diff --git a/restoration/source410/BT/MECH.CPP b/restoration/source410/BT/MECH.CPP
index a47861e9..bb089aee 100644
--- a/restoration/source410/BT/MECH.CPP
+++ b/restoration/source410/BT/MECH.CPP
@@ -1261,6 +1261,24 @@ void
 	// damage model's limp hook (leg zone >= 0.5 -> mode 3/4) is
 	// reconstructed.
 	//
+	//
+	// STAGED (the master performance's job, mech4 @004a9b5c -- never
+	// decompiled): promote the damage model's limp signal (statusAlarm level
+	// 3/4, MECHDMG's leg-half write to mech+0x2c) into the movement mode the
+	// gait machinery keys on.  The binary's damage code READS mode 3/4 to
+	// decide "already limping", so the promotion demonstrably exists; the
+	// master perf is the only unaccounted-for writer.  Guarded so a death
+	// (mode 5+) is never overwritten.
+	//
+	{
+		unsigned status = statusAlarm.GetLevel();
+		int mode = MovementMode();
+		if ((status == 3 || status == 4) && mode < 3)
+		{
+			SetSimulationState(status);
+		}
+	}
+
 	int limping;
 	{
 		int mode = MovementMode();
diff --git a/restoration/source410/BT/MECHDMG.CPP b/restoration/source410/BT/MECHDMG.CPP
index 62f09680..a0f43a3c 100644
--- a/restoration/source410/BT/MECHDMG.CPP
+++ b/restoration/source410/BT/MECHDMG.CPP
@@ -394,19 +394,28 @@ void
 				RecurseSegmentTable(mech);
 			}
 		}
-		else if (damageLevel >= StructureMax)
+		else if (mech->MovementMode() == 3 || mech->MovementMode() == 4)
 		{
-			// leg destroyed -> fall / mech kill
-			mech->statusAlarm.SetLevel(9);
-			if (getenv("BT_MECH_LOG"))
+			//
+			// ALREADY LIMPING (binary @0x49c88f/@0x49c8c5): only now does a
+			// DESTROYED leg fell the mech.  A first leg hit -- even one that
+			// takes the zone straight to 1.0 -- limps first; the kill needs
+			// the second blow to land while the gait is already gimped.
+			//
+			if (damageLevel >= StructureMax)
 			{
-				DEBUG_STREAM << "[death] LEG zone " << damageZoneIndex
-					<< " destroyed -- mech down" << endl << flush;
+				mech->statusAlarm.SetLevel(9);
+				if (getenv("BT_MECH_LOG"))
+				{
+					DEBUG_STREAM << "[death] LEG zone " << damageZoneIndex
+						<< " destroyed while limping -- mech down"
+						<< endl << flush;
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		else if (!mech->IsMechDestroyed())
 		{
-			// half-gone leg -> the gimp-gait graphic (right 4, left 3)
+			// half-gone leg -> the limp gait (right 4, left 3)
 			if (rightLeg != 0 && damageLevel >= LegHalfStructure)
 			{
 				mech->statusAlarm.SetLevel(4);