Roblox

Avoid common Roblox mistakes — server/client security, DataStore pitfalls, memory leaks, and replication gotchas.

Server vs Client

• Server scripts in ServerScriptService — never trust client data
• LocalScripts in StarterPlayerScripts or StarterGui — client-only
• RemoteEvent for fire-and-forget — RemoteFunction when server needs to return value
• ALWAYS validate on server — client can send anything, exploiters will

Security

• Never trust client input — validate everything server-side
• Server-side sanity checks — is player allowed? Is value reasonable?
• FilteringEnabled is always on — but doesn't protect your RemoteEvents
• Don't expose admin commands via RemoteEvents — check permissions server-side

DataStore

• :GetAsync() and :SetAsync() can fail — wrap in pcall, retry with backoff
• Rate limits: 60 + numPlayers × 10 requests/minute — queue writes, batch when possible
• :UpdateAsync() for read-modify-write — prevents race conditions
• Session locking — prevent data loss on rejoin, use :UpdateAsync() with check
• Test with Studio API access enabled — Settings → Security → API Services

Memory Leaks

• Connections not disconnected — store and :Disconnect() when done
• :Destroy() instances when removed — sets Parent to nil and disconnects events
• Player leaving without cleanup — Players.PlayerRemoving to clean up
• Tables holding references — nil out references you don't need

Character Handling

• Character may not exist at PlayerAdded — use player.CharacterAdded:Wait() or event
• Character respawns = new character — reconnect events on CharacterAdded
• Humanoid.Died fires on death — for death handling logic
• LoadCharacter() to force respawn — but prefer natural respawn usually

Replication

• ServerStorage: server-only — clients can't see
• ReplicatedStorage: both see — shared modules and assets
• ReplicatedFirst: loads first on client — loading screens
• Workspace replicates to clients — but server is authority

Services Pattern

• game:GetService("ServiceName") — don't index directly, fails in different contexts
• Cache service references — local Players = game:GetService("Players")
• Common: Players, ReplicatedStorage, ServerStorage, RunService, DataStoreService

RunService

• Heartbeat after physics — most gameplay logic
• RenderStepped client only, before render — camera, visual updates
• Stepped before physics — physics manipulation
• Avoid heavy computation every frame — spread over multiple frames

Common Mistakes

• wait() deprecated — use task.wait() for reliable timing
• spawn() deprecated — use task.spawn() or task.defer()
• Module require returns cached — same table across requires, changes shared
• :Clone() doesn't fire events — manually fire if needed
• Part collisions with CanCollide false — still fire Touched, use CanTouch