diff --git a/src/Dodge/Combine/Combinations.hs b/src/Dodge/Combine/Combinations.hs
index 72f242984..7158f8357 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Combine/Combinations.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Combine/Combinations.hs
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ moduleCombinations =
         ,   [amod [INCENDIARYMODULE] "+INCENDIARY" (itParams . lasBeam .~ BeamCombine flameBeamCombine)
             ,amod [STATICMODULE]     "+STATIC" 
                 ( (itParams . lasBeam .~ BeamCombine teslaBeamCombine)
-                . (itParams . subParams .~ Just teslaParams)
+                . (itParams . subParams ?~ teslaParams)
                 )
             ,amod [TRANSFORMER]      "+SPLIT"  (itParams . lasBeam .~ BeamCombine splitBeamCombine)
             ]
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature.hs
index f7c86028e..6799020be 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature.hs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ module Dodge.Creature
     , smallChaseCrit
     ) where
 import Dodge.Creature.State.Data
+import Dodge.Creature.Update
 --import Dodge.Item.Weapon.Grenade
 import Dodge.Item.Weapon.Booster
 import Dodge.Item.Weapon.Utility
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ import Dodge.Item.Craftable
 --import Dodge.Creature.SetTarget
 import Dodge.Creature.Volition
 import Dodge.Creature.Test
-import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
+--import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
 import Dodge.Creature.SentinelAI
 import Dodge.Creature.LauncherCrit
 import Dodge.Creature.PistolCrit
@@ -66,8 +67,8 @@ spawnerCrit = defaultCreature
 miniGunCrit :: Creature
 miniGunCrit = defaultCreature
     { _crPict = basicCrPict red
-    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $
-        sentinelFireType (const shootTillEmpty)
+    , _crUpdate = defaultImpulsive $
+        [sentinelFireType (const shootTillEmpty)]
     , _crActionPlan = ActionPlan
         { _crImpulse    = []
         , _crAction     = []
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ longCrit :: Creature
 longCrit = defaultCreature
     { _crPict = basicCrPict red
 --    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate sniperAI
-    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ sentinelFireType $ const shootTillEmpty
+    , _crUpdate = defaultImpulsive $ [sentinelFireType $ const shootTillEmpty]
     , _crActionPlan = ActionPlan
         { _crImpulse    = []
         , _crAction     = []
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ multGunCrit = defaultCreature
     , _crInvSel = 0
     , _crRad = 10
     , _crHP = 300
-    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ sentinelExtraWatchUpdate
+    , _crUpdate = defaultImpulsive $ [sentinelExtraWatchUpdate
             [ ( const $ not . crHasAmmo
               , \_ _ -> StrategyActions Reload reloadActions
               )
@@ -120,6 +121,7 @@ multGunCrit = defaultCreature
                 [ drawwp `DoActionThen` shootFirstMiss `DoActionThen` DoImpulses [ChangeStrategy WatchAndWait] ]
               ) 
             ]
+        ]
     , _crActionPlan = ActionPlan
         { _crImpulse    = []
         , _crAction     = []
@@ -148,7 +150,7 @@ startCr = defaultCreature
     , _crMvDir  = pi/2
     , _crID = 0
     , _crPict = basicCrPict black
-    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate yourControl
+    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate' yourControl'
     , _crRad = 10
     , _crMass = 10
     , _crHP = 1000
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/ArmourChase.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/ArmourChase.hs
index c88d6708c..39f053c0d 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/ArmourChase.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/ArmourChase.hs
@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@ module Dodge.Creature.ArmourChase
     ) where
 import Dodge.Data
 import Dodge.Default
-import Dodge.Creature.State
-import Dodge.Creature.ChainUpdates
+--import Dodge.Creature.State
+import Dodge.Creature.Update
+--import Dodge.Creature.ChainUpdates
 import Dodge.Creature.ReaderUpdate
 import Dodge.Creature.Perception
 import Dodge.Creature.Picture
-import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
+--import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
 import Dodge.Creature.Action
 import Dodge.Item.Equipment
 import Dodge.Item.Consumable
@@ -19,7 +20,7 @@ import Control.Lens
 
