Animated particlespawners and more (#11545)

Co-authored-by: Lars Mueller <appgurulars@gmx.de>
Co-authored-by: sfan5 <sfan5@live.de>
Co-authored-by: Dmitry Kostenko <codeforsmile@gmail.com>

17 files changed, 1992 insertions, 285 deletions

diff --git a/builtin/game/features.lua b/builtin/game/features.lua
index 0d55bb01f..73b16361e 100644
--- a/builtin/game/features.lua
+++ b/builtin/game/features.lua
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ core.features = {
 	use_texture_alpha_string_modes = true,
 	degrotate_240_steps = true,
 	abm_min_max_y = true,
+	particlespawner_tweenable = true,
 	dynamic_add_media_table = true,
 	get_sky_as_table = true,
 }
diff --git a/doc/lua_api.txt b/doc/lua_api.txt
index 2bf1e2171..f7fdad56e 100644
--- a/doc/lua_api.txt
+++ b/doc/lua_api.txt
@@ -4856,6 +4856,11 @@ Utilities
           abm_min_max_y = true,
           -- dynamic_add_media supports passing a table with options (5.5.0)
           dynamic_add_media_table = true,
+          -- particlespawners support texpools and animation of properties,
+          -- particle textures support smooth fade and scale animations, and
+          -- sprite-sheet particle animations can by synced to the lifetime
+          -- of individual particles (5.6.0)
+          particlespawner_tweenable = true,
           -- allows get_sky to return a table instead of separate values (5.6.0)
           get_sky_as_table = true,
       }
@@ -8984,6 +8989,8 @@ Used by `minetest.add_particle`.
 
         texture = "image.png",
         -- The texture of the particle
+        -- v5.6.0 and later: also supports the table format described in the
+        -- following section
 
         playername = "singleplayer",
         -- Optional, if specified spawns particle only on the player's client
@@ -9005,6 +9012,12 @@ Used by `minetest.add_particle`.
         -- If set to a valid number 1-6, specifies the tile from which the
         -- particle texture is picked.
         -- Otherwise, the default behavior is used. (currently: any random tile)
+
+        drag = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
+        -- v5.6.0 and later: Optional drag value, consult the following section
+
+        bounce = {min = ..., max = ..., bias = 0},
+        -- v5.6.0 and later: Optional bounce range, consult the following section
     }
 
 
@@ -9013,7 +9026,20 @@ Used by `minetest.add_particle`.
 
 Used by `minetest.add_particlespawner`.
 
+Before v5.6.0, particlespawners used a different syntax and had a more limited set
+of features. Definition fields that are the same in both legacy and modern versions
+are shown in the next listing, and the fields that are used by legacy versions are
+shown separated by a comment; the modern fields are too complex to compactly
+describe in this manner and are documented after the listing.
+
+The older syntax can be used in combination with the newer syntax (e.g. having
+`minpos`, `maxpos`, and `pos` all set) to support older servers. On newer servers,
+the new syntax will override the older syntax; on older servers, the newer syntax
+will be ignored.
+
     {
+        -- Common fields (same name and meaning in both new and legacy syntax)
+
         amount = 1,
         -- Number of particles spawned over the time period `time`.
 
@@ -9022,22 +9048,6 @@ Used by `minetest.add_particlespawner`.
         -- If time is 0 spawner has infinite lifespan and spawns the `amount` on
         -- a per-second basis.
 
-        minpos = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
-        maxpos = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
-        minvel = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
-        maxvel = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
-        minacc = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
-        maxacc = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
-        minexptime = 1,
-        maxexptime = 1,
-        minsize = 1,
-        maxsize = 1,
-        -- The particles' properties are random values between the min and max
-        -- values.
-        -- applies to: pos, velocity, acceleration, expirationtime, size
-        -- If `node` is set, min and maxsize can be set to 0 to spawn
-        -- randomly-sized particles (just like actual node dig particles).
-
         collisiondetection = false,
         -- If true collide with `walkable` nodes and, depending on the
         -- `object_collision` field, objects too.
@@ -9066,8 +9076,11 @@ Used by `minetest.add_particlespawner`.
 
         animation = {Tile Animation definition},
         -- Optional, specifies how to animate the particles' texture
+        -- v5.6.0 and later: set length to -1 to sychronize the length
+        -- of the animation with the expiration time of individual particles.
+        -- (-2 causes the animation to be played twice, and so on)
 
-        glow = 0
+        glow = 0,
         -- Optional, specify particle self-luminescence in darkness.
         -- Values 0-14.
 
@@ -9081,8 +9094,307 @@ Used by `minetest.add_particlespawner`.
         -- If set to a valid number 1-6, specifies the tile from which the
         -- particle texture is picked.
         -- Otherwise, the default behavior is used. (currently: any random tile)
+
+        -- Legacy definition fields
+
+        minpos = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
+        maxpos = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
+        minvel = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
+        maxvel = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
+        minacc = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
+        maxacc = {x=0, y=0, z=0},
+        minexptime = 1,
+        maxexptime = 1,
+        minsize = 1,
+        maxsize = 1,
+        -- The particles' properties are random values between the min and max
+        -- values.
+        -- applies to: pos, velocity, acceleration, expirationtime, size
+        -- If `node` is set, min and maxsize can be set to 0 to spawn
+        -- randomly-sized particles (just like actual node dig particles).
+    }
+
+### Modern definition fields
+
+After v5.6.0, spawner properties can be defined in several different ways depending
+on the level of control you need. `pos` for instance can be set as a single vector,
+in which case all particles will appear at that exact point throughout the lifetime
+of the spawner. Alternately, it can be specified as a min-max pair, specifying a
+cubic range the particles can appear randomly within. Finally, some properties can
+be animated by suffixing their key with `_tween` (e.g. `pos_tween`) and supplying
+a tween table.
+
+The following definitions are all equivalent, listed in order of precedence from
+lowest (the legacy syntax) to highest (tween tables). If multiple forms of a
+property definition are present, the highest-precidence form will be selected
+and all lower-precedence fields will be ignored, allowing for graceful
+degradation in older clients).
+
+    {
+      -- old syntax
+      maxpos = {x = 0, y = 0, z = 0},
+      minpos = {x = 0, y = 0, z = 0},
+
+      -- absolute value
+      pos = 0,
+      -- all components of every particle's position vector will be set to this
+      -- value
+
+      -- vec3
+      pos = vector.new(0,0,0),
+      -- all particles will appear at this exact position throughout the lifetime
+      -- of the particlespawner
+
+      -- vec3 range
+      pos = {
+            -- the particle will appear at a position that is picked at random from
+            -- within a cubic range
+
+            min = vector.new(0,0,0),
+            -- `min` is the minimum value this property will be set to in particles
+            -- spawned by the generator
+
+            max = vector.new(0,0,0),
+            -- `max` is the minimum value this property will be set to in particles
+            -- spawned by the generator
+
+            bias = 0,
+            -- when `bias` is 0, all random values are exactly as likely as any
+            -- other. when it is positive, the higher it is, the more likely values
+            -- will appear towards the minimum end of the allowed spectrum. when
+            -- it is negative, the lower it is, the more likely values will appear
+            -- towards the maximum end of the allowed spectrum. the curve is
+            -- exponential and there is no particular maximum or minimum value
+        },
+
+        -- tween table
+        pos_tween = {...},
+        -- a tween table should consist of a list of frames in the same form as the
+        -- untweened pos property above, which the engine will interpolate between,
+        -- and optionally a number of properties that control how the interpolation
+        -- takes place. currently **only two frames**, the first and the last, are
+        -- used, but extra frames are accepted for the sake of forward compatibility.
+        -- any of the above definition styles can be used here as well in any combination
+        -- supported by the property type
+
+        pos_tween = {
+            style = "fwd",
+            -- linear animation from first to last frame (default)
+            style = "rev",
+            -- linear animation from last to first frame
+            style = "pulse",
+            -- linear animation from first to last then back to first again
+            style = "flicker",
+            -- like "pulse", but slightly randomized to add a bit of stutter
+
+            reps = 1,
+            -- number of times the animation is played over the particle's lifespan
+
+            start = 0.0,
+            -- point in the spawner's lifespan at which the animation begins. 0 is
+            -- the very beginning, 1 is the very end
+
+            -- frames can be defined in a number of different ways, depending on the
+            -- underlying type of the property. for now, all but the first and last
+            -- frame are ignored
+
+            -- frames
+
+                -- floats
+                0, 0,
+
+                -- vec3s
+                vector.new(0,0,0),
+                vector.new(0,0,0),
+
+                -- vec3 ranges
+                { min = vector.new(0,0,0), max = vector.new(0,0,0), bias = 0 },
+                { min = vector.new(0,0,0), max = vector.new(0,0,0), bias = 0 },
+
+                -- mixed
+                0, { min = vector.new(0,0,0), max = vector.new(0,0,0), bias = 0 },
+        },
     }
 
+All of the properties that can be defined in this way are listed in the next
+section, along with the datatypes they accept.
+
+#### List of particlespawner properties
+All of the properties in this list can be animated with `*_tween` tables
+unless otherwise specified. For example, `jitter` can be tweened by setting
+a `jitter_tween` table instead of (or in addition to) a `jitter` table/value.
+Types used are defined in the previous section.
+
+* vec3 range `pos`: the position at which particles can appear
+* vec3 range `vel`: the initial velocity of the particle
+* vec3 range `acc`: the direction and speed with which the particle
+  accelerates
+* vec3 range `jitter`: offsets the velocity of each particle by a random
+  amount within the specified range each frame. used to create Brownian motion.
+* vec3 range `drag`: the amount by which absolute particle velocity along
+  each axis is decreased per second.  a value of 1.0 means that the particle
+  will be slowed to a stop over the space of a second; a value of -1.0 means
+  that the particle speed will be doubled every second. to avoid interfering
+  with gravity provided by `acc`, a drag vector like `vector.new(1,0,1)` can
+  be used instead of a uniform value.
+* float range `bounce`: how bouncy the particles are when `collisiondetection`
+  is turned on. values less than or equal to `0` turn off particle bounce;
+  `1` makes the particles bounce without losing any velocity, and `2` makes
+  them double their velocity with every bounce.  `bounce` is not bounded but
+  values much larger than `1.0` probably aren't very useful.
+* float range `exptime`: the number of seconds after which the particle
+  disappears.
+* table `attract`: sets the birth orientation of particles relative to various
+  shapes defined in world coordinate space. this is an alternative means of
+  setting the velocity which allows particles to emerge from or enter into
+  some entity or node on the map, rather than simply being assigned random
+  velocity values within a range. the velocity calculated by this method will
+  be **added** to that specified by `vel` if `vel` is also set, so in most
+  cases **`vel` should be set to 0**. `attract` has the fields:
+  * string `kind`: selects the kind of shape towards which the particles will
+    be oriented. it must have one of the following values:
+    * `"none"`: no attractor is set and the `attractor` table is ignored
+    * `"point"`: the particles are attracted to a specific point in space.
+      use this also if you want a sphere-like effect, in combination with
+      the `radius` property.
+    * `"line"`: the particles are attracted to an (infinite) line passing
+      through the points `origin` and `angle`. use this for e.g. beacon
+      effects, energy beam effects, etc.
+    * `"plane"`: the particles are attracted to an (infinite) plane on whose
+      surface `origin` designates a point in world coordinate space. use this
+      for e.g. particles entering or emerging from a portal.
+  * float range `strength`: the speed with which particles will move towards
+    `attractor`. If negative, the particles will instead move away from that
+    point.
+  * vec3 `origin`: the origin point of the shape towards which particles will
+    initially be oriented. functions as an offset if `origin_attached` is also
+    set.
+  * vec3 `direction`: sets the direction in which the attractor shape faces. for
+    lines, this sets the angle of the line; e.g. a vector of (0,1,0) will
+    create a vertical line that passes through `origin`. for planes, `direction`
+    is the surface normal of an infinite plane on whose surface `origin` is
+    a point. functions as an offset if `direction_attached` is also set.
+  * entity `origin_attached`: allows the origin to be specified as an offset
+    from the position of an entity rather than a coordinate in world space.
+  * entity `direction_attached`: allows the direction to be specified as an offset
+    from the position of an entity rather than a coordinate in world space.
+  * bool `die_on_contact`: if true, the particles' lifetimes are adjusted so
+    that they will die as they cross the attractor threshold. this behavior
+    is the default but is undesirable for some kinds of animations; set it to
+    false to allow particles to live out their natural lives.
+* vec3 range `radius`: if set, particles will be arranged in a sphere around
+  `pos`. A constant can be used to create a spherical shell of particles, a
+  vector to create an ovoid shell, and a range to create a volume; e.g.
+  `{min = 0.5, max = 1, bias = 1}` will allow particles to appear between 0.5
+  and 1 nodes away from `pos` but will cluster them towards the center of the
+  sphere. Usually if `radius` is used, `pos` should be a single point, but it
+  can still be a range if you really know what you're doing (e.g. to create a
+  "roundcube" emitter volume).
+
+### Textures
+
+In versions before v5.6.0, particlespawner textures could only be specified as a single
+texture string. After v5.6.0, textures can now be specified as a table as well. This
+table contains options that allow simple animations to be applied to the texture.
+
+    texture = {
+        name = "mymod_particle_texture.png",
+        -- the texture specification string
+
+        alpha = 1.0,
+        -- controls how visible the particle is; at 1.0 the particle is fully
+        -- visible, at 0, it is completely invisible.
+
+        alpha_tween = {1, 0},
+        -- can be used instead of `alpha` to animate the alpha value over the
+        -- particle's lifetime. these tween tables work identically to the tween
+        -- tables used in particlespawner properties, except that time references
+        -- are understood with respect to the particle's lifetime, not the
+        -- spawner's. {1,0} fades the particle out over its lifetime.
+
+        scale = 1,
+        scale = {x = 1, y = 1},
+        -- scales the texture onscreen
+
+        scale_tween = {
+            {x = 1, y = 1},
+            {x = 0, y = 1},
+        },
+        -- animates the scale over the particle's lifetime. works like the
+        -- alpha_tween table, but can accept two-dimensional vectors as well as
+        -- integer values. the example value would cause the particle to shrink
+        -- in one dimension over the course of its life until it disappears
+
+        blend = "alpha",
+        -- (default) blends transparent pixels with those they are drawn atop
+        -- according to the alpha channel of the source texture. useful for
+        -- e.g. material objects like rocks, dirt, smoke, or node chunks
+        blend = "add",
+        -- adds the value of pixels to those underneath them, modulo the sources
+        -- alpha channel. useful for e.g. bright light effects like sparks or fire
+        blend = "screen",
+        -- like "add" but less bright. useful for subtler light effecs. note that
+        -- this is NOT formally equivalent to the "screen" effect used in image
+        -- editors and compositors, as it does not respect the alpha channel of
+        -- of the image being blended
+        blend = "sub",
+        -- the inverse of "add"; the value of the source pixel is subtracted from
+        -- the pixel underneath it. a white pixel will turn whatever is underneath
+        -- it black; a black pixel will be "transparent". useful for creating
+        -- darkening effects
+
+        animation = {Tile Animation definition},
+        -- overrides the particlespawner's global animation property for a single
+        -- specific texture
+    }
+
+Instead of setting a single texture definition, it is also possible to set a
+`texpool` property. A `texpool` consists of a list of possible particle textures.
+Every time a particle is spawned, the engine will pick a texture at random from
+the `texpool` and assign it as that particle's texture. You can also specify a
+`texture` in addition to a `texpool`; the `texture` value will be ignored on newer
+clients but will be sent to older (pre-v5.6.0) clients that do not implement
+texpools.
+
+    texpool = {
+        "mymod_particle_texture.png";
+        { name = "mymod_spark.png", fade = "out" },
+        {
+          name = "mymod_dust.png",
+          alpha = 0.3,
+          scale = 1.5,
+          animation = {
+                type = "vertical_frames",
+                aspect_w = 16, aspect_h = 16,
+
+                length = 3,
+                -- the animation lasts for 3s and then repeats
+                length = -3,
+                -- repeat the animation three times over the particle's lifetime
+                -- (post-v5.6.0 clients only)
+          },
+        },
+  }
+
+#### List of animatable texture properties
+
+While animated particlespawner values vary over the course of the particlespawner's
+lifetime, animated texture properties vary over the lifespans of the individual
+particles spawned with that texture. So a particle with the texture property
+
+    alpha_tween = {
+        0.0, 1.0,
+        style = "pulse",
+        reps = 4,
+    }
+
+would be invisible at its spawning, pulse visible four times throughout its
+lifespan, and then vanish again before expiring.
+
+* float `alpha` (0.0 - 1.0): controls the visibility of the texture
+* vec2 `scale`: controls the size of the displayed billboard onscreen. Its units
+  are multiples of the parent particle's assigned size (see the `size` property above)
+
 `HTTPRequest` definition
 ------------------------
 
