diff --git a/src/core/SessionLifecycle.lua b/src/core/SessionLifecycle.lua
index dbdc5f74..8cc370af 100644
--- a/src/core/SessionLifecycle.lua
+++ b/src/core/SessionLifecycle.lua
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ end
 -- version session (save editor or game).  GPU release runs before soft
 -- invalidate via installLoader(nil).
 function SessionLifecycle.endMountedSession(version)
+  local stream = package.loaded["src.core.game3.asset_stream"]
+  if stream then stream.shutdown() end
   local Assets = require("src.render.Assets")
   if Assets.releaseSession then Assets.releaseSession() end
   if version then
diff --git a/src/core/game3/asset_decode.lua b/src/core/game3/asset_decode.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..34bf6de4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/game3/asset_decode.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+-- CPU-only preparation shared by the render thread and the asset worker.
+local Pack = require("src.import.gba.native_pack")
+local Palette = require("src.core.game3.palette")
+local OwExtract = require("src.import.gba.ow_extract")
+local D = {}
+
+function D.imageData(rgba, w, h)
+  if not (love and love.image) then return nil, "love.image unavailable" end
+  local ok, data = pcall(love.image.newImageData, w, h, "rgba8", rgba)
+  if ok then return data end
+  data = love.image.newImageData(w, h)
+  local i = 1
+  for y = 0, h - 1 do
+    for x = 0, w - 1 do
+      data:setPixel(x, y, (rgba:byte(i) or 0) / 255, (rgba:byte(i + 1) or 0) / 255,
+        (rgba:byte(i + 2) or 0) / 255, (rgba:byte(i + 3) or 0) / 255)
+      i = i + 4
+    end
+  end
+  return data
+end
+
+function D.pair(cache, root, pair)
+  local path = root .. "/" .. pair
+  local blob, pals = cache:read(path .. "/mids.idx"), cache:read(path .. "/palettes.bin")
+  if not blob or not pals then return nil, "missing native blobs for " .. pair end
+  local idx, err = Pack.decodeIdx(blob)
+  if not idx then return nil, err end
+  local rgb, bgr = Palette.load(pals)
+  if not rgb then return nil, bgr end
+  local overBlob = cache:read(path .. "/mids_over.idx")
+  local out = { pair = pair, cols = idx.atlasCols, rows = idx.atlasRows, midCount = idx.midCount,
+    idxBlob = blob, bgr = bgr, midToSlot = {}, layers = {} }
+  for i, mid in ipairs(idx.midIds) do out.midToSlot[mid] = i - 1 end
+  local function layer(key, dataKey, indexed, source, tag, transparent)
+    local hash = Palette.hash(bgr, source)
+    local rel = path .. "/atlas_" .. tag .. "_" .. hash .. ".rgba"
+    local w, h = indexed.atlasCols * 16, indexed.atlasRows * 16
+    local rgba = cache:read(rel)
+    if not rgba or #rgba ~= w * h * 4 then
+      rgba = Pack.bakeRgba(indexed, rgb, { transparentZero = transparent, cancelled = cache.cancelled })
+      if not rgba then return nil, "asset preparation cancelled" end
+      if cache.write then pcall(cache.write, cache, rel, rgba) end
+    end
+    local data, why = D.imageData(rgba, w, h)
+    if not data then return nil, why end
+    out.layers[#out.layers + 1] = { imageKey = key, dataKey = dataKey, data = data, bytes = w * h * 4 }
+    return true
+  end
+  local ok, why = layer("image", "imageData", idx, blob, overBlob and "u" or "flat", false)
+  if not ok then return nil, why end
+  local over = overBlob and Pack.decodeIdx(overBlob)
+  if over then
+    ok, why = layer("overImage", "overImageData", over, overBlob, "o", true)
+    if not ok then return nil, why end
+    out.overBlob, out.layered = overBlob, true
+  end
+  if overBlob then
+    local midBlob = cache:read(path .. "/mids_mid.idx")
+    local mid = midBlob and Pack.decodeIdx(midBlob)
+    if mid then
+      ok, why = layer("midImage", "midImageData", mid, midBlob, "m", true)
+      if not ok then return nil, why end
+    end
+  end
+  out.animFiles = {}
+  local manifestRel = path .. "/anim_manifest.lua"
+  local manifestBlob = cache:read(manifestRel)
+  out.animFiles[manifestRel] = manifestBlob
+  local chunk = manifestBlob and load(manifestBlob, "@anim_manifest.lua", "t", {})
+  local man = chunk and chunk()
+  if man then
+    local function read(file)
+      if file then out.animFiles[path .. "/" .. file] = cache:read(path .. "/" .. file) end
+    end
+    out.animFiles[path .. "/palettes.bin"] = pals
+    for _, row in ipairs(man.banks or {}) do read(row.file); read(row.overFile) end
+    for _, kind in ipairs({ "water", "sand", "flower" }) do
+      if man[kind] then read("anim_" .. kind .. ".rgba") end
+    end
+  end
+  return out
+end
+
+function D.sprite(cache, root, gid)
+  local metaBlob, rgba = cache:read(root .. "/" .. gid .. ".meta"), cache:read(root .. "/" .. gid .. ".rgba")
+  local meta = metaBlob and OwExtract.decodeMeta(metaBlob)
+  if not meta or not rgba then return nil, "missing OW sheet " .. tostring(gid) end
+  local w, h, n = meta.width, meta.height, meta.frameCount
+  if w < 1 or h < 1 or n < 1 or w > 256 or h > 256 or n > 512 then return nil, "bad OW dimensions" end
+  local bytes = w * h * n * 4
+  if #rgba ~= bytes then
+    if #rgba < w * h * 4 then return nil, "truncated OW sheet" end
+    rgba = rgba:sub(1, bytes) .. string.rep("\0", math.max(0, bytes - #rgba))
+  end
+  local data, err = D.imageData(rgba, w, h * n)
+  if not data then return nil, err end
+  meta.imageData, meta.bytes = data, bytes
+  return meta
+end
+
+-- Snapshots never consult a later GameVersion, cache prefix, or mod mount.
+function D.cache(spec, cancelSignal)
+  local cache = { cancelled = cancelSignal and function() return cancelSignal:getCount() > 0 end or nil }
+  local function checkCancel()
+    if cache.cancelled and cache.cancelled() then error("asset preparation cancelled") end
+  end
+  local function path(rel) return (spec.prefix or "") .. rel end
+  function cache:read(rel)
+    checkCancel()
+    if spec.directory then
+      local f = io.open(spec.directory .. "/" .. path(rel), "rb")
+      if not f then return nil end
+      local bytes = f:read("*a"); f:close(); return bytes
+    end
+    return love.filesystem.read(path(rel))
+  end
+  function cache:write(rel, bytes)
+    checkCancel()
+    -- No directory creation or mounting in a worker; derived caches are optional.
+    if spec.directory then
+      local f = io.open(spec.directory .. "/" .. path(rel), "wb")
+      if not f then return false end
+      f:write(bytes); f:close(); return true
+    end
+    return love.filesystem.write(path(rel), bytes)
+  end
+  return cache
+end
+
+return D
diff --git a/src/core/game3/asset_stream.lua b/src/core/game3/asset_stream.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f9ca8d29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/game3/asset_stream.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,189 @@
+-- One CPU worker, bounded decoded residency, and a shared upload budget.
+local Decode = require("src.core.game3.asset_decode")
+local Stream = {}
+Stream.UPLOAD_BUDGET = .002
+Stream.MAX_DECODED = 4
+Stream.MAX_PENDING = 64
+local queue, jobs, serial = {}, {}, 0
+local thread, input, output, active
+local function cancel(job)
+  job.cancelled = true
+  if job.cancelSignal then job.cancelSignal:push(true) end
+end
+local clock = function() return love and love.timer and love.timer.getTime() or os.clock() end
+local function record(job, phase, seconds, route)
+  if Stream.onTiming then Stream.onTiming(job.kind, job.key, phase, seconds, route) end
+  if os.getenv("POKEPORT_ASSET_PROFILE") == "1" then
+    print(string.format("[game3/asset] %s=%s %s=%.3fms route=%s", job.kind, job.key, phase, seconds * 1000, route))
+  end
+end
+local function startWorker()
+  if thread then return true end
+  if not (love and love.thread and love.thread.newThread and love.thread.newChannel) then return false end
+  local ok, value = pcall(love.thread.newThread, "src/core/game3/asset_worker.lua")
+  if not ok then return false end
+  input, output = love.thread.newChannel(), love.thread.newChannel()
+  local started = pcall(value.start, value, input, output)
+  if not started then return false end
+  thread = value
+  return true
+end
+function Stream.shutdown()
+  Stream.cancelPending()
+  if thread then
+    input:clear(); input:push({ stop = true }); thread:wait()
+  end
+  thread, input, output, active = nil, nil, nil, nil
+  queue, jobs = {}, {}
+  Stream._uploadedThisFrame = false
+  Stream.workerFailed = false
+end
+function Stream.cancelPending()
+  for _, job in pairs(jobs) do
+    cancel(job)
+    job.owner.pending[job.key] = nil
+  end
+  jobs = {}
+end
+function Stream.frameComplete() Stream._uploadedThisFrame = false end
+local Lifecycle = require("src.core.SessionLifecycle")
+if not Lifecycle._game3AssetShutdownRegistered then
+  Lifecycle._game3AssetShutdownRegistered = true
+  Lifecycle.registerProcessShutdown(function()
+    local current = package.loaded["src.core.game3.asset_stream"]
+    if current then current.shutdown() end
+  end)
+end
+
+function Stream.new(kind, cache, root, upload, publish)
+  local s = { kind = kind, cache = cache, root = root, upload = upload, publish = publish, pending = {} }
+  function s:cancel()
+    self.cancelled = true
+    for _, job in pairs(self.pending) do cancel(job); jobs[job.id] = nil end
+    self.pending = {}
+  end
+  function s:decoded(key)
+    local job = self.pending[key]
+    return job and job.data ~= nil
+  end
+  function s:retain(wanted)
+    for key, job in pairs(self.pending) do
+      if not wanted[key] then
+        cancel(job); jobs[job.id], self.pending[key] = nil, nil
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  function s:prefetch(key, priority)
+    if self.cancelled then return end
+    if self.pending[key] then self.pending[key].priority = priority or self.pending[key].priority; return end
+    local count = 0
+    for _ in pairs(self.pending) do count = count + 1 end
+    if count >= Stream.MAX_PENDING then return end
+    serial = serial + 1
+    local spec = self.cache and self.cache.assetWorkerSpec and self.cache:assetWorkerSpec(root, kind, key)
+    local job = { id = serial, kind = kind, key = key, root = root, owner = self, spec = spec, priority = priority or 1 }
+    self.pending[key], jobs[serial] = job, job
+    queue[#queue + 1] = job
+  end
+  function s:get(key)
+    Stream.poll()
+    local job = self.pending[key]
+    local data = job and job.data
+    if not data then
+      if job and job.cancelSignal then job.cancelSignal:push(true) end
+      local start = clock()
+      local err
+      data, err = Decode[kind](cache, root, key)
+      record({ kind = kind, key = key }, "decode", clock() - start, "sync")
+      if not data then return nil, err end
+    end
+    local start = clock()
+    local co = job and job.co or coroutine.create(function() return upload(data) end)
+    local value
+    repeat
+      local ok, res = coroutine.resume(co)
+      if not ok then
+        if job then job.cancelled = true; jobs[job.id] = nil; self.pending[key] = nil end
+        return nil, tostring(res)
+      end
+      value = res
+    until coroutine.status(co) == "dead"
+    if job then job.cancelled = true; jobs[job.id] = nil; self.pending[key] = nil end
+    publish(key, value)
+    record({ kind = kind, key = key }, "upload", clock() - start, data == (job and job.data) and "decoded" or "sync")
+    return value
+  end
+  return s
+end
+
+function Stream.poll()
+  if output then
+    local result = output:pop()
+    if result then
+      if result.fatal then
+        if active then active.spec, active.sent = nil, false end
+        Stream.workerFailed, active = true, nil
+        print("[game3/asset] worker unavailable: " .. tostring(result.fatal))
+      end
+      local job = jobs[result.id]
+      if active and active.id == result.id then active = nil end
+      if job and not job.cancelled then
+        job.data, job.error, job.done = result.data, result.error, true
+        record(job, "decode", result.seconds, "worker")
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  if thread and thread:getError() then
+    if active then active.spec, active.sent = nil, false end
+    thread, input, output, active = nil, nil, nil, nil
+    Stream.workerFailed = true
+  end
+  if active then return end
+  local decoded = 0
+  for _, job in ipairs(queue) do if not job.cancelled and job.data then decoded = decoded + 1 end end
+  if decoded >= Stream.MAX_DECODED then return end
+  local nextJob
+  for _, job in ipairs(queue) do
+    if not job.cancelled and not job.done and job ~= active and not job.sent then
+      if job.spec and (not nextJob or job.priority < nextJob.priority) then nextJob = job end
+    end
+  end
+  if nextJob and not Stream.workerFailed and startWorker() then
+    nextJob.sent, active = true, nextJob
+    nextJob.cancelSignal = love.thread.newChannel()
+    input:push({ id = nextJob.id, kind = nextJob.kind, key = nextJob.key, root = nextJob.root,
+      spec = nextJob.spec, cancelSignal = nextJob.cancelSignal })
+  end
+  -- Unknown/custom caches prepare synchronously only when explicitly consumed.
+end
+
+function Stream.update()
+  Stream.poll()
+  if Stream._uploadedThisFrame then return end
+  local start = clock()
+  for i = #queue, 1, -1 do if queue[i].cancelled then table.remove(queue, i) end end
+  local nextJob
+  for _, job in ipairs(queue) do
+    if job.data and (not nextJob or job.priority < nextJob.priority) then nextJob = job end
+  end
+  local job = nextJob
+  if job then
+      Stream._uploadedThisFrame = true
+      if not job.co then job.co = coroutine.create(function() return job.owner.upload(job.data) end) end
+      local t = clock()
+      local ok, value = coroutine.resume(job.co)
+      if not ok then
+        job.error, job.done, job.data = tostring(value), true, nil
+        job.co = nil
+      elseif coroutine.status(job.co) == "dead" then
+        job.owner.publish(job.key, value)
+        job.owner.pending[job.key], jobs[job.id], job.cancelled = nil, nil, true
+      end
+      record(job, "upload_step", clock() - t, "warm")
+      -- A texture upload (including animation catch-up on publication) is
+      -- atomic. One coroutine slice per render frame prevents catch-up ticks
+      -- and a second ready asset from silently exceeding the upload budget.
+      if clock() - start > Stream.UPLOAD_BUDGET then Stream.lastOverBudget = clock() - start end
+  end
+end
+return Stream
diff --git a/src/core/game3/asset_worker.lua b/src/core/game3/asset_worker.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..989e6c93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/game3/asset_worker.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+local input, output = ...
+local running, fatal = pcall(function()
+  require("love.filesystem")
+  require("love.image")
+  require("love.data")
+  require("love.timer")
+  table.insert(package.searchers or package.loaders, 1, function(name)
+    local path = name:gsub("%.", "/") .. ".lua"
+    if love.filesystem.getInfo(path) then return assert(love.filesystem.load(path)) end
+  end)
+  local D = require("src.core.game3.asset_decode")
+  while true do
+    local job = input:demand()
+    if job.stop then break end
+    local start = love.timer.getTime()
+    local ok, data, err = pcall(D[job.kind], D.cache(job.spec, job.cancelSignal), job.root, job.key)
+    output:push({ id = job.id, data = ok and data or nil, error = ok and err or tostring(data),
+      seconds = love.timer.getTime() - start })
+  end
+
+end)
+if not running then output:push({ fatal = tostring(fatal) }) end
diff --git a/src/core/game3/dataset.lua b/src/core/game3/dataset.lua
index 98959418..1467d4c9 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/dataset.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/dataset.lua
@@ -65,6 +65,16 @@ end
 
