Fighting upgrade

IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs

@@ -2017,6 +2017,10 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 DoCombatEnsembleEscalate(cmd);
                 break;
 
+            case "combat_wire_attack_sides":
+                DoCombatWireAttackSides(cmd);
+                break;
+
             case "interest_variety_clear":
                 InterestVariety.Clear();
                 _cmdOk++;
@@ -3578,6 +3582,7 @@ public static class AgentHarness
         {
             c.Category = "Combat";
             c.Verb = "fighting";
+            c.ClearCombatSticky();
             if (related != null)
             {
                 c.ParticipantCount = 2;
@@ -3623,6 +3628,18 @@ public static class AgentHarness
         }
 
         Actor related = scene.RelatedUnit;
+        if ((focus == null || !focus.isAlive()) && related != null && related.isAlive())
+        {
+            focus = related;
+            related = null;
+        }
+
+        if (focus == null || !focus.isAlive())
+        {
+            // Last resort: nearest living unit so escalate can still seed a pack.
+            focus = WorldActivityScanner.FindNearestAliveUnit(CameraPos(), 200f);
+        }
+
         if (focus == null || !focus.isAlive())
         {
             _cmdFail++;
@@ -3630,6 +3647,7 @@ public static class AgentHarness
             return;
         }
 
+        scene.ClearCombatSticky();
         int want = 6;
         if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(cmd.value) && !int.TryParse(cmd.value, out want))
         {
@@ -3709,6 +3727,189 @@ public static class AgentHarness
             detail: $"n={want} scale={ensemble.Scale} frame={ensemble.Frame} tip='{CameraDirector.LastWatchLabel}' focus={SafeName(focus)} participants={InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate?.ParticipantCount}");
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Best-effort: set attack_target across two species camps near the combat focus
+    /// so <see cref="LiveEnsemble.TryBuildCombat"/> sees a real multi-fighter cluster.
+    /// asset = side A species (default human), value = side B species (default wolf).
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void DoCombatWireAttackSides(HarnessCommand cmd)
+    {
+        InterestCandidate scene = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
+        Actor anchor = scene?.FollowUnit;
+        if (anchor == null || !anchor.isAlive())
+        {
+            anchor = MoveCamera.hasFocusUnit() ? MoveCamera._focus_unit : null;
+        }
+
+        if (anchor == null || !anchor.isAlive())
+        {
+            _cmdFail++;
+            Emit(cmd, ok: false, detail: "no_anchor");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        string sideA = string.IsNullOrEmpty(cmd.asset) ? "human" : cmd.asset.Trim();
+        string sideB = string.IsNullOrEmpty(cmd.value) ? "wolf" : cmd.value.Trim();
+        bool pairOnly = (cmd.expect ?? "").IndexOf("pair", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) >= 0
+                        || string.Equals(cmd.label, "pair", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+        if (pairOnly)
+        {
+            Actor a = scene?.FollowUnit ?? anchor;
+            Actor b = scene?.RelatedUnit;
+            if (b == null || !b.isAlive())
+            {
+                // Nearest opposite-species unit.
+                foreach (Actor actor in WorldActivityScanner.EnumerateAliveUnitsPublic())
+                {
+                    if (actor == null || actor == a || !actor.isAlive() || actor.asset == null)
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    if (actor.asset.id.Equals(sideB, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                    {
+                        b = actor;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            int wiredPair = 0;
+            if (TrySetAttackTarget(a, b))
+            {
+                wiredPair++;
+            }
+
+            if (TrySetAttackTarget(b, a))
+            {
+                wiredPair++;
+            }
+
+            InterestDirector.HarnessMaintainCombatFocus();
+            bool okPair = wiredPair > 0;
+            if (okPair)
+            {
+                _cmdOk++;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                _cmdFail++;
+            }
+
+            Emit(
+                cmd,
+                okPair,
+                detail: $"pair wired={wiredPair} a={SafeName(a)} b={SafeName(b)} tip='{CameraDirector.LastWatchLabel}' focus={FocusLabel()}");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var campA = new List<Actor>(8);
+        var campB = new List<Actor>(8);
+        Vector2 pos = anchor.current_position;
+        const float r2 = 16f * 16f;
+        foreach (Actor actor in WorldActivityScanner.EnumerateAliveUnitsPublic())
+        {
+            if (actor == null || !actor.isAlive() || actor.asset == null)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            float dx = actor.current_position.x - pos.x;
+            float dy = actor.current_position.y - pos.y;
+            if (dx * dx + dy * dy > r2)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            string id = actor.asset.id ?? "";
+            if (id.Equals(sideA, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                campA.Add(actor);
+            }
+            else if (id.Equals(sideB, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                campB.Add(actor);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (campA.Count == 0 || campB.Count == 0)
+        {
+            _cmdFail++;
+            Emit(cmd, ok: false, detail: $"empty camps a={campA.Count} b={campB.Count} near={SafeName(anchor)}");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        int wired = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < campA.Count; i++)
+        {
+            if (TrySetAttackTarget(campA[i], campB[i % campB.Count]))
+            {
+                wired++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < campB.Count; i++)
+        {
+            if (TrySetAttackTarget(campB[i], campA[i % campA.Count]))
+            {
+                wired++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        InterestDirector.HarnessMaintainCombatFocus();
+        bool ok = wired > 0;
+        if (ok)
+        {
+            _cmdOk++;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            _cmdFail++;
+        }
+
+        Emit(
+            cmd,
+            ok,
+            detail: $"wired={wired} a={campA.Count}:{sideA} b={campB.Count}:{sideB} tip='{CameraDirector.LastWatchLabel}' focus={FocusLabel()}");
+    }
+
+    private static bool TrySetAttackTarget(Actor unit, Actor foe)
+    {
+        if (unit == null || foe == null || !unit.isAlive() || !foe.isAlive() || unit == foe)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            var mi = typeof(Actor).GetMethod(
+                "setAttackTarget",
+                System.Reflection.BindingFlags.Instance
+                | System.Reflection.BindingFlags.Public
+                | System.Reflection.BindingFlags.NonPublic);
+            if (mi != null)
+            {
+                mi.Invoke(unit, new object[] { foe });
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                var prop = typeof(Actor).GetProperty(
+                    "attack_target",
+                    System.Reflection.BindingFlags.Instance
+                    | System.Reflection.BindingFlags.Public
+                    | System.Reflection.BindingFlags.NonPublic);
+                prop?.SetValue(unit, foe, null);
+            }
+
+            return unit.has_attack_target;
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
     private static Actor SpawnAssetNear(string assetId, Vector3 near, float jitter)
     {
         try
@@ -3938,7 +4139,24 @@ public static class AgentHarness
 
