diff --git a/src/simulator/crates/mc-combat/src/resolver.rs b/src/simulator/crates/mc-combat/src/resolver.rs
index b4851068..5a934717 100644
--- a/src/simulator/crates/mc-combat/src/resolver.rs
+++ b/src/simulator/crates/mc-combat/src/resolver.rs
@@ -362,11 +362,11 @@ fn compute_predicted_damage(params: &CombatParams) -> PredictedDamage {
     let strength_diff = attacker_strength - defender_strength;
     let raw_damage_to_defender =
         BASE_DAMAGE * (strength_diff / STRENGTH_DIVISOR).exp() * atk_hp_factor;
-    // Stack-of-doom cap: a single attack cannot deal more than 2× the defender's
-    // current HP. Prevents overwhelming odds from one-shotting a city or unit in
-    // a single exchange — multiple attackers still add up, but each hit is capped.
+    // Stack-of-doom cap: a single attack cannot deal more than 3× the defender's
+    // current HP. 2× proved too tight (halved victories, stalled winner_tier_peak).
+    // 3× leaves typical late-game dominance intact while preventing pure one-shots.
     let damage_to_defender =
-        raw_damage_to_defender.min(2.0 * params.defender.hp as f32);
+        raw_damage_to_defender.min(3.0 * params.defender.hp as f32);
 
     // Retaliation damage
     let no_retaliation = prevents_retaliation(&params.attacker_keywords, is_ranged)
diff --git a/src/simulator/tests/golden/vectors/mc-combat__resolve_basic.json b/src/simulator/tests/golden/vectors/mc-combat__resolve_basic.json
index 360a04f0..ec59d811 100644
--- a/src/simulator/tests/golden/vectors/mc-combat__resolve_basic.json
+++ b/src/simulator/tests/golden/vectors/mc-combat__resolve_basic.json
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
       },
       {
         "name": "stress_first_strike_one_round_kill",
-        "defender_damage": 40,
+        "defender_damage": 60,
         "attacker_damage": 0,
         "attacker_outcome": "survived",
         "defender_outcome": "killed",