 local function loveCache()
   return {
+    assetWorkerSpec = function(_, root, kind, key)
+      local rel = root .. "/" .. tostring(key) .. (kind == "pair" and "/mids.idx" or ".meta")
+      local CacheFs = require("src.import.CacheFs")
+      local prefix = require("src.core.GameVersion").cachePrefix()
+      -- Only a version-qualified cache can be read independently of mounted
+      -- overlays. Overrides/custom readers retain the synchronous fallback.
+      if Dataset.cacheRootOverride or os.getenv("POKEPORT_GBA_CACHE") then return nil end
+      if not CacheFs.existsAt(prefix .. rel) then return nil end
+      return { prefix = prefix, directory = CacheFs.root() }
+    end,
     read = function(_, rel)
       local ok, CacheFs = pcall(require, "src.import.CacheFs")
       if ok and CacheFs and CacheFs.readActive then
diff --git a/src/core/game3/display.lua b/src/core/game3/display.lua
index d29c017e..f4bedc42 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/display.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/display.lua
@@ -231,13 +231,16 @@ local function drawFieldPlane(game, vw, vh, Renderer)
   local transitioning = Transition and Transition.isActive and Transition.isActive()
   Oam.resetFrame()
   local prev = Oam.setLayer("world")
+  local function exchange(current, replacement)
+    return Renderer and Renderer:exchangeWorldCanvas(current, replacement)
+  end
   if Tilt.active() and not transitioning and Renderer and Renderer.beginUprightPass then
-    FieldView.draw(game, vw, vh, { skipActors = true })
+    FieldView.draw(game, vw, vh, { skipActors = true, exchangeCanvas = exchange })
     Renderer:beginUprightPass()
     FieldView.draw(game, vw, vh, { actorsOnly = true, billboard = true })
     Renderer:endUprightPass()
   else
-    FieldView.draw(game, vw, vh)
+    FieldView.draw(game, vw, vh, { exchangeCanvas = exchange })
   end
   Oam.setLayer(prev)
   Oam.animateSprites("world")
@@ -439,6 +442,8 @@ end
 Display.presentFlat = presentFlat
 
 function Display.present(game, winW, winH)
+  local Stream = package.loaded["src.core.game3.asset_stream"]
+  if Stream then Stream.frameComplete() end
   if not Display.planesBroken then
     local ok, err = pcall(presentPlanes, game)
     if ok then return true end
diff --git a/src/core/game3/field.lua b/src/core/game3/field.lua
index bb742b28..a9c4de81 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/field.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/field.lua
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ function Field.start(mod, game, session)
 end
 
 function Field.stop()
+  local Stream = package.loaded["src.core.game3.asset_stream"]
+  if Stream then Stream.cancelPending() end
   lazyReq("src.world.game3.Follower").reset()
   Field.running = false
   Field._session = nil
@@ -213,9 +215,9 @@ function Field.update(_dt)
   local Ghosts = lazyReq("src.core.game3.ghosts")
   Ghosts.sync()
   Ghosts.update(game)
-  -- pre-load tileset pairs queued by a seamless world refresh, one per frame
+  -- Prepare nearby assets on a worker; share a main-thread texture budget.
   local MapMod = package.loaded["src.core.game3.map"]
-  if MapMod and MapMod._warmQueue and MapMod.stepWarm then MapMod.stepWarm() end
+  if MapMod and MapMod.stepWarm then MapMod.stepWarm(game) end
 
   Field.pollMapChange(game)
   -- pokefirered/src/safari_zone.c:60 CB2_EndSafariBattle
diff --git a/src/core/game3/field_view.lua b/src/core/game3/field_view.lua
index 94499c20..ad962278 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/field_view.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/field_view.lua
@@ -1780,7 +1780,7 @@ function FieldView.draw(game, canvasW, canvasH, opts)
     end
     local FieldWeather = modFieldWeather()
     if FieldWeather and FieldWeather.draw then
-      FieldWeather.draw(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH)
+      FieldWeather.draw(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH, opts.exchangeCanvas)
     end
   end
 
@@ -1833,10 +1833,21 @@ function FieldView.invalidate()
   if OwSprites and OwSprites.invalidate then
     OwSprites.invalidate()
   end
+  local WeatherRse = package.loaded["src.core.game3.field_weather_rse"]
+  if WeatherRse and WeatherRse.invalidate then WeatherRse.invalidate() end
   local FieldEffects = modFieldEffects()
   if FieldEffects and FieldEffects.invalidate then
     FieldEffects.invalidate()
   end
 end
 
+local Assets = require("src.render.Assets")
+if Assets.register and not Assets._game3FieldInvalidatorRegistered then
+  Assets._game3FieldInvalidatorRegistered = true
+  Assets.register(function()
+    local current = package.loaded["src.core.game3.field_view"]
+    if current then current.invalidate() end
+  end)
+end
+
 return FieldView
diff --git a/src/core/game3/field_weather.lua b/src/core/game3/field_weather.lua
index d74721a2..e22ed223 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/field_weather.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/field_weather.lua
@@ -130,11 +130,11 @@ function FieldWeather.drawBelow(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH)
   if E then E.drawBelow(camX or 0, camY or 0, canvasW or W, canvasH or H) end
 end
 