                 Actor unit = MoveCamera.hasFocusUnit() ? MoveCamera._focus_unit : null;
                 string unitAsset = unit?.asset != null ? unit.asset.id : "";
-                pass = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(wantAsset) && wantAsset == unitAsset;
+                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(wantAsset) && wantAsset.IndexOf('|') >= 0)
+                {
+                    string[] opts = wantAsset.Split('|');
+                    pass = false;
+                    for (int i = 0; i < opts.Length; i++)
+                    {
+                        if (opts[i].Trim().Equals(unitAsset, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                        {
+                            pass = true;
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    pass = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(wantAsset) && wantAsset == unitAsset;
+                }
+
                 detail = $"unitAsset={unitAsset} want={wantAsset}";
                 break;
             }

IdleSpectator/Events/EventReason.cs

@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ public static class EventReason
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Context-aware combat orange reason from a <see cref="LiveEnsemble"/> snapshot.
-    /// Multi-fighter form: <c>Battle - [Essiona] humans (10) vs wolves (3)</c>.
+    /// Multi form: <c>Battle - Humans (4) vs Wolves (0)</c> - counts may be 0 while sides stay sticky.
+    /// Never uses raw unit names as mass-side labels. Never prints thin <c>melee</c> fallbacks.
     /// </summary>
     public static string Combat(LiveEnsemble ensemble)
     {
@@ -53,8 +54,8 @@ public static class EventReason
             return "";
         }
 
-        if (ensemble.Frame == EnsembleFrame.NamedPair
-            || ensemble.Scale == EnsembleScale.Pair)
+        // True 1v1 only when we do not already have sticky opposing camps.
+        if (ensemble.Scale == EnsembleScale.Pair && !LiveEnsemble.HasOpposingCollectiveSides(ensemble))
         {
             string a = Name(ensemble.Focus);
             string b = Name(ensemble.Related);
@@ -65,31 +66,67 @@ public static class EventReason
 
             if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(b))
             {
-                return "Duel - " + a;
+                // Orphan duel with no foe - blank so director can keep sticky / clear.
+                return "";
             }
 
             return "Duel - " + a + " vs " + b;
         }
 
-        string tier = ScaleTierLabel(ensemble.Scale);
-        string sideA = FormatCombatSide(ensemble.SideA, ensemble.Frame);
-        string sideB = FormatCombatSide(ensemble.SideB, ensemble.Frame);
-        bool sided = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideA)
-                     && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideB)
-                     && !sideA.Equals(sideB, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        string tier = ScaleTierLabel(
+            ensemble.Scale <= EnsembleScale.Pair ? EnsembleScale.Skirmish : ensemble.Scale);
 
-        if (sided)
+        if (LiveEnsemble.HasOpposingCollectiveSides(ensemble))
         {
-            return tier + " - " + sideA + " vs " + sideB;
+            string sideA = FormatCombatSide(ensemble.SideA, ensemble.Frame);
+            string sideB = FormatCombatSide(ensemble.SideB, ensemble.Frame);
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideA) && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideB))
+            {
+                return tier + " - " + sideA + " vs " + sideB;
+            }
         }
 
-        int n = Math.Max(1, ensemble.ParticipantCount);
-        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideA))
+        // Same-species pack with no opposing sticky camps.
+        if (ensemble.SideA != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(ensemble.SideA.Key))
         {
-            return tier + " - " + sideA + " (" + n.ToString(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture) + ")";
+            string pack = FormatCombatSide(ensemble.SideA, EnsembleFrame.SpeciesVsSpecies);
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(pack))
+            {
+                return tier + " - " + pack;
+            }
         }
 
-        return tier + " - fight of " + n.ToString(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);
+        // Never emit thin "X is fighting" from the multi path - leave blank for director reuse.
+        if (ensemble.Scale > EnsembleScale.Pair || LiveEnsemble.HasOpposingCollectiveSides(ensemble))
+        {
+            return "";
+        }
+
+        return Fight(ensemble.Focus, ensemble.Related);
+    }
+
+    private static bool SidesAreSameCollective(string sideA, string sideB)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideA) || string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideB))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        // Strip counts: "Wolves (6)" → "Wolves"
+        string a = StripSideCount(sideA);
+        string b = StripSideCount(sideB);
+        return a.Equals(b, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+
+    private static string StripSideCount(string side)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(side))
+        {
+            return "";
+        }
+
+        int paren = side.LastIndexOf(" (", StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        return paren > 0 ? side.Substring(0, paren).Trim() : side.Trim();
     }
 
     private static string ScaleTierLabel(EnsembleScale scale)
@@ -114,6 +151,12 @@ public static class EventReason
             return "";
         }
 
+        // Mass/skirmish never print unit proper names as a side.
+        if (frame == EnsembleFrame.NamedLeaders || frame == EnsembleFrame.NamedPair)
+        {
+            return "";
+        }
+
         string label = side.Display ?? "";
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label))
         {
@@ -122,7 +165,7 @@ public static class EventReason
 
         if (frame == EnsembleFrame.KingdomVsKingdom)
         {
-            label = LiveEnsemble.KingdomDisplay(label);
+            label = LiveEnsemble.KingdomDisplay(string.IsNullOrEmpty(side.Key) ? label : side.Key);
         }
         else if (frame == EnsembleFrame.SpeciesVsSpecies)
         {
@@ -130,7 +173,6 @@ public static class EventReason
             if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(side.KingdomDisplay))
             {
                 string kingdom = LiveEnsemble.KingdomDisplay(side.KingdomDisplay);
-                // Avoid "[Humans] humans" when kingdom label is just the species.
                 if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(kingdom)
                     && !kingdom.Equals(label, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
                     && kingdom.IndexOf(label, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) < 0)
@@ -139,12 +181,10 @@ public static class EventReason
                 }
             }
         }
-        else if (frame == EnsembleFrame.NamedLeaders)
+        else
         {
-            if (side.Best != null)
-            {
-                label = Name(side.Best);
-            }
+            // CountOnly / unknown - refuse unit-looking labels.
+            return "";
         }
 
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label))
@@ -152,14 +192,9 @@ public static class EventReason
             return "";
         }
 
-        // Consistent side casing for collective labels.
-        if (frame == EnsembleFrame.SpeciesVsSpecies
-            || frame == EnsembleFrame.KingdomVsKingdom)
-        {
-            label = char.ToUpperInvariant(label[0]) + (label.Length > 1 ? label.Substring(1) : "");
-        }
-
-        int n = Math.Max(1, side.Count);
+        label = char.ToUpperInvariant(label[0]) + (label.Length > 1 ? label.Substring(1) : "");
+        // Allow 0 so sticky camps can show a side briefly empty, then climb again on rejoin.
+        int n = Math.Max(0, side.Count);
         return label + " (" + n.ToString(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture) + ")";
     }
 

