diff --git a/Sources/CMakeLists.txt b/Sources/CMakeLists.txt
index 5683ced..ef8aee2 100644
--- a/Sources/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/Sources/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ if(CMAKE_COMPILER_IS_GNUCC OR CMAKE_C_COMPILER_ID STREQUAL "Clang")
 	MESSAGE(WARNING, "re-enable some of the warnings some day!")
 
 	if(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID MATCHES "Clang" OR CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID MATCHES "AppleClang")
-		add_compile_options(-Wno-tautological-undefined-compare) # don't complain about if(this!=NULL)
+		# !!! FIXME: turn a bunch of these off, this is just for now. I hope.  --ryan.
 		add_compile_options(-Wno-c++11-compat-deprecated-writable-strings)
 	endif()
 
diff --git a/Sources/Engine/Brushes/BrushShadows.cpp b/Sources/Engine/Brushes/BrushShadows.cpp
index d0d832f..8cf91d9 100644
--- a/Sources/Engine/Brushes/BrushShadows.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Engine/Brushes/BrushShadows.cpp
@@ -562,9 +562,9 @@ void CBrushShadowMap::CheckLayersUpToDate(void)
     CBrushShadowLayer &bsl = *itbsl;
     if( bsl.bsl_ulFlags&BSLF_ALLDARK) continue;
     // light source must be valid
+    ASSERT( bsl.bsl_plsLightSource!=NULL);
+    if( bsl.bsl_plsLightSource==NULL) continue;
     CLightSource &ls = *bsl.bsl_plsLightSource;
-    ASSERT( &ls!=NULL);
-    if( &ls==NULL) continue;
     // if the layer is not up to date
     if( bsl.bsl_colLastAnim != ls.GetLightColor()) {
       // invalidate entire shadow map
@@ -581,9 +581,9 @@ BOOL CBrushShadowMap::HasDynamicLayers(void)
   // for each layer
   FOREACHINLIST( CBrushShadowLayer, bsl_lnInShadowMap, bsm_lhLayers, itbsl)
   { // light source must be valid
+    ASSERT( itbsl->bsl_plsLightSource!=NULL);
+    if( itbsl->bsl_plsLightSource==NULL) continue;
     CLightSource &ls = *itbsl->bsl_plsLightSource;
-    ASSERT( &ls!=NULL);
-    if( &ls==NULL) continue;
     // if the layer is dynamic, it has
     if( ls.ls_ulFlags&LSF_DYNAMIC) return TRUE;
   }
diff --git a/Sources/Engine/Entities/Entity.h b/Sources/Engine/Entities/Entity.h
index 5f98d38..57d174d 100644
--- a/Sources/Engine/Entities/Entity.h
+++ b/Sources/Engine/Entities/Entity.h
@@ -688,6 +688,7 @@ inline const CEntityPointer &CEntityPointer::operator=(const CEntityPointer &pen
   return *this;
 }
 inline CEntity* CEntityPointer::operator->(void) const { return ep_pen; }
+inline CEntity* CEntityPointer::get(void) const { return ep_pen; }
 inline CEntityPointer::operator CEntity*(void) const { return ep_pen; }
 inline CEntity& CEntityPointer::operator*(void) const { return *ep_pen; }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Engine/Entities/EntityPointer.h b/Sources/Engine/Entities/EntityPointer.h
index 349982a..614387b 100644
--- a/Sources/Engine/Entities/EntityPointer.h
+++ b/Sources/Engine/Entities/EntityPointer.h
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ public:
   inline const CEntityPointer &operator=(CEntity *pen);
   inline const CEntityPointer &operator=(const CEntityPointer &penOther);
   inline CEntity* operator->(void) const;
+  inline CEntity* get(void) const;
   inline operator CEntity*(void) const;
   inline CEntity& operator*(void) const;
 };
diff --git a/Sources/Engine/Light/LayerMixer.cpp b/Sources/Engine/Light/LayerMixer.cpp
index 5d8750f..9b9992d 100755
--- a/Sources/Engine/Light/LayerMixer.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Engine/Light/LayerMixer.cpp
@@ -1770,8 +1770,9 @@ void CLayerMixer::MixOneMipmap(CBrushShadowMap *pbsm, INDEX iMipmap)
     if( lm_pbpoPolygon->bpo_ulFlags&BPOF_HASDIRECTIONALAMBIENT) {
       {FOREACHINLIST( CBrushShadowLayer, bsl_lnInShadowMap, lm_pbsmShadowMap->bsm_lhLayers, itbsl) {
         CBrushShadowLayer &bsl = *itbsl;
+        ASSERT( bsl.bsl_plsLightSource!=NULL);
+        if( bsl.bsl_plsLightSource==NULL) continue; // safety check
         CLightSource &ls = *bsl.bsl_plsLightSource;
-        ASSERT( &ls!=NULL); if( &ls==NULL) continue; // safety check
         if( !(ls.ls_ulFlags&LSF_DIRECTIONAL)) continue;  // skip non-directional layers
         COLOR col = AdjustColor( ls.GetLightAmbient(), _slShdHueShift, _slShdSaturation);
         colAmbient = AddColors( colAmbient, col);
@@ -1843,8 +1844,9 @@ void CLayerMixer::MixOneMipmap(CBrushShadowMap *pbsm, INDEX iMipmap)
   {FORDELETELIST( CBrushShadowLayer, bsl_lnInShadowMap, lm_pbsmShadowMap->bsm_lhLayers, itbsl)
   {
     CBrushShadowLayer &bsl = *itbsl;
+    ASSERT( bsl.bsl_plsLightSource!=NULL);
+    if( bsl.bsl_plsLightSource==NULL) continue; // safety check
     CLightSource &ls = *bsl.bsl_plsLightSource;
-    ASSERT( &ls!=NULL); if( &ls==NULL) continue; // safety check
 
