diff --git a/frontend/src/components/FightViewer.vue b/frontend/src/components/FightViewer.vue
index f87c658..4741da3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/FightViewer.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/FightViewer.vue
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   announceFinishHim, announceFlawlessVictory,
   sfxCrowdCheer, sfxCrowdGasp, sfxCrowdOoh, sfxApplause, sfxDrumRoll,
   setMusicIntensity, stopAllAudio,
+  setMasterMute, isMasterMuted, ensureAudioContext,
 } from '../game/sounds'
 
 interface Round {
@@ -60,6 +61,13 @@ const hitTextColor = ref('#ff2d2d')
 const hitTextX = ref(50)
 const hitTextY = ref(30)
 const glitching = ref(false)
+const soundOn = ref(true)
+
+function toggleSound() {
+  soundOn.value = !soundOn.value
+  ensureAudioContext()
+  setMasterMute(!soundOn.value)
+}
 
 // Staggered log
 const logItems = ref<{ type: string; round: number; text: string; color: string }[]>([])
@@ -201,7 +209,10 @@ async function replay() {
   currentRound.value = 0
 
   await initScene()
-  scene?.startMusic()
+  if (soundOn.value) {
+    ensureAudioContext()
+    scene?.startMusic()
+  }
   await sleep(300)
 
   // Deep movie trailer intro
@@ -230,11 +241,20 @@ async function replay() {
     await showOverlay(challengeLabel(round.challengeType), '#b83dff', 600)
     await sleep(80)
     fanfareFight()
-    announceRoundHype()
-    sfxCrowdCheer()
     await showOverlay('FIGHT!', '#ff2d7b', 400)
     await sleep(80)
 
+    // Show speech bubbles BEFORE the fight animation so viewers see what bots said
+    if (scene) {
+      if (round.botAResponse) scene.showSpeechBubble('a', round.botAResponse.slice(0, 60), 3.5)
+      if (round.botBResponse) {
+        setTimeout(() => {
+          if (scene && round.botBResponse) scene.showSpeechBubble('b', round.botBResponse.slice(0, 60), 3.2)
+        }, 400)
+      }
+    }
+    await sleep(300)
+
     // Log + fight animation in parallel
     const logPromise = addRoundToLog(round, true)
     const isCritical = Math.abs((round.botAScore || 0) - (round.botBScore || 0)) > 4
@@ -257,16 +277,7 @@ async function replay() {
       console.error(`[FightViewer] playRound ${round.roundNumber} error:`, err)
     }
 
-    // Speech bubbles showing bot responses
-    if (scene) {
-      if (round.botAResponse) scene.showSpeechBubble('a', round.botAResponse.slice(0, 100), 2.8)
-      // Stagger bot B slightly so they don't pop in at the exact same time
-      setTimeout(() => {
-        if (scene && round.botBResponse) scene.showSpeechBubble('b', round.botBResponse.slice(0, 100), 2.5)
-      }, 300)
-    }
-
-    // Hit text overlay
+    // Hit text overlay — after playRound completes so it lands on the result
     const hitWords = isCritical
       ? ['CRITICAL!', 'DEVASTATING!', 'OBLITERATED!', 'ANNIHILATED!', 'WRECKED!']
       : ['POW!', 'BAM!', 'WHAM!', 'CRACK!', 'SMASH!', 'BOOM!', 'THWACK!']
@@ -276,17 +287,6 @@ async function replay() {
         isCritical ? '#ffe14d' : '#ff2d2d',
         aWon ? 65 : 35,
       )
-      // Crowd reactions
-      if (isCritical) {
-        sfxCrowdGasp()
-        setTimeout(() => sfxCrowdOoh(), 400)
-      } else if (Math.random() < 0.4) {
-        sfxCrowdOoh()
-      }
-      // Random hype voiceover on big moments
-      if (isCritical || Math.random() < 0.3) {
-        setTimeout(() => announceRandomHype(), 300)
-      }
     }
 
