diff --git a/objects/enemy/turtle.gd b/objects/enemy/turtle.gd
index 44a3493..42f87cf 100644
--- a/objects/enemy/turtle.gd
+++ b/objects/enemy/turtle.gd
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ export (SpikeDirection) var spike_direction: int = SpikeDirection.BOTH
 var can_spike: bool = true
 var spike_tween: SceneTreeTween
 
-# index of the current spike position to check for
-onready var current_spike_position: int = 0
 onready var sprite: Sprite = $"%Sprite"
 onready var spike_shape: CollisionShape2D = $"%SpikeShape"
 
@@ -24,14 +22,9 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	if Engine.editor_hint:
 		return
 	
-	# positions must be in order
-	spike_positions.sort()
+	# scale to be in tiles
 	for i in spike_positions.size():
-		# scale to be in tiles
 		spike_positions[i] = spike_positions[i] * 8.0
-		# should start with the first positive spike position
-		if spike_positions[i] < 0.0:
-			current_spike_position = i + 1
 
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
 	# update debug graphics in editor
@@ -52,26 +45,36 @@ func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
 	# use positions in correct axis
 	var pos = position.x if move_direction == Direction.HORIZONTAL else position.y
 	var pos_start = startpos.x if move_direction == Direction.HORIZONTAL else startpos.y
+	# only spike if matching direction
+	if spike_direction == SpikeDirection.LEFT and sign(direction) == 1.0:
+		return
+	if spike_direction == SpikeDirection.RIGHT and sign(direction) == -1.0:
+		return
+	# spike if close enough to an activation point
+	for spike_pos in spike_positions:
+		if abs(pos_start + spike_pos - pos) <= 2.0:
+			spike()
+			break
 	# slightly different logic depending on forward/backwards unfortunately :I
-	match sign(direction):
-		1.0:
-			# make sure there are any positions left to check in this direction
-			if current_spike_position < spike_positions.size():
-				# check if passed the spike position
-				if pos >= pos_start + spike_positions[current_spike_position]:
-					# move on to next position
-					current_spike_position += 1
-					if spike_direction != SpikeDirection.LEFT:
-						spike()
-		-1.0:
-			# make sure there are still positions left in this direction
-			if current_spike_position - 1 >= 0:
-				# check if passed the position
-				if pos <= pos_start + spike_positions[current_spike_position - 1]:
-					# move on to next (previous because backwards) position
-					current_spike_position -= 1
-					if spike_direction != SpikeDirection.RIGHT:
-						spike()
+#	match sign(direction):
+#		1.0:
+#			# make sure there are any positions left to check in this direction
+#			if current_spike_position < spike_positions.size():
+#				# check if passed the spike position
+#				if pos >= pos_start + spike_positions[current_spike_position]:
+#					# move on to next position
+#					current_spike_position += 1
+#					if spike_direction != SpikeDirection.LEFT:
+#						spike()
+#		-1.0:
+#			# make sure there are still positions left in this direction
+#			if current_spike_position - 1 >= 0:
+#				# check if passed the position
+#				if pos <= pos_start + spike_positions[current_spike_position - 1]:
+#					# move on to next (previous because backwards) position
+#					current_spike_position -= 1
+#					if spike_direction != SpikeDirection.RIGHT:
+#						spike()
 
 ## performs the spike animation
 func spike() -> void: