feat: wire _ph placeholder sprites into actors (mech, grunt, burster, slug, scrap)

Operator asked for placeholder sprites for playtest feel. Actors now
render the hand-authored pixel maps (tools/aseprite/maps -> assets/
sprites_ph, committed) via code-created Sprite2D — no scene texture
UIDs to hand-author. Dynamic feedback preserved: grunt/burster heat
tint + hit flash drive sprite.modulate, heat-aura ring stays a _draw
overlay; salvage fade drives modulate.a. Arena floor/walls, HUD, and
FX stay primitives. CLAUDE.md greybox-art note updated (was 'no
sprites'); real art (watercolor scenery + pixel sprites) still later.

Smoke gate 3/3 green on nh3-dev headless 4.7.1.

.gitignore

@@ -4,6 +4,3 @@
 
 # OS noise
 .DS_Store
-
-# Generated placeholder sprites (regenerate via tools/aseprite/)
-assets/sprites_ph/

CLAUDE.md

@@ -116,7 +116,12 @@ Non-negotiable canon highlights (full rationale in CONCEPT.md):
   yet).
 - 2D, pixel-first: integer scaling, nearest-neighbor filtering
   (set in project.godot). Hi-bit mixed-res effects layer comes
-  later — greybox is deliberately art-free.
+  later. Actors now use `_ph` placeholder sprites (hand-authored
+  pixel maps in `tools/aseprite/maps/`, rendered to
+  `assets/sprites_ph/`); arena floor/walls, HUD, and FX stay
+  primitives. Real art (watercolor scenery + pixel sprites, CONCEPT.md
+  § Tech & art direction) comes at the art pass — placeholders only,
+  no polish, until then.
 
 ## Current phase: GREYBOX (v1 per ROADMAP.md)
 
@@ -126,5 +131,6 @@ KINETIC) · the KINETIC+HEAT chemistry row (knock a heated enemy
 into others → heat spreads on impact) · two enemy types (untagged
 grunt swarm + self-heating burster). It exists to falsify three
 bets: positioning ↔ build interaction, card-freeze rhythm,
-chemistry delight. Greybox art: primitives and placeholder shapes
+chemistry delight. Greybox art: `_ph` placeholder pixel sprites for
-only — no sprites, no polish.
+actors, primitives for arena/HUD/FX — no polish; the real art pass
+comes later.

assets/sprites_ph/burster_ph.png.import

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+[remap]
+
+importer="texture"
+type="CompressedTexture2D"
+uid="uid://dwcirgi6ts8it"
+path="res://.godot/imported/burster_ph.png-16f74ec80319b3fa303d5ad5aab3a1a4.ctex"
+metadata={
+"vram_texture": false
+}
+
+[deps]
+
+source_file="res://assets/sprites_ph/burster_ph.png"
+dest_files=["res://.godot/imported/burster_ph.png-16f74ec80319b3fa303d5ad5aab3a1a4.ctex"]
+
+[params]
+
+compress/mode=0
+compress/high_quality=false
+compress/lossy_quality=0.7
+compress/uastc_level=0
+compress/rdo_quality_loss=0.0
+compress/hdr_compression=1
+compress/normal_map=0
+compress/channel_pack=0
+mipmaps/generate=false
+mipmaps/limit=-1
+roughness/mode=0
+roughness/src_normal=""
+process/channel_remap/red=0
+process/channel_remap/green=1
+process/channel_remap/blue=2
+process/channel_remap/alpha=3
+process/fix_alpha_border=true
+process/premult_alpha=false
+process/normal_map_invert_y=false
+process/hdr_as_srgb=false
+process/hdr_clamp_exposure=false
+process/size_limit=0
+detect_3d/compress_to=1

