diff --git a/src/game/engine/src/modules/ai/simple_heuristic_ai.gd b/src/game/engine/src/modules/ai/simple_heuristic_ai.gd
index 7a81007b..9ef50c24 100644
--- a/src/game/engine/src/modules/ai/simple_heuristic_ai.gd
+++ b/src/game/engine/src/modules/ai/simple_heuristic_ai.gd
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ const FOUND_MIN_DIST_OWN: int = 4
 ## deadlock founders that spawned near each other (observed in arena
 ## smoke tests where start placement put both players on tile 0,0).
 const FOUND_MIN_DIST_ENEMY: int = 1
-const RETREAT_HP_FRACTION: float = 0.15
-const DEFENSIVE_CHASE_RANGE: int = 8
+const RETREAT_HP_FRACTION: float = 0.0
+const DEFENSIVE_CHASE_RANGE: int = 12
 const MILITARY_COMBAT_TYPES: Array[String] = [
 	"melee", "ranged", "cavalry", "siege",
 ]
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ static func _decide_production(
 	# match enemy's FULL army when they're closing on us so we don't lose
 	# on parity once reserves arrive.
 	var enemy_mil: int = enemy_total if threatened else 0
-	var mil_target: int = maxi(4, city_count * 3)
+	var mil_target: int = maxi(2, city_count * 2)
 	if enemy_mil > 0:
 		mil_target = maxi(mil_target, enemy_mil + 1)
 	var want_military: bool = military_count < mil_target