diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/control.py b/src/reactor_sim/control.py
index 611b6b5..686af35 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/control.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/control.py
@@ -76,12 +76,12 @@ class ControlSystem:
             return
         severity = 0.0
         if subcooling_margin is not None:
-            severity = max(severity, max(0.0, 5.0 - subcooling_margin) / 5.0)
+            severity = max(severity, max(0.0, 3.0 - subcooling_margin) / 3.0)
         if dnb_margin is not None:
-            severity = max(severity, max(0.0, 1.5 - dnb_margin) / 1.5)
+            severity = max(severity, max(0.0, 1.0 - dnb_margin) / 1.0)
         if severity <= 0.0:
             return
-        backoff = (0.01 + 0.04 * severity) * dt
+        backoff = (0.005 + 0.03 * severity) * dt
         self.rod_target = clamp(self.rod_target + backoff, 0.0, 0.95)
         self._advance_banks(self.rod_target, dt)
         LOGGER.debug("Safety backoff applied: target=%.3f severity=%.2f", self.rod_target, severity)