diff --git a/Game/scripts/ball.gd b/Game/scripts/ball.gd
index c3e78800..306845d3 100644
--- a/Game/scripts/ball.gd
+++ b/Game/scripts/ball.gd
@@ -17,10 +17,54 @@ extends RigidBody3D
 const MAX_SPEED := 32.0
 
 var _boundary: ArenaBoundary
+var _trail: GPUParticles3D
 
 
 func _ready() -> void:
 	_boundary = get_tree().get_first_node_in_group("arena_boundary")
+	if DisplayServer.get_name() == "headless":
+		# _integrate_forces remains active; only the render-side trail updater is
+		# disabled across the many parallel RL environments.
+		set_physics_process(false)
+	else:
+		_build_trail()
+
+
+func _physics_process(_delta: float) -> void:
+	if _trail:
+		var speed_ratio := clampf(linear_velocity.length() / MAX_SPEED, 0.0, 1.0)
+		_trail.emitting = speed_ratio > 0.12
+		_trail.amount_ratio = smoothstep(0.12, 1.0, speed_ratio)
+
+
+func _build_trail() -> void:
+	var mat := StandardMaterial3D.new()
+	mat.transparency = BaseMaterial3D.TRANSPARENCY_ALPHA
+	mat.shading_mode = BaseMaterial3D.SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED
+	mat.billboard_mode = BaseMaterial3D.BILLBOARD_ENABLED
+	mat.albedo_color = Color(0.55, 0.85, 1.0, 0.42)
+	mat.emission_enabled = true
+	mat.emission = Color(0.35, 0.72, 1.0)
+	mat.emission_energy_multiplier = 1.8
+	var quad := QuadMesh.new()
+	quad.size = Vector2(0.22, 0.22)
+	quad.material = mat
+	var process := ParticleProcessMaterial.new()
+	process.emission_shape = ParticleProcessMaterial.EMISSION_SHAPE_SPHERE
+	process.emission_sphere_radius = 0.35
+	process.gravity = Vector3.ZERO
+	process.scale_min = 0.35
+	process.scale_max = 1.0
+	_trail = GPUParticles3D.new()
+	_trail.name = "BallTrail"
+	_trail.amount = 48
+	_trail.lifetime = 0.48
+	_trail.local_coords = false
+	_trail.process_material = process
+	_trail.draw_pass_1 = quad
+	_trail.visibility_aabb = AABB(Vector3(-18, -18, -18), Vector3(36, 36, 36))
+	_trail.emitting = false
+	add_child(_trail)
 
 
 func _integrate_forces(state: PhysicsDirectBodyState3D) -> void:
diff --git a/Game/scripts/goal.gd b/Game/scripts/goal.gd
index c966270e..71363942 100644
--- a/Game/scripts/goal.gd
+++ b/Game/scripts/goal.gd
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ const RIM_DEPTH := 0.05
 
 const NET_SHADER_PATH := "res://shaders/goal_net.gdshader"
 
+var _goal_burst: GPUParticles3D
+
 
 func _ready():
 	# Group lets AI controllers and game modes discover goals
@@ -34,10 +36,13 @@ func _ready():
 	# headless arenas that never render it. The sensor is unaffected.
 	if DisplayServer.get_name() != "headless":
 		_build_visuals()
+		_build_goal_burst()
 
 
 func _on_body_entered(body):
 	if body.is_in_group("ball"):
+		if _goal_burst:
+			_goal_burst.restart()
 		goal_scored.emit(team)
 
 
@@ -103,6 +108,43 @@ func _build_visuals() -> void:
 	add_child(visuals)
 
 
+func _build_goal_burst() -> void:
+	var tint: Color = TeamColors.TEAM_COLORS[team % TeamColors.TEAM_COLORS.size()]
+	var mat := StandardMaterial3D.new()
+	mat.transparency = BaseMaterial3D.TRANSPARENCY_ALPHA
+	mat.shading_mode = BaseMaterial3D.SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED
+	mat.billboard_mode = BaseMaterial3D.BILLBOARD_ENABLED
+	mat.albedo_color = Color(tint.r, tint.g, tint.b, 0.9)
+	mat.emission_enabled = true
+	mat.emission = tint
+	mat.emission_energy_multiplier = 3.0
+	var quad := QuadMesh.new()
+	quad.size = Vector2(0.38, 0.8)
+	quad.material = mat
+	var process := ParticleProcessMaterial.new()
+	process.emission_shape = ParticleProcessMaterial.EMISSION_SHAPE_BOX
+	process.emission_box_extents = Vector3(1.7, 0.7, 0.15)
+	process.direction = Vector3(0, 0, -1)
+	process.spread = 48.0
+	process.initial_velocity_min = 8.0
+	process.initial_velocity_max = 18.0
+	process.gravity = Vector3(0, -2.0, 0)
+	process.scale_min = 0.35
+	process.scale_max = 1.2
+	_goal_burst = GPUParticles3D.new()
+	_goal_burst.name = "GoalBurst"
+	_goal_burst.position = Vector3(0, 0, -0.15)
+	_goal_burst.amount = 140
+	_goal_burst.lifetime = 1.1
+	_goal_burst.one_shot = true
+	_goal_burst.explosiveness = 0.92
+	_goal_burst.process_material = process
+	_goal_burst.draw_pass_1 = quad
+	_goal_burst.visibility_aabb = AABB(Vector3(-12, -8, -20), Vector3(24, 16, 24))
+	_goal_burst.emitting = false
+	add_child(_goal_burst)
+
+
 # Four bars around the mouth. The uprights run the full outer height so each
 # corner is covered exactly once.
 func _add_frame_ring(
diff --git a/Game/scripts/ship.gd b/Game/scripts/ship.gd
index 049e314a..315ec120 100644
--- a/Game/scripts/ship.gd
+++ b/Game/scripts/ship.gd
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ signal altitude_changed(altitude: float)
 signal thrust_changed(thrust_percent: float)
 signal angular_velocity_changed(angular_speed: float)
 signal heading_changed(heading_degrees: float)
+signal ball_contact(intensity: float, world_position: Vector3)
 
