diff --git a/src/game/engine/scenes/tests/auto_play.gd b/src/game/engine/scenes/tests/auto_play.gd
index e4ba64bb..045f5dd3 100644
--- a/src/game/engine/scenes/tests/auto_play.gd
+++ b/src/game/engine/scenes/tests/auto_play.gd
@@ -1380,6 +1380,11 @@ func _try_attack_adjacent_lair(unit: Variant, game_map: RefCounted) -> void:
 
 
 func _explore(unit: Variant, player: RefCounted, game_map: RefCounted) -> void:
+	# Scouts can also clear lairs — try adjacent lair attack first.
+	_try_attack_adjacent_lair(unit, game_map)
+	if not unit.is_alive() or unit.movement_remaining <= 0:
+		return
+
 	var reachable: Dictionary = PathfinderScript.movement_range(
 		game_map, unit.position, unit.movement_remaining, "land"
 	)