diff --git a/TODO b/TODO
index 4e18f97..7324834 100644
--- a/TODO
+++ b/TODO
@@ -1,2 +1,4 @@
 - look at test coverage
 - docs
+
+- WritesPending and writes redundant?
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Attributes/Activates.cs b/encompass-cs/Attributes/Activates.cs
deleted file mode 100644
index d566633..0000000
--- a/encompass-cs/Attributes/Activates.cs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
-using System;
-using System.Collections.Generic;
-using System.Linq;
-using Encompass.Exceptions;
-
-namespace Encompass
-{
-    public class Activates : Attribute
-    {
-        public readonly HashSet<Type> activateTypes = new HashSet<Type>();
-
-        public Activates(params Type[] activateTypes)
-        {
-            foreach (var activateType in activateTypes)
-            {
-                var isComponent = activateType.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IComponent));
-                if (!isComponent)
-                {
-                    throw new IllegalActivateTypeException("{0} must be a Component", activateType.Name);
-                }
-
-                this.activateTypes.Add(typeof(PendingComponentMessage<>).MakeGenericType(activateType));
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Attributes/Updates.cs b/encompass-cs/Attributes/Updates.cs
deleted file mode 100644
index 302769b..0000000
--- a/encompass-cs/Attributes/Updates.cs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,27 +0,0 @@
-using System;
-using System.Collections.Generic;
-using System.Linq;
-using Encompass.Exceptions;
-
-namespace Encompass
-{
-    [AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Class)]
-    public class Updates : Attribute
-    {
-        public readonly HashSet<Type> updateTypes = new HashSet<Type>();
-
-        public Updates(params Type[] updateTypes)
-        {
-            foreach (var updateType in updateTypes)
-            {
-                var isComponent = updateType.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IComponent));
-                if (!isComponent)
-                {
-                    throw new IllegalUpdateTypeException("{0} must be a Component", updateType.Name);
-                }
-
-                this.updateTypes.Add(typeof(ComponentUpdateMessage<>).MakeGenericType(updateType));
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Attributes/Writes.cs b/encompass-cs/Attributes/Writes.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18c7e1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/encompass-cs/Attributes/Writes.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using Encompass.Exceptions;
+
+namespace Encompass
+{
+    [AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Class, AllowMultiple = true)]
+    public class Writes : Attribute
+    {
+        public readonly HashSet<Type> writeTypes = new HashSet<Type>();
+        public Dictionary<Type, int> priorities = new Dictionary<Type, int>();
+
+        public Writes(params Type[] writeTypes)
+        {
+            foreach (var writeType in writeTypes)
+            {
+                var isComponent = writeType.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IComponent));
+                if (!isComponent)
+                {
+                    throw new IllegalWriteTypeException("{0} must be a Component", writeType.Name);
+                }
+
+                this.writeTypes.Add(typeof(ComponentWriteMessage<>).MakeGenericType(writeType));
+            }
+        }
+
+        public Writes(Type writeType, int priority)
+        {
+            var isComponent = writeType.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IComponent));
+            if (!isComponent)
+            {
+                throw new IllegalWriteTypeException("{0} must be a Component", writeType.Name);
+            }
+
+            this.writeTypes.Add(typeof(ComponentWriteMessage<>).MakeGenericType(writeType));
+            this.priorities.Add(writeType, priority);
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Attributes/WritesPending.cs b/encompass-cs/Attributes/WritesPending.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0983aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/encompass-cs/Attributes/WritesPending.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using Encompass.Exceptions;
+
+namespace Encompass
+{
+    public class WritesPending : Attribute
+    {
+        public readonly HashSet<Type> writePendingTypes = new HashSet<Type>();
+
+        public WritesPending(params Type[] writePendingTypes)
+        {
+            foreach (var writePendingType in writePendingTypes)
+            {
+                var isComponent = writePendingType.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IComponent));
+                if (!isComponent)
+                {
+                    throw new IllegalWritePendingTypeException("{0} must be a Component", writePendingType.Name);
+                }
+
+                this.writePendingTypes.Add(typeof(PendingComponentMessage<>).MakeGenericType(writePendingType));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/encompass-cs/ComponentManager.cs b/encompass-cs/ComponentManager.cs
index 7c34369..5210381 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/ComponentManager.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/ComponentManager.cs
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@ namespace Encompass
 
         private readonly Dictionary<Type, HashSet<Guid>> typeToComponentIDs = new Dictionary<Type, HashSet<Guid>>();
 
