Arc Blaster code prototype

    var maxDist:int = MathX.getDist(ship,y,screenTopY) // the max distance the primary arc beam can travel
    var moveHops:Number = 3; // the number of pixels between each collision check, pixel by pixel would be expensive and unnecessary
    var arcPoint:Point; // a temporary point to represent where the arc bolt currently is whilst moving

    var secondaryRadius:int 60; // the max radius a secondary arc can jump to.
    var maxSecondaryTargets:int = 3; // max number of secondary targets an arc bolt can jump to

    // test primary bolt - handles the movement and collision test of the main bolt and calls the secondary test if the primary on hits an enemy target

    function primaryArcBoltCalculation(){
    arcPoint = new Point(ship.x,ship.y)
    for(var i:int = maxDist / moveHops;i>0;i--){
    arcPoint.y -= moveHops

    // test collision against enemies

    for(var e:int = enemies.length-1;e>=0;e--){
    if(enemies[e].hitTestPoint(arcPoint.x,arcPoint.y,true)){
    // enemy has been hit, damage it
    enemies[e].takeDamage();

    // set i to 0 to stop the bolt moving any further
    i = 0

    // set off the test for secondary points
    secondaryArcBoltsCaluclation(arcPoint)

    // create visual special effect of the arc bolt
    effectsMan.createArcLightning(ship,arcPoint)
    }

    else if(arcPoint.y <= screenTopY){
 // arcPoint has reached the top without hitting anything, create missed bolt effect
 effectsMan.createArcLightning(ship,screenTopY)

    i = 0;
    // player has missed the shot
    }

    }

    // test secondary bolts
    function secondaryArcBoltsCaluclation(testPoint:Point){

    var secondaryTargets = Math.min(maxSecondaryTargets,enemies.length) // check the number of targets to test against

    for(var i:int = secondaryTargets;i>0;i--){
    for(var e:int = enemies.length-1;e>=0;e--){
    if(MathX.getDist(testPoint,enemies[e]) <= secondaryRadius){

    // enemy is within arc jump radius, damage it

    // show visual effect
    effectsMan.createArcLightning(testPoint,enemies[e])

    enemies[e].takeDamage();

    }
    }

    }
    }