diff --git a/src/g_inventory/a_artifacts.cpp b/src/g_inventory/a_artifacts.cpp
index 80ddac56d..37aedc1ea 100644
--- a/src/g_inventory/a_artifacts.cpp
+++ b/src/g_inventory/a_artifacts.cpp
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ void APowerup::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 
 PalEntry APowerup::GetBlend ()
 {
-	if (EffectTics <= BLINKTHRESHOLD && !(EffectTics & 8))
+	if (isBlinking())
 		return 0;
 
 	if (IsSpecialColormap(BlendColor)) return 0;
@@ -202,6 +202,22 @@ void APowerup::CallInitEffect()
 	else InitEffect();
 }
 
+//===========================================================================
+//
+// APowerup :: isBlinking
+//
+//===========================================================================
+
+bool APowerup::isBlinking() const
+{
+	return (EffectTics <= BLINKTHRESHOLD && (EffectTics & 8) && !(ItemFlags & IF_NOSCREENBLINK));
+}
+
+DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(APowerup, isBlinking)
+{
+	PARAM_SELF_PROLOGUE(APowerup);
+	ACTION_RETURN_BOOL(self->isBlinking());
+}
 
 //===========================================================================
 //
@@ -222,7 +238,7 @@ void APowerup::DoEffect ()
 
 		if (Colormap != NOFIXEDCOLORMAP)
 		{
-			if (EffectTics > BLINKTHRESHOLD || (EffectTics & 8))
+			if (!isBlinking())
 			{
 				Owner->player->fixedcolormap = Colormap;
 			}
@@ -294,7 +310,7 @@ bool APowerup::DrawPowerup (int x, int y)
 	{
 		return false;
 	}
-	if (EffectTics > BLINKTHRESHOLD || !(EffectTics & 16))
+	if (!isBlinking())
 	{
 		FTexture *pic = TexMan(Icon);
 		screen->DrawTexture (pic, x, y,
@@ -904,7 +920,7 @@ void APowerLightAmp::DoEffect ()
 
 	if (Owner->player != NULL && Owner->player->fixedcolormap < NUMCOLORMAPS)
 	{
-		if (EffectTics > BLINKTHRESHOLD || (EffectTics & 8))
+		if (!isBlinking())
 		{	
 			Owner->player->fixedlightlevel = 1;
 		}
diff --git a/src/g_inventory/a_artifacts.h b/src/g_inventory/a_artifacts.h
index f8eec5554..95182ce43 100644
--- a/src/g_inventory/a_artifacts.h
+++ b/src/g_inventory/a_artifacts.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void InitEffect ();
 	virtual void DoEffect () override;
 	virtual void EndEffect ();
+	bool isBlinking() const;
 
 protected:
 	void CallInitEffect();
diff --git a/src/g_inventory/a_pickups.cpp b/src/g_inventory/a_pickups.cpp
index e7a21fee6..aa00ba8b0 100644
--- a/src/g_inventory/a_pickups.cpp
+++ b/src/g_inventory/a_pickups.cpp
@@ -645,6 +645,8 @@ void AInventory::BecomeItem ()
 	RemoveFromHash ();
 	flags &= ~MF_SPECIAL;
 	ChangeStatNum(STAT_INVENTORY);
+	// stop all sounds this item is playing.
+	for(int i = 1;i<=7;i++) S_StopSound(this, i);
 	SetState (FindState("Held"));
 }
 
diff --git a/src/g_inventory/a_pickups.h b/src/g_inventory/a_pickups.h
index ea87cfe85..eedadbdff 100644
--- a/src/g_inventory/a_pickups.h
+++ b/src/g_inventory/a_pickups.h
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ enum
 	IF_ALWAYSRESPAWN	= 1<<23,	// Always respawn, regardless of dmflag
 	IF_TRANSFER			= 1<<24,	// All inventory items that the inventory item contains is also transfered to the pickuper
 	IF_NOTELEPORTFREEZE	= 1<<25,	// does not 'freeze' the player right after teleporting.
+	IF_NOSCREENBLINK	= 1<<26,	// Does not blink the screen overlay when expiring.
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/g_shared/a_randomspawner.cpp b/src/g_shared/a_randomspawner.cpp
index 9be5cac7b..d084e1316 100644
--- a/src/g_shared/a_randomspawner.cpp
+++ b/src/g_shared/a_randomspawner.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include "doomstat.h"
 #include "doomdata.h"
 #include "g_levellocals.h"
+#include "virtual.h"
 
