diff --git a/docs/rh-log.txt b/docs/rh-log.txt
index 70159dbae..e34b476b6 100644
--- a/docs/rh-log.txt
+++ b/docs/rh-log.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,13 @@
 April 22, 2007 (Changes by Graf Zahl)
+- added a CANUSEWALLS flag which allows a monster to activate 'use' specials
+  like doors. This flag is on by default for any monster which was the
+  previous behavior.
+- Optimized the DECORATE flag parser so it can more efficiently handle
+  the deprecated flags. As a side effect of this optimization the deprecated
+  flags became usable in A_ChangeFlag again.
+- Changed LONGMELEERANGE flag into a MeleeThreshold property.
+- Changed SHORTMISSILERANGE flag into a MaxTargetRange property.
+- Added Thing_Stop action special.
 - Changed ACS's SetActorState so that it isn't limited to only one sublabel.
   This change also enables the implicit mapping of the old special death
   state names.
diff --git a/src/actor.h b/src/actor.h
index fcd1ffaae..b500236de 100644
--- a/src/actor.h
+++ b/src/actor.h
@@ -252,11 +252,11 @@ enum
 	MF4_ACTLIKEBRIDGE	= 0x00000080,	// Pickups can "stand" on this actor
 	MF4_STRIFEDAMAGE	= 0x00000100,	// Strife projectiles only do up to 4x damage, not 8x
 
-	MF4_LONGMELEERANGE	= 0x00000200,
-	MF4_MISSILEMORE		= 0x00000400,
-	MF4_MISSILEEVENMORE	= 0x00000800,
-	MF4_SHORTMISSILERANGE=0x00001000,
-	MF4_DONTFALL		= 0x00002000,
+	MF4_CANUSEWALLS		= 0x00000200,	// Can activate 'use' specials
+	MF4_MISSILEMORE		= 0x00000400,	// increases the chance of a missile attack
+	MF4_MISSILEEVENMORE	= 0x00000800,	// significantly increases the chance of a missile attack
+	// unused flag
+	MF4_DONTFALL		= 0x00002000,	// Doesn't have NOGRAVITY disabled when dying.
 	MF4_SEESDAGGERS		= 0x00004000,	// This actor can see you striking with a dagger
 	MF4_INCOMBAT		= 0x00008000,	// Don't alert others when attacked by a dagger
 	MF4_LOOKALLAROUND	= 0x00010000,	// Monster has eyes in the back of its head
@@ -680,7 +680,11 @@ public:
 	BYTE			boomwaterlevel;	// splash information for non-swimmable water sectors
 	BYTE			MinMissileChance;// [RH] If a random # is > than this, then missile attack.
 	WORD			SpawnFlags;
-	fixed_t			meleerange;
+	fixed_t			meleerange;		// specifies how far a melee attack reaches.
+	fixed_t			meleethreshold;	// Distance below which a monster doesn't try to shoot missiles anynore
+									// but instead tries to come closer for a melee attack.
+									// This is not the same as meleerange
+	fixed_t			maxtargetrange;	// any target farther away cannot be attacked
 	fixed_t			bouncefactor;	// Strife's grenades use 50%, Hexen's Flechettes 70.
 	int				bouncecount;	// Strife's grenades only bounce twice before exploding
 	fixed_t			gravity;		// [GRB] Gravity factor
diff --git a/src/g_strife/a_strifeweapons.cpp b/src/g_strife/a_strifeweapons.cpp
index 10afd7cd9..36c2fa1cd 100644
--- a/src/g_strife/a_strifeweapons.cpp
+++ b/src/g_strife/a_strifeweapons.cpp
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AStrifePuff, Strife, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SpawnState (4)
 	PROP_CrashState (0)
 	PROP_Flags (MF_NOBLOCKMAP|MF_NOGRAVITY)
+	PROP_Flags4 (MF4_ALLOWPARTICLES)
 	PROP_Alpha (TRANSLUC25)
 	PROP_RenderStyle (STYLE_Translucent)
 END_DEFAULTS
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AStrifeSpark, Strife, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SpawnState (0)
 	PROP_CrashState (8)
 	PROP_Flags (MF_NOBLOCKMAP|MF_NOGRAVITY)
+	PROP_Flags4 (MF4_ALLOWPARTICLES)
 	PROP_RenderStyle (STYLE_Add)
 	PROP_Alpha (TRANSLUC25)
 END_DEFAULTS
diff --git a/src/infodefaults.cpp b/src/infodefaults.cpp
index 439ba813b..3129c8443 100644
--- a/src/infodefaults.cpp
+++ b/src/infodefaults.cpp
@@ -416,6 +416,7 @@ void FActorInfo::ApplyDefaults (BYTE *defaults)
 	if (((AActor *)defaults)->flags & MF_COUNTKILL)
 	{
 		((AActor *)defaults)->flags3 |= MF3_ISMONSTER;
+		((AActor *)defaults)->flags4 |= MF4_CANUSEWALLS;	// I won't bother changing all internal monster definitions so let's set this here.
 	}
 	// Any default projectile in Raven's games produces blood splatter
 	if (gameinfo.gametype & GAME_Raven && ((AActor *)defaults)->flags & MF_MISSILE)
diff --git a/src/p_enemy.cpp b/src/p_enemy.cpp
index 9c21c5934..453e851d1 100644
--- a/src/p_enemy.cpp
+++ b/src/p_enemy.cpp
@@ -324,10 +324,10 @@ bool AActor::SuggestMissileAttack (fixed_t dist)
 	// Making these values customizable is not necessary and in most case more confusing than
 	// helpful because no value here translates into anything really meaningful. 
 	
