Entity Target "flickers" between null and the player 1.18

[shadowducky]

I am attempting to create an entity (in 1.18.2) that changes its texture based on distance from its target (usually the player). I've tested the texture changing with other booleans such as above or below a certain height, but when trying with distance from the player it does not switch to visible. Right now the if statement checks (this.getTarget() != null) and then .distanceTo but the texture doesn't switch. I used the tick() function to output the current target and even when the entity is moving towards the player, the target flickers between null and the player. I included the entity class and log below (the log was shortened because it's repetitive)

Entity Class: https://pastebin.com/2XxeKh8n

Output Log: https://pastebin.com/0R55tu0A

[Luis_ST]

#tick is called from server and client, the client does not have a target so it's null

Edited May 24, 2022 by Luis_ST

[shadowducky]

31 minutes ago, Luis_ST said:

the client does not have a target so it's null

So is there a way for the client to call the distance to the entity and then send that to the renderer? I tried looking through the ghast for a way to do it but it uses entity data and time remaining for charging

[Luis_ST]

check it on the server and then sync a value to the client, you can use a EntityDataAccessor for this it sync the value automatically to the client
you can use the Zombie as an example how to use EntityDataAccessor