diff --git a/OpenRa.DataStructures/Tuple.cs b/OpenRa.DataStructures/Tuple.cs
index ebd08dedf8..f5260fcfbb 100644
--- a/OpenRa.DataStructures/Tuple.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.DataStructures/Tuple.cs
@@ -37,4 +37,12 @@ namespace OpenRa
 
 		public Tuple(A a, B b, C c, D d) { this.a = a; this.b = b; this.c = c; this.d = d; }
 	}
+
+	public static class Tuple
+	{
+		public static Tuple<A, B, C> New<A, B, C>(A a, B b, C c)
+		{
+			return new Tuple<A, B, C>(a, b, c);
+		}
+	}
 }
diff --git a/OpenRa.FileFormats/PaletteRemap.cs b/OpenRa.FileFormats/PaletteRemap.cs
index f4d3b57c41..92fda46b50 100644
--- a/OpenRa.FileFormats/PaletteRemap.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.FileFormats/PaletteRemap.cs
@@ -8,7 +8,9 @@ namespace OpenRa.FileFormats
 {
 	public class PaletteRemap
 	{
+		int offset;
 		List<Color> remapColors = new List<Color>();
+		Color shadowColor;
 
 		public PaletteRemap(Stream s)
 		{
@@ -23,14 +25,26 @@ namespace OpenRa.FileFormats
 					remapColors.Add(Color.FromArgb(r, g, b));
 				}
 			}
+
+			offset = 80;
+		}
+
+		public PaletteRemap( Color shadowColor )
+		{
+			this.shadowColor = shadowColor;
 		}
 
 		public Color GetRemappedColor(Color original, int index)
 		{
-			if (index < 80 || index >= 96)
-				return original;
+			if (remapColors.Count > 0)
+			{
+				if (index < offset || index >= offset + remapColors.Count)
+					return original;
 
-			return remapColors[index - 80];
+				return remapColors[index - offset];
+			}
+
+			return original.A > 0 ? shadowColor : original;
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Actor.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Actor.cs
index 76085ea89b..e5cbbeec93 100755
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Actor.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Actor.cs
@@ -59,9 +59,9 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 		}
 
 		public float2 CenterLocation;
-		public float2 SelectedSize { get { return Render().First().First.size; } }
+		public float2 SelectedSize { get { return Render().First().a.size; } }
 
-		public IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render()
+		public IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render()
 		{
 			return traits.WithInterface<Traits.IRender>().SelectMany( x => x.Render( this ) );
 		}
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Bullet.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Bullet.cs
index 6c3e05d445..38d15a4c78 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Bullet.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Bullet.cs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 	interface IEffect
 	{
 		void Tick();
-		IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render();
+		IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render();
 		Player Owner { get; }
 	}
 
@@ -94,16 +94,32 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 				foreach (var victim in hitActors)
 					victim.InflictDamage(FiredBy, this, (int)GetDamageToInflict(victim));
 			}
-		}
+		}
+
+		const float height = .1f;
 
-		public IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render()
+		public IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render()
 		{
 			if (anim != null)
-				yield return Pair.New(anim.Image,
-					float2.Lerp(
+			{
+				var pos = float2.Lerp(
 						Src.ToFloat2(),
 						VisualDest.ToFloat2(),
-						(float)t / TotalTime()) - 0.5f * anim.Image.size);
+						(float)t / TotalTime()) - 0.5f * anim.Image.size;
+
+				if (Projectile.High || Projectile.Arcing)
+				{
+					if (Projectile.Shadow)
+						yield return Tuple.New(anim.Image, pos, 8);	/* todo: shadow pal */
+
+					var at = (float)t / TotalTime();
+					var highPos = pos - new float2(0, (VisualDest - Src).Length * height * 4 * at * (1 - at));
+
+					yield return Tuple.New(anim.Image, highPos, Owner.Palette);
+				}
+				else
+					yield return Tuple.New(anim.Image, pos, Owner.Palette);
+			}
 		}
 
 		float GetMaximumSpread()
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Explosion.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Explosion.cs
index 3e8fe08c78..1180031d3f 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Explosion.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Explosion.cs
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 
 		public void Tick() { anim.Tick(); }
 
