diff --git a/src/game/engine/scenes/tests/auto_play.gd b/src/game/engine/scenes/tests/auto_play.gd
index 54f2de10..ee5b4382 100644
--- a/src/game/engine/scenes/tests/auto_play.gd
+++ b/src/game/engine/scenes/tests/auto_play.gd
@@ -388,7 +388,10 @@ func _manage_production(city: Variant) -> void:
 
 func _next_building(city: Variant, player: Variant, city_count: int, has_settler: bool) -> String:
 	## Return the next building/unit to produce, or "" for warrior.
-	# Walls first (defense)
+	# Forge FIRST — doubles production from 2 to 4, accelerates everything after
+	if not city.has_building("forge"):
+		return "forge"
+	# Then walls
 	if not city.has_building("walls"):
 		return "walls"
 	# One warrior before expanding
@@ -396,14 +399,20 @@ func _next_building(city: Variant, player: Variant, city_count: int, has_settler
 	for u: Variant in player.units:
 		if u.is_alive() and u.get("can_found_city") != true:
 			military += 1
-	if military == 0:
+	# Maintain military: at least 1 warrior per city
+	if military < city_count:
 		return ""  # build warrior
 	# Expand to 3 cities
 	if city_count < 3 and not has_settler:
 		return "settler"
-	# Economic buildings (cycle through all available)
+	# Alternate: build next available building, then warrior, repeat
+	# Check how many buildings this city has vs warriors the player has
+	var city_buildings: int = city.buildings.size()
+	# If we have more buildings than warriors, build a warrior
+	if military <= city_buildings and military < city_count * 3:
+		return ""  # build warrior
+	# Otherwise build next available building
 	var econ_buildings: Array[Array] = [
-		["forge", ""],           # no tech needed
 		["brewery", "brewing"],
 		["library", "scholarship"],
 		["marketplace", "trade_routes"],