-function FieldWeather.draw(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH)
+function FieldWeather.draw(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH, exchangeCanvas)
   if Weather.isSuspended() then return end
   local E = Weather.rseEngine()
   if E then
-    E.draw(camX or 0, camY or 0, canvasW or W, canvasH or H)
+    E.draw(camX or 0, camY or 0, canvasW or W, canvasH or H, exchangeCanvas)
     return
   end
   local w = FieldWeather._current
diff --git a/src/core/game3/field_weather_rse.lua b/src/core/game3/field_weather_rse.lua
index 62ef3695..7ff33d62 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/field_weather_rse.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/field_weather_rse.lua
@@ -1931,6 +1931,39 @@ local function drawTiled(sheet, frame, baseX, baseY, ox, oy, cw, ch)
   local sy = oy + (baseY % 64) - 64
   while sx > -64 do sx = sx - 64 end
   while sy > -64 do sy = sy - 64 end
+  if love.graphics.newSpriteBatch then
+    local r, g, b, a = love.graphics.getColor()
+    local bucket = r == 1 and g == 1 and b == 1 and a == 1 and "tiledBase" or "tiledTint"
+    local store = sheet[bucket] or {}; sheet[bucket] = store
+    local key = table.concat({ frame, sx, sy, cw, ch, r, g, b, a }, ":")
+    if store.key ~= key then
+      local q = sheetQuad(sheet, frame, 8, 8)
+      local count = (math.floor((cw - sx) / 64) + 1) * (math.floor((ch - sy) / 64) + 1)
+      count = count * (type(q) == "table" and #q or 1)
+      if not store.batch or store.capacity < count then
+        store.batch = love.graphics.newSpriteBatch(sheet.image, count, "dynamic")
+        store.capacity = count
+      end
+      local batch = store.batch
+      batch:clear()
+      -- Image draws store their colour as bytes in the vertex buffer. Use
+      -- the same byte conversion here, including fractional EVA/16, instead
+      -- of applying a float constant colour to the finished SpriteBatch.
+      batch:setColor(r, g, b, a)
+      for y = sy, ch, 64 do
+        for x = sx, cw, 64 do
+          if type(q) == "table" then
+            for _, part in ipairs(q) do batch:add(part[1], x + part[2], y + part[3]) end
+          else batch:add(q, x, y) end
+        end
+      end
+      store.key = key
+    end
+    love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
+    love.graphics.draw(store.batch)
+    love.graphics.setColor(r, g, b, a)
+    return
+  end
   for y = sy, ch, 64 do
     for x = sx, cw, 64 do
       drawSheetFrame(sheet, frame, 8, 8, x, y)
@@ -1988,17 +2021,40 @@ local function drawPriority1(A, ox, oy, cw, ch)
 end
 
 -- pokeemerald/src/field_weather.c:459 ApplyColorMap
-local function colorMapPass(A, cw, ch)
+local function colorMapPass(A, cw, ch, exchangeCanvas)
   if S.colorMapIndex == 0 or not A.shader then return end
   local cur = love.graphics.getCanvas()
   if not cur then return end
   cw, ch = cur:getWidth(), cur:getHeight()
   local tmp = R._tmpCanvas
   if not tmp or tmp:getWidth() ~= cw or tmp:getHeight() ~= ch then
-    tmp = love.graphics.newCanvas(cw, ch)
+    if tmp and tmp.release then tmp:release() end
+    tmp = love.graphics.newCanvas(cw, ch, { dpiscale = cur.getDPIScale and cur:getDPIScale() or 1,
+      format = cur.getFormat and cur:getFormat() or "normal" })
     tmp:setFilter("nearest", "nearest")
     R._tmpCanvas = tmp
   end
+  if exchangeCanvas and not love.graphics.getScissor() and exchangeCanvas(cur, tmp) then
+    local shader = love.graphics.getShader()
+    local blend, alpha = love.graphics.getBlendMode()
+    local r, g, b, a = love.graphics.getColor()
+    -- A transform-only push leaves ownership of the new target with the
+    -- caller. push("all") would restore the old canvas and switch twice more.
+    love.graphics.push()
+    love.graphics.origin()
+    love.graphics.setCanvas(tmp)
+    love.graphics.setBlendMode("replace", "premultiplied")
+    love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
+    colorMapUniforms(A.shader, COLOR_MAP_DARK_CONTRAST)
+    love.graphics.setShader(A.shader)
+    love.graphics.draw(cur, 0, 0)
+    love.graphics.pop()
+    love.graphics.setShader(shader)
+    love.graphics.setBlendMode(blend, alpha)
+    love.graphics.setColor(r, g, b, a)
+    R._tmpCanvas = cur
+    return tmp
+  end
   love.graphics.push("all")
   love.graphics.origin()
   love.graphics.setShader()
@@ -2028,7 +2084,7 @@ function R.drawBelow(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH)
   love.graphics.pop()
 end
 
-function R.draw(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH)
+function R.draw(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH, exchangeCanvas)
   R.setCamera(camX, camY)
   if not S.started or not S.initialized then return end
   local A = loadAssets()
@@ -2041,7 +2097,9 @@ function R.draw(camX, camY, canvasW, canvasH)
   if R._belowFrame ~= S.frames then
     drawPriority2(A, camX, camY, ox, oy, canvasW, canvasH)
   end
-  colorMapPass(A, canvasW, canvasH)
+  love.graphics.pop()
+  colorMapPass(A, canvasW, canvasH, exchangeCanvas)
+  love.graphics.push("all")
   drawPriority1(A, ox, oy, canvasW, canvasH)
   love.graphics.pop()
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
diff --git a/src/core/game3/map.lua b/src/core/game3/map.lua
index 0569d55c..dc9b903b 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/map.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/map.lua
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ function Map.refreshWorld(game, reachW, reachH, rootId)
     local queue, seen, entries = {}, {}, {}
     for _, entry in ipairs(Map.world) do
       local pair = entry.def and (entry.def.pair or (entry.def.midLayout and entry.def.midLayout.pair))
-      if sync and pair and Map.warmNear(entry, x0, y0, x1, y1) then
+      if sync and pair and not NativeTileset.prefetch and Map.warmNear(entry, x0, y0, x1, y1) then
         if NativeTileset.ready(pair) then pcall(NativeTileset.get, pair) end
       elseif type(pair) == "string" and not (NativeTileset._pairs and NativeTileset._pairs[pair]) then
         if not seen[pair] then
@@ -170,6 +170,12 @@ function Map.refreshWorld(game, reachW, reachH, rootId)
     end
     Map._warmQueue = queue[1] and queue or nil
     Map._warmEntries = queue[1] and entries or nil
+    if NativeTileset._stream then
+      local root = maps[rootId]
+      local pair = root and (root.pair or (root.midLayout and root.midLayout.pair))
+      if pair then seen[pair] = true end
+      NativeTileset._stream:retain(seen)
+    end
   end
   Map._worldRoot = rootId
   Map._worldReachW = reachW
@@ -190,10 +196,27 @@ function Map.warmNow(game, rootId)
   local vw = (FieldView and FieldView._viewW) or (Display and Display.W) or 240
   local vh = (FieldView and FieldView._viewH) or (Display and Display.H) or 160
   Map._warmPairs = nil
-  return Map.refreshWorld(game, math.ceil(vw / 16), math.ceil(vh / 16), rootId)
+  local world = Map.refreshWorld(game, math.ceil(vw / 16), math.ceil(vh / 16), rootId)
+  local Native = package.loaded["src.core.game3.tileset_native"]
+  local def = host_map_def(game, rootId)
+  local pair = def and (def.pair or (def.midLayout and def.midLayout.pair))
+  if Native and pair and Native.ready(pair) then pcall(Native.get, pair) end
+  local Ow = package.loaded["src.core.game3.ow_sprites"]
+  if Ow and Ow.get and Ow.playerGraphicsId then
+    local gid = Ow.playerGraphicsId(game)
+    if gid then pcall(Ow.get, gid) end
+    local Objects = package.loaded["src.core.game3.objects"]
+    local x0, y0, x1, y1 = Map.warmRect()
+    for _, eo in ipairs(Objects and Objects.forDraw and Objects.forDraw() or {}) do
+      local x, y = eo.cellX or 0, eo.cellY or 0
+      if eo.graphicsId and (not x0 or (x >= x0 and x <= x1 and y >= y0 and y <= y1)) then pcall(Ow.get, eo.graphicsId) end
+    end
+  end
+  Map.stepWarm(game)
+  return world
 end
 
-function Map.warmRect()
+function Map.warmRect(margin)
   local P = package.loaded["src.core.game3.player"]
   local px, py = P and tonumber(P.cellX), P and tonumber(P.cellY)
   if not (px and py) then return nil end
@@ -202,8 +225,9 @@ function Map.warmRect()
   local vw = (FieldView and FieldView._viewW) or (Display and Display.W) or 240
   local vh = (FieldView and FieldView._viewH) or (Display and Display.H) or 160
   local cols, rows = math.ceil(vw / 16), math.ceil(vh / 16)
-  local mx = math.ceil(cols / 2) + 1 + cols * Map.WARM_MARGIN_SCREENS
-  local my = math.ceil(rows / 2) + 1 + rows * Map.WARM_MARGIN_SCREENS
+  margin = margin or Map.WARM_MARGIN_SCREENS
+  local mx = math.ceil(cols / 2) + 1 + cols * margin
+  local my = math.ceil(rows / 2) + 1 + rows * margin
   return px - mx, py - my, px + mx, py + my
 end
 
@@ -216,7 +240,70 @@ function Map.warmNear(entry, x0, y0, x1, y1)
   return ox + w > x0 and ox <= x1 and oy + h > y0 and oy <= y1
 end
 
