Why are my Niagara mesh particles clumped at world origin?

Position attribute is uninitialized (zero). Add Set Position module in Particle Spawn or use Shape Location module (Sphere, Box) to scatter.

Should I use Local or World space?

For attached effects (sword trail), Local Space inherits emitter transform. For environmental (rain field), World Space gives consistent positions.

Update vs Spawn position?

Set initial in Spawn. Update modifies per tick (gravity, drag). Don't reset position in Update unless intentional.

Fix: Niagara Mesh Particles Cluster At Origin

Quick answer: Add Shape Location module (Sphere/Box) in Particle Spawn. Sets Position attribute non-zero.

Mesh emitter spawns particles. All overlap at origin. Position attribute defaulted to zero.

The Fix

Niagara Emitter:
  Particle Spawn:
    + Shape Location (Sphere)
        Sphere Radius:        200
        Sphere Distribution:  Random
    + Set Velocity (along normal or random)
  Particle Update:
    + Apply Gravity / Drag (modify position over time)

Shape Location scatters particles in a volume. Set Velocity gives them motion. Without Shape Location, no module sets Position so it stays zero.

Verifying

Particles spawn distributed. Visualize bounds in Niagara Editor: matches sphere/box.

“Shape Location. Particles spread.”

Related Issues

For Niagara Stateless emitter, see stateless. For Niagara mesh LOD, see mesh LOD.

Shape Location. Spread.