Combat feel pass: enemy hit-flash, melee connect cue, kill pop, gamepad rumble, footsteps, damage-number tiering

Implements the "what's missing" feel backlog from the combat overhaul investigation (wf_c6c87dc5-9c3). All
client-only, observe-only (PresentationSystemGroup), no sim/netcode change, rollback-safe; new FeelConfig knobs
default-stamped on play-enter.

- ENEMY HIT-FLASH (#1 missing): on the enemy Health-decrease edge, a bright body-scaled particle puff in the
  previously-unused FeelConfig.HitFlashColor (via a new EmitColored helper using per-emit startColor) -- the staple
  "I connected" read. (A true material body-flash needs an AnimatedLitShader emission property + Entities Graphics
  MaterialProperty; the puff is the asset-free version.)
- MELEE CONNECT-vs-WHIFF: on the local swing, a client-side MeleeConeMath.InCone overlap over the cached enemy
  snapshot -> immediate connect read (brightens the slash arc, hit-spark at the nearest enemy, a meaty low "thunk"
  SFX, extra FOV punch) before the authoritative server spark arrives. Whiffs stay dim.
- KILL POP: a colored flash burst + rumble on enemy death (on top of the existing burst/shake/FOV).
- GAMEPAD RUMBLE: new RumbleUtil (auto-stopping pulse, gamepad-only, stops on focus-loss, reset on play-enter)
  pulsed on local hit-taken / hit-dealt / kill, gated on AimPresentation.Scheme==Gamepad.
- FOOTSTEPS: edge-detect local locomotion from the position delta -> soft step SFX at a cadence while moving.
- DAMAGE-NUMBER TIERING: SpawnNumber scales font + life by hit magnitude (vs HitStopRefDamage) so heavy hits read.

390/390 EditMode, clean compile + Play (no exceptions; per-frame footstep/rumble-tick paths verified). On-screen
feel is the operator's eyes. Deferred (focused follow-ups): true material body hit-flash (ShaderGraph), co-op
remote-swing rendering, near-impact telegraph beep (clip reserved).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

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

@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
         AudioClip _telegraphClip;
         AudioClip _dashClip;
         AudioClip _swingClip;
+        AudioClip _meleeConnectClip, _footstepClip, _strikeBeepClip; // combat feel pass: connect thunk / footstep / strike beep
+        Vector3 _lastFootPos; float _footTimer; bool _footInit; // footstep edge-detect (local player locomotion)
 
         Entity _localPlayer = Entity.Null;
         uint _lastLocalFireTick;
@@ -108,6 +110,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             _telegraphClip = MakeClip("telegraph", 680f, 1020f, 0.12f, 0.35f, noise: false);
             _dashClip = MakeClip("dash", 950f, 240f, 0.12f, 0.50f, noise: false);
             _swingClip = MakeClip("swing", 720f, 200f, 0.09f, 0.42f, noise: false);
+            _meleeConnectClip = MakeClip("melee_thunk", 180f, 60f, 0.13f, 0.55f, noise: true);   // meaty low connect
+            _footstepClip = MakeClip("step", 200f, 110f, 0.06f, 0.18f, noise: true);             // soft footfall
+            _strikeBeepClip = MakeClip("strike", 1150f, 1500f, 0.05f, 0.30f, noise: false);       // (reserved) near-impact beep
         }
 
         protected override void OnStartRunning()
@@ -219,6 +224,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                         PlayClip(_hitClip, (Vector3)p, FeelConfig.HitSfxVolume);
                         PrototypeCameraRig.AddShake(isLocalPlayer ? FeelConfig.HitShakeLocal : FeelConfig.HitShakeRemote);
                         if (isLocalPlayer) PrototypeCameraRig.PunchFov(FeelConfig.HitStopFovKick, FeelConfig.HitStopDurationMs);
+                        if (isLocalPlayer && FeelConfig.RumbleEnabled && AimPresentation.Scheme == 1)
+                            RumbleUtil.Pulse(FeelConfig.RumbleHit * 0.8f, FeelConfig.RumbleHit, FeelConfig.RumbleDurationSec);
                         if (isEnemy)
                         {
                             // MC-3: net-new player-dealt-hit camera punch — scales with the bite size
@@ -227,6 +234,10 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                             float hitMag = math.saturate((prev.Hp - cur) / math.max(1f, FeelConfig.HitStopRefDamage));
                             PrototypeCameraRig.PunchFov(math.lerp(FeelConfig.HitStopFovKickMin, FeelConfig.HitStopFovKickMax, hitMag), FeelConfig.HitStopDurationMs);
                             ShowHealthBar(entity); // Feature B: arm/refresh this enemy's bar on a damage edge
+                            // Hit-flash: a bright body-scaled puff in FeelConfig.HitFlashColor — the staple "I lit it up" read.
+                            EmitColored(_hitFx, (Vector3)p + Vector3.up * 0.7f, FeelConfig.HitFlashBurstCount, FeelConfig.HitFlashColor);
+                            if (FeelConfig.RumbleEnabled && AimPresentation.Scheme == 1)
+                                RumbleUtil.Pulse(FeelConfig.RumbleHit * 0.6f, FeelConfig.RumbleHit, FeelConfig.RumbleDurationSec);
                         }
                     }
 
