diff --git a/source/g3d_viewer/main.cpp b/source/g3d_viewer/main.cpp
index 399ac7f97..9024c1e1f 100644
--- a/source/g3d_viewer/main.cpp
+++ b/source/g3d_viewer/main.cpp
@@ -1216,7 +1216,7 @@ void MainWindow::loadParticle(string path) {
 
 				std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > loadedFileList;
                 UnitParticleSystemType *unitParticleSystemType = new UnitParticleSystemType();
-                unitParticleSystemType->load(dir,  dir + folderDelimiter + particlePath,
+                unitParticleSystemType->load(NULL, dir, dir + folderDelimiter + particlePath, //### if we knew which particle it was, we could be more accurate
                 		renderer,loadedFileList,"g3dviewer","");
                 unitParticleSystemTypes.push_back(unitParticleSystemType);
 
@@ -1313,7 +1313,7 @@ void MainWindow::loadProjectileParticle(string path) {
 
 			std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > loadedFileList;
 			ParticleSystemTypeProjectile *projectileParticleSystemType= new ParticleSystemTypeProjectile();
-			projectileParticleSystemType->load(dir,
+			projectileParticleSystemType->load(NULL, dir, //### we don't know if there are overrides in the unit XML
 					dir + folderDelimiter + particlePath,renderer, loadedFileList,
 					"g3dviewer","");
 
@@ -1416,7 +1416,7 @@ void MainWindow::loadSplashParticle(string path) {  // uses ParticleSystemTypeSp
 
 			std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > loadedFileList;
 			ParticleSystemTypeSplash *splashParticleSystemType= new ParticleSystemTypeSplash();
-			splashParticleSystemType->load(dir,  dir + folderDelimiter + particlePath,renderer,
+			splashParticleSystemType->load(NULL, dir, dir + folderDelimiter + particlePath,renderer, //### we don't know if there are overrides in the unit XML
 					loadedFileList,"g3dviewer",""); // <---- only that must be splash...
 
 			// std::cout << "Values loaded, about to read..." << std::endl;
diff --git a/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.cpp b/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.cpp
index 41d96cc15..b90956511 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 // ==============================================================
 
 #include "particle_type.h"
+#include "unit_particle_type.h"
 
 #include "util.h"
 #include "core_data.h"
@@ -57,11 +58,14 @@ ParticleSystemType::~ParticleSystemType() {
 		memoryObjectList[this]--;
 		assert(memoryObjectList[this] == 0);
 	}
+	for(Children::iterator it = children.begin(); it != children.end(); it++)
+		delete *it;
 }
 
 void ParticleSystemType::load(const XmlNode *particleSystemNode, const string &dir,
 		RendererInterface *renderer, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 		string parentLoader, string techtreePath) {
+
 	//texture
 	const XmlNode *textureNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("texture");
 	bool textureEnabled= textureNode->getAttribute("value")->getBoolValue();
@@ -97,6 +101,12 @@ void ParticleSystemType::load(const XmlNode *particleSystemNode, const string &d
 
 			model->load(path, false, &loadedFileList, &parentLoader);
 			loadedFileList[path].push_back(make_pair(parentLoader,modelNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue()));
+			
+			if(modelNode->hasChild("cycles")) {
+				modelCycle = modelNode->getChild("cycles")->getAttribute("value")->getFloatValue();
+				if(modelCycle < 0.0)
+					throw runtime_error("negative model cycle value is bad");
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	else {
@@ -178,9 +188,35 @@ void ParticleSystemType::load(const XmlNode *particleSystemNode, const string &d
 	else {
 		mode="normal";
 	}
+
+	// child particles
+	if(particleSystemNode->hasChild("child-particles")) {
+    		const XmlNode *childrenNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("child-particles");
+    		if(childrenNode->getAttribute("value")->getBoolValue()) {
+			for(int i = 0; i < childrenNode->getChildCount(); ++i) {
+				const XmlNode *particleFileNode= childrenNode->getChild("particle-file",i);
+				string path= particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue();
+				UnitParticleSystemType *unitParticleSystemType= new UnitParticleSystemType();
+				string childPath= dir;
+				endPathWithSlash(childPath);
+				childPath += path;
+				string childDir = extractDirectoryPathFromFile(childPath);
+				unitParticleSystemType->load(particleFileNode,childDir,childPath,renderer,loadedFileList,parentLoader,techtreePath);
+				loadedFileList[childPath].push_back(make_pair(parentLoader,path));
+				children.push_back(unitParticleSystemType);
+			}
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 void ParticleSystemType::setValues(AttackParticleSystem *ats){
+	// add instances of all children; some settings will cascade to all children
+	for(Children::iterator i=children.begin(); i!=children.end(); i++){
+		UnitParticleSystem *child = new UnitParticleSystem();
+		(*i)->setValues(child);
+		ats->addChild(child);
+		child->setState(ParticleSystem::sPlay);
+	}
 	ats->setTexture(texture);
 	ats->setPrimitive(AttackParticleSystem::strToPrimitive(primitive));
 	ats->setOffset(offset);
@@ -194,6 +230,7 @@ void ParticleSystemType::setValues(AttackParticleSystem *ats){
 	ats->setMaxParticleEnergy(energyMax);
 	ats->setVarParticleEnergy(energyVar);
 	ats->setModel(model);
+	ats->setModelCycle(modelCycle);
 	ats->setTeamcolorNoEnergy(teamcolorNoEnergy);
     ats->setTeamcolorEnergy(teamcolorEnergy);
     ats->setAlternations(alternations);
@@ -204,7 +241,7 @@ void ParticleSystemType::setValues(AttackParticleSystem *ats){
 //	class ParticleSystemTypeProjectile
 // ===========================================================
 
-void ParticleSystemTypeProjectile::load(const string &dir, const string &path,
+void ParticleSystemTypeProjectile::load(const XmlNode* particleFileNode, const string &dir, const string &path,
 		RendererInterface *renderer, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 		string parentLoader, string techtreePath) {
 
@@ -217,6 +254,12 @@ void ParticleSystemTypeProjectile::load(const string &dir, const string &path,
 		loadedFileList[path].push_back(make_pair(parentLoader,parentLoader));
 
 		const XmlNode *particleSystemNode= xmlTree.getRootNode();
+
+		if(particleFileNode){
+			// immediate children in the particleFileNode will override the particleSystemNode
+			particleFileNode->setSuper(particleSystemNode);
+			particleSystemNode= particleFileNode;
+		}
 		
 		ParticleSystemType::load(particleSystemNode, dir, renderer, loadedFileList,parentLoader, techtreePath);
 
@@ -271,7 +314,7 @@ ProjectileParticleSystem *ParticleSystemTypeProjectile::create() {
 //	class ParticleSystemTypeSplash
 // ===========================================================
 
-void ParticleSystemTypeSplash::load(const string &dir, const string &path,
+void ParticleSystemTypeSplash::load(const XmlNode* particleFileNode, const string &dir, const string &path,
 		RendererInterface *renderer, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 		string parentLoader, string techtreePath) {
 
@@ -285,6 +328,12 @@ void ParticleSystemTypeSplash::load(const string &dir, const string &path,
 
 		const XmlNode *particleSystemNode= xmlTree.getRootNode();
 		
+		if(particleFileNode){
+			// immediate children in the particleFileNode will override the particleSystemNode
+			particleFileNode->setSuper(particleSystemNode);
+			particleSystemNode= particleFileNode;
+		}
+
 		ParticleSystemType::load(particleSystemNode, dir, renderer, loadedFileList, parentLoader, techtreePath);
 
 		//emission rate fade
diff --git a/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.h b/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.h
index 4e5e80862..5ebf89a4a 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.h
+++ b/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.h
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #define _GLEST_GAME_PARTICLETYPE_H_
 
 #include <string>
+#include <list>
 
 #include "particle.h"
 #include "factory.h"
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ using namespace Shared::Graphics;
 namespace Glest{ namespace Game{
 
 using Shared::Graphics::ParticleSystem;
+using Shared::Graphics::UnitParticleSystem;
 using Shared::Graphics::AttackParticleSystem;
 using Shared::Graphics::ProjectileParticleSystem;
 using Shared::Graphics::SplashParticleSystem;
@@ -38,6 +40,8 @@ using Shared::Graphics::Model;
 using Shared::Util::MultiFactory;
 using Shared::Xml::XmlNode;
 
