diff --git a/engine-c/src/main.c b/engine-c/src/main.c
index 35b6f50..722323e 100644
--- a/engine-c/src/main.c
+++ b/engine-c/src/main.c
@@ -147,23 +147,25 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
             }
             if (n > 0) { cx /= n; cy /= n; }
             else { cx = clash_x; cy = clash_y; }
-            /* denser mid-fight plate: fire cores + smoke columns + sparks */
-            particle_burst(g, cx, cy, 72, 1, 255, 140, 40);
-            particle_burst(g, cx + 22, cy - 12, 48, 0, 110, 100, 90);
-            particle_burst(g, cx - 18, cy + 14, 52, 2, 255, 230, 90);
-            particle_burst(g, cx + 36, cy + 8, 40, 1, 255, 90, 30);
-            particle_burst(g, cx - 8, cy - 28, 42, 3, 95, 80, 65);
-            particle_burst(g, cx + 12, cy + 30, 36, 1, 255, 170, 55);
-            particle_burst(g, cx - 30, cy - 6, 34, 1, 255, 120, 40);
-            particle_burst(g, cx + 28, cy + 22, 32, 2, 255, 210, 80);
-            particle_burst(g, cx - 40, cy + 18, 30, 1, 255, 100, 35);
-            particle_burst(g, cx + 44, cy - 16, 28, 2, 255, 240, 100);
-            particle_burst(g, cx + 8, cy - 40, 26, 1, 255, 150, 45);
-            particle_burst(g, cx - 22, cy + 36, 26, 0, 120, 110, 95);
-            particle_burst(g, cx + 52, cy + 4, 24, 1, 255, 110, 30);
-            particle_burst(g, cx - 48, cy - 14, 22, 0, 100, 95, 85);
-            particle_burst(g, cx + 16, cy + 48, 20, 3, 85, 70, 55);
-            particle_burst(g, cx - 12, cy - 48, 20, 1, 255, 160, 50);
+            /* bigger impact blooms on plate: denser fire cores + smoke + debris */
+            particle_burst(g, cx, cy, 96, 1, 255, 140, 40);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 22, cy - 12, 64, 0, 110, 100, 90);
+            particle_burst(g, cx - 18, cy + 14, 60, 2, 255, 230, 90);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 36, cy + 8, 52, 1, 255, 90, 30);
+            particle_burst(g, cx - 8, cy - 28, 48, 3, 95, 80, 65);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 12, cy + 30, 48, 1, 255, 170, 55);
+            particle_burst(g, cx - 30, cy - 6, 44, 1, 255, 120, 40);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 28, cy + 22, 40, 2, 255, 210, 80);
+            particle_burst(g, cx - 40, cy + 18, 40, 1, 255, 100, 35);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 44, cy - 16, 36, 2, 255, 240, 100);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 8, cy - 40, 36, 1, 255, 150, 45);
+            particle_burst(g, cx - 22, cy + 36, 34, 0, 120, 110, 95);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 52, cy + 4, 32, 1, 255, 110, 30);
+            particle_burst(g, cx - 48, cy - 14, 30, 0, 100, 95, 85);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 16, cy + 48, 28, 3, 85, 70, 55);
+            particle_burst(g, cx - 12, cy - 48, 28, 1, 255, 160, 50);
+            particle_burst(g, cx + 18, cy + 14, 36, 1, 255, 110, 35);
+            particle_burst(g, cx - 24, cy - 18, 32, 3, 255, 150, 45);
             /* tall stacked building smoke / fire plumes (HQ, walls, turrets) */
             for (int i = 0; i < g->bld_count; i++) {
                 Building *bl = &g->buildings[i];
@@ -276,14 +278,16 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
                 sx2 += u->x; sy2 += u->y; n2++;
             }
             if (n2 > 0) { c2x = sx2 / n2; c2y = sy2 / n2; }
-            particle_burst(g, c2x, c2y, 52, 1, 255, 135, 35);
-            particle_burst(g, c2x + 18, c2y - 10, 36, 0, 115, 105, 90);
-            particle_burst(g, c2x - 14, c2y + 12, 40, 2, 255, 220, 85);
-            particle_burst(g, c2x + 26, c2y + 8, 30, 1, 255, 95, 28);
-            particle_burst(g, c2x - 6, c2y - 20, 32, 3, 90, 78, 62);
-            particle_burst(g, c2x + 10, c2y + 24, 28, 1, 255, 160, 50);