 armourChaseCrit :: Creature
 armourChaseCrit = defaultCreature
-    { _crUpdate =  stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ chainCreatureUpdates
+    { _crUpdate = defaultImpulsive
         [ watchUpdateStrat [] 
         , const doStrategyActions
         , performActions
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/AutoCrit.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/AutoCrit.hs
index 67cc94119..6c8912d47 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/AutoCrit.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/AutoCrit.hs
@@ -4,10 +4,11 @@ module Dodge.Creature.AutoCrit
 import Dodge.Data
 import Dodge.Default
 import Dodge.Creature.Picture
+import Dodge.Creature.Update
 import Dodge.Creature.SentinelAI
 --import Dodge.Creature.ChooseTarget
-import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
-import Dodge.Creature.State
+--import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
+--import Dodge.Creature.State
 --import Dodge.Creature.State.Data
 import Dodge.Item.Weapon.BulletGuns
 import Dodge.Item.Consumable
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ import qualified Data.IntMap.Strict as IM
 autoCrit :: Creature
 autoCrit = defaultCreature
     { _crPict = basicCrPict red
-    , _crUpdate =  stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI sentinelAI
+    , _crUpdate = defaultImpulsive [sentinelAI]
     , _crActionPlan = ActionPlan
         { _crImpulse    = []
         , _crAction     = []
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/ChaseCrit.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/ChaseCrit.hs
index eba240094..e4df369cf 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/ChaseCrit.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/ChaseCrit.hs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ smallChaseCrit = chaseCrit
     }
 chaseCrit :: Creature
 chaseCrit = defaultCreature
-    { _crUpdate =  stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ chainCreatureUpdates
+    { _crUpdate = stateUpdate' $ impulsiveAI' $ chainCreatureUpdates
         [ const doStrategyActions
         , performActions
         , const overrideMeleeCloseTarget
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/Damage.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/Damage.hs
index e5a28cf6a..6d5ccf8aa 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/Damage.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/Damage.hs
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ import Control.Monad.State
 --import System.Random
 import Data.List
 
+applyNoDamage :: [Damage] -> Creature -> World -> World
+applyNoDamage _ _ = id
+
 defaultApplyDamage :: [Damage] -> Creature -> World -> World
 defaultApplyDamage ds cr w = foldl' (applyIndividualDamage cr) w ds'
     & creatures . ix (_crID cr) %~ doPoisonDam
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/Impulse.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/Impulse.hs
index 4dc31f3c7..e958f7f9a 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/Impulse.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/Impulse.hs
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 {-# LANGUAGE TupleSections #-}
 module Dodge.Creature.Impulse
     ( impulsiveAI
+    , impulsiveAI'
     , followImpulses
     , followThenClearImpulses
+    , followThenClearImpulses'
     ) where
 import Dodge.Data
 import Dodge.Creature.Vocalization
@@ -17,6 +19,12 @@ import System.Random
 import Data.Bifunctor
 --import Data.Maybe
 
+impulsiveAI' :: (World -> Creature -> Creature)
+    -> Creature -> World -> World
+impulsiveAI' f cr w = g w & creatures . ix (_crID cr) .~ cr'
+  where
+    (g,cr') = impulsiveAI f cr w
+
 impulsiveAI 
     :: (World -> Creature -> Creature) -- | internal creature update
     -> Creature
@@ -24,6 +32,11 @@ impulsiveAI
     -> (World -> World , Creature)
 impulsiveAI f cr w = followImpulses w $ f w cr
 