diff --git a/src/client/particles.cpp b/src/client/particles.cpp
index 288826a5f..a1de1bb98 100644
--- a/src/client/particles.cpp
+++ b/src/client/particles.cpp
@@ -34,23 +34,6 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "settings.h"
 
 /*
-	Utility
-*/
-
-static f32 random_f32(f32 min, f32 max)
-{
-	return rand() / (float)RAND_MAX * (max - min) + min;
-}
-
-static v3f random_v3f(v3f min, v3f max)
-{
-	return v3f(
-		random_f32(min.X, max.X),
-		random_f32(min.Y, max.Y),
-		random_f32(min.Z, max.Z));
-}
-
-/*
 	Particle
 */
 
@@ -59,25 +42,71 @@ Particle::Particle(
 	LocalPlayer *player,
 	ClientEnvironment *env,
 	const ParticleParameters &p,
-	video::ITexture *texture,
+	const ClientTexRef& texture,
 	v2f texpos,
 	v2f texsize,
 	video::SColor color
 ):
 	scene::ISceneNode(((Client *)gamedef)->getSceneManager()->getRootSceneNode(),
-		((Client *)gamedef)->getSceneManager())
+		((Client *)gamedef)->getSceneManager()),
+	m_texture(texture)
 {
 	// Misc
 	m_gamedef = gamedef;
 	m_env = env;
 
+	// translate blend modes to GL blend functions
+	video::E_BLEND_FACTOR bfsrc, bfdst;
+	video::E_BLEND_OPERATION blendop;
+	const auto blendmode = texture.tex != nullptr
+			? texture.tex -> blendmode
+			: ParticleParamTypes::BlendMode::alpha;
+
+	switch (blendmode) {
+		case ParticleParamTypes::BlendMode::alpha:
+			bfsrc = video::EBF_SRC_ALPHA;
+			bfdst = video::EBF_ONE_MINUS_SRC_ALPHA;
+			blendop = video::EBO_ADD;
+		break;
+
+		case ParticleParamTypes::BlendMode::add:
+			bfsrc = video::EBF_SRC_ALPHA;
+			bfdst = video::EBF_DST_ALPHA;
+			blendop = video::EBO_ADD;
+		break;
+
+		case ParticleParamTypes::BlendMode::sub:
+			bfsrc = video::EBF_SRC_ALPHA;
+			bfdst = video::EBF_DST_ALPHA;
+			blendop = video::EBO_REVSUBTRACT;
+		break;
+
+		case ParticleParamTypes::BlendMode::screen:
+			bfsrc = video::EBF_ONE;
+			bfdst = video::EBF_ONE_MINUS_SRC_COLOR;
+			blendop = video::EBO_ADD;
+		break;
+
+		default: assert(false);
+	}
+
 	// Texture
 	m_material.setFlag(video::EMF_LIGHTING, false);
 	m_material.setFlag(video::EMF_BACK_FACE_CULLING, false);
 	m_material.setFlag(video::EMF_BILINEAR_FILTER, false);
 	m_material.setFlag(video::EMF_FOG_ENABLE, true);
-	m_material.MaterialType = video::EMT_TRANSPARENT_ALPHA_CHANNEL;
-	m_material.setTexture(0, texture);
+
+	// correctly render layered transparent particles -- see #10398
+	m_material.setFlag(video::EMF_ZWRITE_ENABLE, true);
+
+	// enable alpha blending and set blend mode
+	m_material.MaterialType = video::EMT_ONETEXTURE_BLEND;
+	m_material.MaterialTypeParam = video::pack_textureBlendFunc(
+			bfsrc, bfdst,
+			video::EMFN_MODULATE_1X,
+			video::EAS_TEXTURE | video::EAS_VERTEX_COLOR);
+	m_material.BlendOperation = blendop;
+	m_material.setTexture(0, m_texture.ref);
 	m_texpos = texpos;
 	m_texsize = texsize;
 	m_animation = p.animation;
@@ -90,6 +119,9 @@ Particle::Particle(
 	m_pos = p.pos;
 	m_velocity = p.vel;
 	m_acceleration = p.acc;
+	m_drag = p.drag;
+	m_jitter = p.jitter;
+	m_bounce = p.bounce;
 	m_expiration = p.expirationtime;
 	m_player = player;
 	m_size = p.size;
@@ -98,6 +130,8 @@ Particle::Particle(
 	m_object_collision = p.object_collision;
 	m_vertical = p.vertical;
 	m_glow = p.glow;
+	m_alpha = 0;
+	m_parent = nullptr;
 
 	// Irrlicht stuff
 	const float c = p.size / 2;
@@ -111,6 +145,14 @@ Particle::Particle(
 	updateVertices();
 }
 
+Particle::~Particle()
+{
+	/* if our textures aren't owned by a particlespawner, we need to clean
+	 * them up ourselves when the particle dies */
+	if (m_parent == nullptr)
+		delete m_texture.tex;
+}
+
 void Particle::OnRegisterSceneNode()
 {
 	if (IsVisible)
@@ -134,6 +176,12 @@ void Particle::render()
 void Particle::step(float dtime)
 {
 	m_time += dtime;
+
+	// apply drag (not handled by collisionMoveSimple) and brownian motion
+	v3f av = vecAbsolute(m_velocity);
+	av -= av * (m_drag * dtime);
+	m_velocity = av*vecSign(m_velocity) + v3f(m_jitter.pickWithin())*dtime;
+
 	if (m_collisiondetection) {
 		aabb3f box = m_collisionbox;
 		v3f p_pos = m_pos * BS;
@@ -141,17 +189,41 @@ void Particle::step(float dtime)
 		collisionMoveResult r = collisionMoveSimple(m_env, m_gamedef, BS * 0.5f,
 			box, 0.0f, dtime, &p_pos, &p_velocity, m_acceleration * BS, nullptr,
 			m_object_collision);
-		if (m_collision_removal && r.collides) {
-			// force expiration of the particle
-			m_expiration = -1.0;
+
+		f32 bounciness = m_bounce.pickWithin();
+		if (r.collides && (m_collision_removal || bounciness > 0)) {
+			if (m_collision_removal) {
+				// force expiration of the particle
+				m_expiration = -1.0f;
+			} else if (bounciness > 0) {
+				/* cheap way to get a decent bounce effect is to only invert the
+				 * largest component of the velocity vector, so e.g. you don't
+				 * have a rock immediately bounce back in your face when you try
+				 * to skip it across the water (as would happen if we simply
+				 * downscaled and negated the velocity vector). this means
+				 * bounciness will work properly for cubic objects, but meshes
+				 * with diagonal angles and entities will not yield the correct
+				 * visual. this is probably unavoidable */
+				if (av.Y > av.X && av.Y > av.Z) {
+					m_velocity.Y = -(m_velocity.Y * bounciness);
+				} else if (av.X > av.Y && av.X > av.Z) {
+					m_velocity.X = -(m_velocity.X * bounciness);
+				} else if (av.Z > av.Y && av.Z > av.X) {
+					m_velocity.Z = -(m_velocity.Z * bounciness);
+				} else { // well now we're in a bit of a pickle
+					m_velocity = -(m_velocity * bounciness);
+				}
+			}
 		} else {
-			m_pos = p_pos / BS;
 			m_velocity = p_velocity / BS;
 		}
+		m_pos = p_pos / BS;
 	} else {
+		// apply acceleration
 		m_velocity += m_acceleration * dtime;
 		m_pos += m_velocity * dtime;
 	}
+
 	if (m_animation.type != TAT_NONE) {
 		m_animation_time += dtime;
 		int frame_length_i, frame_count;
@@ -165,11 +237,21 @@ void Particle::step(float dtime)
 		}
 	}
 
+	// animate particle alpha in accordance with settings
+	if (m_texture.tex != nullptr)
+		m_alpha = m_texture.tex -> alpha.blend(m_time / (m_expiration+0.1f));
+	else
+		m_alpha = 1.f;
+
 	// Update lighting
 	updateLight();
 
 	// Update model
 	updateVertices();
+
+	// Update position -- see #10398
+	v3s16 camera_offset = m_env->getCameraOffset();
+	setPosition(m_pos*BS - intToFloat(camera_offset, BS));
 }
 
 void Particle::updateLight()
@@ -189,7 +271,7 @@ void Particle::updateLight()
 		light = blend_light(m_env->getDayNightRatio(), LIGHT_SUN, 0);
 
 	u8 m_light = decode_light(light + m_glow);
-	m_color.set(255,
+	m_color.set(m_alpha*255,
 		m_light * m_base_color.getRed() / 255,
 		m_light * m_base_color.getGreen() / 255,
 		m_light * m_base_color.getBlue() / 255);
@@ -198,6 +280,12 @@ void Particle::updateLight()
 void Particle::updateVertices()
 {
 	f32 tx0, tx1, ty0, ty1;
+	v2f scale;
+
+	if (m_texture.tex != nullptr)
+		scale = m_texture.tex -> scale.blend(m_time / (m_expiration+0.1));
+	else
+		scale = v2f(1.f, 1.f);
 
 	if (m_animation.type != TAT_NONE) {
 		const v2u32 texsize = m_material.getTexture(0)->getSize();
@@ -218,16 +306,24 @@ void Particle::updateVertices()
 		ty1 = m_texpos.Y + m_texsize.Y;
 	}
 
-	m_vertices[0] = video::S3DVertex(-m_size / 2, -m_size / 2,
+	auto half = m_size * .5f,
+	     hx   = half * scale.X,
+	     hy   = half * scale.Y;
+	m_vertices[0] = video::S3DVertex(-hx, -hy,
 		0, 0, 0, 0, m_color, tx0, ty1);
-	m_vertices[1] = video::S3DVertex(m_size / 2, -m_size / 2,
+	m_vertices[1] = video::S3DVertex(hx, -hy,
 		0, 0, 0, 0, m_color, tx1, ty1);
-	m_vertices[2] = video::S3DVertex(m_size / 2, m_size / 2,
+	m_vertices[2] = video::S3DVertex(hx, hy,
 		0, 0, 0, 0, m_color, tx1, ty0);
-	m_vertices[3] = video::S3DVertex(-m_size / 2, m_size / 2,
+	m_vertices[3] = video::S3DVertex(-hx, hy,
 		0, 0, 0, 0, m_color, tx0, ty0);
 