+class UnitParticleSystemType;
+
 // ===========================================================
 //	class ParticleSystemType 
 //
@@ -49,6 +53,7 @@ protected:
 	string type;
 	Texture2D *texture;
 	Model *model;
+	float modelCycle;
 	string primitive;
 	Vec3f offset;
 	Vec4f color;
@@ -64,6 +69,8 @@ protected:
 	bool teamcolorNoEnergy;
     bool teamcolorEnergy;
     int alternations;
+	typedef std::list<UnitParticleSystemType*> Children;
+	Children children;
 
     bool minmaxEnabled;
     int minHp;
@@ -72,8 +79,7 @@ protected:
 
 public:
 	ParticleSystemType();
-	~ParticleSystemType();
-
+	virtual ~ParticleSystemType();
 	void load(const XmlNode *particleSystemNode, const string &dir,
 			RendererInterface *renderer, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 			string parentLoader, string techtreePath);
@@ -107,7 +113,7 @@ private:
 	float trajectoryFrequency;
 
 public:
-	void load(const string &dir, const string &path,
+	void load(const XmlNode *particleFileNode, const string &dir, const string &path,
 			RendererInterface *renderer, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 			string parentLoader, string techtreePath);
 	ProjectileParticleSystem *create();
@@ -120,7 +126,7 @@ public:
 
 class ParticleSystemTypeSplash: public ParticleSystemType {
 public:
-	void load(const string &dir, const string &path,
+	void load(const XmlNode *particleFileNode, const string &dir, const string &path,
 			RendererInterface *renderer, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 			string parentLoader, string techtreePath);
 	SplashParticleSystem *create();
diff --git a/source/glest_game/graphics/unit_particle_type.cpp b/source/glest_game/graphics/unit_particle_type.cpp
index 77bfa3d5a..be10ad897 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/graphics/unit_particle_type.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/graphics/unit_particle_type.cpp
@@ -16,12 +16,14 @@
 #include "xml_parser.h"
 #include "config.h"
 #include "game_constants.h"
+#include "platform_common.h"
 
 #include "leak_dumper.h"
 
 using namespace Shared::Xml;
 using namespace Shared::Graphics;
 using namespace Shared::Util;
+using namespace Shared::PlatformCommon;
 
 namespace Glest{ namespace Game{
 
@@ -32,21 +34,63 @@ namespace Glest{ namespace Game{
 void UnitParticleSystemType::load(const XmlNode *particleSystemNode, const string &dir,
 		RendererInterface *renderer, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 		string parentLoader, string techtreePath) {
+
 	ParticleSystemType::load(particleSystemNode, dir, renderer, loadedFileList,
 			parentLoader,techtreePath);
+	
+	//shape
+	angle= 0.0f;
+	if(particleSystemNode->hasChild("shape")){
+		const XmlNode *shapeNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("shape");
+		shape= UnitParticleSystem::strToShape(shapeNode->getAttribute("value")->getRestrictedValue());
+		if(shape == UnitParticleSystem::sConical){
+			angle= shapeNode->getChild("angle")->getAttribute("value")->getFloatValue();
+		}
+	} else {
+		shape = UnitParticleSystem::sLinear;
+	}
+	if(shape != UnitParticleSystem::sSpherical){
+		//direction
+		const XmlNode *directionNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("direction");
+		direction.x= directionNode->getAttribute("x")->getFloatValue();
+		direction.y= directionNode->getAttribute("y")->getFloatValue();
+		direction.z= directionNode->getAttribute("z")->getFloatValue();
+		if((shape == UnitParticleSystem::sConical) && (0.0 == direction.length()))
+			throw runtime_error("direction cannot be zero");
+		// ought to warn about 0 directions generally
+	}
+
+	//emission rate fade
+	if(particleSystemNode->hasChild("emission-rate-fade")){
+		const XmlNode *emissionRateFadeNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("emission-rate-fade");
+		emissionRateFade= emissionRateFadeNode->getAttribute("value")->getFloatValue();
+	} else {
+		emissionRateFade = 0;
+	}
+	
 	//radius
 	const XmlNode *radiusNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("radius");
 	radius= radiusNode->getAttribute("value")->getFloatValue();
+	
+	// min radius
+	if(particleSystemNode->hasChild("min-radius")){
+		const XmlNode *minRadiusNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("min-radius");
+		minRadius= minRadiusNode->getAttribute("value")->getFloatValue();
+		if(minRadius > radius)
+			throw runtime_error("min-radius cannot be bigger than radius");
+	} else {
+		minRadius = 0;
+	}
+	if((minRadius == 0) && (shape == UnitParticleSystem::sConical)) {
+		minRadius = 0.001; // fudge it so we aren't generating particles that are exactly centred
+		if(minRadius > radius)
+			radius = minRadius;
+	}
 
 	//relative
     const XmlNode *relativeNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("relative");
     relative= relativeNode->getAttribute("value")->getBoolValue();
     
-	//direction
-	const XmlNode *directionNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("direction");
-	direction.x= directionNode->getAttribute("x")->getFloatValue();
-	direction.y= directionNode->getAttribute("y")->getFloatValue();
-	direction.z= directionNode->getAttribute("z")->getFloatValue();
 
     //relativeDirection
     if(particleSystemNode->hasChild("relativeDirection")){
@@ -93,15 +137,49 @@ void UnitParticleSystemType::load(const XmlNode *particleSystemNode, const strin
 		radiusBasedStartenergy= true;
 	}
 
-    //fixed
-    const XmlNode *fixedNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("fixed");
-    fixed= fixedNode->getAttribute("value")->getBoolValue();
+	//fixed
+	const XmlNode *fixedNode= particleSystemNode->getChild("fixed");
+	fixed= fixedNode->getAttribute("value")->getBoolValue();
+
+	// delay
+	if(particleSystemNode->hasChild("delay")) {
+		const XmlNode* delayNode = particleSystemNode->getChild("delay");
+		const float delay_secs = delayNode->getAttribute("value")->getFloatValue();
+		if(delay_secs < 0)
+			throw runtime_error("particle effect delay cannot be negative");
+		delay = delay_secs * GameConstants::updateFps;
+	} else{
+		delay= 0;
+	}
+
+	// lifetime
+	if(particleSystemNode->hasChild("lifetime")) {
+		const XmlNode* lifetimeNode = particleSystemNode->getChild("lifetime");
+		const float lifetime_secs = lifetimeNode->getAttribute("value")->getFloatValue();
+		if(lifetime_secs < 0 && lifetime_secs != -1)
+			throw runtime_error("particle effect lifetime cannot be negative (-1 means inherited from parent particle)");
+		lifetime = lifetime_secs * GameConstants::updateFps;
+	} else{
+		lifetime= -1; //default
+	}
 }
 
 const void UnitParticleSystemType::setValues(UnitParticleSystem *ups){
+	// whilst we extend ParticleSystemType we don't use ParticleSystemType::setValues()
+	// add instances of all children; some settings will cascade to all children
+	for(Children::iterator i=children.begin(); i!=children.end(); i++){
+		UnitParticleSystem *child = new UnitParticleSystem();
+		(*i)->setValues(child);
+		ups->addChild(child);
+	}
+	// set values
+	ups->setModel(model);
+	ups->setModelCycle(modelCycle);
 	ups->setTexture(texture);
 	ups->setPrimitive(UnitParticleSystem::strToPrimitive(primitive));
 	ups->setOffset(offset);
+	ups->setShape(shape);
+	ups->setAngle(angle);
 	ups->setDirection(direction);
 	ups->setColor(color);
 	ups->setColorNoEnergy(colorNoEnergy);
@@ -115,6 +193,9 @@ const void UnitParticleSystemType::setValues(UnitParticleSystem *ups){
 	ups->setFixed(fixed);
 	ups->setRelative(relative);
 	ups->setRelativeDirection(relativeDirection);
+	ups->setDelay(delay);
+	ups->setLifetime(lifetime);
+	ups->setEmissionRateFade(emissionRateFade);
     ups->setTeamcolorNoEnergy(teamcolorNoEnergy);
     ups->setTeamcolorEnergy(teamcolorEnergy);
     ups->setAlternations(alternations);
@@ -123,6 +204,7 @@ const void UnitParticleSystemType::setValues(UnitParticleSystem *ups){
 	ups->setIsVisibleAtDay(isVisibleAtDay);
     ups->setStaticParticleCount(staticParticleCount);
     ups->setRadius(radius);
+    ups->setMinRadius(minRadius);
     ups->setBlendMode(ParticleSystem::strToBlendMode(mode));
     ups->setRadiusBasedStartenergy(radiusBasedStartenergy);
     //prepare system for given staticParticleCount
@@ -137,7 +219,7 @@ const void UnitParticleSystemType::setValues(UnitParticleSystem *ups){
 	}
 }
 
-void UnitParticleSystemType::load(const string &dir, const string &path,
+void UnitParticleSystemType::load(const XmlNode *particleFileNode, const string &dir, const string &path,
 		RendererInterface *renderer, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 		string parentLoader, string techtreePath) {
 
