guards need their position inside a pair of waypoint boxes (else the game removes them): placing a guard gives it a box and event bit 0, check and inspector state with box around it button; exit and object checks use the engine's cell rule (tiles listed in the cell, swap models), tile cell from the map loader formula

docs/manual/09-objects.md

@@ -304,18 +304,25 @@ The editor knows the parameters of these types (the rest show raw values):
 | **ForcePlayerMovement**, **WaterReboundPoints**, **ObjectDontDropInBox**, **FallOffNoHurt**, **RiverCurrentBox** | see [Force and water objects](11-cameras-triggers.md#force-and-water-objects) | points / box |
 | **RubyIdolDoor** | Idols needed, Offset (sign distance) | – |
 | **PressurePadDoor** | Pad flags (bit field), Door z, Camera, Camera hold | – |
-| **CityGuard** | View range, Chase range, Event bit, Wall collision | Patrol path (wraps to the first node) |
+| **CityGuard** (and CityGuardWithRubyIdol, CowGuard, GorillaGuard, LizardGuard, WarthogGuard) | View range, Chase range, Event bit (0 = active at once), Wall collision (CityGuard only) | Walking boxes: node pairs; the guard must **start inside one box** |
 | **JumpingBeetleBlue**, **JumpingBeetle** | Jump time, Wait, Jump height, Pause | Jump targets |
 | **Spider** | Range, Speed, Down time, Up time, Start down | Path |
 | **Bunny** | Flee range | – |
 
+> **Guards:** a guard walks around inside the boxes of its waypoint pairs and chases the llama
+> only inside them. If it does not start inside one of its boxes, or the node count is odd, the
+> game removes it when the level starts – it never appears. Placing a guard gives it one 4×4 box
+> around itself and Event bit 0; the Inspector shows a warning and a **Box around it** button
+> when the boxes are wrong. An **Event bit** above 0 keeps the guard hidden until another object
+> with that event number (a talking character, a smash statue, a door pad …) sets the bit.
+
 > **Tip:** For pickups, leave **Snap to floor** on: the game then drops the coin onto the floor
 > when the level starts, so a coin placed slightly too high still ends up in the right place.
 
 ## Duplicating, copying and pasting
 
 * **Edit → Duplicate** (**Ctrl+D**) copies the selection one cell east. Objects keep a copy of
-  their waypoint chain, so a duplicated guard gets its own patrol path.
+  their waypoint chain, so a duplicated guard gets its own walking boxes.
 * **Edit → Copy** / **Paste** (**Ctrl+C** / **Ctrl+V**) work inside the open level.
 * **Delete** removes objects; waypoint chains used only by the deleted objects are removed too.
 

docs/manual/10-waypoints.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Waypoints and paths
 
-Many objects need positions besides their own: a guard walks along a patrol path, a camera zone
+Many objects need positions besides their own: a guard walks inside its boxes, a beetle jumps along a patrol path, a camera zone
 covers a box, a checkpoint stores where the llama respawns, a cut scene flies its camera along a
 route. The game stores all of these as **waypoints** – points linked into **chains**. This
 chapter explains how chains work and how to edit them with the **Waypoint paths** tool.
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ What the nodes mean depends on the object type. The Inspector names the role in
 
 | Role | Used by | Meaning of the nodes |
 |---|---|---|
-| **patrol path** | CityGuard, JumpingBeetleBlue, Spider … | Points the character walks or jumps to; patrols wrap from the last node back to the first |
+| **patrol path** | JumpingBeetleBlue, Spider … | Points the character walks or jumps to; patrols wrap from the last node back to the first |
 | **camera positions** | Llama (first node), cut-scene cameras, CutSceneTrigger | Camera position; node yaw and pitch give the view direction |
 | **respawn point** | CheckPointPost | Where the llama reappears, and which way it faces |
-| **box area (two opposite corners)** | Secret, CameraSide, CameraLift, ObjectDontDropInBox, FallOffNoHurt … | Two nodes span a rectangle on the ground (x and z only); some types use several pairs |
+| **box area (two opposite corners)** | Secret, CameraSide, CameraLift, ObjectDontDropInBox, FallOffNoHurt, guards … | Two nodes span a rectangle on the ground (x and z only); some types use several pairs (guards walk inside their boxes and must start inside one) |
 | **point list** | ForcePlayerMovement, WaterReboundPoints | Target points |
 | **waypoint chain** | other types | Meaning unknown – keep the original layout |
 
