> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/SnowyMouse/chimera/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Bug Fixes

> Comprehensive fixes for Halo PC bugs and issues

Chimera fixes numerous bugs present in the original Halo PC release, ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking issues. All bug fixes are **always enabled** to provide the best experience.

## Frame Rate Related Fixes

Many bugs in Halo PC are caused by poor frame rate handling:

### Camera Shake Fix

Fixes camera shaking not working correctly at high frame rates.

<Info>
  **Problem**: Camera shake effects (explosions, impacts) don't work properly above 30 FPS.

  **Solution**: Frame-rate independent camera shake calculations.
</Info>

### Checkpoint Fix

Prevents checkpoints from timing out too quickly at high frame rates.

```cpp theme={null}
// Checkpoints were timing out based on frame count, not actual time
// Chimera fixes this to use real time
```

**Impact**: You won't lose checkpoint progress in campaign at high FPS.

### Auto Center Fix

Fixes vehicle auto-centering being frame rate dependent.

<Warning>
  **Without this fix**: Vehicles are difficult to control at high frame rates due to aggressive auto-centering.

  **With this fix**: Natural vehicle handling regardless of FPS.
</Warning>

**Location**: `src/chimera/fix/auto_center.cpp`

### Contrail Fix

Fixes contrails (rocket trails, etc.) being bugged at high frame rates.

### Motion Sensor Fix

Corrects motion sensor fade animation at >30 FPS.

### Name Fade Fix

Player names now fade in/out correctly at high frame rates when looking at other players.

### Scoreboard Fade Fix

Scoreboard fades in/out properly at high frame rates.

**Configuration**: Fade timing can be customized in `chimera.ini`:

```ini theme={null}
[scoreboard]
fade_time=0.5  ; 0 = instant, higher = slower
```

### Weapon Swap Ticks Fix

Weapons are now picked up with correct timing when holding the action key.

<Note>
  Previously, weapon pickup timing was frame-rate dependent, making it inconsistent at different FPS.
</Note>

## Gameplay Fixes

### Descope Fix

The most important multiplayer fix - proper descoping behavior.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Problem">
    In Halo PC multiplayer, descoping (automatic zoom-out when taking damage) is broken:

    * Client only descopes when taking damage on the **client instance**
    * Does NOT descope when actually taking damage on the **server**
    * Results in staying zoomed while being shot (unfair advantage)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The Solution">
    Chimera changes descoping to trigger when you lose health or shield:

    ```cpp theme={null}
    // Descope when actual damage is taken (server-side)
    if(health_decreased || shield_decreased) {
        descope_player();
    }
    ```

    This matches Xbox behavior and makes sniping fair.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

**Impact**: Essential for competitive multiplayer balance.

### Timer Offset Fix

Fixes a bug where equipment spawns at incorrect timing.

```cpp theme={null}
// Halo PC bug: equipment spawns floor(8.1n) ticks
// where n = netgame equipment index
// Chimera corrects this calculation
```

**Location**: `src/chimera/fix/timer_offset.cpp`

### Multi-team Vehicle Fix

Prevents desync when using multi-team vehicles with `chimera_allow_all_passengers`.

<Tip>
  Servers with this command enabled allow anyone to enter any vehicle, not just teammates.
</Tip>

## Visual Rendering Fixes

### FOV Fix

Fixes FOV getting narrower at higher vertical resolutions.

<Warning>
  **Gearbox Bug**: Increasing vertical resolution narrows FOV, even on the same aspect ratio.

  **Chimera Fix**: FOV stays consistent between vertical resolutions.
</Warning>

**Location**: `src/chimera/fix/fov_fix.hpp`

<Note>
  This does NOT fix low FOV at widescreen aspect ratios - use the `chimera_fov` command for that.
</Note>

### Model LOD Fix

Prevents the infamous "4K headless chief" glitch.

**The Problem**:

* Game uses vertical resolution to determine model detail level
* At 4K resolution, it shows the highest LOD inappropriately
* Causes missing heads in cutscenes (The Pillar of Autumn level)

**The Solution**:

```cpp theme={null}
// Scale by 480p instead of actual resolution
// Prevents inappropriate LOD selection
```

### Sun Fix (Lens Flare)

Lens flares now scale properly with resolution.

* **Before**: Set number of pixels regardless of resolution
* **After**: Scales by 768p for consistency

### Zoom Blur Fix

Improves zoom blur quality and scaling.