@@ -150,6 +232,12 @@ void UnitParticleSystemType::load(const string &dir, const string &path,
 		loadedFileList[path].push_back(make_pair(parentLoader,parentLoader));
 		const XmlNode *particleSystemNode= xmlTree.getRootNode();
 		
+		if(particleFileNode){
+			// immediate children in the particleFileNode will override the particleSystemNode
+			particleFileNode->setSuper(particleSystemNode);
+			particleSystemNode= particleFileNode;
+		}
+		
 		UnitParticleSystemType::load(particleSystemNode, dir, renderer,
 				loadedFileList, parentLoader, techtreePath);
 	}
diff --git a/source/glest_game/graphics/unit_particle_type.h b/source/glest_game/graphics/unit_particle_type.h
index 22f036027..a90ae6dc1 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/graphics/unit_particle_type.h
+++ b/source/glest_game/graphics/unit_particle_type.h
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #define _GLEST_GAME_UNITPARTICLETYPE_H_
 
 #include <string>
+#include <list>
 
 #include "particle.h"
 #include "factory.h"
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ using namespace Shared::Graphics;
 
 namespace Glest{ namespace Game{
 
+using Shared::Graphics::ParticleManager;
 using Shared::Graphics::ParticleSystem;
 using Shared::Graphics::UnitParticleSystem;
 using Shared::Graphics::Texture2D;
@@ -44,8 +46,11 @@ using Shared::Xml::XmlNode;
 
 class UnitParticleSystemType: public ParticleSystemType {
 protected:
-
+	UnitParticleSystem::Shape shape;
+	float angle;
 	float radius;
+	float minRadius;
+	float emissionRateFade;
 	Vec3f direction;
     bool relative;
     bool relativeDirection;
@@ -54,12 +59,14 @@ protected:
 	bool isVisibleAtNight;
 	bool isVisibleAtDay;
 	bool radiusBasedStartenergy;
+	int delay;
+	int lifetime;
 
 public:
 	void load(const XmlNode *particleSystemNode, const string &dir,
 			RendererInterface *newTexture, std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,
 			string parentLoader, string techtreePath);
-	void load(const string &dir, const string &path, RendererInterface *newTexture,
+	void load(const XmlNode *particleFileNode, const string &dir, const string &path, RendererInterface *newTexture,
 			std::map<string,vector<pair<string, string> > > &loadedFileList,string parentLoader,
 			string techtreePath);
 	const void setValues (UnitParticleSystem *uts);
diff --git a/source/glest_game/types/resource_type.cpp b/source/glest_game/types/resource_type.cpp
index 2f7381792..f802b7e69 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/types/resource_type.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/types/resource_type.cpp
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ void ResourceType::load(const string &dir, Checksum* checksum, Checksum *techtre
 							string particlePath= particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue();
 
 							ObjectParticleSystemType *objectParticleSystemType= new ObjectParticleSystemType();
-							objectParticleSystemType->load(dir,  currentPath + particlePath,
+							objectParticleSystemType->load(particleFileNode, dir,  currentPath + particlePath,
 									&Renderer::getInstance(), loadedFileList, sourceXMLFile, techtreePath);
 							loadedFileList[currentPath + particlePath].push_back(make_pair(sourceXMLFile,particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue()));
 
diff --git a/source/glest_game/types/skill_type.cpp b/source/glest_game/types/skill_type.cpp
index 07248d02d..49e34bebb 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/types/skill_type.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/types/skill_type.cpp
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ void SkillType::load(const XmlNode *sn, const string &dir, const TechTree *tt,
 				const XmlNode *particleFileNode= particleNode->getChild("particle-file", i);
 				string path= particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue();
 				UnitParticleSystemType *unitParticleSystemType= new UnitParticleSystemType();
-				unitParticleSystemType->load(dir,  currentPath + path, &Renderer::getInstance(),
+				unitParticleSystemType->load(particleFileNode, dir, currentPath + path, &Renderer::getInstance(),
 						loadedFileList,parentLoader,tt->getPath());
 				loadedFileList[currentPath + path].push_back(make_pair(parentLoader,particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue()));
 				unitParticleSystemTypes.push_back(unitParticleSystemType);
@@ -255,16 +255,15 @@ void SkillType::load(const XmlNode *sn, const string &dir, const TechTree *tt,
 					const XmlNode *particleFileNode= particleNode->getChild("originator-particle-file");
 					string path= particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue();
 					attackBoost.unitParticleSystemTypeForSourceUnit = new UnitParticleSystemType();
-					attackBoost.unitParticleSystemTypeForSourceUnit->load(dir,  currentPath + path, &Renderer::getInstance(),
+					attackBoost.unitParticleSystemTypeForSourceUnit->load(particleFileNode, dir, currentPath + path, &Renderer::getInstance(),
 							loadedFileList,parentLoader,tt->getPath());
 					loadedFileList[currentPath + path].push_back(make_pair(parentLoader,particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue()));
-
 				}
 				if(particleNode->hasChild("affected-particle-file") == true) {
 					const XmlNode *particleFileNode= particleNode->getChild("affected-particle-file");
 					string path= particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue();
 					attackBoost.unitParticleSystemTypeForAffectedUnit = new UnitParticleSystemType();
-					attackBoost.unitParticleSystemTypeForAffectedUnit->load(dir,  currentPath + path, &Renderer::getInstance(),
+					attackBoost.unitParticleSystemTypeForAffectedUnit->load(particleFileNode, dir, currentPath + path, &Renderer::getInstance(),
 							loadedFileList,parentLoader,tt->getPath());
 					loadedFileList[currentPath + path].push_back(make_pair(parentLoader,particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue()));
 				}
@@ -485,7 +484,7 @@ void AttackSkillType::load(const XmlNode *sn, const string &dir, const TechTree
 		if(particleEnabled){
 			string path= particleNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue();
 			projectileParticleSystemType= new ParticleSystemTypeProjectile();
-			projectileParticleSystemType->load(dir,  currentPath + path,
+			projectileParticleSystemType->load(particleNode, dir, currentPath + path,
 					&Renderer::getInstance(), loadedFileList, parentLoader,
 					tt->getPath());
 		}
@@ -521,7 +520,7 @@ void AttackSkillType::load(const XmlNode *sn, const string &dir, const TechTree
 		if(particleEnabled){
 			string path= particleNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue();
 			splashParticleSystemType= new ParticleSystemTypeSplash();
-			splashParticleSystemType->load(dir,  currentPath + path,
+			splashParticleSystemType->load(particleNode, dir, currentPath + path,
 					&Renderer::getInstance(),loadedFileList, parentLoader,
 					tt->getPath());
 		}
diff --git a/source/glest_game/types/unit_type.cpp b/source/glest_game/types/unit_type.cpp
index 1019390e1..c800899e2 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/types/unit_type.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/types/unit_type.cpp
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ void UnitType::load(int id,const string &dir, const TechTree *techTree,
 					//Texture2D *newTexture = Renderer::getInstance().newTexture2D(rsGame);
 					Texture2D *newTexture = NULL;
 
-					unitParticleSystemType->load(dir,  currentPath + path,
+					unitParticleSystemType->load(particleFileNode, dir, currentPath + path,
 							&Renderer::getInstance(),loadedFileList, sourceXMLFile,
 							techTree->getPath());
 					loadedFileList[currentPath + path].push_back(make_pair(sourceXMLFile,particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue()));
diff --git a/source/glest_game/world/tileset.cpp b/source/glest_game/world/tileset.cpp
index a6be3f818..bacbd7863 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/world/tileset.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/world/tileset.cpp
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ void Tileset::load(const string &dir, Checksum *checksum, Checksum *tilesetCheck
 							const XmlNode *particleFileNode= particleNode->getChild("particle-file", k);
 							string path= particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue();
 							ObjectParticleSystemType *objectParticleSystemType= new ObjectParticleSystemType();
-							objectParticleSystemType->load(dir,  currentPath + path,
+							objectParticleSystemType->load(particleFileNode, dir, currentPath + path,
 									&Renderer::getInstance(), loadedFileList, sourceXMLFile,"");
 							loadedFileList[currentPath + path].push_back(make_pair(sourceXMLFile,particleFileNode->getAttribute("path")->getRestrictedValue()));
 
