diff --git a/assets/chunks/-1_0_0.dcf b/assets/chunks/-1_0_0.dcf
index 640ff6e5..70bb6220 100644
Binary files a/assets/chunks/-1_0_0.dcf and b/assets/chunks/-1_0_0.dcf differ
diff --git a/assets/chunks/0_0_0.dcf b/assets/chunks/0_0_0.dcf
index 74c1f785..eccdb759 100644
Binary files a/assets/chunks/0_0_0.dcf and b/assets/chunks/0_0_0.dcf differ
diff --git a/assets/chunks/0_1_0.dcf b/assets/chunks/0_1_0.dcf
index 7429ed6c..5dddccd4 100644
Binary files a/assets/chunks/0_1_0.dcf and b/assets/chunks/0_1_0.dcf differ
diff --git a/assets/chunks/1_0_0.dcf b/assets/chunks/1_0_0.dcf
index 44ace2cb..f9f7654c 100644
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diff --git a/assets/chunks/1_1_0.dcf b/assets/chunks/1_1_0.dcf
index fb28d758..ef39549c 100644
Binary files a/assets/chunks/1_1_0.dcf and b/assets/chunks/1_1_0.dcf differ
diff --git a/assets/chunks/2_0_0.dcf b/assets/chunks/2_0_0.dcf
index 6d3eb0e2..d26e7bb5 100644
Binary files a/assets/chunks/2_0_0.dcf and b/assets/chunks/2_0_0.dcf differ
diff --git a/assets/meshes/chunks/chunk_0_0_0_0.dmf b/assets/meshes/chunks/chunk_0_0_0_0.dmf
index 3d4a13bb..8e70f8fd 100644
Binary files a/assets/meshes/chunks/chunk_0_0_0_0.dmf and b/assets/meshes/chunks/chunk_0_0_0_0.dmf differ
diff --git a/assets/meshes/chunks/chunk_2_0_0_0.dmf b/assets/meshes/chunks/chunk_2_0_0_0.dmf
index 119620ea..7d390ce7 100644
Binary files a/assets/meshes/chunks/chunk_2_0_0_0.dmf and b/assets/meshes/chunks/chunk_2_0_0_0.dmf differ
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/loader/chunk/assetchunkloader.h b/src/dusk/asset/loader/chunk/assetchunkloader.h
index 7f17de3e..d7936b04 100644
--- a/src/dusk/asset/loader/chunk/assetchunkloader.h
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/loader/chunk/assetchunkloader.h
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 #include "asset/assetfile.h"
 #include "rpg/overworld/chunk.h"
 
-#define ASSET_CHUNK_FILE_VERSION 3
+#define ASSET_CHUNK_FILE_VERSION 4
 
 typedef struct assetloading_s assetloading_t;
 typedef struct assetentry_s assetentry_t;
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/entity/anim/entityanim.c b/src/dusk/rpg/entity/anim/entityanim.c
index 114fc526..fa98628f 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/entity/anim/entityanim.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/entity/anim/entityanim.c
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ const entityanimcallback_t ENTITY_ANIM_CALLBACKS[ENTITY_ANIM_COUNT] = {
 };
 
 float_t entityAnimTileZOffset(const worldpos_t pos) {
-  return tileIsRamp(mapGetTile(pos)) ? 0.5f : 0.0f;
+  return tileShapeIsRamp(mapGetTile(pos).shape) ? 0.5f : 0.0f;
 }
 
 void entityAnimUpdate(entity_t *entity) {
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ void entityAnimUpdate(entity_t *entity) {
       ) {
         entity->walkEndCooldown = ENTITY_ANIM_WALK_TURN_COOLDOWN;
       }
-      entity->animation = ENTITY_ANIM_IDLE;
+      entity->animation = ENTITY_ANIM_IDLE; 
       entity->animTime = 0;
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/entity/entity.c b/src/dusk/rpg/entity/entity.c
index 103bae0b..d7a35abd 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/entity/entity.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/entity/entity.c
@@ -95,38 +95,38 @@ void entityWalk(entity_t *entity, const entitydir_t direction) {
 