-		public IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render()
+		public IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render()
 		{
-			yield return Pair.New(anim.Image, pos.ToFloat2() - 0.5f * anim.Image.size);
+			yield return Tuple.New(anim.Image, pos.ToFloat2() - 0.5f * anim.Image.size, 0);
 		}
 
 		public Player Owner { get { return null; } }
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Game.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Game.cs
index 9f371fdb52..4ddd12fec6 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Game.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Game.cs
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 			Rules.LoadRules(mapName);
 
 			for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
-				players.Add(i, new Player(i, i, string.Format("Multi{0}", i), Race.Allies));
+				players.Add(i, new Player(i, i, string.Format("Multi{0}", i), 
+					Race.Allies));
 
 			localPlayerIndex = localPlayer;
 
@@ -84,8 +85,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 			PlaySound("intro.aud", false);
 
 			skipMakeAnims = false;
-
-			sw = new Stopwatch();
+			PerfHistory.items["render"].hasNormalTick = false;
 		}
 
 		static void LoadMapBuildings( IniFile mapfile )
@@ -143,11 +143,6 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 		const int oreFrequency = 30;
 		static int oreTicks = oreFrequency;
 		public static int RenderFrame = 0;
-		public static double RenderTime = 0.0;
-		public static double TickTime = 0.0;
-		public static double OreTime = 0.0;
-
-		public static Stopwatch sw;
 
 		public static void Tick()
 		{
@@ -157,7 +152,6 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 			{
 				using (new PerfSample("tick_time"))
 				{
-					sw.Reset();
 					lastTime += timestep;
 
 					if (orderManager.Tick())
@@ -166,29 +160,27 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 							controller.orderGenerator.Tick();
 
 						if (--oreTicks == 0)
-						{
-							var oresw = new Stopwatch();
-							map.GrowOre(SharedRandom);
-							OreTime = oresw.ElapsedTime();
-							oreTicks = oreFrequency;
-						}
+							using( new PerfSample("ore"))
+								map.GrowOre(SharedRandom);
 						world.Tick();
 						UnitInfluence.Tick();
 						foreach (var player in players.Values)
 							player.Tick();
 					}
-
-					TickTime = sw.ElapsedTime();
 				}
 
 				PerfHistory.Tick();
 			}
 
-			sw.Reset();
-			++RenderFrame;
-			viewport.cursor = controller.ChooseCursor();
-			viewport.DrawRegions();
-			RenderTime = sw.ElapsedTime();
+			using (new PerfSample("render"))
+			{
+				
+				++RenderFrame;
+				viewport.cursor = controller.ChooseCursor();
+				viewport.DrawRegions();
+			}
+
+			PerfHistory.items["render"].Tick();
 		}
 
 		public static bool IsCellBuildable(int2 a, UnitMovementType umt)
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/HardwarePalette.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/HardwarePalette.cs
index d76e423a0f..61a7ea9343 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/HardwarePalette.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/HardwarePalette.cs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Graphics
 {
 	class HardwarePalette : Sheet
 	{
-		const int maxEntries = 8;
+		const int maxEntries = 16;
 		int allocated = 0;
 
 		public HardwarePalette(Renderer renderer, Map map, int rotate)
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Graphics
 			foreach (string remap in new string[] { "blue", "red", "orange", "teal", "salmon", "green", "gray" })
 				AddPalette(new Palette(pal, new PaletteRemap(FileSystem.Open(remap + ".rem"))));
 
+			AddPalette(new Palette(pal, new PaletteRemap(Color.FromArgb(140, 0, 0, 0))));
+
 			using (var bitmapCopy = new Bitmap(bitmap))
 				for (int j = 0; j < maxEntries; j++)
 					for (int i = 0; i < 7; i++)
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/Util.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/Util.cs
index 2f3f11f181..d4d7ab60c7 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/Util.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/Util.cs
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Graphics
 
 		public static void FastCreateQuad(Vertex[] vertices, ushort[] indices, float2 o, Sprite r, int palette, int nv, int ni)
 		{
-			float2 attrib = new float2(palette / 8.0f, channelSelect[(int)r.channel]);
+			float2 attrib = new float2(palette / 16.0f, channelSelect[(int)r.channel]);
 
