diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 6f76c91..2085fdd 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -679,6 +679,19 @@ dependencies = [
  "wgpu-types",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "bevy_common_assets"
+version = "0.12.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "3521990269672c442f2bf0fbed0fce9db719e3dd136dd4012a97809464a4389d"
+dependencies = [
+ "anyhow",
+ "bevy",
+ "ron",
+ "serde",
+ "thiserror 1.0.69",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "bevy_core"
 version = "0.15.3"
@@ -2971,12 +2984,15 @@ dependencies = [
  "bevy-ui-gradients",
  "bevy_asset_loader",
  "bevy_ballistic",
+ "bevy_common_assets",
  "bevy_debug_log",
  "bevy_polyline",
  "bevy_sprite3d",
  "bevy_trenchbroom",
  "nil",
  "rand",
+ "ron",
+ "serde",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 6a09206..1fd450f 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ bevy-steamworks = "0.13.0"
 bevy_ballistic = "0.1.0"
 bevy-ui-gradients = "0.2.0"
 bevy_debug_log = "0.5.0"
+bevy_common_assets = { version = "0.12.0", features = ["ron"] }
+serde = { version = "1.0.219", features = ["derive"] }
+ron = "0.8"
 
 [lints.clippy]
 too_many_arguments = "allow"
diff --git a/assets/all.headsdb.ron b/assets/all.headsdb.ron
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..39fc457
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/all.headsdb.ron
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+([
+    (key:"angry demonstrator", ability:Thrown, range:80),
+    (key:"carnival knife thrower", range:60),
+    (key:"chicago gangster", ability:Gun, range:60),
+    (key:"commando", ability:Gun, range:60),
+    (key:"field medic"),
+    (key:"geisha"),
+    (key:"goblin", ability:Arrow, range:60),
+    (key:"green grocer", range:60),
+    (key:"highland hammer thrower", ability:Thrown, range:80),
+    (key:"legionnaire", ability:Gun, range:60),
+    (key:"mig pilot", ability:Gun, range:60),
+    (key:"nanny", ability:Thrown, range:60),
+    (key:"panic attack"),
+    (key:"salty sea dog"),
+    (key:"snow plough operator"),
+    (key:"soldier ant"),
+    (key:"super market shopper", ability:Thrown, range:80),
+    (key:"troll", ability:Thrown, range:80),
+])
diff --git a/src/abilities/mod.rs b/src/abilities/mod.rs
index e155bd0..e2f44dc 100644
--- a/src/abilities/mod.rs
+++ b/src/abilities/mod.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use crate::{
     GameState,
     aim::AimTarget,
     global_observer,
+    head_asset::HeadsDatabase,
     heads::ActiveHeads,
     hitpoints::Hit,
     physics_layers::GameLayer,
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@ use crate::{
 };
 use avian3d::prelude::*;
 use bevy::prelude::*;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 #[derive(Component)]
 pub struct Projectile {
@@ -29,8 +31,9 @@ pub enum TriggerState {
 #[derive(Event, Reflect)]
 pub struct TriggerCashHeal;
 
-#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, PartialEq, Reflect)]
+#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, PartialEq, Reflect, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum HeadAbility {
+    #[default]
     None,
     Arrow,
     Thrown,
@@ -112,6 +115,7 @@ fn on_trigger_state(
     player_rot: Query<&Transform, With<PlayerBodyMesh>>,
     player_query: Query<(&Transform, &AimTarget), With<Player>>,
     mut active_heads: ResMut<ActiveHeads>,
+    heads_db: Res<HeadsDatabase>,
     time: Res<Time>,
 ) {
     if matches!(trigger.event(), TriggerState::Active) {
@@ -143,7 +147,8 @@ fn on_trigger_state(
 
         active_heads.use_ammo(time.elapsed_secs());
 
-        match state.ability {
+        let ability = heads_db.head_stats(state.head).ability;
+        match ability {
             HeadAbility::Thrown => commands.trigger(TriggerThrow(trigger_state)),
             HeadAbility::Gun => commands.trigger(TriggerGun(trigger_state)),
             _ => (),
diff --git a/src/ai/mod.rs b/src/ai/mod.rs
index 5b3d628..4d4dda6 100644
--- a/src/ai/mod.rs
+++ b/src/ai/mod.rs
@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@ use bevy::prelude::*;
 
 use crate::{
     GameState,
-    abilities::{TriggerData, TriggerThrow},
+    abilities::{HeadAbility, TriggerData, TriggerThrow},
     aim::AimTarget,
+    head_asset::HeadsDatabase,
     npc::Npc,
 };
 