     await logPromise
@@ -529,6 +529,19 @@ async function replay() {
         >
           {{ isReplaying ? 'FIGHTING...' : 'REPLAY FIGHT' }}
         </button>
+        <button
+          class="w-8 h-8 flex items-center justify-center border border-border/50 text-text-muted
+                 hover:text-neon-cyan hover:border-neon-cyan/50 transition-all"
+          :title="soundOn ? 'Mute' : 'Unmute'"
+          @click="toggleSound"
+        >
+          <svg v-if="soundOn" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" class="w-4 h-4">
+            <path d="M11 5L6 9H2v6h4l5 4V5z"/><path d="M19.07 4.93a10 10 0 010 14.14M15.54 8.46a5 5 0 010 7.07"/>
+          </svg>
+          <svg v-else xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" class="w-4 h-4">
+            <path d="M11 5L6 9H2v6h4l5 4V5z"/><line x1="23" y1="9" x2="17" y2="15"/><line x1="17" y1="9" x2="23" y2="15"/>
+          </svg>
+        </button>
         <span class="font-pixel text-[10px] text-text-muted">{{ fight.status === 'finished' ? 'FINISHED' : fight.status.toUpperCase() }}</span>
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/FightScene.ts b/frontend/src/game/FightScene.ts
index 163d7fa..fc926a7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/FightScene.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/FightScene.ts
@@ -6082,31 +6082,19 @@ export async function createFightScene(config: FightSceneConfig) {
     const bubbleW = textW + padX * 2
     const bubbleH = lines.length * lineH + padY * 2
     const tailSize = 10
-    const borderW = 3
 
     // Position — offset away from center so bubbles don't overlap
     const offsetX = side === 'a' ? -bubbleW * 0.3 : bubbleW * 0.3
     const bx = fighter.pos.x + offsetX
     const by = Math.max(8, fighter.pos.y - 85 - bubbleH)
 
-    // Colours — vivid neon
-    const bgColor = side === 'a' ? '#001a22' : '#22001a'
     const borderColor = side === 'a' ? '#00f0ff' : '#ff2d7b'
-    const glowColor = side === 'a' ? '#00f0ff' : '#ff2d7b'
-    const textColor = '#ffffff'
+    const bgColor = side === 'a' ? '#0a1e2a' : '#2a0a1e'
 
-    // Outer glow halo
-    const glow = k.add([
-      k.rect(bubbleW + 12, bubbleH + 12),
-      k.pos(bx - bubbleW / 2 - 6, by - 6),
-      k.color(safeColor(k, glowColor)), k.opacity(0.08), k.z(53),
-    ])
-    allEls.push(glow)
-
-    // Border (thick, behind bubble)
+    // Single border rect (no glow/accent layers — keeps rendering clean)
     const border = k.add([
-      k.rect(bubbleW + borderW * 2, bubbleH + borderW * 2),
-      k.pos(bx - bubbleW / 2 - borderW, by - borderW),
+      k.rect(bubbleW + 4, bubbleH + 4),
+      k.pos(bx - bubbleW / 2 - 2, by - 2),
       k.color(safeColor(k, borderColor)), k.opacity(0.85), k.z(54),
     ])
     allEls.push(border)
@@ -6119,70 +6107,56 @@ export async function createFightScene(config: FightSceneConfig) {
     ])
     allEls.push(bubble)
 
