Handhelds

Handhelds are small player operated devices. They are primarily used as small arms but may gain additional functions in the future.

## Overview

Handhelds are constructed by first placing a Weapon Handle into an Item Stand. Once established, the game will notify the player that a new handheld weapon is ready. From there, the player may build the handheld in the same manner as they would any other entity. Reactors are required to power the handheld and do not need fuel.

Players can pick up the handheld from the item stand when finished by pressing **[F]** with an open toolbar slot. When selected, the player will bring the weapon to bear, and an additional menu will appear on the left side of the HUD. These two bars represent the heat generated and energy capacity of the handheld. Players can move the handheld across a toolbar like any other block and can drop it by dragging it off the toolbar.

### Construction

Handles can be linked to any system, including Weapons, and function similarly to the **"Is Primary Fire pressed"** Event Gate trigger. The first Weapon handle will be automatically designated as the main hand and held in the right hand. Pressing **[F]** on the handle will bring up a menu allowing the player to change the handle's Priority from either Primary (main-hand) or Secondary (off-hand).

Adding a second Weapon Handle will give the player character another point to hold the handheld. The handheld will assign the second handle as the **Secondary (off-hand)**. Similarly to the Main Hand, the Second-hand functions like the **"Is Secondary Fire Pressed"** event gate trigger when linked to a system.

## Blueprints

Handhelds are like other buildable entities in that designs can be saved as blueprints. Once the handheld is set, open the codex and select the entity tab. It must be the player's currently selected entity being the last entity on which the player has placed a block. Here the handheld can be saved and exported just as any other build.

Saved designs can be loaded in if players wish to use them again. The player must first place down an Item Stand to load a handheld design. Then, press the **[F]** key on the empty Item Stand with an open toolbar slot to bring up the load blueprint menu for handhelds. Selecting one of the designs will instantly load the blueprint into the Item Stand to be used.

## Tips

* Removing Handhelds from the toolbar or removing the Item stand it has been placed on will drop them into the world. Handhelds have physics to them and are subject to gravity.
	+ Adding a Starter Block will negate the effects of gravity on the handheld but will lead to undefined behavior.
* Players can also install various non-weapon systems on handhelds. Repair Beams, Mining Beams, and Mag-Locks can be used to make small player-oriented tools.
* The second handle's direction and orientation will affect how the player character holds it. It can only be seen in 3rd person mode.
* Handhelds on item stands have no hitbox, meaning that they can be sunk into walls, floors, and ceilings with no problem. Only the item stand has collisions.
* Handheld bricks lack the complete collision detection extended to normal entities, creating far more creative options.

## Bugs

As of 22w31b:

* While it is possible to use Mechanisms on handhelds, it is currently bugged and causes visual glitches.