+followThenClearImpulses' :: Creature -> World -> World
+followThenClearImpulses' cr w = f w & creatures . ix (_crID cr) .~ cr'
+  where
+    (f,cr') = followThenClearImpulses w cr
+
 followThenClearImpulses :: World -> Creature -> (World -> World, Creature)
 followThenClearImpulses w = second f . followImpulses w
   where
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/LauncherCrit.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/LauncherCrit.hs
index 36564fe40..3eb0538e8 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/LauncherCrit.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/LauncherCrit.hs
@@ -5,15 +5,16 @@ module Dodge.Creature.LauncherCrit
 import Dodge.Data
 import Dodge.Default
 import Dodge.Creature.Picture
-import Dodge.Creature.ChainUpdates
+--import Dodge.Creature.ChainUpdates
 import Dodge.Creature.Test
 import Dodge.Creature.Volition
 import Dodge.Creature.Strategy
 import Dodge.Creature.ReaderUpdate
 import Dodge.Creature.Perception
-import Dodge.Creature.State
+--import Dodge.Creature.State
+import Dodge.Creature.Update
 import Dodge.Item.Weapon.Launcher
-import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
+--import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
 import Dodge.Creature.Action
 import Geometry.Data
 import Picture
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ import Control.Lens
 launcherCrit :: Creature
 launcherCrit = defaultCreature
     { _crPict = basicCrPict red
-    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ chainCreatureUpdates
+    , _crUpdate = defaultImpulsive
         [ performActions
         , watchUpdateStrat
             [ (crHasTargetLOS, \_ _ -> StrategyActions (ShootAt 0) [retreatFire])
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/LtAutoCrit.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/LtAutoCrit.hs
index 819a0a6bc..4aa26d14f 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/LtAutoCrit.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/LtAutoCrit.hs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import Control.Lens
 ltAutoCrit :: Creature
 ltAutoCrit = defaultCreature
     { _crPict = basicCrPict red
-    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ chainCreatureUpdates
+    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate' $ impulsiveAI' $ chainCreatureUpdates
         [ performActions
         , watchUpdateStrat
             [ (crHasTargetLOS, \_ _ -> StrategyActions (ShootAt 0) 
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/PistolCrit.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/PistolCrit.hs
index 42c13e84e..b396d1756 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/PistolCrit.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/PistolCrit.hs
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import Control.Monad.State
 pistolCrit :: Creature
 pistolCrit = defaultCreature
     { _crPict = basicCrPict red
-    , _crUpdate =  stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ chainCreatureUpdates
+    , _crUpdate =  stateUpdate' $ impulsiveAI' $ chainCreatureUpdates
         [ performActions
         , watchUpdateStrat
               [ (crHasTargetLOS, \w cr -> StrategyActions (ShootAt 0) 
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/SpreadGunCrit.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/SpreadGunCrit.hs
index d7d9cb2f9..a66a26f17 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/SpreadGunCrit.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/SpreadGunCrit.hs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import Control.Lens
 spreadGunCrit :: Creature
 spreadGunCrit = defaultCreature
     { _crPict = basicCrPict red
-    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ chainCreatureUpdates
+    , _crUpdate = stateUpdate' $ impulsiveAI' $ chainCreatureUpdates
         [performActions
         ,watchUpdateStrat
           [ (crHasTargetLOS, \_ _ -> StrategyActions (ShootAt 0) 
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/State.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/State.hs
index 5511de848..d5a3c8e80 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/State.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/State.hs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Dodge.Creature.State 
-    ( stateUpdate
+    ( stateUpdate'
     , stateUpdateDamage
     , doDamage
     , clearDamage
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ module Dodge.Creature.State
 import Dodge.Data
 import Dodge.Hammer
 import Dodge.Reloading
+
 import Dodge.Base
 import Dodge.Creature.State.WalkCycle
 --import Dodge.Creature.Test
@@ -38,20 +39,47 @@ import System.Random
 --import qualified Data.Vector as V
 --import qualified Data.Vector.Mutable as MV
 