**Improvements**:

* Blur radius scales by 480p (not hardcoded pixels)
* Increased effect resolution
* Better quality at high resolutions

**Disable it**: Use `chimera_block_zoom_blur` if you prefer no blur.

### Z-fighting Fix

Reduces Z-fighting (flickering surfaces) at far distances.

<Info>
  **Problem**: Floating point precision loss causes Z-fighting as you get further from map center.

  **Solution**: Chimera reduces decal Z-fighting with level geometry.
</Info>

### Multitexture Overlay Fix

Fixes blending issues with multitexture overlays.

**Example**: Sniper rifle scope angle ticks now blend correctly.

**Location**: `src/chimera/fix/multitexture_overlay_fix.hpp`

## Shader and Graphics Fixes

### Shader Fixes

Restores Xbox-accurate rendering by fixing Gearbox shader regressions.

**Fixed shader types**:

* `shader_transparent_generic` - Missing in Halo PC, restored by Chimera
* Environmental bump mapping
* Specular lighting
* Fog rendering

**Location**: `src/chimera/rasterizer/shader_transparent_generic.cpp`

### Fog Fix

Fog in maps like Assault on the Control Room now works as intended.

**Impact**: Proper atmospheric effects in campaign levels.

### Model Detail Fix

The "detail after reflection" flag in model shaders now works correctly.

### HUD Numbers Fix

HUD numbers no longer drawn oversized if modified to be higher resolution.

### NVIDIA Camo Fix (Trial Only)

Fixes NVIDIA GPUs using alpha-blended camo instead of liquid shader in Halo Trial.

<Note>
  This fix only applies to Halo Trial, as retail/CE don't have this bug.
</Note>

## Loading and Performance Fixes

### Fast Loading

Significantly improves startup time for large map folders.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Problem">
    Halo Custom Edition CRC32s **every map** on startup:

    * Small maps folder: Minor delay
    * Large maps folder: **Minutes** of loading time
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The Solution">
    Chimera CRC32s maps when you **load them**, not at startup:

    ```cpp theme={null}
    // CRC32 on map load, not game startup
    // Maintains server validation
    // Eliminates startup delay
    ```

    This is a **true fix** - not a cache that bypasses validation.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

**Location**: `src/chimera/map_loading/fast_load.cpp`

### Fast Server Listing

Speeds up querying the master server for game list.

### 128 MiB Map Leak Fix

Prevents file descriptor leaks with large maps.

**The Bug**:

```cpp theme={null}
// If map > 128 MiB:
// - Opens file multiple times
// - Only closes it once
// - File descriptors leak
// - Eventually runs out of file handles
```

**The Fix**: Removes the problematic file size check.

**Location**: `src/chimera/fix/leak_descriptors.cpp`

## Menu and UI Fixes

### Extended Description Fix

Fixes the "About" button in profile settings not displaying the correct bitmap.

### Reduced DRM

Removes CD key check for local hosting.

<Info>
  **Original behavior**: Can't join your own locally hosted server with same CD key.

  **Chimera behavior**: Can host and join yourself for testing.
</Info>

<Warning>
  This does NOT crack the game - you still need a valid Halo installation and 1.10 update.
</Warning>

## Removed Annoyances

### Removed Update Check

Disables the outdated update check when clicking "INTERNET" in menus.

### Removed Watson

Removes the Watson crash reporter that tries to contact a dead server.

**Why**: Watson hasn't worked in years and just adds delay after crashes.

## Related Commands

Many additional fixes can be toggled via commands:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Block All Bullshit" icon="ban" href="/commands/block-all-bullshit">
    Disable annoying UI elements at once
  </Card>

  <Card title="Visual Commands" icon="eye" href="/commands/visual">
    Toggle various visual elements
  </Card>

  <Card title="Widescreen Fix" icon="tv" href="/commands/widescreen-fix">
    Fix HUD scaling for widescreen
  </Card>

  <Card title="Devmode" icon="code" href="/commands/devmode">
    Enable devmode without restrictions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Technical Reference

Bug fix implementations are located in:

```
src/chimera/fix/
├── auto_center.cpp
├── camera_shake_fix.cpp
├── checkpoint_fix.cpp
├── contrail_fix.cpp
├── descope_fix.cpp
├── fov_fix.cpp
├── interpolate/
├── leak_descriptors.cpp
├── model_detail.cpp
├── motion_sensor_fix.cpp
├── multitexture_overlay_fix.cpp
├── name_fade.cpp
├── scoreboard_fade_fix.cpp
├── timer_offset.cpp
├── weapon_swap_ticks.cpp
└── z_fighting.cpp
```