diff --git a/src/deh_tables.c b/src/deh_tables.c
index 4fd9a3449..7fbf62af3 100644
--- a/src/deh_tables.c
+++ b/src/deh_tables.c
@@ -6658,6 +6658,7 @@ struct int_const_s const INT_CONST[] = {
 	{"RF_SHADOWEFFECTS",RF_SHADOWEFFECTS},
 	{"RF_DROPSHADOW",RF_DROPSHADOW},
 	{"RF_ABSOLUTELIGHTLEVEL",RF_ABSOLUTELIGHTLEVEL},
+	{"RF_REDUCEVFX",RF_REDUCEVFX},
 	{"RF_DONTDRAW",RF_DONTDRAW},
 	{"RF_DONTDRAWP1",RF_DONTDRAWP1},
 	{"RF_DONTDRAWP2",RF_DONTDRAWP2},
diff --git a/src/k_hitlag.c b/src/k_hitlag.c
index 4bb0d37f3..3f1a3afad 100644
--- a/src/k_hitlag.c
+++ b/src/k_hitlag.c
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ static void K_SpawnSingleHitLagSpark(
 			spark->colorized = true;
 		}
 
-		K_ReduceVFX(spark, NULL);
+		K_ReduceVFXForEveryone(spark);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index 83f16464b..8059285d7 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ UINT32 K_GetPlayerDontDrawFlag(player_t *player)
 	return flag;
 }
 
-void K_ReduceVFX(mobj_t *mo, player_t *owner)
+void K_ReduceVFXForEveryone(mobj_t *mo)
 {
 	if (cv_reducevfx.value == 0)
 	{
@@ -329,11 +329,6 @@ void K_ReduceVFX(mobj_t *mo, player_t *owner)
 	}
 
 	mo->renderflags |= RF_DONTDRAW;
-
-	if (owner != NULL)
-	{
-		mo->renderflags &= ~K_GetPlayerDontDrawFlag(owner);
-	}
 }
 
 // Angle reflection used by springs & speed pads
@@ -1741,7 +1736,8 @@ spawn_brake_dust
 	P_SetScale(spark, (spark->destscale =
 				FixedMul(scale, spark->scale)));
 
-	K_ReduceVFX(spark, master->player);
+	P_SetTarget(&spark->owner, master);
+	spark->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 }
 
 static void K_SpawnBrakeVisuals(player_t *player)
@@ -1818,7 +1814,8 @@ void K_SpawnDriftBoostClip(player_t *player)
 			P_RandomFlip(P_RandomRange(PR_DECORATION, FRACUNIT/2, FRACUNIT)),
 			FixedMul(scale, player->speed));
 
-	K_ReduceVFX(clip, player);
+	P_SetTarget(&clip->owner, player->mo);
+	clip->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 }
 
 void K_SpawnDriftBoostClipSpark(mobj_t *clip)
@@ -1875,7 +1872,8 @@ static void K_SpawnGenericSpeedLines(player_t *player, boolean top)
 	}
 
 	K_MatchGenericExtraFlags(fast, player->mo);
-	K_ReduceVFX(fast, player);
+	P_SetTarget(&fast->owner, player->mo);
+	fast->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 	if (top)
 	{
@@ -1954,7 +1952,8 @@ void K_SpawnInvincibilitySpeedLines(mobj_t *mo)
 	fast->momz = 3*P_GetMobjZMovement(mo)/4;
 
