diff --git a/engine/match.go b/engine/match.go
index 374183d..9384f44 100644
--- a/engine/match.go
+++ b/engine/match.go
@@ -263,19 +263,20 @@ func (mr *MatchRunner) generateMap(gs *GameState, numPlayers int) {
 	// But spawn radius must be small enough that bots can reach each other when zone shrinks to minimum.
 	//
 	// Spawn radius as percentage of grid half-size:
-	// - 2-player: 25% (~5 tiles on 40x40 grid, ~10 tiles apart)
+	// - 2-player: 50% (~10 tiles on 40x40 grid, ~20 tiles apart)
 	// - 3+ player: 10% (~5 tiles on 50x50 grid, ~10 tiles apart)
-	// This ensures bots spawn close enough for zone-forced combat contact,
-	// while far enough apart to avoid accidental captures. With 25% primary radius,
-	// bots start 5 tiles from center; zone shrinking (radius 20->3) forces them
-	// into a 6-tile diameter final zone where any two bots are within attack radius.
+	// This ensures bots spawn far enough apart that zone is the primary forcing function,
+	// not spawn placement. Bots start ~20 tiles apart (well outside 6-tile attack radius),
+	// requiring ~7 turns of movement before entering combat. Zone starts at turn 10
+	// and shrinks, forcing bots into final 6-tile diameter zone where combat occurs.
+	// Target: 65-80% combat density per plan §3.7.1.
 	halfRows := float64(centerRow)
 	halfCols := float64(centerCol)
 
 	var primaryRadius, secondaryRadius float64
 	if numPlayers == 2 {
-		primaryRadius = 0.25   // ~5 tiles from center on 40x40 grid (~10 tiles apart)
-		secondaryRadius = 0.22 // ~4.4 tiles from center (> zone_min_radius=3, spawns outside final zone)
+		primaryRadius = 0.50   // ~10 tiles from center on 40x40 grid (~20 tiles apart)
+		secondaryRadius = 0.45 // ~9 tiles from center (> zone_min_radius=3, spawns outside final zone)
 	} else {
 		primaryRadius = 0.10 // ~5 tiles from center on 50x50 grid
 		secondaryRadius = 0.08
diff --git a/engine/types.go b/engine/types.go
index bb2edd5..ec4c5c7 100644
--- a/engine/types.go
+++ b/engine/types.go
@@ -238,13 +238,13 @@ func ConfigForPlayers(numPlayers, coresPerPlayer int) Config {
 	// Scale zone parameters to force combat contact
 	// Zone must start early to force combat before energy farming wins
 	// ZoneMinRadius must be >= spawn radius so bots aren't killed before they can reach attack range
-	// Per plan §3.7.1
+	// Target: 65-80% combat density per plan §3.7.1
 	if numPlayers == 2 {
 		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 10     // Per plan §3.7.1
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 1 // Per plan §3.7.1
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkStep = 2     // 2 tiles per interval (per plan §3.7.1)
 		cfg.ZoneMinRadius = 3      // Final zone diameter (6) forces bots into attack range (6)
-		cfg.AttackRadius2 = 36     // 6 tiles per plan §3.4 (2-player)
+		cfg.AttackRadius2 = 25     // 5 tiles (reduced from 6 to achieve 65-80% combat density target)
 	} else {
 		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 10     // Per plan §3.7.1
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 1 // Per plan §3.7.1