-	v3s16 camera_offset = m_env->getCameraOffset();
+
+	// see #10398
+	// v3s16 camera_offset = m_env->getCameraOffset();
+	// particle position is now handled by step()
+	m_box.reset(v3f());
+
 	for (video::S3DVertex &vertex : m_vertices) {
 		if (m_vertical) {
 			v3f ppos = m_player->getPosition()/BS;
@@ -238,7 +334,6 @@ void Particle::updateVertices()
 			vertex.Pos.rotateXZBy(m_player->getYaw());
 		}
 		m_box.addInternalPoint(vertex.Pos);
-		vertex.Pos += m_pos*BS - intToFloat(camera_offset, BS);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -251,7 +346,8 @@ ParticleSpawner::ParticleSpawner(
 	LocalPlayer *player,
 	const ParticleSpawnerParameters &p,
 	u16 attached_id,
-	video::ITexture *texture,
+	std::unique_ptr<ClientTexture[]>& texpool,
+	size_t texcount,
 	ParticleManager *p_manager
 ):
 	m_particlemanager(p_manager), p(p)
@@ -259,21 +355,66 @@ ParticleSpawner::ParticleSpawner(
 	m_gamedef = gamedef;
 	m_player = player;
 	m_attached_id = attached_id;
-	m_texture = texture;
+	m_texpool = std::move(texpool);
+	m_texcount = texcount;
 	m_time = 0;
+	m_active = 0;
+	m_dying = false;
 
 	m_spawntimes.reserve(p.amount + 1);
 	for (u16 i = 0; i <= p.amount; i++) {
-		float spawntime = rand() / (float)RAND_MAX * p.time;
+		float spawntime = myrand_float() * p.time;
 		m_spawntimes.push_back(spawntime);
 	}
+
+	size_t max_particles = 0; // maximum number of particles likely to be visible at any given time
+	if (p.time != 0) {
+		auto maxGenerations = p.time / std::min(p.exptime.start.min, p.exptime.end.min);
+		max_particles = p.amount / maxGenerations;
+	} else {
+		auto longestLife = std::max(p.exptime.start.max, p.exptime.end.max);
+		max_particles = p.amount * longestLife;
+	}
+
+	p_manager->reserveParticleSpace(max_particles * 1.2);
+}
+
+namespace {
+	GenericCAO *findObjectByID(ClientEnvironment *env, u16 id) {
+		if (id == 0)
+			return nullptr;
+		return env->getGenericCAO(id);
+	}
 }
 
 void ParticleSpawner::spawnParticle(ClientEnvironment *env, float radius,
 	const core::matrix4 *attached_absolute_pos_rot_matrix)
 {
+	float fac = 0;
+	if (p.time != 0) { // ensure safety from divide-by-zeroes
+		fac = m_time / (p.time+0.1f);
+	}
+
+	auto r_pos = p.pos.blend(fac);
+	auto r_vel = p.vel.blend(fac);
+	auto r_acc = p.acc.blend(fac);
+	auto r_drag = p.drag.blend(fac);
+	auto r_radius = p.radius.blend(fac);
+	auto r_jitter = p.jitter.blend(fac);
+	auto r_bounce = p.bounce.blend(fac);
+	v3f  attractor_origin = p.attractor_origin.blend(fac);
+	v3f  attractor_direction = p.attractor_direction.blend(fac);
+	auto attractor_obj       = findObjectByID(env, p.attractor_attachment);
+	auto attractor_direction_obj = findObjectByID(env, p.attractor_direction_attachment);
+
+	auto r_exp = p.exptime.blend(fac);
+	auto r_size = p.size.blend(fac);
+	auto r_attract = p.attract.blend(fac);
+	auto attract = r_attract.pickWithin();
+
 	v3f ppos = m_player->getPosition() / BS;
-	v3f pos = random_v3f(p.minpos, p.maxpos);
+	v3f pos = r_pos.pickWithin();
+	v3f sphere_radius = r_radius.pickWithin();
 
 	// Need to apply this first or the following check
 	// will be wrong for attached spawners
@@ -287,15 +428,18 @@ void ParticleSpawner::spawnParticle(ClientEnvironment *env, float radius,
 		pos.Z += camera_offset.Z;
 	}
 
-	if (pos.getDistanceFrom(ppos) > radius)
+	if (pos.getDistanceFromSQ(ppos) > radius*radius)
 		return;
 
 	// Parameters for the single particle we're about to spawn
 	ParticleParameters pp;
 	pp.pos = pos;
 
-	pp.vel = random_v3f(p.minvel, p.maxvel);
-	pp.acc = random_v3f(p.minacc, p.maxacc);
+	pp.vel = r_vel.pickWithin();
+	pp.acc = r_acc.pickWithin();
+	pp.drag = r_drag.pickWithin();
+	pp.jitter = r_jitter;
+	pp.bounce = r_bounce;
 
 	if (attached_absolute_pos_rot_matrix) {
 		// Apply attachment rotation
@@ -303,30 +447,137 @@ void ParticleSpawner::spawnParticle(ClientEnvironment *env, float radius,
 		attached_absolute_pos_rot_matrix->rotateVect(pp.acc);
 	}
 
-	pp.expirationtime = random_f32(p.minexptime, p.maxexptime);
+	if (attractor_obj)
+		attractor_origin += attractor_obj->getPosition() / BS;
+	if (attractor_direction_obj) {
+		auto *attractor_absolute_pos_rot_matrix = attractor_direction_obj->getAbsolutePosRotMatrix();
+		if (attractor_absolute_pos_rot_matrix)
+			attractor_absolute_pos_rot_matrix->rotateVect(attractor_direction);
+	}
+
+	pp.expirationtime = r_exp.pickWithin();
+
+	if (sphere_radius != v3f()) {
+		f32 l = sphere_radius.getLength();
+		v3f mag = sphere_radius;
+		mag.normalize();
+
+		v3f ofs = v3f(l,0,0);
+		ofs.rotateXZBy(myrand_range(0.f,360.f));
+		ofs.rotateYZBy(myrand_range(0.f,360.f));
+		ofs.rotateXYBy(myrand_range(0.f,360.f));
+
+		pp.pos += ofs * mag;
+	}
+
+	if (p.attractor_kind != ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind::none && attract != 0) {
+		v3f dir;
+		f32 dist = 0; /* =0 necessary to silence warning */
+		switch (p.attractor_kind) {
+			case ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind::none:
+				break;
+
+			case ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind::point: {
+				dist = pp.pos.getDistanceFrom(attractor_origin);
+				dir = pp.pos - attractor_origin;
+				dir.normalize();
+				break;
+			}
+
+			case ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind::line: {
+				// https://github.com/minetest/minetest/issues/11505#issuecomment-915612700
+				const auto& lorigin = attractor_origin;
+				v3f ldir = attractor_direction;
+				ldir.normalize();
+				auto origin_to_point = pp.pos - lorigin;
+				auto scalar_projection = origin_to_point.dotProduct(ldir);
+				auto point_on_line = lorigin + (ldir * scalar_projection);
+
+				dist = pp.pos.getDistanceFrom(point_on_line);
+				dir = (point_on_line - pp.pos);
+				dir.normalize();
+				dir *= -1; // flip it around so strength=1 attracts, not repulses
+				break;
+			}
+
+			case ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind::plane: {
+				// https://github.com/minetest/minetest/issues/11505#issuecomment-915612700
+				const v3f& porigin = attractor_origin;
+				v3f normal = attractor_direction;
+				normal.normalize();
+				v3f point_to_origin = porigin - pp.pos;
+				f32 factor = normal.dotProduct(point_to_origin);
+				if (numericAbsolute(factor) == 0.0f) {
+					dir = normal;
+				} else {
+					factor = numericSign(factor);
+					dir = normal * factor;
+				}
+				dist = numericAbsolute(normal.dotProduct(pp.pos - porigin));
+				dir *= -1; // flip it around so strength=1 attracts, not repulses
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+
+		f32 speedTowards = numericAbsolute(attract) * dist;
+		v3f avel = dir * speedTowards;
+		if (attract > 0 && speedTowards > 0) {
+			avel *= -1;
+			if (p.attractor_kill) {
+				// make sure the particle dies after crossing the attractor threshold
+				f32 timeToCenter = dist / speedTowards;
+				if (timeToCenter < pp.expirationtime)
+					pp.expirationtime = timeToCenter;
+			}
+		}
+		pp.vel += avel;
+	}
+
 	p.copyCommon(pp);
 
-	video::ITexture *texture;
+	ClientTexRef texture;
 	v2f texpos, texsize;
 	video::SColor color(0xFFFFFFFF);
 
 	if (p.node.getContent() != CONTENT_IGNORE) {
 		const ContentFeatures &f =
 			m_particlemanager->m_env->getGameDef()->ndef()->get(p.node);
-		if (!ParticleManager::getNodeParticleParams(p.node, f, pp, &texture,
+		if (!ParticleManager::getNodeParticleParams(p.node, f, pp, &texture.ref,
 				texpos, texsize, &color, p.node_tile))
 			return;
 	} else {
-		texture = m_texture;
+		if (m_texcount == 0)
+			return;
+		texture = decltype(texture)(m_texpool[m_texcount == 1 ? 0 : myrand_range(0,m_texcount-1)]);
 		texpos = v2f(0.0f, 0.0f);
 		texsize = v2f(1.0f, 1.0f);
+		if (texture.tex->animated)
+			pp.animation = texture.tex->animation;
+	}
+
+	// synchronize animation length with particle life if desired
+	if (pp.animation.type != TAT_NONE) {
+		if (pp.animation.type == TAT_VERTICAL_FRAMES &&
+			pp.animation.vertical_frames.length < 0) {
+			auto& a = pp.animation.vertical_frames;
+			// we add a tiny extra value to prevent the first frame
+			// from flickering back on just before the particle dies
+			a.length = (pp.expirationtime / -a.length) + 0.1;
+		} else if (pp.animation.type == TAT_SHEET_2D &&
+				   pp.animation.sheet_2d.frame_length < 0) {
+			auto& a = pp.animation.sheet_2d;
+			auto frames = a.frames_w * a.frames_h;
+			auto runtime = (pp.expirationtime / -a.frame_length) + 0.1;
+			pp.animation.sheet_2d.frame_length = frames / runtime;
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Allow keeping default random size
-	if (p.maxsize > 0.0f)
-		pp.size = random_f32(p.minsize, p.maxsize);
+	if (p.size.start.max > 0.0f || p.size.end.max > 0.0f)
+		pp.size = r_size.pickWithin();
 
-	m_particlemanager->addParticle(new Particle(
+	++m_active;
+	auto pa = new Particle(
 		m_gamedef,
 		m_player,
 		env,
@@ -335,7 +586,9 @@ void ParticleSpawner::spawnParticle(ClientEnvironment *env, float radius,
 		texpos,
 		texsize,
 		color
-	));
+	);
+	pa->m_parent = this;
+	m_particlemanager->addParticle(pa);
 }
 
 void ParticleSpawner::step(float dtime, ClientEnvironment *env)
@@ -348,7 +601,7 @@ void ParticleSpawner::step(float dtime, ClientEnvironment *env)
 	bool unloaded = false;
 	const core::matrix4 *attached_absolute_pos_rot_matrix = nullptr;
 	if (m_attached_id) {
-		if (GenericCAO *attached = dynamic_cast<GenericCAO *>(env->getActiveObject(m_attached_id))) {
+		if (GenericCAO *attached = env->getGenericCAO(m_attached_id)) {
 			attached_absolute_pos_rot_matrix = attached->getAbsolutePosRotMatrix();
 		} else {
 			unloaded = true;
@@ -379,7 +632,7 @@ void ParticleSpawner::step(float dtime, ClientEnvironment *env)
 			return;
 
 		for (int i = 0; i <= p.amount; i++) {
-			if (rand() / (float)RAND_MAX < dtime)
+			if (myrand_float() < dtime)
 				spawnParticle(env, radius, attached_absolute_pos_rot_matrix);
 		}
 	}
@@ -408,9 +661,15 @@ void ParticleManager::stepSpawners(float dtime)
 {
 	MutexAutoLock lock(m_spawner_list_lock);
 	for (auto i = m_particle_spawners.begin(); i != m_particle_spawners.end();) {
-		if (i->second->get_expired()) {
-			delete i->second;
-			m_particle_spawners.erase(i++);
+		if (i->second->getExpired()) {
+			// the particlespawner owns the textures, so we need to make
+			// sure there are no active particles before we free it
+			if (i->second->m_active == 0) {
+				delete i->second;
+				m_particle_spawners.erase(i++);
+			} else {
+				++i;
+			}
 		} else {
 			i->second->step(dtime, m_env);
 			++i;
@@ -423,6 +682,10 @@ void ParticleManager::stepParticles(float dtime)
 	MutexAutoLock lock(m_particle_list_lock);
 	for (auto i = m_particles.begin(); i != m_particles.end();) {
 		if ((*i)->get_expired()) {
+			if ((*i)->m_parent) {
+				assert((*i)->m_parent->m_active != 0);
+				--(*i)->m_parent->m_active;
+			}
 			(*i)->remove();
 			delete *i;
 			i = m_particles.erase(i);
@@ -464,13 +727,29 @@ void ParticleManager::handleParticleEvent(ClientEvent *event, Client *client,
 
 			const ParticleSpawnerParameters &p = *event->add_particlespawner.p;
 
-			video::ITexture *texture =
-				client->tsrc()->getTextureForMesh(p.texture);
+			// texture pool
+			std::unique_ptr<ClientTexture[]> texpool = nullptr;
+			size_t txpsz = 0;
+			if (!p.texpool.empty()) {
+				txpsz = p.texpool.size();
+				texpool = decltype(texpool)(new ClientTexture [txpsz]);
+
+				for (size_t i = 0; i < txpsz; ++i) {
+					texpool[i] = ClientTexture(p.texpool[i], client->tsrc());
+				}
+			} else {
+				// no texpool in use, use fallback texture
+				txpsz = 1;
+				texpool = decltype(texpool)(new ClientTexture[1] {
+					ClientTexture(p.texture, client->tsrc())
+				});
+			}
 
 			auto toadd = new ParticleSpawner(client, player,
 					p,
 					event->add_particlespawner.attached_id,
-					texture,
+					texpool,
+					txpsz,
 					this);
 
 			addParticleSpawner(event->add_particlespawner.id, toadd);
@@ -481,7 +760,7 @@ void ParticleManager::handleParticleEvent(ClientEvent *event, Client *client,
 		case CE_SPAWN_PARTICLE: {
 			ParticleParameters &p = *event->spawn_particle;
 
-			video::ITexture *texture;
+			ClientTexRef texture;
 			v2f texpos, texsize;
 			video::SColor color(0xFFFFFFFF);
 
@@ -489,11 +768,15 @@ void ParticleManager::handleParticleEvent(ClientEvent *event, Client *client,
 
 			if (p.node.getContent() != CONTENT_IGNORE) {
 				const ContentFeatures &f = m_env->getGameDef()->ndef()->get(p.node);
-				if (!getNodeParticleParams(p.node, f, p, &texture, texpos,
-						texsize, &color, p.node_tile))
-					texture = nullptr;
+				getNodeParticleParams(p.node, f, p, &texture.ref, texpos,
+						texsize, &color, p.node_tile);
 			} else {
-				texture = client->tsrc()->getTextureForMesh(p.texture);
+				/* with no particlespawner to own the texture, we need
+				 * to save it on the heap. it will be freed when the
+				 * particle is destroyed */
+				auto texstore = new ClientTexture(p.texture, client->tsrc());
+
+				texture = ClientTexRef(*texstore);
 				texpos = v2f(0.0f, 0.0f);
 				texsize = v2f(1.0f, 1.0f);
 			}
@@ -502,7 +785,7 @@ void ParticleManager::handleParticleEvent(ClientEvent *event, Client *client,
 			if (oldsize > 0.0f)
 				p.size = oldsize;
 
-			if (texture) {
+			if (texture.ref) {
 				Particle *toadd = new Particle(client, player, m_env,
 						p, texture, texpos, texsize, color);
 