-    // Tail — two overlapping rects to form a triangle look
+    // Tail — pixel arrow pointing down to fighter
     const tailX = bx + (side === 'a' ? bubbleW * 0.15 : -bubbleW * 0.15)
-    const tailY = by + bubbleH
-    // Outer tail (border colour)
-    const tailOuter = k.add([
-      k.rect(tailSize + borderW, tailSize + borderW),
-      k.pos(tailX, tailY - 2),
-      k.color(safeColor(k, borderColor)), k.opacity(0.85), k.z(54),
-      k.rotate(45), k.anchor('top'),
-    ])
-    allEls.push(tailOuter)
-    // Inner tail (bg colour, masks the border)
-    const tailInner = k.add([
-      k.rect(tailSize, tailSize),
-      k.pos(tailX, tailY - 1),
-      k.color(safeColor(k, bgColor)), k.opacity(0.95), k.z(55),
-      k.rotate(45), k.anchor('top'),
-    ])
-    allEls.push(tailInner)
-    // Cover strip — hides top half of the rotated tail square
-    const tailCover = k.add([
-      k.rect(bubbleW, borderW + 2),
-      k.pos(bx - bubbleW / 2, tailY - borderW),
-      k.color(safeColor(k, bgColor)), k.opacity(0.95), k.z(56),
-    ])
-    allEls.push(tailCover)
-
-    // Inner accent line at top of bubble
-    const accent = k.add([
-      k.rect(bubbleW - 8, 2),
-      k.pos(bx - bubbleW / 2 + 4, by + 3),
-      k.color(safeColor(k, borderColor)), k.opacity(0.4), k.z(56),
-    ])
-    allEls.push(accent)
+    const tailBaseY = by + bubbleH
+    for (let row = 0; row < tailSize; row++) {
+      const tw = tailSize - row
+      // Border pixel row
+      const tailBorder = k.add([
+        k.rect(tw + 2, 1),
+        k.pos(tailX - (tw + 2) / 2, tailBaseY + row),
+        k.color(safeColor(k, borderColor)), k.opacity(0.85), k.z(54),
+      ])
+      allEls.push(tailBorder)
+      // Inner pixel row
+      if (tw > 2) {
+        const tailInner = k.add([
+          k.rect(tw - 1, 1),
+          k.pos(tailX - (tw - 1) / 2, tailBaseY + row),
+          k.color(safeColor(k, bgColor)), k.opacity(0.95), k.z(55),
+        ])
+        allEls.push(tailInner)
+      }
+    }
 
     // Text lines
     for (let i = 0; i < lines.length; i++) {
       const tEl = k.add([
-        k.text(safeText(lines[i]), { size: fontSize }),
+        k.text(safeText(lines[i]), { size: fontSize, font: 'monospace' }),
         k.pos(bx - bubbleW / 2 + padX, by + padY + i * lineH + 2),
-        k.color(safeColor(k, textColor)), k.opacity(1), k.z(57),
+        k.color(255, 255, 255), k.opacity(1), k.z(57),
       ])
       allEls.push(tEl)
     }
 
-    // Animated glow pulse
-    glow.onUpdate(() => {
-      glow.opacity = 0.05 + Math.sin(k.time() * 3) * 0.05
-    })
+    // Border glow pulse
     border.onUpdate(() => {
       border.opacity = 0.7 + Math.sin(k.time() * 4) * 0.15
     })
 
-    // Pop-in — scale up from anchor point with bounce
+    // Pop-in animation
     const anchorX = bx, anchorY = by + bubbleH
     allEls.forEach(el => {
       const origX = el.pos.x, origY = el.pos.y
+      const origOpacity = el.opacity
       el.pos.x = anchorX + (origX - anchorX) * 0.1
       el.pos.y = anchorY + (origY - anchorY) * 0.1
-      el.opacity *= 0
+      el.opacity = 0
       k.tween(0, 1, 0.25, (t) => {
         el.pos.x = anchorX + (origX - anchorX) * t
         el.pos.y = anchorY + (origY - anchorY) * t
-        el.opacity = (el === glow ? 0.08 : el === border ? 0.85 : el === bubble || el === tailInner || el === tailCover ? 0.95 : el === tailOuter ? 0.85 : el === accent ? 0.4 : 1) * t
+        el.opacity = origOpacity * t
       }, k.easings.easeOutBack)
     })
 
@@ -6641,7 +6615,7 @@ export async function createFightScene(config: FightSceneConfig) {
           }, k.easings.easeInOutQuad)
           await k.wait(0.2)
           heart.text = '!!!'
-          announceRandom("You promised you'd stop fighting!", false)
+          announceRandom("You promised you'd stop fighting!")
           await k.wait(0.4)
           // Girlfriend storms off
           announceSilly('I\'m telling your developer!')
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/sounds.ts b/frontend/src/game/sounds.ts
index ba58367..28ea7e4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/sounds.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/sounds.ts
@@ -265,8 +265,9 @@ if (typeof speechSynthesis !== 'undefined') {
   loadVoices()
 }
 