-        private readonly List<(Entity, Type, Guid, IComponent)> componentAddData = new List<(Entity, Type, Guid, IComponent)>();
-        private readonly HashSet<Guid> componentIDsMarkedForAdd = new HashSet<Guid>();
+        private readonly List<(Entity, Type, Guid, IComponent)> componentWriteData = new List<(Entity, Type, Guid, IComponent)>();
+        private Dictionary<(Entity, Type), int> componentWritePriorities = new Dictionary<(Entity, Type), int>();
+        private readonly HashSet<Guid> componentIDsMarkedForWrite = new HashSet<Guid>();
         private readonly HashSet<Guid> componentsMarkedForRemoval = new HashSet<Guid>();
         private readonly Dictionary<Guid, IComponent> pendingUpdates = new Dictionary<Guid, IComponent>();
 
@@ -40,17 +41,41 @@ namespace Encompass
             return Guid.NewGuid();
         }
 
-        internal Guid MarkComponentForAdd<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
+        internal Guid MarkComponentForWrite<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component, int priority) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
         {
-            var id = NextID();
-            componentAddData.Add((entity, typeof(TComponent), id, component));
-            componentIDsMarkedForAdd.Add(id);
+            Guid id;
+            if (EntityHasComponentOfType<TComponent>(entity))
+            {
+                id = GetComponentByEntityAndType<TComponent>(entity).Item1;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                id = NextID();
+            }
+
+            if (componentWritePriorities.ContainsKey((entity, typeof(TComponent))))
+            {
+                var currentPriority = componentWritePriorities[(entity, typeof(TComponent))];
+                if (priority < currentPriority)
+                {
+                    componentWriteData.Add((entity, typeof(TComponent), id, component));
+                    componentWritePriorities[(entity, typeof(TComponent))] = priority;
+                    componentIDsMarkedForWrite.Add(id);
+                }
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                componentWriteData.Add((entity, typeof(TComponent), id, component));
+                componentWritePriorities[(entity, typeof(TComponent))] = priority;
+                componentIDsMarkedForWrite.Add(id);
+            }
+
             return id;
         }
 
-        internal Guid MarkDrawComponentForAdd<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component, int layer = 0) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
+        internal Guid MarkDrawComponentForWrite<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component, int priority, int layer = 0) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
         {
-            var id = MarkComponentForAdd(entity, component);
+            var id = MarkComponentForWrite(entity, component, priority);
             drawLayerManager.RegisterComponentWithLayer(id, layer);
             return id;
         }
@@ -78,15 +103,16 @@ namespace Encompass
             }
         }
 
-        internal void AddMarkedComponents()
+        internal void WriteComponents()
         {
-            foreach (var (entity, type, componentID, component) in componentAddData)
+            foreach (var (entity, type, componentID, component) in componentWriteData)
             {
                 AddComponent(entity, type, componentID, component);
             }
 
-            componentAddData.Clear();
-            componentIDsMarkedForAdd.Clear();
+            componentWriteData.Clear();
+            componentIDsMarkedForWrite.Clear();
+            componentWritePriorities.Clear();
         }
 
         internal IEnumerable<Guid> GetComponentIDsByEntityID(Guid entityID)
@@ -184,9 +210,9 @@ namespace Encompass
         {
             foreach (var componentID in componentsMarkedForRemoval)
             {
-                if (componentIDsMarkedForAdd.Contains(componentID))
+                if (componentIDsMarkedForWrite.Contains(componentID))
                 {
-                    componentIDsMarkedForAdd.Remove(componentID);
+                    componentIDsMarkedForWrite.Remove(componentID);
                 }
                 else
                 {
diff --git a/encompass-cs/ComponentMessageManager.cs b/encompass-cs/ComponentMessageManager.cs
index 0464b4e..029d11a 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/ComponentMessageManager.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/ComponentMessageManager.cs
@@ -21,10 +21,13 @@ namespace Encompass
         private readonly Dictionary<Entity, PooledDictionary<Type, Guid>> entityToTypeToPendingComponentID = new Dictionary<Entity, PooledDictionary<Type, Guid>>();
         private readonly Dictionary<Entity, PooledDictionary<Type, Guid>> entityToTypeToComponentID = new Dictionary<Entity, PooledDictionary<Type, Guid>>();
 
+        private readonly Dictionary<Entity, PooledDictionary<Type, int>> entityToTypeToPendingComponentPriority = new Dictionary<Entity, PooledDictionary<Type, int>>();
+
         internal void RegisterEntity(Entity entity)
         {
             entityToTypeToComponentID[entity] = new PooledDictionary<Type, Guid>();
             entityToTypeToPendingComponentID[entity] = new PooledDictionary<Type, Guid>();
+            entityToTypeToPendingComponentPriority[entity] = new PooledDictionary<Type, int>();
             entityToTypeToExistingComponentID[entity] = new PooledDictionary<Type, Guid>();
         }
 
