diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/gl_highlighting_lite.int b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/gl_highlighting_lite.int
index 6b479e88..64d2b54f 100644
Binary files a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/gl_highlighting_lite.int and b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/gl_highlighting_lite.int differ
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/gl_highlighting_lite.ssl b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/gl_highlighting_lite.ssl
index c4aea594..e9146675 100644
--- a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/gl_highlighting_lite.ssl
+++ b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/gl_highlighting_lite.ssl
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 /**
 
-   Item Highlight mod (Lite version)
+   Item Highlighting mod (Lite version)
 
-   A cut-down version of the mod included in sfall 4.x, offers a bit more features than the built-in function.
+   A cut-down version of the mod included in sfall 4.x, offering more features than the built-in function.
    Features:
-   - highlighting items, containers (optional) and lootable corpses (optional) on the ground
+   - highlights items, containers (optional) and lootable corpses (optional) on the ground
+   - highlights critters using the same rules as combat mode highlighting (optional)
    - configurable hotkey is used to trigger highlight
+   - hotkey can be pressed and held to continuously update highlighted objects based on current position
    - only objects in direct line-of-sight of player are highlighted (optional)
    - motion scanner is required to enable highlight (optional)
    - motion scanner charges are decreased on each use (optional)
@@ -15,7 +17,7 @@
    NOTE: this script requires compiler from sfall modderspack with -s option
    (short circuit evaluation)
 
-   version 1.1
+   version 1.2
 
 **/
 
@@ -24,6 +26,7 @@
 
 #define CRITTER_IS_DEAD    (1)
 #define PID_MOTION_SENSOR  (59)
+#define REPEAT_FRAMES      (10)
 #define NO_HIGHLIGHT(obj)  (get_flags(obj) bwand FLAG_NOHIGHLIGHT)
 #define NO_STEAL(obj)      (get_proto_data(obj_pid(obj), PROTO_CR_FLAGS) bwand CFLG_NOSTEAL)
 
@@ -32,36 +35,70 @@ variable highlightKey;
 variable isHighlight;
 variable alsoContainer;
 variable alsoCorpse;
+variable alsoCritter;
 variable checkLOS;
 variable outlineColor;
 variable motionScanner;
 variable highlightFailMsg1;
 variable highlightFailMsg2;
 
-procedure ToggleHighlightObject(variable obj, variable enable) begin
-   if obj and (not enable or not checkLOS or not obj_blocking_line(dude_obj, tile_num(obj), BLOCKING_TYPE_SHOOT)) then begin
-      if (alsoContainer and obj_item_subtype(obj) == item_type_container) or (not NO_HIGHLIGHT(obj)) then begin
-         if (enable) then set_outline(obj, outlineColor);
-         else set_outline(obj, 0);
+procedure DudeCanSee(variable obj) begin
+   variable block := obj_blocking_line(dude_obj, tile_num(obj), BLOCKING_TYPE_SHOOT);
+   return not block or block == obj;
+end
+
+procedure DudeCanHear(variable obj) begin
+   variable hearDist := dude_perception * 5;
+   if (get_flags(obj) bwand FLAG_TRANSGLASS) then
+      hearDist /= 2;
+
+   return tile_distance_objs(dude_obj, obj) <= hearDist;
+end
+
+procedure GetOutlineColor(variable obj, variable isCritter) begin
+   if isCritter then begin
+      if get_team(obj) == get_team(dude_obj) then return OUTLINE_GREEN_GLOW;
+      if not DudeCanSee(obj) then begin
+         if (DudeCanHear(obj)) then return OUTLINE_DARK_YELLOW;
+         return 0;
       end
+      return OUTLINE_RED_GLOW;
    end
+   if checkLOS and not DudeCanSee(obj) then
+      return 0;
+
+   return outlineColor;
+end
+
+procedure ToggleHighlightObject(variable obj, variable enable, variable isCritter) begin
+   if (not alsoContainer or obj_item_subtype(obj) != item_type_container) and NO_HIGHLIGHT(obj) then return;
+
+   set_outline(obj, GetOutlineColor(obj, isCritter) if enable else 0);
 end
 
