diff --git a/assets/graphics/player/dead/Player Death 64x64.png b/assets/graphics/player/dead/Player Death 64x64.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e6a1ae
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/graphics/player/dead/Player Death 64x64.png differ
diff --git a/assets/graphics/player/dead/Player Death 64x64.png.import b/assets/graphics/player/dead/Player Death 64x64.png.import
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..303f5d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/graphics/player/dead/Player Death 64x64.png.import	
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+[remap]
+
+importer="texture"
+type="CompressedTexture2D"
+uid="uid://b0kep0pa3fgop"
+path="res://.godot/imported/Player Death 64x64.png-a1335d3f0d31c2c547d022fdb8875398.ctex"
+metadata={
+"vram_texture": false
+}
+
+[deps]
+
+source_file="res://assets/graphics/player/dead/Player Death 64x64.png"
+dest_files=["res://.godot/imported/Player Death 64x64.png-a1335d3f0d31c2c547d022fdb8875398.ctex"]
+
+[params]
+
+compress/mode=0
+compress/high_quality=false
+compress/lossy_quality=0.7
+compress/uastc_level=0
+compress/rdo_quality_loss=0.0
+compress/hdr_compression=1
+compress/normal_map=0
+compress/channel_pack=0
+mipmaps/generate=false
+mipmaps/limit=-1
+roughness/mode=0
+roughness/src_normal=""
+process/channel_remap/red=0
+process/channel_remap/green=1
+process/channel_remap/blue=2
+process/channel_remap/alpha=3
+process/fix_alpha_border=true
+process/premult_alpha=false
+process/normal_map_invert_y=false
+process/hdr_as_srgb=false
+process/hdr_clamp_exposure=false
+process/size_limit=0
+detect_3d/compress_to=1
diff --git a/assets/graphics/player/hurt/Player Hurt 48x48.png b/assets/graphics/player/hurt/Player Hurt 48x48.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57d8783
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/graphics/player/hurt/Player Hurt 48x48.png differ
diff --git a/assets/graphics/player/hurt/Player Hurt 48x48.png.import b/assets/graphics/player/hurt/Player Hurt 48x48.png.import
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..76888e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/graphics/player/hurt/Player Hurt 48x48.png.import	
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+[remap]
+
+importer="texture"
+type="CompressedTexture2D"
+uid="uid://cw3itaxh0fjob"
+path="res://.godot/imported/Player Hurt 48x48.png-a720e51cb19103e76b22ab6c1b81302d.ctex"
+metadata={
+"vram_texture": false
+}
+
+[deps]
+
+source_file="res://assets/graphics/player/hurt/Player Hurt 48x48.png"
+dest_files=["res://.godot/imported/Player Hurt 48x48.png-a720e51cb19103e76b22ab6c1b81302d.ctex"]
+
+[params]
+
+compress/mode=0
+compress/high_quality=false
+compress/lossy_quality=0.7
+compress/uastc_level=0
+compress/rdo_quality_loss=0.0
+compress/hdr_compression=1
+compress/normal_map=0
+compress/channel_pack=0
+mipmaps/generate=false
+mipmaps/limit=-1
+roughness/mode=0
+roughness/src_normal=""
+process/channel_remap/red=0
+process/channel_remap/green=1
+process/channel_remap/blue=2
+process/channel_remap/alpha=3
+process/fix_alpha_border=true
+process/premult_alpha=false
+process/normal_map_invert_y=false
+process/hdr_as_srgb=false
+process/hdr_clamp_exposure=false
+process/size_limit=0
+detect_3d/compress_to=1
diff --git a/project.godot b/project.godot
index 83914df..987f30e 100644
--- a/project.godot
+++ b/project.godot
@@ -27,12 +27,6 @@ window/size/window_width_override=960
 window/size/window_height_override=540
 window/stretch/mode="viewport"
 
-[file_customization]
-
-folder_colors={
-"res://scripts/": "red"
-}
-
 [input]
 
 shove={
diff --git a/scenes/player.tscn b/scenes/player.tscn
index 3ce7f81..60507fd 100644
--- a/scenes/player.tscn
+++ b/scenes/player.tscn
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://d2e455oxjbsf5" path="res://assets/graphics/player/jump/player jump 48x48.png" id="2_dqkch"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://dio2ufnpnihce" path="res://assets/graphics/player/idle/Player Idle 48x48.png" id="2_g2els"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bl7p2n2kgw2qx" path="res://assets/graphics/player/idle/player run 48x48.png" id="3_qhqgy"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://cw3itaxh0fjob" path="res://assets/graphics/player/hurt/Player Hurt 48x48.png" id="3_qlg0r"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://b0kep0pa3fgop" path="res://assets/graphics/player/dead/Player Death 64x64.png" id="3_tuyoq"]
 
 [sub_resource type="CapsuleShape2D" id="CapsuleShape2D_elsnr"]
 
