NRE when calling StartManualEffects() during built game only

[NeddoFredd0]

in build only (not in editor) I get this NRE repeatedly when calling StartManualEffects():

NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object
  at EasyTextEffects.TextEffect.StartManualEffects () [0x00001] in .\Packages\Easy-Text-Effects-for-Unity-main\Runtime\TextEffect.cs:239 
  at UI_EscapeSequenceTimer.StartAllManualEffects () [0x0001e] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\Scripts\UI\UI_EscapeSequenceTimer.cs:133 
  at UI_EscapeSequenceTimer.StartEscapeTimer () [0x00001] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\Scripts\UI\UI_EscapeSequenceTimer.cs:51 
  at EscapeSequenceManager.StartEscape () [0x0004f] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\Scripts\EscapeSequenceManager.cs:45 
  at CaptureTarget.Interact () [0x00001] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\Scripts\Objects\CaptureTarget.cs:67 
  at LowPolyCatGame.Scripts.CatCharacterController.DoTryInteract () [0x00033] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\Scripts\CatCharacterController.cs:2948 
  at LowPolyCatGame.Scripts.CatCharacterController.UpdateVelocity (UnityEngine.Vector3& currentVelocity, System.Single deltaTime) [0x0053a] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\Scripts\CatCharacterController.cs:1872 
  at KinematicCharacterController.KinematicCharacterMotor.UpdatePhase2 (System.Single deltaTime) [0x00373] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\KCC_Core\KinematicCharacterMotor.cs:1156 
  at KinematicCharacterController.KinematicCharacterSystem.Simulate (System.Single deltaTime, System.Collections.Generic.List`1[T] motors, System.Collections.Generic.List`1[T] movers) [0x000cb] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\KCC_Core\KinematicCharacterSystem.cs:216 
  at KinematicCharacterController.KinematicCharacterSystem.FixedUpdate () [0x0002d] in D:\apps\Unity\Projects\LowPolyCatGame\LowPolyCatGame\Assets\KCC_Core\KinematicCharacterSystem.cs:134 

(StartAllManualEffects() is just a helper that loops over each text effect in children and calls StartManualEffects() on them.)

Can be rectified by using On Start trigger modes for text effects. (although this means less control over the visuals, obviously).

[NeddoFredd0]

Realised that using OnStart trigger modes for a bunch of TextEffects actually has significant performance implications. Still working to find a proper workround that doesn't compromise on frame time.

[NeddoFredd0]

Update: This only happens when calling StartManualEffects on a TextEffect who's TextMeshPro - Text has a TMP SubMeshUI child. If the TMPText doesn't have a TMP SubMeshUI child, it can be called safely in build without causing an NRE.

[NeddoFredd0]

Found a workaround, if we delay by 1 frame before calling StartManualEffects it works.