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/gl/particle_renderer_gl.h b/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/gl/particle_renderer_gl.h
index ac2455071..f5e58d849 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/gl/particle_renderer_gl.h
+++ b/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/gl/particle_renderer_gl.h
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void renderSystem(ParticleSystem *ps);
 	virtual void renderSystemLine(ParticleSystem *ps);
 	virtual void renderSystemLineAlpha(ParticleSystem *ps);
-	virtual void renderModel(AttackParticleSystem *ps, ModelRenderer *mr);
+	virtual void renderModel(GameParticleSystem *ps, ModelRenderer *mr);
 	
 protected:
 	void renderBufferQuads(int quadCount);
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/particle.h b/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/particle.h
index 68a71a075..95336539c 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/particle.h
+++ b/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/particle.h
@@ -132,14 +132,12 @@ protected:
     bool teamcolorNoEnergy;
     bool teamcolorEnergy;
 	int alternations;
-
 	ParticleObserver *particleObserver;
 
 public:
 	//conmstructor and destructor
 	ParticleSystem(int particleCount);
 	virtual ~ParticleSystem();
-
 	virtual ParticleSystemType getParticleSystemType() const = 0;
 
 	//public
@@ -158,9 +156,9 @@ public:
 	virtual bool getVisible() const				{return visible;}
 
 	//set
-	void setState(State state);
+	virtual void setState(State state);
 	void setTexture(Texture *texture);
-	void setPos(Vec3f pos);
+	virtual void setPos(Vec3f pos);
 	void setColor(Vec4f color);
 	void setColorNoEnergy(Vec4f color);
 	void setEmissionRate(float emissionRate);
@@ -168,9 +166,9 @@ public:
 	void setVarParticleEnergy(int varParticleEnergy);
 	void setParticleSize(float particleSize);
 	void setSpeed(float speed);
-	void setActive(bool active);
+	virtual void setActive(bool active);
 	void setObserver(ParticleObserver *particleObserver);
-	void setVisible(bool visible);
+	virtual void setVisible(bool visible);
 	void setBlendMode(BlendMode blendMode)				{this->blendMode= blendMode;}
 	void setTeamcolorNoEnergy(bool teamcolorNoEnergy)	{this->teamcolorNoEnergy= teamcolorNoEnergy;}
 	void setTeamcolorEnergy(bool teamcolorEnergy)		{this->teamcolorEnergy= teamcolorEnergy;}
@@ -179,8 +177,12 @@ public:
 
 	static BlendMode strToBlendMode(const string &str);
 	//misc
-	void fade();
+	virtual void fade();
 	int isEmpty() const;
+	
+	//children
+	virtual int getChildCount() { return 0; }
+	virtual ParticleSystem* getChild(int i);
 
 protected:
 	//protected
@@ -217,43 +219,91 @@ public:
 };
 
 // =====================================================
-//	class UnitParticleSystem
+//	class GameParticleSystem
+/// base-class for unit and attack systems
 // =====================================================
 
-class UnitParticleSystem: public ParticleSystem{
-public:
-	static bool isNight;
-private:
-	float radius;
-	Vec3f windSpeed;
-	Vec3f cRotation;
-	Vec3f fixedAddition;
-    Vec3f oldPosition;
-    bool energyUp;
+class UnitParticleSystem;
+
+class GameParticleSystem: public ParticleSystem{
 public:
 	enum Primitive{
 		pQuad,
 		pLine,
 		pLineAlpha
 	};
+	static Primitive strToPrimitive(const string &str);
+	virtual ~GameParticleSystem();
+	int getChildCount();
+	ParticleSystem* getChild(int i);
+	void addChild(UnitParticleSystem* child);
+	void removeChild(UnitParticleSystem* child);
+	void setPos(Vec3f pos);
+	void setOffset(Vec3f offset);
+	void setModel(Model *model) {this->model= model;}
+	virtual void render(ParticleRenderer *pr, ModelRenderer *mr);
+	float getTween() { return tween; }  // 0.0 -> 1.0 for animation of model
+	Model *getModel() const {return model;}
+	void setPrimitive(Primitive primitive) {this->primitive= primitive;}
+	Vec3f getDirection() const {return direction;}
+	void setModelCycle(float modelCycle) {this->modelCycle= modelCycle;}
+protected:
+	typedef std::vector<UnitParticleSystem*> Children;
+	Children children;
+	Primitive primitive;
+	Model *model;
+	float modelCycle;
+	Vec3f offset;
+	Vec3f direction;
+	float tween;
+	
+	GameParticleSystem(int particleCount);
+	void positionChildren();
+	void setTween(float relative,float absolute);
+};
+
+// =====================================================
+//	class UnitParticleSystem
+// =====================================================
+
+class UnitParticleSystem: public GameParticleSystem{
+public:
+	static bool isNight;
+private:
+	float radius;
+	float minRadius;
+	Vec3f windSpeed;
+	Vec3f cRotation;
+	Vec3f fixedAddition;
+    Vec3f oldPosition;
+    bool energyUp;
+    
+public:
+	enum Shape{
+		sLinear, // generated in a sphere, flying in direction
+		sSpherical, // generated in a sphere, flying away from center
+		sConical, // generated in a cone at angle from direction
+	};
 	bool relative;
 	bool relativeDirection;
     bool fixed;
-	Model *model;
-	Primitive primitive;
-	Vec3f offset;
-	Vec3f direction;
+	Shape shape;
+	float angle;
 	float sizeNoEnergy;
 	float gravity;
 	float rotation;
 	bool isVisibleAtNight;
 	bool isVisibleAtDay;
 	bool radiusBasedStartenergy;
-
 	int staticParticleCount;
+	int delay;
+	int lifetime;
+	float emissionRateFade;
+	GameParticleSystem* parent;
 
 public:
 	UnitParticleSystem(int particleCount= 2000);
+	~UnitParticleSystem();
 
 	virtual ParticleSystemType getParticleSystemType() const { return pst_UnitParticleSystem;}
 
@@ -261,18 +311,21 @@ public:
 	virtual void initParticle(Particle *p, int particleIndex);
 	virtual void updateParticle(Particle *p);
 	virtual void update();
-	virtual void render(ParticleRenderer *pr, ModelRenderer *mr);
 	virtual bool getVisible() const;
+	virtual void fade();
+	virtual void render(ParticleRenderer *pr, ModelRenderer *mr);
 
 	//set params
-	void setRadius(float radius);
+	void setRadius(float radius)					{this->radius= radius;}
+	void setMinRadius(float minRadius)				{this->minRadius= minRadius;}
+	void setEmissionRateFade(float emissionRateFade)		{this->emissionRateFade= emissionRateFade;}
+
 	void setWind(float windAngle, float windSpeed);
 	
-	void setOffset(Vec3f offset)						{this->offset= offset;}
-	void setDirection(Vec3f direction)					{this->direction= direction;}
+	void setDirection(Vec3f direction)				{this->direction= direction;}
 	void setSizeNoEnergy(float sizeNoEnergy)			{this->sizeNoEnergy= sizeNoEnergy;}
 	void setGravity(float gravity)						{this->gravity= gravity;}
-	void setRotation(float rotation)					{this->rotation= rotation;}
+	void setRotation(float rotation);
 	void setRelative(bool relative)						{this->relative= relative;}
 	void setRelativeDirection(bool relativeDirection)	{this->relativeDirection= relativeDirection;}
 	void setFixed(bool fixed)							{this->fixed= fixed;}
@@ -281,9 +334,15 @@ public:
 	void setIsVisibleAtNight(bool value)				{this->isVisibleAtNight= value;}
 	void setIsVisibleAtDay(bool value)					{this->isVisibleAtDay= value;}
 	void setRadiusBasedStartenergy(bool value)			{this->radiusBasedStartenergy= value;}
-
-	static Primitive strToPrimitive(const string &str);
+	void setShape(Shape shape)					{this->shape= shape;}
+	void setAngle(float angle)					{this->angle= angle;}
+	void setDelay(int delay) 					{this->delay= delay;}
+	void setLifetime(int lifetime)					{this->lifetime= lifetime;}
+	void setParent(GameParticleSystem* parent)			{this->parent= parent;}
+	GameParticleSystem* getParent() const				{return parent;}
+	void setParentDirection(Vec3f parentDirection);
 	
+	static Shape strToShape(const string& str);
 };
 
 // =====================================================
@@ -336,43 +395,20 @@ public:
 /// Base class for Projectiles and Splashes
 // ===========================================================================
 
-class AttackParticleSystem: public ParticleSystem{
-public:
-	enum Primitive{
-		pQuad,
-		pLine,
-		pLineAlpha
-	};
+class AttackParticleSystem: public GameParticleSystem{
 
 protected:
-	Model *model;
-	Primitive primitive;
-	Vec3f offset;
 	float sizeNoEnergy;
 	float gravity;
-	float tween;
-	Vec3f direction;
-
 public:
 	AttackParticleSystem(int particleCount);
 
 	virtual ParticleSystemType getParticleSystemType() const { return pst_ProjectileParticleSystem;}
 