   // Are we walking up a ramp?
   if(
-    tileIsRamp(tileCurrent) &&
+    tileShapeIsRamp(tileCurrent.shape) &&
     (
       // Can only walk UP the direction the ramp faces.
-      (direction+TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH) == tileCurrent ||
+      (direction+TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH) == tileCurrent.shape ||
       // If diagonal ramp, can go up one of two ways only. Inner ramps
       // share the same allowed directions as their outer counterparts.
       (
         (
           (
-            tileCurrent == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST ||
-            tileCurrent == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST_INNER
+            tileCurrent.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST ||
+            tileCurrent.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST_INNER
           ) &&
           (direction == ENTITY_DIR_SOUTH || direction == ENTITY_DIR_EAST)
         ) ||
         (
           (
-            tileCurrent == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST ||
-            tileCurrent == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER
+            tileCurrent.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST ||
+            tileCurrent.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER
           ) &&
           (direction == ENTITY_DIR_SOUTH || direction == ENTITY_DIR_WEST)
         ) ||
         (
           (
-            tileCurrent == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST ||
-            tileCurrent == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST_INNER
+            tileCurrent.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST ||
+            tileCurrent.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST_INNER
           ) &&
           (direction == ENTITY_DIR_NORTH || direction == ENTITY_DIR_EAST)
         ) ||
         (
           (
-            tileCurrent == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST ||
-            tileCurrent == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST_INNER
+            tileCurrent.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST ||
+            tileCurrent.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST_INNER
           ) &&
           (direction == ENTITY_DIR_NORTH || direction == ENTITY_DIR_WEST)
         )
@@ -135,55 +135,60 @@ void entityWalk(entity_t *entity, const entitydir_t direction) {
     )
   ) {
     tile_t tileNewSaved = tileNew;
-    tileNew = TILE_SHAPE_NULL;
+    tileNew = TILE_NULL;
     worldpos_t abovePos = newPos;
     abovePos.z += 1;
     tile_t tileAbove = mapGetTile(abovePos);
 
-    if(tileAbove != TILE_SHAPE_NULL && tileIsWalkable(tileAbove)) {
+    if(
+      tileAbove.shape != TILE_SHAPE_NULL &&
+      tileShapeIsWalkable(tileAbove.shape)
+    ) {
       raise = true;
     } else {
       tileNew = tileNewSaved;
     }
-  } else if(tileNew == TILE_SHAPE_NULL && newPos.z > 0) {
+  } else if(tileNew.shape == TILE_SHAPE_NULL && newPos.z > 0) {
     // Falling down?
     worldpos_t belowPos = newPos;
     belowPos.z -= 1;
     tile_t tileBelow = mapGetTile(belowPos);
     if(
-      tileBelow != TILE_SHAPE_NULL &&
-      tileIsRamp(tileBelow) &&
+      tileBelow.shape != TILE_SHAPE_NULL &&
+      tileShapeIsRamp(tileBelow.shape) &&
       (
         // This handles regular cardinal ramps
-        (entityDirGetOpposite(direction)+TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH) == tileBelow ||
+        (
+          entityDirGetOpposite(direction)+TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH
+        ) == tileBelow.shape ||
         // This handles diagonal ramps. Inner ramps share the same
         // allowed directions as their outer counterparts.
         (
           (
             (
-              tileBelow == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST ||
-              tileBelow == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST_INNER
+              tileBelow.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST ||
+              tileBelow.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST_INNER
             ) &&
             (direction == ENTITY_DIR_NORTH || direction == ENTITY_DIR_WEST)
           ) ||
           (
             (
-              tileBelow == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST ||
-              tileBelow == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER
+              tileBelow.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST ||
+              tileBelow.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER
             ) &&
             (direction == ENTITY_DIR_NORTH || direction == ENTITY_DIR_EAST)
           ) ||
           (
             (
-              tileBelow == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST ||
-              tileBelow == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST_INNER
+              tileBelow.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST ||
+              tileBelow.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST_INNER
             ) &&
             (direction == ENTITY_DIR_SOUTH || direction == ENTITY_DIR_WEST)
           ) ||
           (
             (
-              tileBelow == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST ||
-              tileBelow == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST_INNER
+              tileBelow.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST ||
+              tileBelow.shape == TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST_INNER
             ) &&
             (direction == ENTITY_DIR_SOUTH || direction == ENTITY_DIR_EAST)
           )
@@ -196,7 +201,7 @@ void entityWalk(entity_t *entity, const entitydir_t direction) {
   }
 
