i have a simple enemy with an Area2D with some code on it. no matter what body_entered or and of its variations isnt giving me anything. i have checked collision layers and masks. im close to giving up on this engine if i cant even use area2d

Hard to tell without seeing the code, scene setup and signal connections.

Is your body_entered signal actually connected to the signal callback function?

    func_body_entered what if the enemy is moving and your enemy's collision doesn't move with her? and check your signal is connected (I marked it in the picture)

    func_body_entered It's not enough just to write _on_Area2D_body_entered() function. You need to connect that function to the actual body_entered signal in Area2D node. Check if the connection exists in the Node/Signal tab and if it actually goes to the correct method.

      xyz holy mcmotherfucking shit cum balls this is actually working for once. since the birth of jesus "mcdonalds" christ i have been waiting to be blessed with the touch of seeing the beauty of functionality bestowed upon my cursed eyes.