diff --git a/lib/net/peer.js b/lib/net/peer.js
index 44cc583e..8eb14e55 100644
--- a/lib/net/peer.js
+++ b/lib/net/peer.js
@@ -125,8 +125,10 @@ function Peer(pool, addr, socket) {
 
   this.banScore = 0;
 
-  this.pingTimeout = null;
+  this.pingTimer = null;
   this.pingInterval = 30000;
+  this.stallTimer = null;
+  this.stallInterval = 5000;
 
   this.requestTimeout = 10000;
   this.requestMap = {};
@@ -243,7 +245,7 @@ Peer.prototype._init = function init() {
     });
     this.bip151.on('rekey', function() {
       self.logger.debug('Rekeying with peer (%s).', self.hostname);
-      self.send(self.bip151.toRekey());
+      self.trySend(self.bip151.toRekey());
     });
   }
 
@@ -286,6 +288,7 @@ Peer.prototype.connect = function connect(port, host) {
 Peer.prototype.open = co(function* open() {
   try {
     yield this._connect();
+    yield this._stallify();
     yield this._bip151();
     yield this._bip150();
     yield this._handshake();
@@ -295,11 +298,7 @@ Peer.prototype.open = co(function* open() {
     return;
   }
 
-  // The peer may have been killed before
-  // the handshake finished. In this case,
-  // do not emit `open`.
-  if (this.destroyed)
-    return;
+  assert(!this.destroyed);
 
   // Finally we can let the pool know
   // that this peer is ready to go.
@@ -339,6 +338,20 @@ Peer.prototype._connect = function _connect() {
   });
 };
 
+/**
+ * Setup stall timer.
+ * @private
+ */
+
+Peer.prototype._stallify = function _stallify() {
+  var self = this;
+  assert(!this.stallTimer);
+  this.stallTimer = setInterval(function() {
+    self.maybeStall();
+  }, this.stallInterval);
+  return Promise.resolve();
+};
+
 /**
  * Handle `connect` event (called immediately
  * if a socket was passed into peer).
@@ -354,7 +367,7 @@ Peer.prototype._bip151 = co(function* _bip151() {
 
   this.logger.info('Attempting BIP151 handshake (%s).', this.hostname);
 
-  this.send(this.bip151.toEncinit());
+  yield this.send(this.bip151.toEncinit());
 
   try {
     yield this.bip151.wait(3000);
@@ -389,7 +402,7 @@ Peer.prototype._bip150 = co(function* _bip150() {
   if (this.bip150.outbound) {
     if (!this.bip150.peerIdentity)
       throw new Error('No known identity for peer.');
-    this.send(this.bip150.toChallenge());
+    yield this.send(this.bip150.toChallenge());
   }
 
   yield this.bip150.wait(3000);
@@ -410,13 +423,13 @@ Peer.prototype._bip150 = co(function* _bip150() {
 
 Peer.prototype._handshake = co(function* _handshake() {
   // Say hello.
-  this.sendVersion();
+  yield this.sendVersion();
 
   // Advertise our address.
   if (this.pool.address.host !== '0.0.0.0'
       && !this.options.selfish
       && this.pool.server) {
-    this.send(new packets.AddrPacket([this.pool.address]));
+    yield this.send(new packets.AddrPacket([this.pool.address]));
   }
 
   yield this.request('verack');
@@ -446,14 +459,14 @@ Peer.prototype._finalize = co(function* _finalize() {
   var self = this;
 
   // Setup the ping interval.
-  this.pingTimeout = setInterval(function() {
+  this.pingTimer = setInterval(function() {
     self.sendPing();
   }, this.pingInterval);
 
   // Ask for headers-only.
   if (this.options.headers) {
     if (this.version.version >= 70012)
-      this.send(new packets.SendHeadersPacket());
+      yield this.send(new packets.SendHeadersPacket());
   }
 
   // Let them know we support segwit (old
@@ -461,32 +474,30 @@ Peer.prototype._finalize = co(function* _finalize() {
   // of service bits).
   if (this.options.witness && this.network.oldWitness) {
     if (this.version.version >= 70012)
-      this.send(new packets.HaveWitnessPacket());
+      yield this.send(new packets.HaveWitnessPacket());
   }
 
   // We want compact blocks!
   if (this.options.compact) {
     if (this.version.version >= 70014)
-      this.sendCompact();
+      yield this.sendCompact();
   }
 
