diff --git a/src/hb-open-type.hh b/src/hb-open-type.hh
index 801834e51..88362b3b2 100644
--- a/src/hb-open-type.hh
+++ b/src/hb-open-type.hh
@@ -316,7 +316,6 @@ struct OffsetTo : Offset<OffsetType, has_null>
   bool serialize_subset (hb_subset_context_t *c,
 			 const OffsetTo& src,
 			 const void *src_base,
-			 const void *dst_base,
 			 Ts&&... ds)
   {
     *this = 0;
@@ -330,7 +329,7 @@ struct OffsetTo : Offset<OffsetType, has_null>
     bool ret = c->dispatch (src_base+src, hb_forward<Ts> (ds)...);
 
     if (ret || !has_null)
-      s->add_link (*this, s->pop_pack (), dst_base);
+      s->add_link (*this, s->pop_pack ());
     else
       s->pop_discard ();
 
@@ -345,7 +344,7 @@ struct OffsetTo : Offset<OffsetType, has_null>
   bool serialize_copy (hb_serialize_context_t *c,
 		       const OffsetTo& src,
 		       const void *src_base,
-		       const void *dst_base,
+		       unsigned dst_bias,
 		       hb_serialize_context_t::whence_t whence,
 		       Ts&&... ds)
   {
@@ -357,7 +356,7 @@ struct OffsetTo : Offset<OffsetType, has_null>
 
     bool ret = c->copy (src_base+src, hb_forward<Ts> (ds)...);
 
-    c->add_link (*this, c->pop_pack (), dst_base, whence);
+    c->add_link (*this, c->pop_pack (), whence, dst_bias);
 
     return ret;
   }
@@ -365,8 +364,8 @@ struct OffsetTo : Offset<OffsetType, has_null>
   bool serialize_copy (hb_serialize_context_t *c,
 		       const OffsetTo& src,
 		       const void *src_base,
-		       const void *dst_base)
-  { return serialize_copy (c, src, src_base, dst_base, hb_serialize_context_t::Head); }
+		       unsigned dst_bias = 0)
+  { return serialize_copy (c, src, src_base, dst_bias, hb_serialize_context_t::Head); }
 
   bool sanitize_shallow (hb_sanitize_context_t *c, const void *base) const
   {
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-cmap-table.hh b/src/hb-ot-cmap-table.hh
index ccc11643b..cee57c37e 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-cmap-table.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-cmap-table.hh
@@ -892,8 +892,7 @@ struct VariationSelectorRecord
         const hb_set_t *unicodes,
         const hb_set_t *glyphs,
         const hb_map_t *glyph_map,
-        const void *src_base,
-        const void *dst_base) const
+        const void *src_base) const
   {
     auto snap = c->snapshot ();
     auto *out = c->embed<VariationSelectorRecord> (*this);
@@ -985,7 +984,7 @@ struct CmapSubtableFormat14
     for (int i = src_tbl->record.len - 1; i >= 0; i--)
     {
       hb_pair_t<unsigned, unsigned> result =
-          src_tbl->record[i].copy (c, unicodes, glyphs, glyph_map, src_base, this);
+          src_tbl->record[i].copy (c, unicodes, glyphs, glyph_map, src_base);
       if (result.first || result.second)
         obj_indices.push (result);
     }
@@ -1026,8 +1025,8 @@ struct CmapSubtableFormat14
        * are for the variation record at record[j].
        */
       int j = obj_indices.length - 1 - i;
-      c->add_link (record[j].defaultUVS, obj_indices[i].first, this);
-      c->add_link (record[j].nonDefaultUVS, obj_indices[i].second, this);
+      c->add_link (record[j].defaultUVS, obj_indices[i].first);
+      c->add_link (record[j].nonDefaultUVS, obj_indices[i].second);
     }
   }
 
@@ -1170,7 +1169,6 @@ struct EncodingRecord
 			Iterator it,
 			unsigned format,
 			const void *src_base,
-			const void *dst_base,
 			const hb_subset_plan_t *plan,
 			/* INOUT */ unsigned *objidx) const
   {
@@ -1195,7 +1193,7 @@ struct EncodingRecord
       return_trace (nullptr);
     }
 
-    c->add_link (out->subtable, *objidx, dst_base);
+    c->add_link (out->subtable, *objidx);
     return_trace (out);
   }
 
@@ -1231,9 +1229,9 @@ struct cmap
 
       unsigned format = (src_base+_.subtable).u.format;
 