-	virtual void render(ParticleRenderer *pr, ModelRenderer *mr);
-
-	Model *getModel() const			{return model;}
-	Vec3f getDirection() const		{return direction;}
-
-	void setModel(Model *model)					{this->model= model;}
-	void setOffset(Vec3f offset)				{this->offset= offset;}
 	void setSizeNoEnergy(float sizeNoEnergy)	{this->sizeNoEnergy= sizeNoEnergy;}
 	void setGravity(float gravity)				{this->gravity= gravity;}
-	void setPrimitive(Primitive primitive)		{this->primitive= primitive;}
 	
-	float getTween() { return tween; }  // 0.0 -> 1.0 for animation of model
 	virtual void initParticleSystem() {} // opportunity to do any initialization when the system has been created and all settings set
-
-	static Primitive strToPrimitive(const string &str);
 };
 
 // =====================================================
@@ -401,14 +437,14 @@ private:
 	Vec3f yVector;
 	Vec3f zVector;
 
-	float modelCycle;
-
 	Trajectory trajectory;
 	float trajectorySpeed;
 
 	//parabolic
 	float trajectoryScale;
 	float trajectoryFrequency;
+	
+	void rotateChildren();
 
 public:
 	ProjectileParticleSystem(int particleCount= 1000);
@@ -427,7 +463,6 @@ public:
 	void setTrajectoryScale(float trajectoryScale)			{this->trajectoryScale= trajectoryScale;}
 	void setTrajectoryFrequency(float trajectoryFrequency)	{this->trajectoryFrequency= trajectoryFrequency;}
 
-	void setModelCycle(float modelCycle)         			{this->modelCycle= modelCycle;}
 	void setPath(Vec3f startPos, Vec3f endPos);
 
 	static Trajectory strToTrajectory(const string &str);
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/particle_renderer.h b/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/particle_renderer.h
index cadbee727..324cc3fc5 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/particle_renderer.h
+++ b/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/particle_renderer.h
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void renderSystem(ParticleSystem *ps)=0;
 	virtual void renderSystemLine(ParticleSystem *ps)=0;
 	virtual void renderSystemLineAlpha(ParticleSystem *ps)=0;
-	virtual void renderModel(AttackParticleSystem *ps, ModelRenderer *mr)=0;
+	virtual void renderModel(GameParticleSystem *ps, ModelRenderer *mr)=0;
 };
 
 }}//end namespace
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/vec.h b/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/vec.h
index 167cb0653..082af584a 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/vec.h
+++ b/source/shared_lib/include/graphics/vec.h
@@ -156,6 +156,22 @@ public:
 		x/= m;
 		y/= m;
 	}
+	
+	Vec2<T> rotate(float rad){
+		const float
+#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
+			c = streflop::cosf(rad),
+			s = streflop::sinf(rad);
+#else
+			c = scosf(rad),
+			s = ssinf(rad);
+#endif
+		return Vec2<T>(x*c-y*s,x*s+y*c);
+	}
+
+	Vec2<T> rotateAround(float rad,const Vec2<T>& pt){
+		return pt+(*this-pt).rotate(rad);
+	}
 
 	std::string getString() const {
 		std::ostringstream streamOut;
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/include/platform/common/cache_manager.h b/source/shared_lib/include/platform/common/cache_manager.h
index 0d19643f6..53d82949b 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/include/platform/common/cache_manager.h
+++ b/source/shared_lib/include/platform/common/cache_manager.h
@@ -38,13 +38,22 @@ static const char *getFolderTreeContentsCheckSumListRecursivelyCacheLookupKey1;
 static const char *getFolderTreeContentsCheckSumListRecursivelyCacheLookupKey2;
 
 protected:
-	static Mutex mutexCache;
-
 	typedef enum {
 		cacheItemGet,
 		cacheItemSet
 	} CacheAccessorType;
 
+	template <typename T>
+	static Mutex & manageCachedItemMutex(string cacheKey) {
+		// Here is the actual type-safe instantiation
+		static std::map<string, Mutex> itemCacheMutexList;
+		if(itemCacheMutexList.find(cacheKey) == itemCacheMutexList.end()) {
+			itemCacheMutexList[cacheKey] = Mutex();
+		}
+		Mutex &mutex = itemCacheMutexList[cacheKey];
+		return mutex;
+	}
+
 	template <typename T>
 	static T & manageCachedItem(string cacheKey, T *value,CacheAccessorType accessor) {
 		// Here is the actual type-safe instantiation
@@ -52,6 +61,7 @@ protected:
 		if(accessor == cacheItemSet) {
 			if(value == NULL) {
 				try {
+					Mutex &mutexCache = manageCachedItemMutex<T>(cacheKey);
 					MutexSafeWrapper safeMutex(&mutexCache);
 					if(itemCache.find(cacheKey) != itemCache.end()) {
 						itemCache.erase(cacheKey);
@@ -64,6 +74,7 @@ protected:
 
 			}
 			try {
+				Mutex &mutexCache = manageCachedItemMutex<T>(cacheKey);
 				MutexSafeWrapper safeMutex(&mutexCache);
 				itemCache[cacheKey] = *value;
 				safeMutex.ReleaseLock();
@@ -94,6 +105,10 @@ public:
 		return manageCachedItem<T>(cacheKey,NULL,cacheItemSet);
 	}
 
+	template <typename T>
+	static Mutex & getMutexForItem(string cacheKey) {
+		return manageCachedItemMutex<T>(cacheKey);
+	}
 };
 
 }}//end namespace
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/include/xml/xml_parser.h b/source/shared_lib/include/xml/xml_parser.h
index edd29ba60..5e3277863 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/include/xml/xml_parser.h
+++ b/source/shared_lib/include/xml/xml_parser.h
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ public:
 class XmlTree{
 private:
 	XmlNode *rootNode;
-
+	string loadPath;
 private:
 	XmlTree(XmlTree&);
 	void operator =(XmlTree&);
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ private:
 	string text;
 	vector<XmlNode*> children;
 	vector<XmlAttribute*> attributes;
+	mutable const XmlNode* superNode;
 
 private:
 	XmlNode(XmlNode&);
@@ -99,6 +100,8 @@ public:
 	XmlNode(XERCES_CPP_NAMESPACE::DOMNode *node, std::map<string,string> mapTagReplacementValues);
 	XmlNode(const string &name);
 	~XmlNode();
+	
+	void setSuper(const XmlNode* superNode) const { this->superNode = superNode; }
 
 	const string &getName() const	{return name;}
 	size_t getChildCount() const		{return children.size();}
@@ -122,6 +125,7 @@ public:
 
 private:
 	string getTreeString() const;
+	bool hasChildNoSuper(const string& childName) const;
 };
 
 // =====================================================
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/sources/graphics/gl/particle_renderer_gl.cpp b/source/shared_lib/sources/graphics/gl/particle_renderer_gl.cpp
index a5caf7051..06ee62b64 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/sources/graphics/gl/particle_renderer_gl.cpp
+++ b/source/shared_lib/sources/graphics/gl/particle_renderer_gl.cpp
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ void ParticleRendererGl::renderSystemLineAlpha(ParticleSystem *ps){
 	assertGl();
 }
 
-void ParticleRendererGl::renderModel(AttackParticleSystem *ps, ModelRenderer *mr){
+void ParticleRendererGl::renderModel(GameParticleSystem *ps, ModelRenderer *mr){
 	//render model
 	Model *model = ps->getModel();
 	if(model != NULL) {
@@ -262,7 +262,9 @@ void ParticleRendererGl::renderModel(AttackParticleSystem *ps, ModelRenderer *mr
 
 		//render
 		mr->begin(true, true, false);
-		model->updateInterpolationData(ps->getTween(), false);
+		float t = ps->getTween();
+		assert(t >= 0.0f && t <= 1.0f);
+		model->updateInterpolationData(t, false);
 		mr->render(model);
 		mr->end();
 
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/sources/graphics/particle.cpp b/source/shared_lib/sources/graphics/particle.cpp
index 720be823e..7e15785cf 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/sources/graphics/particle.cpp
+++ b/source/shared_lib/sources/graphics/particle.cpp
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ ParticleSystem::BlendMode ParticleSystem::strToBlendMode(const string &str){
 		return bmOneMinusAlpha;
 	}
 	else{
-		throw "Unknown particle mode: " + str;
+		throw runtime_error("Unknown particle mode: " + str);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -143,6 +143,8 @@ ParticleSystem::BlendMode ParticleSystem::strToBlendMode(const string &str){
 
 void ParticleSystem::setState(State state){
 	this->state= state;
+	for(int i=getChildCount()-1; i>=0; i--)
+		getChild(i)->setState(state);
 }
 
 void ParticleSystem::setTexture(Texture *texture){
@@ -151,6 +153,8 @@ void ParticleSystem::setTexture(Texture *texture){
 
 void ParticleSystem::setPos(Vec3f pos){
 	this->pos= pos;
+	for(int i=getChildCount()-1; i>=0; i--)
+		getChild(i)->setPos(pos);
 }
 
 void ParticleSystem::setColor(Vec4f color){
@@ -183,14 +187,22 @@ void ParticleSystem::setSpeed(float speed){
 
 void ParticleSystem::setActive(bool active){
 	this->active= active;
+	for(int i=getChildCount()-1; i>=0; i--)
+		getChild(i)->setActive(active);
 }
 
 void ParticleSystem::setObserver(ParticleObserver *particleObserver){
 	this->particleObserver= particleObserver;
 }
 