@@ -162,5 +162,7 @@ The Problems panel reports:
 | … needs n waypoint(s) (…), has m | The type reads more nodes than the chain has |
 | … uses only n waypoint(s), the chain has m (info) | Extra nodes are ignored by the game |
 | … box nodes come in pairs | Box zones need an even number of nodes |
+| … never appears: the game removes it at level start (error) | A guard without boxes, with an odd node count or starting outside all of its boxes; use **Box around it** in the Inspector |
+| … stays hidden until event bit n is set (info) | A guard waiting for an event; set Event bit to 0 to have it active at once |
 | … has no waypoints; all original … objects have a chain | Most likely the type needs one |
 | Respawn node is n cells away (info) | A checkpoint's respawn point far from the post |

notes/editor-object-schemas.md

@@ -76,10 +76,31 @@ values only.
 | ObjectDontDropInBox, FallOffNoHurt | box mode (+ game state) | box |
 | WaterReboundPoints | active | rebound points |
 | RubyIdolDoor | p1 idols needed, p4 sign offset | – |
-| CityGuard | p0 view range², p1 chase range², p2 event bit, p3 wall collision | patrol (wraps) |
+| CityGuard family (high) | p0 view range², p1 chase range² (view capped to it), p2 event bit (0 = active at once), p3 wall collision (CityGuard only) | **boxes** (node pairs), must start inside one – see below |
 | JumpingBeetleBlue, Spider, Bunny | times in seconds (×30), ranges² | patrol path |
 
+### Guards (CityGuard, CityGuardWithRubyIdol, CowGuard(NoCoin), GorillaGuard, LizardGuard(NoCoin), WarthogGuard)
+
+One compiled template (same code in t1l1m002 unit 20 and the others). Start of the script:
+1. `if (p2 > 0) { hide; wait until g95 & (1 << (p2−1)); unhide } else wait until playerPtr ≠ 0` –
+   p2 is an **event bit**: bits of global 95 are set by talking characters (TipoVillage,
+   ChacaVillage), smash statues, LabBigCutscene, LabSlidingDoorPad … with the same number. All
+   village guards have p2 = 0; 4 lab guards wait for an event.
+2. Waypoint scan: `wpFirst`, then pairs (`wpNext` twice): odd count → debug "Uneven number of
+   WPs" + **remove**; the start box = first pair whose x/z box (`inWaypointBoxXZ`, op 0x178,
+   inclusive, fixed point) contains the guard and whose first node has field +0x28 (`wpParam`,
+   editor `unk2`) = 0; none → "Guard not in WP box" + **remove**. So the waypoints are **walking
+   areas**, not a patrol path: the guard wanders (random turns) inside the current box; when it
+   leaves it, `waypointStep(2)` looks for another box containing it (boxes with `wpParam ≠ 0` only
+   from another such box), else it turns back (`clampToWaypointBox`). Chasing stays clamped to
+   the boxes; it gives up beyond p1 or when the player leaves.
+All 41 original guards satisfy this (unit test `GuardsTest`). The editor: placing a guard gives
+it one 4×4 box and p2 = 0; `ObjectChecks` reports an error when the game would remove it and an
+info for p2 > 0; the Inspector shows the state plus a **Box around it** button (`Guards`,
+`Setups.guardBox`). Verified in game: CityGuard with its box on a new level (base village 2)
+appears and attacks the llama; a second one with a 4-node "square path" next to it never appears.
+
 The rest (~150 placed types) shows raw values with the original statistics. Next candidates:
-PressurePadDoor (bit field), TargetRopePlatform, CataSwingingBlade (speeds/angles), RiverLog.
+Alligator (also box pairs: "Forcing alligator inside first WP box"), PressurePadDoor (bit field), TargetRopePlatform, CataSwingingBlade (speeds/angles), RiverLog.
 Tooling used (not in the repo): Ghidra script decompiling the handler table, a Python sweep
 disassembler with an op-name table, "parameter use" context dumps per type.

