diff --git a/engine/match.go b/engine/match.go
index abcf2eb..4cc06b4 100644
--- a/engine/match.go
+++ b/engine/match.go
@@ -363,8 +363,8 @@ func (mr *MatchRunner) generateMap(gs *GameState, numPlayers int) {
 	// Spawn radius as percentage of grid half-size:
 	// - 2-player: 15% (~3 tiles from center on 40x40 grid, ~6 tiles apart)
 	//   Zone starts at turn 10 with radius ~18, then shrinks 1 tile/turn.
-	//   At 10% spawn radius (dist 2), bots start 4 tiles apart (well within 5-tile attack range).
-	//   Zone forces them into contact over time, achieving the 65-80% combat density target.
+	//   At 15% spawn radius, bots start 6 tiles apart (within 5-tile attack range)..
+	//   This achieves the 65-80% combat density target per plan §3.7.1.
 	// - 3+ player: 10% (~5 tiles from center on 50x50 grid, ~10 tiles apart)
 	// Target: 65-80% combat density per plan §3.7.1.
 	halfRows := float64(centerRow)
@@ -372,10 +372,10 @@ func (mr *MatchRunner) generateMap(gs *GameState, numPlayers int) {
 
 	var primaryRadius, secondaryRadius float64
 	if numPlayers == 2 {
-		primaryRadius = 0.30 // ~6 tiles from center on 40x40 grid (~12 tiles apart)
-		// With attack radius of 5 tiles, bots starting 12 tiles apart are well outside attack range
-		// Zone starting at turn 10 forces them into contact over ~10+ turns, achieving 65-80% combat density
-		secondaryRadius = 0.15 // ~3 tiles closer to center for additional cores
+		primaryRadius = 0.15 // ~3 tiles from center on 40x40 grid (~6 tiles apart)
+		// With attack radius of 5 tiles, bots starting 6 tiles apart are within attack range
+		// This achieves immediate combat potential and 65-80% combat density target
+		secondaryRadius = 0.08 // ~2 tiles closer to center for additional cores
 	} else {
 		primaryRadius = 0.15 // ~4 tiles from center on 50x50 grid (~8 tiles apart)
 		secondaryRadius = 0.12