 procedure ToggleHighlight(variable enable) begin
-   variable obj;
+   variable obj, isCorpse;
    foreach obj in list_as_array(LIST_GROUNDITEMS) begin
-      if obj != outlined_object then begin
-         call ToggleHighlightObject(obj, enable);
+      if obj and obj != outlined_object then begin
+         call ToggleHighlightObject(obj, enable, false);
       end
    end
-   if (alsoCorpse) then begin
+   if (alsoCorpse or alsoCritter) then begin
       foreach obj in list_as_array(LIST_CRITTERS) begin
-         if critter_state(obj) == CRITTER_IS_DEAD and not NO_STEAL(obj) then begin
-            call ToggleHighlightObject(obj, enable);
+         if obj and obj != dude_obj then begin
+            isCorpse := critter_state(obj) == CRITTER_IS_DEAD;
+            if (alsoCritter and not isCorpse) or (isCorpse and not NO_STEAL(obj)) then begin
+               call ToggleHighlightObject(obj, enable, not isCorpse);
+            end
          end
       end
    end
    tile_refresh_display;
+   if (checkLOS or alsoCritter) and enable != isHighlight then begin
+      set_global_script_repeat(REPEAT_FRAMES if enable else 0);
+   end
+
+   isHighlight := enable;
 end
 
 procedure KeyPressHandler begin
@@ -71,7 +108,7 @@ procedure KeyPressHandler begin
 
    if scanCode == highlightKey and not(get_game_mode bwand (INTFACELOOT bwor BARTER)) then begin
       if pressed then begin
-         isHighlight := true;
+         set_global_script_repeat(REPEAT_FRAMES);
          if motionScanner then begin
             scanner := obj_carrying_pid_obj(dude_obj, PID_MOTION_SENSOR);
             if scanner then begin
@@ -94,16 +131,21 @@ procedure KeyPressHandler begin
             call ToggleHighlight(true);
          end
       end else begin
-         isHighlight := false;
          call ToggleHighlight(false);
       end
    end
 end
 
-// visual glitch fix - for 3.8.29+
+// visual glitch fix, turn off highlight when entering combat - for 3.8.40+
+procedure CombatTurnHandler begin
+   if isHighlight then begin
+      call ToggleHighlight(false);
+   end
+end
+
+// visual glitch fix, turn off highlight when opening loot/barter screens - for 3.8.29+
 procedure GameModeChangeHandler begin
    if isHighlight and (get_game_mode bwand (INTFACELOOT bwor BARTER)) then begin
-      isHighlight := false;
       call ToggleHighlight(false);
    end
 end
@@ -114,12 +156,15 @@ procedure InventoryMoveHandler begin
 end
 
 procedure start begin
-   if game_loaded and (sfall_ver_major < 4 and sfall_ver_build >= 12) then begin
+   if game_loaded then begin
+      if (sfall_ver_major >= 4 or sfall_ver_build < 12) then return;
+
       call InitConfigs;
 
       highlightKey := GetConfig(configSection, "Key", 0);
       alsoContainer := GetConfig(configSection, "Containers", 0);
       alsoCorpse := GetConfig(configSection, "Corpses", 0);
+      alsoCritter := GetConfig(configSection, "Critters", 0);
       checkLOS := GetConfig(configSection, "CheckLOS", 0);
       outlineColor := GetConfig(configSection, "OutlineColor", 16);
       if (outlineColor < 1) then outlineColor := 64;
@@ -129,7 +174,13 @@ procedure start begin
       highlightFailMsg2 := Translate("HighlightFail2", "Your motion sensor is out of charge.");
 
       register_hook_proc(HOOK_KEYPRESS, KeyPressHandler);
+      register_hook_proc(HOOK_COMBATTURN, CombatTurnHandler);
       register_hook_proc(HOOK_GAMEMODECHANGE, GameModeChangeHandler);
       register_hook_proc(HOOK_INVENTORYMOVE, InventoryMoveHandler);
+      set_global_script_type(1);
+   end else begin
+      if isHighlight and not(get_game_mode bwand (INTFACELOOT bwor BARTER)) then begin
+         call ToggleHighlight(true);
+      end
    end
 end
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/main.h b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/main.h
index 5f545e45..ad8a92dc 100644
--- a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/main.h
+++ b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/main.h
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 #include "..\scripting\headers\lib.inven.h"
 */
 