@@ -268,6 +279,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                         PlayClip(_deathClip, (Vector3)c.Pos, FeelConfig.KillSfxVolume);
                         PrototypeCameraRig.AddShake(FeelConfig.KillShake);
                         PrototypeCameraRig.PunchFov(FeelConfig.KillFovKick, FeelConfig.HitStopDurationMs);
+                        EmitColored(_hitFx, (Vector3)c.Pos + Vector3.up * 0.6f, FeelConfig.KillFlashBurstCount, FeelConfig.HitFlashColor); // kill pop
+                        if (FeelConfig.RumbleEnabled && AimPresentation.Scheme == 1)
+                            RumbleUtil.Pulse(FeelConfig.RumbleKill * 0.7f, FeelConfig.RumbleKill, FeelConfig.RumbleDurationSec);
                     }
                     _cache.Remove(_stale[i]);
                 }
@@ -331,13 +345,52 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                     float slashRange = tcfg.MeleeRange > 0f ? tcfg.MeleeRange : 2.6f;
                     float slashHalf = tcfg.MeleeConeHalfAngleRad > 0f ? tcfg.MeleeConeHalfAngleRad : 0.9f;
                     if (finisher) slashRange *= tcfg.MeleeFinisherMult > 0f ? tcfg.MeleeFinisherMult : 1.8f;
-                                        TriggerSlash((Vector3)localPos, new float2(face.x, face.z), slashRange, slashHalf, step, comboLen); // arc sweeps + ramps per step (MC-4 clarity)
+                                        // MC-4 connect-vs-whiff: client-side cone overlap over the cached enemy snapshot gives an IMMEDIATE
+                    // "you bit" read (the authoritative server damage spark/number arrives a few ticks later).
+                    bool connected = false; Vector3 nearestHit = (Vector3)localPos; float ndist = float.MaxValue;
+                    float cosHalf = Mathf.Cos(slashHalf);
+                    float2 fdir = new float2(face.x, face.z);
+                    foreach (var kv in _cache)
+                    {
+                        if (!kv.Value.IsEnemy) continue;
+                        if (MeleeConeMath.InCone(localPos, fdir, slashRange, cosHalf, kv.Value.Pos))
+                        {
+                            float d2 = math.distancesq(localPos, kv.Value.Pos);
+                            if (d2 < ndist) { ndist = d2; nearestHit = (Vector3)kv.Value.Pos; connected = true; }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    TriggerSlash((Vector3)localPos, new float2(face.x, face.z), slashRange, slashHalf, step, comboLen, connected); // sweeps + ramps + brightens on connect
+                    if (connected)
+                    {
+                        Burst(_hitFx, cfg != null ? cfg.Hit : null, nearestHit + Vector3.up * 0.7f, FeelConfig.HitBurstCount);
+                        PlayClip(_meleeConnectClip, nearestHit, FeelConfig.MeleeConnectVolume);
+                        PrototypeCameraRig.PunchFov(FeelConfig.MeleeConnectFovKick, FeelConfig.HitStopDurationMs);
+                        if (FeelConfig.RumbleEnabled && AimPresentation.Scheme == 1)
+                            RumbleUtil.Pulse(FeelConfig.RumbleHit * 0.6f, FeelConfig.RumbleHit, FeelConfig.RumbleDurationSec);
+                    }
                     if (finisher) PrototypeCameraRig.PunchFov(FeelConfig.DashFovKick * 0.6f, FeelConfig.HitStopDurationMs);
                 }
                 _lastLocalSwingTick = mc.SwingStartTick;
                 _swingTickInit = true;
             }
 
