Slice 1: combat readability + HUD declutter (DR-038)

Four playtest do-now wins:
- Enemy health bars: pooled world-space Canvas, on-damage-sticky + fade,
  always-on <25% HP (CombatFeedbackSystem; no new replication).
- Telegraph fix: new baked client-safe EnemyTelegraph sizes the danger-cone ramp
  per enemy (0->1 ending at impact, fixes the Charger plateau); windup 18->22;
  a windup scale-pulse.
- Build-mode toggle: BuildPaletteState.PaletteOpen hides the palette by default,
  Tab / gamepad-Y toggles, with a discovery chip (HudSystem/BuildSendSystem).
- Charger committed-lunge tell: [GhostEnabledBit] IsLunging derived once/tick from
  LungeState (the Dead idiom); the danger cone persists through the lunge.

345/345 EditMode (+3 IsLunging derive tests); Play-validated: ghost-hash change
did not break the handshake, bake correct (telegraph on all enemies, IsLunging
baked-disabled on the Charger, replicated to client), no runtime errors.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Authoring/Combat/ChargerAuthoring.cs

@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
             {
                 var entity = GetEntity(authoring, TransformUsageFlags.Dynamic);
                 AddComponent<LungeState>(entity);
+                // Slice 1 (Feature D): the replicated mid-lunge cue, baked DISABLED (a Charger spawns not-lunging).
+                // EnemyAISystem derives the bit each tick from LungeState.UntilTick (visiting disabled entities via
+                // .WithPresent<IsLunging>()). Adding this [GhostEnabledBit] changes the Charger ghost hash -> RE-BAKE.
+                AddComponent<IsLunging>(entity);
+                SetComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(entity, false);
             }
         }
     }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Authoring/Combat/EnemyAuthoring.cs

@@ -52,6 +52,16 @@ namespace ProjectM.Authoring
                 AddComponent(entity, new EnemyAttackCooldown { NextAttackTick = 0 });
                 AddComponent<KnockbackState>(entity); // server-only recoil state (zero = not knocked)
                 AddComponent<AttackWindup>(entity);   // replicated telegraph signal (zero = not winding up)
+                // Slice 1 (Feature C): client-safe baked telegraph metadata. EnemyBaker is the SOLE writer of
+                // EnemyTelegraph even on a Charger (the prefab composes both authorings on one entity); reading the
+                // sibling ChargerAuthoring here avoids a double-AddComponent. WindupTicks = the client danger-ramp
+                // denominator per variant; IsCharger lets the client pick the Charger look (LungeState is server-only).
+                bool isCharger = GetComponent<ChargerAuthoring>() != null;
+                AddComponent(entity, new EnemyTelegraph
+                {
+                    WindupTicks = (byte)(isCharger ? 30 : Tuning.AttackWindupTicks),
+                    IsCharger = (byte)(isCharger ? 1 : 0),
+                });
             }
         }
     }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Building/BuildPaletteState.cs

@@ -8,22 +8,34 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
     /// </summary>
     public static class BuildPaletteState
     {
-        /// <summary>Selected structure type (StructureType.*); 0 = none / build mode off.</summary>
+        /// <summary>Selected structure type (StructureType.*); 0 = none / no slot selected.</summary>
         public static byte Selected;
 
         /// <summary>Pending conveyor facing (0=+X,1=-X,2=+Z,3=-Z); rotated by [ / ] or R.</summary>
         public static byte Direction;
 
-        /// <summary>True while a buildable is selected (build mode active).</summary>
+        /// <summary>True while the build PALETTE panel is open (toggled by Tab / gamepad Y). Slice 1 HUD declutter:
+        /// the palette is hidden by default; this gates its visibility, orthogonal to <see cref="Active"/>.</summary>
+        public static bool PaletteOpen;
+
+        /// <summary>True while a buildable SLOT is selected (placement is armed). The palette must also be open.</summary>
         public static bool Active => Selected != 0;
 
-        /// <summary>Select a type (or 0 to leave build mode), resetting the pending conveyor facing.</summary>
-        public static void Select(byte type) { Selected = type; Direction = 0; }
+        /// <summary>Toggle the palette panel open/closed; closing also cancels any active slot selection.</summary>
+        public static void TogglePalette()
+        {
+            PaletteOpen = !PaletteOpen;
+            if (!PaletteOpen) { Selected = 0; Direction = 0; }
+        }
 
