diff --git a/packages/engine/src/automaton.ts b/packages/engine/src/automaton.ts
index 1dd3a90..bdb271b 100644
--- a/packages/engine/src/automaton.ts
+++ b/packages/engine/src/automaton.ts
@@ -1396,7 +1396,15 @@ export function automatonCommand(
             (c.cardId === "blaster-wand" && view.wandCharges[c.instanceId] == null);
         });
         const spendable = wantsNumber ? numbers.slice(0, -1) : numbers;
-        if (!view.turn.numberPlayedForMovement && path.distance > movesLeft) {
+        // A treasure within free walking ends this turn at the grab (the
+        // gold-underfoot rung outranks everything) — a number played first
+        // would evaporate. Even a charging berserker stoops for loot.
+        const goldWithinLegs = !self.carriedTreasureId &&
+          (() => {
+            const dHere = distancesFrom(view, [self.position], canUnlock);
+            return [...treasureGoals(view)].some((k) => (dHere.get(k) ?? Infinity) <= movesLeft);
+          })();
+        if (!view.turn.numberPlayedForMovement && path.distance > movesLeft && !goldWithinLegs) {
           const helper = spendable.find(
             (n) => movesLeft + (cardDef(n.cardId).value ?? 0) >= path.distance,
           ) ?? (path.distance > movesLeft + 2 ? spendable[spendable.length - 1] : undefined);
diff --git a/packages/engine/test/automaton.test.ts b/packages/engine/test/automaton.test.ts
index 8f45c9d..60c6b91 100644
--- a/packages/engine/test/automaton.test.ts
+++ b/packages/engine/test/automaton.test.ts
@@ -494,3 +494,29 @@ describe("a pact once signed is honored", () => {
     }
   });
 });
+
+describe("no number is wasted on a turn that ends at a grab", () => {
+  it("gold two free steps away: the berserker charges without spending its 5", () => {
+    let { state } = createGame({ playerIds: ["bot", "other"], seed: 42, sets: ["basic", "expansion1"], deckRev: 29 });
+    for (let guard = 0; guard < 10 && !(actingSeat(state) === "bot" && state.turn.round > 1); guard++) {
+      const r = applyCommand(state, actingSeat(state), { type: "endTurn", draw: 0 });
+      if (!r.ok) throw new Error(r.error);
+      state = r.state;
+    }
+    const bot = state.players.find((p) => p.id === "bot")!;
+    const prey = state.players.find((p) => p.id === "other")!;
+    // Enemy far across the maze; their treasure lies one step from the bot.
+    prey.position = { x: 0, y: 0 };
+    bot.position = { x: 5, y: 5 };
+    const t = state.treasures.find((t) => t.owner === "other")!;
+    t.position = { x: 5, y: 6 };
+    t.carriedBy = null;
+    state.edgeOverrides[edgeKey({ x: 5, y: 5 }, "S")] = "open";
+    bot.hand = [
+      { instanceId: "number-5#T", cardId: "number-5" },
+      { instanceId: "number-2#T", cardId: "number-2" },
+    ];
+    const cmd = automatonCommand(viewFor(state, "bot"), "berserker", "archmage");
+    expect(cmd?.type).not.toBe("playNumberForMovement");
+  });
+});