRange, mods),
-                        AutoTargetConeRadians = StatMath.Apply(a.AutoTargetConeRadians, StatTarget.AutoTargetConeRadians, mods),
-                        CooldownTicks = (int)math.round(StatMath.Apply(a.CooldownTicks, StatTarget.CooldownTicks, mods)),
-                    };
-                }
-
                 if (db.TryGetCharacter(charRef.ValueRO.Id, out var c))
                 {
                     effChar.ValueRW = new EffectiveCharacterStats
@@ -65,8 +53,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
 
             // LANTERN Phase 1 (Step 1b): per-socket fold - each socket's Spark base folded with the SHARED
             // StatModifier band into its EffectiveSocketStats row (uniform band; per-Spark warping is Phase 4).
-            // Separate query so this system stays under the 7-arg cap; the legacy single fold above stays
+            // Separate query so this system stays under the 7-arg cap.
-            // until AbilityFireSystem + the feel layer migrate to the buffer (steps 2/2.5).
             foreach (var (sockets, socketMods, effSockets) in
                      SystemAPI.Query<DynamicBuffer<AbilitySocket>, DynamicBuffer<StatModifier>, DynamicBuffer<EffectiveSocketStats>>()
                          .WithAll<Simulate>())

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Items/DefaultAbility.cs

@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-using Unity.Entities;
-
-namespace ProjectM.Simulation
-{
-    /// <summary>
-    /// The player's "unarmed" / base ability id, baked from PlayerAuthoring.PrimaryAbility. Restored into
-    /// <see cref="AbilityRef"/>.Id by EquipSystem when a weapon is unequipped. NOT replicated (it never changes,
-    /// so a [GhostField] would waste snapshot bytes and there is no client consumer). AbilityRef itself cannot
-    /// serve double duty because EquipSystem overwrites AbilityRef.Id when a weapon is equipped — this preserves
-    /// the immutable default to fall back to. Server-read only.
-    /// </summary>
-    public struct DefaultAbility : IComponentData
-    {
-        /// <summary>The <see cref="AbilityId"/> (as a byte) the player fires with no weapon equipped.</summary>
-        public byte Id;
-    }
-}

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Items/DefaultAbility.cs.meta

@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-fileFormatVersion: 2
-guid: 4c6831e7f8bb98d448917f88dcbe12db

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Items/ItemDatabaseBlob.cs

@@ -50,9 +50,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
         /// <summary>Equip slot (see <see cref="EquipSlotId"/>); 255 = not equippable.</summary>
         public byte EquipSlot;
 
-        /// <summary>AbilityId granted when equipped in the Weapon slot (0 = none); the equip handler writes it into AbilityRef.Id.</summary>
-        public byte GrantedAbilityId;
-
         /// <summary>Up to <see cref="MaxMods"/> INLINE stat-mod grants applied while equipped (Target 255 = unused). Inline, not a nested BlobArray.</summary>
         public ItemModSpec Mod0, Mod1, Mod2, Mod3;
 

Assets/_Project/Tests/EditMode/ClassTraitsTests.cs

@@ -25,11 +25,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
         }
 
         [Test]
-        public void AbilityFor_And_Normalize_DefaultToWarrior()
+        public void Normalize_DefaultsToWarrior()
         {
-            Assert.AreEqual((byte)AbilityId.WarriorCone, ClassTraits.AbilityFor(ClassTraits.WarriorClass));
-            Assert.AreEqual((byte)AbilityId.Primary, ClassTraits.AbilityFor(ClassTraits.RangerClass));
-            Assert.AreEqual((byte)AbilityId.WarriorCone, ClassTraits.AbilityFor(0), "unknown class -> Warrior cone");
             Assert.AreEqual(ClassTraits.WarriorClass, ClassTraits.Normalize(0));
             Assert.AreEqual(ClassTraits.WarriorClass, ClassTraits.Normalize(99));
             Assert.AreEqual(ClassTraits.RangerClass, ClassTraits.Normalize(ClassTraits.RangerClass));

