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🧭 TL;DR for Godot 4.4:

If you're using TileMap nodes with tiles from a TileSet, Y-sorting is handled differently now than in Godot 3.x.

Godot 4.4 introduced:

• A completely overhauled TileMap system

• Scenes as tiles, layers, and custom properties

• Automatic or manual Y-sort behavior

🧱 How Y-sorting works with TileSets in Godot 4.4

🧰 Step-by-step setup:

1. Use a TileMap node (not GridMap).

2. Assign a TileSet with tiles that have textures or scene references.

3. In the TileMap properties:

   • ✅ Enable Y-Sort under TileMap > Y-Sort.

   • This tells Godot to draw tiles based on their Y coordinate on screen (lower Y behind, higher Y in front).

4. Make sure your tiles in the TileSet editor have correct offsets:

   • If a tree is taller than 1 tile, offset the texture so its base aligns with the tile origin.

   • The tile origin is the point Godot uses for sorting.

🧠 Important concepts to get right:

🔹 Origin point = Sorting point

Godot sorts by the tile's visual bottom (the Y offset). If you don’t set that correctly, sorting looks broken.

Tip: For tall sprites like trees or houses, shift the texture up in the tile editor so the base of the object touches the tile origin.

🔹 Using Scenes as Tiles

If you're using scenes (prefabs) as tiles:

• Your scene root should have a YSort node.

• The TileMap will instantiate these scenes and Y-sorting will follow that node's position.

🔹 Multiple layers

If you're using TileMap layers (e.g., ground, objects, roofs):

• You can have multiple TileMap nodes (one per layer), each with Y-sorting enabled.

• Godot does not automatically sort between layers — you must manage layer Z-indices or draw order manually.

🔥 Bonus: Dynamic characters and Y-sorting

Your player sprite (or enemy, NPC) should be:

• In a YSort node

• Positioned in the same Y axis space as your TileMap

• Then Godot will sort the player in relation to tiles (if all YSort nodes are siblings or in same parent YSort).

✅ What to double-check in Godot 4.4

• TileMap node has Y-Sort: ON

• Your tiles in the TileSet have proper offsets and alignment

• Your visual layers (ground, objects) have proper Z-index if layered separately

• If using scenes as tiles, their root nodes have YSort

• Characters exist inside YSort containers and are placed at the same coordinate space as the tilemap

🧪 Want a fast test?

Here’s how to test Y-sorting quickly:

1. Make two tiles: a grass tile and a tree tile (with transparent top).

2. In your TileSet, shift the tree tile up by 32px (so the base is centered).

3. Place the grass and tree tiles on a TileMap with Y-sorting ON.

4. Move your character (in a YSort) behind and in front of the tree.

5. Boom — you’ll see it visually sort properly based on Y.