-function speak(text: string, profileName: string, cancelPrevious: boolean = true, _echo: boolean = false) {
+function speak(text: string, profileName: string, cancelPrevious: boolean = false, _echo: boolean = false) {
   if (typeof speechSynthesis === 'undefined') return
+  if (masterMuted) return
   if (!voicesLoaded) loadVoices()
   if (cancelPrevious) speechSynthesis.cancel()
   const profile = voiceProfiles[profileName] || voiceProfiles.announcer
@@ -285,11 +286,10 @@ export function stopAllAudio() {
 
 // Public voice functions
 export function announce(text: string, pitch?: number, rate?: number) {
+  if (masterMuted) return
   if (pitch !== undefined || rate !== undefined) {
-    // Custom params — use announcer voice with overrides
     if (typeof speechSynthesis === 'undefined') return
     if (!voicesLoaded) loadVoices()
-    speechSynthesis.cancel()
     const utter = new SpeechSynthesisUtterance(text)
     const profile = voiceProfiles.announcer
     if (profile.voice) utter.voice = profile.voice
@@ -310,16 +310,16 @@ export function announceSmooth(text: string) { speak(text, 'smooth') }
 
 // Pick a random voice profile for variety
 const ALL_VOICE_KEYS = Object.keys(voiceProfiles)
-export function announceRandom(text: string, echo: boolean = false) {
+export function announceRandom(text: string) {
   const key = ALL_VOICE_KEYS[Math.floor(Math.random() * ALL_VOICE_KEYS.length)]
-  speak(text, key, true, echo)
+  speak(text, key)
 }
 // Announce with a specific mood category
 const DRAMATIC_VOICES = ['deep', 'boomer', 'movie', 'preacher', 'opera', 'demon_v', 'echo_v', 'final_boss', 'game_over', 'mainframe', 'hal', 'ancient', 'giant']
 const HYPE_VOICES = ['hype', 'screamer', 'sportscaster', 'auctioneer', 'hyper', 'punk', 'drill', 'wrestler_v', 'karen', 'terrified', 'power_up', 'news', 'scottish']
 const SILLY_VOICES = ['chipmunk', 'baby', 'surfer', 'valley', 'pirate_v', 'alien_v', 'glitch', 'drunk', 'stoner', 'fairy', 'tutorial', 'npc', 'dial_up', 'glitchbot', 'grandma', 'conspiracy']
 const COOL_VOICES = ['smooth', 'wizard_v', 'ninja_v', 'cowboy_v', 'angel', 'whisper', 'posh', 'aussie', 'french', 'sensei', 'ai_core', 'android_v', 'siri', 'professor', 'texan', 'boss_taunt', 'sleepy']
-export function announceDramatic(text: string) { speak(text, DRAMATIC_VOICES[Math.floor(Math.random() * DRAMATIC_VOICES.length)], true, true) }
+export function announceDramatic(text: string) { speak(text, DRAMATIC_VOICES[Math.floor(Math.random() * DRAMATIC_VOICES.length)]) }
 export function announceHype(text: string) { speak(text, HYPE_VOICES[Math.floor(Math.random() * HYPE_VOICES.length)]) }
 export function announceSilly(text: string) { speak(text, SILLY_VOICES[Math.floor(Math.random() * SILLY_VOICES.length)]) }
 export function announceCool(text: string) { speak(text, COOL_VOICES[Math.floor(Math.random() * COOL_VOICES.length)]) }
@@ -1794,6 +1794,30 @@ export function setSfxVolume(v: number) {
   if (sfxGain) sfxGain.gain.value = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, v))
 }
 