 	K_MatchGenericExtraFlags(fast, mo);
-	K_ReduceVFX(fast, mo->player);
+	P_SetTarget(&fast->owner, mo);
+	fast->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 	fast->color = mo->color;
 	fast->colorized = true;
@@ -3068,7 +3067,8 @@ void K_SpawnWaterRunParticles(mobj_t *mobj)
 			water->momz = mobj->momz;
 			P_SetScale(water, trailScale);
 			P_SetMobjState(water, curUnderlayFrame);
-			K_ReduceVFX(water, mobj->player);
+			P_SetTarget(&water->owner, mobj);
+			water->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 			// overlay
 			water = P_SpawnMobj(x1, y1,
@@ -3080,7 +3080,8 @@ void K_SpawnWaterRunParticles(mobj_t *mobj)
 			water->momz = mobj->momz;
 			P_SetScale(water, trailScale);
 			P_SetMobjState(water, curOverlayFrame);
-			K_ReduceVFX(water, mobj->player);
+			P_SetTarget(&water->owner, mobj);
+			water->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 			// Right
 			// Underlay
@@ -3093,7 +3094,8 @@ void K_SpawnWaterRunParticles(mobj_t *mobj)
 			water->momz = mobj->momz;
 			P_SetScale(water, trailScale);
 			P_SetMobjState(water, curUnderlayFrame);
-			K_ReduceVFX(water, mobj->player);
+			P_SetTarget(&water->owner, mobj);
+			water->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 			// Overlay
 			water = P_SpawnMobj(x2, y2,
@@ -3105,7 +3107,8 @@ void K_SpawnWaterRunParticles(mobj_t *mobj)
 			water->momz = mobj->momz;
 			P_SetScale(water, trailScale);
 			P_SetMobjState(water, curOverlayFrame);
-			K_ReduceVFX(water, mobj->player);
+			P_SetTarget(&water->owner, mobj);
+			water->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 			if (!S_SoundPlaying(mobj, sfx_s3kdbs))
 			{
@@ -5222,7 +5225,8 @@ static void K_SpawnDriftElectricity(player_t *player)
 		spark->momz = mo->momz;
 		spark->color = color;
 		K_GenericExtraFlagsNoZAdjust(spark, mo);
-		K_ReduceVFX(spark, player);
+		P_SetTarget(&spark->owner, mo);
+		spark->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 		spark->spritexscale += scalefactor/3;
 		spark->spriteyscale += scalefactor/8;
@@ -5293,7 +5297,8 @@ void K_SpawnDriftElectricSparks(player_t *player, int color, boolean shockwave)
 
 
 				sparkangle += ANGLE_90;
-				K_ReduceVFX(spark, player);
+				P_SetTarget(&spark->owner, mo);
+				spark->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -5444,7 +5449,8 @@ static void K_SpawnDriftSparks(player_t *player)
 			spark->tics += trail;
 
 		K_MatchGenericExtraFlags(spark, player->mo);
-		K_ReduceVFX(spark, player);
+		P_SetTarget(&spark->owner, player->mo);
+		spark->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 	}
 
 	if (player->driftcharge >= dsthree)
@@ -10641,7 +10647,8 @@ void K_KartEbrakeVisuals(player_t *p)
 			wave = P_SpawnMobj(p->mo->x, p->mo->y, p->mo->floorz, MT_SOFTLANDING);
 			P_InstaScale(wave, p->mo->scale);
 			P_SetTarget(&wave->target, p->mo);
-			K_ReduceVFX(wave, p);
+			P_SetTarget(&wave->owner, p->mo);
+			wave->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 		}
 
 		// sound
@@ -10674,7 +10681,8 @@ void K_KartEbrakeVisuals(player_t *p)
 			p->mo->hprev->angle = p->mo->angle;
 			p->mo->hprev->fuse = TICRATE/2;		// When we leave spindash for any reason, make sure this bubble goes away soon after.
 			K_FlipFromObject(p->mo->hprev, p->mo);
-			K_ReduceVFX(p->mo->hprev, p);
+			P_SetTarget(&p->mo->hprev->owner, p->mo);
+			p->mo->hprev->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 			p->mo->hprev->sprzoff = p->mo->sprzoff;
 
 			p->mo->hprev->colorized = false;
@@ -10692,7 +10700,8 @@ void K_KartEbrakeVisuals(player_t *p)
 			spdl->colorized = true;
 			spdl->color = SKINCOLOR_WHITE;
 			K_MatchGenericExtraFlags(spdl, p->mo);
-			K_ReduceVFX(spdl, p);
+			P_SetTarget(&spdl->owner, p->mo);
+			spdl->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 			P_SetScale(spdl, p->mo->scale);
 
 			// squish the player a little bit.
@@ -10811,8 +10820,6 @@ static void K_KartSpindashDust(mobj_t *parent)
 		dust->momx = FixedMul(hmomentum, FINECOSINE(ang >> ANGLETOFINESHIFT));
 		dust->momy = FixedMul(hmomentum, FINESINE(ang >> ANGLETOFINESHIFT));
 		dust->momz = vmomentum * flip;
-
-		//K_ReduceVFX(dust, parent->player);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -10840,7 +10847,8 @@ static void K_KartSpindashWind(mobj_t *parent)
 	wind->momz = 3 * P_GetMobjZMovement(parent) / 4;
 
 	K_MatchGenericExtraFlags(wind, parent);
-	K_ReduceVFX(wind, parent->player);
+	P_SetTarget(&wind->owner, parent);
+	wind->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 }
 