+ParticleSystem* ParticleSystem::getChild(int i){
+	throw std::out_of_range("ParticleSystem::getChild bad");
+}
+
 void ParticleSystem::setVisible(bool visible){
 	this->visible= visible;
+	for(int i=getChildCount()-1; i>=0; i--)
+		getChild(i)->setVisible(visible);
 }
 
 // =============== MISC =========================
@@ -209,6 +221,8 @@ void ParticleSystem::fade(){
 	if(particleObserver != NULL){
 		particleObserver->update(this);
 	}
+	for(int i=getChildCount()-1; i>=0; i--)
+		getChild(i)->fade();
 }
 
 int ParticleSystem::isEmpty() const{
@@ -297,6 +311,8 @@ void ParticleSystem::setFactionColor(Vec3f factionColor){
 	if(teamcolorNoEnergy){
 		this->colorNoEnergy= Vec4f(factionColor.x, factionColor.y, factionColor.z, this->colorNoEnergy.w);
 	}
+	for(int i=getChildCount()-1; i>=0; i--)
+		getChild(i)->setFactionColor(factionColor);
 }
 
 // ===========================================================================
@@ -378,13 +394,132 @@ void FireParticleSystem::setWind(float windAngle, float windSpeed){
 #endif
 }
 
+// ===========================================================================
+//  GameParticleSystem
+// ===========================================================================
+
+GameParticleSystem::GameParticleSystem(int particleCount):
+	ParticleSystem(particleCount),
+	primitive(pQuad),
+	model(NULL),
+	modelCycle(0.0f),
+	tween(0.0f),
+	offset(0.0f),
+	direction(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f)
+{}
+
+GameParticleSystem::~GameParticleSystem(){
+	for(Children::iterator it= children.begin(); it != children.end(); it++){
+		(*it)->setParent(NULL);
+		(*it)->fade();
+	}
+}
+
+GameParticleSystem::Primitive GameParticleSystem::strToPrimitive(const string &str){
+	if(str == "quad"){
+		return pQuad;
+	}
+	else if(str == "line"){
+		return pLine;
+	}
+	else{
+		throw runtime_error("Unknown particle primitive: " + str);
+	}
+}
+
+int GameParticleSystem::getChildCount(){
+	return children.size();
+}
+
+ParticleSystem* GameParticleSystem::getChild(int i){
+	return children.at(i); // does bounds checking
+}
+
+void GameParticleSystem::addChild(UnitParticleSystem* child) {
+	assert(!child->getParent());
+	child->setParent(this);
+	children.push_back(child);
+}
+
+void GameParticleSystem::removeChild(UnitParticleSystem* child){
+	assert(this == child->getParent());
+	Children::iterator it = std::find(children.begin(),children.end(),child);
+	assert(it != children.end());
+	children.erase(it);
+}
+
+void GameParticleSystem::setPos(Vec3f pos){
+	this->pos= pos;
+	positionChildren();
+}
+
+void GameParticleSystem::positionChildren() {
+	Vec3f child_pos = pos - offset;
+	for(int i=getChildCount()-1; i>=0; i--)
+		getChild(i)->setPos(child_pos);
+}
+
+void GameParticleSystem::setOffset(Vec3f offset){
+	this->offset= offset;
+	positionChildren();
+}
+
+void GameParticleSystem::render(ParticleRenderer *pr, ModelRenderer *mr){
+	if(active){
+		if(model != NULL){
+			pr->renderModel(this, mr);
+		}
+		switch(primitive){
+			case pQuad:
+				pr->renderSystem(this);
+				break;
+			case pLine:
+				pr->renderSystemLine(this);
+				break;
+			default:
+				assert(false);
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void GameParticleSystem::setTween(float relative,float absolute) {
+	if(model){
+		// animation?
+		if(modelCycle == 0.0f) {
+			tween= relative;
+		}
+		else {
+		#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
+			if(streflop::fabs(absolute) <= 0.00001f){
+		#else
+			if(fabs(absolute) <= 0.00001f){
+		#endif
+				tween = 0.0f;
+			}
+			else {
+		#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
+				tween= streflop::fmod(absolute, modelCycle);
+		#else
+				tween= fmod(absolute, modelCycle);
+		#endif
+				tween /= modelCycle;
+			}
+		}
+		assert(tween >= 0.0f && tween <= 1.0f);
+		tween= clamp(tween, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+	}
+	for(Children::iterator it= children.begin(); it != children.end(); it++)
+		(*it)->setTween(relative,absolute);
+}
+
 // ===========================================================================
 //  UnitParticleSystem
 // ===========================================================================
 bool UnitParticleSystem::isNight= false;
 
-UnitParticleSystem::UnitParticleSystem(int particleCount) :
-	ParticleSystem(particleCount){
+UnitParticleSystem::UnitParticleSystem(int particleCount):
+	GameParticleSystem(particleCount),
+	parent(NULL){
 	radius= 0.5f;
 	speed= 0.01f;
 	windSpeed= Vec3f(0.0f);
@@ -393,8 +528,6 @@ UnitParticleSystem::UnitParticleSystem(int particleCount) :
 	setColorNoEnergy(Vec4f(1.0f, 0.5f, 0.0f, 1.0f));
 
 	primitive= pQuad;
-	offset= Vec3f(0.0f);
-	direction= Vec3f(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f);
 	gravity= 0.0f;
 
 	fixed= false;
@@ -413,6 +546,15 @@ UnitParticleSystem::UnitParticleSystem(int particleCount) :
 		emissionState= (float) staticParticleCount;
 	}
 	energyUp= false;
+	
+	delay = 0; // none
+	lifetime = -1; // forever
+}
+
+UnitParticleSystem::~UnitParticleSystem(){
+	if(parent){
+		parent->removeChild(this);
+	}
 }
 
 bool UnitParticleSystem::getVisible() const{
@@ -425,54 +567,48 @@ bool UnitParticleSystem::getVisible() const{
 	else return false;
 }
 
-void UnitParticleSystem::render(ParticleRenderer *pr, ModelRenderer *mr){
-	//if(active){
-	switch(primitive){
-		case pQuad:
-			pr->renderSystem(this);
-			break;
-		case pLine:
-			pr->renderSystemLine(this);
-			break;
-		default:
-			assert(false);
-	}
-	//}
+void UnitParticleSystem::render(ParticleRenderer *pr, ModelRenderer *mr) {
+	GameParticleSystem::render(pr,mr);
 }
 
-UnitParticleSystem::Primitive UnitParticleSystem::strToPrimitive(const string &str){
-	if(str == "quad"){
-		return pQuad;
+void UnitParticleSystem::setRotation(float rotation){
+	this->rotation= rotation;
+	for(Children::iterator it= children.begin(); it != children.end(); it++)
+		(*it)->setRotation(rotation);
+}
+
+void UnitParticleSystem::fade(){
+	if(!parent || (lifetime<=0 && !(emissionRateFade && emissionRate > 0))){ // particle has its own lifetime?
+		GameParticleSystem::fade();
 	}
-	else if(str == "line"){
-		return pLine;
+}
+
+UnitParticleSystem::Shape UnitParticleSystem::strToShape(const string& str){
+	if(str == "spherical"){
+		return sSpherical;
+	}
+	else if(str == "conical"){
+		return sConical;
+	}
+	else if(str == "linear"){
+		return sLinear;
 	}
 	else{
-		throw "Unknown particle primitive: " + str;
+		throw runtime_error("Unkown particle shape: " + str);
 	}
 }
 
 void UnitParticleSystem::initParticle(Particle *p, int particleIndex){
 	ParticleSystem::initParticle(p, particleIndex);
 
