diff --git a/context/combat-damage.md b/context/combat-damage.md
index 2959dee..372dae1 100644
--- a/context/combat-damage.md
+++ b/context/combat-damage.md
@@ -471,8 +471,14 @@ radius for both MP missile launchers = **30** (`BT_ROSTER` dump).
 **Port impl (`mech4.cpp`):** `BTResolveSplashRadius` gates on `MissileLauncher::ClassDerivations`,
 resolves launcher → `BTWeaponAmmoBin` → `BTAmmoRoundModelResource` (+0x1e8) → GameModel +0x50.
 `BTApplySplashDamage` walks `BTGetTargetCandidates` (excludes shooter), skips the direct victim +
-destroyed/zoneless mechs, applies the `dist>radius` gate + the burst falloff, delivers through the
-shooter's msgmgr (cross-pod) or `Dispatch`. Hooked at BOTH detonation paths (world-impact + contact).
+destroyed/zoneless mechs, applies the `dist>radius` gate + the burst falloff, and delivers via a
+DIRECT `e->Dispatch` to each victim (T0 `EXPLODE.cpp:246`). Hooked at BOTH detonation paths
+(world-impact + contact). **⚠ MUST NOT route splash through the shooter's `SubsystemMessageManager`:
+`AddDamageMessage` CONSOLIDATES every damage message of a frame onto the FIRST hit entity
+(`commonDamageInformation.entityHit`, messmgr.cpp:279) — so splash for the bystander landed on the
+DIRECT victim instead (2026-07-13 bug: the direct victim took 8 direct + 8 mis-routed splash = 16
+applications, the bystander 0; a direct `Dispatch` splits them correctly 8/8).** Dispatch reroutes
+cross-pod for a replicant victim on its own.
 
 **⚠ THE SALVO-LEAD FIX (task #62 bug, found 2026-07-13 by live regression) — the N-round trap.**
 **KEY FACT [T1]: `DamageZone::TakeDamage` (arcade `@0041e4e0` == WinTesla `DAMAGE.cpp:379`) is
diff --git a/game/reconstructed/mech4.cpp b/game/reconstructed/mech4.cpp
index 5a91abf..f0ef179 100644
--- a/game/reconstructed/mech4.cpp
+++ b/game/reconstructed/mech4.cpp
@@ -1019,9 +1019,6 @@ void
 		DEBUG_STREAM << "[splash] detonation radius=" << radius << " candidates="
 			<< nc << " directVictim=" << (void *)directVictim << "\n" << std::flush;
 
-	SubsystemMessageManager *mgr = (weapon_subsys >= 0 && BTIsRegisteredMech(shooter))
-		? (SubsystemMessageManager *)((Mech *)shooter)->GetMessageManager() : 0;
-
 	for (int ci = 0; ci < nc; ++ci)
 	{
 		Entity *e = cand[ci];
@@ -1051,21 +1048,16 @@ void
 		dmg.impactPoint = center;
 		dmg.damageForce = Vector3D(dx, dy, dz);		// EXPLODE.cpp:216 radial knockback
 
-		if (mgr != 0)
-		{
-			Entity::TakeDamageMessage td(
-				Entity::TakeDamageMessageID, sizeof(Entity::TakeDamageMessage),
-				shooter->GetEntityID(), -1 /*unaimed -> cylinder resolves*/,
-				dmg, weapon_subsys);
-			mgr->AddDamageMessage(e, &td);
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			Entity::TakeDamageMessage td(
-				Entity::TakeDamageMessageID, sizeof(Entity::TakeDamageMessage),
-				shooter->GetEntityID(), -1, dmg);
-			e->Dispatch(&td);
-		}
+		// DIRECT dispatch to EACH victim (T0 EXPLODE.cpp:246 -- target->Dispatch).
+		// NOT the shooter's SubsystemMessageManager: AddDamageMessage CONSOLIDATES
+		// every damage message of the frame onto ONE common entity (the first hit,
+		// messmgr.cpp:279) -- so routing splash through it delivered the bystander's
+		// blast onto the DIRECT victim instead (double-hitting the excluded mech).
+		// Dispatch reroutes cross-pod for a replicant victim on its own.
+		Entity::TakeDamageMessage td(
+			Entity::TakeDamageMessageID, sizeof(Entity::TakeDamageMessage),
+			shooter->GetEntityID(), -1 /*unaimed -> cylinder resolves*/, dmg);
+		e->Dispatch(&td);
 		if (s_log)
 			DEBUG_STREAM << "[splash] victim=" << e->GetEntityID() << " dist=" << dist
 				<< " radius=" << radius << " bursts=" << bursts