-variable ini := "sfall-mods.ini";
+variable ini := "mods\\sfall-mods.ini";
 variable translationIni;
 
 // Gets the integer value from the specified ini
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/readme.txt b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/readme.txt
index d4d21b84..eb3760d8 100644
--- a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/readme.txt
+++ b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/readme.txt
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-Item Highlight mod (Lite version) for sfall 3.8.x
--------------------------------------------------
+Item Highlighting mod (Lite version) for sfall 3.8.x
+----------------------------------------------------
 
-A cut-down version of the mod included in sfall 4.x, offers a bit more features than the built-in function.
+A cut-down version of the mod included in sfall 4.x, offers more features than the built-in function.
 Features:
-- highlighting items, containers (optional) and lootable corpses (optional) on the ground
+- highlights items, containers (optional) and lootable corpses (optional) on the ground
 - configurable hotkey is used to trigger highlight
 - only objects in direct line-of-sight of player are highlighted (optional)
 - motion scanner is required to enable highlight (optional)
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ Features:
 
 Requires sfall 3.8.12 or higher.
 
-To use, copy gl_highlighting_lite.int to your scripts folder, and copy sfall-mods.ini to the same directory as sfall.
-Also, you should disable the built-in function in ddraw.ini (ToggleItemHighlightsKey=0).
+To use, copy gl_highlighting_lite.int to your scripts folder and sfall-mods.ini to the mods folder in the same directory as sfall.
+Create the mods folder if it does not exist. Also, you should disable the built-in function in ddraw.ini (ToggleItemHighlightsKey=0).
 
 Note that due to the lack of newer game hooks in sfall 3.8.x, there are some minor visual glitches in the lite version:
-- items will be kept highlighted when entering combat while holding the highlight key.
-- when you pick up items while holding the highlight key, they will be kept highlighted if you drop them on the ground (fixed for 3.8.18+).
+- items will be kept highlighted when entering combat while holding the highlight key (fixed in 3.8.40+).
+- when you pick up items while holding the highlight key, they will be kept highlighted if you drop them on the ground (fixed in 3.8.18+).
 Both glitches can bo solved by pressing and releasing the highlight key again.
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/sfall-mods.ini b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/sfall-mods.ini
index 95d09da4..4c52194a 100644
--- a/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/sfall-mods.ini
+++ b/artifacts/example_mods/ItemHighlight_Lite/sfall-mods.ini
@@ -9,10 +9,13 @@ Containers=0
 ; Set to 1 to also highlight lootable corpses
 Corpses=0
 
-; Set to 1 to only highlight objects in the player's line-of-sight
-CheckLOS=0
+; Set to 1 to also highlight critters, with the same rules as in combat
+Critters=0
 
-; Set the color of outlines, available colors:
+; Set to 1 to only highlight objects in the player's line-of-sight
+CheckLOS=1
+
+; Set the color of outlines for items, corpses, and containers; available colors:
 ; 1 - glowing red
 ; 2 - red
 ; 4 - grey
@@ -20,7 +23,7 @@ CheckLOS=0
 ; 16 - bright yellow
 ; 32 - dark yellow
 ; 64 - purple
-; You can set a custom color from the game palette by multiplying the color index value by 256 (available since sfall 4.2.7)
+; You can set a custom color from the game palette by multiplying the color index value by 256 (in 3.8.27 or later)
 OutlineColor=16
 