IdleSpectator/Events/LiveEnsemble.cs

@@ -437,6 +437,183 @@ public sealed class LiveEnsemble
         }
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sticky scoreboard roster: add units currently fighting for each camp, then count every
+    /// tracked member that is still alive (combat or not) until the combat scene grace ends.
+    /// Dead ids are pruned. New combatants matching a sticky key are enrolled.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static void RefreshStickyMemberRoster(
+        Vector2 pos,
+        float radius,
+        EnsembleFrame frame,
+        string keyA,
+        string keyB,
+        List<long> sideAIds,
+        List<long> sideBIds,
+        out int countA,
+        out int countB,
+        out Actor bestA,
+        out Actor bestB)
+    {
+        countA = 0;
+        countB = 0;
+        bestA = null;
+        bestB = null;
+        if (sideAIds == null || sideBIds == null
+            || string.IsNullOrEmpty(keyA) || string.IsNullOrEmpty(keyB))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        float r2 = radius * radius;
+        // Enroll anyone currently fighting for a sticky camp.
+        foreach (Actor actor in WorldActivityScanner.EnumerateAliveUnitsPublic())
+        {
+            if (actor == null || !actor.isAlive() || !IsCombatParticipant(actor))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            float dx = actor.current_position.x - pos.x;
+            float dy = actor.current_position.y - pos.y;
+            if (dx * dx + dy * dy > r2)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            string key = frame == EnsembleFrame.KingdomVsKingdom
+                ? KingdomKeyOf(actor)
+                : SpeciesKeyOf(actor);
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(key))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(actor);
+            if (id == 0)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            if (key.Equals(keyA, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                AddUniqueId(sideAIds, id);
+            }
+            else if (key.Equals(keyB, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                AddUniqueId(sideBIds, id);
+            }
+        }
+
+        countA = CountAliveTracked(sideAIds, out bestA, preferCombat: true);
+        countB = CountAliveTracked(sideBIds, out bestB, preferCombat: true);
+    }
+
+    public static Actor FindBestAliveTracked(List<long> ids, bool preferCombat = true)
+    {
+        CountAliveTracked(ids, out Actor best, preferCombat);
+        return best;
+    }
+
+    private static void AddUniqueId(List<long> ids, long id)
+    {
+        if (id == 0 || ids == null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < ids.Count; i++)
+        {
+            if (ids[i] == id)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+
+        ids.Add(id);
+    }
+
+    private static int CountAliveTracked(List<long> ids, out Actor best, bool preferCombat)
+    {
+        best = null;
+        if (ids == null || ids.Count == 0)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        float bestW = -1f;
+        int alive = 0;
+        for (int i = ids.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
+        {
+            long id = ids[i];
+            Actor actor = FindAliveById(id);
+            if (actor == null)
+            {
+                ids.RemoveAt(i);
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            alive++;
+            float w = FocusWeight(actor, priorParticipantIds: null, newcomerBonus: 0f);
+            if (preferCombat && IsCombatParticipant(actor))
+            {
+                w += 40f;
+            }
+
+            if (w > bestW)
+            {
+                bestW = w;
+                best = actor;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return alive;
+    }
+
+    private static Actor FindAliveById(long id)
+    {
+        if (id == 0)
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        foreach (Actor actor in WorldActivityScanner.EnumerateAliveUnitsPublic())
+        {
+            if (actor == null || !actor.isAlive())
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            if (EventFeedUtil.SafeId(actor) == id)
+            {
+                return actor;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    public static bool HasOpposingCollectiveSides(LiveEnsemble ensemble)
+    {
+        if (ensemble?.SideA == null || ensemble.SideB == null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (ensemble.Frame != EnsembleFrame.SpeciesVsSpecies
+            && ensemble.Frame != EnsembleFrame.KingdomVsKingdom)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(ensemble.SideA.Key) || string.IsNullOrEmpty(ensemble.SideB.Key))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        return !ensemble.SideA.Key.Equals(ensemble.SideB.Key, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+
     private static void ApplyNamedPair(LiveEnsemble ensemble, List<Actor> fighters)
     {
         ensemble.Frame = EnsembleFrame.NamedPair;
@@ -500,12 +677,7 @@ public sealed class LiveEnsemble
         if (foe != null)
         {
             ensemble.SideB = SideFromActor(foe, "foe");
-            if (ensemble.NotableParticipantCount >= 2
-                && InterestScoring.IsNotable(ensemble.Focus)
-                && InterestScoring.IsNotable(foe))
-            {
-                ensemble.Frame = EnsembleFrame.NamedLeaders;
-            }
+            // Multi-fighter: never NamedLeaders (unit-name sides). Species promotion happens in EventReason.
         }
     }
 
@@ -648,9 +820,28 @@ public sealed class LiveEnsemble
             return false;
         }
 
-        ensemble.Frame = EnsembleFrame.NamedLeaders;
-        ensemble.SideA = BuildSide("camp:a", EventFeedUtil.SafeName(focus), sideA, prior, newcomerBonus, EnsembleFrame.NamedLeaders);
-        ensemble.SideB = BuildSide("camp:b", EventFeedUtil.SafeName(foe), sideB, prior, newcomerBonus, EnsembleFrame.NamedLeaders);
+        // Prefer species framing over unit-named camps whenever species differ.
+        string spA = SpeciesKeyOf(focus);
+        string spB = SpeciesKeyOf(foe);
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(spA)
+            && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(spB)
+            && !spA.Equals(spB, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            ensemble.Frame = EnsembleFrame.SpeciesVsSpecies;
+            ensemble.SideA = BuildSide(spA, SpeciesDisplay(spA), sideA, prior, newcomerBonus, EnsembleFrame.SpeciesVsSpecies);
+            ensemble.SideB = BuildSide(spB, SpeciesDisplay(spB), sideB, prior, newcomerBonus, EnsembleFrame.SpeciesVsSpecies);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            // Same species camps → count-only melee (EventReason prints "melee (n)").
+            ensemble.Frame = EnsembleFrame.CountOnly;
+            ensemble.SideA = null;
+            ensemble.SideB = null;
+            PreferFocusSide(ensemble);
+            ensemble.Related = foe;
+            return true;
+        }
+
         PreferFocusSide(ensemble);
         ensemble.Related = ensemble.SideB?.Best ?? foe;
         return true;

IdleSpectator/HarnessScenarios.cs

@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
             case "combat_focus":
             case "combat_tip_align":
                 return CombatFocusAlign();
+            case "combat_stability_live":
+            case "combat_live_proof":
+                return CombatStabilityLive();
             case "director_action_priority":
             case "action_priority":
                 return DirectorActionPriority();
@@ -1065,10 +1068,11 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
             Step("cf25b", "assert", expect: "dossier_matches_focus"),
             Step("cf26", "assert", expect: "unit_asset", asset: "wolf"),
 