--- | The movement is updated before the ai in order to correctly set the oldpos.
+foldCr :: [Creature -> World -> World]
+    -> Creature -> World -> World
+foldCr xs cr w = foldr ($ cr) w xs
+
+-- | this seems to work, but I am not sure about the ordering:
+-- previously, the movement was updated before the ai in order to correctly set the oldpos.
 -- This should be made more sensible: should the movement side effects apply to
 -- the creature before or after it has moved?
--- currently invSideEffects are applied after the creature moves, to correctly
--- update shield positions
-stateUpdate :: (Creature -> World -> (World -> World, Creature)) 
-    -> Creature -> World -> World
-stateUpdate = stateUpdateDamage doDamage
+-- at what point invSideEffects is applied wrt to when the creature moves
+-- may effect whether the shield moves correctly
+stateUpdate' :: (Creature -> World -> World) -> Creature -> World -> World
+stateUpdate' f = foldCr
+    [ checkDeath
+    , doDamage
+    , invSideEff
+    , movementSideEff
+    , moveCrHammerUp
+    , stepReloading'
+    , updateMovement'
+    , f
+    ]
+
+checkDeath :: Creature -> World -> World
+checkDeath cr 
+    | _crHP cr < 1 = creatures . at (_crID cr) .~ Nothing -- TODO add corpse
+    | otherwise    = id
+moveCrHammerUp :: Creature -> World -> World
+moveCrHammerUp cr = creatures . ix (_crID cr) . crHammerPosition %~ moveHammerUp
+
+stepReloading' :: Creature -> World -> World
+stepReloading' cr = creatures . ix (_crID cr) %~ stepReloading
+
+updateMovement' :: Creature -> World -> World
+updateMovement' cr = creatures . ix (_crID cr) %~ updateMovement
 
 stateUpdateDamage :: (Creature -> World -> World)
     -> (Creature -> World -> (World -> World, Creature)) 
     -> Creature -> World -> World
-stateUpdateDamage damageupdate u cr w = damageupdate cr $
-    invSideEff upcr . movementSideEff cr . deathEff . f $ w
+stateUpdateDamage damageupdate u cr w = damageupdate cr 
+    $ invSideEff upcr . movementSideEff cr . deathEff . f 
+    $ w
         & creatures . at (_crID cr) .~ (mvcrhammerup . stepReloading <$> crOrCorpse upcr)
   where
     (f,upcr) = u (updateMovement cr) w
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/SwarmCrit.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/SwarmCrit.hs
index 1c8b6cdf6..4ffb5a356 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/SwarmCrit.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/SwarmCrit.hs
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 module Dodge.Creature.SwarmCrit
     ( swarmCrit
-    )
-    where
+    ) where
 import Dodge.Data
 import Dodge.Default
 import Dodge.Creature.Picture
-import Dodge.Creature.ChainUpdates
+import Dodge.Creature.Update
+--import Dodge.Creature.ChainUpdates
 import Dodge.Creature.Boid
 import Dodge.Creature.ReaderUpdate
 import Dodge.Creature.Perception
-import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
-import Dodge.Creature.State
+--import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
+--import Dodge.Creature.State
 import Dodge.Picture.Layer
 import Picture
 
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import Control.Lens
 
 swarmCrit :: Creature
 swarmCrit = defaultCreature
-    { _crUpdate =  stateUpdate $ impulsiveAI $ chainCreatureUpdates
+    { _crUpdate =  defaultImpulsive
         [ flockToPointUsing' (encircleDistP 100) (meleeHeadingMove 0.1 0.1 (pi/4) 3.9)
         , const (crMeleeCooldown %~ max 0 . subtract 1)
         , perceptionUpdate [0]
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Creature/YourControl.hs b/src/Dodge/Creature/YourControl.hs
index 224e76785..04ca7f498 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Creature/YourControl.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Creature/YourControl.hs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 module Dodge.Creature.YourControl
-    ( yourControl
+    (-- yourControl
+     yourControl'
     ) where
 import Dodge.Data
 import Dodge.Creature.Impulse.Movement
@@ -23,6 +24,12 @@ yourControl cr w =
     )
   where 
     speed = _mvSpeed $ _crMvType cr
+yourControl' :: Creature -> World -> World
+yourControl' cr w = w
+    & updateUsingInput 
+    & creatures . ix (_crID cr) %~ (mouseActionsCr (_mouseButtons w) . wasdWithAiming w speed 0)
+  where
+    speed = _mvSpeed $ _crMvType cr
 
