diff --git a/server/src/bridge/types.rs b/server/src/bridge/types.rs
index 7dbc94bec..6d3a13f09 100644
--- a/server/src/bridge/types.rs
+++ b/server/src/bridge/types.rs
@@ -308,6 +308,23 @@ pub enum PlayerAction {
     ToggleStanceDown,
 }
 
+impl PlayerAction {
+    /// Returns true for directional movement commands.
+    pub fn is_movement(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(
+            self,
+            PlayerAction::MoveNorth
+                | PlayerAction::MoveSouth
+                | PlayerAction::MoveEast
+                | PlayerAction::MoveWest
+                | PlayerAction::MoveNortheast
+                | PlayerAction::MoveNorthwest
+                | PlayerAction::MoveSoutheast
+                | PlayerAction::MoveSouthwest
+        )
+    }
+}
+
 /// Available interaction verbs for a nearby entity (D-060, #404)
 /// Embedded in ObserverSnapshot.nearby_interactions.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
diff --git a/server/src/simulation/input.rs b/server/src/simulation/input.rs
index fb8a34fac..12c0390bc 100644
--- a/server/src/simulation/input.rs
+++ b/server/src/simulation/input.rs
@@ -92,12 +92,17 @@ pub fn process_player_input(
     inventory_items: Query<(Entity, &CarriedBy, &ItemName, &InventorySlot)>,
 ) {
     let current_tick = time.tick;
+    let paused = time.paused();
     let inputs = input_queue.drain_for_tick(current_tick);
 
     // Track whether any movement was attempted this tick (for cooldown tick advance)
     let mut move_attempted = false;
 
     for input in inputs {
+        // Discard movement while paused (D-052). Pause/Unpause still processed.
+        if paused && input.action.is_movement() {
+            continue;
+        }
         match input.action {
             PlayerAction::MoveNorth => {
                 move_attempted = true;