-	if (flags4 & MF4_SHORTMISSILERANGE && dist>14*64*FRACUNIT)
-		return false;	// The Arch Vile's special behavior turned into a flag
+	if (maxtargetrange > 0 && dist > maxtargetrange)
+		return false;	// The Arch Vile's special behavior turned into a property
 		
-	if (flags4 & MF4_LONGMELEERANGE && dist < 196*FRACUNIT)
+	if (dist < meleethreshold)
 		return false;	// From the Revenant: close enough for fist attack
 
 	if (flags4 & MF4_MISSILEMORE) dist >>= 1;
@@ -521,8 +521,8 @@ bool P_Move (AActor *actor)
 		while (spechit.Pop (ld))
 		{
 			// [RH] let monsters push lines, as well as use them
-			if (P_ActivateLine (ld, actor, 0, SPAC_USE) ||
-				((actor->flags & MF2_PUSHWALL) && P_ActivateLine (ld, actor, 0, SPAC_PUSH)))
+			if (((actor->flags4 & MF4_CANUSEWALLS) && P_ActivateLine (ld, actor, 0, SPAC_USE)) ||
+				((actor->flags2 & MF2_PUSHWALL) && P_ActivateLine (ld, actor, 0, SPAC_PUSH)))
 			{
 				good |= ld == BlockingLine ? 1 : 2;
 			}
diff --git a/src/p_lnspec.cpp b/src/p_lnspec.cpp
index 888400021..bc4fa25d7 100644
--- a/src/p_lnspec.cpp
+++ b/src/p_lnspec.cpp
@@ -1415,6 +1415,34 @@ FUNC(LS_Thing_Raise)
 	return ok;
 }
 
