diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 1a681c83..52bbecb6 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20)
-project(MegaManXSNESRecomp VERSION 2.2.12 LANGUAGES C CXX)
+project(MegaManXSNESRecomp VERSION 2.3.0 LANGUAGES C CXX)
 set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD 11)
 find_package(Python3 COMPONENTS Interpreter REQUIRED)
 find_package(Git QUIET)
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ add_custom_command(OUTPUT "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/mmx_weapon_sources.h"
         "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/mmx_weapon_sources.h"
     DEPENDS tools/generate_x_weapon_tables.py tools/data/x_weapon_assets.json VERBATIM)
 
-set(SNESRECOMP_BUILD_VERSION "${PROJECT_VERSION}-alpha" CACHE STRING "Release stamp for crash reports")
+set(SNESRECOMP_BUILD_VERSION "${PROJECT_VERSION}" CACHE STRING "Release stamp for crash reports")
 set(SNESRECOMP_ROOT "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/snesrecomp" CACHE PATH "snesrecomp checkout")
 set(RECOMP_UI_ROOT "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/recomp-ui" CACHE PATH "recomp-ui checkout")
 set(SNESRECOMP_ENABLE_MODS ON CACHE BOOL "Shared mod package runtime" FORCE)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 6452a682..035ce164 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -66,6 +66,15 @@ For the same comparison in local co-op, add `MMX_PERF_COOP=1` for campaign, or
 set `MMX_BOSS_RUSH_COOP` to the Zero cache and `MMX_BOSS_RUSH_COOP_P1_ZERO=1`
 for Boss Rush. Port 1 attacks as Zero; port 2 remains X.
 
+For native block-crushing checks, run `mmx_state_tests` from an empty working
+directory with the X1 ROM, `MMX_ZERO_BLOCKS_TEST=1`, `MMX_ZERO_TEST_ASSETS`
+pointing to the extracted X3 Zero cache, `MMX_REPLAY_RECORD=0`, and
+`SDL_AUDIODRIVER=dummy`. The test arranges contact with a real Flame Mammoth
+block and calls the native head/foot destruction routines through compiled
+and interpreted execution; it checks Zero's innate abilities, X's upgrade
+gates, and unchanged inventory in both behavior
+modes. It does not validate the full route to the capsule.
+
 ## Change the framework dependency
 
 The `snesrecomp` gitlink is the single source of truth for the framework
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a73e1518..263ed461 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -117,6 +117,9 @@ Select **Modern** under **Zero behavior** in either Zero mod for saber combat
 and extra aerial movement. **X3 Behavior** is the default. **Add Zero** and
 **X / Zero Co-op** are alternatives; enabling one disables the other.
 
+All Zero styles can break blocks with their head and feet from the start,
+including in co-op. X still needs his corresponding armor upgrades.
+
 For widescreen, enable **Widescreen** in Mods and choose your view aspect.
 **Display Aspect** in Settings controls pixel proportions. Netplay uses the
 original view or fixed 16:9, 21:9, or 32:9.
