> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cjcrafter.gitbook.io/mechanics/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cjcrafter.gitbook.io/mechanics/targeters/shapes/scatter.md).

# Scatter

Randomly selects points in a region

The `@Scatter{}` targeters randomly selects a certain number of points in a region.

| Argument          | Description                                                                                                                   | Default Value                              |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| `points`          | The number of points to randomly select.                                                                                      | <mark style="color:red;">\*</mark>Required |
| `horizontalRange` | The horizontal range of the cube.                                                                                             | 5.0                                        |
| `verticalRange`   | The vertical range of the cube.                                                                                               | `horizontalRange`                          |
| `traceDown`       | Use `true` to make the targeted point "fall down" to the ground. Great for targeting points on the ground instead of the air. | false                                      |

{% hint style="info" %}
Scatter is *technically* a [Shapes](/mechanics/targeters/shapes.md) targeter. This may seem counter-intuitive, but all that means is that `@Scatter{}` can be used in the [Particle](/mechanics/mechanics/particle.md) mechanic.
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Example 1" %}

```yaml
Mechanics:
  - "Particle{particle=FLAME, shape=Scatter{points=15}}"
  - "Particle{particle=FLAME, count=15, noise=5 5 5}"
```

Both of these mechanics scatter 15 flame particles in a 5x5x5 block cube. *However*, for particles specifically you should always use the second option:

```yaml
Mechanics:
  - "Particle{particle=FLAME, count=15, noise=5 5 5}"
```

Since this example only sends 1 packet to the user (better performance for both the server and the user).
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Example 2" %}

```yaml
Mechanics:
  - "Lightning{} @Scatter{points=3, horizontalRange=10.0, traceDown=true}"
```

Strikes lightning onto the ground in 3 different locations in a 10x10x10 block cube.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}