+FUNC(LS_Thing_Stop)
+// Thing_Stop(tid)
+{
+	AActor * target;
+	bool ok = false;
+
+	if (arg0==0)
+	{
+		if (it != NULL)
+		{
+			it->momx = it->momy = it->momz = 0;
+			ok = true;
+		}
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		TActorIterator<AActor> iterator (arg0);
+
+		while ( (target = iterator.Next ()) )
+		{
+			target->momx = target->momy = target->momz = 0;
+			ok = true;
+		}
+	}
+	return ok;
+}
+
+
 FUNC(LS_Thing_SetGoal)
 // Thing_SetGoal (tid, goal, delay, chasegoal)
 {
@@ -1472,7 +1500,7 @@ FUNC(LS_Thing_SetTranslation)
 	while ( (target = iterator.Next ()) )
 	{
 		ok = true;
-		target->Translation = range;
+		target->Translation = range==0? target->GetDefault()->Translation : range;
 	}
 
 	return ok;
@@ -2739,7 +2767,7 @@ lnSpecFunc LineSpecials[256] =
 	LS_NOP,		// Transfer_WallLight
 	LS_Thing_Raise,
 	LS_StartConversation,
-	LS_NOP,		// 19
+	LS_Thing_Stop,
 	LS_Floor_LowerByValue,
 	LS_Floor_LowerToLowest,
 	LS_Floor_LowerToNearest,
diff --git a/src/p_lnspec.h b/src/p_lnspec.h
index 4d48f25d7..0def2fcf1 100644
--- a/src/p_lnspec.h
+++ b/src/p_lnspec.h
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ typedef enum {
 	Transfer_WallLight = 16,
 	Thing_Raise = 17,
 	StartConversation = 18,
+	Thing_Stop = 19,
 
 	Floor_LowerByValue = 20,
 	Floor_LowerToLowest = 21,
diff --git a/src/p_mobj.cpp b/src/p_mobj.cpp
index b67389c8f..c3cb64e16 100644
--- a/src/p_mobj.cpp
+++ b/src/p_mobj.cpp
@@ -311,6 +311,8 @@ void AActor::Serialize (FArchive &arc)
 		<< MaxStepHeight
 		<< bouncefactor
 		<< bouncecount
+		<< maxtargetrange
+		<< meleethreshold
 		<< meleerange
 		<< DamageType
 		<< gravity;
diff --git a/src/thingdef.cpp b/src/thingdef.cpp
index 63253486e..7a507e258 100644
--- a/src/thingdef.cpp
+++ b/src/thingdef.cpp
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ TArray<FName> JumpParameters;
 // [RH] Keep GCC quiet by not using offsetof on Actor types.
 #define DEFINE_FLAG(prefix, name, type, variable) { prefix##_##name, #name, (int)(size_t)&((type*)1)->variable - 1 }
 #define DEFINE_FLAG2(symbol, name, type, variable) { symbol, #name, (int)(size_t)&((type*)1)->variable - 1 }
+#define DEFINE_DEPRECATED_FLAG(name, type, index) { index, #name, -1 }
 
 struct flagdef
 {
@@ -191,10 +192,9 @@ static flagdef ActorFlags[]=
 	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, FIXMAPTHINGPOS , AActor, flags4),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, ACTLIKEBRIDGE, AActor, flags4),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, STRIFEDAMAGE, AActor, flags4),
-	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, LONGMELEERANGE, AActor, flags4),
+	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, CANUSEWALLS, AActor, flags4),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, MISSILEMORE, AActor, flags4),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, MISSILEEVENMORE, AActor, flags4),
-	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, SHORTMISSILERANGE, AActor, flags4),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, DONTFALL, AActor, flags4),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, SEESDAGGERS, AActor, flags4),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(MF4, INCOMBAT, AActor, flags4),
@@ -233,6 +233,13 @@ static flagdef ActorFlags[]=
 	DEFINE_FLAG2(FX_ROCKET, ROCKETTRAIL, AActor, effects),
 	DEFINE_FLAG2(FX_GRENADE, GRENADETRAIL, AActor, effects),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(RF, INVISIBLE, AActor, renderflags),
+
+	// Deprecated flags. Handling must be performed in HandleDeprecatedFlags
+	DEFINE_DEPRECATED_FLAG(FIREDAMAGE, AActor, 0),
+	DEFINE_DEPRECATED_FLAG(ICEDAMAGE, AActor, 1),
+	DEFINE_DEPRECATED_FLAG(LOWGRAVITY, AActor, 2),
+	DEFINE_DEPRECATED_FLAG(SHORTMISSILERANGE, AActor, 3),
+	DEFINE_DEPRECATED_FLAG(LONGMELEERANGE, AActor, 4),
 };
 
 static flagdef InventoryFlags[] =
@@ -364,6 +371,41 @@ static flagdef *FindFlag (const PClass *type, const char *part1, const char *par
 	return NULL;
 }
 