diff --git a/src/mmx_zero.c b/src/mmx_zero.c
index 48374b35..68b66221 100644
--- a/src/mmx_zero.c
+++ b/src/mmx_zero.c
@@ -465,6 +465,9 @@ unsigned MmxZeroUpgradeBits(unsigned pc, unsigned original) {
   if (!MmxZeroActive()) return original;
   switch (pc & 0x7fffff) {
     case 0x01971c: case 0x019793: case 0x0198fc: return original | 8;
+    /* Let the native ceiling probe pass helmet blocks, then let the player
+     * update destroy them. Keep the shared inventory (and X) unchanged. */
+    case 0x019ea5: case 0x0499a4: return original | 1;
     default: return original;
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/mmx_zero.h b/src/mmx_zero.h
index c1477253..60e1884a 100644
--- a/src/mmx_zero.h
+++ b/src/mmx_zero.h
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ void MmxZeroSetTerrainQuery(bool (*solid)(const uint8_t *ram, int x, int y));
 bool MmxZeroSlideHold(uint8_t ram[0x20000], unsigned pc);
 /* Before the player state dispatch: re-enter the dash if Zero cannot stand. */
 void MmxZeroSlideTick(uint8_t ram[0x20000]);
+/* Character abilities at native instruction PCs, without changing inventory. */
 unsigned MmxZeroUpgradeBits(unsigned pc, unsigned original);
 void MmxZeroPlayerTick(uint8_t ram[0x20000]);
 void MmxZeroPlayerEnd(uint8_t ram[0x20000]);
diff --git a/src/mods/mmx_zero_plugin.c b/src/mods/mmx_zero_plugin.c
index 1ed606d9..34943c70 100644
--- a/src/mods/mmx_zero_plugin.c
+++ b/src/mods/mmx_zero_plugin.c
@@ -66,7 +66,14 @@ static void hook(CpuState *cpu, uint32_t pc) {
     case 0x009dca: MmxZeroHealthRespawn(g_ram); break;
     case 0x00d6a7: MmxRendererObserveObject(g_ram, (uint16_t)(cpu->D + cpu->X)); break;
     case 0x00d76a: MmxRendererRecordPiece(g_ram, cpu->D); break;
-    case 0x01971f: case 0x019796: case 0x0198ff: if (MmxZeroActive()) cpu->A |= 8; break;
+    case 0x01971f: case 0x019796: case 0x0198ff:
+    case 0x019ea8: case 0x0499a7: {
+      unsigned value = MmxZeroUpgradeBits(pc - 3, cpu->A & 255);
+      cpu->A = (cpu->A & 0xff00) | value;
+      cpu->_flag_Z = !value; cpu->_flag_N = (value & 128) != 0;
+      cpu->P = (cpu->P & ~0x82) | (cpu->_flag_Z ? 2 : 0) | (cpu->_flag_N ? 128 : 0);
+      break;
+    }
     case 0x01815c:
       MmxZeroExtPrePlayer(g_ram);
       MmxZeroSlideTick(g_ram);
@@ -191,6 +198,7 @@ static bool zero_terrain_solid(const uint8_t *r, int x, int y) {
 void MmxZeroRegisterHooks(void) {
   MmxZeroSetTerrainQuery(zero_terrain_solid);
   const unsigned pcs[] = {0x009dca, 0x00d6a7, 0x00d76a, 0x01971f, 0x019796, 0x0198ff,
+                          0x019ea8, 0x0499a7,
                           0x01815c, 0x018165, 0x019d47, 0x0194af, 0x00d3e7, 0x00d4f4, 0x00d511, 0x049e1d, 0x049e3a, 0x049e45, 0x049e76, 0x049c19, 0x048f07, 0x048eea, 0x018b04, 0x0491dc, 0x02823e,
                           0x01898e, 0x018999, 0x018965,
                           0x028403,0x03958f,0x039dcf,
diff --git a/tests/mmx_adaptive_state_test.c b/tests/mmx_adaptive_state_test.c
index aef4d4fe..8535f4de 100644
--- a/tests/mmx_adaptive_state_test.c
+++ b/tests/mmx_adaptive_state_test.c
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ static void zero_capture(const char *base, const char *suffix) {
 #include "mmx_diagnostic_replay_test.inc"
 #include "mmx_boss_rush_runtime_test.inc"
 #include "mmx_magic_carpet_test.inc"
+#include "mmx_zero_blocks_test.inc"
 static void zero_motion_checks(const char *fixture) {