@@ -36,6 +39,9 @@ namespace Encompass
             entityToTypeToPendingComponentID[entity].Dispose();
             entityToTypeToPendingComponentID.Remove(entity);
 
+            entityToTypeToPendingComponentPriority[entity].Dispose();
+            entityToTypeToPendingComponentPriority.Remove(entity);
+
             entityToTypeToExistingComponentID[entity].Dispose();
             entityToTypeToExistingComponentID.Remove(entity);
         }
@@ -75,6 +81,11 @@ namespace Encompass
             {
                 dictionary.Clear();
             }
+
+            foreach (var dictionary in entityToTypeToPendingComponentPriority.Values)
+            {
+                dictionary.Clear();
+            }
         }
 
         internal void AddExistingComponentMessage<TComponent>(ComponentMessage<TComponent> componentMessage) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
@@ -107,15 +118,21 @@ namespace Encompass
                 componentMessageTypeToPendingComponentIDs.Add(typeof(TComponent), new HashSet<Guid>());
             }
 
-            componentMessageTypeToPendingComponentIDs[typeof(TComponent)].Add(pendingComponentMessage.componentID);
-
             if (!entityToTypeToPendingComponentID[pendingComponentMessage.entity].ContainsKey(typeof(TComponent)))
             {
                 entityToTypeToPendingComponentID[pendingComponentMessage.entity].Add(typeof(TComponent), pendingComponentMessage.componentID);
+                entityToTypeToPendingComponentPriority[pendingComponentMessage.entity].Add(typeof(TComponent), pendingComponentMessage.priority);
+                componentMessageTypeToPendingComponentIDs[typeof(TComponent)].Add(pendingComponentMessage.componentID);
             }
             else
             {
-                throw new MultipleComponentOfSameTypeException("Entity {0} cannot have multiple components of type {1}", pendingComponentMessage.entity.ID, typeof(TComponent).Name);
+                if (pendingComponentMessage.priority < entityToTypeToPendingComponentPriority[pendingComponentMessage.entity][typeof(TComponent)])
+                {
+                    componentMessageTypeToPendingComponentIDs[typeof(TComponent)].Remove(entityToTypeToPendingComponentID[pendingComponentMessage.entity][typeof(TComponent)]);
+                    entityToTypeToPendingComponentID[pendingComponentMessage.entity][typeof(TComponent)] = pendingComponentMessage.componentID;
+                    entityToTypeToPendingComponentPriority[pendingComponentMessage.entity][typeof(TComponent)] = pendingComponentMessage.priority;
+                    componentMessageTypeToPendingComponentIDs[typeof(TComponent)].Add(pendingComponentMessage.componentID);
+                }
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Engine.cs b/encompass-cs/Engine.cs
index 0ae92a8..cfe6149 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Engine.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Engine.cs
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ namespace Encompass
     {
         internal readonly HashSet<Type> sendTypes = new HashSet<Type>();
         internal readonly HashSet<Type> receiveTypes = new HashSet<Type>();
+        internal readonly Dictionary<Type, int> writePriorities = new Dictionary<Type, int>();
 
         private EntityManager entityManager;
         private MessageManager messageManager;
@@ -24,16 +25,17 @@ namespace Encompass
                 sendTypes = sendsAttribute.sendTypes;
             }
 
-            var activatesAttribute = GetType().GetCustomAttribute<Activates>(false);
+            var activatesAttribute = GetType().GetCustomAttribute<WritesPending>(false);
             if (activatesAttribute != null)
             {
-                sendTypes.UnionWith(activatesAttribute.activateTypes);
+                sendTypes.UnionWith(activatesAttribute.writePendingTypes);
             }
 
-            var updatesAttribute = GetType().GetCustomAttribute<Updates>(false);
-            if (updatesAttribute != null)
+            var writesAttribute = GetType().GetCustomAttribute<Writes>(false);
+            if (writesAttribute != null)
             {
-                sendTypes.UnionWith(updatesAttribute.updateTypes);
+                sendTypes.UnionWith(writesAttribute.writeTypes);
+                writePriorities = writesAttribute.priorities;
             }
 
             var receivesAttribute = GetType().GetCustomAttribute<Receives>(false);
@@ -124,40 +126,6 @@ namespace Encompass
             return GetEntity(componentManager.GetEntityIDByComponentID(componentID));
         }
 