+
+//===========================================================================
+//
+// HandleDeprecatedFlags
+//
+// Handles the deprecated flags and sets the respective properties
+// to appropriate values. This is solely intended for backwards
+// compatibility so mixing this with code that is aware of the real
+// properties is not recommended
+//
+//===========================================================================
+static void HandleDeprecatedFlags(AActor *defaults, bool set, int index)
+{
+	switch (index)
+	{
+	case 0:	// FIREDAMAGE
+		defaults->DamageType = set? NAME_Fire : NAME_None;
+		break;
+	case 1:	// ICEDAMAGE
+		defaults->DamageType = set? NAME_Ice : NAME_None;
+		break;
+	case 2:	// LOWGRAVITY
+		defaults->gravity = set? FRACUNIT/8 : FRACUNIT;
+		break;
+	case 3:	// SHORTMISSILERANGE
+		defaults->maxtargetrange = set? 896*FRACUNIT : 0;
+		break;
+	case 4:	// LONGMELEERANGE
+		defaults->meleethreshold = set? 196*FRACUNIT : 0;
+		break;
+	default:
+		break;	// silence GCC
+	}
+}
+
 //===========================================================================
 //
 // A_ChangeFlag
@@ -392,10 +434,17 @@ void A_ChangeFlag(AActor * self)
 
 	if (fd != NULL)
 	{
-		int * flagp = (int*) (((char*)self) + fd->structoffset);
+		if (fd->structoffset == -1)
+		{
+			HandleDeprecatedFlags(self, !!expression, fd->flagbit);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			int * flagp = (int*) (((char*)self) + fd->structoffset);
 
-		if (expression) *flagp |= fd->flagbit;
-		else *flagp &= ~fd->flagbit;
+			if (expression) *flagp |= fd->flagbit;
+			else *flagp &= ~fd->flagbit;
+		}
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -2939,6 +2988,24 @@ static void ActorBurnHeight (AActor *defaults, Baggage &bag)
 	bag.Info->Class->Meta.SetMetaFixed (AMETA_BurnHeight, h <= 0 ? -1 : h);
 }
 
+//==========================================================================
+//
+//==========================================================================
+static void ActorMaxTargetRange (AActor *defaults, Baggage &bag)
+{
+	SC_MustGetFloat();
+	defaults->maxtargetrange = fixed_t(sc_Float*FRACUNIT);
+}
+
+//==========================================================================
+//
+//==========================================================================
+static void ActorMeleeThreshold (AActor *defaults, Baggage &bag)
+{
+	SC_MustGetFloat();
+	defaults->meleethreshold = fixed_t(sc_Float*FRACUNIT);
+}
+
 //==========================================================================
 //
 //==========================================================================
@@ -3214,6 +3281,7 @@ static void ActorMonster (AActor *defaults, Baggage &bag)
 	defaults->flags|=MF_SHOOTABLE|MF_COUNTKILL|MF_SOLID; 
 	defaults->flags2|=MF2_PUSHWALL|MF2_MCROSS|MF2_PASSMOBJ;
 	defaults->flags3|=MF3_ISMONSTER;
+	defaults->flags4|=MF4_CANUSEWALLS;
 }
 
 //==========================================================================
@@ -3237,32 +3305,20 @@ static void ActorFlagSetOrReset (AActor *defaults, Baggage &bag)
 
 	SC_MustGetString ();
 