notes/editor-tools-objects.md

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ screenshot tour `ObjectsTour` (test classes).
 |---|---|
 | **Objects panel** (left dock) | every placeable type of the base with rendered thumbnail, category filter, search (name + schema summary), favourites (right-click, ★ filter), "parameters decoded" marker; drag into the viewport or click → Place tool. Quick setups: Player start, Checkpoint, Exit, Secret, Coin line, Coin arc |
 | **Place tool** (P) | click = place on the collision floor under the cursor (snap to floor, grid snap), yaw = camera direction / facing the camera / 0° / type default; click + drag an object = move along the ground (its waypoints move along); drag the yellow knob = rotate (angle snap; a checkpoint's respawn node turns with it). Modes for the setups |
-| Setups | **Player start** moves the existing player (exactly one) or places a Llama with its chain (camera node 8 cells behind). **Checkpoint** = CheckPointPost + respawn node 0.4 ahead (floor height). **Exit** = LevelDoor in the cell centre + 1×1 FLOOR brush with collision material 16; target picked in the options bar (world/chapter names, "world finished 7,7,7"). **Secret** = Secret with a 3×3 box (2 nodes) |
+| Setups | **Player start** moves the existing player (exactly one) or places a Llama with its chain (camera node 8 cells behind). **Checkpoint** = CheckPointPost + respawn node 0.4 ahead (floor height). **Exit** = LevelDoor in the cell centre + 1×1 FLOOR brush with collision material 16; target picked in the options bar (world/chapter names, "world finished 7,7,7"). **Secret** = Secret with a 3×3 box (2 nodes). Guards (any placement) get one 4×4 box and event bit 0 |
 | **Coin tool** (O) | Line: two clicks, coins every *spacing*; Arc: centre + point on the circle, *count* coins over *arc°*; Coin/Coin5, height above floor, follow floor; live preview |
 | **Waypoint tool** (N) | select an object (or node): click = add node after the selected node / at the chain end (creates the chain if missing), Ctrl+click = insert before, drag = move (keeps height above floor), Backspace/Del = remove and relink; Reverse; orient new nodes along the path |
 | **Zones & triggers** (J) | handles: 4 corners of box zones (node pairs: Secret, CameraSide/Lift, ObjectDontDropInBox, FallOffNoHurt …), radius knob for RADIUS parameters (CutSceneTrigger, guards, CameraFocusPoint) |
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ screenshot tour `ObjectsTour` (test classes).
 | Inspector "Waypoint chain" | node i of n, owner and role, ◀ ▶, select object, delete node, look through |
 | Viewport layers | *Path directions* (arrows, dashed wrap segment for patrol paths, node yaw ticks), *Zone areas & trigger radii* (boxes for all zone objects, fills for the selection), *Camera frusta* (CameraSide/Lift: computed game camera from height/distance/node yaw; cut-scene cameras: a frustum per node from node yaw/pitch) |
 | Look through camera (Ctrl+Shift+L, View → Camera) | viewport takes the camera of the selected node / cut-scene camera / camera zone; while active, flying writes back node position + yaw/pitch, or for CameraSide the height/distance params and node yaw (one undo step per pilot session) |
-| Problems (Level → Check, Build) | chains not stored contiguously (error, Tools → Repair waypoint chains), param count, out-of-range values, missing required waypoints / odd box pairs, types whose originals always have a chain, LevelDoor without material-16 floor in its cell, impossible exit targets and (7,7,7) in TestLevel, far respawn nodes, several player starts |
+| Problems (Level → Check, Build) | guards the game would remove (no start box / odd node count) and guards waiting for an event bit, chains not stored contiguously (error, Tools → Repair waypoint chains), param count, out-of-range values, missing required waypoints / odd box pairs, types whose originals always have a chain, LevelDoor without material-16 floor in its cell, impossible exit targets and (7,7,7) in TestLevel, far respawn nodes, several player starts |
 | Copy / paste between levels | Edit → Copy objects (Ctrl+Shift+C) puts JSON (objects + chains + brushes, relative to their centre) on the system clipboard; Paste objects (Ctrl+Shift+V) at the view centre in any level – types are matched by name/variant in the target base (unknown types skipped with a message) |
 | Prefabs | Tools → Save selection as prefab… / asset browser tab "Prefabs": `<data>/editor/prefabs/<name>.json` + thumbnail; double-click = place at view centre, drag = place under the cursor |
 | Delete | `edit.delete` is re-registered: a selection of waypoints is removed with the chain relinked |
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ UI (Xvfb, `ObjectsTour`): `img/editor/obj_camera_zone.jpg`, `obj_cutscene_frusta
 
 In game (apptest, display :7, new level on base t1l1m002 as TestLevel chapter 2; island of brushes,
 coin line + coin arc, checkpoint, exit to Village chapter 2, CameraSide zone at the exit,
-JumpingBeetleBlue with a 4-node patrol path, CityGuard with a square path):
+JumpingBeetleBlue with a 4-node patrol path, CityGuard with two boxes):
 
 * level loads, coins of line and arc stand where placed (`obj_game_coins.jpg`);
 * walking through the checkpoint shows "KONTROLLPUNKT"; falling into the sea respawns the llama at
@@ -58,18 +58,27 @@ JumpingBeetleBlue with a 4-node patrol path, CityGuard with a square path):
 * entering the camera zone switches to the zone camera (high view, `obj_game_camera_zone.jpg`);
 * stepping on the exit floor shows the tally "TestLevel Kapitel 2"; Enter → "Dorf Kapitel 2"
   loads = the chosen chapter (`obj_game_exit.jpg`);
-* the beetle jumps back and forth along its path (`obj_game_patrol.jpg`).
+* the beetle jumps back and forth along its path (`obj_game_patrol.jpg`);
+* (2026-11-07, display :25) a CityGuard placed with the Place tool (one box) appears and attacks
+  the llama (`obj_game_guard.jpg`); one with a square path beside it never appears (editor:
+  `obj_guard_removed.jpg`). Village 1 with the door tile swapped open: start on the pad 42.5/3.5/49.37
+  → tally "Dorf Kapitel 1" at once (`obj_game_village_door.jpg`); at the door's own position
+  42.5/3.5/49.8 or in the original (door closed) → nothing.
 