     // skip if should not be applied
     if( (bDynamicOnly && !(ls.ls_ulFlags&LSF_NONPERSISTENT)) || (ls.ls_ulFlags & LSF_DYNAMIC)) continue;
diff --git a/Sources/Engine/Math/ObjectSector.cpp b/Sources/Engine/Math/ObjectSector.cpp
index f02d59b..960fb63 100644
--- a/Sources/Engine/Math/ObjectSector.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Engine/Math/ObjectSector.cpp
@@ -1115,10 +1115,10 @@ void CObjectPolygon::JoinContinuingEdges(CDynamicArray<CObjectEdge> &oedEdges)
 
   // for each edge
   {FOREACHINDYNAMICARRAY(opo_PolygonEdges, CObjectPolygonEdge, itope) {
-    CObjectEdge &oedThis = *itope->ope_Edge;
+    CObjectEdge *poedThis = itope->ope_Edge;
 
     // if not already marked for removal
-    if (&oedThis != NULL) {
+    if (poedThis != NULL) {
       CObjectVertex *povxStartThis, *povxEndThis;
       // get start and end vertices
       itope->GetVertices(povxStartThis, povxEndThis);
@@ -1133,12 +1133,12 @@ void CObjectPolygon::JoinContinuingEdges(CDynamicArray<CObjectEdge> &oedEdges)
 
         // for each edge
         {FOREACHINDYNAMICARRAY(opo_PolygonEdges, CObjectPolygonEdge, itope2) {
-          CObjectEdge &oedOther = *itope2->ope_Edge;
+          CObjectEdge *poedOther = itope2->ope_Edge;
 