 // Time after which you get a thrust for releasing spindash
@@ -13083,7 +13091,8 @@ void K_SetTireGrease(player_t *player, tic_t tics)
 			P_SetTarget(&grease->target, player->mo);
 			grease->angle = K_MomentumAngle(player->mo);
 			grease->extravalue1 = i;
-			K_ReduceVFX(grease, player);
+			P_SetTarget(&grease->owner, player->mo);
+			grease->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/k_kart.h b/src/k_kart.h
index 44b7283dc..cb5e52474 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.h
+++ b/src/k_kart.h
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ void K_TimerReset(void);
 void K_TimerInit(void);
 
 UINT32 K_GetPlayerDontDrawFlag(player_t *player);
-void K_ReduceVFX(mobj_t *mo, player_t *owner);
+void K_ReduceVFXForEveryone(mobj_t *mo);
 
 boolean K_IsPlayerLosing(player_t *player);
 fixed_t K_GetKartGameSpeedScalar(SINT8 value);
diff --git a/src/k_terrain.c b/src/k_terrain.c
index d2d9a3f8a..1b1e4bb72 100644
--- a/src/k_terrain.c
+++ b/src/k_terrain.c
@@ -628,7 +628,8 @@ void K_ProcessTerrainEffect(mobj_t *mo)
 			spark->fuse = 9;
 			spark->cusval = K_StairJankFlip(ANGLE_90);
 			P_SetTarget(&spark->target, mo);
-			K_ReduceVFX(spark, player);
+			P_SetTarget(&spark->owner, mo);
+			spark->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 		}
 
 		player->stairjank = 17;
diff --git a/src/lua_mobjlib.c b/src/lua_mobjlib.c
index 51751f996..7ce40beb0 100644
--- a/src/lua_mobjlib.c
+++ b/src/lua_mobjlib.c
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ enum mobj_e {
 	mobj_stringargs,
 	mobj_reappear,
 	mobj_punt_ref,
+	mobj_owner,
 };
 
 static const char *const mobj_opt[] = {
@@ -198,6 +199,7 @@ static const char *const mobj_opt[] = {
 	"stringargs",
 	"reappear",
 	"punt_ref",
+	"owner",
 	NULL};
 
 #define UNIMPLEMENTED luaL_error(L, LUA_QL("mobj_t") " field " LUA_QS " is not implemented for Lua and cannot be accessed.", mobj_opt[field])
@@ -508,6 +510,14 @@ static int mobj_get(lua_State *L)
 		}
 		LUA_PushUserdata(L, mo->punt_ref, META_MOBJ);
 		break;
+	case mobj_owner:
+		if (mo->owner && P_MobjWasRemoved(mo->owner))
+		{ // don't put invalid mobj back into Lua.
+			P_SetTarget(&mo->owner, NULL);
+			return 0;
+		}
+		LUA_PushUserdata(L, mo->owner, META_MOBJ);
+		break;
 	default: // extra custom variables in Lua memory
 		lua_getfield(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX, LREG_EXTVARS);
 		I_Assert(lua_istable(L, -1));
@@ -910,6 +920,15 @@ static int mobj_set(lua_State *L)
 			P_SetTarget(&mo->punt_ref, punt_ref);
 		}
 		break;
+	case mobj_owner:
+		if (lua_isnil(L, 3))
+			P_SetTarget(&mo->owner, NULL);
+		else
+		{
+			mobj_t *owner = *((mobj_t **)luaL_checkudata(L, 3, META_MOBJ));
+			P_SetTarget(&mo->owner, owner);
+		}
+		break;
 	default:
 		lua_getfield(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX, LREG_EXTVARS);
 		I_Assert(lua_istable(L, -1));
diff --git a/src/objects/broly.c b/src/objects/broly.c
index f67847ad1..2419fac10 100644
--- a/src/objects/broly.c
+++ b/src/objects/broly.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ Obj_SpawnBrolyKi
 
 	x->tics = (duration + BUFFER_TICS);
 
-	K_ReduceVFX(x, NULL);
+	K_ReduceVFXForEveryone(x);
 
 	S_StartSound(x, sfx_cdfm74);
 
diff --git a/src/objects/ufo.c b/src/objects/ufo.c
index 7ad363775..3ed9614f4 100644
--- a/src/objects/ufo.c
+++ b/src/objects/ufo.c
@@ -112,7 +112,8 @@ static void SpawnEmeraldSpeedLines(mobj_t *mo)
 	fast->momz = 3*P_GetMobjZMovement(mo)/4;
 
