diff --git a/attack.cpp b/attack.cpp
index 3429d4c1..1842323c 100644
--- a/attack.cpp
+++ b/attack.cpp
@@ -1178,9 +1178,9 @@ EX void killThePlayer(eMonster m, int id, flagtype flags) {
   }
 
 EX void killThePlayerAt(eMonster m, cell *c, flagtype flags) {
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-    if(playerpos(i) == c) 
-      killThePlayer(m, i, flags);
+  for(int i: player_indices())
+    if(playerpos(i) == c)
+     killThePlayer(m, i, flags);
   }
 
 #if HDR
diff --git a/celldrawer.cpp b/celldrawer.cpp
index eda18d26..042b0155 100644
--- a/celldrawer.cpp
+++ b/celldrawer.cpp
@@ -585,7 +585,9 @@ void celldrawer::setcolors() {
     bool inrange = c->mpdist <= GUNRANGE;
     if(inrange) {
       inrange = false;
-      for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) for(cell *c1: gun_targets(playerpos(i))) if(c1 == c) inrange = true;
+      for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+        for(cell *c1: gun_targets(pc)) if(c1 == c) 
+          inrange = true;
       }
     if(!inrange)
       fcol = gradient(fcol, 0, 0, 25, 100),
@@ -1842,13 +1844,12 @@ void celldrawer::bookkeeping() {
     playerfound = true;
 
     if(multi::players > 1) {
-      for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-        if(playerpos(i) == c) {
-          playerV = V * ddspin(c, multi::player[i].spin, 0);
-          if(multi::player[i].mirrored) playerV = playerV * Mirror;
-          if(orig)
-            multi::whereis[i] = playerV;
-          }
+      for(int i: player_indices()) if(playerpos(i) == c) {
+        playerV = V * ddspin(c, multi::player[i].spin, 0);
+        if(multi::player[i].mirrored) playerV = playerV * Mirror;
+        if(orig)
+          multi::whereis[i] = playerV;
+        }
       }
     else {
       playerV = V * ddspin(c, cwt.spin, 0);
diff --git a/complex2.cpp b/complex2.cpp
index 9704f9b9..8a8acece 100644
--- a/complex2.cpp
+++ b/complex2.cpp
@@ -671,8 +671,8 @@ EX void check_around(cell *c) {
   }
 
 EX void check() {
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-    forCellEx(c, playerpos(i)) {
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+    forCellEx(c, pc) {
       if(shmup::on) {
         forCellEx(c2, c)
           check(c2);
@@ -709,16 +709,16 @@ EX void check_state() {
       }
     if(items[itHunting] > 5 && items[itHunting] <= 22) {
       int q = 0;
-      for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-        forCellEx(c2, playerpos(i))
+      for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+        forCellEx(c2, pc)
           if(cl.listed(c2))
             q++;
       if(q == 1) havewhat |= HF_FAILED_AMBUSH;
       if(q == 2) {
-        for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-        forCellEx(c2, playerpos(i))
+        for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+        forCellEx(c2, pc)
           if(cl.listed(c2))
-            forCellEx(c3, playerpos(i)) 
+            forCellEx(c3, pc)
               if(c3 != c2 && isNeighbor(c2,c3))
               if(cl.listed(c3))
                 havewhat |= HF_FAILED_AMBUSH;
diff --git a/environment.cpp b/environment.cpp
index 0b5ae1c1..54dc22dc 100644
--- a/environment.cpp
+++ b/environment.cpp
@@ -286,9 +286,7 @@ EX void bfs() {
 
   recalcTide = false;
   
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) {
-    cell *c = playerpos(i);
-    if(!c) continue;
+  for(cell *c: player_positions()) {
     if(c->cpdist == 0) continue;
     c->cpdist = 0;
     checkTide(c);
@@ -299,9 +297,7 @@ EX void bfs() {
   
   int distlimit = gamerange();
 
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) {
-    cell *c = playerpos(i);
-    if(!c) continue;
+  for(cell *c: player_positions()) {
     if(items[itOrbDomination])
     if(c->monst == moTentacle || c->monst == moTentaclewait || c->monst == moTentacleEscaping)
       worms.push_back(c);
@@ -799,8 +795,9 @@ EX void monstersTurn() {
   DEBB(DF_TURN, ("mmo"));
   int phase2 = (1 & items[itOrbSpeed]);
   if(!phase2) movemonsters();
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(playerpos(i)->item == itOrbSafety) {
-    collectItem(playerpos(i), true);
+
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions()) if(pc->item == itOrbSafety)  {
+    collectItem(pc, true);
     return;
     }
 
@@ -852,9 +849,8 @@ EX void monstersTurn() {
   #endif
   
   if(items[itOrbFreedom])
-    for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-      if(multi::playerActive(i))
-        checkFreedom(playerpos(i));
+    for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+      checkFreedom(pc);
 