 			vertices[nv] = new Vertex(KLerp(o, r.size, 0), r.FastMapTextureCoords(0), attrib);
 			vertices[nv + 1] = new Vertex(KLerp(o, r.size, 1), r.FastMapTextureCoords(1), attrib);
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/WorldRenderer.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/WorldRenderer.cs
index ec9ba83177..d3c51dea07 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/WorldRenderer.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Graphics/WorldRenderer.cs
@@ -35,82 +35,80 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Graphics
             lineRenderer = new LineRenderer(renderer);
 			uiOverlay = new UiOverlay(spriteRenderer);
 		}
-
-		void DrawSpriteList(Player owner, RectangleF rect, 
-			IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> images)
-		{
-			foreach (var image in images)
-			{
-				var loc = image.Second;
-
-				if (loc.X > rect.Right || loc.X < rect.Left 
-					- image.First.bounds.Width)
-					continue;
-				if (loc.Y > rect.Bottom || loc.Y < rect.Top 
-					- image.First.bounds.Height)
-					continue;
-
-				spriteRenderer.DrawSprite(image.First, loc, 
-					(owner != null) ? owner.Palette : 0);
-			}
-		}
-
-		public void Draw()
+
+		void DrawSpriteList(RectangleF rect,
+			IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> images)
 		{
-			terrainRenderer.Draw( Game.viewport );
-
-			var rect = new RectangleF((region.Position + Game.viewport.Location).ToPointF(), 
-                region.Size.ToSizeF());
-
-			foreach (Actor a in Game.world.Actors.OrderBy( u => u.CenterLocation.Y ))
-				DrawSpriteList(a.Owner, rect, a.Render());
-
-			foreach (var a in Game.world.Actors
-				.Where(u => u.traits.Contains<Traits.RenderWarFactory>())
-				.Select(u => u.traits.Get<Traits.RenderWarFactory>()))
-				DrawSpriteList(a.self.Owner, rect, a.RenderRoof(a.self));		/* RUDE HACK */
-
-			foreach (IEffect e in Game.world.Effects)
-				DrawSpriteList(e.Owner, rect, e.Render());
-
-            uiOverlay.Draw();
-
-			spriteRenderer.Flush();
-
-            var selbox = Game.controller.SelectionBox;
-            if (selbox != null)
-            {
-                var a = selbox.Value.First;
-                var b = new float2(selbox.Value.Second.X - a.X, 0);
-                var c = new float2(0, selbox.Value.Second.Y - a.Y);
-
-                lineRenderer.DrawLine(a, a + b, Color.White, Color.White);
-                lineRenderer.DrawLine(a + b, a + b + c, Color.White, Color.White);
-                lineRenderer.DrawLine(a + b + c, a + c, Color.White, Color.White);
-                lineRenderer.DrawLine(a, a + c, Color.White, Color.White);
-
-                foreach (var u in Game.SelectUnitsInBox(selbox.Value.First, selbox.Value.Second))
-                    DrawSelectionBox(u, Color.Yellow, false);
-            }
-
-            var uog = Game.controller.orderGenerator as UnitOrderGenerator;
-            if (uog != null)
-				foreach( var a in uog.selection )
-	                DrawSelectionBox(a, Color.White, true);
-            
-            lineRenderer.Flush();
-
-			renderer.DrawText(string.Format("RenderFrame {0} ({2:F1} ms)\nTick {1} ({3:F1} ms)\nOre ({4:F1} ms)\n$ {5}\nPower {7}\nTiles Expanded {6:F0}", 
-				Game.RenderFrame, Game.orderManager.FrameNumber,
-				Game.RenderTime * 1000, 
-				Game.TickTime * 1000,
-				Game.OreTime * 1000,
-				Game.LocalPlayer.Cash,
-				PerfHistory.items[ "nodes_expanded" ].LastValue,
-				Game.LocalPlayer.Power
+			foreach (var image in images)
+			{
+				var loc = image.b;
+
+				if (loc.X > rect.Right || loc.X < rect.Left
+					- image.a.bounds.Width)
+					continue;
+				if (loc.Y > rect.Bottom || loc.Y < rect.Top
+					- image.a.bounds.Height)
+					continue;
+
+				spriteRenderer.DrawSprite(image.a, loc, image.c);
+			}
+		}
+
+		public void Draw()
+		{
+			terrainRenderer.Draw(Game.viewport);
+
+			var rect = new RectangleF((region.Position + Game.viewport.Location).ToPointF(),
+				region.Size.ToSizeF());
+
+			foreach (Actor a in Game.world.Actors.OrderBy(u => u.CenterLocation.Y))
+				DrawSpriteList(rect, a.Render());
+
+			foreach (var a in Game.world.Actors
+				.Where(u => u.traits.Contains<Traits.RenderWarFactory>())
+				.Select(u => u.traits.Get<Traits.RenderWarFactory>()))
+				DrawSpriteList(rect, a.RenderRoof(a.self));		/* RUDE HACK */
+
+			foreach (IEffect e in Game.world.Effects)
+				DrawSpriteList(rect, e.Render());
+
+			uiOverlay.Draw();
+
+			spriteRenderer.Flush();
+
+			var selbox = Game.controller.SelectionBox;
+			if (selbox != null)
+			{
+				var a = selbox.Value.First;
+				var b = new float2(selbox.Value.Second.X - a.X, 0);
+				var c = new float2(0, selbox.Value.Second.Y - a.Y);
+
+				lineRenderer.DrawLine(a, a + b, Color.White, Color.White);
+				lineRenderer.DrawLine(a + b, a + b + c, Color.White, Color.White);
+				lineRenderer.DrawLine(a + b + c, a + c, Color.White, Color.White);
+				lineRenderer.DrawLine(a, a + c, Color.White, Color.White);
+
+				foreach (var u in Game.SelectUnitsInBox(selbox.Value.First, selbox.Value.Second))
+					DrawSelectionBox(u, Color.Yellow, false);
+			}
+
+			var uog = Game.controller.orderGenerator as UnitOrderGenerator;
+			if (uog != null)
+				foreach (var a in uog.selection)
+					DrawSelectionBox(a, Color.White, true);
+
+			lineRenderer.Flush();
+
+			renderer.DrawText(string.Format("RenderFrame {0} ({2:F1} ms)\nTick {1} ({3:F1} ms)\n$ {4}\nPower {5}",				
+				Game.RenderFrame,
+				Game.orderManager.FrameNumber,
+				PerfHistory.items["render"].LastValue,
+				PerfHistory.items["tick_time"].LastValue,
+				Game.LocalPlayer.Cash,
+				Game.LocalPlayer.GetTotalPower()
 				), new int2(5, 5), Color.White);
 