 # Performance optimization - track last emitted values to avoid unnecessary signals
 var _last_speed: float = -1.0
@@ -115,6 +116,12 @@ const ANGULAR_THRESHOLD = 0.01       # rad/s
 const ATTITUDE_THRESHOLD = 1.0       # degrees
 const THRUST_THRESHOLD = 1.0         # percent
 
+var _engine_cores: Array[MeshInstance3D] = []
+var _engine_plumes: Array[GPUParticles3D] = []
+var _turbo_flames: Array[GPUParticles3D] = []
+var _engine_lights: Array[OmniLight3D] = []
+var _impact_sparks: GPUParticles3D
+
 
 func _ready():
 	# Add ship to group for instrument discovery
@@ -148,6 +155,8 @@ func _ready():
 		set_physics_process(false)
 	else:
 		_build_merged_hull()
+		_build_movement_vfx()
+		body_entered.connect(_on_body_entered)
 
 
 func _apply_team_color() -> void:
@@ -197,10 +206,139 @@ func set_controller(new_controller: ShipController) -> void:
 
 
 func _physics_process(_delta):
+	_update_movement_vfx()
 	if _has_telemetry_listeners():
 		_emit_telemetry_data()
 
 
+func _build_movement_vfx() -> void:
+	for x in [-0.42, 0.42]:
+		var engine_pos := Vector3(x, -0.05, 1.42)
+
+		var core_mat := _vfx_material(Color(0.35, 0.85, 1.0, 1.0), 1.0)
+		var core_mesh := SphereMesh.new()
+		core_mesh.radius = 0.11
+		core_mesh.height = 0.22
+		core_mesh.material = core_mat
+		var core := MeshInstance3D.new()
+		core.name = "EngineCoreL" if x < 0.0 else "EngineCoreR"
+		core.position = engine_pos
+		core.mesh = core_mesh
+		core.cast_shadow = GeometryInstance3D.SHADOW_CASTING_SETTING_OFF
+		add_child(core)
+		_engine_cores.append(core)
+
+		var plume := _make_particles(
+			"EnginePlumeL" if x < 0.0 else "EnginePlumeR",
+			Color(0.3, 0.82, 1.0, 0.72), Vector2(0.16, 0.42), 36, 0.24,
+			Vector3(0, 0, 1), 12.0, 2.0, 5.0
+		)
+		plume.position = engine_pos + Vector3(0, 0, 0.08)
+		add_child(plume)
+		_engine_plumes.append(plume)
+
+		var turbo := _make_particles(
+			"TurboFlameL" if x < 0.0 else "TurboFlameR",
+			Color(0.78, 0.34, 1.0, 0.9), Vector2(0.22, 0.72), 48, 0.18,
+			Vector3(0, 0, 1), 7.0, 6.0, 10.0
+		)
+		turbo.position = engine_pos + Vector3(0, 0, 0.12)
+		add_child(turbo)
+		_turbo_flames.append(turbo)
+
+		var light := OmniLight3D.new()
+		light.name = "EngineLightL" if x < 0.0 else "EngineLightR"
+		light.position = engine_pos
+		light.light_color = Color(0.3, 0.75, 1.0)
+		light.omni_range = 3.5
+		light.omni_attenuation = 2.0
+		light.shadow_enabled = false
+		add_child(light)
+		_engine_lights.append(light)
+
+	_impact_sparks = _make_particles(
+		"ImpactSparks", Color(1.0, 0.72, 0.22, 1.0), Vector2(0.09, 0.3),
+		28, 0.32, Vector3.UP, 180.0, 5.0, 12.0
+	)
+	_impact_sparks.one_shot = true
+	_impact_sparks.explosiveness = 1.0
+	_impact_sparks.local_coords = false
+	_impact_sparks.emitting = false
+	add_child(_impact_sparks)
+
+
+func _vfx_material(color: Color, energy: float) -> StandardMaterial3D:
+	var mat := StandardMaterial3D.new()
+	mat.transparency = BaseMaterial3D.TRANSPARENCY_ALPHA
+	mat.shading_mode = BaseMaterial3D.SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED
+	mat.billboard_mode = BaseMaterial3D.BILLBOARD_ENABLED
+	mat.albedo_color = color
+	mat.emission_enabled = true
+	mat.emission = Color(color.r, color.g, color.b)
+	mat.emission_energy_multiplier = energy
+	return mat
+
+
+func _make_particles(
+	particle_name: String, color: Color, size: Vector2, amount: int,
+	lifetime: float, direction: Vector3, spread: float,
+	velocity_min: float, velocity_max: float
+) -> GPUParticles3D:
+	var quad := QuadMesh.new()
+	quad.size = size
+	quad.material = _vfx_material(color, 2.2)
+	var process := ParticleProcessMaterial.new()
+	process.direction = direction
+	process.spread = spread
+	process.initial_velocity_min = velocity_min
+	process.initial_velocity_max = velocity_max