@@ -19,12 +20,20 @@ fn update(
     mut commands: Commands,
     mut query: Query<(&mut Npc, &AimTarget, &Transform), With<Ai>>,
     time: Res<Time>,
+    heads_db: Res<HeadsDatabase>,
 ) {
     for (mut npc, target, t) in query.iter_mut() {
         if target.0.is_none() {
             continue;
         }
 
+        let ability = heads_db.head_stats(npc.head).ability;
+
+        //TODO: support other abilities
+        if ability != HeadAbility::Thrown {
+            continue;
+        }
+
         let can_shoot_again = npc.last_use + 1. < time.elapsed_secs();
 
         if can_shoot_again && npc.has_ammo() {
diff --git a/src/aim/mod.rs b/src/aim/mod.rs
index fae2cc6..ecba853 100644
--- a/src/aim/mod.rs
+++ b/src/aim/mod.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ mod target_ui;
 use crate::{
     GameState,
     head::ActiveHead,
+    head_asset::HeadsDatabase,
     physics_layers::GameLayer,
     player::{Player, PlayerBodyMesh},
     tb_entities::EnemySpawn,
@@ -53,15 +54,15 @@ fn add_aim(mut commands: Commands, query: Query<Entity, Added<ActiveHead>>) {
     }
 }
 
-fn head_change(mut query: Query<(&ActiveHead, &mut AimState), Changed<ActiveHead>>) {
+fn head_change(
+    mut query: Query<(&ActiveHead, &mut AimState), Changed<ActiveHead>>,
+    heads_db: Res<HeadsDatabase>,
+) {
     for (head, mut state) in query.iter_mut() {
         // info!("head changed: {}", head.0);
         // state.max_angle = if head.0 == 0 { PI / 8. } else { PI / 2. }
-        state.range = match head.0 {
-            0 => 80.,
-            3 => 60.,
-            _ => 40.,
-        };
+        let stats = heads_db.head_stats(head.0);
+        state.range = stats.range;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/head_asset.rs b/src/head_asset.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..546af5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/head_asset.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+use crate::abilities::HeadAbility;
+use bevy::prelude::*;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Reflect, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct HeadStats {
+    pub key: String,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub ability: HeadAbility,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub range: f32,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Asset, Reflect, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct HeadDatabaseAsset(pub Vec<HeadStats>);
+
+#[derive(Debug, Resource, Reflect)]
+#[reflect(Resource)]
+pub struct HeadsDatabase {
+    pub heads: Vec<HeadStats>,
+}
+
+impl HeadsDatabase {
+    pub fn head_key(&self, id: usize) -> &str {
+        &self.heads[id].key
+    }
+
+    pub fn head_stats(&self, id: usize) -> &HeadStats {
+        &self.heads[id]
+    }
+}
+
+// #[cfg(test)]
+// mod test {
+//     use super::*;
+
+//     #[test]
+//     fn test_serialize() {
+//         let asset = HeadDatabaseAsset(vec![
+//             HeadStats {
+//                 key: String::from("foo"),
+//                 range: 90.,
+//                 ..Default::default()
+//             },
+//             HeadStats {
+//                 key: String::from("bar"),
+//                 ability: HeadAbility::Gun,
+//                 range: 0.,
+//             },
+//         ]);
+
+//         std::fs::write("assets/test.headsb.ron", ron::to_string(&asset).unwrap()).unwrap();
+//     }
+// }
diff --git a/src/heads/mod.rs b/src/heads/mod.rs
index 3276e5c..9a764f0 100644
--- a/src/heads/mod.rs
+++ b/src/heads/mod.rs
@@ -2,11 +2,11 @@ mod heads_ui;
 
 use crate::{
     GameState,
-    abilities::HeadAbility,
     backpack::{BackbackSwapEvent, Backpack},
     global_observer,
+    head_asset::HeadsDatabase,
     hitpoints::Hitpoints,
-    player::{Player, head_id_to_str},
+    player::Player,
     sounds::PlaySound,
 };
 use bevy::prelude::*;
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ pub struct HeadsImages {
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Reflect)]
 pub struct HeadState {
     pub head: usize,
-    pub ability: HeadAbility,
     pub health: u32,
     pub health_max: u32,
     pub ammo: u32,
@@ -39,17 +38,11 @@ impl HeadState {
             health_max: 100,
             ammo,
             ammo_max: ammo,
-            ability: HeadAbility::None,
             reload_duration: 5.,
             last_use: 0.,
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn with_ability(mut self, ability: HeadAbility) -> Self {
-        self.ability = ability;
-        self
-    }
-
     pub fn has_ammo(&self) -> bool {
         self.ammo > 0
     }
@@ -119,11 +112,11 @@ pub fn plugin(app: &mut App) {
 