           // if not already marked for removal
-          if (&oedOther != NULL) {
+          if (poedOther != NULL) {
             // if the two edges are collinear
-            if ( CompareEdgeLines(*oedThis.colinear2.oed_pedxLine, *oedOther.colinear2.oed_pedxLine)==0) {
+            if ( CompareEdgeLines(*poedThis->colinear2.oed_pedxLine, *poedOther->colinear2.oed_pedxLine)==0) {
               CObjectVertex *povxStartOther, *povxEndOther;
               // get start and end vertices
               itope2->GetVertices(povxStartOther, povxEndOther);
diff --git a/Sources/Engine/Rendering/RenCache.cpp b/Sources/Engine/Rendering/RenCache.cpp
index dfc631d..3b6fba0 100644
--- a/Sources/Engine/Rendering/RenCache.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Engine/Rendering/RenCache.cpp
@@ -779,23 +779,23 @@ CScreenPolygon *CRenderer::MakeScreenPolygon(CBrushPolygon &bpo)
 void CRenderer::AddPolygonToScene( CScreenPolygon *pspo)
 {
   // if the polygon is not falid or occluder and not selected 
-  CBrushPolygon &bpo = *pspo->spo_pbpoBrushPolygon;
-  if( &bpo==NULL || ((bpo.bpo_ulFlags&BPOF_OCCLUDER) && (!(bpo.bpo_ulFlags&BPOF_SELECTED) ||
+  CBrushPolygon *pbpo = pspo->spo_pbpoBrushPolygon;
+  if(pbpo==NULL || ((pbpo->bpo_ulFlags&BPOF_OCCLUDER) && (!(pbpo->bpo_ulFlags&BPOF_SELECTED) ||
       _wrpWorldRenderPrefs.GetSelectionType()!=CWorldRenderPrefs::ST_POLYGONS))) {
     // do not add it to rendering
     return;
   }
-  CBrushSector &bsc  = *bpo.bpo_pbscSector;
+  CBrushSector &bsc  = *pbpo->bpo_pbscSector;
   ScenePolygon &sppo = pspo->spo_spoScenePolygon;
   const CViewVertex *pvvx0 = &re_avvxViewVertices[bsc.bsc_ivvx0];
-  const INDEX ctVtx = bpo.bpo_apbvxTriangleVertices.Count();
+  const INDEX ctVtx = pbpo->bpo_apbvxTriangleVertices.Count();
   sppo.spo_iVtx0    = _avtxScene.Count();
   GFXVertex3 *pvtx  = _avtxScene.Push(ctVtx);
 
   // find vertex with nearest Z distance while copying vertices
   FLOAT fNearestZ = 123456789.0f;
   for( INDEX i=0; i<ctVtx; i++) {
-    CBrushVertex *pbvx = bpo.bpo_apbvxTriangleVertices[i];
+    CBrushVertex *pbvx = pbpo->bpo_apbvxTriangleVertices[i];
     const INDEX iVtx = bsc.bsc_abvxVertices.Index(pbvx);
     const FLOAT3D &v = pvvx0[iVtx].vvx_vView;
     if( -v(3)<fNearestZ) fNearestZ = -v(3);  // inverted because of negative sign
@@ -809,8 +809,8 @@ void CRenderer::AddPolygonToScene( CScreenPolygon *pspo)
 
   // all done
   sppo.spo_ctVtx = ctVtx;
-  sppo.spo_ctElements =  bpo.bpo_aiTriangleElements.Count();
-  sppo.spo_piElements = sppo.spo_ctElements ? &bpo.bpo_aiTriangleElements[0] : NULL;
+  sppo.spo_ctElements =  pbpo->bpo_aiTriangleElements.Count();
+  sppo.spo_piElements = sppo.spo_ctElements ? &pbpo->bpo_aiTriangleElements[0] : NULL;
   _sfStats.IncrementCounter(CStatForm::SCI_SCENE_TRIANGLES, sppo.spo_ctElements/3);
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Engine/World/WorldCSG.cpp b/Sources/Engine/World/WorldCSG.cpp
index d69e846..1732afa 100644
--- a/Sources/Engine/World/WorldCSG.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Engine/World/WorldCSG.cpp
@@ -172,15 +172,15 @@ void CWorld::DoCSGOperation(
   AssureFPT_53();
 
   // get relevant brush mips in each brush
-  CBrushMip &bmThis  = *GetBrushMip(enThis);
-  CBrushMip &bmOther = *GetBrushMip(enOther);
-  if (&bmThis==NULL || &bmOther==NULL) {
+  CBrushMip *pbmThis  = GetBrushMip(enThis);
+  CBrushMip *pbmOther = GetBrushMip(enOther);
+  if (pbmThis==NULL || pbmOther==NULL) {
     return;
   }
 