 #define MAX_RANDOMSPAWNERS_RECURSION 32 // Should be largely more than enough, honestly.
 static FRandom pr_randomspawn("RandomSpawn");
@@ -211,6 +212,12 @@ class ARandomSpawner : public AActor
 			AActor *rep = GetDefaultByType(GetClass()->GetReplacee());
 			if (rep && ((rep->flags4 & MF4_BOSSDEATH) || (rep->flags2 & MF2_BOSS)))
 				boss = true;
+
+			IFVIRTUAL(ARandomSpawner, PostSpawn)
+			{
+				VMValue params[2] = { (DObject*)this, newmobj };
+				GlobalVMStack.Call(func, params, 2, nullptr, 0, nullptr);
+			}
 		}
 		if (boss)
 			this->tracer = newmobj;
diff --git a/src/p_actionfunctions.cpp b/src/p_actionfunctions.cpp
index b90f656c1..32161ed07 100644
--- a/src/p_actionfunctions.cpp
+++ b/src/p_actionfunctions.cpp
@@ -2270,6 +2270,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(AActor, A_CustomRailgun)
 	PARAM_FLOAT_DEF	(spawnofs_z)		
 	PARAM_INT_DEF	(SpiralOffset)		
 	PARAM_INT_DEF	(limit)				
+	PARAM_FLOAT_DEF	(veleffect)
 
 	if (range == 0) range = 8192.;
 	if (sparsity == 0) sparsity = 1;
@@ -2308,7 +2309,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(AActor, A_CustomRailgun)
 	// Let the aim trail behind the player
 	if (aim)
 	{
-		saved_angle = self->Angles.Yaw = self->AngleTo(self->target, -self->target->Vel.X * 3, -self->target->Vel.Y * 3);
+		saved_angle = self->Angles.Yaw = self->AngleTo(self->target, -self->target->Vel.X * veleffect, -self->target->Vel.Y * veleffect);
 
 		if (aim == CRF_AIMDIRECT)
 		{
@@ -2318,7 +2319,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(AActor, A_CustomRailgun)
 				spawnofs_xy * self->Angles.Yaw.Cos(),
 				spawnofs_xy * self->Angles.Yaw.Sin()));
 			spawnofs_xy = 0;
-			self->Angles.Yaw = self->AngleTo(self->target,- self->target->Vel.X * 3, -self->target->Vel.Y * 3);
+			self->Angles.Yaw = self->AngleTo(self->target,- self->target->Vel.X * veleffect, -self->target->Vel.Y * veleffect);
 		}
 
 		if (self->target->flags & MF_SHADOW)
diff --git a/src/p_interaction.cpp b/src/p_interaction.cpp
index b6ffcb699..43cafeebc 100644
--- a/src/p_interaction.cpp
+++ b/src/p_interaction.cpp
@@ -952,7 +952,7 @@ static inline bool isFakePain(AActor *target, AActor *inflictor, int damage)
 
 // Returns the amount of damage actually inflicted upon the target, or -1 if
 // the damage was cancelled.
-int P_DamageMobj (AActor *target, AActor *inflictor, AActor *source, int damage, FName mod, int flags, DAngle angle)
+static int DamageMobj (AActor *target, AActor *inflictor, AActor *source, int damage, FName mod, int flags, DAngle angle)
 {
 	DAngle ang;
 	player_t *player = NULL;
@@ -1589,9 +1589,24 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(AActor, DamageMobj)
 	PARAM_NAME(mod);
 	PARAM_INT_DEF(flags);
 	PARAM_FLOAT_DEF(angle);
-	ACTION_RETURN_INT(P_DamageMobj(self, inflictor, source, damage, mod, flags, angle));
+	ACTION_RETURN_INT(DamageMobj(self, inflictor, source, damage, mod, flags, angle));
 }
 
