Why is my Resource array empty when I instance the scene?

If the property uses a static default and you instance from script, the new instance shares the same array reference. Or the editor saves the empty default. Initialize per-instance with new() in the property initializer.

Should I use Godot.Collections.Array or List ?

Godot.Collections.Array for editor inspector. List works in code but doesn't display in inspector. For exposed properties, prefer Godot's Array.

Default property initializer pattern?

public Array Enemies { get; set; } = new(); creates a fresh empty array per instance. Don't use a static field as the default.

Fix: Godot 4 C# Exported Resource Array Empty on Instance

Quick answer: Initialize the array per-instance with new() in the property declaration. Use Godot.Collections.Array<T>. Each scene instance gets its own fresh collection.

You set up a list of enemy defs in the editor. Instance the scene at runtime — new instance shows empty array. The default isn’t carried over because the property isn’t serialized correctly per-instance.

The Symptom

Editor scene shows the array populated. Instanced copies (or saved sub-scene) start empty.

The Fix

using Godot;
using Godot.Collections;

public partial class Wave : Node
{
    [Export]
    public Array<EnemyDef> Enemies { get; set; } = new();
}

Property initializer runs per-instance, providing a fresh Array. Editor edits to a placed instance serialize as overrides on that instance only.

Don’t Share Defaults

// Bad — shared static reference
private static readonly Array<EnemyDef> _default = new();
[Export] public Array<EnemyDef> Enemies { get; set; } = _default;

Every instance shares the same Array. Edit in one place; affects all.

Verifying

Edit the property on a scene’s root. Save. Instance the scene 5x at runtime. Each instance should show the saved value but be independently editable.

“Initialize per-instance. Godot.Collections.Array. Each scene gets its own.”

Related Issues

For C# Export Array inspector, see Export Array. For C# Resource references, see references.

new() per instance. Independent arrays.