Assets/_Project/Tests/EditMode/EquipSystemTests.cs

@@ -10,11 +10,12 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
 {
     /// <summary>
     /// Plain-Entities EditMode tests for the server-only <see cref="EquipSystem"/>. Seeds a player
-    /// (GhostOwner + PlayerTag + InventorySlot + EquipmentSlot[4 rows] + StatModifier + AbilityRef +
+    /// (GhostOwner + PlayerTag + InventorySlot + EquipmentSlot[4 rows] + StatModifier), an inline-built
-    /// DefaultAbility), an inline-built ItemDatabase singleton, a mock connection, and an Equip/Unequip RPC.
+    /// ItemDatabase singleton, a mock connection, and an Equip/Unequip RPC. Weapons are STAT-STICKS
-    /// Pins: weapon-equip sets AbilityRef + adds the slot-tagged mod + moves the item bag->slot; unequip reverses
+    /// (LANTERN purge: the old weapon->AbilityRef grant is deleted; abilities live in the socket kit).
-    /// and restores DefaultAbility; equip-over-occupied swaps the old item back; a full-bag swap is rejected with
+    /// Pins: weapon-equip adds the slot-tagged mod + moves the item bag->slot; unequip reverses;
-    /// no item loss; non-equippable / absent / unresolvable-connection requests no-op (request still consumed);
+    /// equip-over-occupied swaps the old item back; a full-bag swap is rejected with no item loss;
+    /// non-equippable / absent / unresolvable-connection requests no-op (request still consumed);
     /// the unequip strip removes ONLY the slot sentinel, leaving foreign-SourceId mods (pickup 0u, upgrade) intact.
     /// </summary>
     public class EquipSystemTests
@@ -31,13 +32,13 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
 
         static ItemModSpec NoMod() => new ItemModSpec { Target = 255 };
 
-        static ItemDefBlob Mk(ushort id, byte slot, byte ability, ItemModSpec m0)
+        static ItemDefBlob Mk(ushort id, byte slot, ItemModSpec m0)
         {
             int stackMax = slot <= EquipSlotId.Tool ? 1 : 999;
             return new ItemDefBlob
             {
                 ItemId = id, Category = 0, Tier = 0, StackMax = stackMax,
-                EquipSlot = slot, GrantedAbilityId = ability,
+                EquipSlot = slot,
                 Mod0 = m0, Mod1 = NoMod(), Mod2 = NoMod(), Mod3 = NoMod(),
             };
         }
@@ -54,10 +55,10 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
             var builder = new BlobBuilder(Allocator.Temp);
             ref var root = ref builder.ConstructRoot<ItemDatabaseBlob>();
             var arr = builder.Allocate(ref root.Items, 4);
-            arr[0] = Mk(WeaponA, EquipSlotId.Weapon, (byte)AbilityId.FastLight, new ItemModSpec { Target = (byte)StatTarget.Damage, Op = (byte)ModOp.Flat, Value = 5f });
+            arr[0] = Mk(WeaponA, EquipSlotId.Weapon, new ItemModSpec { Target = (byte)StatTarget.Damage, Op = (byte)ModOp.Flat, Value = 5f });
-            arr[1] = Mk(WeaponB, EquipSlotId.Weapon, (byte)AbilityId.SlowHeavy, new ItemModSpec { Target = (byte)StatTarget.Damage, Op = (byte)ModOp.Flat, Value = 9f });
+            arr[1] = Mk(WeaponB, EquipSlotId.Weapon, new ItemModSpec { Target = (byte)StatTarget.Damage, Op = (byte)ModOp.Flat, Value = 9f });
-            arr[2] = Mk(GearArmor, EquipSlotId.Armor, 0, new ItemModSpec { Target = (byte)StatTarget.MoveSpeed, Op = (byte)ModOp.PercentAdd, Value = 0.1f });
+            arr[2] = Mk(GearArmor, EquipSlotId.Armor, new ItemModSpec { Target = (byte)StatTarget.MoveSpeed, Op = (byte)ModOp.PercentAdd, Value = 0.1f });
-            arr[3] = Mk(Ore, EquipSlotId.None, 0, NoMod());
+            arr[3] = Mk(Ore, EquipSlotId.None, NoMod());
             _blob = builder.CreateBlobAssetReference<ItemDatabaseBlob>(Allocator.Persistent);
             builder.Dispose();
             var dbE = em.CreateEntity(typeof(ItemDatabase));
@@ -78,8 +79,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
             var e = em.CreateEntity();
             em.AddComponentData(e, new GhostOwner { NetworkId = networkId });
             em.AddComponent<PlayerTag>(e);
-            em.AddComponentData(e, new AbilityRef { Id = (byte)AbilityId.Primary });
-            em.AddComponentData(e, new DefaultAbility { Id = (byte)AbilityId.Primary });
             var bag = em.AddBuffer<InventorySlot>(e);
             foreach (var it in bagItems) bag.Add(new InventorySlot { ItemId = it.id, Count = it.count });
             var slots = em.AddBuffer<EquipmentSlot>(e);
@@ -102,7 +101,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
             em.AddComponentData(e, new ReceiveRpcCommandRequest { SourceConnection = conn });
         }
 