-        /// <summary>Leave build mode.</summary>
-        public static void Clear() { Selected = 0; Direction = 0; }
+        /// <summary>Select a type (or 0 to deselect), resetting the pending conveyor facing; auto-opens the palette
+        /// so a slot click never leaves the panel hidden.</summary>
+        public static void Select(byte type) { Selected = type; Direction = 0; if (type != 0) PaletteOpen = true; }
+
+        /// <summary>Cancel the current selection and close the palette.</summary>
+        public static void Clear() { Selected = 0; Direction = 0; PaletteOpen = false; }
 
         [UnityEngine.RuntimeInitializeOnLoadMethod(UnityEngine.RuntimeInitializeLoadType.SubsystemRegistration)]
-        static void ResetStatics() { Selected = 0; Direction = 0; }
+        static void ResetStatics() { Selected = 0; Direction = 0; PaletteOpen = false; }
     }
 }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Building/BuildSendSystem.cs

@@ -91,8 +91,16 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
 
             HandleBuildMode(connection);
 
-            // Hotkey fallback (suppressed while the palette build mode is active).
+            // --- Build-palette toggle (Tab / gamepad Y): Slice 1 HUD declutter — the palette is hidden by default ---
             var keyboard = UnityEngine.InputSystem.Keyboard.current;
+            var gamepad = UnityEngine.InputSystem.Gamepad.current;
+            bool togglePressed =
+                (keyboard != null && keyboard.tabKey.wasPressedThisFrame) ||
+                (gamepad != null && gamepad.buttonNorth.wasPressedThisFrame);
+            if (togglePressed && !PauseMenuController.Open)
+                BuildPaletteState.TogglePalette();
+
+            // Hotkey fallback (suppressed while the palette build mode is active).
             if (keyboard != null && !BuildPaletteState.Active)
             {
                 if (keyboard.leftBracketKey.wasPressedThisFrame)

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

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
     [UpdateInGroup(typeof(PresentationSystemGroup))]
     public partial class CombatFeedbackSystem : SystemBase
     {
-        struct FxCache { public float Hp; public float3 Pos; public bool IsEnemy; public uint Windup; }
+        struct FxCache { public float Hp; public float MaxHp; public float3 Pos; public bool IsEnemy; public uint Windup; }
 
         readonly Dictionary<Entity, FxCache> _cache = new();
         readonly HashSet<Entity> _seen = new();
@@ -64,6 +64,20 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
         readonly Dictionary<Entity, GameObject> _dangerZones = new();
         readonly HashSet<Entity> _dangerSeen = new();
         readonly List<Entity> _dangerStale = new();
+        // ---- Enemy health bars (Slice 1, Feature B) — one pooled world-space Canvas per live Husk ----
+        struct HealthBarEntry { public GameObject CanvasGo; public UnityEngine.UI.Image Fill; public UnityEngine.UI.Image Bg; public float ShowTimer; public bool Visible; }
+        const int HealthBarPoolLimit = 24;
+        const float HealthBarShowDuration = 3f;
+        const float HealthBarFadeDuration = 0.5f;
+        const float HealthBarAlwaysOnThreshold = 0.25f;
+        const float HealthBarWorldYOffset = 2.3f;
+        readonly Dictionary<Entity, HealthBarEntry> _healthBars = new();
+        readonly List<Entity> _barStale = new();
+        readonly List<Entity> _barKeys = new();
+        Material _barBgMat, _barFillMat;
+        // Telegraph scale-pulse (Slice 1, Feature C): per-enemy windup-onset time, folded into the danger cone.
+        readonly Dictionary<Entity, float> _pulseStart = new();
+
         AudioClip _hitClip;
         AudioClip _deathClip;
         AudioClip _fireClip;
@@ -109,6 +123,10 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             _dangerMat = MakeParticleMaterial();
             _dangerMat.name = "EnemyDanger";
             _dangerMat.color = new Color(3.2f, 0.28f, 0.18f, 1f); // HDR red (per-zone intensity carried in vertex alpha)
+            // Health-bar materials (UI/Default = always-included URP-compatible UI shader; per-instance Image.color carries alpha).
+            Shader uiShader = Shader.Find("UI/Default") ?? Shader.Find("Sprites/Default");
+            _barBgMat = new Material(uiShader) { name = "HealthBarBg" };
+            _barFillMat = new Material(uiShader) { name = "HealthBarFill" };
 