-function Map.stepWarm()
+function Map.stepWarm(game)
+  local Stream = package.loaded["src.core.game3.asset_stream"]
+  local Native = package.loaded["src.core.game3.tileset_native"]
+  if Native and Native.prefetch then
+    local x0, y0, x1, y1 = Map.warmRect()
+    Map._warmScanTick = ((Map._warmScanTick or 0) + 1) % 4
+    if Map._warmScanTick ~= 0 and Map._warmScanWorld == Map.world
+        and Map._warmScanX == x0 and Map._warmScanY == y0
+        and Map._warmScanX1 == x1 and Map._warmScanY1 == y1 then
+      if Stream then Stream.update() end
+      return true
+    end
+    Map._warmScanWorld = Map.world
+    Map._warmScanX, Map._warmScanY, Map._warmScanX1, Map._warmScanY1 = x0, y0, x1, y1
+    local vx0, vy0, vx1, vy1 = Map.warmRect(0)
+    local wantedPairs = {}
+    local priorities = {}
+    local def = Map.currentDef()
+    local currentPair = def and (def.pair or (def.midLayout and def.midLayout.pair))
+    if currentPair then wantedPairs[currentPair], priorities[currentPair] = true, 0 end
+    local queue = Map._warmQueue or {}
+    for i = #queue, 1, -1 do
+      local pair = queue[i]
+      local near = not (Map._warmEntries and Map._warmEntries[pair])
+      for _, entry in ipairs(Map._warmEntries and Map._warmEntries[pair] or {}) do
+        if Map.warmNear(entry, x0, y0, x1, y1) then near = true end
+        if Map.warmNear(entry, vx0, vy0, vx1, vy1) then priorities[pair] = 0 end
+      end
+      if Native._pairs[pair] then table.remove(queue, i)
+      elseif near then wantedPairs[pair] = true end
+    end
+    if not queue[1] then Map._warmQueue = nil end
+    if Native._stream then Native._stream:retain(wantedPairs) end
+    for pair in pairs(wantedPairs) do Native.prefetch(pair, priorities[pair] or 1) end
+    local Ow = package.loaded["src.core.game3.ow_sprites"]
+    if game and Ow and Ow.prefetch then
+      local wanted = {}
+      local function actor(eo, ox, oy)
+        if not (eo.visible and not eo.hidden and not eo.invisible) then return end
+        local x, y = (eo.cellX or 0) + (ox or 0), (eo.cellY or 0) + (oy or 0)
+        if not x0 or (x >= x0 and x <= x1 and y >= y0 and y <= y1) then
+          local gid = tonumber(eo.graphicsId)
+          if gid then
+            local visible = not vx0 or (x >= vx0 and x <= vx1 and y >= vy0 and y <= vy1)
+            wanted[gid] = math.min(wanted[gid] or 1, visible and 0 or 1)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+      local Obj = package.loaded["src.core.game3.objects"]
+      for _, eo in ipairs(Obj and Obj.forDraw and Obj.forDraw() or {}) do actor(eo) end
+      local Ghosts = package.loaded["src.core.game3.ghosts"]
+      for _, entry in ipairs(Map.world or {}) do
+        if Map.warmNear(entry, x0, y0, x1, y1) then
+          for _, eo in ipairs(Ghosts and Ghosts.forDraw(entry.id) or {}) do actor(eo, entry.ox, entry.oy) end
+        end
+      end
+      local gid = Ow.playerGraphicsId(game)
+      if gid then wanted[gid] = 0 end
+      if Ow._stream then Ow._stream:retain(wanted) end
+      for id, priority in pairs(wanted) do Ow.prefetch(id, priority) end
+    end
+    if Stream then Stream.update() end
+    return true
+  end
   local queue = Map._warmQueue
   if not queue then return false end
   local NativeTileset = package.loaded["src.core.game3.tileset_native"]
diff --git a/src/core/game3/ow_sprites.lua b/src/core/game3/ow_sprites.lua
index c1e20500..434519b8 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/ow_sprites.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/ow_sprites.lua
@@ -4,7 +4,13 @@ local Extract = require("src.import.gba.extract_island1")
 local OwExtract = require("src.import.gba.ow_extract")
 local Versions = require("src.import.gba.versions")
 
+local Stream = require("src.core.game3.asset_stream")
 local OwSprites = {}
+local makeStream
+local function resetStream()
+  if OwSprites._stream then OwSprites._stream:cancel() end
+  OwSprites._stream = OwSprites._cache and makeStream() or nil
+end
 
 OwSprites._cache = nil
 OwSprites._manifest = nil
@@ -34,22 +40,35 @@ local function owRoot()
   return (Extract.CACHE_ROOT or "data/generated/gba") .. "/ow"
 end
 
+local function loadManifest()
+  OwSprites._manifestAttempted = true
+  local src = OwSprites._cache and OwSprites._cache:read(owRoot() .. "/manifest.lua")
+  local chunk = src and load(src, "@ow/manifest.lua", "t", {})
+  OwSprites._manifest = chunk and chunk() or nil
+end
+
+local function resetPalettes(changed)
+  if changed then OwSprites._overrides = {} end
+  for _, o in pairs(OwSprites._overrides or {}) do o.spr = nil end
+end
+
 function OwSprites.install(cache)
+  resetPalettes(OwSprites._cache ~= cache or OwSprites._root ~= owRoot())
+  OwSprites._root = owRoot()
   OwSprites._cache = cache
   OwSprites._loaded = {}
+  resetStream()
   OwSprites._reflectionLoaded = {}
   OwSprites._manifest = nil
   OwSprites._logged = false
-  if not cache then return end
-  local src = cache:read(owRoot() .. "/manifest.lua")
-  if src then
-    local chunk = load(src, "@ow/manifest.lua", "t", {})
-    if chunk then OwSprites._manifest = chunk() end
-  end
+  loadManifest()
 end
 
 function OwSprites.invalidate()
+  resetPalettes(false)
+  OwSprites._manifestAttempted = false
   OwSprites._loaded = {}
+  resetStream()
   OwSprites._reflectionLoaded = {}
   OwSprites._manifest = nil
   OwSprites._logged = false
@@ -62,69 +81,33 @@ function OwSprites.ready()
   return OwExtract.ready(cache, Extract.CACHE_ROOT or "data/generated/gba")
 end
 
-local function load_one(gid)
-  local cache = OwSprites._cache
-  if not cache then return nil end
-  local root = owRoot()
-  local metaBlob = cache:read(root .. "/" .. gid .. ".meta")
-  local rgba = cache:read(root .. "/" .. gid .. ".rgba")
-  if not metaBlob or not rgba then return nil end
-  local meta = OwExtract.decodeMeta(metaBlob)
-  if not meta then return nil end
+local function uploadSprite(meta)
+  local image = love.graphics.newImage(meta.imageData)
+  image:setFilter("nearest", "nearest")
+  coroutine.yield("texture")
   local w, h, n = meta.width, meta.height, meta.frameCount
-  -- decodeMeta reads these as u16 without validating, so a corrupt .meta can
-  -- carry 65535 for any of them and `aw * ah` then reaches ~4.3e9 pixels on a
-  -- cache file in the user-writable save directory.  Bound them before sizing.
-  local MAX_FRAME_DIM, MAX_FRAMES = 256, 512
-  if type(w) ~= "number" or type(h) ~= "number" or type(n) ~= "number"
-      or w < 1 or h < 1 or n < 1
-      or w > MAX_FRAME_DIM or h > MAX_FRAME_DIM or n > MAX_FRAMES then
-    return nil
-  end
-  local aw, ah = w, h * n
-  if #rgba ~= aw * ah * 4 then
-    if #rgba < aw * h * 4 then return nil end
-  end
-  if not (love and love.image and love.graphics) then return nil end
-
-  local ok, imageData = pcall(love.image.newImageData, aw, ah, "rgba8", rgba)
-  if not ok or not imageData then
-    imageData = love.image.newImageData(aw, ah)
-    local i = 1
-    for y = 0, ah - 1 do
-      for x = 0, aw - 1 do
-        local r = (rgba:byte(i) or 0) / 255
-        local g = (rgba:byte(i + 1) or 0) / 255
-        local b = (rgba:byte(i + 2) or 0) / 255
-        local a = (rgba:byte(i + 3) or 0) / 255
-        imageData:setPixel(x, y, r, g, b, a)
-        i = i + 4
-      end
-    end
-  end
-  local image = love.graphics.newImage(imageData)
-  if image.setFilter then image:setFilter("nearest", "nearest") end
   local quads = {}
   for fi = 0, n - 1 do
-    quads[fi] = love.graphics.newQuad(0, fi * h, w, h, aw, ah)
+    quads[fi] = love.graphics.newQuad(0, fi * h, w, h, w, h * n)
+    if fi % 32 == 31 then coroutine.yield("quads") end
   end
-  return {
-    image = image,
-    -- Kept so setObjectPalette can recolour the sheet: LOVE 11 has no
-    -- Image:newImageData, so the decoded pixels are the only CPU-side source.
-    imageData = imageData,
-    quads = quads,
-    width = w,
-    height = h,
-    frameCount = n,
-    inanimate = meta.inanimate,
-    paletteTag = meta.paletteTag,
-    reflectionPaletteTag = meta.reflectionPaletteTag,
-    reflectionPaletteMappedTag = meta.reflectionPaletteMappedTag,
-    palette = meta.palette,
-    reflectionPalette = meta.reflectionPalette,
-    mappedReflectionPalette = meta.mappedReflectionPalette,
-  }
+  meta.image, meta.quads = image, quads
+  meta.bytes = nil
+  return meta
+end
+makeStream = function()
+  return Stream.new("sprite", OwSprites._cache, owRoot(), uploadSprite, function(gid, spr)
+    OwSprites._loaded[gid] = spr
+    if not OwSprites._logged then
+      print(string.format("[game3/ow] sprites ready (%s sheets)", tostring(OwSprites._manifest and OwSprites._manifest.count or "?")))
+      OwSprites._logged = true
+    end
+  end)
+end
+
+function OwSprites.prefetch(gid, priority)
+  gid = tonumber(gid)
+  if gid and not OwSprites._loaded[gid] and OwSprites._stream then OwSprites._stream:prefetch(gid, priority) end
 end
 
 function OwSprites.get(graphicsId)
@@ -132,20 +115,8 @@ function OwSprites.get(graphicsId)
   if graphicsId == nil then return nil end
   local cached = OwSprites._loaded[graphicsId]
   if cached then return cached end
-  if not OwSprites._manifest then
-    OwSprites.install(OwSprites._cache)
-  end
-  local spr = load_one(graphicsId)
-  if spr then
-    OwSprites._loaded[graphicsId] = spr
-    if not OwSprites._logged then
-      local n = OwSprites._manifest and OwSprites._manifest.count
-      print(string.format("[game3/ow] FRLG sprites ready (%s sheets)",
-        tostring(n or "?")))
-      OwSprites._logged = true
-    end
-  end
-  return spr
+  if not OwSprites._manifestAttempted then loadManifest() end
+  return OwSprites._stream and OwSprites._stream:get(graphicsId) or nil
 end
 