   DEBB(DF_TURN, ("check"));
   checkmove();
@@ -862,9 +858,8 @@ EX void monstersTurn() {
 
 
 #if CAP_HISTORY
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-    if(multi::playerActive(i))
-      history::movehistory.push_back(playerpos(i));
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+    history::movehistory.push_back(pc);
 #endif
   }
 
diff --git a/flags.cpp b/flags.cpp
index 7bd00d5d..6f50297a 100644
--- a/flags.cpp
+++ b/flags.cpp
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ EX int mirrorcolor(bool mirrored) {
 
 EX bool isMounted(cell *c) {
   if(c && c->monst && c->monst != moTentacleGhost && isMountable(c->monst)) {
-    for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) {
+    for(int i: player_indices()) {
       if(playerpos(i)->monst && sameMonster(c, playerpos(i))) 
         return true;
       if(lastmountpos[i] && lastmountpos[i]->monst && sameMonster(c, lastmountpos[i]))
diff --git a/game.cpp b/game.cpp
index 9dd82110..0b53a018 100644
--- a/game.cpp
+++ b/game.cpp
@@ -449,8 +449,8 @@ EX bool sameMonster(cell *c1, cell *c2) {
   }
 
 EX eMonster haveMount() {
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(multi::playerActive(i)) {
-    eMonster m = playerpos(i)->monst;
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions()) {
+    eMonster m = pc->monst;
     if(m) return m;
     }
   return moNone;
diff --git a/graph.cpp b/graph.cpp
index 58f80856..4cbfab2f 100644
--- a/graph.cpp
+++ b/graph.cpp
@@ -178,8 +178,8 @@ EX int flip_dark(int f, int a0, int a1) {
 color_t fc(int ph, color_t col, int z) {
   if(items[itOrbFire]) col = darkena(firecolor(ph), 0, 0xFF);
   if(items[itOrbAether]) col = (col &~0XFF) | (col&0xFF) / 2;
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(multi::playerActive(i))
-    if(items[itOrbFish] && isWatery(playerpos(i)) && z != 3) return watercolor(ph);
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+    if(items[itOrbFish] && isWatery(pc) && z != 3) return watercolor(ph);
   if(invismove) 
     col = 
       shmup::on ?
@@ -4194,7 +4194,7 @@ EX void drawMarkers() {
   if(!(cmode & sm::NORMAL)) return;
 
   if(should_draw_mouse_cursor()) {
-    for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(multi::playerActive(i)) {
+    for(int i: player_indices()) {
       queueline(ggmatrix(playerpos(i)) * (WDIM == 2 && GDIM == 3 ? zpush0(cgi.WALL) : C0), mouseh, 0xFF00FF, grid_prec() + 1);
       }
     }
@@ -5269,7 +5269,7 @@ EX void drawscreen() {
     
     if(tmines == 7) seenSevenMines = true;
     
-    for(int p=0; p<numplayers(); p++) if(multi::playerActive(p))
+    for(int p: player_indices()) 
       displayfr(vid.xres * (p+.5) / numplayers(),
         current_display->ycenter - current_display->radius * 3/4, 2,
         vid.fsize, 
diff --git a/inventory.cpp b/inventory.cpp
index 07169008..cdf9ba9d 100644
--- a/inventory.cpp
+++ b/inventory.cpp
@@ -442,14 +442,12 @@ EX namespace inv {
   
   void evokeOrb(eItem it) {
     if(it == itOrbFreedom)
-      for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-        if(multi::playerActive(i))
-          checkFreedom(playerpos(i));
+      for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+        checkFreedom(pc);
     
     if(it == itOrbBeauty) {
-      for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-        if(multi::playerActive(i))
-          evokeBeautyAt(playerpos(i));
+      for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+          evokeBeautyAt(pc);
       if(items[itOrbEmpathy])
         for(cell *c: dcal) if(isFriendly(c->monst))
           evokeBeautyAt(c);
@@ -464,12 +462,11 @@ EX namespace inv {
       }
     
     if(it == itOrbSword || it == itOrbSword2) {
-      for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-        if(multi::playerActive(i)) {
-          cwt.at = playerpos(i);
-          multi::cpid = i;
-          swordAttackStatic(it == itOrbSword2);
-          }
+      for(int i: player_indices()) {
+        cwt.at = playerpos(i);
+        multi::cpid = i;
+        swordAttackStatic(it == itOrbSword2);
+        }
       }
     }
   
diff --git a/landgen.cpp b/landgen.cpp
index aadba309..64e64ce5 100644
--- a/landgen.cpp
+++ b/landgen.cpp
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ EX bool chaosUnlocked = false;
 EX bool chaosAchieved = false;
 