   // Can we walk here?
-  if(!raise && !fall && !tileIsWalkable(tileNew)) return;// Blocked
+  if(!raise && !fall && !tileShapeIsWalkable(tileNew.shape)) return;// Blocked
 
   // Raise/fall must be applied before checking for blocking entities,
   // otherwise the check compares against the wrong z-level.
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/CMakeLists.txt
index d5d69e56..3f1c93c5 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -10,5 +10,6 @@ target_sources(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME}
     map.c
     worldpos.c
     tile.c
+    tileshape.c
 )
 
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/chunk.c b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/chunk.c
index 19a9999e..18a5316e 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/chunk.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/chunk.c
@@ -8,11 +8,7 @@
 #include "chunk.h"
 
 uint32_t chunkGetTileIndex(const chunkpos_t position) {
-  return (
-    (position.z * CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT) +
-    (position.y * CHUNK_WIDTH) +
-    position.x
-  );
+  return (position.y * CHUNK_WIDTH) + position.x;
 }
 
 bool_t chunkPositionIsEqual(const chunkpos_t a, const chunkpos_t b) {
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/map.c b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/map.c
index ac176c91..ea803ca0 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/map.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/map.c
@@ -188,7 +188,10 @@ errorret_t mapChunkLoad(chunk_t *chunk) {
   );
 
   if(!assetFileExists(name)) {
-    memorySet(chunk->tiles, TILE_SHAPE_GROUND, sizeof(chunk->tiles));
+    for(uint32_t i = 0; i < CHUNK_TILE_COUNT; i++) {
+      // chunk->tiles[i] = (tile_t){ .shape = TILE_SHAPE_GROUND, .z = 0 };
+      chunk->tiles[i] = (tile_t){ .shape = TILE_SHAPE_GROUND };
+    }
     errorOk();
   }
 
@@ -229,17 +232,19 @@ chunk_t *mapGetChunk(const uint8_t index) {
 }
 
 tile_t mapGetTile(const worldpos_t position) {
-  if(!mapIsLoaded()) return TILE_SHAPE_NULL;
+  if(!mapIsLoaded()) return TILE_NULL;
 
   chunkpos_t chunkPos;
   worldPosToChunkPos(&position, &chunkPos);
   chunkindex_t chunkIndex = mapGetChunkIndexAt(chunkPos);
-  if(chunkIndex == -1) return TILE_SHAPE_NULL;
+  if(chunkIndex == -1) return TILE_NULL;
 
   chunk_t *chunk = mapGetChunk(chunkIndex);
   assertNotNull(chunk, "Chunk pointer cannot be NULL");
   chunktileindex_t tileIndex = worldPosToChunkTileIndex(&position);
-  return chunk->tiles[tileIndex];
+  tile_t tile = chunk->tiles[tileIndex];
+  if(tile.z != worldPosToChunkLocalZ(&position)) return TILE_NULL;
+  return tile;
 }
 
 bool_t mapGetWalkableZNear(
@@ -255,7 +260,7 @@ bool_t mapGetWalkableZNear(
   };
   for(uint8_t i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
     const worldpos_t pos = { x, y, candidates[i] };
-    if(!tileIsWalkable(mapGetTile(pos))) continue;
+    if(!tileShapeIsWalkable(mapGetTile(pos).shape)) continue;
     *outZ = candidates[i];
     return true;
   }
@@ -294,7 +299,7 @@ void mapChunkLoadError(void *params, void *user) {
   );
   assetUnlockEntry(chunk->dcfEntry);
   chunk->dcfEntry = NULL;
-  memorySet(chunk->tiles, TILE_SHAPE_GROUND, sizeof(chunk->tiles));
+  memorySet(chunk->tiles, 0x00, sizeof(chunk->tiles));
 }
 
 void mapChunkLoaded(void *params, void *user) {
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tile.c b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tile.c
index a6f2914c..34e25cda 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tile.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tile.c
@@ -6,34 +6,3 @@
  */
 