-			PerfHistory.Render(renderer, lineRenderer);
+			PerfHistory.Render(renderer, lineRenderer);
 		}
 
         void DrawSelectionBox(Actor selectedUnit, Color c, bool drawHealthBar)
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/MainWindow.cs b/OpenRa.Game/MainWindow.cs
index a759587ef0..92b4f4067f 100755
--- a/OpenRa.Game/MainWindow.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/MainWindow.cs
@@ -61,10 +61,13 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 			Game.world.Add( new Actor( "mcv", Game.map.Offset + new int2( 5, 5 ), Game.players[ 1 ]) );
 			Game.world.Add( new Actor( "mcv", Game.map.Offset + new int2( 7, 5 ), Game.players[ 2 ] ) );
 			Game.world.Add( new Actor( "mcv", Game.map.Offset + new int2( 9, 5 ), Game.players[ 0 ] ) );
-			Game.world.Add( new Actor( "jeep", Game.map.Offset + new int2( 9, 15 ), Game.players[ 1 ] ) );
+			Game.world.Add( new Actor( "jeep", Game.map.Offset + new int2( 9, 14 ), Game.players[ 1 ] ) );
 			Game.world.Add( new Actor( "3tnk", Game.map.Offset + new int2( 12, 7 ), Game.players[ 1 ] ) );
+			Game.world.Add(new Actor("apc", Game.map.Offset + new int2(13, 7), Game.players[1]));
 			Game.world.Add(new Actor("ca", Game.map.Offset + new int2(40, 7), Game.players[1]));
 			Game.world.Add(new Actor("e1", Game.map.Offset + new int2(9, 13), Game.players[1]));
+			Game.world.Add(new Actor("arty", Game.map.Offset + new int2(10, 13), Game.players[1]));
+			Game.world.Add(new Actor("heli", Game.map.Offset + new int2(11, 12), Game.players[1]));
 
 			renderer.BuildPalette(Game.map);
 			sidebar = new Sidebar(renderer, Game.LocalPlayer);
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/OpenRa.Game.csproj b/OpenRa.Game/OpenRa.Game.csproj
index f601117070..5cd94575af 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/OpenRa.Game.csproj
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/OpenRa.Game.csproj
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@
     <Compile Include="Traits\RenderBuildingWarFactory.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Traits\RenderSimple.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Traits\RenderUnit.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="Traits\RenderUnitMuzzleFlash.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Traits\RenderUnitRotor.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Traits\RenderUnitTurreted.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Traits\TraitsInterfaces.cs" />
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Player.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Player.cs
index c3b08fdc17..76d43c7e59 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Player.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Player.cs
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 		public Race Race;
 		public readonly int Index;
 		public int Cash;
-		public int Power;
+		int powerProvided;
+		int powerDrained;
 