     app.insert_resource(ActiveHeads {
         heads: [
-            Some(HeadState::new(0, 10).with_ability(HeadAbility::Thrown)),
-            Some(HeadState::new(3, 10).with_ability(HeadAbility::Gun)),
-            Some(HeadState::new(6, 10).with_ability(HeadAbility::Arrow)),
-            Some(HeadState::new(8, 10).with_ability(HeadAbility::Thrown)),
-            Some(HeadState::new(9, 10).with_ability(HeadAbility::Gun)),
+            Some(HeadState::new(0, 10)),
+            Some(HeadState::new(3, 10)),
+            Some(HeadState::new(6, 10)),
+            Some(HeadState::new(8, 10)),
+            Some(HeadState::new(9, 10)),
         ],
         current_slot: 0,
     });
@@ -138,10 +131,10 @@ pub fn plugin(app: &mut App) {
     global_observer!(app, on_swap_backpack);
 }
 
-fn setup(mut commands: Commands, asset_server: Res<AssetServer>) {
+fn setup(mut commands: Commands, asset_server: Res<AssetServer>, heads: Res<HeadsDatabase>) {
     // TODO: load via asset loader
     let heads = (0usize..HEAD_COUNT)
-        .map(|i| asset_server.load(format!("ui/heads/{}.png", head_id_to_str(i))))
+        .map(|i| asset_server.load(format!("ui/heads/{}.png", heads.head_key(i))))
         .collect();
 
     commands.insert_resource(HeadsImages { heads });
diff --git a/src/loading_assets.rs b/src/loading_assets.rs
index 5d92a79..0cdb2ce 100644
--- a/src/loading_assets.rs
+++ b/src/loading_assets.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-use crate::GameState;
+use crate::{
+    GameState,
+    head_asset::{HeadDatabaseAsset, HeadsDatabase},
+};
 use bevy::{prelude::*, utils::HashMap};
 use bevy_asset_loader::prelude::*;
 
@@ -43,6 +46,12 @@ pub struct AudioAssets {
     pub head: HashMap<AssetFileName, Handle<AudioSource>>,
 }
 
+#[derive(AssetCollection, Resource)]
+struct HeadsAssets {
+    #[asset(path = "all.headsdb.ron")]
+    heads: Handle<HeadDatabaseAsset>,
+}
+
 #[derive(AssetCollection, Resource)]
 pub struct UIAssets {
     #[asset(path = "font.ttf")]
@@ -98,12 +107,26 @@ pub struct GameAssets {
 pub struct LoadingPlugin;
 impl Plugin for LoadingPlugin {
     fn build(&self, app: &mut App) {
+        app.add_systems(OnExit(GameState::AssetLoading), on_exit);
         app.add_loading_state(
             LoadingState::new(GameState::AssetLoading)
                 .continue_to_state(GameState::MapLoading)
                 .load_collection::<AudioAssets>()
                 .load_collection::<GameAssets>()
+                .load_collection::<HeadsAssets>()
                 .load_collection::<UIAssets>(),
         );
     }
 }
+
+fn on_exit(
+    mut cmds: Commands,
+    res: Res<HeadsAssets>,
+    mut assets: ResMut<Assets<HeadDatabaseAsset>>,
+) {
+    let asset = assets
+        .remove(res.heads.id())
+        .expect("headsdb failed to load");
+
+    cmds.insert_resource(HeadsDatabase { heads: asset.0 });
+}
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index fcee019..81c92e8 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ mod cutscene;
 mod debug;
 mod gates;
 mod head;
+mod head_asset;
 mod heads;
 mod hitpoints;
 mod keys;
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ use bevy::{
     prelude::*,
     render::view::ColorGrading,
 };
+use bevy_common_assets::ron::RonAssetPlugin;
 use bevy_polyline::PolylinePlugin;
 use bevy_sprite3d::Sprite3dPlugin;
 use bevy_steamworks::{FriendFlags, SteamworksClient, SteamworksPlugin};
@@ -40,6 +42,7 @@ use bevy_trenchbroom::prelude::*;
 use bevy_ui_gradients::UiGradientsPlugin;
 use camera::MainCamera;
 use control::controller::CharacterControllerPlugin;
+use head_asset::HeadDatabaseAsset;
 use loading_assets::AudioAssets;
 use std::io::{Read, Write};
 use utils::{billboards, sprite_3d_animation, squish_animation};
@@ -108,6 +111,7 @@ fn main() {
     app.add_plugins(Sprite3dPlugin);
     app.add_plugins(TrenchBroomPlugin(TrenchBroomConfig::new("hedz")));
     app.add_plugins(UiGradientsPlugin);
+    app.add_plugins(RonAssetPlugin::<HeadDatabaseAsset>::new(&["headsdb.ron"]));
 
