diff --git a/src/simulator/crates/mc-ai/src/tactical/thresholds.rs b/src/simulator/crates/mc-ai/src/tactical/thresholds.rs
index 95979ac8..99ad03fd 100644
--- a/src/simulator/crates/mc-ai/src/tactical/thresholds.rs
+++ b/src/simulator/crates/mc-ai/src/tactical/thresholds.rs
@@ -75,15 +75,17 @@ pub fn derived_defense(axes: &BTreeMap<String, i32>) -> i32 {
 /// to capital-assault commitment. Aggressive clans commit earlier; cautious
 /// clans wait for real superiority.
 ///
-/// Range: `axis=1` → 2.5 (very cautious), `axis=5` → 2.0 (baseline),
-/// `axis=10` → 1.5 (rush-happy). Baseline raised 2026-04-26 from 1.50 to 2.0
-/// (and rush-happy floor from 1.15 → 1.5) per warcouncil cycle-3 finding:
-/// games still ended T48-T121 in 50% of seeds because even rush-happy
-/// blackhammer (agg=9) needed only ~1.2× superiority before committing,
-/// triggering rush-domination before tier-3 tech could research. Higher
-/// thresholds give losers economic + tech runway.
+/// Range: `axis=1` → 1.80 (very cautious), `axis=5` → 1.50 (post-p0-37+39
+/// tempo baseline), `axis=10` → 1.15 (rush-happy). Baseline raised 2026-04-18
+/// from 1.25 so games reach T250+ — tier-3+ tech chains need the runway.
+///
+/// Cycle-3 attempt 2026-04-26 to bump to 1.5/2.0/2.5 was reverted: 10-seed
+/// `p0-01-domlerp-20260426_145155` showed median winner_tier_peak DROPPED
+/// from 4.0 to 1.5 because higher thresholds let weaker players coast on
+/// score victory and one-off rushers (goldvein) still won via opportunism
+/// (seed 4 went from T300 → T168). Domination tempo isn't the right lever.
 pub fn dominance_factor(axes: &BTreeMap<String, i32>) -> f32 {
-    lerp_axis(axis(axes, "aggression"), 2.5, 2.0, 1.5)
+    lerp_axis(axis(axes, "aggression"), 1.80, 1.50, 1.15)
 }
 
 /// Hex radius within which a unit bypasses stray-unit chasing to march on
@@ -195,9 +197,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn dominance_factor_baseline_matches_historical() {
         let a = axes(&[("aggression", 5)]);
-        // Baseline raised 2026-04-26 from 1.50 → 2.0 (warcouncil cycle-3
-        // rush-domination dampening). See dominance_factor() docs.
-        assert!((dominance_factor(&a) - 2.0).abs() < 1e-6);
+        assert!((dominance_factor(&a) - 1.50).abs() < 1e-6);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn empty_axes_match_historical_baseline() {
         let empty: BTreeMap<String, i32> = BTreeMap::new();
-        assert!((dominance_factor(&empty) - 2.0).abs() < 1e-6);
+        assert!((dominance_factor(&empty) - 1.50).abs() < 1e-6);
         assert_eq!(capital_approach_hex(&empty), 16);
         assert!((retreat_hp_fraction(&empty) - 0.40).abs() < 1e-6);
         assert_eq!(defensive_chase_range(&empty), 12);
@@ -310,9 +310,8 @@ mod tests {
         let insane_high = axes(&[("aggression", 999)]);
         let df_low = dominance_factor(&insane_low);
         let df_high = dominance_factor(&insane_high);
-        // Range bumped 2026-04-26 alongside dominance_factor lerp (1.5–2.5).
-        assert!(df_low >= 1.49 && df_low <= 2.51);
-        assert!(df_high >= 1.49 && df_high <= 2.51);
+        assert!(df_low >= 1.14 && df_low <= 1.81);
+        assert!(df_high >= 1.14 && df_high <= 1.81);
     }
 
     #[test]