   // Find some more peers.
-  this.send(new packets.GetAddrPacket());
+  yield this.send(new packets.GetAddrPacket());
 
   // Relay our spv filter if we have one.
-  this.updateWatch();
+  yield this.updateWatch();
 
   // Announce our currently broadcasted items.
-  this.announce(this.pool.invItems);
+  yield this.announce(this.pool.invItems);
 
   // Set a fee rate filter.
   if (this.pool.feeRate !== -1)
-    this.sendFeeRate(this.pool.feeRate);
+    yield this.sendFeeRate(this.pool.feeRate);
 
   // Start syncing the chain.
-  this.sync();
-
-  yield co.wait();
+  yield this.sync();
 });
 
 /**
@@ -498,6 +509,15 @@ Peer.prototype.isLoader = function isLoader() {
   return this === this.pool.peers.load;
 };
 
+/**
+ * Broadcast items to peer (transactions or blocks).
+ * @param {Block[]|TX[]|InvItem[]|BroadcastEntry[]} items
+ */
+
+Peer.prototype.tryAnnounce = function tryAnnounce(items) {
+  return this.announce().catch(util.nop);
+};
+
 /**
  * Broadcast items to peer (transactions or blocks).
  * @param {Block[]|TX[]|InvItem[]|BroadcastEntry[]} items
@@ -658,14 +678,11 @@ Peer.prototype.sendVersion = function sendVersion() {
  */
 
 Peer.prototype.sendPing = function sendPing() {
-  if (this.maybeStall())
-    return Promise.resolve();
-
   if (!this.version)
     return Promise.resolve();
 
   if (this.version.version <= 60000)
-    return this.send(new packets.PingPacket());
+    return this.trySend(new packets.PingPacket());
 
   if (this.challenge) {
     this.logger.debug('Peer has not responded to ping (%s).', this.hostname);
@@ -676,7 +693,7 @@ Peer.prototype.sendPing = function sendPing() {
   this.lastPing = util.ms();
   this.challenge = util.nonce();
 
-  return this.send(new packets.PingPacket(this.challenge));
+  return this.trySend(new packets.PingPacket(this.challenge));
 };
 
 /**
@@ -709,7 +726,7 @@ Peer.prototype.updateWatch = function updateWatch() {
   if (!this.options.spv)
     return Promise.resolve();
 
-  return this.send(new packets.FilterLoadPacket(this.pool.spvFilter));
+  return this.trySend(new packets.FilterLoadPacket(this.pool.spvFilter));
 };
 
 /**
@@ -718,7 +735,7 @@ Peer.prototype.updateWatch = function updateWatch() {
  */
 
 Peer.prototype.sendFeeRate = function sendFeeRate(rate) {
-  return this.send(new packets.FeeFilterPacket(rate));
+  return this.trySend(new packets.FeeFilterPacket(rate));
 };
 
 /**
@@ -731,7 +748,7 @@ Peer.prototype.destroy = function destroy() {
   if (this.destroyed)
     return;
 
-  this.finishDrain();
+  this.finishDrain(new Error('Peer destroyed.'));
 
   this.destroyed = true;
   this.connected = false;
@@ -745,9 +762,14 @@ Peer.prototype.destroy = function destroy() {
   if (this.bip150)
     this.bip150.destroy();
 
-  if (this.pingTimeout != null) {
-    clearInterval(this.pingTimeout);
-    this.pingTimeout = null;
+  if (this.pingTimer != null) {
+    clearInterval(this.pingTimer);
+    this.pingTimer = null;
+  }
+
+  if (this.stallTimer != null) {
+    clearInterval(this.stallTimer);
+    this.stallTimer = null;
   }
 
   if (this.connectTimeout != null) {
@@ -783,7 +805,7 @@ Peer.prototype.destroy = function destroy() {
 
 Peer.prototype.write = function write(data) {
   if (this.destroyed)
-    return Promise.resolve();
+    return Promise.reject(new Error('Peer destroyed (write).'));
 
   this.lastSend = util.ms();
 