+let masterMuted = false
+const MUSIC_VOL = 0.12
+const SFX_VOL = 0.25
+
+export function setMasterMute(muted: boolean) {
+  masterMuted = muted
+  if (muted) {
+    if (musicGain) musicGain.gain.value = 0
+    if (sfxGain) sfxGain.gain.value = 0
+    if (typeof speechSynthesis !== 'undefined') speechSynthesis.cancel()
+  } else {
+    if (musicGain) musicGain.gain.value = MUSIC_VOL
+    if (sfxGain) sfxGain.gain.value = SFX_VOL
+  }
+}
+
+export function isMasterMuted(): boolean {
+  return masterMuted
+}
+
+export function ensureAudioContext() {
+  getCtx()
+}
+
 // === CROWD SOUNDS ===
 // Procedural crowd reactions using layered noise + filtered tones
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/BotProfilePage.vue b/frontend/src/pages/BotProfilePage.vue
index 0838f8e..15d54c8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/BotProfilePage.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/BotProfilePage.vue
@@ -281,22 +281,45 @@ const tierClass = (t: number) => `tier-${t}`
       <template v-else>
         <!-- Header with human + bot character -->
         <div class="text-center mb-5">
-          <div class="flex items-end justify-between mb-3">
+          <div class="flex items-end justify-between mb-3 relative">
             <HumanPreview
               :seed="stats.avatarSeed || stats.name"
               :archetype="stats.archetype || 'standard'"
               :size="200"
               :win-rate="(stats.winRate || 0) / 100"
               anim="idle"
-              class="drop-shadow-[0_0_12px_rgba(0,0,0,0.6)] shrink-0"
+              class="drop-shadow-[0_0_12px_rgba(0,0,0,0.6)] shrink-0 relative z-10"
             />
+            <!-- Wire from gamepad to bot with electricity -->
+            <svg class="absolute bottom-8 left-0 w-full h-24 z-0 pointer-events-none" preserveAspectRatio="none">
+              <defs>
+                <linearGradient id="wire-grad" x1="0%" y1="0%" x2="100%" y2="0%">
+                  <stop offset="0%" stop-color="#444455"/>
+                  <stop offset="50%" stop-color="#555566"/>
+                  <stop offset="100%" stop-color="#444455"/>
+                </linearGradient>
+                <filter id="elec-glow">
+                  <feGaussianBlur stdDeviation="3" result="blur"/>
+                  <feMerge><feMergeNode in="blur"/><feMergeNode in="SourceGraphic"/></feMerge>
+                </filter>
+              </defs>
+              <!-- Main wire -->
+              <path d="M 30% 85% Q 45% 40%, 55% 55% T 78% 30%" fill="none" stroke="url(#wire-grad)" stroke-width="3" stroke-linecap="round"/>
+              <!-- Electricity pulse 1 -->
+              <path class="elec-pulse-1" d="M 30% 85% Q 45% 40%, 55% 55% T 78% 30%" fill="none" stroke="#00f0ff" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round" filter="url(#elec-glow)" stroke-dasharray="8 20" opacity="0.8"/>
+              <!-- Electricity pulse 2 (reverse) -->
+              <path class="elec-pulse-2" d="M 30% 85% Q 45% 40%, 55% 55% T 78% 30%" fill="none" stroke="#ff2d7b" stroke-width="1" stroke-linecap="round" filter="url(#elec-glow)" stroke-dasharray="5 25" opacity="0.6"/>
+              <!-- Spark nodes -->
+              <circle class="elec-spark-1" cx="45%" cy="55%" r="2" fill="#00f0ff" filter="url(#elec-glow)" opacity="0"/>
+              <circle class="elec-spark-2" cx="62%" cy="45%" r="2" fill="#ff2d7b" filter="url(#elec-glow)" opacity="0"/>
+            </svg>
             <SpritePreview
               :seed="stats.avatarSeed || stats.name"
               :archetype="stats.archetype"
               :tier="stats.tier"
               :size="160"
               :customization="stats.customization || undefined"
-              class="drop-shadow-[0_0_20px_var(--glow)] mx-auto"
+              class="drop-shadow-[0_0_20px_var(--glow)] mx-auto relative z-10"
               :style="{ '--glow': stats.tierColor + '80' } as any"
             />
           </div>
@@ -531,3 +554,31 @@ const tierClass = (t: number) => `tier-${t}`
     </div>
   </div>
 </template>
+
+<style scoped>
+/* Electricity pulses along wire */
+.elec-pulse-1 {
+  animation: elec-flow 1.2s linear infinite;
+}
+.elec-pulse-2 {
+  animation: elec-flow 0.9s linear infinite reverse;
+}
+@keyframes elec-flow {
+  0% { stroke-dashoffset: 0; opacity: 0.9; }
+  50% { opacity: 0.4; }
+  100% { stroke-dashoffset: -56; opacity: 0.9; }
+}
+
+/* Spark flashes at wire midpoints */
+.elec-spark-1 {
+  animation: spark-flash 0.8s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+.elec-spark-2 {
+  animation: spark-flash 1.1s ease-in-out infinite 0.4s;
+}
+@keyframes spark-flash {
+  0%, 70%, 100% { opacity: 0; r: 1; }
+  75% { opacity: 1; r: 4; }
+  85% { opacity: 0.6; r: 2; }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/JoinBoutPage.vue b/frontend/src/pages/JoinBoutPage.vue
index 061e9d1..95a9731 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/JoinBoutPage.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/JoinBoutPage.vue
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ const { pubkey, bot, profilePicUrl, isLoggedIn, hasExtension, isLoading, login,
 const step = ref<string>('login')
 const error = ref('')
 const isJoining = ref(false)
-const isFightingClassic = ref(false)
 const queueCount = ref(0)
 let pollHandle: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
 