-      if (format == 4) c->copy (_, + it | hb_filter (unicodes_set, hb_first), 4u, src_base, this, plan, &format4objidx);
-      else if (format == 12) c->copy (_, + it | hb_filter (unicodes_set, hb_first), 12u, src_base, this, plan, &format12objidx);
-      else if (format == 14) c->copy (_, it, 14u, src_base, this, plan, &format14objidx);
+      if (format == 4) c->copy (_, + it | hb_filter (unicodes_set, hb_first), 4u, src_base, plan, &format4objidx);
+      else if (format == 12) c->copy (_, + it | hb_filter (unicodes_set, hb_first), 12u, src_base, plan, &format12objidx);
+      else if (format == 14) c->copy (_, it, 14u, src_base, plan, &format14objidx);
     }
 
     c->check_assign(this->encodingRecord.len, (c->length () - cmap::min_size)/EncodingRecord::static_size);
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-color-cbdt-table.hh b/src/hb-ot-color-cbdt-table.hh
index c5617aa7e..dde6e1d31 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-color-cbdt-table.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-color-cbdt-table.hh
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ struct IndexSubtableArray
     {
       IndexSubtableRecord* record = c->serializer->embed (records[i]);
       if (unlikely (!record)) return_trace (false);
-      c->serializer->add_link (record->offsetToSubtable, objidxs[records.length - 1 - i], dst);
+      c->serializer->add_link (record->offsetToSubtable, objidxs[records.length - 1 - i]);
     }
     return_trace (true);
   }
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ struct BitmapSizeTable
   }
 
   bool
-  subset (hb_subset_context_t *c, const void *src_base, const void *dst_base,
+  subset (hb_subset_context_t *c, const void *src_base,
 	  const char *cbdt, unsigned int cbdt_length,
 	  hb_vector_t<char> *cbdt_prime /* INOUT */) const
   {
@@ -648,7 +648,6 @@ struct BitmapSizeTable
     if (!out_table->indexSubtableArrayOffset.serialize_subset (c,
 							       indexSubtableArrayOffset,
 							       src_base,
-							       dst_base,
 							       &bitmap_size_context))
       return_trace (false);
     if (!bitmap_size_context.size ||
@@ -748,7 +747,7 @@ struct CBLC
     auto snap = c->serializer->snapshot ();
     auto cbdt_prime_len = cbdt_prime->length;
 
-    if (!table.subset (c, this, cblc_prime, cbdt, cbdt_length, cbdt_prime))
+    if (!table.subset (c, this, cbdt, cbdt_length, cbdt_prime))
     {
       cblc_prime->sizeTables.len--;
       c->serializer->revert (snap);
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-color-sbix-table.hh b/src/hb-ot-color-sbix-table.hh
index c2a53e137..09da11597 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-color-sbix-table.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-color-sbix-table.hh
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ struct sbix
   }
 
   bool
-  add_strike (hb_subset_context_t *c, const void *dst_base, unsigned i) const
+  add_strike (hb_subset_context_t *c, unsigned i) const
   {
     if (strikes[i].is_null () || c->source_blob->length < (unsigned) strikes[i])
       return false;
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ struct sbix
     return (this+strikes[i]).subset (c, c->source_blob->length - (unsigned) strikes[i]);
   }
 
-  bool serialize_strike_offsets (hb_subset_context_t *c, const void *dst_base) const
+  bool serialize_strike_offsets (hb_subset_context_t *c) const
   {
     TRACE_SERIALIZE (this);
 
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ struct sbix
       *o = 0;
       auto snap = c->serializer->snapshot ();
       c->serializer->push ();
-      bool ret = add_strike (c, dst_base, i);
+      bool ret = add_strike (c, i);
       if (!ret)
       {
 	c->serializer->pop_discard ();
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ struct sbix
       }
     }
     for (unsigned int i = 0; i < new_strikes.length; ++i)
-      c->serializer->add_link (*new_strikes[i], objidxs[new_strikes.length - 1 - i], dst_base);
+      c->serializer->add_link (*new_strikes[i], objidxs[new_strikes.length - 1 - i]);
 
     return_trace (true);
   }
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ struct sbix
     if (unlikely (!c->serializer->embed (this->version))) return_trace (false);
     if (unlikely (!c->serializer->embed (this->flags))) return_trace (false);
 
-    return_trace (serialize_strike_offsets (c, sbix_prime));
+    return_trace (serialize_strike_offsets (c));
   }
 
   protected:
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-layout-common.hh b/src/hb-ot-layout-common.hh
index 606a9855a..d506326a7 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-layout-common.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-layout-common.hh
@@ -145,9 +145,8 @@ struct subset_offset_array_t
   subset_offset_array_t
   (hb_subset_context_t *subset_context,
    OutputArray& out,
-   const void *src_base,
-   const void *dest_base)
-      : _subset_context(subset_context), _out (out), _src_base (src_base), _dest_base (dest_base) {}
+   const void *src_base)
+      : _subset_context(subset_context), _out (out), _src_base (src_base) {}
 
   template <typename T>
   bool
@@ -157,7 +156,7 @@ struct subset_offset_array_t
     auto *o = _out.serialize_append (_subset_context->serializer);
     if (unlikely (!o)) return false;
     auto snap = _subset_context->serializer->snapshot ();
-    bool ret = o->serialize_subset (_subset_context, offset, _src_base, _dest_base);
+    bool ret = o->serialize_subset (_subset_context, offset, _src_base);
     if (!ret)
     {
       _out.pop ();
@@ -170,7 +169,6 @@ struct subset_offset_array_t
   hb_subset_context_t *_subset_context;
   OutputArray &_out;
   const void *_src_base;
-  const void *_dest_base;
 };
 
