This page covers how to implement respawnable actors using C++ with the URespawnManagerSubsystem.
It includes full examples, best practices, and recommended patterns for resource nodes, foliage conversion, enemies, and custom gameplay actors.

1. Accessing the Respawn Manager (C++)

The Respawn Manager is a World Subsystem, so you can access it from any Actor:

URespawnManagerSubsystem* RespawnManager =
    GetWorld()->GetSubsystem<URespawnManagerSubsystem>();

Check for nullptr if needed:

if (!RespawnManager) return;

2. Registering a Respawn Request

Once an actor is harvested, disabled, or visually removed, register it for respawn:

RespawnManager->RegisterRespawnRequest(this, RespawnTime);

Full Example

void AResourceNode::StartRespawnCountdown()
{
    if (URespawnManagerSubsystem* RespawnManager = GetWorld()->GetSubsystem<URespawnManagerSubsystem>())
    {
        RespawnManager->RegisterRespawnRequest(this, RespawnTime);
    }
}

This schedules the actor to receive a respawn callback after the delay has elapsed.

3. Implementing Respawn Callbacks

There are two ways to implement the callback in C++:

Option A — Implement `IRespawnable` Interface (Recommended)

UCLASS()
class YOURGAME_API AResourceNode : public AActor, public IRespawnable
{
    GENERATED_BODY()

public:
    virtual void OnRespawnRequested() override;

protected:
    bool bHarvested = false;
};

Source

void AResourceNode::OnRespawnRequested()
{
    bHarvested = false;

    // Restore appearance
    MeshComp->SetVisibility(true);
    MeshComp->SetCollisionEnabled(ECollisionEnabled::QueryAndPhysics);

    // Reset loot if applicable
    if (LootComponent)
    {
        LootComponent->ResetLoot();
    }
}

The subsystem will automatically call your override.

Option B — Supply a Custom Callback via Function Pointer

If you don’t want to use the interface:

RespawnManager->RegisterRespawnRequestWithFunction(
    this,
    RespawnTime,
    FName("Respawn") // function must exist on actor
);

Custom function:

void AResourceNode::Respawn()
{
    // Re-enable visuals / logic
}

The interface method is still recommended for consistency.

4. Full Resource Node Example

Below is a complete resource node implementation including harvesting, disabling, and respawning.

ResourceNode.h

UCLASS()
class YOURGAME_API AResourceNode : public AActor, public IRespawnable
{
    GENERATED_BODY()

public:
    AResourceNode();

    // IRespawnable interface
    virtual void OnRespawnRequested() override;

    void OnHarvested(APlayerController* Harvester);

protected:
    UPROPERTY(VisibleAnywhere)
    UStaticMeshComponent* MeshComp;

    UPROPERTY(VisibleAnywhere)
    ULootComponent* LootComponent;

    UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, Category="Respawn")
    float RespawnTime = 300.0f;

    bool bHarvested = false;
};

ResourceNode.cpp

AResourceNode::AResourceNode()
{
    MeshComp = CreateDefaultSubobject<UStaticMeshComponent>("MeshComp");
    RootComponent = MeshComp;

    LootComponent = CreateDefaultSubobject<ULootComponent>("LootComponent");
}

void AResourceNode::OnHarvested(APlayerController* Harvester)
{
    if (bHarvested) return;

    bHarvested = true;

    // Generate loot
    if (LootComponent)
    {
        FLootResult Loot = LootComponent->GenerateLoot();
        // Give items to player here…
    }

    // Disable visuals and collision
    MeshComp->SetVisibility(false);
    MeshComp->SetCollisionEnabled(ECollisionEnabled::NoCollision);

    // Register respawn request
    if (URespawnManagerSubsystem* RM = GetWorld()->GetSubsystem<URespawnManagerSubsystem>())
    {
        RM->RegisterRespawnRequest(this, RespawnTime);
    }
}

void AResourceNode::OnRespawnRequested()
{
    bHarvested = false;

    // Reset loot table
    if (LootComponent)
    {
        LootComponent->ResetLoot();
    }

    // Re-enable actor
    MeshComp->SetVisibility(true);
    MeshComp->SetCollisionEnabled(ECollisionEnabled::QueryAndPhysics);
}

5. Respawn Manager + LootComponent Example

If you attach a ULootComponent, the recommended pattern is:

On Harvest:

FLootResult Loot = LootComponent->GenerateLoot();
GiveLootToPlayer(Loot);
LootComponent->OnHarvested(); // optional cleanup
HideAndDisable();
RespawnManager->RegisterRespawnRequest(this, RespawnTime);

On Respawn:

LootComponent->ResetLoot();
ShowAndEnable();

The Respawn Manager does the timing.

6. Integration with Foliage Interaction (C++)

For foliage converted to temporary actors:

On Harvest:

MeshComp->SetVisibility(false);
MeshComp->SetCollisionEnabled(ECollisionEnabled::NoCollision);

RespawnManager->RegisterRespawnRequest(this, RespawnTime);

On Respawn:

MeshComp->SetVisibility(true);
MeshComp->SetCollisionEnabled(ECollisionEnabled::QueryAndPhysics);
ReAddToFoliageInteractionSystem(); // if needed

7. Respawning Enemies or AI

If enemies should respawn at spawn points:

void AEnemySpawner::StartEnemyRespawn(AActor* DeadEnemy)
{
    URespawnManagerSubsystem* RM = GetWorld()->GetSubsystem<URespawnManagerSubsystem>();
    RM->RegisterRespawnRequest(this, RespawnDelay);
}

Then implement:

void AEnemySpawner::OnRespawnRequested()
{
    SpawnEnemy();
}

Or use the interface.

