diff --git a/engine/match.go b/engine/match.go
index 3d39243..7630cda 100644
--- a/engine/match.go
+++ b/engine/match.go
@@ -286,10 +286,7 @@ func (mr *MatchRunner) generateMap(gs *GameState, numPlayers int) {
 			pos := Position{Row: row, Col: col}
 			gs.AddCore(i, pos)
 
-			// Spawn initial bot only at the primary core
-			if c == 0 {
-				gs.SpawnBot(i, pos)
-			}
+			gs.SpawnBot(i, pos)
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/engine/types.go b/engine/types.go
index 6233f18..7252c5f 100644
--- a/engine/types.go
+++ b/engine/types.go
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ func DefaultConfig() Config {
 		AttackRadius2:  5,  // ~2.24 tiles
 		SpawnCost:      3,
 		EnergyInterval: 10,
-		CoresPerPlayer: 1,
+		CoresPerPlayer: 2,
 	}
 }