-            // 1v1 → multi: sided species framing + participant write-back.
+            // 1v1 → multi: sided species framing + live sticky counts.
             Step("cf40", "interest_combat_session", asset: "human", value: "wolf", expect: "cf_ensemble"),
             Step("cf41", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Duel|fighting| vs "),
             Step("cf42", "combat_ensemble_escalate", value: "6"),
+            Step("cf42b", "combat_wire_attack_sides", asset: "human", value: "wolf"),
             Step("cf43", "assert", expect: "participant_count_min", value: "6"),
             Step("cf44", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Skirmish -|Battle -|Mass -| vs "),
             Step("cf45", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_focus"),
@@ -1090,6 +1094,75 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
         };
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Live pack-fight proof: scale hold vs Duel flap, collective species tip, sleeper cannot steal focus.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static List<HarnessCommand> CombatStabilityLive()
+    {
+        return new List<HarnessCommand>
+        {
+            Step("csl0", "dismiss_windows"),
+            Step("csl1", "wait_world"),
+            Step("csl2", "set_setting", expect: "enabled", value: "true"),
+            Step("csl3", "fast_timing", value: "true"),
+            Step("csl4", "spawn", asset: "human", count: 1),
+            Step("csl5", "spawn", asset: "wolf", count: 1),
+            Step("csl6", "spectator", value: "off"),
+            Step("csl7", "spectator", value: "on"),
+            Step("csl8", "pick_unit", asset: "human"),
+            Step("csl9", "focus", asset: "human"),
+            Step("csl10", "interest_end_session"),
+
+            // Peak at 8 (Mass band). Sticky sides lock now; live counts start at 0 until wired.
+            Step("csl20", "interest_combat_session", asset: "human", value: "wolf", expect: "csl_pack"),
+            Step("csl21", "combat_ensemble_escalate", value: "8"),
+            Step("csl22", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Skirmish -|Battle -|Mass -"),
+            Step("csl22b", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Humans (|Wolves ("),
+            Step("csl24", "combat_wire_attack_sides", asset: "human", value: "wolf", expect: "pair"),
+
+            // Live rebuild: sticky Humans vs Wolves, live counts (may be 1/1 after pair wire).
+            Step("csl30", "combat_maintain_focus"),
+            Step("csl31", "wait", value: "0.4"),
+            Step("csl32", "combat_maintain_focus"),
+            Step("csl33", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Skirmish -|Battle -|Mass -"),
+            Step("csl34", "assert", expect: "tip_not_contains", value: "Duel"),
+            Step("csl35", "assert", expect: "tip_not_contains", value: "melee"),
+            Step("csl36", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Humans (|Wolves ("),
+            Step("csl37", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: " vs "),
+
+            // Wire both camps → counts climb back up on the same sticky frame.
+            Step("csl40", "combat_wire_attack_sides", asset: "human", value: "wolf"),
+            Step("csl41", "wait", value: "0.5"),
+            Step("csl42", "combat_maintain_focus"),
+            Step("csl42b", "assert", expect: "participant_count_min", value: "6"),
+            Step("csl43", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Humans (|Wolves ("),
+            Step("csl44", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Skirmish -|Battle -|Mass -"),
+            Step("csl45", "assert", expect: "tip_not_contains", value: "Duel"),
+            Step("csl45b", "assert", expect: "tip_not_contains", value: "melee"),
+            Step("csl46", "assert", expect: "unit_asset", value: "human|wolf"),
+            Step("csl47", "assert", expect: "dossier_matches_focus"),
+
+            // Sleeper bystander must not stick the camera.
+            Step("csl50", "spawn", asset: "bear", count: 1),
+            Step("csl51", "focus", asset: "bear"),
+            Step("csl52", "status_apply", value: "sleeping", label: "8"),
+            Step("csl53", "wait", value: "0.35"),
+            Step("csl54", "combat_maintain_focus"),
+            Step("csl55", "wait", value: "0.35"),
+            Step("csl56", "combat_maintain_focus"),
+            Step("csl57", "assert", expect: "unit_asset", value: "human|wolf"),
+            Step("csl58", "assert", expect: "tip_matches_any", value: "Skirmish -|Battle -|Mass -|fighting| vs "),
+            Step("csl59", "assert", expect: "tip_not_contains", value: "Duel -"),
+            Step("csl59b", "assert", expect: "tip_not_contains", value: "melee"),
+            Step("csl60", "assert", expect: "dossier_matches_focus"),
+            Step("csl61", "assert", expect: "has_focus", value: "true"),
+
+            Step("csl90", "fast_timing", value: "false"),
+            Step("csl98", "screenshot", value: "hud-combat-stability-live.png"),
+            Step("csl99", "snapshot"),
+        };
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Status-overlap happiness must not FixedDwell-claim a camera-worthy status the unit lacks.
     /// Hold while status is live; offset end-pings still register briefly without it.

IdleSpectator/InterestCandidate.cs

@@ -44,6 +44,21 @@ public sealed class InterestCandidate
     public float TotalScore;
     /// <summary>Live fighters / participants in a cluster (battles, multi-unit events).</summary>
     public int ParticipantCount;
+    /// <summary>Peak fighters seen this combat scene (scale demotion hysteresis).</summary>
+    public int CombatPeakParticipants;
+    /// <summary>Sticky opposing camps for the orange tip (species/kingdom keys).</summary>
+    public EnsembleFrame CombatSideFrame = EnsembleFrame.CountOnly;
+    public string CombatSideAKey = "";
+    public string CombatSideADisplay = "";
+    public string CombatSideAKingdom = "";
+    public int CombatSideACount;
+    public string CombatSideBKey = "";
+    public string CombatSideBDisplay = "";
+    public string CombatSideBKingdom = "";
+    public int CombatSideBCount;
+    /// <summary>Tracked camp members for sticky scoreboard (kept until combat grace ends).</summary>
+    public readonly List<long> CombatSideAIds = new List<long>(8);
+    public readonly List<long> CombatSideBIds = new List<long>(8);
     /// <summary>Notable (king/favorite/leader/high renown) participants in the cluster.</summary>
     public int NotableParticipantCount;
     public Vector3 Position;
@@ -78,6 +93,28 @@ public sealed class InterestCandidate
     public bool HasValidPosition =>
         HasFollowUnit || (Position != Vector3.zero && !float.IsNaN(Position.x));
 