 ## Known limits
 
 * Parameters are decoded for ~35 common types (confidence per type in the schema doc); the rest
   shows raw values with the statistics of the originals.
-* The CityGuard (village-2 base) placed in the open did not show up in game – it probably waits for
+* Solved 2026-11-07: the CityGuard "not showing up" was removed by its own script – guards need
-  a scene/event; the patrol test was done with JumpingBeetleBlue.
+  their start inside a waypoint box (node pairs), the tour had given it a 4-node square path
-* In 8 original levels the exit check reports "no material 16 in the door cell": the exit floor
+  (editor-object-schemas.md "Guards"). The exit check "no material 16 in the door cell" in
-  polygons decode one cell off the door (e.g. village door cell 42,49, floor polygon at 43,48) –
+  originals came from the door floor being in the tile's swap model (RubyIdolDoor & co.); the
-  original tile collision positions vs. strat positions are not fully understood yet; brush-built
+  pad at 43,48 next to the village door is a house entrance. Tile cells follow the engine's
-  exits are correct (verified in game). Snap-to-floor on original levels uses the same polygons.
+  loader exactly (`Tile.cellX/cellZ` = ftol(x − 0.5), −ftol(z + 0.5)); `ObjectChecks` tests the
+  door cell like the engine (tiles listed in the cell, any height, swap models), same as
+  `GeometryChecks`. Tests: `GuardsTest`, `OriginalExitsTest`, `OriginalStartsTest`.
+* Snap-to-floor (`Ground`) is geometric: it finds polygons that reach into a cell from a
+  neighbouring tile, which the engine ignores (`FloorFinder` follows the engine for the player).
 * Zone heights are estimated (+1.2 above the lower node); the engine tests x/z only.
 * Camera preview of CameraSide assumes the player in the box centre and default distance 2 /
   height 1 when the parameters are 0; the game's FOV is approximated by 60°.

notes/geometry.md

@@ -114,7 +114,9 @@ Order in the file:
 
 1. `u32 N (tiles), u32 W, u32 H` (grid)
 2. **A**: N × `{f32 x, f32 y, f32 z, u32 rot, u32 model, u32 animFlag}` (export space; x,z = cell centre .5).
-   Only used to sort into the cell lists: cell = floor(x) + floor(−z)·W.
+   Only used to sort into the cell lists: cell = ftol(x − 0.5) − ftol(z + 0.5)·W (ftol truncates; 0x42ad4a,
+   constant 0x56e158 = 0.5) = floor(x) + floor(−z)·W for cell-centred tiles (all originals). The player/strat
+   cell of the collision tests is x>>12, z>>12 (FUN_004036d0).
 3. u32 n + n×u32 (list, referenced by strats)
 4. u32 n + n×90 bytes (lights/cameras? – objects.md)
 5. u32 n + n×34 bytes (path nodes)

src/main/java/com/eliasmueller/llamamod/editor/tools/objects/Guards.java

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+package com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.tools.objects;
+
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.PathNode;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.Scene;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.Strat;
+import java.util.List;
+
+/**
+ * Guard family (CityGuard, CityGuardWithRubyIdol, CowGuard, GorillaGuard, …: one compiled template).
+ * Strat code at start: the waypoints are walked in pairs; an odd count ("Uneven number of WPs") or a
+ * start position outside every pair's x/z box whose first node has field unk2 = 0 ("Guard not in WP
+ * box") removes the guard before it is ever drawn. Parameter 2 > 0 keeps it hidden until progress
+ * bit p2 − 1 of global 95 is set; 0 = active as soon as the player exists.
+ */
+final class Guards {
+    static final List<String> TYPES = List.of(
+            "CityGuard",
+            "CityGuardWithRubyIdol",
+            "CowGuard",
+            "CowGuardNoCoin",
+            "GorillaGuard",
+            "LizardGuard",
+            "LizardGuardNoCoin",
+            "WarthogGuard");
+
+    static final int EVENT_PARAM = 2;
+
+    /** Half size of the box a newly placed guard gets (cells). */
+    static final double NEW_BOX_HALF = 2.0;
+
+    private Guards() {}
+
+    static boolean is(String type) {
+        return type != null && TYPES.contains(type.endsWith("(spawn)") ? type.substring(0, type.length() - 7) : type);
+    }
+
+    /** Index of the first node of the start box (pair), or −1 if the guard starts in none. */
+    static int startBox(List<PathNode> chain, Strat st) {
+        for (int k = 0; k + 1 < chain.size(); k += 2) {
+            PathNode a = chain.get(k), b = chain.get(k + 1);
+            if (a.unk2() == 0
+                    && st.x() >= Math.min(a.x(), b.x())
+                    && st.x() <= Math.max(a.x(), b.x())
+                    && st.z() >= Math.min(a.z(), b.z())
+                    && st.z() <= Math.max(a.z(), b.z())) {
+                return k;
+            }
+        }
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    /** Event bit (0 = none) of a guard. */
+    static int eventBit(Strat st) {
+        int[] p = st.params();
+        return p.length > EVENT_PARAM ? p[EVENT_PARAM] >> 12 : 0;
+    }
+
+    /** Why the game removes the guard at level start, or null if it stays. */
+    static String removedBecause(Scene s, Strat st) {
+        List<PathNode> chain = st.waypoint() != null && s.contains(st.waypoint()) ? s.chain(st.waypoint()) : List.of();
+        if (chain.isEmpty()) {
+            return "it has no waypoint boxes";
+        }
+        if (chain.size() % 2 == 1) {
+            return "its waypoint count is odd (" + chain.size() + "; boxes are node pairs)";
+        }
+        if (startBox(chain, st) < 0) {
+            return "it does not start inside one of its waypoint boxes";
+        }
+        return null;
+    }
+}