 {- | Turn key presses into creature movement.  -}
 wasdWithAiming 
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Debug/Terminal.hs b/src/Dodge/Debug/Terminal.hs
index 3ad937300..4bf420640 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Debug/Terminal.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Debug/Terminal.hs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 module Dodge.Debug.Terminal
     where
 import Dodge.Creature
-import Dodge.Creature.State
-import Dodge.Creature.YourControl
+import Dodge.Creature.Damage
+--import Dodge.Creature.State
+--import Dodge.Creature.YourControl
 import Dodge.Data
 import Dodge.Menu.PushPop
 import Control.Monad
@@ -22,9 +23,8 @@ applyTerminalString "LOADME" = (uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crInv .~ stackedInv
     . (uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crInvCapacity .~ 50)
 applyTerminalString "LA" = (uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crInv .~ inventoryA)
     . (uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crInvCapacity .~ 50)
-applyTerminalString "GODON" =
-    uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crUpdate .~ stateUpdateDamage clearDamage yourControl
-applyTerminalString "GODOFF" = uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crUpdate .~ stateUpdate yourControl
+applyTerminalString "GODON"  = uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crApplyDamage .~ applyNoDamage
+applyTerminalString "GODOFF" = uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crApplyDamage .~ defaultApplyDamage
 applyTerminalString "LOADTEST" = (uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crInv .~ testInventory)
     . (uvWorld . creatures . ix 0 . crInvCapacity .~ 50)
 applyTerminalString "LM" = applyTerminalString "LOADME"
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Item/Weapon/BatteryGuns.hs b/src/Dodge/Item/Weapon/BatteryGuns.hs
index 2d2b31253..9e45cdafc 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Item/Weapon/BatteryGuns.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Item/Weapon/BatteryGuns.hs
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ shootTeslaArc' :: ItemParams -> Point2 -> Float -> World -> (World,ItemParams)
 shootTeslaArc' ip pos dir w = 
     (w & randGen .~ g
        & instantParticles .:~ aTeslaArcAt col newarc
-    , ip & currentArc .~ Just newarc
+    , ip & currentArc ?~ newarc
     )
   where
     (col,g) = takeOne [white,azure,blue,cyan] & runState $ _randGen w
@@ -487,6 +487,7 @@ shootLaser it cr = instantParticles .:~ lasRayAt (_lasColor $ _itParams it) dam
     phasev = _phaseV . _itParams $ _crInv cr IM.! _crInvSel cr
     dam = _lasDamage $ _itParams it
 
+
 shootDualLaser :: Item -> Creature -> World -> World
 shootDualLaser it cr w = w'
     & newBeams . positronBeams .:~ dualRayAt (_lasBeam $ _itParams it) itid w (_lasColor $ _itParams it) dam phasev posl dirl
diff --git a/src/Dodge/Placement/Instance/Turret.hs b/src/Dodge/Placement/Instance/Turret.hs
index cde0e8fe5..93a77f184 100644
--- a/src/Dodge/Placement/Instance/Turret.hs
+++ b/src/Dodge/Placement/Instance/Turret.hs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import Color
 import Dodge.Data
 --import Dodge.Reloading
 import Dodge.Creature.State
+import Dodge.Creature.Damage
 import Dodge.Creature.Impulse
 import Dodge.Creature.Picture
 import Dodge.LevelGen.Data
@@ -76,8 +77,9 @@ updateTurret rotSpeed mc w
                 & crRad    .~ 1
                 & crDir .~ mcdir
                 & crPict .~ (\cr _ _ -> drawCrEquipment cr)
-                & crUpdate .~ stateUpdateDamage clearDamage (flip followThenClearImpulses)
+                & crUpdate .~ stateUpdate' followThenClearImpulses'
                 & crStance . posture .~ Aiming
+                & crApplyDamage .~ applyNoDamage
         Just cid -> w'
             & creatures . ix cid . crPos .~ mcpos
             & creatures . ix cid . crDir .~ mcdir