@@ -804,7 +826,7 @@ Peer.prototype.onDrain = function onDrain(size) {
   var self = this;
 
   if (this.maybeStall())
-    return Promise.resolve();
+    return Promise.reject(new Error('Peer stalled (drain).'));
 
   this.drainStart = util.now();
   this.drainSize += size;
@@ -815,7 +837,7 @@ Peer.prototype.onDrain = function onDrain(size) {
       util.mb(this.drainSize),
       this.hostname);
     this.error('Peer stalled.');
-    return Promise.resolve();
+    return Promise.reject(new Error('Peer stalled (drain).'));
   }
 
   return new Promise(function(resolve, reject) {
@@ -857,6 +879,16 @@ Peer.prototype.finishDrain = function finishDrain(err) {
     jobs[i](err);
 };
 
+/**
+ * Send a packet (no error handling).
+ * @param {Packet} packet
+ * @returns {Promise}
+ */
+
+Peer.prototype.trySend = function send(packet) {
+  return this.send(packet).catch(util.nop);
+};
+
 /**
  * Send a packet.
  * @param {Packet} packet
@@ -1009,7 +1041,7 @@ Peer.prototype.getData = function getData(items) {
     data[i] = item;
   }
 
-  return this.send(new packets.GetDataPacket(data));
+  return this.trySend(new packets.GetDataPacket(data));
 };
 
 /**
@@ -2368,7 +2400,7 @@ Peer.prototype.sendAlert = function sendAlert(alert) {
   if (!this.invFilter.added(alert.hash()))
     return Promise.resolve();
 
-  return this.send(alert);
+  return this.trySend(alert);
 };
 
 /**
@@ -2451,7 +2483,7 @@ Peer.prototype.sendMempool = function sendMempool() {
     'Requesting inv packet from peer with mempool (%s).',
     this.hostname);
 
-  return this.send(new packets.MempoolPacket());
+  return this.trySend(new packets.MempoolPacket());
 };
 
 /**
@@ -2476,7 +2508,7 @@ Peer.prototype.sendReject = function sendReject(code, reason, obj) {
     'Sending reject packet to peer (%s).',
     this.hostname);
 
-  return this.send(reject);
+  return this.trySend(reject);
 };
 
 /**
@@ -2486,7 +2518,7 @@ Peer.prototype.sendReject = function sendReject(code, reason, obj) {
 Peer.prototype.sendCompact = function sendCompact() {
   var version = this.options.witness ? 2 : 1;
   this.logger.info('Initializing compact blocks (%s).', this.hostname);
-  return this.send(new packets.SendCmpctPacket(0, version));
+  return this.trySend(new packets.SendCmpctPacket(0, version));
 };
 
 /**
@@ -2562,8 +2594,7 @@ Peer.prototype.resolveOrphan = co(function* resolveOrphan(tip, orphan) {
     return;
   }
 
-  // Note: call and forget
-  this.sendGetBlocks(locator, root);
+  yield this.sendGetBlocks(locator, root);
 });
 
 /**
@@ -2575,8 +2606,7 @@ Peer.prototype.resolveOrphan = co(function* resolveOrphan(tip, orphan) {
 
 Peer.prototype.getHeaders = co(function* getHeaders(tip, stop) {
   var locator = yield this.chain.getLocator(tip);
-  // Note: call and forget
-  this.sendGetHeaders(locator, stop);
+  yield this.sendGetHeaders(locator, stop);
 });
 
 /**
@@ -2588,8 +2618,7 @@ Peer.prototype.getHeaders = co(function* getHeaders(tip, stop) {
 
 Peer.prototype.getBlocks = co(function* getBlocks(tip, stop) {
   var locator = yield this.chain.getLocator(tip);
-  // Note: call and forget
-  this.sendGetBlocks(locator, stop);
+  yield this.sendGetBlocks(locator, stop);
 });
 
 /**
@@ -2597,33 +2626,42 @@ Peer.prototype.getBlocks = co(function* getBlocks(tip, stop) {
  * @returns {Promise}
  */
 
-Peer.prototype.sync = function sync() {
+Peer.prototype.trySync = function trySync() {
+  return this.sync().catch(util.nop);
+};
+
+/**
+ * Start syncing from peer.
+ * @returns {Promise}
+ */
+
+Peer.prototype.sync = co(function* sync() {
   var tip;
 
   if (!this.pool.syncing)
-    return Promise.resolve();
+    return;
 
   if (!this.ack)
-    return Promise.resolve();
+    return;
 
   if (this.syncSent)
-    return Promise.resolve();
+    return;
 
   if (!this.version.hasNetwork())
-    return Promise.resolve();
+    return;
 
   if (this.options.witness && !this.version.hasWitness())
-    return Promise.resolve();
+    return;
 
   if (!this.isLoader()) {
     if (!this.chain.synced)
-      return Promise.resolve();
+      return;
   }
 