 #include "tile.h"
-
-bool_t tileIsWalkable(const tile_t tile) {
-  switch(tile) {
-    case TILE_SHAPE_NULL:
-      return false;
-
-    default:
-      return true;
-  }
-}
-
-bool_t tileIsRamp(const tile_t tile) {
-  switch(tile) {
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTH:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_EAST:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_WEST:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST_INNER:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST_INNER:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST_INNER:
-    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER:
-      return true;
-
-    default:
-      return false;
-  }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tile.h b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tile.h
index 6abb1093..82f30850 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tile.h
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tile.h
@@ -6,41 +6,15 @@
  */
 
 #pragma once
-#include "rpg/entity/entitydir.h"
+#include "tileshape.h"
 
+typedef struct {
+  tileshape_t shape;
 
-typedef enum {
-  TILE_SHAPE_NULL = 0,
-  
-  TILE_SHAPE_GROUND = 1,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH = 2,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_EAST = 3,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTH = 4,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_WEST = 5,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST = 6,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST = 7,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST = 8,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST = 9,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST_INNER = 10,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST_INNER = 11,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST_INNER = 12,
-  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER = 13,
-
-  TILE_SHAPE_COUNT
+  // Local Z layer (0..CHUNK_DEPTH-1) this tile occupies within its chunk's
+  // depth slab. Used for entity navigation since chunk_t only stores one
+  // tile per X/Y column rather than one per X/Y/Z.
+  uint8_t z;
 } tile_t;
 
-/**
- * Returns whether or not the given tile is walkable.
- * 
- * @param tile The tile to check.
- * @return bool_t True if walkable, false if not.
- */
-bool_t tileIsWalkable(const tile_t tile);
-
-/**
- * Returns whether or not the given tile is a ramp tile.
- * 
- * @param tile The tile to check.
- * @return bool_t True if ramp, false if not.
- */
-bool_t tileIsRamp(const tile_t tile);
\ No newline at end of file
+#define TILE_NULL ((tile_t){ .shape = TILE_SHAPE_NULL, .z = 0 })
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tileshape.c b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tileshape.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..13124c6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tileshape.c
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ * 
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "tileshape.h"
+
+bool_t tileShapeIsWalkable(const tileshape_t shape) {
+  switch(shape) {
+    case TILE_SHAPE_NULL:
+      return false;
+
+    default:
+      return true;
+  }
+}
+
+bool_t tileShapeIsRamp(const tileshape_t shape) {
+  switch(shape) {
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTH:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_EAST:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_WEST:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST_INNER:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST_INNER:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST_INNER:
+    case TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER:
+      return true;
+
+    default:
+      return false;
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tileshape.h b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tileshape.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1187ac70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/tileshape.h
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ * 
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+#include "rpg/entity/entitydir.h"
+
+typedef enum {
+  TILE_SHAPE_NULL = 0,
+  
+  TILE_SHAPE_GROUND = 1,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH = 2,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_EAST = 3,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTH = 4,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_WEST = 5,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST = 6,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST = 7,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST = 8,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST = 9,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHEAST_INNER = 10,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTHWEST_INNER = 11,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHEAST_INNER = 12,
+  TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER = 13,
+
+  TILE_SHAPE_COUNT
+} tileshape_t;
+
+/**
+ * Returns whether or not the given tile shape is a ramp.
+ * 
+ * @param shape The tile shape to check.
+ * @return bool_t True if ramp, false if not.
+ */
+bool_t tileShapeIsRamp(const tileshape_t shape);
+
+/**
+ * Returns whether or not the given tile shape is walkable.
+ * 
+ * @param shape The tile shape to check.
+ * @return bool_t True if walkable, false if not.
+ */
+bool_t tileShapeIsWalkable(const tileshape_t shape);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.c b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.c
index 3cdd7100..57bf5118 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ void worldPosToChunkPos(const worldpos_t* worldPos, chunkpos_t* out) {
 chunktileindex_t worldPosToChunkTileIndex(const worldpos_t* worldPos) {
   assertNotNull(worldPos, "World position pointer cannot be NULL");
 