8. Advanced — Custom Respawn Requests

Register a request where the target actor is different from callback actor:

RespawnManager->RegisterRespawnRequestFor(
    TargetActorToRespawn,
    CallbackActor,
    RespawnTime
);

Useful for:

Crop regrowth
Trap resetting
Multi-actor puzzle resets
Group respawn triggers

9. Advanced — Serialization & SaveSystem Integration

Respawn Manager uses GUIDs to ensure actors continue their respawn schedule across saves. If you want custom save behavior in C++:

virtual FGuid GetRespawnGuid() const override { return MyCustomGuid; }
virtual void InitializeGuidIfNeeded() override { /* assign new Guid */ }

This allows complete override of timing persistence.

10. Best Practices (C++)

Practice	Benefit
Implement `IRespawnable`	Cleanest and safest integration
Hide + disable actor when harvested	Prevents player interaction or blocking
Keep respawn logic simple	Reduces errors during async callbacks
Reset loot inside `OnRespawnRequested`	Ensures fresh rolls
Use component pointers instead of finds	Best performance
Don’t use timers yourself	Avoids duplication; subsystem handles timing
Use GUID override only if needed	Subsystem already generates GUIDs

11. Full Minimal Example (Copy-Paste Ready)

Header

UCLASS()
class YOURGAME_API ARespawnableRock : public AActor, public IRespawnable
{
    GENERATED_BODY()

public:
    virtual void OnRespawnRequested() override;
    void Harvest(APlayerController* PC);

protected:
    UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere)
    float RespawnTime = 120.0f;

    UPROPERTY(VisibleAnywhere)
    UStaticMeshComponent* Mesh;

    bool bHarvested = false;
};

Source

void ARespawnableRock::Harvest(APlayerController* PC)
{
    if (bHarvested) return;

    bHarvested = true;
    Mesh->SetVisibility(false);
    Mesh->SetCollisionEnabled(ECollisionEnabled::NoCollision);

    if (URespawnManagerSubsystem* RM = GetWorld()->GetSubsystem<URespawnManagerSubsystem>())
    {
        RM->RegisterRespawnRequest(this, RespawnTime);
    }
}

void ARespawnableRock::OnRespawnRequested()
{
    bHarvested = false;
    Mesh->SetVisibility(true);
    Mesh->SetCollisionEnabled(ECollisionEnabled::QueryAndPhysics);
}

Installation & Setup

Core Concepts

Crafting System

Equipment System

Hotbar & Quick Actions

Interaction System

Inventory Component

Loot System

Merchant System

Respawn Manager

Saving & Loading

C++ Integration

1. Accessing the Respawn Manager (C++)

2. Registering a Respawn Request

Full Example

3. Implementing Respawn Callbacks

Option A — Implement `IRespawnable` Interface (Recommended)

Header

Source

Option B — Supply a Custom Callback via Function Pointer

4. Full Resource Node Example

ResourceNode.h

ResourceNode.cpp

5. Respawn Manager + LootComponent Example

On Harvest:

On Respawn:

6. Integration with Foliage Interaction (C++)

On Harvest:

On Respawn:

7. Respawning Enemies or AI

8. Advanced — Custom Respawn Requests

Register a request where the target actor is different from callback actor:

9. Advanced — Serialization & SaveSystem Integration

10. Best Practices (C++)

11. Full Minimal Example (Copy-Paste Ready)

Header

Source

​1. Accessing the Respawn Manager (C++)

​2. Registering a Respawn Request

​Full Example

​3. Implementing Respawn Callbacks

​Option A — Implement IRespawnable Interface (Recommended)

​Header

​Source

​Option B — Supply a Custom Callback via Function Pointer

​4. Full Resource Node Example

​ResourceNode.h

​ResourceNode.cpp

​5. Respawn Manager + LootComponent Example

​On Harvest:

​On Respawn:

​6. Integration with Foliage Interaction (C++)

​On Harvest:

​On Respawn:

​7. Respawning Enemies or AI

​8. Advanced — Custom Respawn Requests

​Register a request where the target actor is different from callback actor:

​9. Advanced — Serialization & SaveSystem Integration

​10. Best Practices (C++)

​11. Full Minimal Example (Copy-Paste Ready)

​Header

​Source

1. Accessing the Respawn Manager (C++)

2. Registering a Respawn Request

Full Example

3. Implementing Respawn Callbacks

Option A — Implement `IRespawnable` Interface (Recommended)

Header

Source

Option B — Supply a Custom Callback via Function Pointer

4. Full Resource Node Example

ResourceNode.h

ResourceNode.cpp

5. Respawn Manager + LootComponent Example

On Harvest:

On Respawn:

6. Integration with Foliage Interaction (C++)

On Harvest:

On Respawn:

7. Respawning Enemies or AI

8. Advanced — Custom Respawn Requests

Register a request where the target actor is different from callback actor:

9. Advanced — Serialization & SaveSystem Integration

10. Best Practices (C++)

11. Full Minimal Example (Copy-Paste Ready)

Header

Source