-        static byte Ability(EntityManager em, Entity p) => em.GetComponentData<AbilityRef>(p).Id;
         static ushort Slot(EntityManager em, Entity p, byte slot) => em.GetBuffer<EquipmentSlot>(p)[slot].ItemId;
         static int Bag(EntityManager em, Entity p, ushort id) => InventoryMath.CountOf(em.GetBuffer<InventorySlot>(p), id);
         static int RequestsLeft(EntityManager em) { using var q = em.CreateEntityQuery(typeof(ReceiveRpcCommandRequest)); return q.CalculateEntityCount(); }
@@ -125,7 +123,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
         }
 
         [Test]
-        public void Equip_Weapon_Sets_Ability_Adds_Mod_Moves_Item()
+        public void Equip_Weapon_Adds_Mod_Moves_Item()
         {
             var (world, group) = MakeWorld("EquipWeapon");
             using (world)
@@ -137,7 +135,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
 
                 group.Update();
 
-                Assert.AreEqual((byte)AbilityId.FastLight, Ability(em, player), "The weapon grants its ability into AbilityRef.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(WeaponA, Slot(em, player, EquipSlotId.Weapon), "The weapon occupies the Weapon slot.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(0, Bag(em, player, WeaponA), "The weapon left the bag.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(1, SlotModCount(em, player, EquipSlotId.Weapon), "The weapon's mod is tagged the weapon-slot sentinel.");
@@ -146,7 +143,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
         }
 
         [Test]
-        public void Unequip_Weapon_Restores_Default_Strips_Mods_Returns_Item()
+        public void Unequip_Weapon_Strips_Mods_Returns_Item()
         {
             var (world, group) = MakeWorld("UnequipWeapon");
             using (world)
@@ -160,7 +157,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
                 MakeUnequip(em, EquipSlotId.Weapon, conn);
                 group.Update();
 
-                Assert.AreEqual((byte)AbilityId.Primary, Ability(em, player), "Unequip restores the DefaultAbility.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(0, Slot(em, player, EquipSlotId.Weapon), "The Weapon slot is empty.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(1, Bag(em, player, WeaponA), "The weapon is back in the bag.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(0, SlotModCount(em, player, EquipSlotId.Weapon), "The weapon's mod is stripped.");
@@ -183,7 +179,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
                 group.Update();
 