+int P_DamageMobj(AActor *target, AActor *inflictor, AActor *source, int damage, FName mod, int flags, DAngle angle)
+{
+	IFVIRTUALPTR(target, AActor, DamageMobj)
+	{
+		VMValue params[7] = { target, inflictor, source, damage, mod.GetIndex(), flags, angle.Degrees };
+		VMReturn ret;
+		int retval;
+		ret.IntAt(&retval);
+		GlobalVMStack.Call(func, params, 7, &ret, 1, nullptr);
+		return retval;
+	}
+	else return DamageMobj(target, inflictor, source, damage, mod, flags, angle);
+}
+
+
 void P_PoisonMobj (AActor *target, AActor *inflictor, AActor *source, int damage, int duration, int period, FName type)
 {
 	// Check for invulnerability.
diff --git a/src/scripting/thingdef_data.cpp b/src/scripting/thingdef_data.cpp
index 46485b226..a1f2786da 100644
--- a/src/scripting/thingdef_data.cpp
+++ b/src/scripting/thingdef_data.cpp
@@ -408,6 +408,7 @@ static FFlagDef InventoryFlagDefs[] =
 	DEFINE_FLAG(IF, ALWAYSRESPAWN, AInventory, ItemFlags),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(IF, TRANSFER, AInventory, ItemFlags),
 	DEFINE_FLAG(IF, NOTELEPORTFREEZE, AInventory, ItemFlags),
+	DEFINE_FLAG(IF, NOSCREENBLINK, AInventory, ItemFlags),
 
 	DEFINE_DUMMY_FLAG(FORCERESPAWNINSURVIVAL, false),
 
diff --git a/src/sound/oalsound.cpp b/src/sound/oalsound.cpp
index 53c471a31..1b34583f9 100644
--- a/src/sound/oalsound.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/oalsound.cpp
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ public:
     virtual FString GetStats()
         {
         FString stats;
-        size_t pos, len;
+        size_t pos = 0, len = 0;
         ALfloat volume;
         ALint offset;
         ALint processed;
@@ -429,28 +429,34 @@ public:
             return stats;
         }
 
-        pos = Decoder->getSampleOffset();
-        len = Decoder->getSampleLength();
+		if (Decoder != nullptr)
+		{
+			pos = Decoder->getSampleOffset();
+			len = Decoder->getSampleLength();
+		}
         lock.unlock();
 
         stats = (state == AL_INITIAL) ? "Buffering" : (state == AL_STOPPED) ? "Underrun" :
                 (state == AL_PLAYING || state == AL_PAUSED) ? "Ready" : "Unknown state";
 