 		public Player( int index, int palette, string playerName, Race race )
 		{
@@ -20,7 +21,20 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game
 			this.PlayerName = playerName;
 			this.Race = race;
 			this.Cash = 10000;
-			this.Power = 0;
+			this.powerProvided = this.powerDrained = 0;
+		}
+
+		public void ChangePower(int dPower)
+		{
+			if (dPower > 0)
+				powerProvided += dPower;
+			if (dPower < 0)
+				powerDrained -= dPower;
+		}
+
+		public int GetTotalPower()
+		{
+			return powerProvided - powerDrained;
 		}
 
 		public float GetSiloFullness()
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Support/PerfHistory.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Support/PerfHistory.cs
index 60954912e1..bad5cd80c0 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Support/PerfHistory.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Support/PerfHistory.cs
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Support
 		public static void Tick()
 		{
 			foreach (var item in items.Values)
-				item.Tick();
+				if (item.hasNormalTick)
+					item.Tick();
 		}
 
 		public static void Render(Renderer r, LineRenderer lr)
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Support
 		public double[] samples = new double[100];
 		public double val = 0.0;
 		int head = 1, tail = 0;
+		public bool hasNormalTick = true;
 
 		public PerfItem(string name, Color c)
 		{
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/AttackTurreted.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/AttackTurreted.cs
index 0dda1090c1..e79f5ddc28 100755
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/AttackTurreted.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/AttackTurreted.cs
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 		protected int primaryFireDelay = 0;
 		protected int secondaryFireDelay = 0;
 
+		public float primaryRecoil = 0.0f, secondaryRecoil = 0.0f;
+
 		public AttackBase(Actor self) { }
 
 		protected bool CanAttack( Actor self )
@@ -25,6 +27,9 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			if (primaryFireDelay > 0) --primaryFireDelay;
 			if (secondaryFireDelay > 0) --secondaryFireDelay;
 
+			primaryRecoil = Math.Max(0f, primaryRecoil - .2f);
+			secondaryRecoil = Math.Max(0f, secondaryRecoil - .2f);
+
 			if (target != null && target.IsDead) target = null;		/* he's dead, jim. */
 		}
 
@@ -36,20 +41,15 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 				self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset ) )
 			{
 				secondaryFireDelay = Math.Max( 4, secondaryFireDelay );
-				if (rut != null) rut.primaryRecoil = 1;
+				primaryRecoil = 1;
 				return;
 			}
 
 			if (self.unitInfo.Secondary != null && CheckFire(self, self.unitInfo.Secondary, ref secondaryFireDelay,
 				self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset ?? self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset))
 			{
-				if (rut != null)
-				{
-					if (self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset != null)
-						rut.secondaryRecoil = 1;
-					else
-						rut.primaryRecoil = 1;
-				}
+				if (self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset != null) secondaryRecoil = 1;
+				else primaryRecoil = 1;
 				return;
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Building.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Building.cs
index 4f1890680a..0894e00baf 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Building.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Building.cs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			UnitInfo.BuildingInfo bi = self.unitInfo as UnitInfo.BuildingInfo;
 			if (bi == null) return;
 
-			self.Owner.Power += bi.Power;
+			self.Owner.ChangePower(bi.Power);
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/InfantrySquad.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/InfantrySquad.cs
index d54e2c93a4..2a05288db7 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/InfantrySquad.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/InfantrySquad.cs
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 					self.CenterLocation.ToInt2() + elementOffsets[elements.Count][i], self);
 		}
 
-		public IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self)
+		public IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self)
 		{
 			return elements.Select(
-				e => Util.Centered(e.anim.Image, e.location))
-				.OrderBy( a => a.Second.Y );		/* important to y-order elements of a squad! */
+				e => Util.Centered(self, e.anim.Image, e.location))
+				.OrderBy( a => a.b.Y );		/* important to y-order elements of a squad! */
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RallyPoint.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RallyPoint.cs
index e71f33eeb7..c2527f29b9 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RallyPoint.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RallyPoint.cs
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			anim.PlayRepeating("idle");
 		}
 
-		public IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self)
+		public IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self)
 		{
 			var uog = Game.controller.orderGenerator as UnitOrderGenerator;
 			if (uog != null && self.Owner == Game.LocalPlayer && uog.selection.Contains(self))
-				yield return Util.Centered(
+				yield return Util.Centered( self,
 					anim.Image, Game.CellSize * (new float2(.5f, .5f) + rallyPoint.ToFloat2()));
 		}
 
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderBuilding.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderBuilding.cs
index 67468e3975..b8f46e28b6 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderBuilding.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderBuilding.cs
@@ -64,9 +64,9 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			}
 		}
 