             for (int i = 0; i < NumberPoolSize; i++)
                 _numbers.Add(CreateNumber());
@@ -121,8 +139,12 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             if (_slashMesh != null) Object.Destroy(_slashMesh);
             if (_slashMat != null) Object.Destroy(_slashMat);
             if (_dangerMat != null) Object.Destroy(_dangerMat);
+            if (_barBgMat != null) Object.Destroy(_barBgMat);
+            if (_barFillMat != null) Object.Destroy(_barFillMat);
             foreach (var kv in _dangerZones)
                 if (kv.Value != null) { var mf = kv.Value.GetComponent<MeshFilter>(); if (mf != null && mf.sharedMesh != null) Object.Destroy(mf.sharedMesh); }
+            foreach (var kv in _healthBars)
+                if (kv.Value.CanvasGo != null) Object.Destroy(kv.Value.CanvasGo);
         }
 
         protected override void OnUpdate()
@@ -139,6 +161,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<DashCooldown>();
             EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<MeleeCombo>();
             EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<EnemyStats>();
+            EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<EnemyTelegraph>();
+            EntityManager.CompleteDependencyBeforeRO<IsLunging>();
 
             // Resolve the local player (for hit colouring + fire feedback).
             _localPlayer = Entity.Null;
@@ -181,6 +205,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                         // Attack telegraph: the wind-up just began -> warn the player ~0.3s before the strike lands.
                         Burst(_hitFx, null, (Vector3)p + Vector3.up * 1.2f, 6);
                         PlayClip(_telegraphClip, (Vector3)p, 0.5f);
+                        _pulseStart[entity] = (float)SystemAPI.Time.ElapsedTime; // Feature C: scale-pulse onset
                     }
 
                     // Local hit feedback is SUPPRESSED while the local i-frame window is active: the server
@@ -192,6 +217,7 @@ 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 (isEnemy) ShowHealthBar(entity); // Feature B: arm/refresh this enemy's bar on a damage edge
                     }
 
                     // Respawn recovery: the LOCAL player's Health rising from <=0 back to positive. No healing
@@ -213,7 +239,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                     }
                 }
 
-                _cache[entity] = new FxCache { Hp = cur, Pos = p, IsEnemy = isEnemy, Windup = windup };
+                _cache[entity] = new FxCache { Hp = cur, MaxHp = health.ValueRO.Max, Pos = p, IsEnemy = isEnemy, Windup = windup };
             }
 
             // Prune despawned ghosts. A Husk that vanished was killed -> death VFX at its last position.
@@ -307,6 +333,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             AnimateNumbers(dt, cam);
             UpdateSlash(dt);
             UpdateEnemyDanger();
+            UpdateHealthBars(dt, cam, localPos);
         }
 
         // ---- Authored VFX (GabrielAguiar prefabs via VFXConfig); fall back to the procedural burst ----
@@ -663,16 +690,40 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             _dangerSeen.Clear();
             if (serverTick.IsValid)
             {
-                foreach (var (xf, stats, windup, entity) in
-                         SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<LocalTransform>, RefRO<EnemyStats>, RefRO<AttackWindup>>()
+                foreach (var (xf, stats, windup, tele, entity) in
+                         SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<LocalTransform>, RefRO<EnemyStats>, RefRO<AttackWindup>, RefRO<EnemyTelegraph>>()
                              .WithAll<EnemyTag>().WithEntityAccess())
                 {
+                    // Feature D: a committed Charger lunge keeps the cue ALIVE past windup (AttackWindup zeroes at commit).
+                    bool lunging = SystemAPI.HasComponent<IsLunging>(entity) && SystemAPI.IsComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(entity);
                     uint until = windup.ValueRO.WindUpUntilTick;
-                    if (until == 0u) continue;
+                    if (until == 0u && !lunging) continue;
+
+                    float intensity;
+                    if (lunging)
+                    {
+                        intensity = 1f; // mid-lunge: max danger, persistent until IsLunging clears
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
                         var untilTick = new Unity.NetCode.NetworkTick(until);
                         if (!untilTick.IsValid || !untilTick.IsNewerThan(serverTick)) continue; // windup already elapsed
                         int remaining = untilTick.TicksSince(serverTick);
-                    float intensity = math.saturate(1f - remaining / 22f); // ~0 at windup start, ~1 as the strike lands
+                        // Feature C: per-enemy windup duration (baked, client-safe) -> ramps 0->1 ending AT impact for
+                        // any windup length (fixes the Charger plateauing early under the old hard-coded 22).
+                        float windupDur = math.max(1f, tele.ValueRO.WindupTicks);
+                        intensity = math.saturate(1f - remaining / windupDur);
+                    }
+
+                    // Feature C: a short anticipation scale-pulse folded into the client-owned cone (never the ghost).
+                    float pulse = 0f;
+                    if (_pulseStart.TryGetValue(entity, out var t0))
+                    {
+                        float age = (float)SystemAPI.Time.ElapsedTime - t0;
+                        const float PulseLife = 0.18f;
+                        if (age < PulseLife) pulse = (1f - age / PulseLife) * 0.35f;
+                        else _pulseStart.Remove(entity);
+                    }
 