-	float ang= random.randRange(-2.0f * pi, 2.0f * pi);
-#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
-	float mod= streflop::fabsf(random.randRange(-radius, radius));
-
-	float x= streflop::sinf(ang)*mod;
-	float y= streflop::cosf(ang)*mod;
-
-	float radRatio= streflop::sqrtf(streflop::sqrtf(mod/radius));
+	const float ang= random.randRange(-2.0f * pi, 2.0f * pi);
+#ifdef USE_STREFLOP	
+	const float mod= streflop::fabsf(random.randRange(-radius, radius));
+	const float radRatio= streflop::sqrtf(streflop::sqrtf(mod/radius));
 #else
-	float mod= fabsf(random.randRange(-radius, radius));
-
-	float x= sinf(ang) * mod;
-	float y= cosf(ang) * mod;
-
-	float radRatio= sqrtf(sqrtf(mod / radius));
+	const float mod= fabsf(random.randRange(-radius, radius));
+	const float radRatio= sqrtf(sqrtf(mod / radius));
 #endif
-
-	//p->color= color*0.5f + color*0.5f*radRatio;
 	p->color= color;
 	if(radiusBasedStartenergy == true){
 		p->energy= static_cast<int> (maxParticleEnergy * radRatio) + random.randRange(-varParticleEnergy,
@@ -485,36 +621,72 @@ void UnitParticleSystem::initParticle(Particle *p, int particleIndex){
 	p->lastPos= pos;
 	oldPosition= pos;
 	p->size= particleSize;
-
-	p->speed= Vec3f(direction.x + direction.x * random.randRange(-0.5f, 0.5f), direction.y + direction.y
-	        * random.randRange(-0.5f, 0.5f), direction.z + direction.z * random.randRange(-0.5f, 0.5f));
-	p->speed= p->speed * speed;
 	p->accel= Vec3f(0.0f, -gravity, 0.0f);
-
-	if(relative == false){
-		p->pos= Vec3f(pos.x + x + offset.x, pos.y + random.randRange(-radius / 2, radius / 2) + offset.y, pos.z + y
-		        + offset.z);
-	}
-	else{// rotate it according to rotation
-		float rad= degToRad(rotation);
-#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
-		p->pos= Vec3f(pos.x+x+offset.z*streflop::sinf(rad)+offset.x*streflop::cosf(rad), pos.y+random.randRange(-radius/2, radius/2)+offset.y, pos.z+y+(offset.z*streflop::cosf(rad)-offset.x*streflop::sinf(rad)));
-		if(relativeDirection){
+	
+	// work out where we start for our shape (set speed and pos)
+	switch(shape){
+	case sSpherical:
+		angle = random.randRange(0,360);
+		// fall through
+	case sConical:{
+		Vec2f horiz = Vec2f(1,0).rotate(ang);
+		Vec2f vert = Vec2f(1,0).rotate(degToRad(angle));
+		Vec3f start = Vec3f(horiz.x*vert.y,vert.x,horiz.y).getNormalized(); // close enough
+		p->speed = start * speed;
+		start = start * random.randRange(minRadius,radius);
+		p->pos = pos + offset + start;
+	} break;
+	case sLinear:{
+	#ifdef USE_STREFLOP	
+		float x= streflop::sinf(ang)*mod;
+		float y= streflop::cosf(ang)*mod;	
+	#else	
+		float x= sinf(ang) * mod;
+		float y= cosf(ang) * mod;	
+	#endif
+		const float rad= degToRad(rotation);
+		if(!relative){
+			p->pos= Vec3f(pos.x + x + offset.x, pos.y + random.randRange(-radius / 2, radius / 2) + offset.y, pos.z + y
+				+ offset.z);
+		}
+		else{// rotate it according to rotation		
+	#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
+			p->pos= Vec3f(pos.x+x+offset.z*streflop::sinf(rad)+offset.x*streflop::cosf(rad), pos.y+random.randRange(-radius/2, radius/2)+offset.y, pos.z+y+(offset.z*streflop::cosf(rad)-offset.x*streflop::sinf(rad)));
+	#else
+			p->pos= Vec3f(pos.x + x + offset.z * sinf(rad) + offset.x * cosf(rad), pos.y + random.randRange(-radius / 2,
+				radius / 2) + offset.y, pos.z + y + (offset.z * cosf(rad) - offset.x * sinf(rad)));
+	#endif
+		}
+		p->speed= Vec3f(direction.x + direction.x * random.randRange(-0.5f, 0.5f), direction.y + direction.y
+			* random.randRange(-0.5f, 0.5f), direction.z + direction.z * random.randRange(-0.5f, 0.5f));
+		p->speed= p->speed * speed;
+		if(relative && relativeDirection){
+	#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
 			p->speed=Vec3f(p->speed.z*streflop::sinf(rad)+p->speed.x*streflop::cosf(rad),p->speed.y,(p->speed.z*streflop::cosf(rad)-p->speed.x*streflop::sinf(rad)));
-		}
-#else
-		p->pos= Vec3f(pos.x + x + offset.z * sinf(rad) + offset.x * cosf(rad), pos.y + random.randRange(-radius / 2,
-		        radius / 2) + offset.y, pos.z + y + (offset.z * cosf(rad) - offset.x * sinf(rad)));
-		if(relativeDirection){
+	#else
 			p->speed= Vec3f(p->speed.z * sinf(rad) + p->speed.x * cosf(rad), p->speed.y, (p->speed.z * cosf(rad)
-			        - p->speed.x * sinf(rad)));
+				- p->speed.x * sinf(rad)));
+	#endif
 		}
-
-#endif
+	} break;
+	default: throw runtime_error("bad shape");
 	}
 }
 
 void UnitParticleSystem::update(){
+	// delay and timeline are only applicable for child particles
+	if(parent && delay>0 && delay--){
+		return;
+	}
+	if(parent && lifetime>0 && !--lifetime) {
+		fade();
+	}
+	if(state != sPause) {
+		emissionRate-= emissionRateFade;
+		if(parent && emissionRate < 0.0f) {
+			fade();
+		}
+	}
 	if(fixed){
 		fixedAddition= Vec3f(pos.x - oldPosition.x, pos.y - oldPosition.y, pos.z - oldPosition.z);
 		oldPosition= pos;
@@ -573,10 +745,6 @@ void UnitParticleSystem::updateParticle(Particle *p){
 
 // ================= SET PARAMS ====================
 
-void UnitParticleSystem::setRadius(float radius){
-	this->radius= radius;
-}
-
 void UnitParticleSystem::setWind(float windAngle, float windSpeed){
 #ifdef USE_STREFLOP
 	this->windSpeed.x= streflop::sinf(degToRad(windAngle))*windSpeed;
@@ -700,43 +868,9 @@ void SnowParticleSystem::setWind(float windAngle, float windSpeed){
 // ===========================================================================
 
 AttackParticleSystem::AttackParticleSystem(int particleCount) :
-	ParticleSystem(particleCount){
-	model= NULL;
+	GameParticleSystem(particleCount){
 	primitive= pQuad;
-	offset= Vec3f(0.0f);
 	gravity= 0.0f;
-	tween= 0.0f;
-	direction= Vec3f(1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f);
-}
-
-void AttackParticleSystem::render(ParticleRenderer *pr, ModelRenderer *mr){
-	if(active){
-		if(model != NULL){
-			pr->renderModel(this, mr);
-		}
-		switch(primitive){
-			case pQuad:
-				pr->renderSystem(this);
-				break;
-			case pLine:
-				pr->renderSystemLine(this);
-				break;
-			default:
-				assert(false);
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-AttackParticleSystem::Primitive AttackParticleSystem::strToPrimitive(const string &str){
-	if(str == "quad"){
-		return pQuad;
-	}
-	else if(str == "line"){
-		return pLine;
-	}
-	else{
-		throw "Unknown particle primitive: " + str;
-	}
 }
 
 // ===========================================================================
@@ -775,7 +909,6 @@ void ProjectileParticleSystem::link(SplashParticleSystem *particleSystem){
 }
 
 void ProjectileParticleSystem::update(){
-
 	if(state == sPlay){
 
 		lastPos= pos;
@@ -785,19 +918,7 @@ void ProjectileParticleSystem::update(){
 
 		// ratio
 		float t= clamp(currentVector.length() / targetVector.length(), 0.0f, 1.0f);
-
-		// animation?
-		if(modelCycle == 0.0f) {
-			tween= t;
-		}
-		else {
-		#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
-			tween= streflop::fmod(currentVector.length(), modelCycle);
-		#else
-			tween= fmod(currentVector.length(), modelCycle);
-		#endif
-			tween= clamp(tween / currentVector.length(), 0.0f, 1.0f);
-		}
+		setTween(t,currentVector.length());
 
 		// trajectory
 		switch(trajectory) {
@@ -833,10 +954,13 @@ void ProjectileParticleSystem::update(){
 
 		direction= pos - lastPos;
 		direction.normalize();
+		// trigger update of child particles
+		positionChildren(); 
+		rotateChildren();
 
 		//arrive destination
 		if(flatPos.dist(endPos) < 0.5f){
-			state= sFade;
+			fade();
 			model= NULL;
 
 			if(particleObserver != NULL){
@@ -854,6 +978,18 @@ void ProjectileParticleSystem::update(){
 	ParticleSystem::update();
 }
 
