Fixed shield issue by removing old experiments and ensuring the right

values were being used!

player.gd

@@ -9,11 +9,18 @@ signal damage_taken
 @export var cooldown: float = 0.25
 @export var bullet_scene : PackedScene
 @export var max_shield: int = 10
-var shield: int = 1:
+var shield: int = 0:
     set = set_shield
 
+
 var can_shoot = false
-var shader_active = false
+var shader_active: bool = false:
+  set(value):
+    if value == true:
+      print_debug("Shader active!", get_stack())
+    else:
+      print_debug("Shader inactive!", get_stack())
+
 var clamp_shield = clamp(shield, 0, max_shield)
 
 @onready var screensize = get_viewport_rect().size
@@ -35,10 +42,11 @@ func start():
     position = Vector2(screensize.x / 2, screensize.y)
     var tween = create_tween()
     tween.tween_property(self, "position:y",  48 * -1, .75).as_relative()
+    await tween.finished
     $GunCooldown.wait_time = cooldown
     set_shield(max_shield)
     print(shield)
-    await get_tree().create_timer(2).timeout
+    await get_tree().create_timer(1).timeout
     set_process(true)
     $Ship/Boosters.show()
     can_shoot = true
@@ -74,11 +82,11 @@ func shoot():
 
 func set_shield(value: int):
     var old_value = shield
-    shield = clamp(value, 0, max_shield)
+    # shield = clamp(value, 0, max_shield)
+    shield = min(max_shield, value)
     EventBus.shield_changed.emit(max_shield, old_value, shield)
     print("Shield set to:", shield)
     if shield <= 0:
-      print("Shader deactivated!")
       set_process(false)
       $Ship.hide()
       shader_active = false
@@ -93,27 +101,31 @@ func _on_gun_cooldown_timeout() -> void:
 
 func _on_area_entered(area):
     if area.is_in_group("enemies"):
-        area.explode()
         shield -= int(max_shield / 2)
-        damage_taken.emit()
+        # damage_taken.emit()
+        area.explode()
     if area.is_in_group("enemy_bullets") and self.monitoring == true:
         damage_taken.emit()
 
 
-func _on_damage_taken() -> void:
-  shader_active = true
-  print("Shader active!")
-  $Ship.material.set_shader_parameter("toggle", 1.0)
-  await get_tree().create_timer(1).timeout
-  $Ship.material.set_shader_parameter("toggle", 0.0)
-  shader_active = false
-  print("Shader deactivated!")
+func _on_damage_taken():
+
+  if shield == 0:
+    shader_active = false
+    return
+
+  else:
+    shader_active = true
+    $Ship.material.set_shader_parameter("toggle", 1.0)
+    await get_tree().create_timer(1).timeout
+    $Ship.material.set_shader_parameter("toggle", 0.0)
+    shader_active = false
 
 func _on_player_victory() -> void:
   print("Victory!")
   set_process(false)
   $Ship.frame = 1
-  await get_tree().create_timer(2).timeout
+  await get_tree().create_timer(1).timeout
   var tween = create_tween()
   tween.tween_property(self, "position:y",  60 * -1, .25).set_ease(tween.EASE_IN)
   await tween.finished