-            particle_burst(g, c2x - 28, c2y + 8, 24, 0, 100, 95, 80);
-            particle_burst(g, c2x + 32, c2y - 16, 22, 1, 255, 120, 40);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x, c2y, 72, 1, 255, 135, 35);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x + 18, c2y - 10, 48, 0, 115, 105, 90);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x - 14, c2y + 12, 52, 2, 255, 220, 85);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x + 26, c2y + 8, 40, 1, 255, 95, 28);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x - 6, c2y - 20, 40, 3, 90, 78, 62);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x + 10, c2y + 24, 36, 1, 255, 160, 50);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x - 28, c2y + 8, 32, 0, 100, 95, 80);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x + 32, c2y - 16, 30, 1, 255, 120, 40);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x + 14, c2y + 16, 28, 1, 255, 110, 35);
+            particle_burst(g, c2x - 20, c2y - 12, 24, 3, 255, 150, 45);
             /* SE building fire/smoke columns (same tall stack) */
             {
                 const float r2b = 140.0f * 140.0f;
diff --git a/engine-c/src/projectiles.c b/engine-c/src/projectiles.c
index 74d0a38..a1d029d 100644
--- a/engine-c/src/projectiles.c
+++ b/engine-c/src/projectiles.c
@@ -108,13 +108,19 @@ void bullet_update(Game *g, float dt) {
                 Building *t = bld_by_id(g, b->target_bld);
                 if (t) bld_apply_damage(g, t, b->damage);
             }
-            /* denser impact: fire/laser core + smoke ring + debris */
+            /* bigger KKND2 impact bloom: fire core + smoke ring + debris + flash */
             int hit_kind = (b->kind == 2) ? 2 : 1;
-            particle_burst(g, b->tx, b->ty, 12, hit_kind, 255, 200, 80);
-            particle_burst(g, b->tx, b->ty, 8, 0, 90, 80, 60);
-            particle_burst(g, b->tx, b->ty, 5, 1, 255, 120, 35);
-            if (b->kind == 1 || b->kind == 3)
-                particle_burst(g, b->tx, b->ty, 6, 3, 255, 140, 40);
+            int shell = (b->kind == 1 || b->kind == 3);
+            particle_burst(g, b->tx, b->ty, shell ? 22 : 14, hit_kind, 255, 200, 80);
+            particle_burst(g, b->tx, b->ty, shell ? 16 : 10, 0, 90, 80, 60);
+            particle_burst(g, b->tx, b->ty, shell ? 12 : 6, 1, 255, 120, 35);
+            particle_burst(g, b->tx + 4, b->ty - 3, shell ? 10 : 5, 1, 255, 170, 50);
+            particle_burst(g, b->tx - 5, b->ty + 4, shell ? 8 : 4, 2, 255, 230, 100);
+            if (shell) {
+                particle_burst(g, b->tx, b->ty, 14, 3, 255, 140, 40);
+                particle_burst(g, b->tx + 8, b->ty + 2, 8, 3, 90, 75, 55);
+                particle_burst(g, b->tx - 6, b->ty - 5, 8, 0, 70, 60, 50);
+            }
             /* swap-remove */
             g->bullets[i] = g->bullets[g->bullet_count - 1];
             g->bullet_count--;
diff --git a/engine-c/src/render.c b/engine-c/src/render.c
index 6679217..a69e578 100644
--- a/engine-c/src/render.c
+++ b/engine-c/src/render.c
@@ -533,14 +533,18 @@ void render_particles(Game *g) {
         Uint8 a = (Uint8)(255 * life_a);
         Uint8 rr = (Uint8)(p->r * life_a), gg = (Uint8)(p->g * life_a),
               bb = (Uint8)(p->b * life_a);
-        int sz = (p->kind == 1) ? 9 : (p->kind == 3) ? 5 : (p->kind == 0) ? 7 : 4;
+        /* larger bloom discs — fire/smoke read as KKND2 explosion cores */
+        int sz = (p->kind == 1) ? 14 : (p->kind == 3) ? 7 : (p->kind == 0) ? 11 : 5;
         if (p->kind == 0 || p->kind == 1) {
-            draw_particle_disc(g->ren, sx, sy, sz + 2, (Uint8)(rr / 2), (Uint8)(gg / 2),
-                               (Uint8)(bb / 2), (Uint8)(a * 0.55f));
+            draw_particle_disc(g->ren, sx, sy, sz + 3, (Uint8)(rr / 2), (Uint8)(gg / 2),