-  uint8_t localX, localY, localZ;
+  uint8_t localX, localY;
   if(worldPos->x < 0) {
     localX = (uint8_t)(
       (CHUNK_WIDTH - 1) - ((-worldPos->x - 1) % CHUNK_WIDTH)
@@ -64,18 +64,8 @@ chunktileindex_t worldPosToChunkTileIndex(const worldpos_t* worldPos) {
     localY = (uint8_t)(worldPos->y % CHUNK_HEIGHT);
   }
 
-  if(worldPos->z < 0) {
-    localZ = (uint8_t)(
-      (CHUNK_DEPTH - 1) - ((-worldPos->z - 1) % CHUNK_DEPTH)
-    );
-  } else {
-    localZ = (uint8_t)(worldPos->z % CHUNK_DEPTH);
-  }
-
   chunktileindex_t chunkTileIndex = (chunktileindex_t)(
-    (localZ * CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT) +
-    (localY * CHUNK_WIDTH) +
-    localX
+    (localY * CHUNK_WIDTH) + localX
   );
   assertTrue(
     chunkTileIndex < CHUNK_TILE_COUNT,
@@ -84,6 +74,17 @@ chunktileindex_t worldPosToChunkTileIndex(const worldpos_t* worldPos) {
   return chunkTileIndex;
 }
 
+uint8_t worldPosToChunkLocalZ(const worldpos_t* worldPos) {
+  assertNotNull(worldPos, "World position pointer cannot be NULL");
+
+  if(worldPos->z < 0) {
+    return (uint8_t)(
+      (CHUNK_DEPTH - 1) - ((-worldPos->z - 1) % CHUNK_DEPTH)
+    );
+  }
+  return (uint8_t)(worldPos->z % CHUNK_DEPTH);
+}
+
 chunkindex_t chunkPosToIndex(const chunkpos_t* pos) {
   assertNotNull(pos, "Chunk position pointer cannot be NULL");
 
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.h b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.h
index cb8c7575..f05a0069 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.h
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.h
@@ -19,9 +19,11 @@
 
 #define CHUNK_WIDTH 16
 #define CHUNK_HEIGHT 16
-#define CHUNK_DEPTH 4
+#define CHUNK_DEPTH 8
 
-#define CHUNK_TILE_COUNT (CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT * CHUNK_DEPTH)
+// Chunks store one tile per X/Y column, not one per X/Y/Z - each tile
+// records its own local Z layer (see tile_t) instead.
+#define CHUNK_TILE_COUNT (CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT)
 
 #define MAP_CHUNK_WIDTH 3
 #define MAP_CHUNK_HEIGHT 3
@@ -48,6 +50,10 @@ typedef uint32_t chunktileindex_t;
 typedef int32_t worldunits_t;
 typedef int32_t chunkunits_t;
 
+typedef struct worldpos2d_s {
+  worldunit_t x, y;
+} worldpos2d_t;
+
 typedef struct worldpos_s {
   worldunit_t x, y, z;
 } worldpos_t;
@@ -84,12 +90,21 @@ void worldPosToChunkPos(const worldpos_t* worldPos, chunkpos_t* out);
 /**
  * Converts a position in world-space to an index inside a chunk that the tile
  * resides in.
- * 
+ *
  * @param worldPos The world position.
  * @return The tile index within the chunk.
  */
 chunktileindex_t worldPosToChunkTileIndex(const worldpos_t* worldPos);
 
