diff --git a/scripts/replay-combat.js b/scripts/replay-combat.js
index 09c6f28..0050fe8 100644
--- a/scripts/replay-combat.js
+++ b/scripts/replay-combat.js
@@ -310,25 +310,25 @@ async function main() {
         lastPaused = true;
       }
 
-      // 10. reorderParticipants: every 8 turns, drag one past next (DM reorder).
+      // 10. reorderParticipants: every 8 turns, drag one past another (DM reorder).
+      // Pick two ADJACENT UPCOMING actors (both strictly after current pointer)
+      // and swap them. Avoids crossing current pointer — crossing it creates
+      // ambiguous "who acted this round" semantics (skip/double). Swapping two
+      // upcoming actors is always safe and still exercises reorder.
       if (totalTurns % 8 === 0 && lastReorder !== totalTurns) {
-        const living = enc.participants.filter(p => p.currentHp > 0 && p.isActive !== false);
-        if (living.length >= 3) {
-          // drag first past second (same-or-cross init, exercises reorder).
-          const dragged = living[0];
-          const target = living[1];
+        const curIdx = enc.turnOrderIds.indexOf(enc.currentTurnParticipantId);
+        // upcoming = everyone after current in turn order (rest of this round)
+        const upcomingIds = enc.turnOrderIds.slice(curIdx + 1)
+          .filter(id => { const p = enc.participants.find(x => x.id === id); return p && p.currentHp > 0 && p.isActive !== false; });
+        // swap first adjacent upcoming pair (drag index1 before index0)
+        if (upcomingIds.length >= 2) {
+          const target = enc.participants.find(p => p.id === upcomingIds[0]);
+          const dragged = enc.participants.find(p => p.id === upcomingIds[1]);
           try {
             const r = reorderParticipants(enc, dragged.id, target.id);
             enc = await patch(encounterPath, enc, r, `reorder ${dragged.name}→before ${target.name}`);
             lastReorder = totalTurns;
-          } catch (e) { /* same-init only — try same-init pair */
-            const sameInit = living.find(p => p !== dragged && p.initiative === dragged.initiative);
-            if (sameInit) {
-              const r = reorderParticipants(enc, dragged.id, sameInit.id);
-              enc = await patch(encounterPath, enc, r, `reorder ${dragged.name}→before ${sameInit.name}`);
-              lastReorder = totalTurns;
-            }
-          }
+          } catch (e) { /* swap not allowed — skip this round */ }
         }
       }