diff --git a/content/abilities/prototype_npc_abilities.json b/content/abilities/prototype_npc_abilities.json
index 787c6fc..68fe760 100644
--- a/content/abilities/prototype_npc_abilities.json
+++ b/content/abilities/prototype_npc_abilities.json
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
       "id": "prototype_npc_melee_strike",
       "displayName": "NPC Melee Strike",
       "baseDamage": 15,
-      "maxRange": 6.0,
+      "maxRange": 1.0,
       "cooldownSeconds": 3.0,
       "abilityKind": "attack"
     },
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Combat/AbilityDefinitionCatalogLoaderTests.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Combat/AbilityDefinitionCatalogLoaderTests.cs
index b7964eb..6c56055 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Combat/AbilityDefinitionCatalogLoaderTests.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Combat/AbilityDefinitionCatalogLoaderTests.cs
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ public class AbilityDefinitionCatalogLoaderTests
               "id": "prototype_npc_melee_strike",
               "displayName": "NPC Melee Strike",
               "baseDamage": 15,
-              "maxRange": 6.0,
+              "maxRange": 1.0,
               "cooldownSeconds": 3.0,
               "abilityKind": "attack"
             },
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Combat/AbilityDefinitionsWorldApiTests.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Combat/AbilityDefinitionsWorldApiTests.cs
index 238accd..89073a6 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Combat/AbilityDefinitionsWorldApiTests.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Combat/AbilityDefinitionsWorldApiTests.cs
@@ -66,6 +66,6 @@ public class AbilityDefinitionsWorldApiTests
 
         var meleeStrike = body.Abilities.Single(a => a.Id == "prototype_npc_melee_strike");
         Assert.Equal(15, meleeStrike.BaseDamage);
-        Assert.Equal(6.0, meleeStrike.MaxRange);
+        Assert.Equal(1.0, meleeStrike.MaxRange);
     }
 }
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Npc/PrototypeNpcTestFixtures.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Npc/PrototypeNpcTestFixtures.cs
index da4642b..186a5e2 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Npc/PrototypeNpcTestFixtures.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Npc/PrototypeNpcTestFixtures.cs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public static class PrototypeNpcTestFixtures
                 "NPC Melee Strike",
                 15,
                 3.0,
-                6.0,
+                1.0,
                 "attack"),
             [PrototypeNpcAttackAbilityRegistry.PrototypeNpcRangedShot] = new(
                 PrototypeNpcAttackAbilityRegistry.PrototypeNpcRangedShot,
diff --git a/server/README.md b/server/README.md
index b0f5ab9..68e7f1b 100644
--- a/server/README.md
+++ b/server/README.md
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ Per-NPC aggro holders live in **`Game/Npc/`** as **`IThreatStateStore`** + **`In
 | Rule | Behavior |
 |------|----------|
 | **Acquire** | First **damaging** cast on an NPC sets holder to the casting player when the row is empty (**`AggroOperations.TryAcquire`** from **`AbilityCastApi`**). Zero-damage abilities do not acquire. |
-| **Attack range** | At telegraph resolve, damage applies only when the holder is within the bound attack ability's catalog **`maxRange`** of the NPC anchor (horizontal X/Z, inclusive). Melee strike **6 m**, ranged shot **10 m**, elite slam **8 m** — distinct from behavior **`aggroRadius`** (re-aggro) and tab-lock **6 m**. Out-of-range windups whiff (no damage; state still advances). |
+| **Attack range** | At telegraph resolve, damage applies only when the holder is within the bound attack ability's catalog **`maxRange`** of the NPC anchor (horizontal X/Z, inclusive). Melee strike **1 m**, ranged shot **10 m**, elite slam **8 m** — distinct from behavior **`aggroRadius`** (re-aggro) and tab-lock **6 m**. Out-of-range windups whiff (no damage; state still advances). |
 | **Leash clear** | Holder clears when that player moves beyond the bound behavior def **`leashRadius`** from the NPC anchor (horizontal X/Z distance). Wired on **`POST /move`**, **`POST /move-stream`**, and before acquire on cast. |
 | **Defeat clear** | When **`ICombatEntityHealthStore`** marks the NPC **`defeated`**, **`NpcRuntimeOperations.TryStopOnTargetDefeat`** clears holder and resets runtime to **`idle`** (cast accept + lazy advance guard). |
 | **Re-aggro** | After clear, the same first-hit rule applies — no proximity auto-aggro in this slice. |