-        protected Guid AddComponent<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
-        {
-            var componentID = componentManager.MarkComponentForAdd(entity, component);
-
-            if (sendTypes.Contains(typeof(PendingComponentMessage<TComponent>)))
-            {
-                PendingComponentMessage<TComponent> newComponentMessage;
-                newComponentMessage.entity = entity;
-                newComponentMessage.componentID = componentID;
-                newComponentMessage.component = component;
-                SendMessage(newComponentMessage);
-                SendPendingComponentMessage(newComponentMessage);
-            }
-
-            return componentID;
-        }
-
-        protected Guid AddDrawComponent<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component, int layer = 0) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
-        {
-            var componentID = componentManager.MarkDrawComponentForAdd(entity, component, layer);
-
-            if (sendTypes.Contains(typeof(PendingComponentMessage<TComponent>)))
-            {
-                PendingComponentMessage<TComponent> newComponentMessage;
-                newComponentMessage.entity = entity;
-                newComponentMessage.componentID = componentID;
-                newComponentMessage.component = component;
-                SendMessage(newComponentMessage);
-                SendPendingComponentMessage(newComponentMessage);
-            }
-
-            return componentID;
-        }
-
         protected IEnumerable<ValueTuple<Guid, TComponent>> ReadComponents<TComponent>() where TComponent : struct, IComponent
         {
             var pendingRead = receiveTypes.Contains(typeof(PendingComponentMessage<TComponent>));
@@ -285,17 +253,67 @@ namespace Encompass
             componentManager.AddUpdateComponentOperation(componentID, newComponent);
         }
 
-        protected void UpdateComponent<TComponent>(Guid componentID, TComponent newComponentValue) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
+        protected Guid SetComponent<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
         {
-            if (!sendTypes.Contains(typeof(ComponentUpdateMessage<TComponent>)))
+            var priority = writePriorities.ContainsKey(typeof(TComponent)) ? writePriorities[typeof(TComponent)] : 0;
+
+            var componentID = componentManager.MarkComponentForWrite(entity, component, priority);
+
+            if (!sendTypes.Contains(typeof(ComponentWriteMessage<TComponent>)))
             {
-                throw new IllegalUpdateException("Engine {0} tried to update undeclared Component {1}", GetType().Name, typeof(TComponent).Name);
+                throw new IllegalWriteException("Engine {0} tried to update undeclared Component {1}", GetType().Name, typeof(TComponent).Name);
             }
 
-            ComponentUpdateMessage<TComponent> componentUpdateMessage;
+            if (sendTypes.Contains(typeof(PendingComponentMessage<TComponent>)))
+            {
+                PendingComponentMessage<TComponent> newComponentMessage;
+                newComponentMessage.entity = entity;
+                newComponentMessage.componentID = componentID;
+                newComponentMessage.component = component;
+                newComponentMessage.priority = priority;
+                SendPendingComponentMessage(newComponentMessage);
+            }
+
+            ComponentWriteMessage<TComponent> componentUpdateMessage;
             componentUpdateMessage.componentID = componentID;
-            componentUpdateMessage.component = newComponentValue;
+            componentUpdateMessage.component = component;
             SendMessage(componentUpdateMessage);
+
+            return componentID;
+        }
+
+        protected Guid SetComponent<TComponent>(Guid componentID, TComponent component) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
+        {
+            return SetComponent(GetEntityByComponentID(componentID), component);
+        }
+
+        protected Guid SetDrawComponent<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component, int layer = 0) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
+        {
+            var priority = writePriorities.ContainsKey(typeof(TComponent)) ? writePriorities[typeof(TComponent)] : 0;
+
+            var componentID = componentManager.MarkDrawComponentForWrite(entity, component, priority, layer);
+
+            if (!sendTypes.Contains(typeof(ComponentWriteMessage<TComponent>)))
+            {
+                throw new IllegalWriteException("Engine {0} tried to write undeclared Component {1}", GetType().Name, typeof(TComponent).Name);
+            }
+
+            if (sendTypes.Contains(typeof(PendingComponentMessage<TComponent>)))
+            {
+                PendingComponentMessage<TComponent> newComponentMessage;
+                newComponentMessage.entity = entity;
+                newComponentMessage.componentID = componentID;
+                newComponentMessage.component = component;
+                newComponentMessage.priority = priority;
+                SendPendingComponentMessage(newComponentMessage);
+            }
+
+            ComponentWriteMessage<TComponent> componentUpdateMessage;
+            componentUpdateMessage.componentID = componentID;
+            componentUpdateMessage.component = component;
+            SendMessage(componentUpdateMessage);
+
+            return componentID;
         }
 
         protected void SendMessage<TMessage>(TMessage message) where TMessage : struct, IMessage
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Engines/ComponentUpdater.cs b/encompass-cs/Engines/ComponentUpdater.cs
index 2656c7e..3cf9b7e 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Engines/ComponentUpdater.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Engines/ComponentUpdater.cs
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@ namespace Encompass.Engines
     {
         public ComponentUpdater() : base()
         {
-            receiveTypes.Add(typeof(ComponentUpdateMessage<TComponent>));
+            receiveTypes.Add(typeof(ComponentWriteMessage<TComponent>));
         }
 