+                               (Uint8)(bb / 2), (Uint8)(a * 0.50f));
             draw_particle_disc(g->ren, sx, sy, sz + 1, rr, gg, bb, a);
-            if (p->kind == 1 && life_a > 0.45f)
-                draw_particle_disc(g->ren, sx, sy - 1, sz / 2 + 1, 255,
-                                   (Uint8)(220 * life_a), 80, a);
+            if (p->kind == 1 && life_a > 0.40f)
+                draw_particle_disc(g->ren, sx, sy - 2, sz / 2 + 2, 255,
+                                   (Uint8)(230 * life_a), 90, a);
+            if (p->kind == 1 && life_a > 0.65f)
+                draw_particle_disc(g->ren, sx + 1, sy - 3, sz / 3 + 1, 255,
+                                   255, 180, a);
         } else {
             SDL_SetRenderDrawColor(g->ren, rr, gg, bb, a);
             SDL_RenderFillRect(g->ren, &(SDL_Rect){ sx - sz/2, sy - sz/2, sz + 1, sz + 1 });
diff --git a/engine-c/src/snapshot.c b/engine-c/src/snapshot.c
index fcb7b49..369fc73 100644
--- a/engine-c/src/snapshot.c
+++ b/engine-c/src/snapshot.c
@@ -986,13 +986,16 @@ void snapshot_capture(Game *g, const char *path) {
         if (sx < -12 || sy < -12 || sx > g_sw + 12 || sy > g_sh + 12) continue;
         float a = p->life / (p->max_life > 0 ? p->max_life : 1.0f);
         if (a < 0.10f) continue;
-        int sz = (p->kind == 1) ? 9 : (p->kind == 3) ? 5 : (p->kind == 0) ? 7 : 4;
+        /* larger bloom discs — fire/smoke read as KKND2 explosion cores */
+        int sz = (p->kind == 1) ? 14 : (p->kind == 3) ? 7 : (p->kind == 0) ? 11 : 5;
         uint8_t r = (uint8_t)(p->r * a), gv = (uint8_t)(p->g * a), b = (uint8_t)(p->b * a);
         if (p->kind == 0 || p->kind == 1) {
-            disc(sx, sy, sz + 2, r / 2, gv / 2, b / 2);
+            disc(sx, sy, sz + 3, r / 2, gv / 2, b / 2);
             disc(sx, sy, sz + 1, r, gv, b);
-            if (p->kind == 1 && a > 0.45f)
-                disc(sx, sy - 1, sz / 2 + 1, 255, (uint8_t)(220 * a), 80);
+            if (p->kind == 1 && a > 0.40f)
+                disc(sx, sy - 2, sz / 2 + 2, 255, (uint8_t)(230 * a), 90);
+            if (p->kind == 1 && a > 0.65f)
+                disc(sx + 1, sy - 3, sz / 3 + 1, 255, 255, 180);
         } else {
             fill_rect(sx - sz/2, sy - sz/2, sz + 1, sz + 1, r, gv, b);
         }
diff --git a/engine-c/src/units.c b/engine-c/src/units.c
index cd88516..e6c980f 100644
--- a/engine-c/src/units.c
+++ b/engine-c/src/units.c
@@ -92,13 +92,15 @@ void unit_apply_damage(Game *g, Unit *u, float dmg) {
     if (u->hp <= 0 && !u->dead) {
         u->dead = 1;
         u->state = STATE_DEAD;
-        /* denser KKND2-like death: fire core + debris ring + smoke + scorch */
-        particle_burst(g, u->x, u->y, 22, 1, 255, 140, 40);
-        particle_burst(g, u->x, u->y, 14, 3, 90, 80, 70);
-        particle_burst(g, u->x + 6, u->y - 4, 10, 0, 110, 100, 90);
-        particle_burst(g, u->x - 5, u->y + 5, 8, 2, 255, 220, 90);
-        particle_burst(g, u->x + 3, u->y + 7, 8, 1, 60, 50, 45);   /* scorch soot */
-        particle_burst(g, u->x - 4, u->y - 6, 6, 0, 70, 55, 40);
+        /* bigger KKND2 death bloom: fire core + debris ring + smoke + scorch */
+        particle_burst(g, u->x, u->y, 32, 1, 255, 140, 40);
+        particle_burst(g, u->x, u->y, 20, 3, 90, 80, 70);
+        particle_burst(g, u->x + 8, u->y - 6, 16, 0, 110, 100, 90);
+        particle_burst(g, u->x - 7, u->y + 6, 14, 2, 255, 220, 90);
+        particle_burst(g, u->x + 4, u->y + 9, 12, 1, 60, 50, 45);   /* scorch soot */
+        particle_burst(g, u->x - 5, u->y - 8, 10, 0, 70, 55, 40);
+        particle_burst(g, u->x + 10, u->y + 2, 10, 1, 255, 100, 30);
+        particle_burst(g, u->x - 9, u->y - 3, 8, 3, 255, 160, 50);
         audio_sfx(2);
         if (g->cam.shake < 7) g->cam.shake = 7;
         if (u->faction == g->human)