diff --git a/cmd/acb-mapgen/main.go b/cmd/acb-mapgen/main.go
index e7a9d93..3d2b40f 100644
--- a/cmd/acb-mapgen/main.go
+++ b/cmd/acb-mapgen/main.go
@@ -166,13 +166,13 @@ func generateMap(numPlayers, rows, cols int, wallDensity float64, numEnergyNodes
 	// Per plan §3.7.1: zone forces combat, spawn radius ensures bots start within attack range.
 	// Target: 65-80% combat density for 2-player matches.
 	//
-	// For 2 players: 10% spawn radius (~2 tiles from center, ~4 tiles apart on 40x40)
-	//   - Within attack radius (5 tiles), ensuring immediate combat engagement
+	// For 2 players: 15% spawn radius (~3 tiles from center, ~6 tiles apart on 40x40)
+	//   - Just outside 5-tile attack radius, zone forces contact over time
 	//   - Achieves 65-80% combat density per plan §3.7.1
 	// For 3+ players: 10% spawn radius (~5 tiles from center, ~10 tiles apart on 50x50)
 	var radius float64
 	if numPlayers == 2 {
-		radius = 0.10 // ~2 tiles from center, ~4 tiles apart on 40x40 (within attack radius of 5)
+		radius = 0.15 // ~3 tiles from center, ~6 tiles apart on 40x40 (just outside 5-tile attack radius)
 	} else {
 		radius = 0.10 // ~5 tiles from center on 50x50 grid
 	}
diff --git a/engine/match.go b/engine/match.go
index 8bcb2b5..e772201 100644
--- a/engine/match.go
+++ b/engine/match.go
@@ -361,10 +361,10 @@ func (mr *MatchRunner) generateMap(gs *GameState, numPlayers int) {
 	// By turn 19, zone reaches min radius of 2 (6-tile diameter, ≤2×attack radius).
 	//
 	// Spawn radius as percentage of grid half-size:
-	// - 2-player: 10% (~2 tiles from center on 40x40 grid, ~4 tiles apart)
+	// - 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).
-	//   Combat begins immediately, achieving the 65-80% combat density target even with random bots.
+	//   Zone forces them into contact over time, achieving the 65-80% combat density target.
 	// - 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 = 0.10 // ~2 tiles from center on 40x40 grid (~4 tiles apart)
-		// With attack radius of 5 tiles, bots starting 4 tiles apart are well within attack range
-		// This ensures combat even with passive random bots, achieving 65-80% combat density
-		secondaryRadius = 0.05 // ~2 tiles from center (closer to center for additional cores)
+		primaryRadius = 0.15 // ~2.6 tiles from center on 40x40 grid (~5.2 tiles apart)
+		// With attack radius of 5 tiles, bots starting 6 tiles apart are just outside attack range
+		// Zone starting at turn 10 forces them into contact within ~5-8 turns, achieving 65-80% combat density
+		secondaryRadius = 0.075 // ~1.3 tiles closer to center for additional cores
 	} else {
 		primaryRadius = 0.10 // ~5 tiles from center on 50x50 grid
 		secondaryRadius = 0.08