+    public bool HasStickyCombatSides =>
+        !string.IsNullOrEmpty(CombatSideAKey)
+        && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(CombatSideBKey)
+        && (CombatSideFrame == EnsembleFrame.SpeciesVsSpecies
+            || CombatSideFrame == EnsembleFrame.KingdomVsKingdom);
+
+    public void ClearCombatSticky()
+    {
+        CombatPeakParticipants = 0;
+        CombatSideFrame = EnsembleFrame.CountOnly;
+        CombatSideAKey = "";
+        CombatSideADisplay = "";
+        CombatSideAKingdom = "";
+        CombatSideACount = 0;
+        CombatSideBKey = "";
+        CombatSideBDisplay = "";
+        CombatSideBKingdom = "";
+        CombatSideBCount = 0;
+        CombatSideAIds.Clear();
+        CombatSideBIds.Clear();
+    }
+
     public InterestEvent ToInterestEvent()
     {
         return new InterestEvent
@@ -109,6 +146,16 @@ public sealed class InterestCandidate
             VisualConfidence = VisualConfidence,
             TotalScore = TotalScore,
             ParticipantCount = ParticipantCount,
+            CombatPeakParticipants = CombatPeakParticipants,
+            CombatSideFrame = CombatSideFrame,
+            CombatSideAKey = CombatSideAKey,
+            CombatSideADisplay = CombatSideADisplay,
+            CombatSideAKingdom = CombatSideAKingdom,
+            CombatSideACount = CombatSideACount,
+            CombatSideBKey = CombatSideBKey,
+            CombatSideBDisplay = CombatSideBDisplay,
+            CombatSideBKingdom = CombatSideBKingdom,
+            CombatSideBCount = CombatSideBCount,
             NotableParticipantCount = NotableParticipantCount,
             Position = Position,
             FollowUnit = FollowUnit,
@@ -141,6 +188,16 @@ public sealed class InterestCandidate
             copy.ParticipantIds.Add(ParticipantIds[i]);
         }
 
+        for (int i = 0; i < CombatSideAIds.Count; i++)
+        {
+            copy.CombatSideAIds.Add(CombatSideAIds[i]);
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < CombatSideBIds.Count; i++)
+        {
+            copy.CombatSideBIds.Add(CombatSideBIds[i]);
+        }
+
         return copy;
     }
 }

IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs

@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ public static class InterestDirector
     private const float CombatFocusThrottleSeconds = 1.25f;
     /// <summary>Require this much extra focus weight before stealing the camera mid-fight.</summary>
     private const float CombatFocusSwitchMargin = 12f;
+    /// <summary>Hold elevated combat scale this long after fighter count dips.</summary>
+    private const float CombatScaleHoldSeconds = 2.5f;
+    private static float _combatScaleDropSince = -999f;
     private static readonly List<InterestCandidate> PendingScratch = new List<InterestCandidate>(96);
 
     public static string CurrentTierName => CurrentScoreLabel;
@@ -201,6 +204,11 @@ public static class InterestDirector
             return false;
         }
 
+        if (candidate.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive)
+        {
+            candidate.ClearCombatSticky();
+        }
+
         EventFeedUtil.RegisterCandidate(candidate);
         SwitchTo(candidate, Time.unscaledTime, resumableInterrupt: false);
         return true;
@@ -422,10 +430,17 @@ public static class InterestDirector
             return;
         }
 
-        // No living subject left: do not sit in quiet_grace with an empty camera.
+        // No living subject left: prefer sticky combat roster handoff before ending.
         if (!_current.HasFollowUnit
             && (_current.RelatedUnit == null || !_current.RelatedUnit.isAlive()))
         {
+            if (_current.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
+                && TryPromoteStickyFollow(_current))
+            {
+                MaintainCombatFocus(now, force: true);
+                return;
+            }
+
             EndCurrent(now, reason: "follow_lost");
             return;
         }
@@ -477,6 +492,12 @@ public static class InterestDirector
             if (!_current.HasFollowUnit
                 && (_current.RelatedUnit == null || !_current.RelatedUnit.isAlive()))
             {
+                if (TryPromoteStickyFollow(_current))
+                {
+                    MaintainCombatFocus(Time.unscaledTime, force: true);
+                    return;
+                }
+
                 EndCurrent(Time.unscaledTime, reason: "follow_lost");
             }
 
@@ -593,14 +614,18 @@ public static class InterestDirector
                 newcomerBonus: 8f);
             if (handoffEnsemble != null)
             {
+                StabilizeCombatScale(_current, handoffEnsemble, Time.unscaledTime);
                 ApplyEnsembleFields(_current, handoffEnsemble);
+                RefreshStickyCombatSides(
+                    _current, handoffEnsemble, handoff.current_position, radius);
             }
 
             // Keep ownership on the handoff unit; only use ensemble framing when the melee is large.
             string handoffLabel;
             if (handoffEnsemble != null
-                && handoffEnsemble.ParticipantCount > 2
-                && handoffEnsemble.Scale != EnsembleScale.Pair)
+                && (handoffEnsemble.ParticipantCount > 2
+                    || HasStickyCombatSides(_current)
+                    || handoffEnsemble.Scale != EnsembleScale.Pair))
             {
                 handoffEnsemble.Focus = handoff;
                 if (handoffEnsemble.Related == null || handoffEnsemble.Related == handoff)
@@ -657,11 +682,13 @@ public static class InterestDirector
         string label;
         if (ensemble != null && ensemble.HasFocus)
         {
+            StabilizeCombatScale(_current, ensemble, Time.unscaledTime);
             best = ensemble.Focus;
             foe = ensemble.Related;
-            fighters = Mathf.Max(1, ensemble.ParticipantCount);
-            label = EventReason.Combat(ensemble);
+            fighters = Mathf.Max(0, ensemble.ParticipantCount);
             ApplyEnsembleFields(_current, ensemble);
+            RefreshStickyCombatSides(_current, ensemble, pos, radius);
+            label = EventReason.Combat(ensemble);
         }
         else if (WorldActivityScanner.TryPickBestCombatFocus(
                      _current, out best, out foe, out fighters))
@@ -675,48 +702,133 @@ public static class InterestDirector
                 Focus = best,
                 Related = foe
             };
+            StabilizeCombatScale(_current, fallback, Time.unscaledTime);
+            ApplyEnsembleFields(_current, fallback);
+            RefreshStickyCombatSides(_current, fallback, pos, radius);
             label = EventReason.Combat(fallback);
-            _current.ParticipantCount = fighters;
+            _current.ParticipantCount = Math.Max(fighters, _current.CombatSideACount + _current.CombatSideBCount);
+        }
+        else if (HasStickyCombatSides(_current))
+        {
+            // No live fighters briefly - keep framed tip from sticky roster until combat goes cold.
+            if (!_current.HasFollowUnit)
+            {
+                TryPromoteStickyFollow(_current);
+            }
+
+            var held = new LiveEnsemble
+            {
+                Kind = EnsembleKind.Combat,
+                Scale = LiveEnsemble.ScaleForCount(Math.Max(3, _current.CombatPeakParticipants)),
+                Focus = _current.FollowUnit,
+                Related = _current.RelatedUnit,
+                ParticipantCount = 0
+            };
+            StabilizeCombatScale(_current, held, Time.unscaledTime);
+            RefreshStickyCombatSides(_current, held, pos, radius);
+            if (held.Focus == null || !held.Focus.isAlive())
+            {
+                held.Focus = _current.RelatedUnit;
+            }
+
+            if ((held.Focus == null || !held.Focus.isAlive()) && TryPromoteStickyFollow(_current))
+            {
+                held.Focus = _current.FollowUnit;
+                held.Related = _current.RelatedUnit;
+                RefreshStickyCombatSides(_current, held, pos, radius);
+            }
+
+            if (held.Focus == null || !held.Focus.isAlive())
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            best = held.Focus;
+            foe = held.Related;
+            label = EventReason.Combat(held);
+            fighters = _current.CombatSideACount + _current.CombatSideBCount;
         }
         else
         {
             return false;
         }
 