 -- src/data/object_events/object_event_anims.h:633
@@ -325,7 +296,7 @@ function OwSprites.setObjectPalette(graphicsId, key, colours, sourceColours)
   graphicsId = tonumber(graphicsId)
   if graphicsId == nil or type(key) ~= "string" then return false end
   local current = OwSprites._overrides[graphicsId]
-  if current and current.key == key then return true end
+  if current and current.key == key and current.spr then return true end
   if type(colours) ~= "table" or #colours == 0 then return false end
 
   local base = OwSprites.get(graphicsId)
@@ -337,7 +308,7 @@ function OwSprites.setObjectPalette(graphicsId, key, colours, sourceColours)
   end
   local spr = recolour_sprite(base, from, colours)
   if not spr then return false end
-  OwSprites._overrides[graphicsId] = { key = key, spr = spr }
+  OwSprites._overrides[graphicsId] = { key = key, spr = spr, colours = colours, sourceColours = from }
   return true
 end
 
@@ -426,6 +397,10 @@ function OwSprites.getDraw(graphicsId)
   graphicsId = tonumber(graphicsId)
   if graphicsId == nil then return nil end
   local ov = OwSprites._overrides and OwSprites._overrides[graphicsId]
+  if ov and not ov.spr then
+    OwSprites.setObjectPalette(graphicsId, ov.key, ov.colours, ov.sourceColours)
+    ov = OwSprites._overrides[graphicsId]
+  end
   if ov and ov.spr then return ov.spr end
   return OwSprites.get(graphicsId)
 end
@@ -493,9 +468,7 @@ function OwSprites.draw(graphicsId, px, py, camX, camY, facing, walkPhase, stepF
 end
 
 function OwSprites.avatars()
-  if not OwSprites._manifest and OwSprites._cache then
-    OwSprites.install(OwSprites._cache)
-  end
+  if not OwSprites._manifestAttempted and OwSprites._cache then loadManifest() end
   local m = OwSprites._manifest
   return m and m.avatars or nil
 end
diff --git a/src/core/game3/scripting/adapters.lua b/src/core/game3/scripting/adapters.lua
index c594afeb..8855353a 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/scripting/adapters.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/scripting/adapters.lua
@@ -27,6 +27,17 @@ local function stdString(id)
 end
 Adapters.stdString = stdString
 
+-- pokeemerald/src/scrcmd.c:1599 StringCopy(..., gDecorations[decorId].name)
+local function decorationName(src)
+  local ok, DecorInv = pcall(require, "src.core.game3.rse.decoration_inventory")
+  if not ok or type(DecorInv) ~= "table" or not DecorInv.info then return nil end
+  local okInfo, info = pcall(DecorInv.info, src)
+  if okInfo and type(info) == "table" and type(info.name) == "string" and info.name ~= "" then
+    return info.name
+  end
+  return nil
+end
+
 -- pokefirered/src/event_object_movement.c:5208 GetOppositeDirection
 local OPPOSITE_DIR = { down = "up", up = "down", left = "right", right = "left" }
 
@@ -161,6 +172,9 @@ function Adapters.stub(opts)
     if op == "bufferstdstring" then
       return stdString(src)
     end
+    if op == "bufferdecorationname" then
+      return decorationName(src)
+    end
     return nil
   end
   a.leadMonName = opts.leadMonName or function() return "POKéMON" end
@@ -1527,6 +1541,9 @@ function Adapters.host(mod, game, world)
       if op == "bufferstdstring" then
         return stdString(src) or tostring(src)
       end
+      if op == "bufferdecorationname" then
+        return decorationName(src)
+      end
       if op == "bufferpartymonnick" then
         local Runtime = package.loaded["src.core.game3.runtime"]
         local party = Runtime and Runtime.session and Runtime.session.party
diff --git a/src/core/game3/tileset_anim.lua b/src/core/game3/tileset_anim.lua
index c64bcf8a..5d6870d6 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/tileset_anim.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/tileset_anim.lua
@@ -295,11 +295,11 @@ local function load_bank(cache, pair, kind, info)
 end
 
 -- pokefirered/src/tileset_anims.c:223
-function TilesetAnim.bindPair(pair, atlas)
+function TilesetAnim.bindPair(pair, atlas, prepared)
   if not Versions.NATIVE_RENDER or Versions.TILESET_ANIM == false then
     return false
   end
-  local cache = TilesetAnim._cache
+  local cache = prepared and { read = function(_, rel) return prepared[rel] end } or TilesetAnim._cache
   if not cache or not pair or not atlas then return false end
   local entry = TilesetAnim._pairs[pair]
   if entry == false then return false end
@@ -326,9 +326,13 @@ function TilesetAnim.bindPair(pair, atlas)
   end
   TilesetAnim._visible[pair] = true
   if entry.rse then return true end
-  TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, "water", TilesetAnim._waterFrame)
-  TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, "sand", TilesetAnim._sandFrame)
-  TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, "flower", TilesetAnim._flowerFrame)
+  local dirty = false
+  if TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, "water", TilesetAnim._waterFrame, true) then dirty = true end
+  if TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, "sand", TilesetAnim._sandFrame, true) then dirty = true end
+  if TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, "flower", TilesetAnim._flowerFrame, true) then dirty = true end
+  -- Initial/catch-up preparation uploads once after all CPU patches. This
+  -- also keeps a warming pair's final step within one texture submission.
+  if dirty then NativeTileset().flush(atlas, true, false) end
   return true
 end
 
@@ -370,7 +374,7 @@ local function get_frame_piece(bank, frame, mi, srcOff)
   return nil
 end
 
-function TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, kind, frame)
+function TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, kind, frame, deferUpload)
   local bank = entry.banks[kind]
   if not bank or bank.frames < 1 then return end
   frame = frame % bank.frames
@@ -411,6 +415,7 @@ function TilesetAnim._applyKind(entry, kind, frame)
       end
     end
   end
+  if deferUpload then return true end
   if partial then
     NativeTileset().flush(ts, true, false)
   elseif ts.image and love and love.graphics then
diff --git a/src/core/game3/tileset_native.lua b/src/core/game3/tileset_native.lua
index d314a040..5e3a8beb 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/tileset_native.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/tileset_native.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 local Extract = require("src.import.gba.extract_island1")
 local NativePack = require("src.import.gba.native_pack")
-local Palette = require("src.core.game3.palette")
+local Stream = require("src.core.game3.asset_stream")
 local Versions = require("src.import.gba.versions")
 
 local NativeTileset = {}
@@ -13,7 +13,12 @@ NativeTileset._cache = nil
 NativeTileset._logged = {}
 NativeTileset._ready = {}
 
-local NATIVE = Extract.NATIVE_ROOT or (Extract.CACHE_ROOT .. "/native")
+local makeStream
+local function nativeRoot() return Extract.NATIVE_ROOT or (Extract.CACHE_ROOT .. "/native") end
+local function resetStream()
+  if NativeTileset._stream then NativeTileset._stream:cancel() end
+  NativeTileset._stream = NativeTileset._cache and makeStream() or nil
+end
 
 local function log(msg)
   print("[game3/native] " .. tostring(msg))
@@ -24,6 +29,7 @@ function NativeTileset.install(cache, _bundle)
   NativeTileset._pairs = {}
   NativeTileset._logged = {}
   NativeTileset._ready = {}
+  resetStream()
   local okA, TilesetAnim = pcall(require, "src.core.game3.tileset_anim")
   if okA and TilesetAnim and TilesetAnim.install then
     TilesetAnim.install(cache)
@@ -34,134 +40,21 @@ function NativeTileset.invalidate()
   NativeTileset._pairs = {}
   NativeTileset._logged = {}
   NativeTileset._ready = {}
+  resetStream()
   local okA, TilesetAnim = pcall(require, "src.core.game3.tileset_anim")
   if okA and TilesetAnim and TilesetAnim.invalidate then
     TilesetAnim.invalidate()
   end
 end
 
-local function rgba_to_image(rgba, w, h)
-  if not (love and love.image and love.image.newImageData) then
-    return nil, nil, "love.image unavailable"
-  end
-  local ok, imageData = pcall(love.image.newImageData, w, h, "rgba8", rgba)
-  if not ok or not imageData then
-    ok, imageData = pcall(function()
-      local id = love.image.newImageData(w, h)
-      if id.setString then
-        id:setString(rgba)
-      end
-      return id
-    end)
-  end
-  if not ok or not imageData then
-    imageData = love.image.newImageData(w, h)
-    local i = 1
-    for y = 0, h - 1 do
-      for x = 0, w - 1 do
-        local r = rgba:byte(i) or 0
-        local g = rgba:byte(i + 1) or 0
-        local b = rgba:byte(i + 2) or 0
-        local a = rgba:byte(i + 3) or 255
-        imageData:setPixel(x, y, r / 255, g / 255, b / 255, a / 255)
-        i = i + 4
-      end
-    end
-  end
-  local image = love.graphics.newImage(imageData)
-  if image.setFilter then image:setFilter("nearest", "nearest") end
-  return image, imageData
-end
-
-local function bake_or_load(cache, pair, idxTbl, rgb, hash, tag, transparentZero)
-  local w = (idxTbl.atlasCols or 16) * 16
-  local h = (idxTbl.atlasRows or 1) * 16
-  local rgbaRel = NATIVE .. "/" .. pair .. "/atlas_" .. tag .. "_" .. hash .. ".rgba"
-  local rgba = cache:read(rgbaRel)
-  if not rgba or #rgba ~= w * h * 4 then
-    rgba, w, h = NativePack.bakeRgba(idxTbl, rgb, { transparentZero = transparentZero })
-    pcall(function() cache:write(rgbaRel, rgba) end)
-  end
-  return rgba_to_image(rgba, w, h)
-end
-
-local function load_pair(cache, pair)
-  local idxBlob = cache:read(NATIVE .. "/" .. pair .. "/mids.idx")
-  local palBlob = cache:read(NATIVE .. "/" .. pair .. "/palettes.bin")
-  if not idxBlob or not palBlob then
-    return nil, "missing native blobs for " .. tostring(pair)
-  end
-  local idxTbl, ierr = NativePack.decodeIdx(idxBlob)
-  if not idxTbl then return nil, ierr end
-  local rgb, bgr = Palette.load(palBlob)
-  if not rgb then return nil, bgr end
-
-  local hash = Palette.hash(bgr, idxBlob)
-  local layered = cache:exists(NATIVE .. "/" .. pair .. "/mids_over.idx")
-  local tag = layered and "u" or "flat"
-  local image, imageData, err = bake_or_load(cache, pair, idxTbl, rgb, hash, tag, false)
-  if not image then return nil, err or "bake under failed" end
-
-  local midToSlot = {}
-  for i, mid in ipairs(idxTbl.midIds or {}) do
-    midToSlot[mid] = i - 1
-  end
-
-  local cols = idxTbl.atlasCols or 16
-  if (idxTbl.atlasRows or 0) * 16 > 2048 then
-    log("WARNING atlas rows large for " .. pair)
-  end
-
-  local ts = {
-    pair = pair,
-    image = image,
-    imageData = imageData,
-    midToSlot = midToSlot,
-    cols = cols,
-    rows = idxTbl.atlasRows or 1,
-    midCount = idxTbl.midCount or 0,
-    quads = {},
-    layered = false,
-    overImage = nil,
-    overImageData = nil,
-    overQuads = {},
-    idxBlob = idxBlob,
-    overBlob = nil,
-    bgr = bgr,
-    slotPix = {},
-  }
-
-  if layered then
-    local overBlob = cache:read(NATIVE .. "/" .. pair .. "/mids_over.idx")
-    local overTbl = overBlob and NativePack.decodeIdx(overBlob)
-    if overTbl then
-      local overHash = Palette.hash(bgr, overBlob)
-      local oImg, oData = bake_or_load(cache, pair, overTbl, rgb, overHash, "o", true)
-      if oImg then
-        ts.layered = true
-        ts.overImage = oImg
-        ts.overImageData = oData
-        ts.overBlob = overBlob
-      end
-    end
-    local midBlob = cache:read(NATIVE .. "/" .. pair .. "/mids_mid.idx")
-    local midTbl = midBlob and NativePack.decodeIdx(midBlob)
-    if midTbl then
-      ts.midImage = bake_or_load(cache, pair, midTbl, rgb, Palette.hash(bgr, midBlob), "m", true)
-    end
-  end
-
-  return ts
-end
-
 function NativeTileset.ready(pair)
   if not Versions.NATIVE_RENDER then return false end
   if not pair then return false end
   if NativeTileset._pairs[pair] or NativeTileset._ready[pair] then return true end
   local cache = NativeTileset._cache
   if not cache then return false end
-  local ok = cache:exists(NATIVE .. "/" .. pair .. "/mids.idx")
-    and cache:exists(NATIVE .. "/" .. pair .. "/palettes.bin")
+  local ok = cache:exists(nativeRoot() .. "/" .. pair .. "/mids.idx")
+    and cache:exists(nativeRoot() .. "/" .. pair .. "/palettes.bin")
   if ok then NativeTileset._ready[pair] = true end
   return ok
 end
@@ -175,40 +68,55 @@ local function tilesetAnim()
   return animMod or nil
 end
 