 	K_MatchGenericExtraFlags(fast, mo);
-	K_ReduceVFX(fast, mo->player);
+	P_SetTarget(&fast->owner, mo);
+	fast->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 	fast->color = mo->color;
 	fast->colorized = true;
diff --git a/src/p_enemy.c b/src/p_enemy.c
index 2f7700a30..f76bf88b7 100644
--- a/src/p_enemy.c
+++ b/src/p_enemy.c
@@ -3828,7 +3828,8 @@ void A_AttractChase(mobj_t *actor)
 				P_SetTarget(&sparkle->target, actor->target);
 				sparkle->angle = (actor->target->angle + (offset>>1)) + (offset * actor->target->player->sparkleanim);
 				actor->target->player->sparkleanim = (actor->target->player->sparkleanim+1) % 20;
-				K_ReduceVFX(sparkle, actor->target->player);
+				P_SetTarget(&sparkle->owner, actor->target);
+				sparkle->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 				P_KillMobj(actor, actor->target, actor->target, DMG_NORMAL);
 				return;
diff --git a/src/p_map.c b/src/p_map.c
index f15c29226..5e68afc21 100644
--- a/src/p_map.c
+++ b/src/p_map.c
@@ -3148,7 +3148,8 @@ boolean P_TryMove(mobj_t *thing, fixed_t x, fixed_t y, boolean allowdropoff, Try
 			spark->fuse = 9;
 			spark->cusval = K_StairJankFlip(ANGLE_90);
 			P_SetTarget(&spark->target, thing);
-			K_ReduceVFX(spark, thing->player);
+			P_SetTarget(&spark->owner, thing);
+			spark->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 		}
 
 		thing->player->stairjank = 17;
diff --git a/src/p_mobj.c b/src/p_mobj.c
index 4e43c7c93..ebb9353b5 100644
--- a/src/p_mobj.c
+++ b/src/p_mobj.c
@@ -8036,7 +8036,8 @@ static boolean P_MobjRegularThink(mobj_t *mobj)
 			}
 		}
 
-		K_ReduceVFX(mobj, mobj->target->player);
+		P_SetTarget(&mobj->owner, mobj->target);
+		mobj->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 		break;
 	}
 	case MT_BOOSTFLAME:
@@ -8125,7 +8126,8 @@ static boolean P_MobjRegularThink(mobj_t *mobj)
 				S_StartSound(mobj, sfx_cdfm17);
 
 			K_MatchGenericExtraFlags(mobj, mobj->target);
-			K_ReduceVFX(mobj, mobj->target->player);
+			P_SetTarget(&mobj->owner, mobj->target);
+			mobj->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 			if (leveltime & 1)
 				mobj->renderflags |= RF_DONTDRAW;
 		}
@@ -8330,7 +8332,8 @@ static boolean P_MobjRegularThink(mobj_t *mobj)
 				mobj->renderflags = (mobj->renderflags & ~RF_TRANSMASK)|(trans << RF_TRANSSHIFT);
 		}
 
-		K_ReduceVFX(mobj, mobj->target->player);
+		P_SetTarget(&mobj->owner, mobj->target);
+		mobj->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 		break;
 	case MT_MAGICIANBOX:
 	{
@@ -10447,6 +10450,8 @@ void P_MobjThinker(mobj_t *mobj)
 		P_SetTarget(&mobj->itnext, NULL);
 	if (mobj->punt_ref && P_MobjWasRemoved(mobj->punt_ref))
 		P_SetTarget(&mobj->punt_ref, NULL);
+	if (mobj->owner && P_MobjWasRemoved(mobj->owner))
+		P_SetTarget(&mobj->owner, NULL);
 
 	if (mobj->flags & MF_NOTHINK)
 		return;
@@ -12002,6 +12007,7 @@ void P_RemoveMobj(mobj_t *mobj)
 
 	P_SetTarget(&mobj->itnext, NULL);
 	P_SetTarget(&mobj->punt_ref, NULL);
+	P_SetTarget(&mobj->owner, NULL);
 
 	P_RemoveThingTID(mobj);
 	P_DeleteMobjStringArgs(mobj);
diff --git a/src/p_mobj.h b/src/p_mobj.h
index 1fbb676bf..2570acda9 100644
--- a/src/p_mobj.h
+++ b/src/p_mobj.h
@@ -445,6 +445,8 @@ struct mobj_t
 	// If punt_ref, set punt_ref->reappear, treat as if this->reappear
 	mobj_t *punt_ref;
 