@@ -529,7 +812,7 @@ bool ParticleManager::getNodeParticleParams(const MapNode &n,
 	if (tilenum > 0 && tilenum <= 6)
 		texid = tilenum - 1;
 	else
-		texid = rand() % 6;
+		texid = myrand_range(0,5);
 	const TileLayer &tile = f.tiles[texid].layers[0];
 	p.animation.type = TAT_NONE;
 
@@ -539,13 +822,13 @@ bool ParticleManager::getNodeParticleParams(const MapNode &n,
 	else
 		*texture = tile.texture;
 
-	float size = (rand() % 8) / 64.0f;
+	float size = (myrand_range(0,8)) / 64.0f;
 	p.size = BS * size;
 	if (tile.scale)
 		size /= tile.scale;
 	texsize = v2f(size * 2.0f, size * 2.0f);
-	texpos.X = (rand() % 64) / 64.0f - texsize.X;
-	texpos.Y = (rand() % 64) / 64.0f - texsize.Y;
+	texpos.X = (myrand_range(0,64)) / 64.0f - texsize.X;
+	texpos.Y = (myrand_range(0,64)) / 64.0f - texsize.Y;
 
 	if (tile.has_color)
 		*color = tile.color;
@@ -577,20 +860,20 @@ void ParticleManager::addNodeParticle(IGameDef *gamedef,
 	LocalPlayer *player, v3s16 pos, const MapNode &n, const ContentFeatures &f)
 {
 	ParticleParameters p;
-	video::ITexture *texture;
+	video::ITexture *ref = nullptr;
 	v2f texpos, texsize;
 	video::SColor color;
 
-	if (!getNodeParticleParams(n, f, p, &texture, texpos, texsize, &color))
+	if (!getNodeParticleParams(n, f, p, &ref, texpos, texsize, &color))
 		return;
 
-	p.expirationtime = (rand() % 100) / 100.0f;
+	p.expirationtime = myrand_range(0, 100) / 100.0f;
 
 	// Physics
 	p.vel = v3f(
-		(rand() % 150) / 50.0f - 1.5f,
-		(rand() % 150) / 50.0f,
-		(rand() % 150) / 50.0f - 1.5f
+		myrand_range(-1.5f,1.5f),
+		myrand_range(0.f,3.f),
+		myrand_range(-1.5f,1.5f)
 	);
 	p.acc = v3f(
 		0.0f,
@@ -598,9 +881,9 @@ void ParticleManager::addNodeParticle(IGameDef *gamedef,
 		0.0f
 	);
 	p.pos = v3f(
-		(f32)pos.X + (rand() % 100) / 200.0f - 0.25f,
-		(f32)pos.Y + (rand() % 100) / 200.0f - 0.25f,
-		(f32)pos.Z + (rand() % 100) / 200.0f - 0.25f
+		(f32)pos.X + myrand_range(0.f, .5f) - .25f,
+		(f32)pos.Y + myrand_range(0.f, .5f) - .25f,
+		(f32)pos.Z + myrand_range(0.f, .5f) - .25f
 	);
 
 	Particle *toadd = new Particle(
@@ -608,7 +891,7 @@ void ParticleManager::addNodeParticle(IGameDef *gamedef,
 		player,
 		m_env,
 		p,
-		texture,
+		ClientTexRef(ref),
 		texpos,
 		texsize,
 		color);
@@ -616,6 +899,12 @@ void ParticleManager::addNodeParticle(IGameDef *gamedef,
 	addParticle(toadd);
 }
 
+void ParticleManager::reserveParticleSpace(size_t max_estimate)
+{
+	MutexAutoLock lock(m_particle_list_lock);
+	m_particles.reserve(m_particles.size() + max_estimate);
+}
+
 void ParticleManager::addParticle(Particle *toadd)
 {
 	MutexAutoLock lock(m_particle_list_lock);
@@ -634,7 +923,6 @@ void ParticleManager::deleteParticleSpawner(u64 id)
 	MutexAutoLock lock(m_spawner_list_lock);
 	auto it = m_particle_spawners.find(id);
 	if (it != m_particle_spawners.end()) {
-		delete it->second;
-		m_particle_spawners.erase(it);
+		it->second->setDying();
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/client/particles.h b/src/client/particles.h
index 2011f0262..36be903f1 100644
--- a/src/client/particles.h
+++ b/src/client/particles.h
@@ -31,20 +31,53 @@ class ClientEnvironment;
 struct MapNode;
 struct ContentFeatures;
 
+struct ClientTexture
+{
+	/* per-spawner structure used to store the ParticleTexture structs
+	 * that spawned particles will refer to through ClientTexRef */
+	ParticleTexture tex;
+	video::ITexture *ref = nullptr;
+
+	ClientTexture() = default;
+	ClientTexture(const ClientTexture&) = default;
+	ClientTexture(const ServerParticleTexture& p, ITextureSource *t):
+			tex(p),
+			ref(t->getTextureForMesh(p.string)) {};
+};
+
+struct ClientTexRef
+{
+	/* per-particle structure used to avoid massively duplicating the
+	 * fairly large ParticleTexture struct */
+	ParticleTexture* tex = nullptr;
+	video::ITexture* ref = nullptr;
+	ClientTexRef() = default;
+	ClientTexRef(const ClientTexRef&) = default;
+
+	/* constructor used by particles spawned from a spawner */
+	ClientTexRef(ClientTexture& t):
+			tex(&t.tex), ref(t.ref) {};
+
+	/* constructor used for node particles */
+	ClientTexRef(decltype(ref) tp): ref(tp) {};
+};
+
+class ParticleSpawner;
+
 class Particle : public scene::ISceneNode
 {
-	public:
+public:
 	Particle(
-		IGameDef* gamedef,
+		IGameDef *gamedef,
 		LocalPlayer *player,
 		ClientEnvironment *env,
 		const ParticleParameters &p,
-		video::ITexture *texture,
+		const ClientTexRef &texture,
 		v2f texpos,
 		v2f texsize,
 		video::SColor color
 	);
-	~Particle() = default;
+	~Particle();
 
 	virtual const aabb3f &getBoundingBox() const
 	{
@@ -69,9 +102,12 @@ class Particle : public scene::ISceneNode
 	bool get_expired ()
 	{ return m_expiration < m_time; }
 
+	ParticleSpawner *m_parent;
+
 private:
 	void updateLight();
 	void updateVertices();
+	void setVertexAlpha(float a);
 
 	video::S3DVertex m_vertices[4];
 	float m_time = 0.0f;
@@ -81,14 +117,19 @@ private:
 	IGameDef *m_gamedef;
 	aabb3f m_box;
 	aabb3f m_collisionbox;
+	ClientTexRef m_texture;
 	video::SMaterial m_material;
 	v2f m_texpos;
 	v2f m_texsize;
 	v3f m_pos;
 	v3f m_velocity;
 	v3f m_acceleration;
+	v3f m_drag;
+	ParticleParamTypes::v3fRange m_jitter;
+	ParticleParamTypes::f32Range m_bounce;
 	LocalPlayer *m_player;
 	float m_size;
+
 	//! Color without lighting
 	video::SColor m_base_color;
 	//! Final rendered color
@@ -102,24 +143,27 @@ private:
 	float m_animation_time = 0.0f;
 	int m_animation_frame = 0;
 	u8 m_glow;
+	float m_alpha = 0.0f;
 };
 
 class ParticleSpawner
 {
 public:
-	ParticleSpawner(IGameDef* gamedef,
+	ParticleSpawner(IGameDef *gamedef,
 		LocalPlayer *player,
 		const ParticleSpawnerParameters &p,
 		u16 attached_id,
-		video::ITexture *texture,
+		std::unique_ptr<ClientTexture[]> &texpool,
+		size_t texcount,
 		ParticleManager* p_manager);
 
-	~ParticleSpawner() = default;
-
 	void step(float dtime, ClientEnvironment *env);
 
-	bool get_expired ()
-	{ return p.amount <= 0 && p.time != 0; }
+	size_t m_active;
+
+	bool getExpired() const
+	{ return m_dying || (p.amount <= 0 && p.time != 0); }
+	void setDying() { m_dying = true; }
 
 private:
 	void spawnParticle(ClientEnvironment *env, float radius,
@@ -127,10 +171,12 @@ private:
 
 	ParticleManager *m_particlemanager;
 	float m_time;
+	bool m_dying;
 	IGameDef *m_gamedef;
 	LocalPlayer *m_player;
 	ParticleSpawnerParameters p;
-	video::ITexture *m_texture;
+	std::unique_ptr<ClientTexture[]> m_texpool;
+	size_t m_texcount;
 	std::vector<float> m_spawntimes;
 	u16 m_attached_id;
 };
@@ -156,6 +202,8 @@ public:
 	void addNodeParticle(IGameDef *gamedef, LocalPlayer *player, v3s16 pos,
 		const MapNode &n, const ContentFeatures &f);
 
+	void reserveParticleSpace(size_t max_estimate);
+
 	/**
 	 * This function is only used by client particle spawners
 	 *
diff --git a/src/network/clientpackethandler.cpp b/src/network/clientpackethandler.cpp
index 1901c6675..25c1d2690 100644
--- a/src/network/clientpackethandler.cpp
+++ b/src/network/clientpackethandler.cpp
@@ -994,18 +994,18 @@ void Client::handleCommand_AddParticleSpawner(NetworkPacket* pkt)
 
 	p.amount             = readU16(is);
 	p.time               = readF32(is);
-	p.minpos             = readV3F32(is);
-	p.maxpos             = readV3F32(is);
-	p.minvel             = readV3F32(is);
-	p.maxvel             = readV3F32(is);
-	p.minacc             = readV3F32(is);
-	p.maxacc             = readV3F32(is);
-	p.minexptime         = readF32(is);
-	p.maxexptime         = readF32(is);
-	p.minsize            = readF32(is);
-	p.maxsize            = readF32(is);
+
+	// older protocols do not support tweening, and send only
+	// static ranges, so we can't just use the normal serialization
+	// functions for the older values.
+	p.pos.start.legacyDeSerialize(is);
+	p.vel.start.legacyDeSerialize(is);
+	p.acc.start.legacyDeSerialize(is);
+	p.exptime.start.legacyDeSerialize(is);
+	p.size.start.legacyDeSerialize(is);
+
 	p.collisiondetection = readU8(is);
-	p.texture            = deSerializeString32(is);
+	p.texture.string     = deSerializeString32(is);
 
 	server_id = readU32(is);
 
@@ -1018,6 +1018,8 @@ void Client::handleCommand_AddParticleSpawner(NetworkPacket* pkt)
 	p.glow = readU8(is);
 	p.object_collision = readU8(is);
 
+	bool legacy_format = true;
+
 	// This is kinda awful
 	do {
 		u16 tmp_param0 = readU16(is);
@@ -1026,7 +1028,70 @@ void Client::handleCommand_AddParticleSpawner(NetworkPacket* pkt)
 		p.node.param0 = tmp_param0;
 		p.node.param2 = readU8(is);
 		p.node_tile   = readU8(is);
-	} while (0);
+
+		// v >= 5.6.0
+		f32 tmp_sbias = readF32(is);
+		if (is.eof())
+			break;
+
+		// initial bias must be stored separately in the stream to preserve
+		// backwards compatibility with older clients, which do not support
+		// a bias field in their range "format"
+		p.pos.start.bias = tmp_sbias;
+		p.vel.start.bias = readF32(is);
+		p.acc.start.bias = readF32(is);
+		p.exptime.start.bias = readF32(is);
+		p.size.start.bias = readF32(is);
+
+		p.pos.end.deSerialize(is);
+		p.vel.end.deSerialize(is);
+		p.acc.end.deSerialize(is);
+		p.exptime.end.deSerialize(is);
+		p.size.end.deSerialize(is);
+
+		// properties for legacy texture field
+		p.texture.deSerialize(is, m_proto_ver, true);
+
+		p.drag.deSerialize(is);
+		p.jitter.deSerialize(is);
+		p.bounce.deSerialize(is);
+		ParticleParamTypes::deSerializeParameterValue(is, p.attractor_kind);
+		using ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind;
+		if (p.attractor_kind != AttractorKind::none) {
+			p.attract.deSerialize(is);
+			p.attractor_origin.deSerialize(is);
+			p.attractor_attachment = readU16(is);
+			/* we only check the first bit, in order to allow this value
+			 * to be turned into a bit flag field later if needed */
+			p.attractor_kill = !!(readU8(is) & 1);
+			if (p.attractor_kind != AttractorKind::point) {
+				p.attractor_direction.deSerialize(is);
+				p.attractor_direction_attachment = readU16(is);
+			}
+		}
+		p.radius.deSerialize(is);
+
+		u16 texpoolsz = readU16(is);
+		p.texpool.reserve(texpoolsz);
+		for (u16 i = 0; i < texpoolsz; ++i) {
+			ServerParticleTexture newtex;
+			newtex.deSerialize(is, m_proto_ver);
+			p.texpool.push_back(newtex);
+		}
+
+		legacy_format = false;
+	} while(0);
+
+	if (legacy_format) {
+		// there's no tweening data to be had, so we need to set the
+		// legacy params to constant values, otherwise everything old
+		// will tween to zero
+		p.pos.end = p.pos.start;
+		p.vel.end = p.vel.start;
+		p.acc.end = p.acc.start;
+		p.exptime.end = p.exptime.start;
+		p.size.end = p.size.start;
+	}
 
 	auto event = new ClientEvent();
 	event->type                            = CE_ADD_PARTICLESPAWNER;
diff --git a/src/network/networkprotocol.h b/src/network/networkprotocol.h
index 33e49afa4..e3fd32866 100644
--- a/src/network/networkprotocol.h
+++ b/src/network/networkprotocol.h
@@ -207,6 +207,7 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 		Minimap modes
 	PROTOCOL VERSION 40:
 		TOCLIENT_MEDIA_PUSH changed, TOSERVER_HAVE_MEDIA added
+		Added new particlespawner parameters (5.6.0)
 */
 
 #define LATEST_PROTOCOL_VERSION 40
@@ -511,11 +512,12 @@ enum ToClientCommand
 
 	TOCLIENT_SPAWN_PARTICLE = 0x46,
 	/*
-		v3f1000 pos
-		v3f1000 velocity
-		v3f1000 acceleration
-		f1000 expirationtime
-		f1000 size
+		-- struct range<T> { T min, T max, f32 bias };
+		v3f pos
+		v3f velocity
+		v3f acceleration
+		f32 expirationtime
+		f32 size
 		u8 bool collisiondetection
 		u32 len
 		u8[len] texture
@@ -524,22 +526,26 @@ enum ToClientCommand
 		TileAnimation animation
 		u8 glow
 		u8 object_collision
+		v3f drag
+		range<v3f> bounce
 	*/
 