+/**
+ * Converts a world-space Z coordinate to the local Z layer (0..CHUNK_DEPTH-1)
+ * within the chunk that owns it, for comparison against tile_t.z.
+ *
+ * @param worldPos The world position.
+ * @return The local Z layer within the owning chunk.
+ */
+uint8_t worldPosToChunkLocalZ(const worldpos_t* worldPos);
+
 /**
  * Converts a chunk position to a world position.
  * 
diff --git a/tools/asset/chunk/__main__.py b/tools/asset/chunk/__main__.py
index 1c207cee..60ccec06 100644
--- a/tools/asset/chunk/__main__.py
+++ b/tools/asset/chunk/__main__.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 """
 Generates DCF + companion DMF files from raw chunk JSON files, or upgrades
-legacy DCF files (version 1 or 2) to version 3.
+legacy DCF files (version 1 or 2) to the current version.
 
 JSON input (assetsraw/chunks/chunk_X_Y_Z.json):
   {
@@ -17,14 +17,21 @@ JSON input (assetsraw/chunks/chunk_X_Y_Z.json):
     ]
   }
 
-  Tiles absent from the array default to TILE_SHAPE_NULL.
+  Tiles absent from the array default to TILE_SHAPE_NULL. Each (x, y)
+  column may only have ONE real tile - chunks store one tile per column,
+  not one per (x, y, z), and that tile records its own local z (see the
+  version 4 tile format below). If two entries share the same (x, y) with
+  different z, the later one in the array wins and a warning is printed.
   Mesh files are located by searching under assets/meshes/ and referenced by
   path from the assets root in the DCF.
 
   Output DCF is derived automatically:
     assetsraw/chunks/chunk_X_Y_Z.json -> assets/chunks/X_Y_Z.dcf
 
-Version 3 DCF format (after 8-byte header + tiles):
+Version 4 DCF format (after 8-byte header):
+  tile_t   tiles[CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT]   (one per x/y column)
+    each tile: uint32_t shape, uint8_t z, 3 padding bytes (8 bytes total,
+    matching the C tile_t struct's layout: { tileshape_t shape; uint8_t z; })
   uint8_t  meshCount
   for each model:
     null-terminated string  (relative asset path to .json model)
@@ -40,7 +47,7 @@ DMF format:
 Usage:
   python3 -m tools.asset.chunk              # process all assetsraw/chunks/*.json
   python3 -m tools.asset.chunk <file.json>  # process one JSON file
-  python3 -m tools.asset.chunk <file.dcf>   # upgrade legacy DCF in-place
+  python3 -m tools.asset.chunk <file.dcf>   # upgrade legacy (v1/v2) DCF in-place
 """
 
 import json
@@ -56,8 +63,10 @@ ASSETS_DIR    = os.path.join(PROJECT_ROOT, 'assets')
 
 CHUNK_WIDTH      = 16
 CHUNK_HEIGHT     = 16
-CHUNK_DEPTH      = 4
-CHUNK_TILE_COUNT = CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT * CHUNK_DEPTH  # 1024
+CHUNK_DEPTH      = 8
+# One tile per (x, y) column - the column's local Z (0..CHUNK_DEPTH-1) is
+# carried on the tile itself instead of storing a tile per (x, y, z).
+CHUNK_TILE_COUNT = CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT  # 256
 
 # World-space Z distance of one Z-layer/story, in world-float space.
 # Must match WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT in src/dusk/rpg/overworld/worldpos.h.
@@ -66,9 +75,20 @@ WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT = 1.0 / math.sqrt(2)
 CHUNK_MESH_COUNT_MAX = 10
 CHUNK_MESH_NAME_MAX  = 64
 
-TILE_SIZE   = 4
+# Matches sizeof(tile_t) on the C side: uint32_t shape + uint8_t z, padded
+# to 8 bytes ({ tileshape_t shape; uint8_t z; } with 4-byte enum alignment).
+TILE_STRUCT_FORMAT = '<IB3x'
+TILE_SIZE   = struct.calcsize(TILE_STRUCT_FORMAT)
 VERTEX_SIZE = 20
 