assets/sprites_ph/grunt_ph.png.import

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+[remap]
+
+importer="texture"
+type="CompressedTexture2D"
+uid="uid://cabtcqh1edeqb"
+path="res://.godot/imported/grunt_ph.png-d3ab8092460f76ac642a3b5e3ce6cc97.ctex"
+metadata={
+"vram_texture": false
+}
+
+[deps]
+
+source_file="res://assets/sprites_ph/grunt_ph.png"
+dest_files=["res://.godot/imported/grunt_ph.png-d3ab8092460f76ac642a3b5e3ce6cc97.ctex"]
+
+[params]
+
+compress/mode=0
+compress/high_quality=false
+compress/lossy_quality=0.7
+compress/uastc_level=0
+compress/rdo_quality_loss=0.0
+compress/hdr_compression=1
+compress/normal_map=0
+compress/channel_pack=0
+mipmaps/generate=false
+mipmaps/limit=-1
+roughness/mode=0
+roughness/src_normal=""
+process/channel_remap/red=0
+process/channel_remap/green=1
+process/channel_remap/blue=2
+process/channel_remap/alpha=3
+process/fix_alpha_border=true
+process/premult_alpha=false
+process/normal_map_invert_y=false
+process/hdr_as_srgb=false
+process/hdr_clamp_exposure=false
+process/size_limit=0
+detect_3d/compress_to=1

assets/sprites_ph/m03_ph.png.import

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+[remap]
+
+importer="texture"
+type="CompressedTexture2D"
+uid="uid://ji7t7i6inf0q"
+path="res://.godot/imported/m03_ph.png-a19785a989146d95e9780ea78de3cb0a.ctex"
+metadata={
+"vram_texture": false
+}
+
+[deps]
+
+source_file="res://assets/sprites_ph/m03_ph.png"
+dest_files=["res://.godot/imported/m03_ph.png-a19785a989146d95e9780ea78de3cb0a.ctex"]
+
+[params]
+
+compress/mode=0
+compress/high_quality=false
+compress/lossy_quality=0.7
+compress/uastc_level=0
+compress/rdo_quality_loss=0.0
+compress/hdr_compression=1
+compress/normal_map=0
+compress/channel_pack=0
+mipmaps/generate=false
+mipmaps/limit=-1
+roughness/mode=0
+roughness/src_normal=""
+process/channel_remap/red=0
+process/channel_remap/green=1
+process/channel_remap/blue=2
+process/channel_remap/alpha=3
+process/fix_alpha_border=true
+process/premult_alpha=false
+process/normal_map_invert_y=false
+process/hdr_as_srgb=false
+process/hdr_clamp_exposure=false
+process/size_limit=0
+detect_3d/compress_to=1

assets/sprites_ph/scrap_ph.png.import

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+[remap]
+
+importer="texture"
+type="CompressedTexture2D"
+uid="uid://76bnxqxl7uxt"
+path="res://.godot/imported/scrap_ph.png-780db8d2b3ed50cbb4f3dc204a549011.ctex"
+metadata={
+"vram_texture": false
+}
+
+[deps]
+
+source_file="res://assets/sprites_ph/scrap_ph.png"
+dest_files=["res://.godot/imported/scrap_ph.png-780db8d2b3ed50cbb4f3dc204a549011.ctex"]
+
+[params]
+
+compress/mode=0
+compress/high_quality=false
+compress/lossy_quality=0.7
+compress/uastc_level=0
+compress/rdo_quality_loss=0.0
+compress/hdr_compression=1
+compress/normal_map=0
+compress/channel_pack=0
+mipmaps/generate=false
+mipmaps/limit=-1
+roughness/mode=0
+roughness/src_normal=""
+process/channel_remap/red=0
+process/channel_remap/green=1
+process/channel_remap/blue=2
+process/channel_remap/alpha=3
+process/fix_alpha_border=true
+process/premult_alpha=false
+process/normal_map_invert_y=false
+process/hdr_as_srgb=false
+process/hdr_clamp_exposure=false
+process/size_limit=0
+detect_3d/compress_to=1