 EX void doOvergenerate() {
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-    setdist(playerpos(i), 7 - getDistLimit() - genrange_bonus, NULL);
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+    setdist(pc, 7 - getDistLimit() - genrange_bonus, NULL);
   }
 
 EX bool notDippingFor(eItem i) {
diff --git a/monstermove.cpp b/monstermove.cpp
index 774a27dc..98872428 100644
--- a/monstermove.cpp
+++ b/monstermove.cpp
@@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ EX int stayval(cell *c, flagtype mf) {
 EX int totalbulldistance(cell *c, int k) {
   shpos.resize(SHSIZE);
   int tbd = 0;
-  for(int p=0; p<numplayers(); p++) {
+  for(int p: player_indices()) {
     cell *c2  = shpos[p][(cshpos+SHSIZE-k-1)%SHSIZE];
     if(c2) tbd += bulldistance(c, c2);
     }
@@ -1172,11 +1172,9 @@ EX void groupmove(eMonster movtype, flagtype mf) {
   else {
     if(!peace::on) for(int i=0; i<isize(targets); i++) gendfs.push_back(targets[i]);
   
-    if(invisfish && (movtype == moSlime || movtype == moShark || movtype == moKrakenH)) for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) {
-      cell *c = playerpos(i);
-      if(!c) continue;
-      gendfs.push_back(c);
-      }
+    if(invisfish && (movtype == moSlime || movtype == moShark || movtype == moKrakenH))
+      for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+        gendfs.push_back(pc);
     }
   
   targetcount = isize(gendfs);
@@ -1433,7 +1431,7 @@ EX void moveshadow() {
   cell *shfrom = NULL;
 
   shpos.resize(SHSIZE);
-  for(int p=0; p<numplayers(); p++) {
+  for(int p: player_indices()) {
     cell *c = shpos[p][cshpos];
     if(c && c->monst == moShadow) {
       for(int j=0; j<c->type; j++) 
@@ -1445,7 +1443,7 @@ EX void moveshadow() {
     shpos[p][cshpos] = playerpos(p);
     }
   cshpos = (cshpos+1) % SHSIZE;
-  for(int p=0; p<numplayers(); p++) {
+  for(int p: player_indices()) {
     cell* where = shpos[p][cshpos];
     if(where && where->monst == moNone && where->cpdist && where->land == laGraveyard &&
       !sword::at(where)) {
@@ -2038,7 +2036,9 @@ EX void movemonsters() {
   DEBB(DF_TURN, ("westwall"));
   if(havewhat & HF_WESTWALL) westwall::move();
   #endif
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(playerpos(i)->item == itOrbSafety) return;
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+    if(pc->item == itOrbSafety) 
+      return;
   DEBB(DF_TURN, ("river"));
   if(havewhat & HF_RIVER) prairie::move();
   /* DEBB(DF_TURN, ("magnet"));
diff --git a/multi.cpp b/multi.cpp
index e7847060..e55afd23 100644
--- a/multi.cpp
+++ b/multi.cpp
@@ -797,7 +797,7 @@ EX void handleInput(int delta) {
     }
   
   EX void checklastmove() {
-    for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(playerActive(i)) {
+    for(int i: player_indices()) {
       multi::cpid = i;
       cwt = multi::player[i]; break;
       }
@@ -824,7 +824,7 @@ EX void handleInput(int delta) {
       multi::player[0] = cwt;
       }
     
-    for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(playerActive(i)) {
+    for(int i: player_indices()) {
     
       using namespace multi;
       
@@ -908,13 +908,13 @@ EX void handleInput(int delta) {
       // check for crashes
       needinput = true;
 
-      for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(playerActive(i)) {
+      for(int i: player_indices()) {
         origpos[i] = player[i].at;
         origtarget[i] = multiPlayerTarget(i);
         }
   
-      for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) if(playerActive(i))
-      for(int j=0; j<numplayers(); j++) if(playerActive(j)) if(i != j) {
+      for(int i: player_indices())
+      for(int j: player_indices()) if(i != j) {
         if(origtarget[i] == origtarget[j]) {
           addMessage("Two players cannot move/attack the same location!");
           return;
diff --git a/orbs.cpp b/orbs.cpp
index 2f0f84d3..f178b7e9 100644
--- a/orbs.cpp
+++ b/orbs.cpp
@@ -293,8 +293,8 @@ EX void checkFreedom(cell *cf) {
     }
   addMessage(XLAT("Your %1 activates!", itOrbFreedom));
   drainOrb(itOrbFreedom);
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-    drawBigFlash(playerpos(i));
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+    drawBigFlash(pc);
   for(int i=0; i<isize(dcal); i++) {
     cell *c = dcal[i];
     if(c == cf && !shmup::on) continue;
@@ -306,8 +306,8 @@ EX void checkFreedom(cell *cf) {
 EX void activateFlash() {
   int tk = tkills();
 