         public override void Update(double dt)
         {
-            foreach (var componentUpdateMessage in ReadMessages<ComponentUpdateMessage<TComponent>>())
+            foreach (var componentUpdateMessage in ReadMessages<ComponentWriteMessage<TComponent>>())
             {
                 UpdateComponentInWorld(componentUpdateMessage.componentID, componentUpdateMessage.component);
             }
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/EngineUpdateConflictException.cs b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/EngineUpdateConflictException.cs
index 3046f3d..ab1ac08 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/EngineUpdateConflictException.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/EngineUpdateConflictException.cs
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ using System;
 
 namespace Encompass.Exceptions
 {
-    public class EngineUpdateConflictException : Exception
+    public class EngineWriteConflictException : Exception
     {
-        public EngineUpdateConflictException(
+        public EngineWriteConflictException(
             string format,
             params object[] args
         ) : base(string.Format(format, args)) { }
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalUpdateException.cs b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWriteException.cs
similarity index 65%
rename from encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalUpdateException.cs
rename to encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWriteException.cs
index 82c5387..4c7db90 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalUpdateException.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWriteException.cs
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ using System;
 
 namespace Encompass.Exceptions
 {
-    public class IllegalUpdateException : Exception
+    public class IllegalWriteException : Exception
     {
-        public IllegalUpdateException(
+        public IllegalWriteException(
             string format,
             params object[] args
         ) : base(string.Format(format, args)) { }
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalUpdateTypeException.cs b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWritePendingException.cs
similarity index 62%
rename from encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalUpdateTypeException.cs
rename to encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWritePendingException.cs
index 0a63dad..3983c23 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalUpdateTypeException.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWritePendingException.cs
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ using System;
 
 namespace Encompass.Exceptions
 {
-    public class IllegalUpdateTypeException : Exception
+    public class IllegalWritePendingException : Exception
     {
-        public IllegalUpdateTypeException(
+        public IllegalWritePendingException(
             string format,
             params object[] args
         ) : base(string.Format(format, args)) { }
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalActivateTypeException.cs b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWritePendingTypeException.cs
similarity index 60%
rename from encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalActivateTypeException.cs
rename to encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWritePendingTypeException.cs
index f167151..19554be 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalActivateTypeException.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWritePendingTypeException.cs
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ using System;
 
 namespace Encompass.Exceptions
 {
-    public class IllegalActivateTypeException : Exception
+    public class IllegalWritePendingTypeException : Exception
     {
-        public IllegalActivateTypeException(
+        public IllegalWritePendingTypeException(
             string format,
             params object[] args
         ) : base(string.Format(format, args)) { }
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalActivateException.cs b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWriteTypeException.cs
similarity index 63%
rename from encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalActivateException.cs
rename to encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWriteTypeException.cs
index f13c9e8..3c720b6 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalActivateException.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Exceptions/IllegalWriteTypeException.cs
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ using System;
 
 namespace Encompass.Exceptions
 {
-    public class IllegalActivateException : Exception
+    public class IllegalWriteTypeException : Exception
     {
-        public IllegalActivateException(
+        public IllegalWriteTypeException(
             string format,
             params object[] args
         ) : base(string.Format(format, args)) { }
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Messages/ComponentUpdateMessage.cs b/encompass-cs/Messages/ComponentWriteMessage.cs
similarity index 53%
rename from encompass-cs/Messages/ComponentUpdateMessage.cs
rename to encompass-cs/Messages/ComponentWriteMessage.cs
index 0221bbb..424fa7b 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Messages/ComponentUpdateMessage.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Messages/ComponentWriteMessage.cs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ using System;
 
 namespace Encompass
 {
-    internal struct ComponentUpdateMessage<TComponent> : IMessage where TComponent : struct, IComponent
+    internal struct ComponentWriteMessage<TComponent> : IMessage where TComponent : struct, IComponent
     {
         public Guid componentID;
         public TComponent component;
diff --git a/encompass-cs/Messages/PendingComponentMessage.cs b/encompass-cs/Messages/PendingComponentMessage.cs
index 5fd0166..4a051b4 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/Messages/PendingComponentMessage.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/Messages/PendingComponentMessage.cs
@@ -7,5 +7,6 @@ namespace Encompass
         public Entity entity;
         public Guid componentID;
         public TComponent component;
+        public int priority;
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/encompass-cs/World.cs b/encompass-cs/World.cs
index efbf537..fe5104d 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/World.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/World.cs
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace Encompass
 
             componentManager.PerformComponentUpdates();
             componentManager.RemoveMarkedComponents();
-            componentManager.AddMarkedComponents();
+            componentManager.WriteComponents();
         }
 