 
@@ -181,9 +179,8 @@ struct subset_offset_array_arg_t
   (hb_subset_context_t *subset_context,
    OutputArray& out,
    const void *src_base,
-   const void *dest_base,
    Arg &&arg)
-      : _subset_context(subset_context), _out (out), _src_base (src_base), _dest_base (dest_base), _arg (arg) {}
+      : _subset_context(subset_context), _out (out), _src_base (src_base), _arg (arg) {}
 
   template <typename T>
   bool
@@ -193,7 +190,7 @@ struct subset_offset_array_arg_t
     auto *o = _out.serialize_append (_subset_context->serializer);
     if (unlikely (!o)) return false;
     auto snap = _subset_context->serializer->snapshot ();
-    bool ret = o->serialize_subset (_subset_context, offset, _src_base, _dest_base, _arg);
+    bool ret = o->serialize_subset (_subset_context, offset, _src_base, _arg);
     if (!ret)
     {
       _out.pop ();
@@ -206,7 +203,6 @@ struct subset_offset_array_arg_t
   hb_subset_context_t *_subset_context;
   OutputArray &_out;
   const void *_src_base;
-  const void *_dest_base;
   Arg &&_arg;
 };
 
@@ -222,10 +218,9 @@ struct
   operator ()
   (hb_subset_context_t *subset_context,
    OutputArray& out,
-   const void *src_base,
-   const void *dest_base) const
+   const void *src_base) const
   {
-    return subset_offset_array_t<OutputArray> (subset_context, out, src_base, dest_base);
+    return subset_offset_array_t<OutputArray> (subset_context, out, src_base);
   }
 
   /* Variant with one extra argument passed to serialize_subset */
@@ -235,10 +230,9 @@ struct
   (hb_subset_context_t *subset_context,
    OutputArray& out,
    const void *src_base,
-   const void *dest_base,
    Arg &&arg) const
   {
-    return subset_offset_array_arg_t<OutputArray, Arg> (subset_context, out, src_base, dest_base, arg);
+    return subset_offset_array_arg_t<OutputArray, Arg> (subset_context, out, src_base, arg);
   }
 }
 HB_FUNCOBJ (subset_offset_array);
@@ -249,9 +243,8 @@ struct subset_record_array_t
   subset_record_array_t
   (hb_subset_layout_context_t *c,
    OutputArray* out,
-   const void *src_base,
-   const void *dest_base)
-      : _subset_layout_context(c), _out (out), _src_base (src_base), _dest_base (dest_base) {}
+   const void *src_base)
+      : _subset_layout_context(c), _out (out), _src_base (src_base) {}
 
   template <typename T>
   void
@@ -259,7 +252,7 @@ struct subset_record_array_t
   (T&& record)
   {
     auto snap = _subset_layout_context->subset_context->serializer->snapshot ();
-    bool ret = record.subset (_subset_layout_context, _src_base, _dest_base);
+    bool ret = record.subset (_subset_layout_context, _src_base);
     if (!ret) _subset_layout_context->subset_context->serializer->revert (snap);
     else _out->len++;
   }
@@ -268,7 +261,6 @@ struct subset_record_array_t
   hb_subset_layout_context_t *_subset_layout_context;
   OutputArray *_out;
   const void *_src_base;
-  const void *_dest_base;
 };
 
 /*
@@ -282,10 +274,9 @@ struct
   operator ()
   (hb_subset_layout_context_t *c,
    OutputArray* out,
-   const void *src_base,
-   const void *dest_base) const
+   const void *src_base) const
   {
-    return subset_record_array_t<OutputArray> (c, out, src_base, dest_base);
+    return subset_record_array_t<OutputArray> (c, out, src_base);
   }
 }
 HB_FUNCOBJ (subset_record_array);
@@ -312,13 +303,12 @@ struct Record
   int cmp (hb_tag_t a) const { return tag.cmp (a); }
 
   bool subset (hb_subset_layout_context_t *c,
-	       const void                 *src_base,
-	       const void                 *dst_base) const
+	       const void                 *src_base) const
   {
     TRACE_SUBSET (this);
     auto *out = c->subset_context->serializer->embed (this);
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (false);
-    bool ret = out->offset.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, offset, src_base, dst_base, c, &tag);
+    bool ret = out->offset.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, offset, src_base, c, &tag);
     return_trace (ret);
   }
 
@@ -378,7 +368,7 @@ struct RecordListOf : RecordArrayOf<Type>
     if (unlikely (!c->serializer->extend_min (out))) return_trace (false);
 