   // Ask for the mempool if we're synced.
   if (this.network.requestMempool) {
     if (this.isLoader() && this.chain.synced)
-      this.sendMempool();
+      yield this.sendMempool();
   }
 
   this.syncSent = true;
@@ -2632,11 +2670,11 @@ Peer.prototype.sync = function sync() {
     if (!this.chain.tip.isGenesis())
       tip = this.chain.tip.prevBlock;
 
-    return this.getHeaders(tip);
+    return yield this.getHeaders(tip);
   }
 
-  return this.getBlocks();
-};
+  return yield this.getBlocks();
+});
 
 /**
  * Inspect the peer.
diff --git a/lib/net/pool.js b/lib/net/pool.js
index 5c87e6e0..7ef82094 100644
--- a/lib/net/pool.js
+++ b/lib/net/pool.js
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ Pool.prototype.setLoader = function setLoader(peer) {
   this.peers.repurpose(peer);
   this.fillPeers();
 
-  peer.sync();
+  peer.trySync();
 
   util.nextTick(function() {
     self.emit('loader', peer);
@@ -675,10 +675,10 @@ Pool.prototype.sync = function sync() {
   var i;
 
   if (this.peers.load)
-    this.peers.load.sync();
+    this.peers.load.trySync();
 
   for (i = 0; i < this.peers.regular.length; i++)
-    this.peers.regular[i].sync();
+    this.peers.regular[i].trySync();
 };
 
 /**
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ Pool.prototype.__handleHeaders = co(function* _handleHeaders(headers, peer) {
 
     last = hash;
 
-    yield this.getData(peer, this.blockType, hash);
+    yield this.getBlock(peer, hash);
   }
 
   // Schedule the getdata's we just added.
@@ -830,7 +830,7 @@ Pool.prototype._handleBlocks = co(function* _handleBlocks(hashes, peer) {
       continue;
     }
 
-    exists = yield this.getData(peer, this.blockType, hash);
+    exists = yield this.getBlock(peer, hash);
 
     // Normally we request the hashContinue.
     // In the odd case where we already have
@@ -1200,7 +1200,7 @@ Pool.prototype.createPeer = function createPeer(addr, socket) {
     for (i = 0; i < txs.length; i++) {
       hash = txs[i];
       try {
-        yield self.getData(peer, self.txType, hash);
+        yield self.getTX(peer, hash);
       } catch (e) {
         self.emit('error', e);
       }
@@ -1367,7 +1367,7 @@ Pool.prototype._handleTX = co(function* _handleTX(tx, peer) {
 
   if (this.options.requestMissing && missing) {
     for (i = 0; i < missing.length; i++)
-      yield this.getData(peer, this.txType, missing[i]);
+      yield this.getTX(peer, missing[i]);
   }
 
   this.emit('tx', tx, peer);
@@ -1545,46 +1545,23 @@ Pool.prototype.watchAddress = function watchAddress(address) {
  * Queue a `getdata` request to be sent. Checks existence
  * in the chain before requesting.
  * @param {Peer} peer
- * @param {Number} type - `getdata` type (see {@link constants.inv}).
- * @param {Hash} hash - {@link Block} or {@link TX} hash.
+ * @param {Hash} hash - Block hash.
  * @returns {Promise}
  */
 
-Pool.prototype.getData = co(function* getData(peer, type, hash) {
-  var self = this;
-  var item, exists;
+Pool.prototype.getBlock = co(function* getBlock(peer, hash) {
+  var item;
 
   if (!this.loaded)
     return;
 
-  exists = yield this.has(peer, type, hash);
-
-  if (exists)
-    return true;
-
   if (peer.destroyed)
     throw new Error('Peer is already destroyed (getdata).');
 
-  item = new LoadRequest(this, peer, type, hash);
+  if (yield this.hasBlock(hash))
+    return true;
 
-  if (type === this.txType) {
-    if (peer.queueTX.length === 0) {
-      util.nextTick(function() {
-        self.logger.debug(
-          'Requesting %d/%d txs from peer with getdata (%s).',
-          peer.queueTX.length,
-          self.activeTX,
-          peer.hostname);
-
-        peer.getData(peer.queueTX);
-        peer.queueTX.length = 0;
-      });
-    }
-
-    peer.queueTX.push(item.start());
-
-    return false;
-  }
+  item = new LoadRequest(this, peer, this.blockType, hash);
 
   peer.queueBlock.push(item);
 