+void ProjectileParticleSystem::rotateChildren() {
+	//### only on horizontal plane :(
+#ifdef USE_STREFLOP
+	float rotation = streflop::atan2(direction.x, direction.z);
+#else
+	float rotation = atan2(direction.x, direction.z);
+#endif	
+	rotation = radToDeg(rotation);
+	for(Children::iterator it = children.begin(); it != children.end(); it++)
+		(*it)->setRotation(rotation);
+}
+
 void ProjectileParticleSystem::initParticle(Particle *p, int particleIndex){
 
 	ParticleSystem::initParticle(p, particleIndex);
@@ -906,6 +1042,11 @@ void ProjectileParticleSystem::setPath(Vec3f startPos, Vec3f endPos){
 	// set members
 	this->startPos= startPos;
 	this->endPos= endPos;
+	
+	// direction
+	direction = (endPos - lastPos);
+	direction.normalize();
+	rotateChildren();
 }
 
 ProjectileParticleSystem::Trajectory ProjectileParticleSystem::strToTrajectory(const string &str){
@@ -919,7 +1060,7 @@ ProjectileParticleSystem::Trajectory ProjectileParticleSystem::strToTrajectory(c
 		return tSpiral;
 	}
 	else{
-		throw "Unknown particle system trajectory: " + str;
+		throw runtime_error("Unknown particle system trajectory: " + str);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -959,8 +1100,9 @@ void SplashParticleSystem::update() {
 	if(state != sPause) {
 		emissionRate-= emissionRateFade;
 
-		tween= 1.0f - ((emissionRate + startEmissionRate) / (startEmissionRate * 2.0f));
-		tween= clamp(tween, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+		float t= 1.0f - ((emissionRate + startEmissionRate) / (startEmissionRate * 2.0f));
+		t= clamp(t, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+		setTween(t,t);
 
 		if(emissionRate < 0.0f) {//otherwise this system lives forever!
 			fade();
@@ -1132,7 +1274,10 @@ void ParticleManager::cleanupUnitParticleSystems(vector<UnitParticleSystem *> &p
 }
 
 void ParticleManager::manage(ParticleSystem *ps){
+	assert((std::find(particleSystems.begin(),particleSystems.end(),ps) == particleSystems.end()) && "particle cannot be added twice");
 	particleSystems.push_back(ps);
+	for(int i=ps->getChildCount()-1; i>=0; i--)
+		manage(ps->getChild(i));
 }
 
 void ParticleManager::end(){
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/sources/platform/common/cache_manager.cpp b/source/shared_lib/sources/platform/common/cache_manager.cpp
index e708a6cc8..cad6862c1 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/sources/platform/common/cache_manager.cpp
+++ b/source/shared_lib/sources/platform/common/cache_manager.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 namespace Shared { namespace PlatformCommon {
 
-Mutex CacheManager::mutexCache;
+//Mutex CacheManager::mutexCache;
 const char *CacheManager::getFolderTreeContentsCheckSumRecursivelyCacheLookupKey1       = "CRC_Cache_FileTree1";
 const char *CacheManager::getFolderTreeContentsCheckSumRecursivelyCacheLookupKey2       = "CRC_Cache_FileTree2";
 const char *CacheManager::getFolderTreeContentsCheckSumListRecursivelyCacheLookupKey1   = "CRC_Cache_FileTreeList1";
diff --git a/source/shared_lib/sources/xml/xml_parser.cpp b/source/shared_lib/sources/xml/xml_parser.cpp
index c6cfe6bf4..90df91699 100644
--- a/source/shared_lib/sources/xml/xml_parser.cpp
+++ b/source/shared_lib/sources/xml/xml_parser.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 #include <stdexcept>
+#include <vector>
+#include <algorithm>
 
 #include "conversion.h"
 #include <xercesc/dom/DOM.hpp>
@@ -23,6 +25,7 @@
 #include "properties.h"
 #include "platform_common.h"
 #include "platform_util.h"
+#include "cache_manager.h"
 #include "leak_dumper.h"
 
 
@@ -172,7 +175,26 @@ void XmlTree::init(const string &name){
 	this->rootNode= new XmlNode(name);
 }
 
+typedef std::vector<XmlTree*> LoadStack;
+static LoadStack loadStack;
+//static string loadStackCacheName = string(__FILE__) + string("_loadStackCacheName");
+
 void XmlTree::load(const string &path, std::map<string,string> mapTagReplacementValues) {
+	//printf("XmlTree::load p [%p]\n",this);
+	assert(!loadPath.size());
+
+	//LoadStack &loadStack = CacheManager::getCachedItem<LoadStack>(loadStackCacheName);
+	//Mutex &mutex = CacheManager::getMutexForItem<LoadStack>(loadStackCacheName);
+	//MutexSafeWrapper safeMutex(&mutex);
+
+	for(LoadStack::iterator it= loadStack.begin(); it!= loadStack.end(); it++){
+		if((*it)->loadPath == path){
+			throw runtime_error(path + " recursively included");
+		}
+	}
+	loadStack.push_back(this);
+
+	loadPath = path;
 	this->rootNode= XmlIo::getInstance().load(path, mapTagReplacementValues);
 }
 
@@ -180,7 +202,17 @@ void XmlTree::save(const string &path){
 	XmlIo::getInstance().save(path, rootNode);
 }
 
-XmlTree::~XmlTree(){
+XmlTree::~XmlTree() {
+	//printf("XmlTree::~XmlTree p [%p]\n",this);
+
+	//LoadStack &loadStack = CacheManager::getCachedItem<LoadStack>(loadStackCacheName);
+	//Mutex &mutex = CacheManager::getMutexForItem<LoadStack>(loadStackCacheName);
+	//MutexSafeWrapper safeMutex(&mutex);
+
+	LoadStack::iterator it= find(loadStack.begin(),loadStack.end(),this);
+	if(it != loadStack.end()) {
+		loadStack.erase(it);
+	}
 	delete rootNode;
 }
 
@@ -188,7 +220,7 @@ XmlTree::~XmlTree(){
 //	class XmlNode
 // =====================================================
 
-XmlNode::XmlNode(DOMNode *node, std::map<string,string> mapTagReplacementValues) {
+XmlNode::XmlNode(DOMNode *node, std::map<string,string> mapTagReplacementValues): superNode(NULL) {
     if(node == NULL || node->getNodeName() == NULL) {
         throw runtime_error("XML structure seems to be corrupt!");
     }
@@ -235,7 +267,7 @@ XmlNode::XmlNode(DOMNode *node, std::map<string,string> mapTagReplacementValues)
 	}
 }
 
-XmlNode::XmlNode(const string &name) {
+XmlNode::XmlNode(const string &name): superNode(NULL) {
 	this->name= name;
 }
 
@@ -269,6 +301,7 @@ XmlAttribute *XmlNode::getAttribute(const string &name,bool mustExist) const {
 }
 
 XmlNode *XmlNode::getChild(unsigned int i) const {
+	assert(!superNode);
 	if(i >= children.size()) {
 		throw runtime_error("\"" + getName()+"\" node doesn't have "+intToStr(i+1)+" children");
 	}
@@ -287,6 +320,8 @@ vector<XmlNode *> XmlNode::getChildList(const string &childName) const {
 }
 
 XmlNode *XmlNode::getChild(const string &childName, unsigned int i) const{
+	if(superNode && !hasChildNoSuper(childName))
+		return superNode->getChild(childName,i);
 	if(i>=children.size()){
 		throw runtime_error("\"" + name + "\" node doesn't have "+intToStr(i+1)+" children named \"" + childName + "\"\n\nTree: "+getTreeString());
 	}
@@ -305,6 +340,8 @@ XmlNode *XmlNode::getChild(const string &childName, unsigned int i) const{
 }
 
 bool XmlNode::hasChildAtIndex(const string &childName, int i) const {
+	if(superNode && !hasChildNoSuper(childName))
+		return superNode->hasChildAtIndex(childName,i);
 	int count= 0;
 	for(unsigned int j = 0; j < children.size(); ++j) {
 		if(children[j]->getName()==childName) {
@@ -318,19 +355,22 @@ bool XmlNode::hasChildAtIndex(const string &childName, int i) const {
 	return false;
 }
 
-
 bool XmlNode::hasChild(const string &childName) const {
+	return hasChildNoSuper(childName) || (superNode && superNode->hasChild(childName));
+}
+	
+bool XmlNode::hasChildNoSuper(const string &childName) const {
 	int count= 0;
 	for(unsigned int j = 0; j < children.size(); ++j) {
 		if(children[j]->getName() == childName) {
             return true;
 		}
 	}
-
 	return false;
 }
 
 XmlNode *XmlNode::addChild(const string &name){
+	assert(!superNode);
 	XmlNode *node= new XmlNode(name);
 	children.push_back(node);
 	return node;