src/main/java/com/eliasmueller/llamamod/editor/tools/objects/ObjectChecks.java

@@ -5,11 +5,13 @@ import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.PathNode;
 import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.Scene;
 import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.Strat;
 import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.StratCatalog;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.Tile;
 import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.tools.objects.ParamSchema.ParamDef;
 import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.tools.objects.ParamSchema.TypeSchema;
 import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.ui.LevelCheck;
 import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.ui.Problem;
 import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.save.Worlds;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 
@@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ final class ObjectChecks implements LevelCheck {
                             + " i+1): run Tools → Repair waypoint chains",
                     broken));
         }
-        Ground g = null;
+        List<Tile> doorTiles = null;
         int players = 0;
         for (Strat st : s.strats()) {
             String type = st.type();
@@ -55,7 +57,21 @@ final class ObjectChecks implements LevelCheck {
                         }
                     }
                 }
-                if (sc.waypoints().required() && chain.size() < sc.waypoints().min()) {
+                String gone = Guards.is(type) ? Guards.removedBecause(s, st) : null;
+                if (gone != null) {
+                    out.add(Problem.error(
+                            label(st) + " never appears: the game removes it at level start because " + gone
+                                    + " (Waypoint tool: give it a box of 2 nodes around its position)",
+                            st));
+                } else if (Guards.is(type) && Guards.eventBit(st) > 0) {
+                    out.add(Problem.info(
+                            label(st) + " stays hidden until event bit " + Guards.eventBit(st)
+                                    + " is set by another object; set Event bit to 0 to have it active from the start",
+                            st));
+                }
+                if (!Guards.is(type)
+                        && sc.waypoints().required()
+                        && chain.size() < sc.waypoints().min()) {
                     out.add(Problem.warning(
                             label(st) + " needs " + sc.waypoints().min() + " waypoint(s) ("
                                     + sc.waypoints().role().label + "), has " + chain.size(),
@@ -67,7 +83,7 @@ final class ObjectChecks implements LevelCheck {
                                     + chain.size(),
                             st));
                 }
-                if (sc.waypoints().pairs() && chain.size() % 2 == 1) {
+                if (sc.waypoints().pairs() && chain.size() % 2 == 1 && !Guards.is(type)) {
                     out.add(Problem.warning(
                             label(st) + ": box nodes come in pairs, the chain has " + chain.size(), st));
                 }
@@ -84,14 +100,15 @@ final class ObjectChecks implements LevelCheck {
                 }
             }
             if (type.equals("LevelDoor")) {
-                if (g == null) {
+                if (doorTiles == null) {
-                    g = Ground.build(
+                    doorTiles = new ArrayList<>(s.tiles());
-                            s, s.brushes().isEmpty() ? null : BrushCompiler.compile(s, new java.util.ArrayList<>()));
+                    if (!s.brushes().isEmpty()) {
+                        doorTiles.addAll(
+                                BrushCompiler.compile(s, new ArrayList<>()).tiles());
+                    }
                 }
                 int cx = (int) Math.floor(st.gx()), cz = (int) Math.floor(st.gz());
-                if (!g.hasMaterial(cx, cz, 16)
+                if (!cellHasMaterial(doorTiles, cx, cz, 16)) {
-                        && s.tiles().stream()
-                                .noneMatch(t -> t.cellX() == cx && t.cellZ() == cz && t.swapHasMaterial(16))) {
                     out.add(Problem.warning(
                             label(st) + " stands in cell " + cx + ", " + cz + " without exit floor (collision material"
                                     + " 16): the door never fires",
@@ -126,6 +143,22 @@ final class ObjectChecks implements LevelCheck {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * The engine's floor test walks only the tiles listed in the player's grid cell (MAP cell lists,
+     * cell = floor of the tile origin), at any height; a door's exit floor may also be in the swap
+     * model a door object switches the tile to (village 1: RubyIdolDoor).
+     */
+    static boolean cellHasMaterial(List<Tile> tiles, int cx, int cz, int material) {
+        for (Tile t : tiles) {
+            if (t.cellX() == cx
+                    && t.cellZ() == cz
+                    && (t.model() != null && t.model().hasCollisionMaterial(material) || t.swapHasMaterial(material))) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+
     static String label(Strat s) {
         return s.type() + " (" + s.id() + ")";
     }

src/main/java/com/eliasmueller/llamamod/editor/tools/objects/PlaceTool.java

@@ -238,9 +238,7 @@ public final class PlaceTool implements Tool {
                                 yield null;
                             }
                             Double yaw = yawMode() == 3 ? null : yaw();
-                            Command c = Edits.placeStrat(s, ses.type(), ses.variant(), x, y, z, yaw);
+                            yield Setups.object(s, ses.type(), ses.variant(), x, y, z, yaw);
-                            Strat st = Setups.lastStrat(c);
-                            yield new Setups.Made(c, st);
                         }
                     };
             if (m == null) {

src/main/java/com/eliasmueller/llamamod/editor/tools/objects/Schemas.java

@@ -336,13 +336,33 @@ public final class Schemas {
                 .add();
 