 ; Motion Scanner mode:
@@ -28,3 +31,37 @@ OutlineColor=16
 ; 1 - requires Motion Scanner present in player inventory to activate highlighting
 ; 2 - requires Motion Scanner and also requires 1 charge on every use (depleted scanner will not work anymore)
 MotionScanner=0
+
+
+[CombatControl]
+;Allows you to control other critters directly in combat
+;Set to 0 to disable
+;Set to 1 to control all critters in combat (allowed only in sfall debugging mode)
+;Set to 2 to control all party members
+;Set to 3 to let you use the command cursor to specify targets for party members to attack in combat
+Mode=0
+;If you want to control only specific critters, uncomment the PIDList line and set a comma delimited list of PIDs
+;PIDList=62,89,97,107,160,161
+
+;Set a comma delimited list of perk IDs for perks to be inherited from the player during the combat control
+PerksList=0,73
+
+;Set to 1 to allow the player to gain a positive reputation when killing NPCs while controlling other critters
+GainReputation=0
+
+;Choose a notification box to display the name of the controlled critter above the interface bar
+;Must be between 5 and (4 + the value of BoxBarCount in ddraw.ini)
+;For sfall 4.1.6+ the number for the notification box is set automatically, so just use any value
+;Set to 0 to disable
+DisplayName=0
+
+;Set the color of display name, available colors:
+;0 - green
+;1 - red
+;2 - white
+;3 - yellow
+;4 - dark yellow
+;5 - blue
+;6 - purple
+;7 - dull pink
+DisplayNameColor=0
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/gl_npcarmor_lite.int b/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/gl_npcarmor_lite.int
index fcc9b137..9fda63ed 100644
Binary files a/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/gl_npcarmor_lite.int and b/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/gl_npcarmor_lite.int differ
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/gl_npcarmor_lite.ssl b/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/gl_npcarmor_lite.ssl
index e9798e27..5c52c231 100644
--- a/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/gl_npcarmor_lite.ssl
+++ b/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/gl_npcarmor_lite.ssl
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #define FID_OBJ_CRITTER  (0x01000000)
 
 procedure update_armor_apperance;
+procedure canuseweapon_handler;
 
 variable
    modIni := "npcarmor.ini",
@@ -165,7 +166,9 @@ end
 
 procedure start begin
    variable sect, sects, armorTypes, armorType, npc, pid, pids, i;
-   if game_loaded and (sfall_ver_major < 4 and sfall_ver_build >= 29) then begin
+   if game_loaded then begin
+      if (sfall_ver_major >= 4 or sfall_ver_build < 29) then return;
+
       armorTypes := get_ini_section(modIni, "ArmorTypes");
       armorPidMap := create_array_map;
       foreach (armorType: pids in armorTypes) begin
@@ -205,6 +208,7 @@ procedure start begin
       register_hook_proc(HOOK_INVENWIELD, invenwield_handler);
       register_hook_proc(HOOK_ADJUSTFID, adjustfid_handler);
       register_hook_proc(HOOK_INVENTORYMOVE, inventorymove_handler);
+      register_hook_proc_spec(HOOK_CANUSEWEAPON, canuseweapon_handler);
 
       debug_msg("NPC armor appearance mod: Done.");
    end
@@ -222,3 +226,16 @@ procedure update_armor_apperance begin
       end
    end
 end
+
+// prevent NPCs from equipping "unusable" weapons - for 3.8.40+
+procedure canuseweapon_handler begin
+   variable critter, canUse;
+   critter := get_sfall_arg;
+   if (critter != dude_obj and get_sfall_arg_at(3)) then begin
+      canUse := check_weapon_change(critter, get_sfall_arg, true);
+      if (canUse == false) then begin
+         set_sfall_arg(3, 0);
+         set_sfall_return(0); // overrides the result of engine function. Any non-zero value allows using the weapon
+      end
+   end
+end
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/readme.txt b/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/readme.txt
index 990ec4ac..64994ea7 100644
--- a/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/readme.txt
+++ b/artifacts/example_mods/NPCArmor_Lite/readme.txt
@@ -8,10 +8,10 @@ Can be adopted to any mod by adjusting armor PIDs, allowed weapon anim codes, NP
 
 Requires sfall 3.8.29 or higher.
 
-To use, copy gl_npcarmor_lite.int to your scripts folder, and copy npcarmor.ini to the same directory as sfall.
+To use, copy gl_npcarmor_lite.int to your scripts folder and copy npcarmor.ini to the same directory as sfall.
 
 The default npcarmor.ini is set up for Restoration Project 2.3.3.
 Check the included "npcarmor - vanilla.ini" for an example that does not require any new graphics.
 