-local function bind_anim(pair, atlas)
+local function bind_anim(pair, atlas, prepared)
   local TilesetAnim = tilesetAnim()
   if TilesetAnim and TilesetAnim.bindPair then
-    TilesetAnim.bindPair(pair, atlas)
+    TilesetAnim.bindPair(pair, atlas, prepared)
+  end
+end
+
+local function uploadPair(data)
+  local ts = { pair = data.pair, midToSlot = data.midToSlot, cols = data.cols, rows = data.rows,
+    midCount = data.midCount, layered = data.layered or false, idxBlob = data.idxBlob,
+    overBlob = data.overBlob, bgr = data.bgr, quads = {}, overQuads = {}, slotPix = {}, preparedAnim = data.animFiles }
+  for _, layer in ipairs(data.layers) do
+    local image = love.graphics.newImage(layer.data)
+    image:setFilter("nearest", "nearest")
+    ts[layer.imageKey], ts[layer.dataKey] = image, layer.data
+    coroutine.yield("texture")
+  end
+  return ts
+end
+makeStream = function()
+  return Stream.new("pair", NativeTileset._cache, nativeRoot(), uploadPair, function(pair, ts)
+    NativeTileset._pairs[pair] = ts
+    bind_anim(pair, ts, ts.preparedAnim)
+    ts.preparedAnim = nil
+    if not NativeTileset._logged[pair] then
+      log(string.format("atlas ready pair=%s mids=%d %dx%d layered=%s", pair,
+        ts.midCount, ts.cols * 16, ts.rows * 16, tostring(ts.layered)))
+      NativeTileset._logged[pair] = true
+    end
+  end)
+end
+
+function NativeTileset.prefetch(pair, priority)
+  if type(pair) == "string" and not NativeTileset._pairs[pair] and NativeTileset._stream then
+    NativeTileset._stream:prefetch(pair, priority)
   end
 end
 
 function NativeTileset.get(pair)
   if not pair then return nil end
   local cached = NativeTileset._pairs[pair]
-  if cached then
-    -- Cheap for a bound pair (no manifest read): marks it visible and
-    -- catches its atlas up to the current anim frames before a draw.
-    -- FieldView reads cached atlases directly and does not come here per frame.
-    bind_anim(pair, cached)
-    return cached
-  end
-  local cache = NativeTileset._cache
-  if not cache then return nil end
-  local ts, err = load_pair(cache, pair)
-  if not ts then
-    if not NativeTileset._logged[pair] then
-      log("load failed " .. tostring(pair) .. ": " .. tostring(err))
-      NativeTileset._logged[pair] = true
-    end
-    return nil
-  end
-  NativeTileset._pairs[pair] = ts
-  if not NativeTileset._logged[pair] then
-    log(string.format("atlas ready pair=%s mids=%d %dx%d layered=%s",
-      pair, ts.midCount, ts.cols * 16, ts.rows * 16, tostring(ts.layered)))
+  if cached then bind_anim(pair, cached); return cached end
+  local stream = NativeTileset._stream
+  if not stream then return nil end
+  local ts, err = stream:get(pair)
+  if not ts and not NativeTileset._logged[pair] then
+    log("load failed " .. tostring(pair) .. ": " .. tostring(err))
     NativeTileset._logged[pair] = true
   end
-  bind_anim(pair, ts)
   return ts
 end
 
diff --git a/src/import/gba/native_pack.lua b/src/import/gba/native_pack.lua
index 4febe655..885d9011 100644
--- a/src/import/gba/native_pack.lua
+++ b/src/import/gba/native_pack.lua
@@ -235,6 +235,7 @@ function NativePack.bakeRgba(idxTbl, rgbPals, opts)
   local pixels = idxTbl.pixels or {}
   local rowChunks = {}
   for ay = 0, h - 1 do
+    if ay % 16 == 0 and opts.cancelled and opts.cancelled() then return nil, w, h end
     local midRow = math.floor(ay / 16)
     local py = ay % 16
     local line = {}
diff --git a/src/render/Renderer.lua b/src/render/Renderer.lua
index e5daa3d3..eeed022f 100644
--- a/src/render/Renderer.lua
+++ b/src/render/Renderer.lua
@@ -496,6 +496,15 @@ function Renderer:endWorldPass()
   love.graphics.setCanvas(self.canvas)
 end
 