                 Assert.AreEqual(WeaponB, Slot(em, player, EquipSlotId.Weapon), "Weapon B now occupies the slot.");
-                Assert.AreEqual((byte)AbilityId.SlowHeavy, Ability(em, player), "AbilityRef swaps to weapon B's ability.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(1, Bag(em, player, WeaponA), "Weapon A swapped back into the bag.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(0, Bag(em, player, WeaponB), "Weapon B left the bag.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(1, SlotModCount(em, player, EquipSlotId.Weapon), "Exactly weapon B's single mod remains (A's stripped).");
@@ -231,7 +226,6 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
 
                 Assert.AreEqual(0, Slot(em, player, EquipSlotId.Weapon), "Nothing equipped.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(5, Bag(em, player, Ore), "The resource is untouched.");
-                Assert.AreEqual((byte)AbilityId.Primary, Ability(em, player), "AbilityRef unchanged.");
                 Assert.AreEqual(0, RequestsLeft(em), "Both requests are consumed.");
             }
         }

Assets/_Project/Tests/EditMode/MetaSeedingTests.cs

@@ -31,9 +31,10 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
 
         static Entity MakePlayerPrefab(EntityManager em)
         {
-            var e = em.CreateEntity(typeof(LocalTransform), typeof(GhostOwner), typeof(AbilityRef), typeof(PlayerTag));
+            var e = em.CreateEntity(typeof(LocalTransform), typeof(GhostOwner), typeof(FrameId), typeof(PlayerTag));
             em.SetComponentData(e, LocalTransform.Identity);
             em.AddBuffer<StatModifier>(e);
+            em.AddBuffer<AbilitySocket>(e); // the spawn path SetBuffers the frame loadout unconditionally (LANTERN purge)
             em.AddComponent<Prefab>(e);
             return e;
         }

Assets/_Project/Tests/EditMode/StatRecomputeSystemTests.cs

@@ -7,9 +7,10 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
 {
     /// <summary>
     /// Plain-Entities test for <see cref="StatRecomputeSystem"/>: builds an AbilityDatabase blob singleton
-    /// + a player-like entity (refs / modifier buffer / effective components), ticks the
+    /// + a player-like entity (CharacterStatsRef / socket loadout / modifier buffer / effective components),
-    /// SimulationSystemGroup, and asserts the effective stats equal the folded (base + modifiers) values
+    /// ticks the SimulationSystemGroup, and asserts the effective stats equal the folded (base + modifiers)
-    /// and stay stable across repeated ticks (the every-tick recompute is idempotent). Version-independent.
+    /// values and stay stable across repeated ticks (the every-tick recompute is idempotent). The legacy
+    /// AbilityRef -> EffectiveAbilityStats fold is deleted (LANTERN purge); the socket fold is the ability path.
     /// </summary>
     public class StatRecomputeSystemTests
     {
@@ -47,9 +48,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
             em.SetComponentData(dbEntity, new AbilityDatabase { Value = blob });
 