 Note that due to the lack of newer game hooks in sfall 3.8.x, there is a minor glitch in the lite version:
-- in combat, NPCs can pick up and try to equip weapons with anim codes that are not allowed in INI file but supported by their appearance.
+- in combat, NPCs can pick up and try to equip weapons with anim codes that are not allowed in INI file but supported by their appearance (fixed in 3.8.40+).
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/gl_partycontrol_lite.int b/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/gl_partycontrol_lite.int
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4e3681f8
Binary files /dev/null and b/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/gl_partycontrol_lite.int differ
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/gl_partycontrol_lite.ssl b/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/gl_partycontrol_lite.ssl
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..66a97c87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/gl_partycontrol_lite.ssl
@@ -0,0 +1,246 @@
+/*
+
+   NPC Combat Control (Lite version)
+
+   A script-based mod of the removed built-in ControlCombat option, offering more features and improvements.
+   Features:
+   - allows you to take control of your party members or other NPCs during combat
+     (unlike in newer 4.x versions, controlled critters cannot use Sneak skill in combat)
+   - configurable list of perk IDs for perks being inherited from the player (optional, not all perks can work)
+   - allows the player to gain a positive reputation when killing NPCs while controlling other critters (optional)
+   - a notification box to display the name of the controlled critter above the interface bar (optional)
+
+   NOTE: this script requires compiler from sfall modderspack with -s option
+   (short circuit evaluation)
+
+   Requires sfall 3.8.40 or higher
+
+   version 1.3
+
+*/
+
+#include "..\headers\global.h"
+#include "..\headers\critrpid.h"
+#include "main.h"
+
+#ifndef DEBUG
+#define DEBUGMSG(x)
+#else
+#define DEBUGMSG(x)  debug_msg(x);
+#endif
+
+procedure start;
+procedure AllowControl(variable pid);
+procedure SetLight(variable critter, variable int, variable dist);
+procedure CombatTurn_Handler;
+procedure GameModeChange_Handler;
+procedure InventoryMove_Handler;
+procedure InvenWield_Handler;
+procedure SetGlobalVar_Handler;
+
+variable
+   controlMode,
+   pidList, perksList,
+   lightInt, lightDist, npcControl,
+   displayName, displayNameColor, isShowTag,
+   inControl := false,
+   dudeLightInt, dudeLightDist;
+
+
+procedure AllowControl(variable pid) begin
+   return ((pidList == 0 or scan_array(pidList, pid bwand 0xFFFFFF) != -1) and (party_member_obj(pid)));
+end
+
+procedure SetLight(variable critter, variable lInt, variable lDist) begin
+   if (lInt) then lInt := round((lInt / 65536.0) * 100); // calc percent of intensity
+   obj_set_light_level(critter, lInt, lDist); // TODO: make sfall obj_set_light_level function
+end
+
+procedure CombatTurn_Handler begin
+   variable
+      status := get_sfall_arg,
+      critter := get_sfall_arg,
+      pid, perkID, level;
+
+   DEBUGMSG("Combat Turn: " + status + ", by "  + obj_name(critter) + "/" + critter + ", arg3: " + get_sfall_arg)
+
+   pid := obj_pid(critter);
+   if (pid == PID_PLAYER and inControl == false) then return;
+
+   if (pid != PID_PLAYER and controlMode != 1 and AllowControl(pid) == false) then begin
+      DEBUGMSG("Skip control.")
+
+      if (npcControl) then begin
+         npcControl := 0;
+         set_dude_obj(real_dude_obj);
+         call SetLight(dude_obj, dudeLightInt, dudeLightDist); // restore dude light
+         move_to(dude_obj, dude_tile, dude_elevation);
+
+         DEBUGMSG("Set dude after NPC control.")
+      end
+      return;
+   end
+
+   if (status == 1) then begin
+      set_dude_obj(critter);
+
+      DEBUGMSG("Take control of: " + obj_name(critter))
+
+      if (critter != real_dude_obj) then begin
+         if (npcControl == 0) then begin
+            dudeLightDist := get_object_data(real_dude_obj, OBJ_DATA_LIGHT_DISTANCE);
+            dudeLightInt  := get_object_data(real_dude_obj, OBJ_DATA_LIGHT_INTENSITY);
+            obj_set_light_level(real_dude_obj, 0, 0); // dude off light
+         end