+# Legacy (v1/v2) DCFs stored one uint32 shape per (x, y, z) triple across
+# the full 3D grid, at whatever CHUNK_DEPTH was in effect when they were
+# written (4). Frozen here, independent of the live CHUNK_DEPTH above, so
+# a future depth change can't corrupt parsing of genuinely old files.
+_LEGACY_CHUNK_DEPTH = 4
+_LEGACY_TILE_SIZE = 4
+_LEGACY_CHUNK_TILE_COUNT = CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT * _LEGACY_CHUNK_DEPTH
+
 TILE_SHAPE_NULL      = 0
 TILE_SHAPE_GROUND    = 1
 TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_NORTH     = 2
@@ -86,7 +106,7 @@ TILE_SHAPE_RAMP_SOUTHWEST_INNER = 13
 
 FILE_MAGIC  = b'DCF'
 DMF_MAGIC   = b'DMF\x00'
-VERSION_OUT = 3
+VERSION_OUT = 4
 DMF_VERSION = 1
 
 
@@ -94,8 +114,8 @@ DMF_VERSION = 1
 # Helpers
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-def tile_index(x, y, z):
-    return x + y * CHUNK_WIDTH + z * CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT
+def tile_index(x, y):
+    return x + y * CHUNK_WIDTH
 
 
 def find_model(filename):
@@ -143,8 +163,8 @@ def write_dmf(path, vertex_bytes):
     print(f'  Wrote DMF {path}: {vert_count} vertices, {len(buf)} bytes')
 
 
-def write_v3(dcf_path, tiles, mesh_names, mesh_offsets=None):
-    """Write a v3 DCF referencing the given DMF asset paths."""
+def write_dcf(dcf_path, tiles, mesh_names, mesh_offsets=None):
+    """Write a current-version DCF referencing the given DMF asset paths."""
     mesh_count = len(mesh_names)
     if mesh_offsets is None:
         mesh_offsets = [(0.0, 0.0, 0.0)] * mesh_count
@@ -218,29 +238,28 @@ _RAMP_CORNERS = {
 def build_terrain_verts(tiles_bytes):
     """Generate quads for every non-null tile, shaped to match tile type."""
     buf = bytearray()
-    for z in range(CHUNK_DEPTH):
-        for y in range(CHUNK_HEIGHT):
-            for x in range(CHUNK_WIDTH):
-                idx = tile_index(x, y, z)
-                tile_type = struct.unpack_from(
-                    '<I', tiles_bytes, idx * TILE_SIZE
-                )[0]
-                corners = _RAMP_CORNERS.get(tile_type)
-                if corners is None:
-                    continue
-                fx, fy, fz = float(x), float(y), float(z)
-                u0 = x / CHUNK_WIDTH
-                u1 = (x + 1) / CHUNK_WIDTH
-                v0 = y / CHUNK_HEIGHT
-                v1 = (y + 1) / CHUNK_HEIGHT
-                sw, se, ne, nw = corners
-                buf += _tile_quad(
-                    u0, u1, v0, v1, fx, fy,
-                    (fz + sw) * WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT,
-                    (fz + se) * WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT,
-                    (fz + ne) * WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT,
-                    (fz + nw) * WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT
-                )
+    for y in range(CHUNK_HEIGHT):
+        for x in range(CHUNK_WIDTH):
+            idx = tile_index(x, y)
+            tile_type, z = struct.unpack_from(
+                '<IB', tiles_bytes, idx * TILE_SIZE
+            )
+            corners = _RAMP_CORNERS.get(tile_type)
+            if corners is None:
+                continue
+            fx, fy, fz = float(x), float(y), float(z)
+            u0 = x / CHUNK_WIDTH
+            u1 = (x + 1) / CHUNK_WIDTH
+            v0 = y / CHUNK_HEIGHT
+            v1 = (y + 1) / CHUNK_HEIGHT
+            sw, se, ne, nw = corners
+            buf += _tile_quad(
+                u0, u1, v0, v1, fx, fy,
+                (fz + sw) * WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT,
+                (fz + se) * WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT,
+                (fz + ne) * WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT,
+                (fz + nw) * WORLD_LAYER_HEIGHT
+            )
     return bytes(buf)
 