-        if(state == AL_STOPPED)
-            offset = BufferCount * (Data.Size()/FrameSize);
-        else
-        {
-            size_t rem = queued*(Data.Size()/FrameSize) - offset;
-            if(pos > rem) pos -= rem;
-            else if(len > 0) pos += len - rem;
-            else pos = 0;
-        }
-        pos = (size_t)(pos * 1000.0 / SampleRate);
-        len = (size_t)(len * 1000.0 / SampleRate);
-        stats.AppendFormat(",%3u%% buffered", 100 - 100*offset/(BufferCount*(Data.Size()/FrameSize)));
-        stats.AppendFormat(", %zu.%03zu", pos/1000, pos%1000);
-        if(len > 0)
-            stats.AppendFormat(" / %zu.%03zu", len/1000, len%1000);
+		if (Decoder != nullptr)
+		{
+			if (state == AL_STOPPED)
+				offset = BufferCount * (Data.Size() / FrameSize);
+			else
+			{
+				size_t rem = queued*(Data.Size() / FrameSize) - offset;
+				if (pos > rem) pos -= rem;
+				else if (len > 0) pos += len - rem;
+				else pos = 0;
+			}
+			pos = (size_t)(pos * 1000.0 / SampleRate);
+			len = (size_t)(len * 1000.0 / SampleRate);
+			stats.AppendFormat(",%3u%% buffered", 100 - 100 * offset / (BufferCount*(Data.Size() / FrameSize)));
+			stats.AppendFormat(", %zu.%03zu", pos / 1000, pos % 1000);
+			if (len > 0)
+				stats.AppendFormat(" / %zu.%03zu", len / 1000, len % 1000);
+		}
         if(state == AL_PAUSED)
             stats += ", paused";
         if(state == AL_PLAYING)
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/actor.txt b/wadsrc/static/zscript/actor.txt
index 8778d4c9e..ba9174f64 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/actor.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/actor.txt
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ class Actor : Thinker native
 	native void SetIdle(bool nofunction = false);
 	native bool CheckMeleeRange();
 	native bool CheckMeleeRange2();
-	native int DamageMobj(Actor inflictor, Actor source, int damage, Name mod, int flags = 0, double angle = 0);
+	native virtual int DamageMobj(Actor inflictor, Actor source, int damage, Name mod, int flags = 0, double angle = 0);
 	native void PoisonMobj (Actor inflictor, Actor source, int damage, int duration, int period, Name type);
 	native double AimLineAttack(double angle, double distance, out FTranslatedLineTarget pLineTarget = null, double vrange = 0., int flags = 0, Actor target = null, Actor friender = null);
 	native Actor, int LineAttack(double angle, double distance, double pitch, int damage, Name damageType, class<Actor> pufftype, int flags = 0, out FTranslatedLineTarget victim = null);
@@ -703,7 +703,7 @@ class Actor : Thinker native
 	native action state A_Jump(int chance, statelabel label, ...);
 	native void A_SpawnProjectile(class<Actor> missiletype, double spawnheight = 32, double spawnofs_xy = 0, double angle = 0, int flags = 0, double pitch = 0, int ptr = AAPTR_TARGET);
 	native void A_CustomBulletAttack(double spread_xy, double spread_z, int numbullets, int damageperbullet, class<Actor> pufftype = "BulletPuff", double range = 0, int flags = 0, int ptr = AAPTR_TARGET, class<Actor> missile = null, double Spawnheight = 32, double Spawnofs_xy = 0);
-	native void A_CustomRailgun(int damage, int spawnofs_xy = 0, color color1 = 0, color color2 = 0, int flags = 0, int aim = 0, double maxdiff = 0, class<Actor> pufftype = "BulletPuff", double spread_xy = 0, double spread_z = 0, double range = 0, int duration = 0, double sparsity = 1.0, double driftspeed = 1.0, class<Actor> spawnclass = null, double spawnofs_z = 0, int spiraloffset = 270, int limit = 0);
+	native void A_CustomRailgun(int damage, int spawnofs_xy = 0, color color1 = 0, color color2 = 0, int flags = 0, int aim = 0, double maxdiff = 0, class<Actor> pufftype = "BulletPuff", double spread_xy = 0, double spread_z = 0, double range = 0, int duration = 0, double sparsity = 1.0, double driftspeed = 1.0, class<Actor> spawnclass = null, double spawnofs_z = 0, int spiraloffset = 270, int limit = 0, double veleffect = 3);
 	native bool A_SetInventory(class<Inventory> itemtype, int amount, int ptr = AAPTR_DEFAULT, bool beyondMax = false);
 	native bool A_GiveInventory(class<Inventory> itemtype, int amount = 0, int giveto = AAPTR_DEFAULT);
 	native bool A_TakeInventory(class<Inventory> itemtype, int amount = 0, int flags = 0, int giveto = AAPTR_DEFAULT);
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/shared/powerups.txt b/wadsrc/static/zscript/shared/powerups.txt
index 549c3eece..2842989f0 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/shared/powerups.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/shared/powerups.txt
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class Powerup : Inventory native
 
 	native virtual void InitEffect();
 	native virtual void EndEffect();
+	native bool isBlinking();
 	
 }
 
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/shared/sharedmisc.txt b/wadsrc/static/zscript/shared/sharedmisc.txt
index 1b5ad4ee9..c692fe4b2 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/shared/sharedmisc.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/shared/sharedmisc.txt
@@ -189,6 +189,9 @@ class RandomSpawner : Actor native
 		+NOGRAVITY
 		+THRUACTORS
 	}
+	
+	virtual void PostSpawn(Actor spawned)
+	{}
 }
 
 // Sector flag setter ------------------------------------------------------