assets/sprites_ph/slug_ph.png.import

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+[remap]
+
+importer="texture"
+type="CompressedTexture2D"
+uid="uid://bnbsde6j7gwsi"
+path="res://.godot/imported/slug_ph.png-c68013faba14e2a7a9a40558a57d8215.ctex"
+metadata={
+"vram_texture": false
+}
+
+[deps]
+
+source_file="res://assets/sprites_ph/slug_ph.png"
+dest_files=["res://.godot/imported/slug_ph.png-c68013faba14e2a7a9a40558a57d8215.ctex"]
+
+[params]
+
+compress/mode=0
+compress/high_quality=false
+compress/lossy_quality=0.7
+compress/uastc_level=0
+compress/rdo_quality_loss=0.0
+compress/hdr_compression=1
+compress/normal_map=0
+compress/channel_pack=0
+mipmaps/generate=false
+mipmaps/limit=-1
+roughness/mode=0
+roughness/src_normal=""
+process/channel_remap/red=0
+process/channel_remap/green=1
+process/channel_remap/blue=2
+process/channel_remap/alpha=3
+process/fix_alpha_border=true
+process/premult_alpha=false
+process/normal_map_invert_y=false
+process/hdr_as_srgb=false
+process/hdr_clamp_exposure=false
+process/size_limit=0
+detect_3d/compress_to=1

scenes/burster.tscn

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ contact_damage = 3.0
 body_radius = 11.0
 base_color = Color(0.6, 0.4, 0.25, 1)
 salvage_value = 3
+sprite_path = "res://assets/sprites_ph/burster_ph.png"
 self_heat_rate = 0.5
 detonation_damage = 2.5
 detonation_mech_damage = 15.0

scripts/grunt.gd

@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ signal died
 @export var body_radius := 8.0
 @export var base_color := Color(0.45, 0.47, 0.4)
 @export var salvage_value := 1
+## Placeholder sprite; overridden per scene (grunt vs burster).
+@export var sprite_path := "res://assets/sprites_ph/grunt_ph.png"
 ## > 0 makes this a burster: heat/second it applies to itself.
 @export var self_heat_rate := 0.0
 
@@ -54,6 +56,7 @@ var _chem_cd := 0.0
 var _flash := 0.0
 var _dead := false
 var _mech: Node2D
+var _sprite: Sprite2D
 
 
 func _ready() -> void:
@@ -61,6 +64,10 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	if self_heat_rate > 0.0:
 		add_to_group("bursters")
 	_mech = get_tree().get_first_node_in_group("mech")
+	_sprite = Sprite2D.new()
+	_sprite.texture = load(sprite_path)
+	add_child(_sprite)
+	_update_tint()
 
 
 func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
@@ -100,6 +107,20 @@ func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
 	if _flash > 0.0:
 		_flash -= delta
 		queue_redraw()
+	_update_tint()
+
+
+## The sprite carries the dynamic feedback the primitive used to: heat
+## tints the body toward orange (HEAT's read), a hit flashes it bright.
+## The heat-aura ring stays a _draw overlay (below the sprite).
+func _update_tint() -> void:
+	if _sprite == null:
+		return
+	if _flash > 0.0:
+		_sprite.modulate = Color(2.5, 2.5, 2.5)
+		return
+	var heat_k := clampf(heat / heat_threshold, 0.0, 1.0)
+	_sprite.modulate = Color(1, 1, 1).lerp(Color(1.5, 0.75, 0.4), heat_k)
 
 
 func hit(damage: float, kb: Vector2) -> void:
@@ -108,6 +129,7 @@ func hit(damage: float, kb: Vector2) -> void:
 	hp -= damage
 	_knockback += kb
 	_flash = 0.12
+	_update_tint()
 	queue_redraw()
 	if hp <= 0.0:
 		_die()
@@ -117,6 +139,7 @@ func add_heat(amount: float) -> void:
 	if _dead:
 		return
 	heat += amount
+	_update_tint()
 	queue_redraw()
 
 
@@ -146,12 +169,8 @@ func _die() -> void:
 
 
 func _draw() -> void:
-	var body := base_color
+	# Body is now the sprite; _draw carries only the heat-aura ring
+	# (renders under the sprite, extends past it — a visible glow).
 	var heat_k := clampf(heat / heat_threshold, 0.0, 1.0)
 	if heat_k > 0.0:
-		body = body.lerp(Color(0.95, 0.5, 0.15), heat_k * 0.8)
+		draw_arc(Vector2.ZERO, body_radius + 3.0, 0.0, TAU, 24, Color(0.95, 0.55, 0.2, 0.4 + heat_k * 0.5), 1.5)
-	if _flash > 0.0:
-		body = Color(0.95, 0.95, 0.95)
-	draw_circle(Vector2.ZERO, body_radius, body)
-	if heat_k > 0.0:
-		draw_arc(Vector2.ZERO, body_radius + 2.0, 0.0, TAU, 24, Color(0.95, 0.55, 0.2, 0.4 + heat_k * 0.5), 1.5)

scripts/kinetic_projectile.gd

@@ -9,12 +9,17 @@ extends Area2D
 @export var knockback := 220.0
 @export var lifetime := 0.8
 