     + this->iter ()
-    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, out, this, out))
+    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, out, this))
     ;
     return_trace (true);
   }
@@ -405,7 +395,7 @@ struct RecordListOfFeature : RecordListOf<Feature>
     + hb_zip (*this, hb_range (count))
     | hb_filter (l->feature_index_map, hb_second)
     | hb_map (hb_first)
-    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, out, this, out))
+    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, out, this))
     ;
     return_trace (true);
   }
@@ -605,7 +595,7 @@ struct Script
       }
       else
       {
-        c->serializer->add_link (out->defaultLangSys, c->serializer->pop_pack (), out);
+        c->serializer->add_link (out->defaultLangSys, c->serializer->pop_pack ());
         defaultLang = true;
       }
     }
@@ -618,7 +608,7 @@ struct Script
                    const LangSys& l = this+record.offset;
                    return !(l == d);
                  })
-    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, &(out->langSys), this, out))
+    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, &(out->langSys), this))
     ;
 
     return_trace (bool (out->langSys.len) || defaultLang || l->table_tag == HB_OT_TAG_GSUB);
@@ -1086,7 +1076,7 @@ struct Lookup
     unsigned int lookup_type = get_type ();
     + hb_iter (get_subtables <TSubTable> ())
     | hb_filter ([this, glyphset, lookup_type] (const OffsetTo<TSubTable> &_) { return (this+_).intersects (glyphset, lookup_type); })
-    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, out->get_subtables<TSubTable> (), this, out, lookup_type))
+    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, out->get_subtables<TSubTable> (), this, lookup_type))
     ;
 
     return_trace (true);
@@ -1158,7 +1148,7 @@ struct LookupOffsetList : OffsetListOf<TLookup>
     + hb_zip (*this, hb_range (count))
     | hb_filter (l->lookup_index_map, hb_second)
     | hb_map (hb_first)
-    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, *out, this, out))
+    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, *out, this))
     ;
     return_trace (true);
   }
@@ -2573,7 +2563,7 @@ struct ConditionSet
     if (unlikely (!out || !c->serializer->extend_min (out))) return_trace (false);
 
     + conditions.iter ()
-    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, out->conditions, this, out))
+    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, out->conditions, this))
     ;
     return_trace (true);
   }
@@ -2608,15 +2598,14 @@ struct FeatureTableSubstitutionRecord
   }
 
   bool subset (hb_subset_layout_context_t *c,
-	       const void                 *src_base,
-	       const void                 *dst_base) const
+	       const void                 *src_base) const
   {
     TRACE_SUBSET (this);
     auto *out = c->subset_context->serializer->embed (this);
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (false);
 
     out->featureIndex = c->feature_index_map->get (featureIndex);
-    bool ret = out->feature.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, feature, src_base, dst_base, c);
+    bool ret = out->feature.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, feature, src_base, c);
     return_trace (ret);
   }
 
@@ -2675,7 +2664,7 @@ struct FeatureTableSubstitution
     out->version.minor = version.minor;
 
     + substitutions.iter ()
-    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, &(out->substitutions), this, out))
+    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, &(out->substitutions), this))
     ;
     return_trace (bool (out->substitutions));
   }
@@ -2715,16 +2704,15 @@ struct FeatureVariationRecord
   }
 
   bool subset (hb_subset_layout_context_t *c,
-	       const void                 *src_base,
-	       const void                 *dst_base) const
+	       const void                 *src_base) const
   {
     TRACE_SUBSET (this);
     auto *out = c->subset_context->serializer->embed (this);
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (false);
 
-    out->conditions.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, conditions, src_base, dst_base);
+    out->conditions.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, conditions, src_base);
 
-    bool ret = out->substitutions.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, substitutions, src_base, dst_base, c);
+    bool ret = out->substitutions.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, substitutions, src_base, c);
     return_trace (ret);
   }
 
@@ -2803,7 +2791,7 @@ struct FeatureVariations
     out->version.minor = version.minor;
 
     + varRecords.iter ()
-    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, &(out->varRecords), this, out))
+    | hb_apply (subset_record_array (l, &(out->varRecords), this))
     ;
     return_trace (bool (out->varRecords));
   }
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-layout-gdef-table.hh b/src/hb-ot-layout-gdef-table.hh
index 2cfbed74b..fef6d52b9 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-layout-gdef-table.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-layout-gdef-table.hh
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ struct CaretValueFormat3
     auto *out = c->serializer->embed (this);
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (false);
 
-    return_trace (out->deviceTable.serialize_copy (c->serializer, deviceTable, this, out));
+    return_trace (out->deviceTable.serialize_copy (c->serializer, deviceTable, this));
   }
 
   bool sanitize (hb_sanitize_context_t *c) const
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ struct LigGlyph
     if (unlikely (!c->serializer->extend_min (out))) return_trace (false);
 