   // get open sector of the other brush to object
   CBrushSectorSelectionForCSG selbscOtherOpen;
-  bmOther.SelectOpenSector(selbscOtherOpen);
+  pbmOther->SelectOpenSector(selbscOtherOpen);
   CObject3D obOtherOpen;
   DOUBLEaabbox3D boxOtherOpen;
   woOther.CopySourceBrushSectorsToObject(enOther, selbscOtherOpen, plOther,
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ void CWorld::DoCSGOperation(
     obOtherOpen.TurnPortalsToWalls();
 
     // if there are any sectors in this brush
-    if (bmThis.bm_abscSectors.Count()>0) {
+    if (pbmThis->bm_abscSectors.Count()>0) {
       // move affected part of this brush to an object3d object
       CObject3D obThis;
       MoveTargetBrushPartToObject(enThis, boxOtherOpen, obThis);
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ void CWorld::DoCSGOperation(
 
   // get closed sectors of the other brush to object
   CBrushSectorSelectionForCSG selbscOtherClosed;
-  bmOther.SelectClosedSectors(selbscOtherClosed);
+  pbmOther->SelectClosedSectors(selbscOtherClosed);
   CObject3D obOtherClosed;
   DOUBLEaabbox3D boxOtherClosed;
   woOther.CopySourceBrushSectorsToObject(enOther, selbscOtherClosed, plOther,
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ void CWorld::DoCSGOperation(
     CObject3D obResult;
 
     // if there are any sectors in this brush
-    if (bmThis.bm_abscSectors.Count()>0) {
+    if (pbmThis->bm_abscSectors.Count()>0) {
       // move affected part of this brush to an object3d object
       CObject3D obThis;
       MoveTargetBrushPartToObject(enThis, boxOtherClosed, obThis);
@@ -304,16 +304,16 @@ void CWorld::CSGRemove(CEntity &enThis, CWorld &woOther, CEntity &enOther,
   AssureFPT_53();
 
   // get relevant brush mip in other brush
-  CBrushMip &bmOther = *GetBrushMip(enOther);
-  if (&bmOther==NULL) {
+  CBrushMip *pbmOther = GetBrushMip(enOther);
+  if (pbmOther==NULL) {
     return;
   }
 
   // if other brush has more than one sector
-  if (bmOther.bm_abscSectors.Count()>1) {
+  if (pbmOther->bm_abscSectors.Count()>1) {
     // join all sectors of the other brush together
     CBrushSectorSelection selbscOtherAll;
-    bmOther.SelectAllSectors(selbscOtherAll);
+    pbmOther->SelectAllSectors(selbscOtherAll);
     woOther.JoinSectors(selbscOtherAll);
   }
 
@@ -380,15 +380,15 @@ void CWorld::SplitSectors(CEntity &enThis, CBrushSectorSelection &selbscSectorsT
   AssureFPT_53();
 
   // get relevant brush mip in this brush
-  CBrushMip &bmThis = *GetBrushMip(enThis);
-  if (&bmThis==NULL) {
+  CBrushMip *pbmThis = GetBrushMip(enThis);
+  if (pbmThis==NULL) {
     _pfWorldEditingProfile.StopTimer(CWorldEditingProfile::PTI_CSGTOTAL);
     return;
   }
 
   // get relevant brush mip in other brush
-  CBrushMip &bmOther = *GetBrushMip(enOther);
-  if (&bmOther==NULL) {
+  CBrushMip *pbmOther = GetBrushMip(enOther);
+  if (pbmOther==NULL) {
     _pfWorldEditingProfile.StopTimer(CWorldEditingProfile::PTI_CSGTOTAL);
     return;
   }
@@ -396,10 +396,10 @@ void CWorld::SplitSectors(CEntity &enThis, CBrushSectorSelection &selbscSectorsT
   /* Assure that the other brush has only one sector. */
 
   // if other brush has more than one sector
-  if (bmOther.bm_abscSectors.Count()>1) {
+  if (pbmOther->bm_abscSectors.Count()>1) {
     // join all sectors of the other brush together
     CBrushSectorSelection selbscOtherAll;
-    bmOther.SelectAllSectors(selbscOtherAll);
+    pbmOther->SelectAllSectors(selbscOtherAll);
     woOther.JoinSectors(selbscOtherAll);
   }
 
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ void CWorld::SplitSectors(CEntity &enThis, CBrushSectorSelection &selbscSectorsT
 