         public void Draw()
diff --git a/encompass-cs/WorldBuilder.cs b/encompass-cs/WorldBuilder.cs
index 3dd2603..8a2100e 100644
--- a/encompass-cs/WorldBuilder.cs
+++ b/encompass-cs/WorldBuilder.cs
@@ -52,12 +52,12 @@ namespace Encompass
 
         public Guid AddComponent<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
         {
-            return componentManager.MarkComponentForAdd(entity, component);
+            return componentManager.MarkComponentForWrite(entity, component, 0);
         }
 
         public Guid AddDrawComponent<TComponent>(Entity entity, TComponent component, int layer = 0) where TComponent : struct, IComponent
         {
-            return componentManager.MarkDrawComponentForAdd(entity, component, layer);
+            return componentManager.MarkDrawComponentForWrite(entity, component, layer);
         }
 
         internal void RegisterComponent(Type componentType)
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ namespace Encompass
                 if (sendType.IsGenericType)
                 {
                     var genericTypeDefinition = sendType.GetGenericTypeDefinition();
-                    if (genericTypeDefinition == typeof(ComponentUpdateMessage<>))
+                    if (genericTypeDefinition == typeof(ComponentWriteMessage<>))
                     {
                         var componentType = sendType.GetGenericArguments().Single();
                         RegisterNewComponentUpdater(componentType);
@@ -201,45 +201,56 @@ namespace Encompass
                 throw new EngineCycleException(errorString);
             }
 
-            var mutatedComponentTypes = new HashSet<Type>();
-            var duplicateMutations = new List<Type>();
-            var updateMessageToEngines = new Dictionary<Type, List<Engine>>();
+            var writtenComponentTypesWithoutPriority = new HashSet<Type>();
+            var writtenComponentTypesWithPriority = new HashSet<Type>();
+            var duplicateWritesWithoutPriority = new List<Type>();
+            var writeMessageToEngines = new Dictionary<Type, List<Engine>>();
 
             foreach (var engine in engines)
             {
-                var updateTypes = engine.sendTypes.Where((type) => type.IsGenericType && type.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == typeof(ComponentUpdateMessage<>));
+                var writeTypes = engine.sendTypes.Where((type) => type.IsGenericType && type.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == typeof(ComponentWriteMessage<>));
 
-                foreach (var updateType in updateTypes)
+                foreach (var writeType in writeTypes)
                 {
-                    if (mutatedComponentTypes.Contains(updateType))
+                    var componentType = writeType.GetGenericArguments()[0];
+
+                    if (!engine.writePriorities.ContainsKey(componentType))
                     {
-                        duplicateMutations.Add(updateType);
+                        if (writtenComponentTypesWithoutPriority.Contains(componentType) || writtenComponentTypesWithPriority.Contains(componentType))
+                        {
+                            duplicateWritesWithoutPriority.Add(componentType);
+                        }
+                        else
+                        {
+                            writtenComponentTypesWithoutPriority.Add(componentType);
+                        }
                     }
                     else
                     {
-                        mutatedComponentTypes.Add(updateType);
+                        writtenComponentTypesWithPriority.Add(componentType);
                     }
 
-                    if (!updateMessageToEngines.ContainsKey(updateType))
+                    if (!writeMessageToEngines.ContainsKey(componentType))
                     {
-                        updateMessageToEngines[updateType] = new List<Engine>();
+                        writeMessageToEngines[componentType] = new List<Engine>();
                     }
 
-                    updateMessageToEngines[updateType].Add(engine);
+                    writeMessageToEngines[componentType].Add(engine);
                 }
             }
 
-            if (duplicateMutations.Count > 0)
+            if (duplicateWritesWithoutPriority.Count > 0)
             {
-                var errorString = "Multiple Engines update the same Component: ";
-                foreach (var componentType in duplicateMutations)
+                var errorString = "Multiple Engines write the same Component without declaring priority: ";
+                foreach (var componentType in duplicateWritesWithoutPriority)
                 {
                     errorString += "\n" +
-                    componentType.Name + " updated by: " +
-                    string.Join(", ", updateMessageToEngines[componentType].Select((engine) => engine.GetType().Name));
+                    componentType.Name + " written by: " +
+                    string.Join(", ", writeMessageToEngines[componentType].Select((engine) => engine.GetType().Name));
                 }
+                errorString += "\nTo resolve the conflict, add priority arguments to the Writes declarations.";
 