     + hb_iter (carets)
-    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, out->carets, this, out))
+    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, out->carets, this))
     ;
 
     return_trace (bool (out->carets));
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ struct LigCaretList
     hb_sorted_vector_t<hb_codepoint_t> new_coverage;
     + hb_zip (this+coverage, ligGlyph)
     | hb_filter (glyphset, hb_first)
-    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->ligGlyph, this, out), hb_second)
+    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->ligGlyph, this), hb_second)
     | hb_map (hb_first)
     | hb_map (glyph_map)
     | hb_sink (new_coverage)
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ struct MarkGlyphSetsFormat1
       //See issue: https://github.com/khaledhosny/ots/issues/172
       c->serializer->push ();
       c->dispatch (this+offset);
-      c->serializer->add_link (*o, c->serializer->pop_pack (), out);
+      c->serializer->add_link (*o, c->serializer->pop_pack ());
     }
 
     return_trace (ret && out->coverage.len);
@@ -550,20 +550,20 @@ struct GDEF
     auto *out = c->serializer->embed (*this);
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (false);
 
-    out->glyphClassDef.serialize_subset (c, glyphClassDef, this, out);
-    out->attachList = 0;//TODO(subset) serialize_subset (c, attachList, this, out);
-    out->ligCaretList.serialize_subset (c, ligCaretList, this, out);
-    out->markAttachClassDef.serialize_subset (c, markAttachClassDef, this, out);
+    out->glyphClassDef.serialize_subset (c, glyphClassDef, this);
+    out->attachList = 0;//TODO(subset) serialize_subset (c, attachList, this);
+    out->ligCaretList.serialize_subset (c, ligCaretList, this);
+    out->markAttachClassDef.serialize_subset (c, markAttachClassDef, this);
 
     if (version.to_int () >= 0x00010002u)
     {
-      if (!out->markGlyphSetsDef.serialize_subset (c, markGlyphSetsDef, this, out) &&
+      if (!out->markGlyphSetsDef.serialize_subset (c, markGlyphSetsDef, this) &&
           version.to_int () == 0x00010002u)
         out->version.minor = 0;
     }
 
     if (version.to_int () >= 0x00010003u)
-      out->varStore = 0;// TODO(subset) serialize_subset (c, varStore, this, out);
+      out->varStore = 0;// TODO(subset) serialize_subset (c, varStore, this);
 
     return_trace (true);
   }
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-layout-gpos-table.hh b/src/hb-ot-layout-gpos-table.hh
index 3e02931a5..52803a833 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-layout-gpos-table.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-layout-gpos-table.hh
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ struct ValueFormat : HBUINT16
     return ret;
   }
 
-  void serialize_copy (hb_serialize_context_t *c, const void *src_base, const void *dst_base, const Value *values) const
+  void serialize_copy (hb_serialize_context_t *c, const void *src_base, const Value *values) const
   {
     unsigned int format = *this;
     if (!format) return;
@@ -170,10 +170,10 @@ struct ValueFormat : HBUINT16
     if (format & xAdvance)   c->copy (*values++);
     if (format & yAdvance)   c->copy (*values++);
 
-    if (format & xPlaDevice) copy_device (c, src_base, dst_base, values++);
-    if (format & yPlaDevice) copy_device (c, src_base, dst_base, values++);
-    if (format & xAdvDevice) copy_device (c, src_base, dst_base, values++);
-    if (format & yAdvDevice) copy_device (c, src_base, dst_base, values++);
+    if (format & xPlaDevice) copy_device (c, src_base, values++);
+    if (format & yPlaDevice) copy_device (c, src_base, values++);
+    if (format & xAdvDevice) copy_device (c, src_base, values++);
+    if (format & yAdvDevice) copy_device (c, src_base, values++);
   }
 
   private:
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ struct ValueFormat : HBUINT16
     return true;
   }
 
-  bool copy_device (hb_serialize_context_t *c, const void *src_base, const void *dst_base, const Value *src_value) const
+  bool copy_device (hb_serialize_context_t *c, const void *src_base, const Value *src_value) const
   {
     Value	*dst_value = c->copy (*src_value);
 
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ struct ValueFormat : HBUINT16
     c->push ();
     if ((src_base + get_device (src_value)).copy (c))
     {
-      c->add_link (*dst_value, c->pop_pack (), dst_base);
+      c->add_link (*dst_value, c->pop_pack ());
       return true;
     }
     else
@@ -389,8 +389,8 @@ struct AnchorFormat3
     auto *out = c->embed<AnchorFormat3> (this);
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (nullptr);
 
-    out->xDeviceTable.serialize_copy (c, xDeviceTable, this, out);
-    out->yDeviceTable.serialize_copy (c, yDeviceTable, this, out);
+    out->xDeviceTable.serialize_copy (c, xDeviceTable, this);
+    out->yDeviceTable.serialize_copy (c, yDeviceTable, this);
     return_trace (out);
   }
 
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ struct AnchorMatrix
     for (const unsigned i : index_iter)
     {
       auto *offset = c->embed (offset_matrix->matrixZ[i]);
-      offset->serialize_copy (c, offset_matrix->matrixZ[i], offset_matrix, this);
+      offset->serialize_copy (c, offset_matrix->matrixZ[i], offset_matrix, c->to_bias (this));
     }
 
     return_trace (true);
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ struct MarkRecord
 