+-- A field compositor may consume the current world into another compatible
+-- target. Its caller continues drawing into the replacement until endWorldPass.
+function Renderer:exchangeWorldCanvas(current, replacement)
+  if self.worldCanvas ~= current or not self.worldActive then return false end
+  if current:getWidth() ~= replacement:getWidth() or current:getHeight() ~= replacement:getHeight() then return false end
+  self.worldCanvas = replacement
+  return true
+end
+
 -- Tilt mode's upright pass: standing things (sprites, tall-grass feet
 -- overdraw, screen-anchored FX) draw here instead of into the ground
 -- world canvas, each already projected to its ground anchor and colorized
diff --git a/tests/drivers/game3_asset_stream_profile.lua b/tests/drivers/game3_asset_stream_profile.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..502d6dab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/drivers/game3_asset_stream_profile.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+local U = require("tests.drivers.util")
+local function stats(v)
+  table.sort(v)
+  return string.format("n=%d p99=%.3f max=%.3f", #v, v[math.max(1, math.ceil(#v * .99))] or 0, v[#v] or 0)
+end
+return function(game)
+  for _ = 1, 900 do if game.boot then break end U.wait(1) end
+  local Native = require("src.core.game3.tileset_native")
+  local Ow = require("src.core.game3.ow_sprites")
+  local Map = require("src.core.game3.map")
+  local family = require("src.core.GameVersion").get()
+  local records = {}
+  for _, spec in ipairs({ { Native, "get", "pair" }, { Ow, "get", "sprite" }, { Map, "load", "map" } }) do
+    local owner, key, label = unpack(spec)
+    local fn = owner[key]
+    owner[key] = function(...)
+      local args = { ... }
+      local t = love.timer.getTime()
+      local a, b = fn(...)
+      local ms = (love.timer.getTime() - t) * 1000
+      if ms > 1 then print(string.format("ASSET_STALL %s id=%s ms=%.3f", label, tostring(args[label == "map" and 3 or 1]), ms)) end
+      records[label] = records[label] or {}; records[label][#records[label] + 1] = ms
+      return a, b
+    end
+  end
+  game:_handleBootAction({ action = "new_game", name = "STREAM", gender = 0 })
+  U.wait(60)
+  local map = family == "emerald" and "EM_ROUTE111" or "FR_CELADON_CITY"
+  Map.load(nil, game, map, { x = 10, y = 10 })
+  U.wait(120)
+  local pairsToTest = {}
+  for pair in pairs(Native._pairs) do pairsToTest[#pairsToTest + 1] = pair end
+  table.sort(pairsToTest)
+  local spritesToTest = {}
+  for gid in pairs(Ow._loaded) do spritesToTest[#spritesToTest + 1] = gid end
+  table.sort(spritesToTest)
+  local base = Native._cache
+  local cold = { read = function(_, rel) if rel:find("/atlas_", 1, true) then return nil end return base:read(rel) end,
+    write = function() return true end, exists = function(_, rel) return base:exists(rel) end }
+  local savedUpdate, savedDraw = game.update, game.draw
+  game.update, game.draw = function() end, function() end
+  if os.getenv("ASSET_COLD_WORKER") == "1" and Native.prefetch then
+    assert(love.filesystem.getIdentity() == os.getenv("POKEPORT_IDENTITY"), "use a disposable driver identity")
+    Native.install(base)
+    local Stream = require("src.core.game3.asset_stream")
+    for _, pair in ipairs(pairsToTest) do
+      local root = require("src.import.gba.extract_island1").NATIVE_ROOT
+      local spec = assert(base:assetWorkerSpec(root, "pair", pair))
+      assert(not spec.directory, "cold worker benchmark requires a disposable save-dir cache")
+      local dir = spec.prefix .. root .. "/" .. pair
+      for _, file in ipairs(love.filesystem.getDirectoryItems(dir)) do
+        if file:match("^atlas_.*%.rgba$") then assert(love.filesystem.remove(dir .. "/" .. file)) end
+      end
+      Native.prefetch(pair)
+      local deadline = love.timer.getTime() + 20
+      while not Native._stream:decoded(pair) and love.timer.getTime() < deadline do Stream.poll(); U.wait(1) end
+      assert(Native._stream:decoded(pair), pair)
+      local data = Native._stream.pending[pair].data
+      local reference = assert(require("src.core.game3.asset_decode").pair(base, root, pair))
+      for i, layer in ipairs(data.layers) do
+        assert(layer.data:getString() == reference.layers[i].data:getString(), "worker RGBA mismatch " .. pair)
+      end
+      print("PASS worker cold RGBA parity " .. pair)
+      while not Native._pairs[pair] do Stream.frameComplete(); Stream.update(); U.wait(1) end
+    end
+  end
+  for _, mode in ipairs({ "cold_rgba_cache", "disk_rgba_cache", "decoded", "gpu_warm" }) do
+    local v = {}
+    if mode ~= "gpu_warm" then Native.install(mode == "cold_rgba_cache" and cold or base) end
+    for _, pair in ipairs(pairsToTest) do
+      if mode == "decoded" and Native.prefetch then
+        Native.prefetch(pair)
+        local Stream = require("src.core.game3.asset_stream")
+        local deadline = love.timer.getTime() + 20
+        while not Native._stream:decoded(pair) and love.timer.getTime() < deadline do Stream.poll(); U.wait(1) end
+        assert(Native._stream:decoded(pair), "worker failed to prepare " .. pair)
+      end
+      local t = love.timer.getTime(); assert(Native.get(pair), pair)
+      local ms = (love.timer.getTime() - t) * 1000
+      v[#v + 1] = ms
+      print(string.format("ASSET_PAIR mode=%s id=%s ms=%.3f", mode, pair, ms))
+    end
+    print("ASSET_PROFILE " .. mode .. " " .. stats(v))
+  end
+  local spriteCache = Ow._cache
+  for _, mode in ipairs({ "disk_rgba_cache", "decoded", "gpu_warm" }) do
+    if mode ~= "gpu_warm" then Ow.install(spriteCache) end
+    local v = {}
+    for _, gid in ipairs(spritesToTest) do
+      if mode == "decoded" and Ow.prefetch then
+        Ow.prefetch(gid)
+        local Stream = require("src.core.game3.asset_stream")
+        local deadline = love.timer.getTime() + 20
+        while not Ow._stream:decoded(gid) and love.timer.getTime() < deadline do Stream.poll(); U.wait(1) end
+        assert(Ow._stream:decoded(gid), "worker failed to prepare sprite " .. gid)
+      end
+      local t = love.timer.getTime(); assert(Ow.get(gid), gid)
+      local ms = (love.timer.getTime() - t) * 1000
+      v[#v + 1] = ms
+      print(string.format("ASSET_SPRITE mode=%s id=%s ms=%.3f", mode, gid, ms))
+    end
+    print("ASSET_PROFILE sprite_" .. mode .. " " .. stats(v))
+  end
+  game.update, game.draw = savedUpdate, savedDraw
+  for label, v in pairs(records) do print("ASSET_PROFILE " .. label .. " " .. stats(v)) end
+  print("PASS game3_asset_stream_profile")
+  love.event.quit(0)
+end
diff --git a/tests/drivers/game3_seam_stream_profile.lua b/tests/drivers/game3_seam_stream_profile.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6245c0c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/drivers/game3_seam_stream_profile.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+local run = require("tests.drivers.game3_seam_walk_stress")
+local function stats(v)
+  table.sort(v)
+  local sum = 0; for _, n in ipairs(v) do sum = sum + n end
+  return string.format("n=%d mean=%.3f p99=%.3f max=%.3f", #v, sum / math.max(1, #v), v[math.ceil(#v * .99)] or 0, v[#v] or 0)
+end
+return function(game)
+  local samples = { update = {}, draw = {}, seam = {}, pair = {}, sprite = {} }
+  local function wrap(owner, key, label, onlySeams)
+    local old = owner[key]
+    owner[key] = function(...)
+      local t = love.timer.getTime()
+      local a, b, c = old(...)
+      local ms = (love.timer.getTime() - t) * 1000
+      local args = { ... }
+      if not onlySeams or (args[4] and args[4].seamless) then
+        local v = samples[label]; v[#v + 1] = ms
+        if (label == "pair" or label == "sprite") and ms > 1 then
+          print(string.format("SEAM_ASSET_STALL %s id=%s ms=%.3f", label, tostring(args[1]), ms))
+        end
+      end
+      return a, b, c
+    end
+  end
+  wrap(game, "update", "update")
+  wrap(game, "draw", "draw")
+  wrap(require("src.core.game3.map"), "load", "seam", true)
+  wrap(require("src.core.game3.tileset_native"), "get", "pair")
+  wrap(require("src.core.game3.ow_sprites"), "get", "sprite")
+  run(game)
+  for label, v in pairs(samples) do print("SEAM_PROFILE " .. label .. " " .. stats(v)) end
+end
diff --git a/tests/drivers/game3_seam_walk_stress.lua b/tests/drivers/game3_seam_walk_stress.lua
index acb3c670..642afec2 100644
--- a/tests/drivers/game3_seam_walk_stress.lua
+++ b/tests/drivers/game3_seam_walk_stress.lua
@@ -335,6 +335,9 @@ return function(game)
   patch(Field, "tryWalkIntoSign", function() return false end)
   patch(TrainerSight, "check", function() return false end)
   patch(ForcedMovement, "onStepFinished", function() return false end)
+  -- Keep Cycling Road's automatic downhill steps from restarting movement
+  -- during stepOnce's settling window, like the other forced paths above.
+  patch(Player, "cyclingRoadPull", function() return false end)
   patch(StepEvents, "onStepTaken", function() return false end)
   patch(Encounters, "onStep", function() return nil end)
   patch(Encounters, "noteGrass", function() return nil end)
diff --git a/tests/drivers/game3_weather_compositor_profile.lua b/tests/drivers/game3_weather_compositor_profile.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8e067665
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/drivers/game3_weather_compositor_profile.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+local U = require("tests.drivers.util")
+local function stats(v)
+  table.sort(v)
+  local sum = 0; for _, n in ipairs(v) do sum = sum + n end
+  return string.format("n=%d mean=%.3f p99=%.3f max=%.3f", #v, sum / #v, v[math.ceil(#v * .99)], v[#v])
+end
+return function(game)
+  for _ = 1, 900 do if game.boot then break end U.wait(1) end
+  game:_handleBootAction({ action = "new_game", name = "WEATHER", gender = 0 })
+  U.wait(60)
+  local Map = require("src.core.game3.map")
+  Map.load(nil, game, "EM_PETALBURG_CITY", { x = 17, y = 13 })
+  U.wait(90)
+  local R = require("src.core.game3.field_weather_rse")
+  local baselinePath = os.getenv("WEATHER_BASELINE")
+  local baseline = baselinePath and assert(love.filesystem.load(baselinePath))() or nil
+  local Field = require("src.core.game3.field_view")
+  local Renderer = require("src.render.Renderer")
+  local Rng = require("src.core.game3.rng")
+  local Oam = require("src.core.game3.oam")
+  local failures = 0
+  local function check(ok, label) print((ok and "PASS " or "FAIL ") .. label); if not ok then failures = failures + 1 end end
+  local saveUpdate, saveDraw = game.update, game.draw
+  game.update, game.draw = function() end, function() end
+  local function weather(engine, id, frames)
+    engine.restart(); Rng._value = 42
+    engine.setCurrentAndNextWeatherNoDelay(id)
+    for _ = 1, frames do engine.update() end
+  end
+  local function render(engine, w, h, swap)
+    package.loaded["src.core.game3.field_weather_rse"] = engine
+    Oam.resetFrame()
+    local canvas = Renderer.worldCanvas
+    if not canvas or canvas:getWidth() ~= w or canvas:getHeight() ~= h then
+      canvas = love.graphics.newCanvas(w, h, { dpiscale = 1 })
+    end
+    Renderer.worldCanvas, Renderer.worldActive = canvas, true
+    love.graphics.setCanvas(canvas); love.graphics.clear(.2, .3, .4, 1)
+    local switches, oldSet = 0, love.graphics.setCanvas
+    love.graphics.setCanvas = function(...) switches = switches + 1; return oldSet(...) end
+    local t = love.timer.getTime()
+    Field.draw(game, w, h, { exchangeCanvas = swap and function(cur, next) return Renderer:exchangeWorldCanvas(cur, next) end or nil })