-	// Fire and ice damage were once flags but now are not.
-	if (SC_Compare ("FIREDAMAGE"))
+	FString part1 = sc_String;
+	const char *part2 = NULL;
+	if (SC_CheckString ("."))
 	{
-		if (mod == '+') defaults->DamageType = NAME_Fire;
-		else defaults->DamageType = NAME_None;
+		SC_MustGetString ();
+		part2 = sc_String;
 	}
-	else if (SC_Compare ("ICEDAMAGE"))
+	if ( (fd = FindFlag (bag.Info->Class, part1.GetChars(), part2)) )
 	{
-		if (mod == '+') defaults->DamageType = NAME_Ice;
-		else defaults->DamageType = NAME_None;
-	}
-	else if (SC_Compare ("LOWGRAVITY"))
-	{
-		if (mod == '+') defaults->gravity = FRACUNIT/8;
-		else defaults->gravity = FRACUNIT;
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		FString part1 = sc_String;
-		const char *part2 = NULL;
-		if (SC_CheckString ("."))
+		if (fd->structoffset == -1)	// this is a deprecated flag that has been changed into a real property
 		{
-			SC_MustGetString ();
-			part2 = sc_String;
+			HandleDeprecatedFlags(defaults, mod=='+', fd->flagbit);
 		}
-		if ( (fd = FindFlag (bag.Info->Class, part1.GetChars(), part2)) )
+		else
 		{
 			DWORD * flagvar = (DWORD*) ((char*)defaults + fd->structoffset);
 			if (mod == '+')
@@ -3274,16 +3330,16 @@ static void ActorFlagSetOrReset (AActor *defaults, Baggage &bag)
 				*flagvar &= ~fd->flagbit;
 			}
 		}
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		if (part2 == NULL)
+		{
+			SC_ScriptError("\"%s\" is an unknown flag\n", part1.GetChars());
+		}
 		else
 		{
-			if (part2 == NULL)
-			{
-				SC_ScriptError("\"%s\" is an unknown flag\n", part1.GetChars());
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				SC_ScriptError("\"%s.%s\" is an unknown flag\n", part1.GetChars(), part2);
-			}
+			SC_ScriptError("\"%s.%s\" is an unknown flag\n", part1.GetChars(), part2);
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -4105,10 +4161,12 @@ static const ActorProps props[] =
 	{ "mass",						ActorMass,					RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "maxdropoffheight",			ActorMaxDropoffHeight,		RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "maxstepheight",				ActorMaxStepHeight,			RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
+	{ "maxtargetrange",				ActorMaxTargetRange,		RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "melee",						ActorMeleeState,			RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "meleedamage",				ActorMeleeDamage,			RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "meleerange",					ActorMeleeRange,			RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "meleesound",					ActorMeleeSound,			RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
+	{ "meleethreshold",				ActorMeleeThreshold,		RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "minmissilechance",			ActorMinMissileChance,		RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "missile",					ActorMissileState,			RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
 	{ "missileheight",				ActorMissileHeight,			RUNTIME_CLASS(AActor) },
diff --git a/wadsrc/decorate/doom/archvile.txt b/wadsrc/decorate/doom/archvile.txt
index 997604525..96503d717 100644
--- a/wadsrc/decorate/doom/archvile.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/decorate/doom/archvile.txt
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ ACTOR Archvile 64
 	Speed 15
 	PainChance 10
 	Monster
+	MaxTargetRange 896
 	+QUICKTORETALIATE 
-	+SHORTMISSILERANGE 
 	+FLOORCLIP 
 	+NOTARGET
 	SeeSound "vile/sight"
diff --git a/wadsrc/decorate/doom/revenant.txt b/wadsrc/decorate/doom/revenant.txt
index 307d8e981..5f0a78691 100644
--- a/wadsrc/decorate/doom/revenant.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/decorate/doom/revenant.txt
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ ACTOR Revenant 66
 	Speed 10
 	PainChance 100
 	Monster
-	+LONGMELEERANGE 
+	MeleeThreshold 196
 	+MISSILEMORE 
 	+FLOORCLIP
 	SeeSound "skeleton/sight"