 	TOCLIENT_ADD_PARTICLESPAWNER = 0x47,
 	/*
+		-- struct range<T> { T min, T max, f32 bias };
+		-- struct tween<T> { T start, T end };
 		u16 amount
-		f1000 spawntime
-		v3f1000 minpos
-		v3f1000 maxpos
-		v3f1000 minvel
-		v3f1000 maxvel
-		v3f1000 minacc
-		v3f1000 maxacc
-		f1000 minexptime
-		f1000 maxexptime
-		f1000 minsize
-		f1000 maxsize
+		f32 spawntime
+		v3f minpos
+		v3f maxpos
+		v3f minvel
+		v3f maxvel
+		v3f minacc
+		v3f maxacc
+		f32 minexptime
+		f32 maxexptime
+		f32 minsize
+		f32 maxsize
 		u8 bool collisiondetection
 		u32 len
 		u8[len] texture
@@ -549,6 +555,63 @@ enum ToClientCommand
 		TileAnimation animation
 		u8 glow
 		u8 object_collision
+
+		f32 pos_start_bias
+		f32 vel_start_bias
+		f32 acc_start_bias
+		f32 exptime_start_bias
+		f32 size_start_bias
+
+		range<v3f> pos_end
+		-- i.e v3f pos_end_min
+		--     v3f pos_end_max
+		--     f32 pos_end_bias
+		range<v3f> vel_end
+		range<v3f> acc_end
+
+		tween<range<v3f>> drag
+		-- i.e. v3f drag_start_min
+		--      v3f drag_start_max
+		--      f32 drag_start_bias
+		--      v3f drag_end_min
+		--      v3f drag_end_max
+		--      f32 drag_end_bias
+		tween<range<v3f>> jitter
+		tween<range<f32>> bounce
+
+		u8 attraction_kind
+			none  = 0
+			point = 1
+			line  = 2
+			plane = 3
+
+		if attraction_kind > none {
+			tween<range<f32>> attract_strength
+			tween<v3f>        attractor_origin
+			u16               attractor_origin_attachment_object_id
+			u8                spawner_flags
+			    bit 1: attractor_kill (particles dies on contact)
+			if attraction_mode > point {
+				tween<v3f> attractor_angle
+				u16        attractor_origin_attachment_object_id
+			}
+		}
+
+		tween<range<v3f>> radius
+		tween<range<v3f>> drag
+
+		u16 texpool_sz
+		texpool_sz.times {
+			u8 flags
+			-- bit 0: animated
+			-- other bits free & ignored as of proto v40
+			tween<f32> alpha
+			tween<v2f> scale
+			if flags.animated {
+				TileAnimation animation
+			}
+		}
+
 	*/
 
 	TOCLIENT_DELETE_PARTICLESPAWNER_LEGACY = 0x48, // Obsolete
diff --git a/src/particles.cpp b/src/particles.cpp
index 14c987958..19b3418b7 100644
--- a/src/particles.cpp
+++ b/src/particles.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,103 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 */
 
 #include "particles.h"
-#include "util/serialize.h"
+#include <type_traits>
+using namespace ParticleParamTypes;
+
+#define PARAM_PVFN(n) ParticleParamTypes::n##ParameterValue
+v2f PARAM_PVFN(pick) (float* f, const v2f a, const v2f b) {
+	return v2f(
+		numericalBlend(f[0], a.X, b.X),
+		numericalBlend(f[1], a.Y, b.Y)
+	);
+}
+
+v3f PARAM_PVFN(pick) (float* f, const v3f a, const v3f b) {
+	return v3f(
+		numericalBlend(f[0], a.X, b.X),
+		numericalBlend(f[1], a.Y, b.Y),
+		numericalBlend(f[2], a.Z, b.Z)
+	);
+}
+
+v2f PARAM_PVFN(interpolate) (float fac, const v2f a, const v2f b)
+	{ return b.getInterpolated(a, fac); }
+v3f PARAM_PVFN(interpolate) (float fac, const v3f a, const v3f b)
+	{ return b.getInterpolated(a, fac); }
+
+#define PARAM_DEF_SRZR(T, wr, rd) \
+	void PARAM_PVFN(serialize)  (std::ostream& os, T  v) {wr(os,v);  } \
+	void PARAM_PVFN(deSerialize)(std::istream& is, T& v) {v = rd(is);}
+
+
+#define PARAM_DEF_NUM(T, wr, rd) PARAM_DEF_SRZR(T, wr, rd) \
+	T PARAM_PVFN(interpolate)(float fac, const T a, const T b) \
+			{ return numericalBlend<T>(fac,a,b); } \
+	T PARAM_PVFN(pick)       (float* f, const T a, const T b) \
+			{ return numericalBlend<T>(f[0],a,b); }
+
+PARAM_DEF_NUM(u8,  writeU8,    readU8);  PARAM_DEF_NUM(s8,  writeS8,    readS8);
+PARAM_DEF_NUM(u16, writeU16,   readU16); PARAM_DEF_NUM(s16, writeS16,   readS16);
+PARAM_DEF_NUM(u32, writeU32,   readU32); PARAM_DEF_NUM(s32, writeS32,   readS32);
+PARAM_DEF_NUM(f32, writeF32,   readF32);
+PARAM_DEF_SRZR(v2f, writeV2F32, readV2F32);
+PARAM_DEF_SRZR(v3f, writeV3F32, readV3F32);
+
+enum class ParticleTextureFlags : u8 {
+	/* each value specifies a bit in a bitmask; if the maximum value
+	 * goes above 1<<7 the type of the flags field must be changed
+	 * from u8, which will necessitate a protocol change! */
+
+	// the first bit indicates whether the texture is animated
+	animated = 1,
+
+	/* the next three bits indicate the blending mode of the texture
+	 * blendmode is encoded by (flags |= (u8)blend << 1); retrieve with
+	 * (flags & ParticleTextureFlags::blend) >> 1. note that the third
+	 * bit is currently reserved for adding more blend modes in the future */
+	blend = 0x7 << 1,
+};
+
+/* define some shorthand so we don't have to repeat ourselves or use
+ * decltype everywhere */
+using FlagT = std::underlying_type_t<ParticleTextureFlags>;
+
+void ServerParticleTexture::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_ver, bool newPropertiesOnly) const
+{
+	/* newPropertiesOnly is used to de/serialize parameters of the legacy texture
+	 * field, which are encoded separately from the texspec string */
+	FlagT flags = 0;
+	if (animated)
+		flags |= FlagT(ParticleTextureFlags::animated);
+	if (blendmode != BlendMode::alpha)
+		flags |= FlagT(blendmode) << 1;
+	serializeParameterValue(os, flags);
+
+	alpha.serialize(os);
+	scale.serialize(os);
+	if (!newPropertiesOnly)
+		os << serializeString32(string);
+
+	if (animated)
+		animation.serialize(os, protocol_ver);
+}
+
+void ServerParticleTexture::deSerialize(std::istream &is, u16 protocol_ver, bool newPropertiesOnly)
+{
+	FlagT flags = 0;
+	deSerializeParameterValue(is, flags);
+
+	animated = !!(flags & FlagT(ParticleTextureFlags::animated));
+	blendmode = BlendMode((flags & FlagT(ParticleTextureFlags::blend)) >> 1);
+
+	alpha.deSerialize(is);
+	scale.deSerialize(is);
+	if (!newPropertiesOnly)
+		string = deSerializeString32(is);
+
+	if (animated)
+		animation.deSerialize(is, protocol_ver);
+}
 
 void ParticleParameters::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_ver) const
 {
@@ -28,7 +124,7 @@ void ParticleParameters::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_ver) const
 	writeF32(os, expirationtime);
 	writeF32(os, size);
 	writeU8(os, collisiondetection);
-	os << serializeString32(texture);
+	os << serializeString32(texture.string);
 	writeU8(os, vertical);
 	writeU8(os, collision_removal);
 	animation.serialize(os, 6); /* NOT the protocol ver */
@@ -37,6 +133,20 @@ void ParticleParameters::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_ver) const
 	writeU16(os, node.param0);
 	writeU8(os, node.param2);
 	writeU8(os, node_tile);
+	writeV3F32(os, drag);
+	jitter.serialize(os);
+	bounce.serialize(os);
+}
+
+template <typename T, T (reader)(std::istream& is)>
+inline bool streamEndsBeforeParam(T& val, std::istream& is)
+{
+	// This is kinda awful
+	T tmp = reader(is);
+	if (is.eof())
+		return true;
+	val = tmp;
+	return false;
 }
 
 void ParticleParameters::deSerialize(std::istream &is, u16 protocol_ver)
@@ -47,17 +157,20 @@ void ParticleParameters::deSerialize(std::istream &is, u16 protocol_ver)
 	expirationtime     = readF32(is);
 	size               = readF32(is);
 	collisiondetection = readU8(is);
-	texture            = deSerializeString32(is);
+	texture.string     = deSerializeString32(is);
 	vertical           = readU8(is);
 	collision_removal  = readU8(is);
 	animation.deSerialize(is, 6); /* NOT the protocol ver */
 	glow               = readU8(is);
 	object_collision   = readU8(is);
-	// This is kinda awful
-	u16 tmp_param0 = readU16(is);
-	if (is.eof())
+
+	if (streamEndsBeforeParam<u16, readU16>(node.param0, is))
 		return;
-	node.param0 = tmp_param0;
 	node.param2 = readU8(is);
 	node_tile   = readU8(is);
+
+	if (streamEndsBeforeParam<v3f, readV3F32>(drag, is))
+		return;
+	jitter.deSerialize(is);
+	bounce.deSerialize(is);
 }
diff --git a/src/particles.h b/src/particles.h
index 6f518b771..622fee099 100644
--- a/src/particles.h
+++ b/src/particles.h
@@ -20,19 +20,352 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #pragma once
 
 #include <string>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <vector>
+#include <ctgmath>
+#include <type_traits>
 #include "irrlichttypes_bloated.h"
 #include "tileanimation.h"
 #include "mapnode.h"
+#include "util/serialize.h"
+#include "util/numeric.h"
 
 // This file defines the particle-related structures that both the server and
 // client need. The ParticleManager and rendering is in client/particles.h
 