-		public override IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self)
+		public override IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self)
 		{
-			yield return Pair.New(anim.Image, 24f * (float2)self.Location);
+			yield return Tuple.New(anim.Image, 24f * (float2)self.Location, self.Owner.Palette);
 		}
 
 		public virtual void Damaged(Actor self, DamageState state)
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderBuildingWarFactory.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderBuildingWarFactory.cs
index 9bed59f2c7..e489a47482 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderBuildingWarFactory.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderBuildingWarFactory.cs
@@ -29,10 +29,11 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			}, self);
 		}
 
-		public IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> RenderRoof(Actor self)
+		public IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> RenderRoof(Actor self)
 		{
 			if (doneBuilding)
-				yield return Pair.New(roof.Image, 24f * (float2)self.Location);
+				yield return Tuple.New(roof.Image, 
+					24f * (float2)self.Location, self.Owner.Palette);
 		}
 
 		public override void Tick(Actor self)
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderSimple.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderSimple.cs
index 3a098b6a32..abee7174ad 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderSimple.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderSimple.cs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			anim = new Animation(self.unitInfo.Image ?? self.unitInfo.Name);
 		}
 
-		public abstract IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self);
+		public abstract IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self);
 
 		public virtual void Tick(Actor self)
 		{
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnit.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnit.cs
index efd2ac58ae..18f43284fb 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnit.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnit.cs
@@ -29,11 +29,11 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			anim.PlayThen(newAnim, () => { PlayFacingAnim(self); if (after != null) after(); });
 		}
 
-		public override IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self)
+		public override IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self)
 		{
-			yield return Util.Centered(anim.Image, self.CenterLocation);
+			yield return Util.Centered(self, anim.Image, self.CenterLocation);
 			if (isSmoking)
-				yield return Util.Centered(smoke.Image, self.CenterLocation);
+				yield return Util.Centered(self, smoke.Image, self.CenterLocation);
 		}
 
 		bool isSmoking;
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitMuzzleFlash.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitMuzzleFlash.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..194cc8d2c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitMuzzleFlash.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+using OpenRa.Game.Graphics;
+
+namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
+{
+	class RenderUnitMuzzleFlash : RenderUnit
+	{
+		Animation muzzleFlash;
+
+		public RenderUnitMuzzleFlash(Actor self)
+			: base(self)
+		{
+			if (!self.unitInfo.MuzzleFlash) throw new InvalidOperationException("wtf??");
+
+			muzzleFlash = new Animation(self.unitInfo.Name);
+			muzzleFlash.PlayFetchIndex("muzzle",
+				() =>
+				{
+					var attack = self.traits.WithInterface<AttackBase>().First();
+					var mobile = self.traits.WithInterface<Mobile>().First();
+					return (Util.QuantizeFacing(
+						mobile.facing, 8)) * 6 + (int)(attack.primaryRecoil * 5.9f);
+				});
+		}
+
+		public override void Tick(Actor self)
+		{
+			base.Tick(self);
+			muzzleFlash.Tick();
+		}
+
+		public override IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self)
+		{
+			var attack = self.traits.WithInterface<AttackBase>().First();
+			if (attack.primaryRecoil > 0)
+				return base.Render(self).Concat(new[] {Util.Centered(self,
+					muzzleFlash.Image, self.CenterLocation + new float2(
+						self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset.ElementAtOrDefault(2),
+						self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset.ElementAtOrDefault(3)))});
+			else
+				return base.Render(self);
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitRotor.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitRotor.cs
index 4b446d7d8c..090b84ee60 100755
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitRotor.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitRotor.cs
@@ -23,18 +23,31 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			}
 		}
 
-		public override IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self)
+		public override IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self)
 		{
 			var mobile = self.traits.Get<Mobile>();
 
-			yield return Util.Centered(anim.Image, self.CenterLocation);
-			yield return Util.Centered(rotorAnim.Image, self.CenterLocation 
+			yield return Util.CenteredShadow(self, anim.Image, self.CenterLocation);
+			yield return Util.CenteredShadow(self, rotorAnim.Image, self.CenterLocation
 				+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset, 0));
 			if (self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset != null)
-				yield return Util.Centered((secondRotorAnim ?? rotorAnim).Image, self.CenterLocation
+				yield return Util.CenteredShadow(self, (secondRotorAnim ?? rotorAnim).Image, self.CenterLocation
+					+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset, 0));
+
+			var p = self.CenterLocation - new float2( 0, altitude );
+
+			yield return Util.Centered(self, anim.Image, p);
+			yield return Util.Centered(self, rotorAnim.Image, p 
+				+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset, 0));
+			if (self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset != null)
+				yield return Util.Centered(self, (secondRotorAnim ?? rotorAnim).Image, p
 					+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset, 0));
 		}
 