     #[cfg(feature = "dbg")]
     {
diff --git a/src/npc.rs b/src/npc.rs
index fe84e6a..c230dcb 100644
--- a/src/npc.rs
+++ b/src/npc.rs
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ use crate::{
     GameState,
     ai::Ai,
     head::ActiveHead,
+    head_asset::HeadsDatabase,
     heads::{HEAD_COUNT, HeadState},
     hitpoints::{Hitpoints, Kill},
     keys::KeySpawn,
-    player::head_id_to_str,
     tb_entities::EnemySpawn,
 };
 use bevy::prelude::*;
@@ -19,18 +19,20 @@ pub fn plugin(app: &mut App) {
     app.add_systems(OnEnter(GameState::Playing), init);
 }
 
-fn init(mut commands: Commands, query: Query<(Entity, &EnemySpawn)>) {
+fn init(mut commands: Commands, query: Query<(Entity, &EnemySpawn)>, heads_db: Res<HeadsDatabase>) {
+    //TODO: move into HeadsDatabase
     let mut names: HashMap<String, usize> = HashMap::default();
     for i in 0..HEAD_COUNT {
-        names.insert(head_id_to_str(i).to_string(), i);
+        names.insert(heads_db.head_key(i).to_string(), i);
     }
+
     for (e, spawn) in query.iter() {
         let id = names[&spawn.head];
         commands
             .entity(e)
             .insert((
                 Hitpoints::new(100),
-                Npc(HeadState::new(id, 10).with_ability(crate::abilities::HeadAbility::Thrown)),
+                Npc(HeadState::new(id, 10)),
                 ActiveHead(id),
                 Ai,
             ))
diff --git a/src/player.rs b/src/player.rs
index 6e2e23e..1310bbc 100644
--- a/src/player.rs
+++ b/src/player.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use crate::{
     },
     global_observer,
     head::ActiveHead,
+    head_asset::HeadsDatabase,
     heads::HeadChanged,
     hitpoints::Hitpoints,
     loading_assets::GameAssets,
@@ -251,6 +252,7 @@ fn on_update_head(
     asset_server: Res<AssetServer>,
     head: Query<Entity, With<PlayerHeadMesh>>,
     mut player_head: Query<&mut ActiveHead, With<Player>>,
+    head_db: Res<HeadsDatabase>,
 ) {
     let Ok(head) = head.get_single() else {
         return;
@@ -262,7 +264,7 @@ fn on_update_head(
 
     player.0 = trigger.0;
 
-    let head_str = head_id_to_str(trigger.0);
+    let head_str = head_db.head_key(trigger.0);
 
     commands.trigger(PlaySound::Head(head_str.to_string()));
 
@@ -271,27 +273,3 @@ fn on_update_head(
 
     commands.entity(head).insert(SceneRoot(mesh));
 }
-
-pub fn head_id_to_str(head: usize) -> &'static str {
-    match head {
-        0 => "angry demonstrator",
-        1 => "carnival knife thrower",
-        2 => "chicago gangster",
-        3 => "commando",
-        4 => "field medic",
-        5 => "geisha",
-        6 => "goblin",
-        7 => "green grocer",
-        8 => "highland hammer thrower",
-        9 => "legionnaire",
-        10 => "mig pilot",
-        11 => "nanny",
-        12 => "panic attack",
-        13 => "salty sea dog",
-        14 => "snow plough operator",
-        15 => "soldier ant",
-        16 => "super market shopper",
-        17 => "troll",
-        _ => unimplemented!(),
-    }
-}