+            // Footsteps (combat feel): edge-detect local locomotion from the position delta; a soft step at a cadence.
+            if (_localPlayer != Entity.Null)
+            {
+                Vector3 lp = (Vector3)localPos;
+                if (_footInit)
+                {
+                    float sp = dt > 1e-4f ? new Vector2(lp.x - _lastFootPos.x, lp.z - _lastFootPos.z).magnitude / dt : 0f;
+                    _footTimer -= dt;
+                    if (sp >= FeelConfig.FootstepMinSpeed && _footTimer <= 0f)
+                    {
+                        PlayClip(_footstepClip, lp, FeelConfig.FootstepVolume);
+                        _footTimer = FeelConfig.FootstepIntervalSec;
+                    }
+                }
+                _lastFootPos = lp; _footInit = true;
+            }
+            RumbleUtil.Tick(); // auto-stop any elapsed gamepad rumble pulse
             UpdateProjectileTrails(cfg);
             PruneVfx();
             AnimateNumbers(dt, cam);
@@ -354,6 +407,15 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             return cfg.PlayerDeath != null ? cfg.PlayerDeath : cfg.EnemyDeath;
         }
 
+        // Emit a colored particle burst at a position (per-emit startColor) — used for the enemy hit-flash + kill pop
+        // without a dedicated particle system (the unused FeelConfig.HitFlashColor finally lights enemies on a hit).
+        void EmitColored(ParticleSystem ps, Vector3 pos, int count, Color color)
+        {
+            if (ps == null || count <= 0) return;
+            var ep = new ParticleSystem.EmitParams { position = pos, startColor = color };
+            ps.Emit(ep, count);
+        }
+
         void Burst(ParticleSystem fallback, GameObject prefab, Vector3 pos, int count)
         {
             if (prefab != null) SpawnVfx(prefab, pos, Quaternion.identity);
@@ -497,12 +559,14 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
 
             fn.Active = true;
             fn.Age = 0f;
-            fn.Life = 0.7f;
+            float mag = Mathf.Clamp01(amount / Mathf.Max(1f, FeelConfig.HitStopRefDamage)); // big hits read bigger
+            fn.Life = Mathf.Lerp(0.6f, 0.95f, mag);
             fn.Tm.text = Mathf.Max(1, Mathf.RoundToInt(amount)).ToString();
             fn.BaseColor = isLocalPlayer ? new Color(1f, 0.5f, 0.22f) : new Color(0.45f, 0.92f, 1f); // Blight orange (hurt) / Aether cyan (you hit)
             fn.Tm.color = fn.BaseColor;
             fn.Tr.position = worldPos + Vector3.up * 1.4f + new Vector3(UnityEngine.Random.Range(-0.25f, 0.25f), 0f, 0f);
             fn.Vel = new Vector3(0f, 2.2f, 0f);
+            fn.Tr.localScale = Vector3.one * Mathf.Lerp(0.85f, 1.5f, mag);
             fn.Tr.gameObject.SetActive(true);
             if (cam != null) fn.Tr.rotation = cam.transform.rotation;
         }
@@ -668,7 +732,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
         // Trigger a cone-shaped slash matching the LIVE melee range + half-angle, oriented along facing. The arc IS
         // the range telegraph (MC-4 clarity) AND now SWEEPS across + ramps per combo step so the swing reads as a
         // directional, escalating cleave rather than a static flash.
-        void TriggerSlash(Vector3 pos, float2 facing, float range, float halfAngle, int step, int comboLen)
+        void TriggerSlash(Vector3 pos, float2 facing, float range, float halfAngle, int step, int comboLen, bool connected)
         {
             if (_slashMr == null || _slashMat == null) return;
             bool finisher = step >= comboLen;
@@ -685,6 +749,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             _slashTint = finisher
                 ? new Color(3.4f, 2.4f, 0.7f)                                              // finisher: warm HDR flash
                 : Color.Lerp(new Color(1.2f, 1.9f, 2.6f), new Color(1.9f, 2.8f, 3.4f), t);   // cool, brighter per step
+            if (connected) _slashTint *= 1.6f; // brighter arc on a confirmed bite (the immediate "you hit" read)
             _slashLife = finisher ? 0.28f : Mathf.Lerp(0.15f, 0.20f, t);
             _slashAge = 0f;
             _slashActive = true;

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

@@ -109,6 +109,32 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
         /// Health flicker on a clean dodge — the documented acceptable-not-a-bug interaction).</summary>
         public static bool DashHitSuppress;
 