@@ -11,10 +13,66 @@
 atlas = ExtResource("2_dqkch")
 region = Rect2(48, 0, 48, 48)
 
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_pf23h"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(0, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_dt7fs"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(48, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_wqfne"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(96, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_wnwbv"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(144, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_gl8cc"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(192, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_487ah"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(240, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_md1ol"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(288, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_bj30b"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(336, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_jc3p3"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(384, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_hax0n"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_tuyoq")
+region = Rect2(432, 0, 48, 48)
+
 [sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_i4ail"]
 atlas = ExtResource("2_dqkch")
 region = Rect2(96, 0, 48, 48)
 
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_l71n6"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_qlg0r")
+region = Rect2(0, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_ke2ow"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_qlg0r")
+region = Rect2(48, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_ujl30"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_qlg0r")
+region = Rect2(96, 0, 48, 48)
+
+[sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_31cv2"]
+atlas = ExtResource("3_qlg0r")
+region = Rect2(144, 0, 48, 48)
+
 [sub_resource type="AtlasTexture" id="AtlasTexture_qhqgy"]
 atlas = ExtResource("2_g2els")
 region = Rect2(0, 0, 48, 48)
@@ -103,6 +161,41 @@ animations = [{
 }, {
 "frames": [{
 "duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_pf23h")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_dt7fs")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_wqfne")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_wnwbv")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_gl8cc")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_487ah")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_md1ol")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_bj30b")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_jc3p3")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_hax0n")
+}],
+"loop": false,
+"name": &"dead",
+"speed": 12.0
+}, {
+"frames": [{
+"duration": 1.0,
 "texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_i4ail")
 }],
 "loop": false,
@@ -111,6 +204,23 @@ animations = [{
 }, {
 "frames": [{
 "duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_l71n6")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_ke2ow")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_ujl30")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_31cv2")
+}],
+"loop": false,
+"name": &"hurt",
+"speed": 12.0
+}, {
+"frames": [{
+"duration": 1.0,
 "texture": SubResource("AtlasTexture_qhqgy")
 }, {
 "duration": 1.0,
@@ -206,7 +316,7 @@ position = Vector2(-10, -12)
 texture_filter = 1
 position = Vector2(0, -1)
 sprite_frames = SubResource("SpriteFrames_jej6c")
-animation = &"apex"
+animation = &"dead"
 autoplay = "idle"
 
 [node name="Camera2D" type="Camera2D" parent="." unique_id=1215632070]
diff --git a/scripts/game_controller.gd b/scripts/game_controller.gd
index 6b6eab7..c222e44 100644
--- a/scripts/game_controller.gd
+++ b/scripts/game_controller.gd
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ extends Node2D
 
 signal destroy(body)
 signal level_change_signal(level)
+signal damage_player_signal(damage, player_health)
 
 var levels = ["res://scenes/level1.tscn","res://scenes/level2.tscn","res://scenes/level3.tscn"]
 var current_level_index = 0
@@ -12,8 +13,13 @@ var timer = Timer.new()
 var player:Player;
 var enemies = {}
 
+var enemy_stats:CharacterStats
+var player_stats:CharacterStats
+
 func _ready():
-	get_window().grab_focus() # Replace with function body.
+	get_window().grab_focus()
+	enemy_stats = load("res://scripts/resources/slime_stats.tres")
+	player_stats = load("res://scripts/resources/player_stats.tres")
 	reset()
 	add_child(timer)
 	timer.wait_time = 1
@@ -31,7 +37,7 @@ func timer_tick():
 func reset():
 	time_available = level_times[current_level_index]
 	if player:
-		player.health = 5
+		player.health = player_stats.starting_health
 
 func stop():
 	timer.stop()
@@ -47,7 +53,6 @@ func _on_area_2d_trigger_active_signal(body, intentMessage):
 var crate_num : int = 0
 func set_crate_num(count: int):
 	crate_num = count
-	# print("number of crates: " + str(crate_num))
 	if crate_num <= 0:
 		current_level_index += 1
 		if current_level_index == levels.size():
@@ -58,18 +63,18 @@ func set_crate_num(count: int):
 			reset()
 
 func _on_slime_damage(body, slime):
-	print("game controller sees slime damage")
-	player.health -= enemies[slime]["damage"]
-	if player.health <= 0:
-		print("dead")
-		level_change_signal.emit(levels[current_level_index])
+	damage_player_signal.emit(enemies[slime]["damage"])
 		
 func add_enemy(slime):
 	var enemy_stat = {
-		"health": 5,
-		"damage": 3
+		"health": enemy_stats.starting_health,
+		"damage": enemy_stats.melee_damage
 	}
 	enemies[slime] = enemy_stat
 	
 func _on_slime_struck(body, slime):
 	print("game controller sees slime struck")
+	
+func _on_player_dead(player):
+	print("game controller sees dead player")
+	level_change_signal.emit(levels[current_level_index])
diff --git a/scripts/player.gd b/scripts/player.gd
index 09032d5..44bdedf 100644
--- a/scripts/player.gd
+++ b/scripts/player.gd
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ class_name Player extends CharacterBody2D
 @onready var graphic: AnimatedSprite2D = $graphic
 