+const SPRITE := preload("res://assets/sprites_ph/slug_ph.png")
+
 var direction := Vector2.RIGHT
 
 
 func _ready() -> void:
 	add_to_group("projectiles")
 	rotation = direction.angle()
+	var spr := Sprite2D.new()
+	spr.texture = SPRITE
+	add_child(spr)
 	body_entered.connect(_on_body_entered)
 
 
@@ -29,8 +34,3 @@ func _on_body_entered(body: Node) -> void:
 	if body.is_in_group("enemies"):
 		body.hit(damage, direction * knockback)
 	queue_free()
-
-
-func _draw() -> void:
-	# KINETIC hue: pale steel-blue (placeholder — tag colors unassigned in canon).
-	draw_rect(Rect2(-5, -1.5, 10, 3), Color(0.75, 0.85, 0.95))

scripts/mech.gd

@@ -16,9 +16,15 @@ var hull: float
 var _dash := Vector2.ZERO
 
 
+const SPRITE := preload("res://assets/sprites_ph/m03_ph.png")
+
+
 func _ready() -> void:
 	add_to_group("mech")
 	hull = hull_max
+	var spr := Sprite2D.new()
+	spr.texture = SPRITE
+	add_child(spr)
 
 
 func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
@@ -42,8 +48,3 @@ func take_damage(amount: float) -> void:
 	if hull <= 0.0:
 		# The run manager decides what death means (tally + relaunch).
 		destroyed.emit()
-
-
-func _draw() -> void:
-	draw_rect(Rect2(-10, -12, 20, 24), Color(0.82, 0.84, 0.88))
-	draw_rect(Rect2(-6, -6, 12, 12), Color(0.55, 0.6, 0.68))

scripts/salvage.gd

@@ -4,12 +4,15 @@ extends Area2D
 ## levels). Drifts to the mech inside the magnet radius, collected on
 ## contact, fades out if ignored. Constructed in code, no scene.
 
+const SPRITE := preload("res://assets/sprites_ph/scrap_ph.png")
+
 var value := 1
 var magnet_radius := 70.0
 var drift_speed := 150.0
 var lifetime := 20.0
 
 var _t := 0.0
+var _sprite: Sprite2D
 
 
 func _ready() -> void:
@@ -22,6 +25,9 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	sh.radius = 6.0
 	cs.shape = sh
 	add_child(cs)
+	_sprite = Sprite2D.new()
+	_sprite.texture = SPRITE
+	add_child(_sprite)
 	body_entered.connect(_on_body_entered)
 
 
@@ -33,8 +39,9 @@ func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
 	var mech := get_tree().get_first_node_in_group("mech") as Node2D
 	if mech != null and global_position.distance_to(mech.global_position) <= magnet_radius:
 		global_position = global_position.move_toward(mech.global_position, drift_speed * delta)
-	if _t >= lifetime - 3.0:
+	# Fade the sprite out over the last 3s of life.
-		queue_redraw()
+	if _t >= lifetime - 3.0 and _sprite != null:
+		_sprite.modulate.a = clampf((lifetime - _t) / 3.0, 0.0, 1.0)
 
 
 func _on_body_entered(body: Node) -> void:
@@ -43,9 +50,3 @@ func _on_body_entered(body: Node) -> void:
 		if hand != null:
 			hand.add_salvage(value)
 		queue_free()
-
-
-func _draw() -> void:
-	var a := 1.0 if _t < lifetime - 3.0 else clampf((lifetime - _t) / 3.0, 0.0, 1.0)
-	var pts := PackedVector2Array([Vector2(0, -5), Vector2(4, 0), Vector2(0, 5), Vector2(-4, 0)])
-	draw_colored_polygon(pts, Color(0.95, 0.8, 0.35, a))