 
@@ -249,11 +268,20 @@ def from_json(json_path, dcf_path):
         data = json.load(f)
 
     tiles = bytearray(CHUNK_TILE_COUNT * TILE_SIZE)
+    column_z = {}
     for tile in data.get('tiles', []):
         pos = tile['pos']
         x, y, z = int(pos[0]), int(pos[1]), int(pos[2])
+        if (x, y) in column_z and column_z[(x, y)] != z:
+            print(
+                f'  WARNING: {json_path}: column ({x}, {y}) has tiles at '
+                f'z={column_z[(x, y)]} and z={z} - only one tile per '
+                f'column is kept, z={z} wins (last one in the array)'
+            )
+        column_z[(x, y)] = z
         struct.pack_into(
-            '<I', tiles, tile_index(x, y, z) * TILE_SIZE, int(tile['type'])
+            TILE_STRUCT_FORMAT, tiles, tile_index(x, y) * TILE_SIZE,
+            int(tile['type']), z
         )
 
     terrain_verts = build_terrain_verts(tiles)
@@ -295,7 +323,7 @@ def from_json(json_path, dcf_path):
         mesh_offsets.append((float(pos[0]), float(pos[1]), float(pos[2])))
         print(f'  Resolved {filename} -> {rel}')
 
-    write_v3(dcf_path, bytes(tiles), model_names, mesh_offsets)
+    write_dcf(dcf_path, bytes(tiles), model_names, mesh_offsets)
 
 
 def process_json(json_path):
@@ -306,9 +334,40 @@ def process_json(json_path):
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Legacy DCF (v1/v2) -> v3
+# Legacy DCF (v1/v2) -> current version
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+def collapse_legacy_tiles(legacy_tiles, path):
+    """Collapse the old one-tile-per-(x,y,z) grid into the current
+    one-tile-per-(x,y) format. If a column has more than one non-null tile
+    across its Z layers, the highest Z wins and a warning is printed."""
+    tiles = bytearray(CHUNK_TILE_COUNT * TILE_SIZE)
+    for y in range(CHUNK_HEIGHT):
+        for x in range(CHUNK_WIDTH):
+            found = []
+            for z in range(_LEGACY_CHUNK_DEPTH):
+                legacy_idx = x + y * CHUNK_WIDTH + z * CHUNK_WIDTH * CHUNK_HEIGHT
+                shape = struct.unpack_from(
+                    '<I', legacy_tiles, legacy_idx * _LEGACY_TILE_SIZE
+                )[0]
+                if shape != TILE_SHAPE_NULL:
+                    found.append((z, shape))
+            if not found:
+                continue
+            if len(found) > 1:
+                print(
+                    f'  WARNING: {path}: column ({x}, {y}) has tiles at '
+                    f'z={[z for z, _ in found]} - only one tile per column '
+                    f'is kept, z={found[-1][0]} wins (highest Z)'
+                )
+            z, shape = found[-1]
+            struct.pack_into(
+                TILE_STRUCT_FORMAT, tiles, tile_index(x, y) * TILE_SIZE,
+                shape, z
+            )
+    return bytes(tiles)
+
+
 def read_legacy_dcf(path):
     with open(path, 'rb') as f:
         data = f.read()
@@ -319,8 +378,8 @@ def read_legacy_dcf(path):
         raise ValueError(f"{path}: expected version 1 or 2, got {version}")
 
     offset = 8
-    tiles_size = CHUNK_TILE_COUNT * TILE_SIZE
-    tiles = data[offset:offset + tiles_size]
+    tiles_size = _LEGACY_CHUNK_TILE_COUNT * _LEGACY_TILE_SIZE
+    tiles = collapse_legacy_tiles(data[offset:offset + tiles_size], path)
     offset += tiles_size
 
     meshes = []
@@ -362,7 +421,7 @@ def upgrade_dcf(path):
         dmf_name = f'chunk_{base}_{idx}.dmf'
         write_dmf(os.path.join(terrain_dir, dmf_name), verts)
         mesh_names.append(f'meshes/chunks/{dmf_name}')
-    write_v3(path, tiles, mesh_names)
+    write_dcf(path, tiles, mesh_names)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------