             var player = em.CreateEntity(
-                typeof(AbilityRef), typeof(CharacterStatsRef), typeof(StatModifier),
+                typeof(CharacterStatsRef), typeof(StatModifier),
-                typeof(EffectiveAbilityStats), typeof(EffectiveCharacterStats), typeof(Simulate));
+                typeof(EffectiveCharacterStats), typeof(Simulate));
-            em.SetComponentData(player, new AbilityRef { Id = AbilityPrimary });
             em.SetComponentData(player, new CharacterStatsRef { Id = CharDefault });
             return (world, player);
         }
@@ -67,12 +67,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
             try
             {
                 world.GetExistingSystemManaged<SimulationSystemGroup>().Update();
-                var ea = world.EntityManager.GetComponentData<EffectiveAbilityStats>(player);
                 var ec = world.EntityManager.GetComponentData<EffectiveCharacterStats>(player);
-                Assert.AreEqual(20f, ea.Damage, 1e-3f);
-                Assert.AreEqual(25f, ea.ProjectileSpeed, 1e-3f);
-                Assert.AreEqual(12, ea.CooldownTicks);
                 Assert.AreEqual(6f, ec.MoveSpeed, 1e-3f);
+                Assert.AreEqual(12.5f, ec.TurnRateRadiansPerSec, 1e-3f);
                 Assert.AreEqual(100f, ec.MaxHealth, 1e-3f);
             }
             finally { world.Dispose(); blob.Dispose(); }
@@ -84,14 +81,12 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
             var (world, player) = MakeWorld(out var blob);
             try
             {
-                AddMod(world, player, StatTarget.Damage, ModOp.Flat, 5f);
-                AddMod(world, player, StatTarget.Damage, ModOp.PercentAdd, 0.5f);    // (20+5)*1.5 = 37.5
                 AddMod(world, player, StatTarget.MoveSpeed, ModOp.PercentAdd, 0.5f); // 6*1.5 = 9
+                AddMod(world, player, StatTarget.MaxHealth, ModOp.Flat, 30f);        // 100+30 = 130
                 world.GetExistingSystemManaged<SimulationSystemGroup>().Update();
-                var ea = world.EntityManager.GetComponentData<EffectiveAbilityStats>(player);
                 var ec = world.EntityManager.GetComponentData<EffectiveCharacterStats>(player);
-                Assert.AreEqual(37.5f, ea.Damage, 1e-3f);
                 Assert.AreEqual(9f, ec.MoveSpeed, 1e-3f);
+                Assert.AreEqual(130f, ec.MaxHealth, 1e-3f);
             }
             finally { world.Dispose(); blob.Dispose(); }
         }
@@ -102,13 +97,13 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
             var (world, player) = MakeWorld(out var blob);
             try
             {
-                AddMod(world, player, StatTarget.Damage, ModOp.Flat, 10f); // 20+10 = 30
+                AddMod(world, player, StatTarget.MaxHealth, ModOp.Flat, 10f); // 100+10 = 110
                 var group = world.GetExistingSystemManaged<SimulationSystemGroup>();
                 group.Update();
-                var first = world.EntityManager.GetComponentData<EffectiveAbilityStats>(player).Damage;
+                var first = world.EntityManager.GetComponentData<EffectiveCharacterStats>(player).MaxHealth;
                 for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) group.Update();
-                var last = world.EntityManager.GetComponentData<EffectiveAbilityStats>(player).Damage;
+                var last = world.EntityManager.GetComponentData<EffectiveCharacterStats>(player).MaxHealth;
-                Assert.AreEqual(30f, first, 1e-3f);
+                Assert.AreEqual(110f, first, 1e-3f);
                 Assert.AreEqual(first, last, 1e-4f);
             }
             finally { world.Dispose(); blob.Dispose(); }
@@ -128,13 +123,10 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
                 var dbEntity = em.CreateEntity(typeof(AbilityDatabase));
                 em.SetComponentData(dbEntity, new AbilityDatabase { Value = blob });
 
-                // player carrying the socket loadout + per-socket effective buffer (plus the legacy singles the
+                // player carrying the socket loadout + per-socket effective buffer.
-                // first fold loop still needs during the step-1b transition).
                 var player = em.CreateEntity(
-                    typeof(AbilityRef), typeof(CharacterStatsRef), typeof(StatModifier),
+                    typeof(CharacterStatsRef), typeof(StatModifier), typeof(EffectiveCharacterStats),
-                    typeof(EffectiveAbilityStats), typeof(EffectiveCharacterStats),
                     typeof(AbilitySocket), typeof(EffectiveSocketStats), typeof(Simulate));
-                em.SetComponentData(player, new AbilityRef { Id = AbilityPrimary });
                 em.SetComponentData(player, new CharacterStatsRef { Id = CharDefault });
                 var socketBuf = em.GetBuffer<AbilitySocket>(player);
                 var effBuf = em.GetBuffer<EffectiveSocketStats>(player);