   const char *path = getenv("MMX_ZERO_MOTION_REFERENCE");
   if (!path) path = MMX_ZERO_MOTION_REFERENCE_DEFAULT;
@@ -1953,6 +1954,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   MkDir("saves");
   size_t cap = 2u * 1024u * 1024u;
   uint8 *start = malloc(cap), *expected = malloc(cap), *actual = malloc(cap);
+  if(getenv("MMX_ZERO_BLOCKS_TEST")) {zero_blocks_checks(getenv("MMX_ZERO_TEST_ASSETS"));return 0;}
   if(getenv("MMX_MAGIC_CARPET_TEST")) {magic_carpet_checks(getenv("MMX_MAGIC_CARPET_TEST"),start,expected,actual,cap);return 0;}
   if(getenv("MMX_BOSS_RUSH_TEST")) {rush_runtime_checks(start,expected,actual,cap);return 0;}
   if(getenv("MMX_ZERO_SABER_PERF_TEST")) {
diff --git a/tests/mmx_zero_blocks_test.inc b/tests/mmx_zero_blocks_test.inc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b3ddc8df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/mmx_zero_blocks_test.inc
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+/* Arrange contact with real Flame Mammoth terrain, then execute the original
+ * destruction routines. Inventory and destroyed tiles remain guest-owned. */
+static unsigned blocks_cell(unsigned x,unsigned y) {
+  unsigned screen=g_ram[0xe800+(y>>8)*32+(x>>8)];
+  return 0x2000+((screen*512+((y&240)<<1)+((x&240)>>3))&65535);
+}
+static void zero_blocks_checks(const char *assets) {
+  check(assets && MmxZeroLoad(assets),"block test loads X3 Zero");
+  MmxZeroRegisterHooks();
+  hitbox_boot();
+  g_ram[0xd1]=2;g_ram[0xd2]=2;g_ram[0xd3]=g_ram[0xd4]=0;
+  g_ram[0x1f7a]=4;g_ram[0x1f81]=g_ram[0x1f82]=0;g_ram[0x1f99]=0;
+  for(unsigned i=0;i<1800;++i) {
+    frame(0);
+    if(g_ram[0xd3]==4 && g_ram[0xba9]==2) break;
+  }
+  check(g_ram[0x1f7a]==4 && g_ram[0xd3]==4 && g_ram[0xba9]==2,
+      "block test enters Flame Mammoth without armor");
+  unsigned bx=0,by=0;
+  const uint8_t *rom=g_snes->cart->rom;
+  for(unsigned y=16;y<2048 && !bx;y+=16) for(unsigned x=16;x<8192;x+=16) {
+    unsigned cell=blocks_cell(x,y);
+    unsigned address=eagle_word(g_ram+0xb92)+(g_ram[0xb94]<<16)+eagle_word(g_ram+cell);
+    size_t offset=((address>>16)&127)*0x8000+(address&0x7fff);
+    if((address&65535)>=0x8000 && offset<(size_t)g_snes->cart->romSize &&
+        (rom[offset]&63)==0x3c) {bx=x;by=y;break;}
+  }
+  check(bx!=0,"real stage contains a helmet-breakable block");
+  printf("BLOCK fixture x=%u y=%u cell=%04x\n",bx,by,blocks_cell(bx,by));
+  static uint8_t world[0x20000];memcpy(world,g_ram,sizeof(world));
+  for(unsigned interpreted=0;interpreted<2;++interpreted)
+      for(unsigned foot=0;foot<2;++foot) for(unsigned modern=0;modern<2;++modern)
+      for(unsigned x=0;x<2;++x) for(unsigned owned=0;owned<2;++owned) {
+    memcpy(g_ram,world,sizeof(world));
+    MmxZeroSetModern(modern);MmxZeroResetState();
+    MmxZeroState z=MmxZeroGetState();z.active_x=x;MmxZeroSelectState(z);
+    g_ram[0x1f99]=owned?(foot?8:1):0;
+    eagle_putword(g_ram+0xbad,bx+8);eagle_putword(g_ram+0xbb0,by+(foot?-8:19));
+    g_ram[0xbd1]=0;
+    unsigned cell=blocks_cell(bx,by),before=eagle_word(g_ram+cell),inventory=g_ram[0x1f99];
+    CpuState cpu=g_cpu;cpu.PB=0x81;cpu.DB=0;cpu.D=0xba8;cpu.S=0x1e00;cpu.P=0x30;
+    cpu_p_to_mirrors(&cpu);
+    unsigned pc=foot?0x8198fc:0x819ea1;
+    if(interpreted) {
+      /* RTS sentinel for the bridge's balanced return past its entry. */
+      cpu_write8(&cpu,0,cpu.S--,0x80);cpu_write8(&cpu,0,cpu.S--,0);
