diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 019789c0c2..06adad3270 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 - Changed crafting recipes involving shiny gems to use diamonds instead.
 - Cave scatter now includes all 6 gems.
 - Adjusted Stonework Defender loot table to remove mindflayer drops (bag, staff, glider).
+- Made humanoid NPCs use gliders (if equipped) when falling
 - Changed default controller key bindings
 - Improved network efficiency by ≈ factor 10 by using tokio.
 - Added item tooltips to trade window.
diff --git a/common/src/comp/inventory/loadout_builder.rs b/common/src/comp/inventory/loadout_builder.rs
index ff81dcf0df..0486993624 100644
--- a/common/src/comp/inventory/loadout_builder.rs
+++ b/common/src/comp/inventory/loadout_builder.rs
@@ -316,6 +316,9 @@ impl LoadoutBuilder {
                         0 => Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect("common.items.lantern.black_0")),
                         _ => None,
                     })
+                    .glider(Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect(
+                        "common.items.glider.glider_starter",
+                    )))
                     .build(),
                 Bandit => LoadoutBuilder::new()
                     .active_item(active_item)
@@ -341,6 +344,9 @@ impl LoadoutBuilder {
                         0 => Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect("common.items.lantern.black_0")),
                         _ => None,
                     })
+                    .glider(Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect(
+                        "common.items.glider.glider_starter",
+                    )))
                     .build(),
                 CultistNovice => LoadoutBuilder::new()
                     .active_item(active_item)
@@ -369,6 +375,9 @@ impl LoadoutBuilder {
                         0 => Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect("common.items.lantern.black_0")),
                         _ => None,
                     })
+                    .glider(Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect(
+                        "common.items.glider.glider_blue",
+                    )))
                     .build(),
                 CultistAcolyte => LoadoutBuilder::new()
                     .active_item(active_item)
@@ -397,6 +406,9 @@ impl LoadoutBuilder {
                         0 => Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect("common.items.lantern.black_0")),
                         _ => None,
                     })
+                    .glider(Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect(
+                        "common.items.glider.glider_blue",
+                    )))
                     .build(),
                 Warlord => LoadoutBuilder::new()
                     .active_item(active_item)
@@ -425,6 +437,9 @@ impl LoadoutBuilder {
                         0 => Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect("common.items.lantern.black_0")),
                         _ => None,
                     })
+                    .glider(Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect(
+                        "common.items.glider.glider_cultist",
+                    )))
                     .build(),
                 Warlock => LoadoutBuilder::new()
                     .active_item(active_item)
@@ -453,6 +468,9 @@ impl LoadoutBuilder {
                         0 => Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect("common.items.lantern.black_0")),
                         _ => None,
                     })
+                    .glider(Some(Item::new_from_asset_expect(
+                        "common.items.glider.glider_cultist",
+                    )))
                     .build(),
                 Villager => LoadoutBuilder::new()
                     .active_item(active_item)
diff --git a/server/src/sys/agent.rs b/server/src/sys/agent.rs
index 8d3c76d8c2..00a634c6b4 100644
--- a/server/src/sys/agent.rs
+++ b/server/src/sys/agent.rs
@@ -166,6 +166,12 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                     alignment.copied()
                 };
 
+                let glider_equipped = inventory.equipped(EquipSlot::Glider).as_ref().map_or(false, |item| {
+                    matches!(item.kind(), comp::item::ItemKind::Glider(_))
+                });
+
+                let is_gliding = matches!(char_states.get(entity), Some(CharacterState::GlideWield) | Some(CharacterState::Glide)) && !physics_state.on_ground;
+
                 controller.reset();
                 let mut event_emitter = event_bus.emitter();
                 // Light lanterns at night
@@ -374,7 +380,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                                 }
 
                                 // Put away weapon
-                                if thread_rng().gen::<f32>() < 0.005 {
+                                if thread_rng().gen::<f32>() < 0.005 && matches!(char_states.get(entity), Some(CharacterState::Wielding)) {
                                     controller.actions.push(ControlAction::Unwield);
                                 }
 
@@ -384,7 +390,9 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                                 }
                             }
 
-                            controller.actions.push(ControlAction::Unwield);
+                            if physics_state.on_ground {
+                                controller.actions.push(ControlAction::Unwield);
+                            }
 
                             // Sometimes try searching for new targets
                             if thread_rng().gen::<f32>() < 0.1 {
@@ -439,7 +447,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                             timer,
                         } => {
                             if let Some(body) = body {
-                                if body.can_strafe() {
+                                if body.can_strafe() && !is_gliding {  // Keep glider open if already gliding
                                     controller.actions.push(ControlAction::Unwield);
                                 }
                             }
@@ -1437,6 +1445,15 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                     }
                 }
 
+                if glider_equipped && !physics_state.on_ground {
+                    if let Some(velocity) = velocities.get(entity) {
+                        // toggle glider when vertical velocity is above some threshold (here ~ glider fall vertical speed)
+                        if velocity.0.z < -26.0 {
+                            controller.actions.push(ControlAction::GlideWield);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
                 if do_idle {
                     agent.activity = Activity::Idle {
                         bearing: Vec2::zero(),