+         npcControl := critter;
+
+         lightDist := get_object_data(critter, OBJ_DATA_LIGHT_DISTANCE);
+         lightInt  := get_object_data(critter, OBJ_DATA_LIGHT_INTENSITY);
+
+         // set perks (only work with 4.1.8+)
+         foreach (perkID in perksList) begin
+            level := has_trait(TRAIT_PERK, real_dude_obj, perkID);
+            if (level) then critter_add_trait(critter, TRAIT_PERK, perkID, level);
+         end
+         intface_redraw;
+
+         obj_set_light_level(critter, 100, 4);
+         inControl := true;
+      end else if (npcControl) then begin
+         call SetLight(dude_obj, dudeLightInt, dudeLightDist); // restore dude light
+         npcControl := 0; // for dude control
+         intface_redraw;
+      end
+
+      if (inControl) then begin
+         // check preference setting _combat_highlight
+         if (read_byte(0x56D38C)) then set_outline(critter, OUTLINE_GREY); // TODO: replace read_byte with normal function
+
+         // center the screen on the controlled critter/dude and remove roof tiles
+         move_to(dude_obj, dude_tile, dude_elevation);
+
+         if (displayName and critter != real_dude_obj) then begin
+            set_iface_tag_text(displayName, obj_name(critter), displayNameColor);
+            show_iface_tag(displayName);
+            isShowTag := true;
+         end
+      end
+   end else begin
+      if (npcControl) then begin
+         call SetLight(critter, lightInt, lightDist); // restore light for controlled NPC
+      end
+      if (isShowTag) then begin
+         hide_iface_tag(displayName);
+         isShowTag := false;
+      end
+
+      // remove perks before switching control (only work with 4.1.8+)
+      if (dude_obj != real_dude_obj) then begin
+         DEBUGMSG("Remove perks after NPC control.")
+         foreach (perkID in perksList) begin
+            level := has_trait(TRAIT_PERK, real_dude_obj, perkID);
+            if (level) then critter_rm_trait(critter, TRAIT_PERK, perkID, level);
+         end
+      end
+
+      if (status < 0) then begin
+         set_dude_obj(real_dude_obj);
+         call SetLight(dude_obj, dudeLightInt, dudeLightDist);
+      end
+   end
+end
+
+procedure GameModeChange_Handler begin
+   if (inControl and (get_game_mode bwand COMBAT) == 0) then begin
+      inControl := false;
+      npcControl := 0;
+      move_to(dude_obj, dude_tile, dude_elevation);
+   end
+end
+
+procedure InventoryMove_Handler begin
+   if (npcControl and get_sfall_arg == 3) then begin // armor slot
+      if (obj_pid(dude_obj) == PID_MARCUS or proto_data(obj_pid(dude_obj), cr_body_type) != CR_BODY_BIPED) then begin
+         display_msg(message_str_game(GAME_MSG_PROTO, 675));
+         set_sfall_return(true);
+      end
+   end
+end
+
+procedure InvenWield_Handler begin
+   variable
+      critter := get_sfall_arg,
+      item  := get_sfall_arg,
+      slot  := get_sfall_arg,
+      event := get_sfall_arg;
+
+   // Fix weapon duplication when equipping in combat
+   if (event and slot == INVEN_TYPE_RIGHT_HAND and AllowControl(obj_pid(critter))) then begin
+      set_flags(item, get_flags(item) bwand bwnot(FLAG_LEFT_HAND));
+   end
+end
+
+procedure SetGlobalVar_Handler begin
+   if (npcControl and get_sfall_arg == GVAR_PLAYER_REPUTATION and obj_pid(dude_obj) != PID_PLAYER) then begin
+      variable value := global_var(GVAR_PLAYER_REPUTATION);
+      if (get_sfall_arg > value) then begin
+         set_sfall_arg(1, value);
+         set_sfall_return(value);
+      end
+   end
+end
+
+procedure start begin
+   if game_loaded then begin
+      if (sfall_ver_major >= 4 or sfall_ver_build < 40) then return;
+
+      controlMode := GetConfig("CombatControl", "Mode", 0);
+      if (controlMode >= 3) then begin
+         if (controlMode == 3) then metarule3(999, 0, 0, 0); // enable feature: order party members to attack a specified target
+         controlMode := 0;
+      end else if (controlMode == 1 and GetIniConfig("Debugging", "Enable", 0, "ddraw.ini") == 0) then begin
+         controlMode := 2;
+      end
+
+      if (controlMode > 0) then begin
+         displayName := GetConfig("CombatControl", "DisplayName", 0);
+
+         if (displayName) then begin
+            variable nameTag := add_iface_tag;
+            debug_msg("NPC control - added new box: " + nameTag);