                     _dangerSeen.Add(entity);
                     if (!_dangerZones.TryGetValue(entity, out var go) || go == null)
@@ -686,12 +737,14 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                         mr.receiveShadows = false;
                         _dangerZones[entity] = go;
                     }
-                    BuildDangerMesh(go.GetComponent<MeshFilter>().sharedMesh, math.max(1f, stats.ValueRO.AttackRange + 0.6f), 0.7f, intensity);
+                    float coneRange = math.max(1f, stats.ValueRO.AttackRange + 0.6f);
+                    if (lunging) coneRange += 1.5f; // forward-stretch the wedge to read the committed travel
+                    BuildDangerMesh(go.GetComponent<MeshFilter>().sharedMesh, coneRange, 0.7f, intensity);
                     float2 fwd = AnimParamMath.PlanarForward(xf.ValueRO.Rotation);
                     var tr = go.transform;
                     tr.position = (Vector3)xf.ValueRO.Position + Vector3.up * 0.06f;
                     tr.rotation = Quaternion.LookRotation(new Vector3(fwd.x, 0f, fwd.y), Vector3.up);
-                    tr.localScale = Vector3.one * (0.92f + 0.12f * intensity);
+                    tr.localScale = Vector3.one * (0.92f + 0.12f * intensity + pulse);
                 }
             }
             if (_dangerZones.Count != _dangerSeen.Count)
@@ -703,11 +756,120 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                     var g = _dangerZones[_dangerStale[i]];
                     if (g != null) { var mf = g.GetComponent<MeshFilter>(); if (mf != null && mf.sharedMesh != null) Object.Destroy(mf.sharedMesh); Object.Destroy(g); }
                     _dangerZones.Remove(_dangerStale[i]);
+                    _pulseStart.Remove(_dangerStale[i]);
                 }
             }
         }
 