+    love.graphics.setCanvas = oldSet
+    local cpu = (love.timer.getTime() - t) * 1000
+    oldSet()
+    local image = Renderer.worldCanvas:newImageData()
+    local sync = (love.timer.getTime() - t) * 1000
+    return image, cpu, sync, switches
+  end
+  for _, size in ipairs({ { "fit", 240, 160 }, { "survey", 960, 640 } }) do
+    for _, spec in ipairs({ { "clear", 2, 180 }, { "shade", 11, 180 }, { "rain", 3, 180 },
+        { "drought", 12, 180 }, { "fog", 6, 180 }, { "sandstorm", 8, 180 }, { "sandstorm_blend", 8, 2 } }) do
+      weather(R, spec[2], spec[3])
+      local copy = render(R, size[2], size[3], false)
+      local swapped = render(R, size[2], size[3], true)
+      check(copy:getString() == swapped:getString(), size[1] .. " " .. spec[1] .. " copy vs exchange pixels")
+      if baseline then
+        weather(baseline, spec[2], spec[3])
+        render(baseline, size[2], size[3], false)
+        local original = render(baseline, size[2], size[3], false)
+        if original:getString() ~= swapped:getString() then
+          local a, b, count, max = original:getString(), swapped:getString(), 0, 0
+          for i = 1, #a do local d = math.abs(a:byte(i) - b:byte(i)); if d > 0 then count = count + 1; max = math.max(max, d) end end
+          print(string.format("WEATHER_DIFF %s %s channels=%d max=%d eva=%d evb=%d", size[1], spec[1], count, max, R.state.currBlendEVA, R.state.currBlendEVB))
+        end
+        check(original:getString() == swapped:getString(), size[1] .. " " .. spec[1] .. " original vs batched exchange pixels")
+      end
+      for _, mode in ipairs({ { "copy", baseline or R, false }, { "exchange", R, true } }) do
+        weather(mode[2], spec[2], spec[3])
+        local cpus, synced, switches = {}, {}, {}
+        for _ = 1, 60 do
+          local _, cpu, sync, count = render(mode[2], size[2], size[3], mode[3])
+          cpus[#cpus + 1], synced[#synced + 1], switches[#switches + 1] = cpu, sync, count
+        end
+        print(string.format("WEATHER_PROFILE %s %s %s cpu %s completion_with_readback %s switches=%d", size[1], spec[1], mode[1],
+          stats(cpus), stats(synced), switches[#switches]))
+      end
+      if os.getenv("POKEPORT_SHOT_DIR") then
+        swapped:encode("png", "weather-preview.png")
+        local bytes = love.filesystem.read("weather-preview.png")
+        local f = assert(io.open(os.getenv("POKEPORT_SHOT_DIR") .. "/" .. size[1] .. "_" .. spec[1] .. ".png", "wb")); f:write(bytes); f:close()
+        love.filesystem.remove("weather-preview.png")
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  -- Exercise Display's actual target exchange, upright actors, and UI planes.
+  local Zoom, Tilt = require("src.render.Zoom"), require("src.render.Tilt")
+  local uprightCalls, beginUpright = 0, Renderer.beginUprightPass
+  Renderer.beginUprightPass = function(self, ...)
+    uprightCalls = uprightCalls + 1
+    return beginUpright(self, ...)
+  end
+  Zoom.allowSurvey = true
+  if baseline then
+    for _, zoom in ipairs({ 0, Zoom.offsetRange(Renderer:fitScale()) }) do
+      game.options.zoom = zoom; Zoom.offset = zoom
+      for _, tilt in ipairs({ 0, 2 }) do
+        game.options.tilt = tilt; Tilt.setLevel(tilt); Tilt.update(1)
+        for _, id in ipairs({ 2, 3, 6, 11, 12, 8 }) do
+          local function planes(engine)
+            package.loaded["src.core.game3.field_weather_rse"] = engine
+            weather(engine, id, 180)
+            local before = uprightCalls
+            saveDraw(game); saveDraw(game)
+            if tilt > 0 then check(uprightCalls == before + 2, "upright pass rendered") end
+            local out = {}
+            for _, key in ipairs({ "worldCanvas", "uprightCanvas", "canvas" }) do
+              local target = Renderer[key]
+              if target then out[key] = target:newImageData():getString() end
+            end
+            return out
+          end
+          local a, b = planes(baseline), planes(R)
+          for key, bytes in pairs(a) do
+            check(bytes == b[key], string.format("display zoom=%d tilt=%d weather=%d %s pixels", zoom, tilt, id, key))
+          end
+        end
+        if os.getenv("POKEPORT_SHOT_DIR") then
+          game.draw = saveDraw
+          U.still(game, os.getenv("POKEPORT_SHOT_DIR") .. string.format("/display_zoom%d_tilt%d.png", zoom, tilt))
+          game.draw = function() end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  Renderer.beginUprightPass = beginUpright
+  package.loaded["src.core.game3.field_weather_rse"] = R
+  game.update, game.draw = saveUpdate, saveDraw
+  love.graphics.setCanvas()
+  print((failures == 0 and "PASS" or "FAIL") .. " game3_weather_compositor_profile failures=" .. failures)
+  love.event.quit(failures == 0 and 0 or 1)
+end
diff --git a/tests/engine/game3_asset_stream_test.lua b/tests/engine/game3_asset_stream_test.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6921c370
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/engine/game3_asset_stream_test.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+package.path = "./?.lua;./?/init.lua;" .. package.path
+local T = require("tests.harness")
+local check, eq = T.check, T.eq
+love = require("tests.love_stub")
+local channels, worker = {}, {}
+love.thread = {
+  newChannel = function()
+    local ch = { q = {} }
+    function ch:push(v) self.q[#self.q + 1] = v end
+    function ch:pop() return table.remove(self.q, 1) end
+    function ch:clear() self.q = {} end
+    channels[#channels + 1] = ch
+    return ch
+  end,
+  newThread = function()
+    function worker:start(input, output) self.input, self.output = input, output end
+    function worker:getError() return self.error end
+    function worker:wait() self.joined = true end
+    return worker
+  end,
+}
+local Stream = require("src.core.game3.asset_stream")
+local published, uploads = {}, 0
+local cache = { assetWorkerSpec = function() return { prefix = "emerald/" } end }
+local function owner()
+  return Stream.new("pair", cache, "ROOT", function(data)
+    for _ = 1, data.layers do uploads = uploads + 1; coroutine.yield("texture") end
+    return data
+  end, function(key, data) published[key] = data end)
+end
+local s = owner()
+s:prefetch("A"); s:prefetch("A"); Stream.poll()
+eq(#worker.input.q, 1, "duplicate requests are coalesced")
+local request = worker.input:pop()
+eq(request.spec.prefix, "emerald/", "worker receives an immutable cartridge namespace")
+eq(uploads, 0, "queuing CPU work does not touch graphics")
+worker.output:push({ id = request.id, data = { layers = 3 }, seconds = .01 })
+Stream.update()
+eq(uploads, 1, "only one texture layer uploads in an update")
+Stream.update(); eq(uploads, 1, "fixed-step catchup cannot upload another layer in the same render frame")
+Stream.frameComplete(); Stream.update(); eq(uploads, 2, "next render frame admits the next layer")
+check(published.A == nil, "partially uploaded atlases are never published")
+local result = s:get("A")
+eq(uploads, 3, "unexpected demand finishes the existing partial upload without duplicating textures")
+check(published.A == result and result.layers == 3, "fallback publishes the complete atlas")
+
+s:prefetch("STALE"); Stream.poll(); request = worker.input:pop()
+s:cancel()
+eq(#request.cancelSignal.q, 1, "cache reset signals active CPU preparation to stop")
+worker.output:push({ id = request.id, data = { layers = 1 }, seconds = .01 })
+Stream.frameComplete(); Stream.update()
+check(published.STALE == nil, "cache reset rejects a late result")
+eq(uploads, 3, "stale data does not allocate a texture")
+local nextOwner = owner()
+nextOwner:prefetch("OUTSIDE"); Stream.poll(); request = worker.input:pop()
+nextOwner:retain({})
+eq(#request.cancelSignal.q, 1, "leaving the neighborhood interrupts active preparation")
+worker.output:push({ id = request.id, data = { layers = 1 }, seconds = .01 })
+Stream.frameComplete(); Stream.update()
+check(published.OUTSIDE == nil, "leaving the warm neighborhood cancels queued work")
+for i = 1, 100 do nextOwner:prefetch("LIMIT" .. i) end
+local count = 0; for _ in pairs(nextOwner.pending) do count = count + 1 end
+eq(count, Stream.MAX_PENDING, "pending assets have a residency bound")
+Stream.cancelPending()
+check(next(nextOwner.pending) == nil, "field stop cancels all pending requests")
+Stream.shutdown()
+check(worker.joined, "process teardown joins the worker before filesystem teardown")
+local priorityOwner = owner()
+priorityOwner:prefetch("NEAR", 1)
+priorityOwner:prefetch("VISIBLE", 0)
+Stream.poll(); request = worker.input:pop()
+eq(request.key, "VISIBLE", "visible assets decode before nearby assets")
+worker.output:push({ id = request.id, data = { layers = 1 }, seconds = .01 })
+Stream.poll(); request = worker.input:pop()
+eq(request.key, "NEAR", "nearby preparation follows visible preparation")
+worker.output:push({ id = request.id, data = { layers = 1 }, seconds = .01 })
+Stream.poll()
+Stream.frameComplete(); Stream.update()
+eq(coroutine.status(priorityOwner.pending.VISIBLE.co), "suspended", "visible decoded assets upload first")
+check(priorityOwner.pending.NEAR.co == nil, "nearby uploads wait for the visible upload slice")
+Stream.shutdown()
+T.finish("game3_asset_stream_test")
diff --git a/tests/engine/game3_bufferdecorationname_test.lua b/tests/engine/game3_bufferdecorationname_test.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2ffb78e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/engine/game3_bufferdecorationname_test.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+-- pokeemerald/src/scrcmd.c:1599 bufferdecorationname copies gDecorations[id].name.
+-- Lanette's givedecoration DECOR_LOTAD_DOLL (99) was printing "99" because
+-- bufferName never asked the decoration cache.
+--   luajit tests/engine/game3_bufferdecorationname_test.lua
+
+package.path = "./?.lua;./?/init.lua;" .. package.path
+
+local T = require("tests.harness")
+local eq = T.eq
+love = love or require("tests.love_stub")
+
+local DecorInv = require("src.core.game3.rse.decoration_inventory")
+local Adapters = require("src.core.game3.scripting.adapters")
+local Vm = require("src.core.game3.scripting.vm")
+local Ops = require("src.core.game3.scripting.ops_a")
+local Flags = require("src.core.game3.scripting.flags")
+
+DecorInv.install({
+  decorations = {
+    [99] = { id = 99, name = "LOTAD DOLL", category = 6 },
+  },
+})
+
+local stub = Adapters.stub({})
+local host = Adapters.host(nil, nil, nil)
+
+eq(stub.bufferName("bufferdecorationname", 99), "LOTAD DOLL", "stub names decoration 99")
+eq(host.bufferName("bufferdecorationname", 99), "LOTAD DOLL", "host names decoration 99")
+eq(stub.bufferName("bufferdecorationname", 1), nil, "unknown decoration stays unresolved")
+
+local vm = Vm.new({
+  store = Flags.newStore(),
+  scripts = { t = { { op = "end" } } },
+  adapters = stub,
+})
+vm:start("t")
+Ops.dispatch(vm, { op = "setvar", [1] = 0x8000, [2] = 99 })
+Ops.dispatch(vm, { op = "bufferdecorationname", dest = 1, src = 0x8000 })
+eq(vm.ctx.stringVars[2], "LOTAD DOLL", "VAR_0x8000 decoration name fills STR_VAR_2")
+
+local home = os.getenv("HOME")
+local cache = home and (home .. "/Library/Application Support/LOVE/pokemon-love2d/emerald/data/generated/gba/decorations/decorations.lua")
+local f = cache and io.open(cache, "rb")
+if f then
+  local src = f:read("*a")
+  f:close()
+  DecorInv.reset()
+  local pack = assert(load(src, "@decorations.lua", "t", {}))()
+  DecorInv.install(pack)
+  eq(stub.bufferName("bufferdecorationname", 99), "LOTAD DOLL", "emerald cache decoration 99 is LOTAD DOLL")
+end
+
+T.finish("game3_bufferdecorationname_test")