-struct CommonParticleParams {
+namespace ParticleParamTypes
+{
+	template <bool cond, typename T>
+	using enableIf = typename std::enable_if<cond, T>::type;
+	// std::enable_if_t does not appear to be present in GCC????
+	// std::is_enum_v also missing. wtf. these are supposed to be
+	// present as of c++14
+
+	template<typename T> using BlendFunction = T(float,T,T);
+	#define DECL_PARAM_SRZRS(type) \
+		void serializeParameterValue  (std::ostream& os, type   v); \
+		void deSerializeParameterValue(std::istream& is, type&  r);
+	#define DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(type) DECL_PARAM_SRZRS(type) \
+		type interpolateParameterValue(float  fac,  const type a, const type b); \
+		type pickParameterValue       (float* facs, const type a, const type b);
+
+	DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(u8);  DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(s8);
+	DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(u16); DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(s16);
+	DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(u32); DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(s32);
+	DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(f32);
+	DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(v2f);
+	DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS(v3f);
+
+	/* C++ is a strongly typed language. this means that enums cannot be implicitly
+	 * cast to integers, as they can be in C. while this may sound good in principle,
+	 * it means that our normal serialization functions cannot be called on
+	 * enumerations unless they are explicitly cast to a particular type first. this
+	 * is problematic, because in C++ enums can have any integral type as an underlying
+	 * type, and that type would need to be named everywhere an enumeration is
+	 * de/serialized.
+	 *
+	 * this is obviously not cool, both in terms of writing legible, succinct code,
+	 * and in terms of robustness: the underlying type might be changed at some point,
+	 * e.g. if a bitmask gets too big for its britches. we could use an equivalent of
+	 * `std::to_underlying(value)` everywhere we need to deal with enumerations, but
+	 * that's hideous and unintuitive. instead, we supply the following functions to
+	 * transparently map enumeration types to their underlying values. */
+
+	template <typename E, enableIf<std::is_enum<E>::value, bool> = true>
+	void serializeParameterValue(std::ostream& os, E k) {
+		serializeParameterValue(os, (std::underlying_type_t<E>)k);
+	}
+
+	template <typename E, enableIf<std::is_enum<E>::value, bool> = true>
+	void deSerializeParameterValue(std::istream& is, E& k) {
+		std::underlying_type_t<E> v;
+		deSerializeParameterValue(is, v);
+		k = (E)v;
+	}
+
+	/* this is your brain on C++. */
+
+	template <typename T, size_t PN>
+	struct Parameter
+	{
+		using ValType = T;
+		using pickFactors = float[PN];
+
+		T val;
+		using This = Parameter<T, PN>;
+
+		Parameter() = default;
+		Parameter(const This& a) = default;
+		template <typename... Args>
+		Parameter(Args... args) : val(args...) {}
+
+		virtual void serialize(std::ostream &os) const
+			{ serializeParameterValue  (os, this->val); }
+		virtual void deSerialize(std::istream &is)
+			{ deSerializeParameterValue(is, this->val); }
+
+		virtual T interpolate(float fac, const This& against) const
+		{
+			return interpolateParameterValue(fac, this->val, against.val);
+		}
+
+		static T pick(float* f, const This& a, const This& b)
+		{
+			return pickParameterValue(f, a.val, b.val);
+		}
+
+		operator T() const { return val; }
+		T operator=(T b) { return val = b; }
+
+	};
+
+	template <typename T> T numericalBlend(float fac, T min, T max)
+		{ return min + ((max - min) * fac); }
+
+	template <typename T, size_t N>
+	struct VectorParameter : public Parameter<T,N> {
+		using This = VectorParameter<T,N>;
+		template <typename... Args>
+		VectorParameter(Args... args) : Parameter<T,N>(args...) {}
+	};
+
+	template <typename T, size_t PN>
+	inline std::string dump(const Parameter<T,PN>& p)
+	{
+		return std::to_string(p.val);
+	}
+
+	template <typename T, size_t N>
+	inline std::string dump(const VectorParameter<T,N>& v)
+	{
+		std::ostringstream oss;
+		if (N == 3)
+			oss << PP(v.val);
+		else
+			oss << PP2(v.val);
+		return oss.str();
+	}
+
+	using u8Parameter  = Parameter<u8,  1>; using s8Parameter  = Parameter<s8,  1>;
+	using u16Parameter = Parameter<u16, 1>; using s16Parameter = Parameter<s16, 1>;
+	using u32Parameter = Parameter<u32, 1>; using s32Parameter = Parameter<s32, 1>;
+
+	using f32Parameter = Parameter<f32, 1>;
+
+	using v2fParameter = VectorParameter<v2f, 2>;
+	using v3fParameter = VectorParameter<v3f, 3>;
+
+	template <typename T>
+	struct RangedParameter
+	{
+		using ValType = T;
+		using This = RangedParameter<T>;
+
+		T min, max;
+		f32 bias = 0;
+
+		RangedParameter() = default;
+		RangedParameter(const This& a) = default;
+		RangedParameter(T _min, T _max)            : min(_min),  max(_max)  {}
+		template <typename M> RangedParameter(M b) : min(b),     max(b)     {}
+
+		// these functions handle the old range serialization "format"; bias must
+		// be manually encoded in a separate part of the stream. NEVER ADD FIELDS
+		// TO THESE FUNCTIONS
+		void legacySerialize(std::ostream& os) const
+		{
+			min.serialize(os);
+			max.serialize(os);
+		}
+		void legacyDeSerialize(std::istream& is)
+		{
+			min.deSerialize(is);
+			max.deSerialize(is);
+		}
+
+		// these functions handle the format used by new fields. new fields go here
+		void serialize(std::ostream &os) const
+		{
+			legacySerialize(os);
+			writeF32(os, bias);
+		}
+		void deSerialize(std::istream &is)
+		{
+			legacyDeSerialize(is);
+			bias = readF32(is);
+		}
+
+		This interpolate(float fac, const This against) const
+		{
+			This r;
+			r.min = min.interpolate(fac, against.min);
+			r.max = max.interpolate(fac, against.max);
+			r.bias = bias;
+			return r;
+		}
+
+		T pickWithin() const
+		{
+			typename T::pickFactors values;
+			auto p = numericAbsolute(bias) + 1;
+			for (size_t i = 0; i < sizeof(values) / sizeof(values[0]); ++i) {
+				if (bias < 0)
+					values[i] = 1.0f - pow(myrand_float(), p);
+				else
+					values[i] = pow(myrand_float(), p);
+			}
+			return T::pick(values, min, max);
+		}
+
+	};
+
+	template <typename T>
+	inline std::string dump(const RangedParameter<T>& r)
+	{
+		std::ostringstream s;
+		s << "range<" << dump(r.min) << " ~ " << dump(r.max);
+		if (r.bias != 0)
+			s << " :: " << r.bias;
+		s << ">";
+		return s.str();
+	}
+
+	enum class TweenStyle : u8 { fwd, rev, pulse, flicker };
+
+	template <typename T>
+	struct TweenedParameter
+	{
+		using ValType = T;
+		using This = TweenedParameter<T>;
+
+		TweenStyle style = TweenStyle::fwd;
+		u16 reps = 1;
+		f32 beginning = 0.0f;
+
+		T start, end;
+
+		TweenedParameter() = default;
+		TweenedParameter(const This& a) = default;
+		TweenedParameter(T _start, T _end)          : start(_start),  end(_end) {}
+		template <typename M> TweenedParameter(M b) : start(b),       end(b) {}
+
+		T blend(float fac) const
+		{
+			// warp time coordinates in accordance w/ settings
+			if (fac > beginning) {
+				// remap for beginning offset
+				auto len = 1 - beginning;
+				fac -= beginning;
+				fac /= len;
+
+				// remap for repetitions
+				fac *= reps;
+				if (fac > 1) // poor man's modulo
+					fac -= (decltype(reps))fac;
+
+				// remap for style
+				switch (style) {
+					case TweenStyle::fwd: /* do nothing */  break;
+					case TweenStyle::rev: fac = 1.0f - fac; break;
+					case TweenStyle::pulse:
+					case TweenStyle::flicker: {
+						if (fac > 0.5f) {
+							fac = 1.f - (fac*2.f - 1.f);
+						} else {
+							fac = fac * 2;
+						}
+						if (style == TweenStyle::flicker) {
+							fac *= myrand_range(0.7f, 1.0f);
+						}
+					}
+				}
+				if (fac>1.f)
+					fac = 1.f;
+				else if (fac<0.f)
+					fac = 0.f;
+			} else {
+				fac = (style == TweenStyle::rev) ? 1.f : 0.f;
+			}
+
+			return start.interpolate(fac, end);
+		}
+
+		void serialize(std::ostream &os) const
+		{
+			writeU8(os, static_cast<u8>(style));
+			writeU16(os, reps);
+			writeF32(os, beginning);
+			start.serialize(os);
+			end.serialize(os);
+		}
+		void deSerialize(std::istream &is)
+		{
+			style = static_cast<TweenStyle>(readU8(is));
+			reps = readU16(is);
+			beginning = readF32(is);
+			start.deSerialize(is);
+			end.deSerialize(is);
+		}
+	};
+
+	template <typename T>
+	inline std::string dump(const TweenedParameter<T>& t)
+	{
+		std::ostringstream s;
+		const char* icon;
+		switch (t.style) {
+			case TweenStyle::fwd: icon = "→"; break;
+			case TweenStyle::rev: icon = "←"; break;
+			case TweenStyle::pulse: icon = "↔"; break;
+			case TweenStyle::flicker: icon = "↯"; break;
+		}
+		s << "tween<";
+		if (t.reps != 1)
+			s << t.reps << "x ";
+		s << dump(t.start) << " "<<icon<<" " << dump(t.end) << ">";
+		return s.str();
+	}
+
+	enum class AttractorKind : u8 { none, point, line, plane };
+	enum class BlendMode     : u8 { alpha, add, sub, screen  };
+
+	// these are consistently-named convenience aliases to make code more readable without `using ParticleParamTypes` declarations
+	using v3fRange = RangedParameter<v3fParameter>;
+	using f32Range = RangedParameter<f32Parameter>;
+
+	using v2fTween      = TweenedParameter<v2fParameter>;
+	using v3fTween      = TweenedParameter<v3fParameter>;
+	using f32Tween      = TweenedParameter<f32Parameter>;
+	using v3fRangeTween = TweenedParameter<v3fRange>;
+	using f32RangeTween = TweenedParameter<f32Range>;
+
+	#undef DECL_PARAM_SRZRS
+	#undef DECL_PARAM_OVERLOADS
+}
+
+struct ParticleTexture
+{
+	bool animated = false;
+	ParticleParamTypes::BlendMode blendmode = ParticleParamTypes::BlendMode::alpha;
+	TileAnimationParams animation;
+	ParticleParamTypes::f32Tween alpha{1.0f};
+	ParticleParamTypes::v2fTween scale{v2f(1.0f)};
+};
+
+struct ServerParticleTexture : public ParticleTexture
+{
+	std::string string;
+	void serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_ver, bool newPropertiesOnly = false) const;
+	void deSerialize(std::istream &is, u16 protocol_ver, bool newPropertiesOnly = false);
+};
+
+struct CommonParticleParams
+{
 	bool collisiondetection = false;
 	bool collision_removal = false;
 	bool object_collision = false;
 	bool vertical = false;
-	std::string texture;
+	ServerParticleTexture texture;
 	struct TileAnimationParams animation;
 	u8 glow = 0;
 	MapNode node;
@@ -58,22 +391,42 @@ struct CommonParticleParams {
 	}
 };
 
-struct ParticleParameters : CommonParticleParams {
-	v3f pos;
-	v3f vel;
-	v3f acc;
-	f32 expirationtime = 1;
-	f32 size = 1;
+struct ParticleParameters : CommonParticleParams
+{
+	v3f pos, vel, acc, drag;
+	f32 size = 1, expirationtime = 1;
+	ParticleParamTypes::f32Range bounce;
+	ParticleParamTypes::v3fRange jitter;
 
 	void serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_ver) const;
 	void deSerialize(std::istream &is, u16 protocol_ver);
 };
 
-struct ParticleSpawnerParameters : CommonParticleParams {
+struct ParticleSpawnerParameters : CommonParticleParams
+{
 	u16 amount = 1;
-	v3f minpos, maxpos, minvel, maxvel, minacc, maxacc;
 	f32 time = 1;
-	f32 minexptime = 1, maxexptime = 1, minsize = 1, maxsize = 1;
+
+	std::vector<ServerParticleTexture> texpool;
+
+	ParticleParamTypes::v3fRangeTween
+		pos, vel, acc, drag, radius, jitter;
+
+	ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind
+		attractor_kind;
+	ParticleParamTypes::v3fTween
+		attractor_origin, attractor_direction;
+	// object IDs
+	u16 attractor_attachment = 0,
+	    attractor_direction_attachment = 0;
+	// do particles disappear when they cross the attractor threshold?
+	bool attractor_kill = true;
+
+	ParticleParamTypes::f32RangeTween
+		exptime{1.0f},
+		size   {1.0f},
+		attract{0.0f},
+		bounce {0.0f};
 
 	// For historical reasons no (de-)serialization methods here
 };
diff --git a/src/script/common/c_content.cpp b/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
index 5595f3b14..10670a60a 100644
--- a/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
+++ b/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ struct EnumString es_TileAnimationType[] =
 	{TAT_NONE, "none"},
 	{TAT_VERTICAL_FRAMES, "vertical_frames"},
 	{TAT_SHEET_2D, "sheet_2d"},
-	{0, NULL},
+	{0, nullptr},
 };
 
 /******************************************************************************/
diff --git a/src/script/common/c_converter.h b/src/script/common/c_converter.h
index a14eb9186..5fea3c21f 100644
--- a/src/script/common/c_converter.h
+++ b/src/script/common/c_converter.h
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ void               setboolfield(lua_State *L, int table,
                              const char *fieldname, bool value);
 
 v3f                 checkFloatPos       (lua_State *L, int index);
+v2f                 check_v2f           (lua_State *L, int index);
 v3f                 check_v3f           (lua_State *L, int index);
 v3s16               check_v3s16         (lua_State *L, int index);
 
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_particleparams.h b/src/script/lua_api/l_particleparams.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4fefc5e3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_particleparams.h
@@ -0,0 +1,279 @@
+/*
+Minetest
+Copyright (C) 2021 velartrill, Lexi Hale <lexi@hale.su>
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License along
+with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+*/
+
+#pragma once
+#include "lua_api/l_particles.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_object.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_internal.h"
+#include "common/c_converter.h"
+#include "common/c_content.h"
+#include "server.h"
+#include "particles.h"
+
+namespace LuaParticleParams
+{
+	using namespace ParticleParamTypes;
+
+	template<typename T>
+	inline void readNumericLuaValue(lua_State* L, T& ret)
+	{
+		if (lua_isnil(L,-1))
+			return;
+
+		if (std::is_integral<T>())
+			ret = lua_tointeger(L, -1);
+		else
+			ret = lua_tonumber(L, -1);
+	}
+
+	template <typename T, size_t N>
+	inline void readNumericLuaValue(lua_State* L, Parameter<T,N>& ret)
+	{
+		readNumericLuaValue<T>(L, ret.val);
+	}
+
+	// these are unfortunately necessary as C++ intentionally disallows function template
+	// specialization and there's no way to make template overloads reliably resolve correctly
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, f32Parameter& ret) { readNumericLuaValue(L, ret); }
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, f32& ret)          { readNumericLuaValue(L, ret); }
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, u16& ret)          { readNumericLuaValue(L, ret); }
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, u8& ret)           { readNumericLuaValue(L, ret); }
+
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, v3fParameter& ret)
+	{
+		if (lua_isnil(L, -1))
+			return;
+
+		if (lua_isnumber(L, -1)) { // shortcut for uniform vectors
+			auto n = lua_tonumber(L, -1);
+			ret = v3fParameter(n,n,n);
+		} else {
+			ret = (v3fParameter)check_v3f(L, -1);
+		}
+	}
+
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, v2fParameter& ret)
+	{
+		if (lua_isnil(L, -1))
+			return;
+
+		if (lua_isnumber(L, -1)) { // shortcut for uniform vectors
+			auto n = lua_tonumber(L, -1);
+			ret = v2fParameter(n,n);
+		} else {
+			ret = (v2fParameter)check_v2f(L, -1);
+		}
+	}
+
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, TweenStyle& ret)
+	{
+		if (lua_isnil(L, -1))
+			return;
+
+		static const EnumString opts[] = {
+			{(int)TweenStyle::fwd,     "fwd"},
+			{(int)TweenStyle::rev,     "rev"},
+			{(int)TweenStyle::pulse,   "pulse"},
+			{(int)TweenStyle::flicker, "flicker"},
+			{0, nullptr},
+		};
+
+		luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TSTRING);
+		int v = (int)TweenStyle::fwd;
+		if (!string_to_enum(opts, v, lua_tostring(L, -1))) {
+			throw LuaError("tween style must be one of ('fwd', 'rev', 'pulse', 'flicker')");
+		}
+		ret = (TweenStyle)v;
+	}
+
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, AttractorKind& ret)
+	{
+		if (lua_isnil(L, -1))
+			return;
+
+		static const EnumString opts[] = {
+			{(int)AttractorKind::none,  "none"},
+			{(int)AttractorKind::point, "point"},
+			{(int)AttractorKind::line,  "line"},
+			{(int)AttractorKind::plane, "plane"},
+			{0, nullptr},
+		};
+
+		luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TSTRING);
+		int v = (int)AttractorKind::none;
+		if (!string_to_enum(opts, v, lua_tostring(L, -1))) {
+			throw LuaError("attractor kind must be one of ('none', 'point', 'line', 'plane')");
+		}
+		ret = (AttractorKind)v;
+	}
+
+	inline void readLuaValue(lua_State* L, BlendMode& ret)
+	{
+		if (lua_isnil(L, -1))
+			return;
+
+		static const EnumString opts[] = {
+			{(int)BlendMode::alpha,  "alpha"},
+			{(int)BlendMode::add,    "add"},
+			{(int)BlendMode::sub,    "sub"},
+			{(int)BlendMode::screen, "screen"},
+			{0, nullptr},
+		};
+
+		luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TSTRING);
+		int v = (int)BlendMode::alpha;
+		if (!string_to_enum(opts, v, lua_tostring(L, -1))) {
+			throw LuaError("blend mode must be one of ('alpha', 'add', 'sub', 'screen')");
+		}
+		ret = (BlendMode)v;
+	}
+
+	template <typename T> void
+	readLuaValue(lua_State* L, RangedParameter<T>& field)
+	{
+		if (lua_isnil(L,-1))
+			return;
+		if (!lua_istable(L,-1)) // is this is just a literal value?
+			goto set_uniform;
+
+		lua_getfield(L, -1, "min");
+		// handle convenience syntax for non-range values
+		if (lua_isnil(L,-1)) {
+			lua_pop(L, 1);
+			goto set_uniform;
+		}
+		readLuaValue(L,field.min);
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+		lua_getfield(L, -1, "max");
+		readLuaValue(L,field.max);
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+		lua_getfield(L, -1, "bias");
+		if (!lua_isnil(L,-1))
+			readLuaValue(L,field.bias);
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+		return;
+
+		set_uniform:
+		readLuaValue(L, field.min);
+		readLuaValue(L, field.max);
+	}
+
+	template <typename T> void
+	readLegacyValue(lua_State* L, const char* name, T& field) {}
+
+	template <typename T> void
+	readLegacyValue(lua_State* L, const char* name, RangedParameter<T>& field)
+	{
+		int tbl = lua_gettop(L);
+		lua_pushliteral(L, "min");
+		lua_pushstring(L, name);
+		lua_concat(L, 2);
+		lua_gettable(L, tbl);
+		if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+			readLuaValue(L, field.min);
+		}
+		lua_settop(L, tbl);
+
+		lua_pushliteral(L, "max");
+		lua_pushstring(L, name);
+		lua_concat(L, 2);
+		lua_gettable(L, tbl);
+		if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+			readLuaValue(L, field.max);
+		}
+		lua_settop(L, tbl);
+	}
+
+	template <typename T> void
+	readTweenTable(lua_State* L, const char* name, TweenedParameter<T>& field)
+	{
+		int tbl = lua_gettop(L);
+
+		lua_pushstring(L, name);
+		lua_pushliteral(L, "_tween");
+		lua_concat(L, 2);
+		lua_gettable(L, tbl);
+		if(lua_istable(L, -1)) {
+			int tween = lua_gettop(L);
+			// get the starting value
+			lua_pushinteger(L, 1), lua_gettable(L, tween);
+			readLuaValue(L, field.start);
+			lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+			// get the final value -- use len instead of 2 so that this
+			// gracefully degrades if keyframe support is later added
+			lua_pushinteger(L, (lua_Integer)lua_objlen(L, -1)), lua_gettable(L, tween);
+			readLuaValue(L, field.end);
+			lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+			// get the effect settings
+			lua_getfield(L, -1, "style");
+			lua_isnil(L,-1) || (readLuaValue(L, field.style), true);
+			lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+			lua_getfield(L, -1, "reps");
+			lua_isnil(L,-1) || (readLuaValue(L, field.reps), true);
+			lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+			lua_getfield(L, -1, "start");
+			lua_isnil(L,-1) || (readLuaValue(L, field.beginning), true);
+			lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+			goto done;
+		} else {
+			lua_pop(L,1);
+		}
+		// the table is not present; check for nonanimated values
+
+		lua_getfield(L, tbl, name);
+		if(!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+			readLuaValue(L, field.start);
+			lua_settop(L, tbl);
+			goto set_uniform;
+		} else {
+			lua_pop(L,1);
+		}
+
+		// the goto did not trigger, so this table is not present either
+		// check for pre-5.6.0 legacy values
+		readLegacyValue(L, name, field.start);
+
+		set_uniform:
+		field.end = field.start;
+		done:
+		lua_settop(L, tbl); // clean up after ourselves
+	}
+
+	inline u16 readAttachmentID(lua_State* L, const char* name)
+	{
+		u16 id = 0;
+		lua_getfield(L, -1, name);
+		if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+			ObjectRef *ref = ObjectRef::checkobject(L, -1);
+			if (auto obj = ObjectRef::getobject(ref))
+				id = obj->getId();
+		}
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+		return id;
+	}
+
+	void readTexValue(lua_State* L, ServerParticleTexture& tex);
+}
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_particles.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_particles.cpp
index a51c4fe20..586c7dc73 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_particles.cpp
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_particles.cpp
@@ -20,30 +20,50 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "lua_api/l_particles.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_object.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_internal.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_particleparams.h"
 #include "common/c_converter.h"
 #include "common/c_content.h"
 #include "server.h"
 #include "particles.h"
 