-        // Hysteresis: do not thrash the camera between near-equal fighters.
-        if (_current.FollowUnit != null
-            && _current.FollowUnit.isAlive()
-            && best != null
-            && best != _current.FollowUnit)
+        // Never stick on a sleeper / bystander unless they are on the sticky combat roster.
+        Actor curFollow = _current.FollowUnit;
+        bool curFighting = LiveEnsemble.IsCombatParticipant(curFollow);
+        bool curRostered = IsOnStickyRoster(_current, curFollow);
+        if (!LiveEnsemble.IsCombatParticipant(best))
+        {
+            if (curFighting || curRostered)
+            {
+                best = curFollow;
+                foe = ResolveAttackFoe(best) ?? foe;
+            }
+        }
+        else if ((curFighting || curRostered)
+                 && best != curFollow
+                 && curFollow != null
+                 && curFollow.isAlive())
         {
             float curW = LiveEnsemble.FocusWeight(
-                _current.FollowUnit, _current.ParticipantIds, newcomerBonus: 0f);
+                curFollow, _current.ParticipantIds, newcomerBonus: 0f);
+            if (curRostered && !curFighting)
+            {
+                curW += 20f;
+            }
+
             float newW = LiveEnsemble.FocusWeight(best, _current.ParticipantIds, newcomerBonus: 8f);
             if (newW < curW + CombatFocusSwitchMargin)
             {
-                best = _current.FollowUnit;
+                best = curFollow;
                 if (foe == null || foe == best)
                 {
-                    try
-                    {
-                        if (best.has_attack_target
-                            && best.attack_target != null
-                            && best.attack_target.isAlive()
-                            && best.attack_target.isActor())
-                        {
-                            foe = best.attack_target.a;
-                        }
-                    }
-                    catch
-                    {
-                        // keep foe
-                    }
+                    foe = ResolveAttackFoe(best) ?? foe;
                 }
             }
         }
 
+        // Never replace a sticky scoreboard tip with thin Fight prose.
+        if (HasStickyCombatSides(_current)
+            && (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label)
+                || label.IndexOf(" is fighting", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) >= 0))
+        {
+            var stickyEns = new LiveEnsemble
+            {
+                Kind = EnsembleKind.Combat,
+                Scale = LiveEnsemble.ScaleForCount(Math.Max(3, _current.CombatPeakParticipants)),
+                Focus = best,
+                Related = foe,
+                Frame = _current.CombatSideFrame,
+                SideA = new EnsembleSide
+                {
+                    Key = _current.CombatSideAKey,
+                    Display = _current.CombatSideADisplay,
+                    KingdomDisplay = _current.CombatSideAKingdom,
+                    Count = _current.CombatSideACount,
+                    Best = best
+                },
+                SideB = new EnsembleSide
+                {
+                    Key = _current.CombatSideBKey,
+                    Display = _current.CombatSideBDisplay,
+                    KingdomDisplay = _current.CombatSideBKingdom,
+                    Count = _current.CombatSideBCount,
+                    Best = foe
+                },
+                ParticipantCount = _current.CombatSideACount + _current.CombatSideBCount
+            };
+            label = EventReason.Combat(stickyEns);
+        }
+
+        string previousLabel = _current.Label ?? "";
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label) && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(previousLabel))
+        {
+            label = previousLabel;
+        }
+
         bool followChanged = _current.FollowUnit != best;
-        bool labelChanged = !string.Equals(_current.Label ?? "", label ?? "", StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        bool labelChanged = !string.Equals(previousLabel, label ?? "", StringComparison.Ordinal);
         _current.FollowUnit = best;
         _current.SubjectId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(best);
         _current.RelatedUnit = foe;
@@ -731,11 +843,12 @@ public static class InterestDirector
             // keep prior position
         }
 
-        if (forceWatch
-            || followChanged
-            || labelChanged
-            || !HasLivingCameraFocus()
-            || MoveCamera._focus_unit != best)
+        bool needWatch = forceWatch
+                         || followChanged
+                         || labelChanged
+                         || !HasLivingCameraFocus()
+                         || MoveCamera._focus_unit != best;
+        if (needWatch)
         {
             CameraDirector.Watch(_current.ToInterestEvent());
         }
@@ -743,6 +856,400 @@ public static class InterestDirector
         return true;
     }
 