@@ -1592,60 +1569,97 @@ Pool.prototype.getData = co(function* getData(peer, type, hash) {
 });
 
 /**
- * Test whether the pool has or has seen an item.
+ * Test whether the chain has or has seen an item.
  * @param {Peer} peer
  * @param {InvType} type
  * @param {Hash} hash
  * @returns {Promise} - Returns Boolean.
  */
 
-Pool.prototype.has = co(function* has(peer, type, hash) {
-  var exists = yield this.exists(type, hash);
-
-  if (exists)
+Pool.prototype.hasBlock = co(function* hasBlock(hash) {
+  // Check the chain.
+  if (yield this.chain.has(hash))
     return true;
 
   // Check the pending requests.
   if (this.requestMap[hash])
     return true;
 
-  if (type !== this.txType)
-    return false;
-
-  // If we recently rejected this item. Ignore.
-  if (this.hasReject(hash)) {
-    this.logger.spam(
-      'Peer sent a known reject of %s (%s).',
-      util.revHex(hash), peer.hostname);
-    return true;
-  }
-
   return false;
 });
 
 /**
- * Test whether the chain or mempool has seen an item.
+ * Queue a `getdata` request to be sent. Checks existence
+ * in the mempool before requesting.
+ * @param {Peer} peer
+ * @param {Hash} hash - TX hash.
+ * @returns {Promise}
+ */
+
+Pool.prototype.getTX = function getTX(peer, hash) {
+  var self = this;
+  var item;
+
+  if (!this.loaded)
+    return;
+
+  if (peer.destroyed)
+    throw new Error('Peer is already destroyed (getdata).');
+
+  if (this.hasTX(hash))
+    return true;
+
+  item = new LoadRequest(this, peer, this.txType, hash);
+
+  if (peer.queueTX.length === 0) {
+    util.nextTick(function() {
+      self.logger.debug(
+        'Requesting %d/%d txs from peer with getdata (%s).',
+        peer.queueTX.length,
+        self.activeTX,
+        peer.hostname);
+
+      peer.getData(peer.queueTX);
+      peer.queueTX.length = 0;
+    });
+  }
+
+  peer.queueTX.push(item.start());
+
+  return false;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Test whether the mempool has or has seen an item.
+ * @param {Peer} peer
  * @param {InvType} type
  * @param {Hash} hash
  * @returns {Promise} - Returns Boolean.
  */
 
-Pool.prototype.exists = function exists(type, hash) {
-  if (type === this.txType) {
+Pool.prototype.hasTX = function hasTX(hash) {
+  if (!this.mempool) {
     // Check the TX filter if
     // we don't have a mempool.
-    if (!this.mempool) {
-      if (this.txFilter.added(hash, 'hex'))
-        return Promise.resolve(false);
-      return Promise.resolve(true);
-    }
-
+    if (!this.txFilter.added(hash, 'hex'))
+      return true;
+  } else {
     // Check the mempool.
-    return Promise.resolve(this.mempool.has(hash));
+    if (this.mempool.has(hash))
+      return true;
   }
 
-  // Check the chain.
-  return this.chain.has(hash);
+  // If we recently rejected this item. Ignore.
+  if (this.hasReject(hash)) {
+    this.logger.spam('Saw known reject of %s.', util.revHex(hash));
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  // Check the pending requests.
+  if (this.requestMap[hash])
+    return true;
+
+  return false;
 };
 
 /**
@@ -1769,10 +1783,10 @@ Pool.prototype.announce = function announce(msg) {
   var i;
 
   if (this.peers.load)
-    this.peers.load.announce(msg);
+    this.peers.load.tryAnnounce(msg);
 
   for (i = 0; i < this.peers.regular.length; i++)
-    this.peers.regular[i].announce(msg);
+    this.peers.regular[i].tryAnnounce(msg);
 };
 
 /**
@@ -2499,7 +2513,7 @@ BroadcastItem.prototype.refresh = function refresh() {
  */
 
 BroadcastItem.prototype.announce = function announce() {
-  this.pool.announce(this);
+  return this.pool.announce(this);
 };
 
 /**