         // ---------------------------------------------------------- characters & enemies
-        t("CityGuard", "Guard patrolling its waypoints; chases the player when seen.")
+        String guardEvent = "0 = active from the start (all village guards). n > 0: hidden and inactive until"
-                .p("View range", Kind.RADIUS, 0, 50, "distance at which it sees the player")
+                + " progress bit n (global 95) is set by another object with that event number (a talking"
-                .p("Chase range", Kind.RADIUS, 0, 50, "distance it chases the player (≥ view range)")
+                + " character, smash statue, lab door pad …)";
-                .p("Event bit", Kind.EVENT_BIT, 0, 32, "")
+        String guardBoxes = "walking areas: boxes of node pairs (x/z). The guard must start inside a box,"
+                + " otherwise the game removes it at level start; overlapping boxes let it walk on";
+        t(
+                        "CityGuard",
+                        "Guard walking around inside its waypoint boxes; chases the player within the boxes when"
+                                + " it sees it.")
+                .p("View range", Kind.RADIUS, 0, 50, "distance at which it sees the player (in front of it)")
+                .p("Chase range", Kind.RADIUS, 0, 50, "distance at which it gives up (view range is capped to it)")
+                .p("Event bit", Kind.EVENT_BIT, 0, 32, guardEvent)
                 .p("Wall collision", Kind.BOOL, "strat flag 0x40000")
-                .wp(Role.PATROL, 1, 0, "patrol path (wraps to the first node)")
+                .wpPairs(Role.BOX, 2, guardBoxes)
+                .conf("high")
                 .add();
+        for (String g : Guards.TYPES) {
+            if (!g.equals("CityGuard")) {
+                t(g, "Guard of the CityGuard family: walks inside its waypoint boxes, chases the player.")
+                        .p("View range", Kind.RADIUS, 0, 50, "distance at which it sees the player")
+                        .p("Chase range", Kind.RADIUS, 0, 50, "distance at which it gives up")
+                        .p("Event bit", Kind.EVENT_BIT, 0, 32, guardEvent)
+                        .wpPairs(Role.BOX, 2, guardBoxes)
+                        .conf(g.equals("CityGuardWithRubyIdol") ? "high" : "medium")
+                        .add();
+            }
+        }
         t("JumpingBeetleBlue", "Jumping beetle following its path.")
                 .p("Jump time", Kind.FIXED, "")
                 .p("p1", Kind.RAW, "unused")

src/main/java/com/eliasmueller/llamamod/editor/tools/objects/Setups.java

@@ -61,13 +61,74 @@ public final class Setups {
         p.setRaw("z", Edits.fixed(z));
     }
 
-    /** Places an object; params with schema kind BOOL named "Snap to floor" are switched on. */
+    /**
+     * Places an object (yaw in degrees). Guards ({@link Guards}) get one box around them instead of the prototype's
+     * boxes and event bit 0, so they are active from the start.
+     */
     public static Made object(Scene s, String type, int variant, double x, double y, double z, double yaw) {
+        return object(s, type, variant, x, y, z, Double.valueOf(yaw));
+    }
+
+    /** As above; yaw null = the prototype's yaw. */
+    public static Made object(Scene s, String type, int variant, double x, double y, double z, Double yaw) {
         Command c = Edits.placeStrat(s, type, variant, x, y, z, yaw);
         Strat st = lastStrat(c);
+        if (Guards.is(type)) {
+            c = guardSetup(s, (Batch) c, st, x, y, z);
+        }
         return new Made(c, st);
     }
 
+    private static Command guardSetup(Scene s, Batch placed, Strat st, double x, double y, double z) {
+        double h = Guards.NEW_BOX_HALF;
+        List<PathNode> nodes = addedNodes(placed);
+        List<Command> cmds = new ArrayList<>();
+        if (nodes.size() >= 2) {
+            for (Command k : placed.commands()) {
+                if (!(k instanceof AddNode a && a.node() instanceof PathNode p && nodes.indexOf(p) >= 2)) {
+                    cmds.add(k);
+                }
+            }
+            pos(nodes.get(0), x - h, y, z - h);
+            pos(nodes.get(1), x + h, y, z + h);
+            nodes.get(0).setRaw("unk2", 0);
+            nodes.get(1).setRaw("unk2", 0);
+            nodes.get(1).setRaw("next", null);
+        } else {
+            cmds.addAll(placed.commands());
+            cmds.addAll(ChainOps.newChain(
+                    s,
+                    st,
+                    List.of(
+                            ChainOps.newNode(s, x - h, y, z - h, 0, null),
+                            ChainOps.newNode(s, x + h, y, z + h, 0, null))));
+        }
+        int[] p = st.params().clone();
+        if (p.length > Guards.EVENT_PARAM) {
+            p[Guards.EVENT_PARAM] = 0;
+            st.setRaw("params", p);
+        }
+        return new Batch(placed.label(), cmds);
+    }
+
+    /** Replaces a guard's waypoints with one box of 2 nodes around it (it then starts inside). */
+    public static Command guardBox(Scene s, Strat st) {
+        double h = Guards.NEW_BOX_HALF;
+        List<Command> cmds = new ArrayList<>();
+        if (st.waypoint() != null
+                && s.contains(st.waypoint())
+                && ChainOps.owners(s, st.waypoint()).size() == 1) {
+            cmds.addAll(ChainOps.removeChain(s, st));
+        }
+        cmds.addAll(ChainOps.newChain(
+                s,
+                st,
+                List.of(
+                        ChainOps.newNode(s, st.gx() - h, st.gy(), st.gz() - h, 0, null),
+                        ChainOps.newNode(s, st.gx() + h, st.gy(), st.gz() + h, 0, null))));
+        return new Batch("Guard box", cmds);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Player start: moves the existing player object if there is one (a level has exactly one),
      * else places a Llama with its chain (first node = camera 8 cells behind, rest on the llama).