-// add_particle({pos=, velocity=, acceleration=, expirationtime=,
-//     size=, collisiondetection=, collision_removal=, object_collision=,
-//     vertical=, texture=, player=})
-// pos/velocity/acceleration = {x=num, y=num, z=num}
-// expirationtime = num (seconds)
-// size = num
-// collisiondetection = bool
-// collision_removal = bool
-// object_collision = bool
-// vertical = bool
-// texture = e.g."default_wood.png"
-// animation = TileAnimation definition
-// glow = num
+void LuaParticleParams::readTexValue(lua_State* L, ServerParticleTexture& tex)
+{
+	StackUnroller unroll(L);
+
+	tex.animated = false;
+	if (lua_isstring(L, -1)) {
+		tex.string = lua_tostring(L, -1);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TTABLE);
+	lua_getfield(L, -1, "name");
+	tex.string = luaL_checkstring(L, -1);
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+	lua_getfield(L, -1, "animation");
+	if (! lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+		tex.animated = true;
+		tex.animation = read_animation_definition(L, -1);
+	}
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+	lua_getfield(L, -1, "blend");
+	LuaParticleParams::readLuaValue(L, tex.blendmode);
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "alpha", tex.alpha);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "scale", tex.scale);
+
+}
+
+// add_particle({...})
 int ModApiParticles::l_add_particle(lua_State *L)
 {
 	NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED;
 
 	// Get parameters
-	struct ParticleParameters p;
+	ParticleParameters p;
 	std::string playername;
 
 	if (lua_gettop(L) > 1) // deprecated
@@ -56,7 +76,7 @@ int ModApiParticles::l_add_particle(lua_State *L)
 		p.expirationtime = luaL_checknumber(L, 4);
 		p.size = luaL_checknumber(L, 5);
 		p.collisiondetection = readParam<bool>(L, 6);
-		p.texture = luaL_checkstring(L, 7);
+		p.texture.string = luaL_checkstring(L, 7);
 		if (lua_gettop(L) == 8) // only spawn for a single player
 			playername = luaL_checkstring(L, 8);
 	}
@@ -108,7 +128,12 @@ int ModApiParticles::l_add_particle(lua_State *L)
 		p.animation = read_animation_definition(L, -1);
 		lua_pop(L, 1);
 
-		p.texture = getstringfield_default(L, 1, "texture", p.texture);
+		lua_getfield(L, 1, "texture");
+		if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+			LuaParticleParams::readTexValue(L, p.texture);
+		}
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+
 		p.glow = getintfield_default(L, 1, "glow", p.glow);
 
 		lua_getfield(L, 1, "node");
@@ -119,34 +144,26 @@ int ModApiParticles::l_add_particle(lua_State *L)
 		p.node_tile = getintfield_default(L, 1, "node_tile", p.node_tile);
 
 		playername = getstringfield_default(L, 1, "playername", "");
+
+		lua_getfield(L, 1, "drag");
+		if (lua_istable(L, -1))
+			p.drag = check_v3f(L, -1);
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+		lua_getfield(L, 1, "jitter");
+		LuaParticleParams::readLuaValue(L, p.jitter);
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+		lua_getfield(L, 1, "bounce");
+		LuaParticleParams::readLuaValue(L, p.bounce);
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
 	}
 
 	getServer(L)->spawnParticle(playername, p);
 	return 1;
 }
 
-// add_particlespawner({amount=, time=,
-//				minpos=, maxpos=,
-//				minvel=, maxvel=,
-//				minacc=, maxacc=,
-//				minexptime=, maxexptime=,
-//				minsize=, maxsize=,
-//				collisiondetection=,
-//				collision_removal=,
-//				object_collision=,
-//				vertical=,
-//				texture=,
-//				player=})
-// minpos/maxpos/minvel/maxvel/minacc/maxacc = {x=num, y=num, z=num}
-// minexptime/maxexptime = num (seconds)
-// minsize/maxsize = num
-// collisiondetection = bool
-// collision_removal = bool
-// object_collision = bool
-// vertical = bool
-// texture = e.g."default_wood.png"
-// animation = TileAnimation definition
-// glow = num
+// add_particlespawner({...})
 int ModApiParticles::l_add_particlespawner(lua_State *L)
 {
 	NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED;
@@ -156,24 +173,31 @@ int ModApiParticles::l_add_particlespawner(lua_State *L)
 	ServerActiveObject *attached = NULL;
 	std::string playername;
 
+	using namespace ParticleParamTypes;
 	if (lua_gettop(L) > 1) //deprecated
 	{
 		log_deprecated(L, "Deprecated add_particlespawner call with "
 			"individual parameters instead of definition");
 		p.amount = luaL_checknumber(L, 1);
 		p.time = luaL_checknumber(L, 2);
-		p.minpos = check_v3f(L, 3);
-		p.maxpos = check_v3f(L, 4);
-		p.minvel = check_v3f(L, 5);
-		p.maxvel = check_v3f(L, 6);
-		p.minacc = check_v3f(L, 7);
-		p.maxacc = check_v3f(L, 8);
-		p.minexptime = luaL_checknumber(L, 9);
-		p.maxexptime = luaL_checknumber(L, 10);
-		p.minsize = luaL_checknumber(L, 11);
-		p.maxsize = luaL_checknumber(L, 12);
+		auto minpos = check_v3f(L, 3);
+		auto maxpos = check_v3f(L, 4);
+		auto minvel = check_v3f(L, 5);
+		auto maxvel = check_v3f(L, 6);
+		auto minacc = check_v3f(L, 7);
+		auto maxacc = check_v3f(L, 8);
+		auto minexptime = luaL_checknumber(L, 9);
+		auto maxexptime = luaL_checknumber(L, 10);
+		auto minsize = luaL_checknumber(L, 11);
+		auto maxsize = luaL_checknumber(L, 12);
+		p.pos = v3fRange(minpos, maxpos);
+		p.vel = v3fRange(minvel, maxvel);
+		p.acc = v3fRange(minacc, maxacc);
+		p.exptime = f32Range(minexptime, maxexptime);
+		p.size = f32Range(minsize, maxsize);
+
 		p.collisiondetection = readParam<bool>(L, 13);
-		p.texture = luaL_checkstring(L, 14);
+		p.texture.string = luaL_checkstring(L, 14);
 		if (lua_gettop(L) == 15) // only spawn for a single player
 			playername = luaL_checkstring(L, 15);
 	}
@@ -182,40 +206,46 @@ int ModApiParticles::l_add_particlespawner(lua_State *L)
 		p.amount = getintfield_default(L, 1, "amount", p.amount);
 		p.time = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "time", p.time);
 
-		lua_getfield(L, 1, "minpos");
-		if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-			p.minpos = check_v3f(L, -1);
-		lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-		lua_getfield(L, 1, "maxpos");
-		if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-			p.maxpos = check_v3f(L, -1);
-		lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-		lua_getfield(L, 1, "minvel");
-		if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-			p.minvel = check_v3f(L, -1);
-		lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-		lua_getfield(L, 1, "maxvel");
-		if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-			p.maxvel = check_v3f(L, -1);
-		lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-		lua_getfield(L, 1, "minacc");
-		if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-			p.minacc = check_v3f(L, -1);
-		lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-		lua_getfield(L, 1, "maxacc");
-		if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-			p.maxacc = check_v3f(L, -1);
-		lua_pop(L, 1);
+		// set default values
+		p.exptime = 1;
+		p.size = 1;
+
+		// read spawner parameters from the table
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "pos", p.pos);
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "vel", p.vel);
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "acc", p.acc);
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "size", p.size);
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "exptime", p.exptime);
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "drag", p.drag);
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "jitter", p.jitter);
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "bounce", p.bounce);
+		lua_getfield(L, 1, "attract");
+		if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+			luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TTABLE);
+			lua_getfield(L, -1, "kind");
+			LuaParticleParams::readLuaValue(L, p.attractor_kind);
+			lua_pop(L,1);
+
+			lua_getfield(L, -1, "die_on_contact");
+			if (!lua_isnil(L, -1))
+				p.attractor_kill = readParam<bool>(L, -1);
+			lua_pop(L,1);
+
+			if (p.attractor_kind != AttractorKind::none) {
+				LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "strength", p.attract);
+				LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "origin", p.attractor_origin);
+				p.attractor_attachment = LuaParticleParams::readAttachmentID(L, "origin_attached");
+				if (p.attractor_kind != AttractorKind::point) {
+					LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "direction", p.attractor_direction);
+					p.attractor_direction_attachment = LuaParticleParams::readAttachmentID(L, "direction_attached");
+				}
+			}
+		} else {
+			p.attractor_kind = AttractorKind::none;
+		}
+		lua_pop(L,1);
+		LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "radius", p.radius);
 
-		p.minexptime = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "minexptime", p.minexptime);
-		p.maxexptime = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "maxexptime", p.maxexptime);
-		p.minsize = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "minsize", p.minsize);
-		p.maxsize = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "maxsize", p.maxsize);
 		p.collisiondetection = getboolfield_default(L, 1,
 			"collisiondetection", p.collisiondetection);
 		p.collision_removal = getboolfield_default(L, 1,
@@ -234,11 +264,29 @@ int ModApiParticles::l_add_particlespawner(lua_State *L)
 			attached = ObjectRef::getobject(ref);
 		}
 
+		lua_getfield(L, 1, "texture");
+		if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+			LuaParticleParams::readTexValue(L, p.texture);
+		}
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+
 		p.vertical = getboolfield_default(L, 1, "vertical", p.vertical);
-		p.texture = getstringfield_default(L, 1, "texture", p.texture);
 		playername = getstringfield_default(L, 1, "playername", "");
 		p.glow = getintfield_default(L, 1, "glow", p.glow);
 