         // Filled forward wedge (pizza-slice) from the enemy out to `range`, vertex-alpha ramped by `intensity`.
+        // ---- Enemy Health Bars (Slice 1, Feature B) — pooled world-space Canvas, on-damage sticky + fade ----
+
+        void ShowHealthBar(Entity entity)
+        {
+            if (!_healthBars.TryGetValue(entity, out var entry) || entry.CanvasGo == null)
+                entry = CreateHealthBar(entity);
+            entry.ShowTimer = HealthBarShowDuration;
+            if (!entry.Visible) { entry.CanvasGo.SetActive(true); entry.Visible = true; }
+            _healthBars[entity] = entry; // struct — must re-assign
+        }
+
+        HealthBarEntry CreateHealthBar(Entity entity)
+        {
+            var go = new GameObject("EnemyHPBar");
+            if (_fxRoot != null) go.transform.SetParent(_fxRoot, false);
+            var canvas = go.AddComponent<Canvas>();
+            canvas.renderMode = RenderMode.WorldSpace;
+            canvas.sortingOrder = 5; // below the UITK HUD (50); above world geometry
+            var rt = go.GetComponent<RectTransform>();
+            rt.sizeDelta = new Vector2(1.2f, 0.14f);
+
+            var bgGo = new GameObject("Bg");
+            bgGo.transform.SetParent(go.transform, false);
+            var bgRt = bgGo.AddComponent<RectTransform>();
+            bgRt.anchorMin = Vector2.zero; bgRt.anchorMax = Vector2.one;
+            bgRt.offsetMin = bgRt.offsetMax = Vector2.zero;
+            var bgImg = bgGo.AddComponent<UnityEngine.UI.Image>();
+            bgImg.material = _barBgMat;
+            bgImg.color = new Color(0.05f, 0.05f, 0.06f, 0.82f);
+
+            var fillGo = new GameObject("Fill");
+            fillGo.transform.SetParent(go.transform, false);
+            var fillRt = fillGo.AddComponent<RectTransform>();
+            fillRt.anchorMin = Vector2.zero; fillRt.anchorMax = Vector2.one;
+            fillRt.offsetMin = new Vector2(0.02f, 0.02f);
+            fillRt.offsetMax = new Vector2(-0.02f, -0.02f);
+            var fillImg = fillGo.AddComponent<UnityEngine.UI.Image>();
+            fillImg.material = _barFillMat;
+            fillImg.color = new Color(0.88f, 0.22f, 0.14f, 1f);
+            fillImg.type = UnityEngine.UI.Image.Type.Filled;
+            fillImg.fillMethod = UnityEngine.UI.Image.FillMethod.Horizontal;
+            fillImg.fillOrigin = 0; // left
+            fillImg.fillAmount = 1f;
+
+            go.SetActive(false);
+            var entry = new HealthBarEntry { CanvasGo = go, Fill = fillImg, Bg = bgImg, ShowTimer = 0f, Visible = false };
+            _healthBars[entity] = entry;
+            return entry;
+        }
+
+        // Per-frame: prune dead bars (reusing the main loop's _seen set), pool-cap by distance, billboard + fade.
+        void UpdateHealthBars(float dt, Camera cam, float3 localPlayerPos)
+        {
+            if (_healthBars.Count > 0)
+            {
+                _barStale.Clear();
+                foreach (var kv in _healthBars)
+                    if (!_seen.Contains(kv.Key)) _barStale.Add(kv.Key);
+                for (int i = 0; i < _barStale.Count; i++)
+                {
+                    var e2 = _barStale[i];
+                    if (_healthBars[e2].CanvasGo != null) Object.Destroy(_healthBars[e2].CanvasGo);
+                    _healthBars.Remove(e2);
+                }
+            }
+            if (_healthBars.Count == 0) return;
+
+            bool capBars = _localPlayer != Entity.Null && _healthBars.Count > HealthBarPoolLimit;
+            _barKeys.Clear();
+            foreach (var k in _healthBars.Keys) _barKeys.Add(k);
+            for (int i = 0; i < _barKeys.Count; i++)
+            {
+                var key = _barKeys[i];
+                var entry = _healthBars[key];
+                if (entry.CanvasGo == null) continue;
+                if (!_cache.TryGetValue(key, out var fc)) continue;
+
+                float frac = fc.MaxHp > 0f ? math.saturate(fc.Hp / fc.MaxHp) : 1f;
+                bool alwaysOn = frac < HealthBarAlwaysOnThreshold;
+
+                if (capBars && math.lengthsq(fc.Pos - localPlayerPos) > FeelConfig.HealthBarMaxDistSq)
+                {
+                    if (entry.Visible) { entry.CanvasGo.SetActive(false); entry.Visible = false; }
+                    _healthBars[key] = entry;
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                if (!alwaysOn) entry.ShowTimer -= dt;
+                bool shouldShow = alwaysOn || entry.ShowTimer > -HealthBarFadeDuration;
+                if (shouldShow)
+                {
+                    if (!entry.Visible) { entry.CanvasGo.SetActive(true); entry.Visible = true; }
+                    if (cam != null)
+                    {
+                        entry.CanvasGo.transform.position = (Vector3)fc.Pos + Vector3.up * HealthBarWorldYOffset;
+                        entry.CanvasGo.transform.rotation = cam.transform.rotation; // billboard
+                    }
+                    float alpha = (!alwaysOn && entry.ShowTimer < 0f)
+                        ? 1f - math.saturate(-entry.ShowTimer / HealthBarFadeDuration) : 1f;
+                    if (entry.Fill != null) { var c = entry.Fill.color; c.a = alpha; entry.Fill.color = c; entry.Fill.fillAmount = frac; }
+                    if (entry.Bg != null) { var c = entry.Bg.color; c.a = 0.82f * alpha; entry.Bg.color = c; }
+                }
+                else if (entry.Visible) { entry.CanvasGo.SetActive(false); entry.Visible = false; }
+
+                _healthBars[key] = entry;
+            }
+        }
+
         static void BuildDangerMesh(Mesh mesh, float range, float halfAngle, float intensity)
         {
             const int seg = 14;

