diff --git a/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/combat-health/Get combat health after elite attack.bru b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/combat-health/Get combat health after elite attack.bru
index faf175a..b953592 100644
--- a/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/combat-health/Get combat health after elite attack.bru	
+++ b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/combat-health/Get combat health after elite attack.bru	
@@ -13,24 +13,24 @@ docs {
 script:pre-request {
   const axios = require("axios");
   const { resetPrototypeCombatTargets } = require("./scripts/combat-targets-reset-helper.js");
+  const {
+    moveNearPrototypeNpc,
+    sleep,
+  } = require("./scripts/prototype-npc-bruno-helper.js");
   const baseUrl = bru.getEnvVar("baseUrl") || bru.getVar("baseUrl");
   const playerId = bru.getEnvVar("playerId") || bru.getVar("playerId");
   const jsonHeaders = { headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" } };
-
-  function sleep(ms) {
-    return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
-  }
+  const slotIndex = 4;
 
   await resetPrototypeCombatTargets(bru);
 
-  await axios.post(
-    `${baseUrl}/game/players/${playerId}/move`,
-    { schemaVersion: 1, target: { x: -2, y: 0.9, z: -2 } },
+  await moveNearPrototypeNpc(
+    baseUrl,
+    playerId,
+    "prototype_npc_elite",
     jsonHeaders,
   );
 
-  const slotIndex = 3;
-
   await axios.post(
     `${baseUrl}/game/players/${playerId}/hotbar-loadout`,
     {
diff --git a/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/encounter-progress/Get encounter progress after defeat spine.bru b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/encounter-progress/Get encounter progress after defeat spine.bru
index 5a5194f..d715e61 100644
--- a/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/encounter-progress/Get encounter progress after defeat spine.bru	
+++ b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/encounter-progress/Get encounter progress after defeat spine.bru	
@@ -11,15 +11,16 @@ docs {
 script:pre-request {
   const axios = require("axios");
   const { resetPrototypeCombatTargets } = require("./scripts/combat-targets-reset-helper.js");
+  const {
+    moveNearPrototypeNpc,
+    PULSE_COOLDOWN_MS,
+    sleep,
+  } = require("./scripts/prototype-npc-bruno-helper.js");
   const baseUrl = bru.getEnvVar("baseUrl") || bru.getVar("baseUrl");
   const playerId = bru.getEnvVar("playerId") || bru.getVar("playerId");
   const jsonHeaders = { headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" } };
   const slotIndex = 3;
 
-  function sleep(ms) {
-    return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
-  }
-
   function rowForPocket(body) {
     const row = body.encounters.find((x) => x.encounterId === "prototype_combat_pocket");
     if (!row) {
@@ -40,11 +41,13 @@ script:pre-request {
   }
 
   async function defeatNpc(targetId) {
+    await moveNearPrototypeNpc(baseUrl, playerId, targetId, jsonHeaders);
     await axios.post(
       `${baseUrl}/game/players/${playerId}/target/select`,
       { schemaVersion: 1, targetId },
       jsonHeaders,
     );
+    await sleep(PULSE_COOLDOWN_MS);
     const castBody = {
       schemaVersion: 1,
       slotIndex,
@@ -59,13 +62,15 @@ script:pre-request {
       );
       const body = response.data;
       if (!body?.accepted || !body?.combatResolution) {
-        throw new Error(`cast ${i + 1} vs ${targetId} failed: ${JSON.stringify(body)}`);
+        throw new Error(
+          `cast ${i + 1} vs ${targetId} failed (${body?.reasonCode ?? "no_reason"}): ${JSON.stringify(body)}`,
+        );
       }
       if (body.combatResolution.targetDefeated) {
         return;
       }
       if (i < 3) {
-        await sleep(3200);
+        await sleep(PULSE_COOLDOWN_MS);
       }
     }
     throw new Error(`did not defeat ${targetId} within 4 pulses`);
@@ -73,12 +78,6 @@ script:pre-request {
 
   await resetPrototypeCombatTargets(bru);
 
-  await axios.post(
-    `${baseUrl}/game/players/${playerId}/move`,
-    { schemaVersion: 1, target: { x: -5, y: 0.9, z: -5 } },
-    jsonHeaders,
-  );
-
   await axios.post(
     `${baseUrl}/game/players/${playerId}/hotbar-loadout`,
     {
diff --git a/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/scripts/prototype-npc-bruno-helper.js b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/scripts/prototype-npc-bruno-helper.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2638715
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/scripts/prototype-npc-bruno-helper.js
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+const axios = require("axios");
+
+/** Matches server <see cref="PrototypeNpcRegistry"/> anchors + AbilityCastApiTests move offset. */
+const PROTOTYPE_NPC_ANCHORS = {
+  prototype_npc_melee: { x: -3, y: 0.5, z: -3 },
+  prototype_npc_ranged: { x: 3, y: 0, z: 3 },
+  prototype_npc_elite: { x: 0, y: 0.5, z: 0 },
+};
+
+/** <c>prototype_pulse</c> catalog cooldown (seconds) — real-time Bruno waits. */
+const PULSE_COOLDOWN_MS = 3200;
+
+function sleep(ms) {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
+}
+
+async function moveNearPrototypeNpc(baseUrl, playerId, targetId, jsonHeaders) {
+  const anchor = PROTOTYPE_NPC_ANCHORS[targetId];
+  if (!anchor) {
+    throw new Error(`unknown prototype npc: ${targetId}`);
+  }
+
+  await axios.post(
+    `${baseUrl}/game/players/${playerId}/move`,
+    {
+      schemaVersion: 1,
+      target: { x: anchor.x - 1, y: 0.9, z: anchor.z - 1 },
+    },
+    jsonHeaders,
+  );
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+  PROTOTYPE_NPC_ANCHORS,
+  PULSE_COOLDOWN_MS,
+  moveNearPrototypeNpc,
+  sleep,
+};