   // get the sector of the other brush to object
   CBrushSectorSelectionForCSG selbscOther;
-  bmOther.SelectAllSectors(selbscOther);
+  pbmOther->SelectAllSectors(selbscOther);
   CObject3D obOther;
   DOUBLEaabbox3D boxOther;
   woOther.CopySourceBrushSectorsToObject(enOther, selbscOther, plOther,
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ void CWorld::SplitSectors(CEntity &enThis, CBrushSectorSelection &selbscSectorsT
   // if the selection is empty
   if (selbscSectorsToSplit.Count()==0) {
     // select all sectors near the splitting tool
-    bmThis.SelectSectorsInRange(selbscSectorsToSplit, DOUBLEtoFLOAT(boxOther));
+    pbmThis->SelectSectorsInRange(selbscSectorsToSplit, DOUBLEtoFLOAT(boxOther));
   }
   // for all sectors in the selection
   FOREACHINDYNAMICCONTAINER(selbscSectorsToSplit, CBrushSector, itbsc) {
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ void CWorld::SplitSectors(CEntity &enThis, CBrushSectorSelection &selbscSectorsT
   }
 
   // update the bounding boxes of this brush
-  bmThis.bm_pbrBrush->CalculateBoundingBoxes();
+  pbmThis->bm_pbrBrush->CalculateBoundingBoxes();
   // find possible shadow layers near affected area
   FindShadowLayers(DOUBLEtoFLOAT(boxOther));
 
@@ -574,8 +574,8 @@ void CWorld::SplitPolygons(CEntity &enThis, CBrushPolygonSelection &selbpoPolygo
   _pfWorldEditingProfile.IncrementAveragingCounter();
 
   // get relevant brush mip in other brush
-  CBrushMip &bmOther = *GetBrushMip(enOther);
-  if (&bmOther==NULL) {
+  CBrushMip *pbmOther = GetBrushMip(enOther);
+  if (pbmOther==NULL) {
     _pfWorldEditingProfile.StopTimer(CWorldEditingProfile::PTI_CSGTOTAL);
     return;
   }
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ void CWorld::SplitPolygons(CEntity &enThis, CBrushPolygonSelection &selbpoPolygo
 
   // get the sector of the other brush to object
   CBrushSectorSelectionForCSG selbscOther;
-  bmOther.SelectAllSectors(selbscOther);
+  pbmOther->SelectAllSectors(selbscOther);
   CObject3D obOther;
   DOUBLEaabbox3D boxOther;
   woOther.CopySourceBrushSectorsToObject(enOther, selbscOther, plOther,
diff --git a/Sources/EntitiesMP/Summoner.es b/Sources/EntitiesMP/Summoner.es
index 5fa1ae9..02fe1c6 100755
--- a/Sources/EntitiesMP/Summoner.es
+++ b/Sources/EntitiesMP/Summoner.es
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ functions:
     while (iCount>0)
     {
       i++;
-      while (&*pen[i]==NULL) {
+      while (pen[i].get()==NULL) {
         i++;
       } 
       iCount--;        
@@ -1337,17 +1337,17 @@ procedures:
     m_iGroup01Count = 0;
     pen = &m_penGroup01Template01;
     for (i=0; i<SUMMONER_TEMP_PER_GROUP; i++) {
-      if (&*pen[i]!=NULL) { m_iGroup01Count++; }
+      if (pen[i].get()!=NULL) { m_iGroup01Count++; }
     }
     m_iGroup02Count = 0;
     pen = &m_penGroup02Template01;
     for (i=0; i<SUMMONER_TEMP_PER_GROUP; i++) {
-      if (&*pen[i]!=NULL) { m_iGroup02Count++; }
+      if (pen[i].get()!=NULL) { m_iGroup02Count++; }
     }
     m_iGroup03Count = 0;
     pen = &m_penGroup03Template01;
     for (i=0; i<SUMMONER_TEMP_PER_GROUP; i++) {
-      if (&*pen[i]!=NULL) { m_iGroup03Count++; }
+      if (pen[i].get()!=NULL) { m_iGroup03Count++; }
     }
 
     if (!DoSafetyChecks()) {