diff --git a/client/shaders/fog.gdshader b/client/shaders/fog.gdshader
index f39a9b721..2590be87d 100644
--- a/client/shaders/fog.gdshader
+++ b/client/shaders/fog.gdshader
@@ -53,8 +53,11 @@ void fragment() {
                 // D-059: animated Perlin noise, 8-10s cycle
                 float noise_val = texture(noise_tex, tile * 0.03 + vec2(time * 0.11, time * 0.07)).r;
                 float coverage = smoothstep(PERIPHERAL_LOW, CLEAR_THRESHOLD, vis);
-                // Blend from heavy fog (alpha ~0.55) to lighter fog near clear edge
-                float alpha = mix(0.55, 0.25, coverage) + noise_val * 0.1;
+                // Blend from heavy fog (alpha ~0.38) to lighter fog near clear edge
+                // Taper noise to zero near the clear boundary — preserves breathing in deep
+                // peripheral but keeps the Layer 1/2 transition clean (no curly edge)
+                float noise_weight = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.5, 1.0, coverage);
+                float alpha = mix(0.38, 0.25, coverage) + noise_val * 0.05 * noise_weight;
                 COLOR = vec4(DARK_OVERLAY, alpha);
             }
         } else if (explored > 0.3) {
@@ -63,7 +66,7 @@ void fragment() {
             vec3 zone_tint = texture(zone_tint_tex, tex_uv).rgb;
             float noise_val = texture(noise_tex, tile * 0.015 + vec2(time * 0.045, time * 0.03)).r;
             vec3 tint_color = mix(vec3(0.04), zone_tint, 0.1);
-            float alpha = mix(0.78, 0.90, noise_val);  // Fog breathes
+            float alpha = mix(0.62, 0.76, noise_val);  // Fog breathes
             COLOR = vec4(tint_color, alpha);
         } else {
             // Layer 5: Unexplored, no maps — information zero