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

@@ -74,6 +74,10 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
         /// <summary>Tether line width (world units).</summary>
         public static float LockOnLineWidth;
 
+        // ---- Feature B: enemy health bars (Slice 1) ----
+        /// <summary>Squared world-distance beyond which a bar is hidden when the pool cap is reached (default 400 = 20m).</summary>
+        public static float HealthBarMaxDistSq;
+
         // ---- Feature 5 (MC-1): dash juice ----
         /// <summary>Camera shake on the local player's dash start.</summary>
         public static float DashShake;
@@ -124,6 +128,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             LockOnLineColor = new Color(0.55f, 0.9f, 1f, 0.35f);
             LockOnLineWidth = 0.05f;
 
+            // Feature B health bars (Slice 1)
+            HealthBarMaxDistSq = 400f; // 20 m radius
+
             // Feature 5 dash (MC-1)
             DashShake = 0.18f;
             DashFovKick = 1.2f;

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

@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
         Label _aetherNum, _oreNum, _bioNum, _chargeNum;
 
         // build palette + hints
-        VisualElement _paletteRow, _hintBar, _facingArrow;
+        VisualElement _paletteRow, _hintBar, _facingArrow, _buildDiscoveryChip;
         bool _paletteBuilt, _hintBuilt, _hintConveyor;
         byte _hintScheme = 255;
         readonly Dictionary<byte, PaletteItem> _palette = new();
@@ -295,7 +295,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
 
             // ---- Build palette + control hints (bottom-center) ----
             UpdatePalette(aether, ore, bio, onExpedition);
-            bool buildActive = BuildPaletteState.Active && !onExpedition && _paletteBuilt;
+            bool paletteOpen = BuildPaletteState.PaletteOpen && !onExpedition && _paletteBuilt;
+            bool buildActive = paletteOpen && BuildPaletteState.Active;
             if (buildActive)
             {
                 byte scheme = AimPresentation.Scheme;
@@ -309,6 +310,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             {
                 _hintBar.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
             }
+            // Build-mode discovery chip: a subtle "Tab/Y — BUILD" hint when the palette is hidden at base (Slice 1).
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.style.display = (!onExpedition && !BuildPaletteState.PaletteOpen)
+                ? DisplayStyle.Flex : DisplayStyle.None;
 
             // ---- Per-player vitals ----
             bool found = false;
@@ -453,7 +457,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             }
             if (!_paletteBuilt) { _paletteRow.style.display = DisplayStyle.None; return; }
 
-            _paletteRow.style.display = onExpedition ? DisplayStyle.None : DisplayStyle.Flex;
+            bool showPalette = !onExpedition && BuildPaletteState.PaletteOpen;
+            _paletteRow.style.display = showPalette ? DisplayStyle.Flex : DisplayStyle.None;
             foreach (var kv in _palette)
             {
                 var item = kv.Value;
@@ -591,6 +596,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             BuildResources(root);
             BuildPaletteRow(root);
             BuildHintBar(root);
+            BuildDiscoveryChip(root);
             BuildDowned(root);
             BuildInventory(root);
             BuildRunBanner(root);
@@ -844,6 +850,27 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             _hintBar.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
             root.Add(_hintBar);
         }
+        void BuildDiscoveryChip(VisualElement root)
+        {
+            // Slice 1 HUD declutter: a subtle bottom-center chip teaching the build-mode toggle, shown only while
+            // the palette is CLOSED at base. The glyph uses the text fallback ("Tab"/"Y") — no HudTheme sprite needed.
+            bool pad = AimPresentation.Scheme == InputSchemeId.Gamepad;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip = new VisualElement();
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.style.position = Position.Absolute;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.style.bottom = 28; _buildDiscoveryChip.style.left = 0; _buildDiscoveryChip.style.right = 0;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.style.flexDirection = FlexDirection.Row;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.style.justifyContent = Justify.Center;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.style.alignItems = Align.Center;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.pickingMode = PickingMode.Ignore;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.style.opacity = 0.6f;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.Add(HudUi.Glyph(null, pad ? "Y" : "Tab", 26));
+            var lbl = HudUi.Text("BUILD", 12, MenuUi.SubCol, TextAnchor.MiddleLeft);
+            lbl.style.marginLeft = 5;
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.Add(lbl);
+            _buildDiscoveryChip.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
+            root.Add(_buildDiscoveryChip);
+        }
+
 