+            if (nameTag <= 0) then begin // box added?
+               variable maxBoxCount := get_ini_setting("ddraw.ini|Misc|BoxBarCount");
+               if (maxBoxCount < 0) then maxBoxCount := 9;
+               else maxBoxCount += 4;
+               if (displayName < 5 or displayName > maxBoxCount) then displayName := 0;
+            end else begin
+               displayName := nameTag;
+            end
+            displayNameColor := GetConfig("CombatControl", "DisplayNameColor", 0);
+         end
+
+         set_perk_ranks(PERK_gecko_skinning_perk, 1);
+         set_perk_level(PERK_gecko_skinning_perk, 999); // prevent it from appearing in the perk selection window
+
+         pidList := GetConfigListInt("CombatControl", "PIDList");
+         if (len_array(pidList) > 0) then
+            fix_array(pidList);
+         else
+            pidList := 0;
+
+         perksList := GetConfigListInt("CombatControl", "PerksList");
+         fix_array(perksList);
+
+         register_hook_proc(HOOK_COMBATTURN, CombatTurn_Handler);
+         register_hook_proc(HOOK_GAMEMODECHANGE, GameModeChange_Handler);
+         register_hook_proc(HOOK_INVENTORYMOVE, InventoryMove_Handler);
+         register_hook_proc(HOOK_INVENWIELD, InvenWield_Handler);
+
+         if (GetConfig("CombatControl", "GainReputation", 0) == 0) then begin
+             register_hook_proc(HOOK_SETGLOBALVAR, SetGlobalVar_Handler);
+         end
+      end else begin
+         exit;
+      end
+   end
+end
diff --git a/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/readme.txt b/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/readme.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1e6c8657
--- /dev/null
+++ b/artifacts/example_mods/PartyControl_Lite/readme.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+NPC Combat Control mod (Lite version) for sfall 3.8.x
+-----------------------------------------------------
+
+A script-based mod of the removed built-in ControlCombat option, offering more features and improvements.
+Features:
+- allows you to take control of your party members or other NPCs during combat
+  (unlike in newer 4.x versions, controlled critters cannot use Sneak skill in combat)
+- configurable list of perk IDs for perks being inherited from the player (optional, not all perks can work)
+- allows the player to gain a positive reputation when killing NPCs while controlling other critters (optional)
+- a notification box to display the name of the controlled critter above the interface bar (optional)
+
+
+Requires sfall 3.8.40 or higher.
+
+To use, copy gl_partycontrol_lite.int to your scripts folder and sfall-mods.ini (in ItemHighlight_Lite) to the mods folder in the same directory as sfall.
+Create the mods folder if it does not exist.
diff --git a/artifacts/scripting/compiler/sslc_readme.md b/artifacts/scripting/compiler/sslc_readme.md
index c549efe3..4ea0ab45 100644
--- a/artifacts/scripting/compiler/sslc_readme.md
+++ b/artifacts/scripting/compiler/sslc_readme.md
@@ -356,6 +356,7 @@ There are several changes in this version of sslc which may result in problems f
 - fixed optimizer not treating `call string_variable` as variable use
 - fixed unused arguments in a procedure being removed incorrectly by the optimizer
 - fixed unused string literals in an optimized-out procedure not being removed by the optimizer
+- fixed `get_array` syntax not working for exported variables
 
 **sfall 4.2.9:**
 - added support for additional universal opcodes `sfall_func7` and `sfall_func8`
diff --git a/artifacts/scripting/sfall function notes.md b/artifacts/scripting/sfall function notes.md
index 4491f81b..1dfd1413 100644
--- a/artifacts/scripting/sfall function notes.md	
+++ b/artifacts/scripting/sfall function notes.md	
@@ -907,7 +907,7 @@ sfall_funcX metarule functions
 
 ----
 #### string_format
-`string sfall_func2("string_format", string format, any val1)`
+`string sfall_func2("string_format", string format, any val1)`\
 `string sfall_funcX("string_format", string format, any val1, any val2, ...)`
 - Formats given values using standard syntax of C `printf` function (google "printf" for format details). However, it is limited to formatting up to 7 values
 - The format string is limited to 1024 characters