   MarkRecord *copy (hb_serialize_context_t *c,
 		    const void             *src_base,
-		    const void             *dst_base,
+		    unsigned                dst_bias,
 		    const hb_map_t         *klass_mapping) const
   {
     TRACE_SERIALIZE (this);
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ struct MarkRecord
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (nullptr);
     
     out->klass = klass_mapping->get (klass);
-    out->markAnchor.serialize_copy (c, markAnchor, src_base, dst_base);
+    out->markAnchor.serialize_copy (c, markAnchor, src_base, dst_bias);
     return_trace (out);
   }
 
@@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ struct MarkArray : ArrayOf<MarkRecord>	/* Array of MarkRecords--in Coverage orde
     TRACE_SERIALIZE (this);
     if (unlikely (!c->extend_min (*this))) return_trace (false);
     if (unlikely (!c->check_assign (len, it.len ()))) return_trace (false);
-    c->copy_all (it, src_base, this, klass_mapping);
+    c->copy_all (it, src_base, c->to_bias (this), klass_mapping);
     return_trace (true);
   }
 
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ struct SinglePosFormat1
     + it
     | hb_map (hb_second)
     | hb_apply ([&] (hb_array_t<const Value> _)
-		{ valFormat.serialize_copy (c, src, out, &_); })
+		{ valFormat.serialize_copy (c, src, &_); })
     ;
 
     auto glyphs =
@@ -740,7 +740,7 @@ struct SinglePosFormat2
     + it
     | hb_map (hb_second)
     | hb_apply ([&] (hb_array_t<const Value> _)
-		{ valFormat.serialize_copy (c, src, out, &_); })
+		{ valFormat.serialize_copy (c, src, &_); })
     ;
 
     auto glyphs =
@@ -876,7 +876,6 @@ struct PairValueRecord
   struct serialize_closure_t
   {
     const void 		*src_base;
-    void       		*dst_base;
     const ValueFormat	*valueFormats;
     unsigned		len1; /* valueFormats[0].get_len() */
     const hb_map_t 	*glyph_map;
@@ -891,8 +890,8 @@ struct PairValueRecord
 
     out->secondGlyph = (*closure->glyph_map)[secondGlyph];
 
-    closure->valueFormats[0].serialize_copy (c, closure->src_base, closure->dst_base, &values[0]);
-    closure->valueFormats[1].serialize_copy (c, closure->src_base, closure->dst_base, &values[closure->len1]);
+    closure->valueFormats[0].serialize_copy (c, closure->src_base, &values[0]);
+    closure->valueFormats[1].serialize_copy (c, closure->src_base, &values[closure->len1]);
 
     return_trace (true);
   }
@@ -988,7 +987,6 @@ struct PairSet
     PairValueRecord::serialize_closure_t closure =
     {
       this,
-      out,
       valueFormats,
       len1,
       &glyph_map
@@ -1101,7 +1099,7 @@ struct PairPosFormat1
 		   auto *o = out->pairSet.serialize_append (c->serializer);
 		   if (unlikely (!o)) return false;
 		   auto snap = c->serializer->snapshot ();
-		   bool ret = o->serialize_subset (c, _, this, out, valueFormat);
+		   bool ret = o->serialize_subset (c, _, this, valueFormat);
 		   if (!ret)
 		   {
 		     out->pairSet.pop ();
@@ -1217,11 +1215,11 @@ struct PairPosFormat2
     out->valueFormat2 = valueFormat2;
 
     hb_map_t klass1_map;
-    out->classDef1.serialize_subset (c, classDef1, this, out, &klass1_map);
+    out->classDef1.serialize_subset (c, classDef1, this, &klass1_map);
     out->class1Count = klass1_map.get_population ();
 
     hb_map_t klass2_map;
-    out->classDef2.serialize_subset (c, classDef2, this, out, &klass2_map);
+    out->classDef2.serialize_subset (c, classDef2, this, &klass2_map);
     out->class2Count = klass2_map.get_population ();
 
     unsigned len1 = valueFormat1.get_len ();
@@ -1236,8 +1234,8 @@ struct PairPosFormat2
                   | hb_apply ([&] (const unsigned class2_idx)
                               {
                                 unsigned idx = (class1_idx * (unsigned) class2Count + class2_idx) * (len1 + len2);
-                                valueFormat1.serialize_copy (c->serializer, this, out, &values[idx]);
-                                valueFormat2.serialize_copy (c->serializer, this, out, &values[idx + len1]);
+                                valueFormat1.serialize_copy (c->serializer, this, &values[idx]);
+                                valueFormat2.serialize_copy (c->serializer, this, &values[idx + len1]);
                               })
                   ;
                 })
@@ -1340,15 +1338,14 @@ struct EntryExitRecord
   }
 
   EntryExitRecord* copy (hb_serialize_context_t *c,
-			 const void *src_base,
-			 const void *dst_base) const
+			 const void *src_base) const
   {
     TRACE_SERIALIZE (this);
     auto *out = c->embed (this);
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (nullptr);
 