-                throw new EngineUpdateConflictException(errorString);
+                throw new EngineWriteConflictException(errorString);
             }
 
             var engineOrder = new List<Engine>();
@@ -259,7 +270,7 @@ namespace Encompass
 
             componentManager.PerformComponentUpdates();
             componentManager.RemoveMarkedComponents();
-            componentManager.AddMarkedComponents();
+            componentManager.WriteComponents();
 
             return world;
         }
diff --git a/test/ComponentTest.cs b/test/ComponentTest.cs
index 2d14aba..08a8cf2 100644
--- a/test/ComponentTest.cs
+++ b/test/ComponentTest.cs
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ namespace Tests
         }
 
         [Reads(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [Writes(typeof(MockComponent))]
         class MultipleAddEngine : Engine
         {
             public override void Update(double dt)
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ namespace Tests
                 {
                     var entity = GetEntityByComponentID(mockComponentID);
 
-                    AddComponent(entity, new MockComponent());
+                    SetComponent(entity, new MockComponent());
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -127,6 +128,7 @@ namespace Tests
         }
 
         [Reads(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [Writes(typeof(MockComponent))]
         class AddAndRemoveComponentEngine : Engine
         {
             public override void Update(double dt)
@@ -134,7 +136,7 @@ namespace Tests
                 foreach (var (mockComponentID, mockComponent) in ReadComponents<MockComponent>())
                 {
                     var entity = GetEntityByComponentID(mockComponentID);
-                    AddComponent(entity, mockComponent);
+                    SetComponent(entity, mockComponent);
                     RemoveComponent(mockComponentID);
                 }
             }
@@ -183,15 +185,16 @@ namespace Tests
             }
         }
 
-        [Activates(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [WritesPending(typeof(MockComponent))]
         [Receives(typeof(AddMockComponentMessage))]
+        [Writes(typeof(MockComponent))]
         class AddMockComponentEngine : Engine
         {
             public override void Update(double dt)
             {
                 foreach (var message in ReadMessages<AddMockComponentMessage>())
                 {
-                    AddComponent(message.entity, message.mockComponent);
+                    SetComponent(message.entity, message.mockComponent);
                 }
             }
         }
diff --git a/test/EngineTest.cs b/test/EngineTest.cs
index 79ad717..f947fcd 100644
--- a/test/EngineTest.cs
+++ b/test/EngineTest.cs
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ namespace Tests
         }
 
         [Reads(typeof(MockComponent))]
-        [Updates(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [Writes(typeof(MockComponent))]
         public class UpdateComponentTestEngine : Engine
         {
             public override void Update(double dt)
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ namespace Tests
 
                 component.myInt = 420;
                 component.myString = "blaze it";
-                UpdateComponent(componentID, component);
+                SetComponent(componentID, component);
             }
         }
 
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ namespace Tests
         }
 
         [Reads(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [Writes(typeof(MockComponent))]
         public class UndeclaredUpdateComponentTestEngine : Engine
         {
             public override void Update(double dt)
@@ -169,7 +170,7 @@ namespace Tests
 
                 component.myInt = 420;
                 component.myString = "blaze it";
-                UpdateComponent(componentID, component);
+                SetComponent(componentID, component);
 
                 component = ReadComponent<MockComponent>().Item2;
             }
@@ -191,7 +192,7 @@ namespace Tests
 
             var world = worldBuilder.Build();
 
-            var ex = Assert.Throws<IllegalUpdateException>(() => world.Update(0.01f));
+            var ex = Assert.Throws<IllegalWriteException>(() => world.Update(0.01f));
             Assert.That(ex.Message, Is.EqualTo("Engine UndeclaredUpdateComponentTestEngine tried to update undeclared Component MockComponent"));
         }
 
@@ -551,8 +552,9 @@ namespace Tests
             Assert.That(entity, Is.EqualTo(entityFromComponentIDResult));
         }
 
-        [Activates(typeof(MockComponent))]
         [Reads(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [WritesPending(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [Writes(typeof(MockComponent))]
         class AddAndRemoveMockComponentEngine : Engine
         {
             public override void Update(double dt)
@@ -561,7 +563,7 @@ namespace Tests
                 {
                     var entity = GetEntityByComponentID(mockComponentID);
                     RemoveComponent(mockComponentID);
-                    AddComponent(entity, new MockComponent());
+                    SetComponent(entity, new MockComponent());
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -728,15 +730,15 @@ namespace Tests
         }
 
         [Receives(typeof(MockComponentUpdateMessage))]
-        [Updates(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [Writes(typeof(MockComponent))]
         class RepeatUpdateEngine : Engine
         {
             public override void Update(double dt)
             {
                 foreach (var mockComponentUpdateMessage in ReadMessages<MockComponentUpdateMessage>())
                 {
-                    UpdateComponent(mockComponentUpdateMessage.componentID, mockComponentUpdateMessage.mockComponent);
-                    UpdateComponent(mockComponentUpdateMessage.componentID, mockComponentUpdateMessage.mockComponent);
+                    SetComponent(mockComponentUpdateMessage.componentID, mockComponentUpdateMessage.mockComponent);
+                    SetComponent(mockComponentUpdateMessage.componentID, mockComponentUpdateMessage.mockComponent);
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -806,7 +808,8 @@ namespace Tests
         }
 
