diff --git a/src/monster.c b/src/monster.c
index 2012dae..4c995bf 100644
--- a/src/monster.c
+++ b/src/monster.c
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ monster_state_change(Monster *m, StateType newState)
 	m->state.last = m->state.current;
 	m->state.current = newState;
 	m->state.stepsSinceChange = 0;
+	m->state.forceCount = 0;
 
 	monster_set_state_display_time(m);
 
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ monster_state_change(Monster *m, StateType newState)
 static void
 monster_behaviour_check_post_hit(Monster *m)
 {
-	if (m->state.current == STUNNED)
+	if (m->state.stepsSinceChange < m->state.forceCount)
 		return;
 
 	switch (m->behaviour) {
@@ -194,6 +195,7 @@ monster_create(void)
 	m->stateIndicator.sprite->dim = GAME_DIMENSION;
 	m->stateIndicator.displayCount = 0;
 	m->stateIndicator.shownOnPlayerRoomEnter = false;
+	m->state.forceCount = 0;
 	monster_set_behaviour(m, NORMAL);
 
 	return m;
@@ -376,17 +378,18 @@ monster_coward_walk(Monster *m, RoomMatrix *rm)
 bool
 monster_move(Monster *m, RoomMatrix *rm)
 {
-
-	if (m->state.current == STUNNED) {
-		if (m->state.stepsSinceChange < 3) {
-			m->state.stepsSinceChange += 1;
-			return true;
-		} else {
+	if (m->state.forceCount) {
+		if (m->state.stepsSinceChange >= m->state.forceCount) {
 			monster_state_change(m, m->state.last);
 			monster_behaviour_check_post_hit(m);
 		}
 	}
 
+	if (m->state.current == STUNNED) {
+		m->state.stepsSinceChange += 1;
+		return true;
+	}
+
 	monster_behaviour_check(m, rm);
 
 	Position originalPosition =
@@ -595,9 +598,10 @@ monster_set_behaviour(Monster *m, MonsterBehaviour behaviour)
 }
 
 void
-monster_set_state(Monster *m, StateType state)
+monster_set_state(Monster *m, StateType state, Uint8 forceCount)
 {
 	monster_state_change(m, state);
+	m->state.forceCount = forceCount;
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/src/monster.h b/src/monster.h
index 7242b20..6749ee5 100644
--- a/src/monster.h
+++ b/src/monster.h
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ typedef struct State {
 	StateType current;
 	StateType last;
 	unsigned int stepsSinceChange;
+	Uint8 forceCount;
 } State;
 
 typedef struct MonsterStateIndicator {
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ typedef struct MonsterStateIndicator {
 	int displayCount;
 } MonsterStateIndicator;
 
-typedef struct Monster_t {
+typedef struct Monster {
 	char *label;
 	char *lclabel;
 	Sprite *sprite;
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ void
 monster_set_behaviour(Monster *, MonsterBehaviour behaviour);
 
 void
-monster_set_state(Monster *m, StateType state);
+monster_set_state(Monster *m, StateType state, Uint8 forceCount);
 
 void
 monster_push(Monster *, RoomMatrix*, Vector2d dir);
diff --git a/src/player.c b/src/player.c
index 4ab42b5..c0da27a 100644
--- a/src/player.c
+++ b/src/player.c
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ has_collided(Player *player, RoomMatrix *matrix, Vector2d direction)
 			if (get_random(10) < player_has_artifact(player, FEAR_INDUCING)) {
 				gui_log("%s shivers with fear at the sight of you",
 					space->monster->label);
-				monster_set_state(space->monster, SCARED);
+				monster_set_state(space->monster, SCARED, 3);
 			}
 		}
 
diff --git a/src/roommatrix.h b/src/roommatrix.h
index 5a447b9..01884c4 100644
--- a/src/roommatrix.h
+++ b/src/roommatrix.h
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 
 typedef struct Sprite Sprite;
 typedef struct Map_t Map;
-typedef struct Monster_t Monster;
+typedef struct Monster Monster;
 typedef struct Player Player;
 typedef struct Item_t Item;
 typedef struct Node LinkedList;
diff --git a/src/skill.c b/src/skill.c
index fb833d4..9664307 100644
--- a/src/skill.c
+++ b/src/skill.c
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ skill_bash(Skill *skill, SkillData *data)
 			gui_log("You hit for %u damage", dmg);
 			if (monster->stats.hp > 0) {
 				gui_log("%s seems dazed and confused", monster->label);
-				monster_set_state(monster, STUNNED);
+				monster_set_state(monster, STUNNED, 3);
 			}
 			mixer_play_effect(SLAM);
 			data->player->stat_data.hits += 1;