diff --git a/tests/wiring.test.mjs b/tests/wiring.test.mjs
index 2c35320..5d76604 100644
--- a/tests/wiring.test.mjs
+++ b/tests/wiring.test.mjs
@@ -66,3 +66,27 @@ test('wide-screen HUD caps portrait-scaled artwork instead of stretching with vi
   assert.match(source, /\.steam-player-card \{[\s\S]*?width: min\(34vw, 360px\)/);
   assert.match(source, /\.steam-enemy-card \{[\s\S]*?width: min\(30vw, 330px\)/);
 });
+
+test('non-lethal player hit processing does not mutate the player object or game state', async () => {
+  const source = await read('src/game-v4.js');
+  const match = /processPlayerHits\(\) \{([\s\S]*?)\n  spawnExplosion\(/.exec(source);
+  assert.ok(match, 'processPlayerHits block should be found');
+
+  const block = match[1];
+  assert.match(block, /this\.playerHull = result\.hull/);
+  assert.match(block, /if \(result\.gameOver\) this\.finishGame\(\)/);
+
+  assert.doesNotMatch(block, /this\.player\.setVelocity\(/);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(block, /this\.player\.setVisible\(/);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(block, /this\.player\.setActive\(/);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(block, /this\.player\.destroy\(/);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(block, /this\.player\.body\.enable\s*=/);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(block, /this\.gameState\s*=/);
+});
+
+test('a hit frame emits a completion marker after the rest of scene update runs', async () => {
+  const source = await read('src/game-v4.js');
+
+  assert.match(source, /const hadQueuedPlayerHit = this\.pendingPlayerHits\.length > 0/);
+  assert.match(source, /this\.checkGameState\(\);[\s\S]*?combat:post-hit-frame-complete/);
+});