-    out->entryAnchor.serialize_copy (c, entryAnchor, src_base, dst_base);
-    out->exitAnchor.serialize_copy (c, exitAnchor, src_base, dst_base);
+    out->entryAnchor.serialize_copy (c, entryAnchor, src_base);
+    out->exitAnchor.serialize_copy (c, exitAnchor, src_base);
     return_trace (out);
   }
 
@@ -1493,7 +1490,7 @@ struct CursivePosFormat1
 
     for (const EntryExitRecord& entry_record : + it
 					       | hb_map (hb_second))
-      c->copy (entry_record, src_base, this);
+      c->copy (entry_record, src_base);
 
     auto glyphs =
     + it
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-layout-gsub-table.hh b/src/hb-ot-layout-gsub-table.hh
index 5e3aefe53..5d48c2fc6 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-layout-gsub-table.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-layout-gsub-table.hh
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ struct MultipleSubstFormat1
     hb_sorted_vector_t<hb_codepoint_t> new_coverage;
     + hb_zip (this+coverage, sequence)
     | hb_filter (glyphset, hb_first)
-    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->sequence, this, out), hb_second)
+    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->sequence, this), hb_second)
     | hb_map (hb_first)
     | hb_map (glyph_map)
     | hb_sink (new_coverage)
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ struct AlternateSubstFormat1
     hb_sorted_vector_t<hb_codepoint_t> new_coverage;
     + hb_zip (this+coverage, alternateSet)
     | hb_filter (glyphset, hb_first)
-    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->alternateSet, this, out), hb_second)
+    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->alternateSet, this), hb_second)
     | hb_map (hb_first)
     | hb_map (glyph_map)
     | hb_sink (new_coverage)
@@ -930,7 +930,7 @@ struct LigatureSet
     if (unlikely (!c->serializer->extend_min (out))) return_trace (false);
 
     + hb_iter (ligature)
-    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->ligature, this, out))
+    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->ligature, this))
     | hb_drain
     ;
     return_trace (bool (out->ligature));
@@ -1046,7 +1046,7 @@ struct LigatureSubstFormat1
     hb_sorted_vector_t<hb_codepoint_t> new_coverage;
     + hb_zip (this+coverage, ligatureSet)
     | hb_filter (glyphset, hb_first)
-    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->ligatureSet, this, out), hb_second)
+    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->ligatureSet, this), hb_second)
     | hb_map (hb_first)
     | hb_map (glyph_map)
     | hb_sink (new_coverage)
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-layout-gsubgpos.hh b/src/hb-ot-layout-gsubgpos.hh
index 64afe4fd4..196218075 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-layout-gsubgpos.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-layout-gsubgpos.hh
@@ -2304,7 +2304,7 @@ struct ChainRuleSet
       if (unlikely (!o)) continue;
 
       auto o_snap = c->serializer->snapshot ();
-      if (!o->serialize_subset (c, _, this, out,
+      if (!o->serialize_subset (c, _, this,
                                 backtrack_klass_map,
                                 input_klass_map,
                                 lookahead_klass_map))
@@ -2430,7 +2430,7 @@ struct ChainContextFormat1
     hb_sorted_vector_t<hb_codepoint_t> new_coverage;
     + hb_zip (this+coverage, ruleSet)
     | hb_filter (glyphset, hb_first)
-    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->ruleSet, this, out), hb_second)
+    | hb_filter (subset_offset_array (c, out->ruleSet, this), hb_second)
     | hb_map (hb_first)
     | hb_map (glyph_map)
     | hb_sink (new_coverage)
@@ -2587,17 +2587,17 @@ struct ChainContextFormat2
     auto *out = c->serializer->start_embed (*this);
     if (unlikely (!c->serializer->extend_min (out))) return_trace (false);
     out->format = format;
-    out->coverage.serialize_subset (c, coverage, this, out);
+    out->coverage.serialize_subset (c, coverage, this);
 
     hb_map_t backtrack_klass_map;
-    out->backtrackClassDef.serialize_subset (c, backtrackClassDef, this, out, &backtrack_klass_map);
+    out->backtrackClassDef.serialize_subset (c, backtrackClassDef, this, &backtrack_klass_map);
 
     // subset inputClassDef based on glyphs survived in Coverage subsetting
     hb_map_t input_klass_map;
-    out->inputClassDef.serialize_subset (c, inputClassDef, this, out, &input_klass_map);
+    out->inputClassDef.serialize_subset (c, inputClassDef, this, &input_klass_map);
 
     hb_map_t lookahead_klass_map;
-    out->lookaheadClassDef.serialize_subset (c, lookaheadClassDef, this, out, &lookahead_klass_map);
+    out->lookaheadClassDef.serialize_subset (c, lookaheadClassDef, this, &lookahead_klass_map);
 
     hb_vector_t<unsigned> rulesets;
     bool ret = true;
@@ -2611,7 +2611,7 @@ struct ChainContextFormat2
         ret = false;
         break;
       }
-      if (!o->serialize_subset (c, _, this, out,
+      if (!o->serialize_subset (c, _, this,
                                 &backtrack_klass_map,
                                 &input_klass_map,
                                 &lookahead_klass_map))
@@ -2785,8 +2785,7 @@ struct ChainContextFormat3
 	   hb_requires (hb_is_iterator (Iterator))>
   bool serialize_coverage_offsets (hb_subset_context_t *c,
                                    Iterator it,
-				   const void* src_base,
-				   const void* dst_base) const
+				   const void* src_base) const
   {
     TRACE_SERIALIZE (this);
     auto *out = c->serializer->start_embed<OffsetArrayOf<Coverage>> ();
@@ -2794,7 +2793,7 @@ struct ChainContextFormat3
     if (unlikely (!c->serializer->allocate_size<HBUINT16> (HBUINT16::static_size))) return_trace (false);
 