 signal new_player(player)
+signal player_dead(player)
 
 const SPEED = 300.0
 const JUMP_VELOCITY = -400.0
@@ -14,7 +15,7 @@ var direction : float = 0
 enum FaceDirection { LEFT, RIGHT }
 var facing: FaceDirection = FaceDirection.LEFT 
 var shove_target: RigidBody2D
-enum State { IDLE, RUN, JUMP, APEX, FALL }
+enum State { IDLE, RUN, JUMP, APEX, FALL, HURT, DYING, DEAD }
 var state: State = State.IDLE
 var up_jump:bool = false
 var health:int = 4
@@ -23,7 +24,8 @@ func _ready():
 	new_player.emit(self)
 
 func _physics_process(delta: float):
-	handle_input()
+	if self.state != State.HURT and self.state != State.DEAD:
+		handle_input()
 	handle_movement(delta)
 	handle_state()
 	handle_animation()
@@ -105,9 +107,33 @@ func handle_animation():
 			graphic.play("apex")
 		State.FALL:
 			graphic.play("fall")
+		State.HURT:
+			graphic.play("hurt")
+		State.DYING:
+			graphic.play("dead")
+		State.DEAD:
+			pass
+
 
 func _on_graphic_animation_finished() -> void:
-	# switch state from apex to fall
 	match state:
-		State.APEX:
+		State.APEX: # switch state from apex to fall
 			state = State.FALL
+		State.HURT: # switch state from hurt to idle
+			state = State.IDLE
+		State.DYING:
+			print("firing dead signal")
+			state = State.DEAD
+			player_dead.emit(self)
+		State.DEAD:
+			pass
+			
+func damage_player(damage: int):
+	if self.state != State.DYING and self.state != State.DEAD:
+		self.health -= damage
+		if self.health <= 0:
+			print("DEAD")
+			self.state = State.DYING
+		else:
+			print("player hurt")
+			self.state = State.HURT
diff --git a/scripts/resources/character_stats.gd b/scripts/resources/character_stats.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ef89702
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/resources/character_stats.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+class_name CharacterStats extends Resource
+
+@export var health:int = 100;
+@export var max_health:int = 120;
+@export var starting_health:int = 100;
+
+@export var melee_damage:int = 10;
+@export var range_damage:int = 5;
diff --git a/scripts/resources/character_stats.gd.uid b/scripts/resources/character_stats.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ebee1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/resources/character_stats.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://v5se2t1jjaat
diff --git a/scripts/resources/player_stats.tres b/scripts/resources/player_stats.tres
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a54b57f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/resources/player_stats.tres
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[gd_resource type="Resource" script_class="CharacterStats" format=3 uid="uid://ffycoj1dt84h"]
+
+[ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://v5se2t1jjaat" path="res://scripts/resources/character_stats.gd" id="1_r32g3"]
+
+[resource]
+script = ExtResource("1_r32g3")
+health = 30
+max_health = 50
+starting_health = 30
+metadata/_custom_type_script = "uid://v5se2t1jjaat"
diff --git a/scripts/resources/slime_stats.tres b/scripts/resources/slime_stats.tres
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6ae7d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/resources/slime_stats.tres
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[gd_resource type="Resource" script_class="CharacterStats" format=3 uid="uid://cxkrcxxmgtyyr"]
+
+[ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://v5se2t1jjaat" path="res://scripts/resources/character_stats.gd" id="1_l0etv"]
+
+[resource]
+script = ExtResource("1_l0etv")
+health = 10
+max_health = 15
+starting_health = 10
+range_damage = 0
+metadata/_custom_type_script = "uid://v5se2t1jjaat"
diff --git a/scripts/scene_manager.gd b/scripts/scene_manager.gd
index 47d070b..e3d2f0f 100644
--- a/scripts/scene_manager.gd
+++ b/scripts/scene_manager.gd
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	print("scene manager is ready")
 	GameController.destroy.connect(destroy)
 	GameController.level_change_signal.connect(change_scene)
+	GameController.damage_player_signal.connect(damage_player)
+	# player.player_dead.connect(GameController._on_player_dead)
 	build_level()
 
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
@@ -20,6 +22,9 @@ func build_level() -> void:
 		update_enemies()
 	if player:
 		GameController.player = player
+		if not player.player_dead.is_connected(GameController._on_player_dead):
+			print("hooking up player dead signal")
+			player.player_dead.connect(GameController._on_player_dead)
 
 func update_enemies():
 	for enemy in enemies.get_children():
@@ -52,3 +57,9 @@ func update_crates() -> void:
 func destroy(body):
 	if body is BrownBox:
 		body.queue_free()
+		
+func damage_player(damage: int):
+	player.damage_player(damage)
+	
+#func player_dead_animation_finished():
+	#change_scene()