+	mobj_t *owner;
+
 	// WARNING: New fields must be added separately to savegame and Lua.
 };
 
diff --git a/src/p_saveg.c b/src/p_saveg.c
index 6f1450773..f837a73c4 100644
--- a/src/p_saveg.c
+++ b/src/p_saveg.c
@@ -2708,6 +2708,7 @@ typedef enum
 	MD3_LIGHTLEVEL		= 1,
 	MD3_REAPPEAR		= 1<<1,
 	MD3_PUNT_REF		= 1<<2,
+	MD3_OWNER			= 1<<3,
 } mobj_diff3_t;
 
 typedef enum
@@ -3032,6 +3033,8 @@ static void SaveMobjThinker(savebuffer_t *save, const thinker_t *th, const UINT8
 		diff3 |= MD3_REAPPEAR;
 	if (mobj->punt_ref)
 		diff3 |= MD3_PUNT_REF;
+	if (mobj->owner)
+		diff3 |= MD3_OWNER;
 
 	if (diff3 != 0)
 		diff2 |= MD2_MORE;
@@ -3320,6 +3323,10 @@ static void SaveMobjThinker(savebuffer_t *save, const thinker_t *th, const UINT8
 	{
 		WRITEUINT32(save->p, mobj->punt_ref->mobjnum);
 	}
+	if (diff3 & MD3_OWNER)
+	{
+		WRITEUINT32(save->p, mobj->owner->mobjnum);
+	}
 
 	WRITEUINT32(save->p, mobj->mobjnum);
 }
@@ -4574,6 +4581,10 @@ static thinker_t* LoadMobjThinker(savebuffer_t *save, actionf_p1 thinker)
 	{
 		mobj->punt_ref = (mobj_t *)(size_t)READUINT32(save->p);
 	}
+	if (diff3 & MD3_OWNER)
+	{
+		mobj->owner = (mobj_t *)(size_t)READUINT32(save->p);
+	}
 
 	// set sprev, snext, bprev, bnext, subsector
 	P_SetThingPosition(mobj);
@@ -5621,6 +5632,13 @@ static void P_RelinkPointers(void)
 			if (!P_SetTarget(&mobj->punt_ref, P_FindNewPosition(temp)))
 				CONS_Debug(DBG_GAMELOGIC, "punt_ref not found on %d\n", mobj->type);
 		}
+		if (mobj->owner)
+		{
+			temp = (UINT32)(size_t)mobj->owner;
+			mobj->owner = NULL;
+			if (!P_SetTarget(&mobj->owner, P_FindNewPosition(temp)))
+				CONS_Debug(DBG_GAMELOGIC, "owner not found on %d\n", mobj->type);
+		}
 	}
 
 	for (i = 0; i < MAXPLAYERS; i++)
diff --git a/src/p_user.c b/src/p_user.c
index 24603b633..b2d3b1889 100644
--- a/src/p_user.c
+++ b/src/p_user.c
@@ -1168,7 +1168,8 @@ mobj_t *P_SpawnGhostMobj(mobj_t *mobj)
 	ghost->old_roll = mobj->old_roll2;
 	ghost->old_scale = mobj->old_scale2;
 
-	K_ReduceVFX(ghost, mobj->player);
+	P_SetTarget(&ghost->owner, mobj);
+	ghost->renderflags |= RF_REDUCEVFX;
 
 	ghost->reappear = mobj->reappear;
 	P_SetTarget(&ghost->punt_ref, mobj->punt_ref);
diff --git a/src/r_defs.h b/src/r_defs.h
index 8d84fbd6e..33933bed4 100644
--- a/src/r_defs.h
+++ b/src/r_defs.h
@@ -973,6 +973,7 @@ typedef enum
 	RF_DROPSHADOW       = (RF_SHADOWDRAW | RF_SHADOWEFFECTS | RF_FULLDARK),
 
 	RF_ABSOLUTELIGHTLEVEL = 0x00010000, //  mobj_t.lightlevel is absolute instead of relative
+	RF_REDUCEVFX          = 0x00020000, //  only mobj_t.owner can see this object
 
 	RF_DONTDRAW         = 0x00F00000,   // --Don't generate a vissprite
 	RF_DONTDRAWP1       = 0x00100000,   // No P1
diff --git a/src/r_things.cpp b/src/r_things.cpp
index 37dcc3bf4..a1187b803 100644
--- a/src/r_things.cpp
+++ b/src/r_things.cpp
@@ -3775,6 +3775,9 @@ boolean R_ThingVisible (mobj_t *thing)
 	|| (viewssnum == 3 && (thing->renderflags & RF_DONTDRAWP4)))
 		return false;
 
+	if ((thing->renderflags & RF_REDUCEVFX) && cv_reducevfx.value && thing->owner != players[displayplayers[viewssnum]].mo)
+		return false;
+
 	return true;
 }