func _ready ():
 
 # set the timer wait time
 timer.wait_time = attackRate
 timer.start()

# called 60 times a second
func _physics_process (_delta):
 
 # get the distance from us to the player
 var dist = position.distance_to(player.position)
 
 # if we're outside of the attack distance, chase after the player
 if dist > attackDist:
  # calculate the direction between us and the player
  var dir = (player.position - position).normalized()
  
  velocity.x = dir.x
  velocity.y = 0
  velocity.z = dir.z
  
  # move towards the player
  move_and_slide()
  
  look_at(transform.origin - velocity, Vector3.UP)

# called every "attackRate" seconds
func on_timeout():
 # if we're within the attack distance - attack the player
 if position.distance_to(player.position) <= attackDist:
  weapon.try_attack("Player", damage)
 # player.take_damage(damage)

# called when the player deals damage to us
func take_damage (damageToTake):
 curHp -= damageToTake
 # if our health reaches 0 - die
 if curHp <= 0:
  die()

# called when our health reaches 0
func die ():
 # destroy the node
 queue_free()