         void BuildDowned(VisualElement root)
         {

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

@@ -322,6 +322,16 @@ namespace ProjectM.Server
                 }
             }
 
+            // Slice 1 (Feature D): derive the replicated IsLunging cue ONCE per tick from the end-of-tick LungeState
+            // (single point, idempotent — mirrors PlayerDeathStateSystem deriving Dead from Health). .WithPresent so a
+            // Charger whose bit is currently DISABLED is still visited (Entities default-excludes disabled enableables).
+            foreach (var (lunge, isLunging) in
+                     SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<LungeState>, EnabledRefRW<IsLunging>>()
+                         .WithAll<EnemyTag>().WithPresent<IsLunging>())
+            {
+                isLunging.ValueRW = lunge.ValueRO.UntilTick != 0u; // lunging iff a committed lunge is live this tick
+            }
+
             if (chargerWhiffsThisTick != 0 && SystemAPI.HasSingleton<DevTelemetry>())
                 SystemAPI.GetSingletonRW<DevTelemetry>().ValueRW.ChargerWhiffWindowsOpened += chargerWhiffsThisTick;
 

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

@@ -16,4 +16,20 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
         /// <summary>Server tick the wind-up completes + the strike lands (0 = not winding up; scheduled via TickUtil.NonZero).</summary>
         [GhostField] public uint WindUpUntilTick;
     }
+
+    /// <summary>Client-safe BAKED telegraph metadata (NOT a [GhostField] — baked values are identical on
+    /// both worlds, so the client reads it directly to size the danger-cone ramp + pick the Charger look).
+    /// WindupTicks = the variant's wind-up lead in ticks (the client danger-ramp denominator: Grunt =
+    /// Tuning.AttackWindupTicks, Charger = ChargerWindupTicks); IsCharger distinguishes the variant since
+    /// LungeState is server-only. Both stored as byte (no enum on a client-read path — honours the Burst
+    /// byte-not-enum convention); never changes at runtime, so a missed snapshot is irrelevant. Baked by
+    /// EnemyAuthoring.EnemyBaker (the SOLE writer — reads sibling ChargerAuthoring to set the Charger values).</summary>
+    public struct EnemyTelegraph : IComponentData
+    {
+        /// <summary>Per-variant wind-up DURATION in ticks (the client danger-ramp denominator).</summary>
+        public byte WindupTicks;
+
+        /// <summary>0 = Grunt-style; 1 = Charger (committed-lunge tell).</summary>
+        public byte IsCharger;
+    }
 }

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

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using Unity.Entities;
 using Unity.Mathematics;
+using Unity.NetCode;
 
 namespace ProjectM.Simulation
 {
@@ -30,4 +31,19 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
         /// rides EnemyAttackCooldown.NextAttackTick; this field only scores the punish.</summary>
         public uint StaggerUntilTick;
     }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// REPLICATED enableable MID-LUNGE flag on a Charger (Slice 1, Feature D). ENABLED for exactly the ticks a
+    /// Charger is committed to its locked-direction lunge (<see cref="LungeState.UntilTick"/> active), DISABLED
+    /// otherwise. The ONLY replicated Charger surface beyond the stock LocalTransform — a <c>[GhostEnabledBit]</c>,
+    /// NOT a [GhostField], because the client needs only on/off: the lunge HEADING is already carried by the
+    /// replicated LocalTransform.Rotation (EnemyAISystem writes LookRotationSafe(lungeDir) each lunge tick), so the
+    /// client indicator derives direction via AnimParamMath.PlanarForward like the danger cone already does. Fixes
+    /// the cue VANISHING at commit (AttackWindup zeroes on commit, so a windup-gated cone disappears exactly when
+    /// the danger is realest): this bit STAYS on through the committed travel. Server-derived once per tick from
+    /// LungeState.UntilTick in EnemyAISystem (the sole LungeState writer); BAKE DISABLED (a Charger spawns
+    /// not-lunging) + visit via .WithPresent&lt;IsLunging&gt;() to write the bit while disabled (the Dead idiom).
+    /// </summary>
+    [GhostEnabledBit]
+    public struct IsLunging : IComponentData, IEnableableComponent { }
 }

Assets/_Project/Scripts/Simulation/Tuning.cs

@@ -48,8 +48,9 @@ namespace ProjectM.Simulation
 
         // ---- Husk attack telegraph (EnemyAISystem 2-phase strike; client cue in CombatFeedbackSystem) ----
 
