diff --git a/src/battle/ai.c b/src/battle/ai.c
index 9d8bc2a..67deb43 100644
--- a/src/battle/ai.c
+++ b/src/battle/ai.c
@@ -1115,7 +1115,7 @@ void checkSuspicionLevel(void)
 			}
 			else if (distance <= SCREEN_HEIGHT / 2)
 			{
-				battle.suspicionLevel = MAX(battle.suspicionLevel - 1, 0);
+				battle.suspicionLevel--;
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/src/battle/bullets.c b/src/battle/bullets.c
index 3d7091b..77ab835 100644
--- a/src/battle/bullets.c
+++ b/src/battle/bullets.c
@@ -187,7 +187,14 @@ static void checkCollisions(Bullet *b)
 					
 					if (battle.hasSuspicionLevel)
 					{
-						battle.suspicionLevel -= 2;
+						if (e->aiFlags & (AIF_AVOIDS_COMBAT|AIF_DEFENSIVE))
+						{
+							battle.suspicionLevel -= (MAX_SUSPICION_LEVEL * 0.1);
+						}
+						else
+						{
+							battle.suspicionLevel -= (MAX_SUSPICION_LEVEL * 0.001);
+						}
 					}
 				}
 				
diff --git a/src/battle/entities.c b/src/battle/entities.c
index adfb082..b6468f1 100644
--- a/src/battle/entities.c
+++ b/src/battle/entities.c
@@ -178,7 +178,14 @@ void doEntities(void)
 				
 				if (e->killedBy == player && battle.hasSuspicionLevel)
 				{
-					battle.suspicionLevel -= (MAX_SUSPICION_LEVEL * 0.12);
+					if (e->aiFlags & (AIF_AVOIDS_COMBAT|AIF_DEFENSIVE))
+					{
+						battle.suspicionLevel -= (MAX_SUSPICION_LEVEL * 0.5);
+					}
+					else
+					{
+						battle.suspicionLevel -= (MAX_SUSPICION_LEVEL * 0.12);
+					}
 				}
 
 				if (e == player)
diff --git a/src/battle/player.c b/src/battle/player.c
index bce5b71..1d98091 100644
--- a/src/battle/player.c
+++ b/src/battle/player.c
@@ -353,9 +353,15 @@ static void handleMouse(void)
 				fireRocket(player);
 			}
 			
-			if (battle.hasSuspicionLevel && !battle.numEnemies && !battle.suspicionCoolOff)
+			if (battle.hasSuspicionLevel)
 			{
-				battle.suspicionLevel += (MAX_SUSPICION_LEVEL * 0.05);
+				if (!battle.numEnemies && !battle.suspicionCoolOff)
+				{
+					battle.suspicionLevel += (MAX_SUSPICION_LEVEL * 0.05);
+				}
+				
+				/* don't allow the suspicion level to drop too far */
+				battle.suspicionLevel = MAX(battle.suspicionLevel, -(MAX_SUSPICION_LEVEL * 0.1));
 			}
 		}