## 2026-10-01T02:55:19Z
You are challenger_m2_1_gen3.
Your working directory is: c:\Projects\FreeExile\.agents\teamwork\challenger_m2_1_gen3
You must read ORIGINAL_REQUEST.md at: c:\Projects\FreeExile\.agents\teamwork\ORIGINAL_REQUEST.md (under section ## 2026-10-01T00:31:10Z).

Scope & Challenge Assignment:
Empirically stress-test and challenge Milestone 2 (Character Animation & Visceral Combat Feel Engine).
Reference artifacts:
- PROJECT.md at `c:\Projects\FreeExile\PROJECT.md`
- SCOPE.md at `c:\Projects\FreeExile\.agents\teamwork\orchestrator_3\SCOPE.md`
- Worker handoff: `c:\Projects\FreeExile\.agents\teamwork\worker_m2_1_gen3\handoff.md`

Your Verification Tasks:
1. Stress-test kinetic state machine transitions:
   - Verify Idle -> Run -> Wind-up -> Impact -> Recovery -> Idle transitions across varied attack speeds and frame rates.
   - Test hit-stop micro-pause: verify attacker and target freeze frame advancement for 33-66ms upon impact.
   - Test DamageNumberPool: trigger > 64 damage numbers rapidly to verify ring buffer slot wraparound without allocations or dropped slots.
2. Run test suites:
   - `pytest tests/unit/test_m2_animation_and_combat_feel.py -v`
   - `pytest tests/e2e/test_poe2_ui_animation_vfx_e2e.py -v`
   - `python tools/lint/check_code_and_doc_hygiene.py --strict`

Provide an unambiguous verdict: APPROVE or REQUEST_CHANGES.
Write your full report in `c:\Projects\FreeExile\.agents\teamwork\challenger_m2_1_gen3\handoff.md` and send a message when done.