src/test/java/com/eliasmueller/llamamod/editor/tools/objects/GuardsTest.java

@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+package com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.tools.objects;
+
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertNotNull;
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertNull;
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertTrue;
+
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.io.Bases;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.io.Project;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.PathNode;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.Scene;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.Strat;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.cmd.Batch;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.model.cmd.History;
+import com.eliasmueller.llamamod.editor.ui.Problem;
+import java.nio.file.Files;
+import java.nio.file.Path;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.TreeMap;
+import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
+
+/**
+ * Guards are removed by their own code unless they start inside a box of a waypoint pair; LevelDoors
+ * need material 16 in their cell. All originals satisfy the object checks (needs -Dllamamod.cd).
+ */
+class GuardsTest {
+    @Test
+    void originalGuardsAndDoorsPassTheChecks() throws Exception {
+        int guards = 0, withEvent = 0;
+        Map<String, Integer> doorWarnings = new TreeMap<>();
+        try (var files = Files.list(ObjectToolsTest.cd().resolve("wads"))) {
+            for (Path p : files.filter(f -> f.getFileName().toString().matches("t1l\\dm00\\d\\.wad"))
+                    .sorted()
+                    .toList()) {
+                String base = p.getFileName().toString().replace(".wad", "");
+                Scene s = ObjectToolsTest.load(base);
+                for (Strat st : s.strats()) {
+                    if (Guards.is(st.type())) {
+                        guards++;
+                        assertNull(Guards.removedBecause(s, st), base + " " + st.id());
+                        withEvent += Guards.eventBit(st) > 0 ? 1 : 0;
+                    }
+                }
+                List<Problem> out = new ArrayList<>();
+                new ObjectChecks(() -> null).check(s, out);
+                for (Problem pr : out) {
+                    assertTrue(!pr.message().contains("never appears"), base + ": " + pr.message());
+                    if (pr.message().contains("without exit floor")) {
+                        doorWarnings.merge(base, 1, Integer::sum);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        assertEquals(41, guards);
+        assertEquals(4, withEvent); // lab: cow, gorilla and lizard guards wait for scenes
+        // the two spare doors of t1l3m003 have no exit floor (their partners next to them do)
+        assertEquals(Map.of("t1l3m003", 2), doorWarnings);
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void placedGuardStartsInItsBoxAndIsActive() throws Exception {
+        Scene s = Project.create(Bases.fromCd(ObjectToolsTest.cd()), "new", "t1l1m002")
+                .scene();
+        History h = new History(s);
+        Setups.Made g = Setups.object(s, "CityGuard", 0, 22, 0, 18, 0);
+        h.execute(g.command());
+        Strat guard = (Strat) g.main();
+        List<PathNode> chain = s.chain(guard.waypoint());
+        assertEquals(2, chain.size());
+        assertNull(Guards.removedBecause(s, guard));
+        assertEquals(0, Guards.eventBit(guard));
+        assertEquals(0, Guards.startBox(chain, guard));
+        assertTrue(ChainOps.contiguous(s));
+        assertTrue(problems(s).isEmpty(), problems(s).toString());
+
+        // a square "patrol path" around it: pairs (0,1) and (2,3) are flat strips, the guard is in neither
+        h.execute(new Batch("clear", ChainOps.removeChain(s, guard)));
+        List<PathNode> sq = new ArrayList<>();
+        for (double[] q : new double[][] {{20, 15}, {26, 15}, {26, 22}, {20, 22}}) {
+            sq.add(ChainOps.newNode(s, q[0], 0, q[1], 0, null));
+        }
+        h.execute(new Batch("square", ChainOps.newChain(s, guard, sq)));
+        assertNotNull(Guards.removedBecause(s, guard));
+        assertTrue(problems(s).stream()
+                .anyMatch(p ->
+                        p.severity() == Problem.Severity.ERROR && p.message().contains("never appears")));
+
+        // the inspector's fix
+        h.execute(Setups.guardBox(s, guard));
+        assertNull(Guards.removedBecause(s, guard));
+        assertEquals(2, s.chain(guard.waypoint()).size());
+        assertTrue(ChainOps.contiguous(s));
+
+        // event bit set: still placed, but hidden (info)
+        int[] p = guard.params().clone();
+        p[Guards.EVENT_PARAM] = 3 << 12;
+        guard.setRaw("params", p);
+        assertTrue(problems(s).stream()
+                .anyMatch(q ->
+                        q.severity() == Problem.Severity.INFO && q.message().contains("event bit 3")));
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void brushExitPassesTheDoorCheck() throws Exception {
+        Scene s = Project.create(Bases.fromCd(ObjectToolsTest.cd()), "new", "t1l1m002")
+                .scene();
+        Setups.exit(s, 12.2, 0, 26.2, 1, 1, 2).command().apply(s);
+        List<Problem> out = new ArrayList<>();
+        new ObjectChecks(() -> null).check(s, out);
+        assertTrue(out.stream().noneMatch(p -> p.message().contains("exit floor")), out.toString());
+        // moved one cell off its floor: the door never fires
+        Strat door = s.strats().stream()
+                .filter(st -> st.type().equals("LevelDoor"))
+                .findFirst()
+                .orElseThrow();
+        door.setRaw("x", door.x() + 4096);
+        out.clear();
+        new ObjectChecks(() -> null).check(s, out);
+        assertTrue(out.stream().anyMatch(p -> p.message().contains("without exit floor")), out.toString());
+    }
+
+    private static List<Problem> problems(Scene s) {
+        List<Problem> out = new ArrayList<>();
+        new ObjectChecks(() -> null).check(s, out);
+        out.removeIf(p -> !(p.node() instanceof Strat st) || !Guards.is(st.type()));
+        return out;
+    }
+}