     + it
-    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, *out, src_base, dst_base))
+    | hb_apply (subset_offset_array (c, *out, src_base))
     ;
 
     return_trace (out->len);
@@ -2808,15 +2807,15 @@ struct ChainContextFormat3
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (false);
     if (unlikely (!c->serializer->embed (this->format))) return_trace (false);
 
-    if (!serialize_coverage_offsets (c, backtrack.iter (), this, out))
+    if (!serialize_coverage_offsets (c, backtrack.iter (), this))
       return_trace (false);
 
     const OffsetArrayOf<Coverage> &input = StructAfter<OffsetArrayOf<Coverage>> (backtrack);
-    if (!serialize_coverage_offsets (c, input.iter (), this, out))
+    if (!serialize_coverage_offsets (c, input.iter (), this))
       return_trace (false);
 
     const OffsetArrayOf<Coverage> &lookahead = StructAfter<OffsetArrayOf<Coverage>> (input);
-    if (!serialize_coverage_offsets (c, lookahead.iter (), this, out))
+    if (!serialize_coverage_offsets (c, lookahead.iter (), this))
       return_trace (false);
 
     const ArrayOf<LookupRecord> &lookup = StructAfter<ArrayOf<LookupRecord>> (lookahead);
@@ -3070,26 +3069,23 @@ struct GSUBGPOS
         .serialize_subset (c->subset_context,
 			   reinterpret_cast<const OffsetTo<TLookupList> &> (lookupList),
 			   this,
-			   out,
 			   c);
 
     reinterpret_cast<OffsetTo<RecordListOfFeature> &> (out->featureList)
         .serialize_subset (c->subset_context,
 			   reinterpret_cast<const OffsetTo<RecordListOfFeature> &> (featureList),
 			   this,
-			   out,
 			   c);
 
     out->scriptList.serialize_subset (c->subset_context,
 				      scriptList,
 				      this,
-				      out,
 				      c);
 
 #ifndef HB_NO_VAR
     if (version.to_int () >= 0x00010001u)
     {
-      bool ret = out->featureVars.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, featureVars, this, out, c);
+      bool ret = out->featureVars.serialize_subset (c->subset_context, featureVars, this, c);
       if (!ret)
       {
         out->version.major = 1;
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-name-table.hh b/src/hb-ot-name-table.hh
index d43b84cb0..c00aecc42 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-name-table.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-name-table.hh
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ struct NameRecord
     TRACE_SERIALIZE (this);
     auto *out = c->embed (this);
     if (unlikely (!out)) return_trace (nullptr);
-    out->offset.serialize_copy (c, offset, src_base, nullptr, hb_serialize_context_t::Tail, length);
+    out->offset.serialize_copy (c, offset, src_base, 0, hb_serialize_context_t::Tail, length);
     return_trace (out);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/hb-serialize.hh b/src/hb-serialize.hh
index 628f5c833..59ee36d45 100644
--- a/src/hb-serialize.hh
+++ b/src/hb-serialize.hh
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ struct hb_serialize_context_t
 
   template <typename T>
   void add_link (T &ofs, objidx_t objidx,
-		 whence_t whence,
+		 whence_t whence = Head,
 		 unsigned bias = 0)
   {
     static_assert (sizeof (T) == 2 || sizeof (T) == 4, "");
@@ -299,11 +299,13 @@ struct hb_serialize_context_t
     link.objidx = objidx;
   }
 
-  template <typename T>
-  void add_link (T &ofs, objidx_t objidx,
-		 const void *base = nullptr,
-		 whence_t whence = Head)
-  { add_link (ofs, objidx, whence, to_bias (base)); }
+  unsigned to_bias (const void *base) const
+  {
+    if (!base) return 0;
+    assert (current);
+    assert (current->head <= (const char *) base);
+    return (const char *) base - current->head;
+  }
 
   void resolve_links ()
   {
@@ -489,14 +491,6 @@ struct hb_serialize_context_t
     check_assign (off, offset);
   }
 
-  unsigned to_bias (const void *base) const
-  {
-    if (!base) return 0;
-    assert (current);
-    assert (current->head <= (const char *) base);
-    return (const char *) base - current->head;
-  }
-
   public: /* TODO Make private. */
   char *start, *head, *tail, *end;
   unsigned int debug_depth;