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-    drawFlash(playerpos(i));
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+    drawFlash(pc);
 
   addMessage(XLAT("You activate the Flash spell!"));
   playSound(cwt.at, "storm");
@@ -513,8 +513,8 @@ EX void activateLightning() {
 
   drainOrb(itOrbLightning);
 
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-    castLightningBoltFrom(playerpos(i));
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+    castLightningBoltFrom(pc);
     
   elec::afterOrb = true;
   elec::act();
diff --git a/passable.cpp b/passable.cpp
index 2dbee5da..2d73206d 100644
--- a/passable.cpp
+++ b/passable.cpp
@@ -137,9 +137,7 @@ EX bool passable(cell *w, cell *from, flagtype flags) {
 
   if(from && from != w && nonAdjacent(from, w) && !F(P_IGNORE37 | P_BULLET)) return false;
   
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) {
-    cell *pp = playerpos(i);
-    if(!pp) continue;
+  for(cell *pp: player_positions()) {
     if(w == pp && F(P_ONPLAYER)) return true;
     if(from == pp && F(P_ONPLAYER) && F(P_REVDIR)) return true;
 
diff --git a/pcmove.cpp b/pcmove.cpp
index f68a99b3..d1b2a176 100644
--- a/pcmove.cpp
+++ b/pcmove.cpp
@@ -324,8 +324,8 @@ bool pcmove::after_move() {
   invisfish = false;
   if(items[itOrbFish]) {
      invisfish = true;
-     for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-       if(multi::playerActive(i) && !isWatery(playerpos(i)))
+     for(cell *pc: player_positions()) 
+       if(!isWatery(pc))
          invisfish = false;
      if(d < 0) invisfish = false; // no invisibility if staying still
      if(invisfish) invismove = true, markOrb(itOrbFish);
@@ -1193,8 +1193,8 @@ EX bool warningprotection_hit(eMonster m) {
   }
 
 EX bool playerInWater() { 
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-    if(multi::playerActive(i) && isWatery(playerpos(i)) && !playerInBoat(i)) 
+  for(int i: player_indices())
+    if(isWatery(playerpos(i)) && !playerInBoat(i)) 
       return true;
   return false;
   }
@@ -1203,6 +1203,22 @@ EX int numplayers() {
   return multi::players;
   }
 
+EX vector<cell*> player_positions() {
+  vector<cell*> res;
+  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
+    if(multi::playerActive(i))
+      res.push_back(playerpos(i));
+  return res;
+  }
+
+EX vector<int> player_indices() {
+  vector<int> res;
+  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
+    if(multi::playerActive(i))
+      res.push_back(i);
+  return res;
+  }
+
 EX cell *playerpos(int i) {
   if(shmup::on) return shmup::playerpos(i);
   if(multi::players > 1) return multi::player[i].at;
@@ -1210,14 +1226,14 @@ EX cell *playerpos(int i) {
   }
 
 EX bool allPlayersInBoats() {
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-    if(multi::playerActive(i) && playerpos(i)->wall != waBoat) return true;
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+    if(pc->wall != waBoat) return true;
   return false;
   }
 
 EX int whichPlayerOn(cell *c) {
   if(singleused()) return c == singlepos() ? 0 : -1;
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
+  for(int i: player_indices())
     if(playerpos(i) == c) return i;
   return -1;
   }
@@ -1245,8 +1261,8 @@ EX bool isPlayerInBoatOn(cell *c) {
 EX bool playerInPower() {
   if(singleused()) 
     return singlepos()->land == laPower || singlepos()->land == laHalloween;
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-    if(multi::playerActive(i) && (playerpos(i)->land == laPower || playerpos(i)->land == laHalloween))
+  for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+    if(pc->land == laPower || pc->land == laHalloween)
       return true;
   return false;
   }
diff --git a/system.cpp b/system.cpp
index 02e444d5..20604550 100644
--- a/system.cpp
+++ b/system.cpp
@@ -326,12 +326,11 @@ EX void initgame() {
 #endif
   
   if(multi::players > 1 && !shmup::on) {
-    for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-      makeEmpty(playerpos(i));
+    for(cell *pc: player_positions())
+      makeEmpty(pc);
     }
   else {
-    for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++) 
-      makeEmpty(cwt.at);
+    makeEmpty(cwt.at);
     }
   
   if(specialland == laMinefield && bounded) {
@@ -1258,9 +1257,8 @@ EX void stop_game() {
   for(int i=0; i<10; i++) for(int l=0; l<landtypes; l++)
     exploreland[i][l] = 0;
 
-  for(int i=0; i<numplayers(); i++)
-    if(multi::playerActive(i)) 
-      multi::deaths[i]++;
+  for(int i: player_indices()) 
+    multi::deaths[i]++;
 
 #if CAP_SAVE
   anticheat::tampered = false;