+		int altitude = 0;
+		const int climbRate = 1;
+		const int cruiseAltitude = 20;
+
 		public override void Tick(Actor self)
 		{
 			base.Tick(self);
@@ -44,12 +57,18 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 
 			var mobile = self.traits.Get<Mobile>();
 			var isFlying = mobile.HasActivity;
-			if (isFlying ^ (rotorAnim.CurrentSequence.Name != "rotor")) 
+
+			if (isFlying && altitude < cruiseAltitude)
+				altitude = Math.Min(altitude + climbRate, cruiseAltitude);
+			else if (!isFlying && altitude > 0)
+				altitude = Math.Max(altitude - climbRate, 0);
+
+			if ((altitude >0) ^ (rotorAnim.CurrentSequence.Name != "rotor")) 
 				return;
 
-			rotorAnim.PlayRepeatingPreservingPosition(isFlying ? "rotor" : "slow-rotor");
+			rotorAnim.PlayRepeatingPreservingPosition((altitude>0) ? "rotor" : "slow-rotor");
 			if (secondRotorAnim != null)
-				secondRotorAnim.PlayRepeatingPreservingPosition(isFlying ? "rotor2" : "slow-rotor2");
+				secondRotorAnim.PlayRepeatingPreservingPosition((altitude>0) ? "rotor2" : "slow-rotor2");
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitTurreted.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitTurreted.cs
index 130a3a0430..bcdac9a98d 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitTurreted.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/RenderUnitTurreted.cs
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 	{
 		public Animation turretAnim;
 		public Animation muzzleFlash;
-		public float primaryRecoil = 0.0f, secondaryRecoil = 0.0f;
 
 		public RenderUnitTurreted(Actor self)
 			: base(self)
@@ -21,9 +20,11 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			{
 				if (self.unitInfo.MuzzleFlash)
 				{
+					var attack = self.traits.WithInterface<AttackBase>().First();
 					muzzleFlash = new Animation(self.unitInfo.Name);
 					muzzleFlash.PlayFetchIndex("muzzle",
-						() => (Util.QuantizeFacing(self.traits.Get<Turreted>().turretFacing,8)) * 6 + (int)(primaryRecoil * 6));
+						() => (Util.QuantizeFacing(self.traits.Get<Turreted>().turretFacing,8)) * 6 + (int)(attack.primaryRecoil * 5.9f));	
+							/* hack: recoil can be 1.0f, but don't overflow into next anim */
 				}
 
 				turretAnim.PlayFetchIndex("turret",
@@ -33,28 +34,27 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 				turretAnim.PlayRepeating("turret");		/* not really a turret; it's a spinner */
 		}
 
-		public override IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self)
+		public override IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self)
 		{
 			var mobile = self.traits.Get<Mobile>();
+			var attack = self.traits.WithInterface<AttackBase>().FirstOrDefault();
 
-			yield return Util.Centered(anim.Image, self.CenterLocation);
-			yield return Util.Centered(turretAnim.Image, self.CenterLocation 
-				+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset, primaryRecoil));
+			yield return Util.Centered(self, anim.Image, self.CenterLocation);
+			yield return Util.Centered(self, turretAnim.Image, self.CenterLocation 
+				+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset, attack.primaryRecoil));
 			if (self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset != null)
-				yield return Util.Centered(turretAnim.Image, self.CenterLocation
-					+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset, secondaryRecoil));
+				yield return Util.Centered(self, turretAnim.Image, self.CenterLocation
+					+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.SecondaryOffset, attack.secondaryRecoil));
 
-			if (muzzleFlash != null && primaryRecoil > 0)
-				yield return Util.Centered(muzzleFlash.Image, self.CenterLocation
-				+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset, primaryRecoil));
+			if (muzzleFlash != null && attack.primaryRecoil > 0)
+				yield return Util.Centered(self, muzzleFlash.Image, self.CenterLocation
+				+ Util.GetTurretPosition(self, self.unitInfo.PrimaryOffset, attack.primaryRecoil));
 		}
 
 		public override void Tick(Actor self)
 		{
 			base.Tick(self);
 			turretAnim.Tick();
-			primaryRecoil = Math.Max(0f, primaryRecoil - .2f);
-			secondaryRecoil = Math.Max(0f, secondaryRecoil - .2f);
 			if (muzzleFlash != null)
 				muzzleFlash.Tick();
 		}
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/TraitsInterfaces.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/TraitsInterfaces.cs
index d2400acf00..cf3505afce 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/TraitsInterfaces.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/TraitsInterfaces.cs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 	enum DamageState { Normal, Half, Dead };
 