src/test/java/com/eliasmueller/llamamod/editor/tools/objects/ObjectsTour.java

@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ public final class ObjectsTour {
         sleep(6000);
         if (mode.startsWith("beetle:")) {
             beetle();
+        } else if (mode.startsWith("guard:")) {
+            guards();
         } else if (mode.equals("village")) {
             village();
         } else {
@@ -140,7 +142,7 @@ public final class ObjectsTour {
         shot("obj_problems");
     }
 
-    /** New level on the village-2 base: island, coins, checkpoint, exit, guard with patrol path, camera zone. */
+    /** New level on the village-2 base: island, coins, checkpoint, exit, guard with two boxes, camera zone. */
     static void build() throws Exception {
         edt(() -> {
             Scene s = w.scene();
@@ -171,7 +173,7 @@ public final class ObjectsTour {
             p[2] = 1 << 12;
             v.put(c, Map.of("params", p));
             w.execute(Edits.set("Camera zone", v, null));
-            // guard with a square patrol path
+            // guard with two overlapping walking boxes (node pairs); it must start inside one
             Setups.Made g = Setups.object(s, "CityGuard", 0, 22, 0, 18, 0);
             w.execute(g.command());
             Strat guard = (Strat) g.main();
@@ -179,11 +181,11 @@ public final class ObjectsTour {
                     new ArrayList<>(ChainOps.removeChain(s, guard));
             w.execute(new Batch("clear", cmds));
             List<PathNode> path = new ArrayList<>();
-            double[][] pts = {{20, 15}, {26, 15}, {26, 22}, {20, 22}};
+            double[][] pts = {{20, 15}, {25, 20}, {23, 19}, {28, 23}};
             for (double[] q : pts) {
                 path.add(ChainOps.newNode(s, q[0], 0, q[1], 0, null));
             }
-            w.execute(new Batch("Patrol path", ChainOps.newChain(s, guard, path)));
+            w.execute(new Batch("Guard boxes", ChainOps.newChain(s, guard, path)));
             w.selection().set(guard, null);
             w.setTool(PathTool.ID);
             return null;
@@ -243,6 +245,33 @@ public final class ObjectsTour {
         shot("obj_newlevel_saved");
     }
 
+    /** Level with a correct guard (own box) and one outside its boxes: Inspector + Problems. */
+    static void guards() throws Exception {
+        edt(() -> {
+            Camera c = w.viewport().camera();
+            w.viewport().stopAnimation();
+            c.position.set(ToolEvent.toExport(19, 10, 8));
+            c.yaw = 0;
+            c.pitch = (float) Math.toRadians(-50);
+            w.viewport().requestRender();
+            List<Strat> g = w.scene().strats().stream()
+                    .filter(st -> Guards.is(st.type()))
+                    .toList();
+            w.selection().set(g.getLast(), null);
+            w.setTool("select");
+            w.run("level.check");
+            return null;
+        });
+        sleep(2500);
+        shot("obj_guard_removed");
+        edt(() -> {
+            w.selection().set(first("CityGuard"), null);
+            return null;
+        });
+        sleep(1500);
+        shot("obj_guard_box");
+    }
+
     static void beetle() throws Exception {
         edt(() -> {
             Scene s = w.scene();