         [Receives(typeof(MockMessage))]
-        [Activates(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [WritesPending(typeof(MockComponent))]
+        [Writes(typeof(MockComponent))]
         class ActivateComponentEngine : Engine
         {
             public override void Update(double dt)
@@ -814,7 +817,7 @@ namespace Tests
                 foreach (var message in ReadMessages<MockMessage>())
                 {
                     var entity = CreateEntity();
-                    AddComponent(entity, new MockComponent {});
+                    SetComponent(entity, new MockComponent {});
                 }
             }
         }
diff --git a/test/SpawnerTest.cs b/test/SpawnerTest.cs
index 1ca1a00..a5cfedb 100644
--- a/test/SpawnerTest.cs
+++ b/test/SpawnerTest.cs
@@ -23,13 +23,14 @@ namespace Tests
             }
         }
 
-        [Activates(typeof(TestComponent))]
+        [WritesPending(typeof(TestComponent))]
+        [Writes(typeof(TestComponent))]
         class TestSpawner : Spawner<SpawnMessageA>
         {
             protected override void Spawn(SpawnMessageA message)
             {
                 resultEntity = CreateEntity();
-                AddComponent(resultEntity, new TestComponent());
+                SetComponent(resultEntity, new TestComponent());
                 Assert.Pass();
             }
         }
diff --git a/test/WorldBuilderTest.cs b/test/WorldBuilderTest.cs
index 91777d2..a93b1b5 100644
--- a/test/WorldBuilderTest.cs
+++ b/test/WorldBuilderTest.cs
@@ -112,30 +112,99 @@ namespace Tests
             }
         }
 
-        public class MutationConflict
+        public class MultipleEngineWriteConflict
         {
             struct AComponent : IComponent { }
 
-            [Updates(typeof(AComponent))]
+            [Writes(typeof(AComponent))]
             class AEngine : Engine
             {
                 public override void Update(double dt) { }
             }
 
-            [Updates(typeof(AComponent))]
+            [Writes(typeof(AComponent))]
             class BEngine : Engine
             {
                 public override void Update(double dt) { }
             }
 
             [Test]
-            public void MutationConflictException()
+            public void EngineWriteConflictException()
             {
                 var worldBuilder = new WorldBuilder();
                 worldBuilder.AddEngine(new AEngine());
                 worldBuilder.AddEngine(new BEngine());
 
-                Assert.Throws<EngineUpdateConflictException>(() => worldBuilder.Build());
+                Assert.Throws<EngineWriteConflictException>(() => worldBuilder.Build());
+            }
+        }
+
+        public class MultipleEngineWriteWithPriority
+        {
+            struct SetMessage : IMessage 
+            {
+                public Entity entity;
+            }
+
+            struct AComponent : IComponent 
+            {
+                public int myInt;
+            }
+
+            [Receives(typeof(SetMessage))]
+            [Writes(typeof(AComponent), 0)]
+            [WritesPending(typeof(AComponent))]
+            class AEngine : Engine
+            {
+                public override void Update(double dt) 
+                {
+                    foreach (var setMessage in ReadMessages<SetMessage>())
+                    {
+                        SetComponent(setMessage.entity, new AComponent { myInt = 0 });
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            [Receives(typeof(SetMessage))]
+            [Writes(typeof(AComponent), 1)]
+            [WritesPending(typeof(AComponent))]
+            class BEngine : Engine
+            {
+                public override void Update(double dt) 
+                {
+                    foreach (var setMessage in ReadMessages<SetMessage>())
+                    {
+                        SetComponent(setMessage.entity, new AComponent { myInt = 1 });
+                    }
+                }         
+            }
+
+            static AComponent resultComponent;
+
+            [ReadsPending(typeof(AComponent))]
+            class ReadComponentEngine : Engine
+            {
+                public override void Update(double dt)
+                {
+                    resultComponent = ReadComponent<AComponent>().Item2;
+                }
+            }
+
+            [Test]
+            public void LowerPriorityWrites()
+            {
+                var worldBuilder = new WorldBuilder();
+                worldBuilder.AddEngine(new AEngine());
+                worldBuilder.AddEngine(new BEngine());
+
+                var entity = worldBuilder.CreateEntity();
+                worldBuilder.SendMessage(new SetMessage { entity = entity });
+
+                var world = worldBuilder.Build();
+
+                world.Update(0.01);
+
+                Assert.That(resultComponent.myInt, Is.EqualTo(0));
             }
         }