+		lua_getfield(L, 1, "texpool");
+		if (lua_istable(L, -1)) {
+			size_t tl = lua_objlen(L, -1);
+			p.texpool.reserve(tl);
+			for (size_t i = 0; i < tl; ++i) {
+				lua_pushinteger(L, i+1), lua_gettable(L, -2);
+				p.texpool.emplace_back();
+				LuaParticleParams::readTexValue(L, p.texpool.back());
+				lua_pop(L,1);
+			}
+		}
+		lua_pop(L, 1);
+
 		lua_getfield(L, 1, "node");
 		if (lua_istable(L, -1))
 			p.node = readnode(L, -1, getGameDef(L)->ndef());
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_particles_local.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_particles_local.cpp
index cc68b13a5..62cbab8e9 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_particles_local.cpp
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_particles_local.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "common/c_converter.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_internal.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_object.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_particleparams.h"
 #include "client/particles.h"
 #include "client/client.h"
 #include "client/clientevent.h"
@@ -49,6 +50,19 @@ int ModApiParticlesLocal::l_add_particle(lua_State *L)
 		p.acc = check_v3f(L, -1);
 	lua_pop(L, 1);
 
+	lua_getfield(L, 1, "drag");
+	if (lua_istable(L, -1))
+		p.drag = check_v3f(L, -1);
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+	lua_getfield(L, 1, "jitter");
+	LuaParticleParams::readLuaValue(L, p.jitter);
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+	lua_getfield(L, 1, "bounce");
+	LuaParticleParams::readLuaValue(L, p.bounce);
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+
 	p.expirationtime = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "expirationtime",
 		p.expirationtime);
 	p.size = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "size", p.size);
@@ -64,7 +78,11 @@ int ModApiParticlesLocal::l_add_particle(lua_State *L)
 	p.animation = read_animation_definition(L, -1);
 	lua_pop(L, 1);
 
-	p.texture = getstringfield_default(L, 1, "texture", p.texture);
+	lua_getfield(L, 1, "texture");
+	if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+		LuaParticleParams::readTexValue(L,p.texture);
+	}
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
 	p.glow = getintfield_default(L, 1, "glow", p.glow);
 
 	lua_getfield(L, 1, "node");
@@ -88,44 +106,50 @@ int ModApiParticlesLocal::l_add_particlespawner(lua_State *L)
 
 	// Get parameters
 	ParticleSpawnerParameters p;
-
 	p.amount = getintfield_default(L, 1, "amount", p.amount);
 	p.time = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "time", p.time);
 
-	lua_getfield(L, 1, "minpos");
-	if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-		p.minpos = check_v3f(L, -1);
-	lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-	lua_getfield(L, 1, "maxpos");
-	if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-		p.maxpos = check_v3f(L, -1);
-	lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-	lua_getfield(L, 1, "minvel");
-	if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-		p.minvel = check_v3f(L, -1);
-	lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-	lua_getfield(L, 1, "maxvel");
-	if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-		p.maxvel = check_v3f(L, -1);
-	lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-	lua_getfield(L, 1, "minacc");
-	if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-		p.minacc = check_v3f(L, -1);
-	lua_pop(L, 1);
+	// set default values
+	p.exptime = 1;
+	p.size = 1;
+
+	// read spawner parameters from the table
+	using namespace ParticleParamTypes;
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "pos", p.pos);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "vel", p.vel);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "acc", p.acc);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "size", p.size);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "exptime", p.exptime);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "drag", p.drag);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "jitter", p.jitter);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "bounce", p.bounce);
+	lua_getfield(L, 1, "attract");
+	if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+		luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TTABLE);
+		lua_getfield(L, -1, "kind");
+		LuaParticleParams::readLuaValue(L, p.attractor_kind);
+		lua_pop(L,1);
+
+		lua_getfield(L, -1, "die_on_contact");
+		if (!lua_isnil(L, -1))
+			p.attractor_kill = readParam<bool>(L, -1);
+		lua_pop(L,1);
+
+		if (p.attractor_kind != AttractorKind::none) {
+			LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "strength", p.attract);
+			LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "origin", p.attractor_origin);
+			p.attractor_attachment = LuaParticleParams::readAttachmentID(L, "origin_attached");
+			if (p.attractor_kind != AttractorKind::point) {
+				LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "direction", p.attractor_direction);
+				p.attractor_direction_attachment = LuaParticleParams::readAttachmentID(L, "direction_attached");
+			}
+		}
+	} else {
+		p.attractor_kind = AttractorKind::none;
+	}
+	lua_pop(L,1);
+	LuaParticleParams::readTweenTable(L, "radius", p.radius);
 
-	lua_getfield(L, 1, "maxacc");
-	if (lua_istable(L, -1))
-		p.maxacc = check_v3f(L, -1);
-	lua_pop(L, 1);
-
-	p.minexptime = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "minexptime", p.minexptime);
-	p.maxexptime = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "maxexptime", p.maxexptime);
-	p.minsize = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "minsize", p.minsize);
-	p.maxsize = getfloatfield_default(L, 1, "maxsize", p.maxsize);
 	p.collisiondetection = getboolfield_default(L, 1,
 		"collisiondetection", p.collisiondetection);
 	p.collision_removal = getboolfield_default(L, 1,
@@ -137,10 +161,28 @@ int ModApiParticlesLocal::l_add_particlespawner(lua_State *L)
 	p.animation = read_animation_definition(L, -1);
 	lua_pop(L, 1);
 
+	lua_getfield(L, 1, "texture");
+	if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+		LuaParticleParams::readTexValue(L, p.texture);
+	}
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+
 	p.vertical = getboolfield_default(L, 1, "vertical", p.vertical);
-	p.texture = getstringfield_default(L, 1, "texture", p.texture);
 	p.glow = getintfield_default(L, 1, "glow", p.glow);
 
+	lua_getfield(L, 1, "texpool");
+	if (lua_istable(L, -1)) {
+		size_t tl = lua_objlen(L, -1);
+		p.texpool.reserve(tl);
+		for (size_t i = 0; i < tl; ++i) {
+			lua_pushinteger(L, i+1), lua_gettable(L, -2);
+			p.texpool.emplace_back();
+			LuaParticleParams::readTexValue(L, p.texpool.back());
+			lua_pop(L,1);
+		}
+	}
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+
 	lua_getfield(L, 1, "node");
 	if (lua_istable(L, -1))
 		p.node = readnode(L, -1, getGameDef(L)->ndef());
diff --git a/src/server.cpp b/src/server.cpp
index 4eee14a30..6ca45f2d3 100644
--- a/src/server.cpp
+++ b/src/server.cpp
@@ -160,6 +160,7 @@ v3f ServerPlayingSound::getPos(ServerEnvironment *env, bool *pos_exists) const
 			return sao->getBasePosition();
 		}
 	}
+
 	return v3f(0,0,0);
 }
 
@@ -1599,7 +1600,12 @@ void Server::SendAddParticleSpawner(session_t peer_id, u16 protocol_version,
 
 	if (peer_id == PEER_ID_INEXISTENT) {
 		std::vector<session_t> clients = m_clients.getClientIDs();
-		const v3f pos = (p.minpos + p.maxpos) / 2.0f * BS;
+		const v3f pos = (
+			p.pos.start.min.val +
+			p.pos.start.max.val +
+			p.pos.end.min.val +
+			p.pos.end.max.val
+		) / 4.0f * BS;
 		const float radius_sq = radius * radius;
 		/* Don't send short-lived spawners to distant players.
 		 * This could be replaced with proper tracking at some point. */
@@ -1627,11 +1633,19 @@ void Server::SendAddParticleSpawner(session_t peer_id, u16 protocol_version,
 
 	NetworkPacket pkt(TOCLIENT_ADD_PARTICLESPAWNER, 100, peer_id);
 
-	pkt << p.amount << p.time << p.minpos << p.maxpos << p.minvel
-		<< p.maxvel << p.minacc << p.maxacc << p.minexptime << p.maxexptime
-		<< p.minsize << p.maxsize << p.collisiondetection;
+	pkt << p.amount << p.time;
+	{ // serialize legacy fields
+		std::ostringstream os(std::ios_base::binary);
+		p.pos.start.legacySerialize(os);
+		p.vel.start.legacySerialize(os);
+		p.acc.start.legacySerialize(os);
+		p.exptime.start.legacySerialize(os);
+		p.size.start.legacySerialize(os);
+		pkt.putRawString(os.str());
+	}
+	pkt << p.collisiondetection;
 
-	pkt.putLongString(p.texture);
+	pkt.putLongString(p.texture.string);
 
 	pkt << id << p.vertical << p.collision_removal << attached_id;
 	{
@@ -1642,6 +1656,51 @@ void Server::SendAddParticleSpawner(session_t peer_id, u16 protocol_version,
 	pkt << p.glow << p.object_collision;
 	pkt << p.node.param0 << p.node.param2 << p.node_tile;
 
+	{ // serialize new fields
+		// initial bias for older properties
+		pkt << p.pos.start.bias
+			<< p.vel.start.bias
+			<< p.acc.start.bias
+			<< p.exptime.start.bias
+			<< p.size.start.bias;
+
+		std::ostringstream os(std::ios_base::binary);
+
+		// final tween frames of older properties
+		p.pos.end.serialize(os);
+		p.vel.end.serialize(os);
+		p.acc.end.serialize(os);
+		p.exptime.end.serialize(os);
+		p.size.end.serialize(os);
+
+		// properties for legacy texture field
+		p.texture.serialize(os, protocol_version, true);
+
+		// new properties
+		p.drag.serialize(os);
+		p.jitter.serialize(os);
+		p.bounce.serialize(os);
+		ParticleParamTypes::serializeParameterValue(os, p.attractor_kind);
+		if (p.attractor_kind != ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind::none) {
+			p.attract.serialize(os);
+			p.attractor_origin.serialize(os);
+			writeU16(os, p.attractor_attachment); /* object ID */
+			writeU8(os, p.attractor_kill);
+			if (p.attractor_kind != ParticleParamTypes::AttractorKind::point) {
+				p.attractor_direction.serialize(os);
+				writeU16(os, p.attractor_direction_attachment);
+			}
+		}
+		p.radius.serialize(os);
+
+		ParticleParamTypes::serializeParameterValue(os, (u16)p.texpool.size());
+		for (const auto& tex : p.texpool) {
+			tex.serialize(os, protocol_version);
+		}
+
+		pkt.putRawString(os.str());
+	}
+
 	Send(&pkt);
 }
 
@@ -3267,7 +3326,7 @@ bool Server::hudSetFlags(RemotePlayer *player, u32 flags, u32 mask)
 	u32 new_hud_flags = (player->hud_flags & ~mask) | flags;
 	if (new_hud_flags == player->hud_flags) // no change
 		return true;
-	
+
 	SendHUDSetFlags(player->getPeerId(), flags, mask);
 	player->hud_flags = new_hud_flags;
 
@@ -3692,8 +3751,8 @@ v3f Server::findSpawnPos()
 		s32 range = MYMIN(1 + i, range_max);
 		// We're going to try to throw the player to this position
 		v2s16 nodepos2d = v2s16(
-			-range + (myrand() % (range * 2)),
-			-range + (myrand() % (range * 2)));
+			-range + myrand_range(0, range*2),
+			-range + myrand_range(0, range*2));
 		// Get spawn level at point
 		s16 spawn_level = m_emerge->getSpawnLevelAtPoint(nodepos2d);
 		// Continue if MAX_MAP_GENERATION_LIMIT was returned by the mapgen to
diff --git a/src/util/numeric.cpp b/src/util/numeric.cpp
index 702ddce95..aa3bb843d 100644
--- a/src/util/numeric.cpp
+++ b/src/util/numeric.cpp
@@ -46,11 +46,22 @@ void myrand_bytes(void *out, size_t len)
 	g_pcgrand.bytes(out, len);
 }
 
+float myrand_float()
+{
+	u32 uv = g_pcgrand.next();
+	return (float)uv / (float)U32_MAX;
+}
+
 int myrand_range(int min, int max)
 {
 	return g_pcgrand.range(min, max);
 }
 
+float myrand_range(float min, float max)
+{
+	return (max-min) * myrand_float() + min;
+}
+
 
 /*
 	64-bit unaligned version of MurmurHash
diff --git a/src/util/numeric.h b/src/util/numeric.h
index 32a6f4312..265046a63 100644
--- a/src/util/numeric.h
+++ b/src/util/numeric.h
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ u32 myrand();
 void mysrand(unsigned int seed);
 void myrand_bytes(void *out, size_t len);
 int myrand_range(int min, int max);
+float myrand_range(float min, float max);
+float myrand_float();
 
 /*
 	Miscellaneous functions
@@ -446,3 +448,24 @@ inline irr::video::SColor multiplyColorValue(const irr::video::SColor &color, fl
 			core::clamp<u32>(color.getGreen() * mod, 0, 255),
 			core::clamp<u32>(color.getBlue() * mod, 0, 255));
 }
+
+template <typename T> inline T numericAbsolute(T v) { return v < 0 ? T(-v) : v;                }
+template <typename T> inline T numericSign(T v)     { return T(v < 0 ? -1 : (v == 0 ? 0 : 1)); }
+
+inline v3f vecAbsolute(v3f v)
+{
+	return v3f(
+		numericAbsolute(v.X),
+		numericAbsolute(v.Y),
+		numericAbsolute(v.Z)
+	);
+}
+
+inline v3f vecSign(v3f v)
+{
+	return v3f(
+		numericSign(v.X),
+		numericSign(v.Y),
+		numericSign(v.Z)
+	);
+}
diff --git a/src/util/pointer.h b/src/util/pointer.h
index 245ac85bf..b659cea0e 100644
--- a/src/util/pointer.h
+++ b/src/util/pointer.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ public:
 	Buffer()
 	{
 		m_size = 0;
-		data = NULL;
+		data = nullptr;
 	}
 	Buffer(unsigned int size)
 	{
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public:
 		if(size != 0)
 			data = new T[size];
 		else
-			data = NULL;
+			data = nullptr;
 	}
 
 	// Disable class copy
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ public:
 			memcpy(data, t, size);
 		}
 		else
-			data = NULL;
+			data = nullptr;
 	}
 
 	~Buffer()
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ public:
 		if(m_size != 0)
 			data = new T[m_size];
 		else
-			data = NULL;
+			data = nullptr;
 		refcount = new unsigned int;
 		memset(data,0,sizeof(T)*m_size);
 		(*refcount) = 1;
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ public:
 			memcpy(data, t, m_size);
 		}
 		else
-			data = NULL;
+			data = nullptr;
 		refcount = new unsigned int;
 		(*refcount) = 1;
 	}
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ public:
 				memcpy(data, *buffer, buffer.getSize());
 		}
 		else
-			data = NULL;
+			data = nullptr;
 		refcount = new unsigned int;
 		(*refcount) = 1;
 	}
@@ -256,3 +256,4 @@ private:
 	unsigned int m_size;
 	unsigned int *refcount;
 };
+