 	interface ITick { void Tick(Actor self); }
-	interface IRender { IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self); }
+	interface IRender { IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self); }
 	interface IOrder { Order Order(Actor self, int2 xy, bool lmb, Actor underCursor); }
 	interface INotifyDamage { void Damaged(Actor self, DamageState ds); }
 	interface INotifyDamageEx : INotifyDamage { void Damaged(Actor self, int damage); }
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Tree.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Tree.cs
index bb6aa717bc..44cfd7c1a6 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Tree.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Tree.cs
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			Image = treeImage;
 		}
 
-		public IEnumerable<Pair<Sprite, float2>> Render(Actor self)
+		public IEnumerable<Tuple<Sprite, float2, int>> Render(Actor self)
 		{
-			yield return Pair.New(Image, Game.CellSize * (float2)self.Location);
+			yield return Tuple.New(Image, Game.CellSize * (float2)self.Location, 0);
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Util.cs b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Util.cs
index b420a01c91..c7b3507869 100755
--- a/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Util.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/Traits/Util.cs
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			if (rut == null) return float2.Zero;
 
 			var facing = self.traits.Get<Turreted>().turretFacing;
-			var quantizedFacing = facing - facing % rut.turretAnim.CurrentSequence.Length;
+			var quantizedFacing = QuantizeFacing(facing, rut.turretAnim.CurrentSequence.Length) * (256 / rut.turretAnim.CurrentSequence.Length);
 
 			return RotateVectorByFacing(new float2(0, recoil * self.unitInfo.Recoil), quantizedFacing, .7f);
 		}
@@ -92,17 +92,22 @@ namespace OpenRa.Game.Traits
 			if (ru == null) return int2.Zero;	/* things that don't have a rotating base don't need the turrets repositioned */
 
 			var bodyFacing = self.traits.Get<Mobile>().facing;
-			var quantizedFacing = bodyFacing - bodyFacing % ru.anim.CurrentSequence.Length;
+			var quantizedFacing = QuantizeFacing(bodyFacing, ru.anim.CurrentSequence.Length) * (256 / ru.anim.CurrentSequence.Length);
 
 			return (RotateVectorByFacing(new float2(offset[0], offset[1]), quantizedFacing, .7f) + GetRecoil(self, recoil))
 				+ new float2(offset.ElementAtOrDefault(2), offset.ElementAtOrDefault(3));
 		}
 
-		public static Pair<Sprite, float2> Centered(Sprite s, float2 location)
+		public static Tuple<Sprite, float2, int> Centered(Actor self, Sprite s, float2 location)
 		{
 			var loc = location - 0.5f * s.size;
-			return Pair.New(s, loc.Round());
+			return Tuple.New(s, loc.Round(), self.Owner.Palette);
 		}
 
+		public static Tuple<Sprite, float2, int> CenteredShadow(Actor self, Sprite s, float2 location)
+		{
+			var loc = location - 0.5f * s.size;
+			return Tuple.New(s, loc.Round(), 8);
+		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/sequences.xml b/sequences.xml
index e3b88530a2..cc38b910b7 100644
--- a/sequences.xml
+++ b/sequences.xml
@@ -275,6 +275,7 @@
   <!-- apc -->
   <unit name="apc">
     <sequence name="idle" start="0" length="32" />
+    <sequence name="muzzle" start="0" length="48" src="minigun" />
   </unit>
   <!-- mine layer -->
   <unit name="mnly">
diff --git a/units.ini b/units.ini
index 1f194060e3..5fd9cd1c0a 100755
--- a/units.ini
+++ b/units.ini
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ MNLY
 
 [V2RL]
 Description=V2 Rocket
-Traits=Mobile, RenderUnit
+Traits=Mobile, RenderUnit, AttackBase
 [1TNK]
 Description=Light Tank
 Traits=Mobile, Turreted, AttackTurreted, RenderUnitTurreted
@@ -55,7 +55,9 @@ PrimaryOffset=0,0,0,-2
 MuzzleFlash=yes
 [APC]
 Description=Armored Personnel Carrier
-Traits=Mobile, RenderUnit, AttackBase
+Traits=Mobile, AttackBase, RenderUnitMuzzleFlash
+PrimaryOffset=0,0,0,-4
+MuzzleFlash=yes
 [MNLY]
 Description=Minelayer
 Traits=Mobile, RenderUnit