+    private static bool IsOnStickyRoster(InterestCandidate scene, Actor actor)
+    {
+        if (scene == null || actor == null || !actor.isAlive())
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(actor);
+        if (id == 0)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < scene.CombatSideAIds.Count; i++)
+        {
+            if (scene.CombatSideAIds[i] == id)
+            {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < scene.CombatSideBIds.Count; i++)
+        {
+            if (scene.CombatSideBIds[i] == id)
+            {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    private static bool HasStickyCombatSides(InterestCandidate scene)
+    {
+        return scene != null && scene.HasStickyCombatSides;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// When the camera subject dies mid sticky battle, promote another living roster member
+    /// instead of ending the scene and falling through to thin "X is fighting" tips.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static bool TryPromoteStickyFollow(InterestCandidate scene)
+    {
+        if (scene == null || !HasStickyCombatSides(scene))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        Actor pickA = LiveEnsemble.FindBestAliveTracked(scene.CombatSideAIds, preferCombat: true);
+        Actor pickB = LiveEnsemble.FindBestAliveTracked(scene.CombatSideBIds, preferCombat: true);
+        Actor pick = pickA ?? pickB;
+        if (pick == null || !pick.isAlive())
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        // Prefer the camp that still has more living members when both exist.
+        if (pickA != null && pickB != null)
+        {
+            int nA = scene.CombatSideACount;
+            int nB = scene.CombatSideBCount;
+            if (nB > nA)
+            {
+                pick = pickB;
+            }
+            else if (nA > nB)
+            {
+                pick = pickA;
+            }
+        }
+
+        Actor other = pick == pickA ? pickB : pickA;
+        scene.FollowUnit = pick;
+        scene.SubjectId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(pick);
+        scene.RelatedUnit = other;
+        scene.RelatedId = other != null ? EventFeedUtil.SafeId(other) : 0;
+        try
+        {
+            scene.Position = pick.current_position;
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // keep
+        }
+
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Lock opposing camp keys once, then refresh live counts (may be 0) every maintain pass.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void RefreshStickyCombatSides(
+        InterestCandidate scene,
+        LiveEnsemble ensemble,
+        Vector3 pos,
+        float radius)
+    {
+        if (scene == null || ensemble == null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (!HasStickyCombatSides(scene) && LiveEnsemble.HasOpposingCollectiveSides(ensemble))
+        {
+            // Only lock sticky camps once the live cluster is actually multi-sided.
+            int liveN = Math.Max(ensemble.ParticipantCount,
+                (ensemble.SideA?.Count ?? 0) + (ensemble.SideB?.Count ?? 0));
+            if (liveN <= 2 && ensemble.Scale <= EnsembleScale.Pair)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            scene.CombatSideFrame = ensemble.Frame;
+            scene.CombatSideAKey = ensemble.SideA.Key ?? "";
+            scene.CombatSideADisplay = ensemble.SideA.Display ?? "";
+            scene.CombatSideAKingdom = ensemble.SideA.KingdomDisplay ?? "";
+            scene.CombatSideBKey = ensemble.SideB.Key ?? "";
+            scene.CombatSideBDisplay = ensemble.SideB.Display ?? "";
+            scene.CombatSideBKingdom = ensemble.SideB.KingdomDisplay ?? "";
+        }
+
+        if (!HasStickyCombatSides(scene))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Seed roster from known ensemble participants on first lock / empty lists.
+        SeedStickyRosterFromEnsemble(scene, ensemble);
+
+        LiveEnsemble.RefreshStickyMemberRoster(
+            pos,
+            radius,
+            scene.CombatSideFrame,
+            scene.CombatSideAKey,
+            scene.CombatSideBKey,
+            scene.CombatSideAIds,
+            scene.CombatSideBIds,
+            out int countA,
+            out int countB,
+            out Actor bestA,
+            out Actor bestB);
+
+        scene.CombatSideACount = Math.Max(0, countA);
+        scene.CombatSideBCount = Math.Max(0, countB);
+        int live = scene.CombatSideACount + scene.CombatSideBCount;
+        scene.ParticipantCount = live;
+        if (live > scene.CombatPeakParticipants)
+        {
+            scene.CombatPeakParticipants = live;
+        }
+
+        ensemble.Frame = scene.CombatSideFrame;
+        ensemble.SideA = new EnsembleSide
+        {
+            Key = scene.CombatSideAKey,
+            Display = string.IsNullOrEmpty(scene.CombatSideADisplay)
+                ? scene.CombatSideAKey
+                : scene.CombatSideADisplay,
+            KingdomDisplay = scene.CombatSideAKingdom,
+            Count = scene.CombatSideACount,
+            Best = bestA ?? ensemble.Focus
+        };
+        ensemble.SideB = new EnsembleSide
+        {
+            Key = scene.CombatSideBKey,
+            Display = string.IsNullOrEmpty(scene.CombatSideBDisplay)
+                ? scene.CombatSideBKey
+                : scene.CombatSideBDisplay,
+            KingdomDisplay = scene.CombatSideBKingdom,
+            Count = scene.CombatSideBCount,
+            Best = bestB ?? ensemble.Related
+        };
+        ensemble.ParticipantCount = live;
+
+        // Sticky multi frame stays multi while the scene is hot - do not collapse to Pair on a dip.
+        if (ensemble.Scale == EnsembleScale.Pair)
+        {
+            ensemble.Scale = LiveEnsemble.ScaleForCount(Math.Max(3, scene.CombatPeakParticipants));
+        }
+
+        if (bestA != null && (ensemble.Focus == null || !LiveEnsemble.IsCombatParticipant(ensemble.Focus)))
+        {
+            ensemble.Focus = bestA;
+        }
+
+        if (bestB != null)
+        {
+            ensemble.Related = bestB;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static void SeedStickyRosterFromEnsemble(InterestCandidate scene, LiveEnsemble ensemble)
+    {
+        if (scene == null || ensemble == null || !HasStickyCombatSides(scene))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        void Enroll(Actor actor)
+        {
+            if (actor == null || !actor.isAlive())
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(actor);
+            if (id == 0)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            string key = scene.CombatSideFrame == EnsembleFrame.KingdomVsKingdom
+                ? LiveEnsemble.KingdomKeyOf(actor)
+                : LiveEnsemble.SpeciesKeyOf(actor);
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(key))
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (key.Equals(scene.CombatSideAKey, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                for (int i = 0; i < scene.CombatSideAIds.Count; i++)
+                {
+                    if (scene.CombatSideAIds[i] == id)
+                    {
+                        return;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                scene.CombatSideAIds.Add(id);
+            }
+            else if (key.Equals(scene.CombatSideBKey, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                for (int i = 0; i < scene.CombatSideBIds.Count; i++)
+                {
+                    if (scene.CombatSideBIds[i] == id)
+                    {
+                        return;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                scene.CombatSideBIds.Add(id);
+            }
+        }
+
+        Enroll(ensemble.Focus);
+        Enroll(ensemble.Related);
+        Enroll(ensemble.SideA?.Best);
+        Enroll(ensemble.SideB?.Best);
+        if (ensemble.ParticipantIds != null)
+        {
+            for (int i = 0; i < ensemble.ParticipantIds.Count; i++)
+            {
+                long id = ensemble.ParticipantIds[i];
+                if (id == 0)
+                {
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                foreach (Actor actor in WorldActivityScanner.EnumerateAliveUnitsPublic())
+                {
+                    if (actor != null && actor.isAlive() && EventFeedUtil.SafeId(actor) == id)
+                    {
+                        Enroll(actor);
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static Actor ResolveAttackFoe(Actor actor)
+    {
+        if (actor == null)
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            if (actor.has_attack_target
+                && actor.attack_target != null
+                && actor.attack_target.isAlive()
+                && actor.attack_target.isActor())
+            {
+                Actor foe = actor.attack_target.a;
+                return foe != null && foe.isAlive() ? foe : null;
+            }
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // ignore
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Hold elevated combat scale briefly after fighter count dips so Mass does not flap to Duel.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void StabilizeCombatScale(InterestCandidate scene, LiveEnsemble ensemble, float now)
+    {
+        if (scene == null || ensemble == null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        int n = Mathf.Max(1, ensemble.ParticipantCount);
+        if (n > scene.CombatPeakParticipants)
+        {
+            scene.CombatPeakParticipants = n;
+            _combatScaleDropSince = -999f;
+        }
+
+        int peak = Math.Max(scene.CombatPeakParticipants, n);
+        EnsembleScale live = LiveEnsemble.ScaleForCount(n);
+        EnsembleScale held = LiveEnsemble.ScaleForCount(peak);
+        if (held > live)
+        {
+            if (_combatScaleDropSince < 0f)
+            {
+                _combatScaleDropSince = now;
+            }
+
+            if (now - _combatScaleDropSince < CombatScaleHoldSeconds)
+            {
+                ensemble.Scale = held;
+                // Live rebuild may only see a NamedPair; keep mass framing while peak holds.
+                if (ensemble.Frame == EnsembleFrame.NamedPair)
+                {
+                    ensemble.Frame = EnsembleFrame.CountOnly;
+                }
+
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // Hold expired: ratchet peak down to live count.
+            scene.CombatPeakParticipants = n;
+            _combatScaleDropSince = -999f;
+            ensemble.Scale = live;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _combatScaleDropSince = -999f;
+        ensemble.Scale = live;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Rewatch tip only when tier or collective sides change - not on (6)↔(5) count flaps.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static bool CombatLabelNeedsRewatch(string oldLabel, string newLabel)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(oldLabel))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(newLabel))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        string a = StripCombatLabelCounts(oldLabel);
+        string b = StripCombatLabelCounts(newLabel);
+        return !a.Equals(b, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+
+    private static string StripCombatLabelCounts(string label)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label))
+        {
+            return "";
+        }
+
+        var sb = new System.Text.StringBuilder(label.Length);
+        for (int i = 0; i < label.Length; i++)
+        {
+            char c = label[i];
+            if (c == '(')
+            {
+                int close = label.IndexOf(')', i);
+                if (close > i)
+                {
+                    i = close;
+                    continue;
+                }
+            }
+
+            sb.Append(c);
+        }
+
+        return sb.ToString().Trim();
+    }
+
     private static void ApplyEnsembleFields(InterestCandidate scene, LiveEnsemble ensemble)
     {
         if (scene == null || ensemble == null)
@@ -750,7 +1257,12 @@ public static class InterestDirector
             return;
         }
 