+	process.gravity = Vector3.ZERO
+	process.scale_min = 0.35
+	process.scale_max = 1.0
+	var particles := GPUParticles3D.new()
+	particles.name = particle_name
+	particles.amount = amount
+	particles.lifetime = lifetime
+	particles.local_coords = true
+	particles.process_material = process
+	particles.draw_pass_1 = quad
+	particles.visibility_aabb = AABB(Vector3(-3, -3, -1), Vector3(6, 6, 12))
+	particles.emitting = false
+	return particles
+
+
+func _update_movement_vfx() -> void:
+	if _engine_plumes.is_empty():
+		return
+	# These are the two rear main engines, so lateral/vertical maneuvering jets
+	# must not make them flare. Reverse thrust also comes from separate attitude
+	# jets conceptually; only positive Z drives this rear-facing plume.
+	var thrust := clampf(maxf(_current_action.thrust.z, 0.0), 0.0, 1.0)
+	var turbo := _current_action.turbo and thrust > 0.05
+	for i in _engine_plumes.size():
+		_engine_plumes[i].emitting = thrust > 0.02
+		_engine_plumes[i].amount_ratio = 0.25 + thrust * 0.75
+		_engine_plumes[i].speed_scale = 0.65 + thrust * 0.75
+		_turbo_flames[i].emitting = turbo
+		_engine_lights[i].light_energy = 0.35 + thrust * 2.1 + (2.3 if turbo else 0.0)
+		var core_mat := _engine_cores[i].mesh.material as StandardMaterial3D
+		core_mat.emission_energy_multiplier = 0.65 + thrust * 2.0 + (2.0 if turbo else 0.0)
+		_engine_cores[i].scale = Vector3.ONE * (0.8 + thrust * 0.3 + (0.25 if turbo else 0.0))
+
+
+func _on_body_entered(body: Node) -> void:
+	if not body is Ball:
+		return
+	var relative_speed := (linear_velocity - (body as Ball).linear_velocity).length()
+	var intensity := clampf(inverse_lerp(3.0, 24.0, relative_speed), 0.12, 1.0)
+	var contact_pos := (global_position + (body as Ball).global_position) * 0.5
+	if _impact_sparks:
+		_impact_sparks.position = to_local(contact_pos)
+		_impact_sparks.amount_ratio = lerpf(0.25, 1.0, intensity)
+		_impact_sparks.restart()
+	ball_contact.emit(intensity, contact_pos)
+
+
 # Covers a second/AI ship with no HUD watching it - headless mode is already
 # handled by disabling _physics_process entirely in _ready.
 func _has_telemetry_listeners() -> bool:
diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index 16384aeb..556e3bca 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ The largest gap between this and a AAA-feeling product is presentation, not code
 
 - [ ] **Audio — there is none.** Zero sound files, zero `AudioStreamPlayer` nodes, no bus layout. Needs: engine hum pitched to throttle, turbo whoosh, ball impacts scaled by collision impulse, wall scrapes, goal explosion, crowd bed, UI clicks, countdown beeps, music. Can be driven off `Ship`'s existing telemetry signals.
 - [x] SSAO/SSIL in the arena Environments — cheapest single perceived-quality win available; grounds the ships against the deck and gives the fillets and goal recesses real depth.
-- [ ] VFX on anything that moves: `EngineGlowL/R` are static meshes that don't respond to throttle. No thruster plume, turbo flame, ball trail, impact sparks or goal burst. `arena_02` is the only scene with any particles at all.
+- [x] VFX on anything that moves: throttle-reactive engine cores and plumes, distinct turbo flames, a speed-scaled ball trail, contact sparks and team-tinted goal bursts.
 - [ ] Impact feedback — screen shake, hit-stop, flash, controller rumble on ball contact.
 - [ ] Camera feel in `ship_camera.gd` — fixed distance/height/FOV today. Speed-based FOV widening, turbo kick, impact shake.
 - [ ] Goal celebration sequence: today it's a `print()` and a label scale-pop. Wants an explosion, team-tinted screen flash, camera cut, slow-mo, title card. `HUDController`'s `ResultOverlay` animation is a reasonable template.