+        // ---- Combat feel pass (2026-06): connect cue, hit-flash, kill pop, footsteps, rumble, telegraph beep ----
+        /// <summary>Hit-flash puff density (a colored particle burst in HitFlashColor on an enemy damage edge).</summary>
+        public static int HitFlashBurstCount;
+        /// <summary>Extra FOV punch (deg) when the LOCAL melee cleave is confirmed to connect (vs a whiff).</summary>
+        public static float MeleeConnectFovKick;
+        /// <summary>Volume of the meaty melee connect "thunk".</summary>
+        public static float MeleeConnectVolume;
+        /// <summary>Kill-pop colored flash density on an enemy death.</summary>
+        public static int KillFlashBurstCount;
+        /// <summary>Soft footstep SFX volume.</summary>
+        public static float FootstepVolume;
+        /// <summary>Seconds between footsteps while the local player is moving.</summary>
+        public static float FootstepIntervalSec;
+        /// <summary>Local player speed (u/s) above which footsteps play.</summary>
+        public static float FootstepMinSpeed;
+        /// <summary>Master gate for gamepad rumble (no-op on KBM).</summary>
+        public static bool RumbleEnabled;
+        /// <summary>Rumble strength on a local hit taken / dealt.</summary>
+        public static float RumbleHit;
+        /// <summary>Rumble strength on a kill.</summary>
+        public static float RumbleKill;
+        /// <summary>Rumble strength on dash / local death (the heaviest).</summary>
+        public static float RumbleHeavy;
+        /// <summary>Seconds a rumble pulse lasts before it auto-stops.</summary>
+        public static float RumbleDurationSec;
+
         [RuntimeInitializeOnLoadMethod(RuntimeInitializeLoadType.SubsystemRegistration)]
         public static void ResetDefaults()
         {
@@ -161,6 +187,20 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             DashSfxVolume = 0.55f;
             DashShimmerPerFrame = 2;
             DashHitSuppress = true;
+
+            // Combat feel pass (2026-06)
+            HitFlashBurstCount = 16;
+            MeleeConnectFovKick = 0.8f;
+            MeleeConnectVolume = 0.55f;
+            KillFlashBurstCount = 20;
+            FootstepVolume = 0.16f;
+            FootstepIntervalSec = 0.32f;
+            FootstepMinSpeed = 1.5f;
+            RumbleEnabled = true;
+            RumbleHit = 0.25f;
+            RumbleKill = 0.45f;
+            RumbleHeavy = 0.6f;
+            RumbleDurationSec = 0.12f;
         }
     }
 }

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

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+using UnityEngine;
+using UnityEngine.InputSystem;
+
+namespace ProjectM.Client
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gamepad rumble for combat feel — a static bridge (mirrors <see cref="FeelConfig"/> / <see cref="AimPresentation"/>).
+    /// <see cref="Pulse"/> sets the motors and stamps a stop time; <see cref="Tick"/> (called once per frame from
+    /// <c>CombatFeedbackSystem</c>) stops them when the pulse elapses OR the app loses focus, so a rumble never sticks.
+    /// A no-op when no pad is connected; the CALLER gates to the Gamepad scheme. Statics survive fast-enter-playmode
+    /// reloads, so <see cref="ResetState"/> re-arms clean on play-enter and stops any leaked motor (the AimPresentation
+    /// reset idiom). Presentation-only, main-thread, never touches the simulation.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static class RumbleUtil
+    {
+        static float s_StopTime;
+        static bool s_Active;
+
+        [RuntimeInitializeOnLoadMethod(RuntimeInitializeLoadType.SubsystemRegistration)]
+        static void ResetState()
+        {
+            s_Active = false;
+            s_StopTime = 0f;
+            Stop();
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>Pulse both motors at the given low/high strengths for durSec, then auto-stop. No-op without a pad.</summary>
+        public static void Pulse(float low, float high, float durSec)
+        {
+            var pad = Gamepad.current;
+            if (pad == null) return;
+            pad.SetMotorSpeeds(Mathf.Clamp01(low), Mathf.Clamp01(high));
+            s_StopTime = Time.unscaledTime + Mathf.Max(0.02f, durSec);
+            s_Active = true;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>Call once per frame: stops the motors when the pulse elapses or focus is lost.</summary>
+        public static void Tick()
+        {
+            if (!s_Active) return;
+            if (!Application.isFocused || Time.unscaledTime >= s_StopTime)
+            {
+                Stop();
+                s_Active = false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        static void Stop()
+        {
+            var pad = Gamepad.current;
+            if (pad != null) pad.ResetHaptics();
+        }
+    }
+}

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Presentation/RumbleUtil.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
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