-        scene.ParticipantCount = Mathf.Max(1, ensemble.ParticipantCount);
+        scene.ParticipantCount = Math.Max(0, ensemble.ParticipantCount);
+        if (scene.ParticipantCount > scene.CombatPeakParticipants)
+        {
+            scene.CombatPeakParticipants = scene.ParticipantCount;
+        }
+
         scene.NotableParticipantCount = ensemble.NotableParticipantCount;
         WorldActivityScanner.StampParticipantIds(scene, ensemble);
         if (ensemble.Scale >= EnsembleScale.Skirmish)
@@ -771,6 +1283,24 @@ public static class InterestDirector
         {
             scene.SpeciesId = ensemble.SideA.Key;
         }
+
+        if (LiveEnsemble.HasOpposingCollectiveSides(ensemble) && !HasStickyCombatSides(scene))
+        {
+            int liveN = Math.Max(ensemble.ParticipantCount,
+                ensemble.SideA.Count + ensemble.SideB.Count);
+            if (liveN > 2 || ensemble.Scale > EnsembleScale.Pair)
+            {
+                scene.CombatSideFrame = ensemble.Frame;
+                scene.CombatSideAKey = ensemble.SideA.Key ?? "";
+                scene.CombatSideADisplay = ensemble.SideA.Display ?? "";
+                scene.CombatSideAKingdom = ensemble.SideA.KingdomDisplay ?? "";
+                scene.CombatSideACount = Math.Max(0, ensemble.SideA.Count);
+                scene.CombatSideBKey = ensemble.SideB.Key ?? "";
+                scene.CombatSideBDisplay = ensemble.SideB.Display ?? "";
+                scene.CombatSideBKingdom = ensemble.SideB.KingdomDisplay ?? "";
+                scene.CombatSideBCount = Math.Max(0, ensemble.SideB.Count);
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -842,6 +1372,11 @@ public static class InterestDirector
         }
 
         ApplyEnsembleFields(_current, ensemble);
+        RefreshStickyCombatSides(
+            _current,
+            ensemble,
+            ensemble.Focus.current_position,
+            14f);
         _current.FollowUnit = ensemble.Focus;
         _current.SubjectId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(ensemble.Focus);
         _current.RelatedUnit = ensemble.Related;
@@ -882,6 +1417,8 @@ public static class InterestDirector
         }
 
         _current.Label = "";
+        _current.ClearCombatSticky();
+        _combatScaleDropSince = -999f;
         _lastCombatFocusAt = now;
         CameraDirector.Watch(_current.ToInterestEvent());
     }

IdleSpectator/mod.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "IdleSpectator",
   "author": "dazed",
-  "version": "0.25.54",
-  "description": "AFK Idle Spectator (I) + Lore (L). Tiered battle reasons + steadier combat focus.",
+  "version": "0.25.64",
+  "description": "AFK Idle Spectator (I) + Lore (L). Sticky combat handoff - no thin fighting fallback.",
   "GUID": "com.dazed.idlespectator"
 }

docs/event-audit.md

@@ -88,6 +88,6 @@ Done (see [camera-presentability-plan.md](camera-presentability-plan.md) and `co
 Done (0.25.52): dossier nametag tracks focus on handoff (`CameraDirector.Watch` focus-then-caption;
 `WatchCaption.ReconcileDossierToFocus`; `combat_focus` asserts `dossier_matches_focus`).
 
-Done (0.25.54): tiered battle reasons (`Battle - [Kingdom] side (n) vs …`) + combat focus hysteresis.
+Done (0.25.64): sticky combat handoff on follow_lost + never collapse sticky tips to "X is fighting".
 
 Soak audit helper: `./scripts/soak-audit-player-log.sh [seconds]` (or pass `--since-bytes N`).

docs/event-reason.md

@@ -40,8 +40,16 @@ The director refreshes counts, sides, focus, and `EventReason.Combat` while `Com
 | Mass | ≥8 (`massCrowdThreshold`) | `Mass - humans (12) vs wolves (8)` |
 
 Optional kingdom brackets on species sides: `Battle - [Essiona] humans (10) vs wolves (3)`.
-Side framing priority: kingdom vs kingdom → species vs species → attack camps / named leaders → count-only.
+Side framing priority: kingdom vs kingdom → species vs species → count-only melee.
+Never use unit proper names as mass-side labels (no `Battle - Waf (6) vs Eaderbert (1)`).
+Same-species camps with no opposing sticky keys use a single pack line (`Mass - Wolves (n)`).
+Sticky opposing camps lock once and enroll member ids while they fight.
+Counts stay on those tracked members while alive (combat or not) until combat grace clears the scene - so a wiped side can hit `0` while survivors remain counted.
+New combatants matching a sticky key are enrolled; dead ids are pruned.
+Orphan pair tips use `{name} is fighting` instead of `Duel - Name` with no foe.
 Names are humanized (no raw `nomads_human` ids).
+Scale hold (~2.5s peak hysteresis) keeps Mass/Battle from flapping to Duel on brief count dips.
+Combat camera hysteresis only applies between living fighters - sleepers/bystanders never stick.
 
 ### Other families (same snapshot later)