-        /// <summary>Wind-up ticks before a Husk strike lands (~0.3s @ 60 ticks/sec). 0/1 = near-instant (legacy behaviour).</summary>
-        public const int AttackWindupTicks = 18;
+        /// <summary>Wind-up ticks before a Husk strike lands (~0.37s @ 60 ticks/sec) — sized for a fair tell
+        /// under interp lag (>= ~250ms reaction + interp buffer; Slice 1 readability). 0/1 = near-instant (legacy).</summary>
+        public const int AttackWindupTicks = 22;
 
         // ---- Production / automation (M7: Harvester/Conveyor/Fabricator) ----
 

Assets/_Project/Tests/EditMode/ChargerTests.cs

@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
             em.AddComponentData(e, new KnockbackState());
             em.AddComponentData(e, new AttackWindup());
             em.AddComponentData(e, new LungeState());
+            em.AddComponent<IsLunging>(e);
+            em.SetComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(e, false); // baked DISABLED on the real Charger (spawns not-lunging)
             em.AddComponent<EnemyTag>(e);
             return e;
         }
@@ -124,5 +126,65 @@ namespace ProjectM.Tests
                     "The recoiling Charger moved along its knockback direction (-X), not its lunge direction.");
             }
         }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Commit_Enables_IsLunging()
+        {
+            var (world, group) = MakeWorld("ChargerIsLungingCommit", 200);
+            using (world)
+            {
+                var em = world.EntityManager;
+                MakePlayer(em, new float3(3, 1, 0));
+                var charger = MakeCharger(em, new float3(0, 1, 0));
+                em.SetComponentData(charger, new AttackWindup { WindUpUntilTick = 200 }); // elapses this tick -> commit
+                Assert.IsFalse(em.IsComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(charger), "Charger spawns not-lunging (baked DISABLED).");
+
+                group.Update(); // tick 200: commit the lunge
+
+                Assert.AreNotEqual(0u, em.GetComponentData<LungeState>(charger).UntilTick, "Sanity: the lunge committed.");
+                Assert.IsTrue(em.IsComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(charger),
+                    "The replicated mid-lunge cue is ENABLED while a committed lunge is live (.WithPresent visits the disabled entity to write the bit).");
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Whiff_Disables_IsLunging()
+        {
+            var (world, group) = MakeWorld("ChargerIsLungingWhiff", 206);
+            using (world)
+            {
+                var em = world.EntityManager;
+                MakePlayer(em, new float3(-10, 1, 0));
+                var charger = MakeCharger(em, new float3(0, 1, 0));
+                em.SetComponentData(charger, new LungeState { Dir = new float2(1, 0), Speed = 16f, UntilTick = 205 }); // expiring
+                em.SetComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(charger, true); // was mid-lunge
+
+                group.Update(); // tick 206 > 205 -> overshoot whiff clears the lunge
+
+                Assert.AreEqual(0u, em.GetComponentData<LungeState>(charger).UntilTick, "Sanity: the whiffed lunge cleared.");
+                Assert.IsFalse(em.IsComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(charger), "The cue clears the tick the lunge ends (whiff).");
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Knockback_Disables_IsLunging()
+        {
+            var (world, group) = MakeWorld("ChargerIsLungingKnockback", 305);
+            using (world)
+            {
+                var em = world.EntityManager;
+                MakePlayer(em, new float3(10, 1, 0));
+                var charger = MakeCharger(em, new float3(0, 1, 0));
+                em.SetComponentData(charger, new LungeState { Dir = new float2(1, 0), Speed = 16f, UntilTick = 320 });
+                em.SetComponentData(charger, new KnockbackState { Dir = new float2(-1, 0), Speed = 10f, UntilTick = 315 });
+                em.SetComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(charger, true); // mid-lunge before the knockback
+
+                group.Update(); // tick 305: knockback cancels the lunge (UntilTick -> 0) via the mid-body continue path
+
+                Assert.AreEqual(0u, em.GetComponentData<LungeState>(charger).UntilTick, "Sanity: knockback cancelled the lunge.");
+                Assert.IsFalse(em.IsComponentEnabled<IsLunging>(charger),
+                    "The cue clears when knockback cancels the lunge (covers the mid-body continue exit path).");
+            }
+        }
     }
 }