+      check(interp_bridge_run(&cpu,pc),"interpreted block routine returns");
+    } else {
+      check(cpu_dispatch_call_pc(&cpu,pc,0x818000)==RECOMP_RETURN_NORMAL,
+          "compiled block routine returns");
+    }
+    bool changed=eagle_word(g_ram+cell)!=before;
+    printf("BLOCK interpreted=%u foot=%u modern=%u x=%u owned=%u tile=%04x->%04x\n",
+        interpreted,foot,modern,x,owned,before,eagle_word(g_ram+cell));
+    check(changed==(!x || owned),"Zero crushes by default; X requires the matching upgrade");
+    check(g_ram[0x1f99]==inventory,"crushing leaves actual upgrade ownership unchanged");
+  }
+  MmxZeroSetModern(false);MmxZeroResetState();
+  puts("MMX ZERO NATIVE BLOCK CHECKS PASSED");
+}
diff --git a/tests/mmx_zero_test.c b/tests/mmx_zero_test.c
index 1baf2c6c..55a60e57 100644
--- a/tests/mmx_zero_test.c
+++ b/tests/mmx_zero_test.c
@@ -133,6 +133,22 @@ int main(void) {
   assert(MmxZeroUpgradeBits(0x81971c, 0) == 0);
   asset("zero-test.bin"); assert(MmxZeroLoad("zero-test.bin"));
   assert(MmxZeroUpgradeBits(0x81971c, 2) == 10);
+  const unsigned crush_sites[] = {0x819ea5, 0x8499a4, 0x8198fc};
+  for (unsigned modern = 0; modern < 2; ++modern) {
+    MmxZeroSetModern(modern);
+    for (unsigned i = 0; i < sizeof(crush_sites) / sizeof(crush_sites[0]); ++i) {
+      unsigned bit = i == 2 ? 8 : 1;
+      for (unsigned inventory = 0; inventory < 256; ++inventory) {
+        assert(MmxZeroUpgradeBits(crush_sites[i], inventory) == (inventory | bit));
+        assert(MmxZeroUpgradeBits(crush_sites[i] & 0x7fffff, inventory) == (inventory | bit));
+        MmxZeroState x = MmxZeroGetState(); x.active_x = 1; MmxZeroSelectState(x);
+        assert(MmxZeroUpgradeBits(crush_sites[i], inventory) == inventory);
+        x.active_x = 0; MmxZeroSelectState(x);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  MmxZeroSetModern(false);
+  MmxZeroResetState();
   assert(MmxZeroUpgradeBits(0x8197da, 0) == 0); /* Special charge stays upgrade-gated. */
   assert(MmxZeroMuzzle(ram,0x1228,0,0,16) == 24);
   assert(MmxZeroMuzzle(ram,0x1228,0,1,253) == 247);
diff --git a/tools/apply_zero_hooks.py b/tools/apply_zero_hooks.py
index bd89011b..f4f49bbd 100644
--- a/tools/apply_zero_hooks.py
+++ b/tools/apply_zero_hooks.py
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
 import re
 
 MARKER = '/*MMX-ZERO*/'
-PCS = {0x81971c, 0x819793, 0x8198fc}
+PCS = {0x81971c, 0x819793, 0x8198fc, 0x819ea1, 0x8499a4}
+# The head-crush block clears a body flag before loading the upgrade byte.
+UPGRADE_LOAD_PCS = {0x819ea1: 0x819ea5}
 MUZZLE_PCS = {0x81a566, 0x81a578, 0x838b6a, 0x838d82, 0x838eb4,
               0x839518, 0x83983c, 0x839974, 0x83a3a9}
 ORIGIN_PCS = {0x8283ed: 1, 0x83958c: 0, 0x839dc5: 1}
@@ -114,7 +116,8 @@ def apply(text):
         if pc in PCS:
             load = re.search(r'uint8 (_v\d+) = cpu_read8\(cpu, cpu->DB, \(uint16\)\(0x1f99\)\);', line)
             if load:
-                output.append(f'    {MARKER} {{ extern unsigned MmxZeroUpgradeBits(unsigned, unsigned); {load[1]} = (uint8)MmxZeroUpgradeBits(0x{pc:06x}, {load[1]}); }}\n')
+                source = UPGRADE_LOAD_PCS.get(pc, pc)
+                output.append(f'    {MARKER} {{ extern unsigned MmxZeroUpgradeBits(unsigned, unsigned); {load[1]} = (uint8)MmxZeroUpgradeBits(0x{source:06x}, {load[1]}); }}\n')
                 found.add(pc)
     return ''.join(output), found