@@ -174,25 +173,6 @@ async function fight() {
   isJoining.value = false
 }
 
-async function fightClassicBot() {
-  if (!bot.value || isFightingClassic.value) return
-  isFightingClassic.value = true
-  error.value = ''
-  try {
-    const res = await fetch(`/api/fights/mock/${bot.value.id}`, { method: 'POST' })
-    if (res.ok) {
-      const data = await res.json()
-      router.push(`/arena/${data.fightId}`)
-    } else {
-      const data = await res.json()
-      error.value = data.error || 'Failed to start fight.'
-    }
-  } catch {
-    error.value = 'Network error.'
-  }
-  isFightingClassic.value = false
-}
-
 function handleSignOut() {
   logout()
   step.value = 'login'
@@ -533,7 +513,7 @@ function handleSignOut() {
                    font-display font-black text-2xl tracking-[0.2em]
                    hover:bg-neon-pink/20 transition-all neon-border-pink
                    disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
-            :disabled="isJoining || isFightingClassic"
+            :disabled="isJoining"
             @click="fight"
           >
             {{ isJoining ? 'MATCHING...' : 'FIGHT' }}
@@ -542,28 +522,6 @@ function handleSignOut() {
             Queue up against a real AI bot
           </p>
 
-          <!-- Classic bot button — instant mock fight -->
-          <button
-            class="w-full py-4 bg-neon-purple/10 border-2 border-neon-purple/50 text-neon-purple
-                   font-display font-black text-base tracking-[0.15em]
-                   hover:bg-neon-purple/20 hover:border-neon-purple transition-all
-                   disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed
-                   flex items-center justify-center gap-3"
-            :disabled="isJoining || isFightingClassic"
-            @click="fightClassicBot"
-          >
-            <svg class="w-6 h-6 shrink-0" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
-              <rect x="4" y="4" width="16" height="12" rx="2" />
-              <circle cx="9" cy="10" r="1.5" fill="currentColor" stroke="none" />
-              <circle cx="15" cy="10" r="1.5" fill="currentColor" stroke="none" />
-              <line x1="8" y1="20" x2="8" y2="16" />
-              <line x1="16" y1="20" x2="16" y2="16" />
-            </svg>
-            {{ isFightingClassic ? 'STARTING...' : 'FIGHT A CLASSIC BOT' }}
-          </button>
-          <p class="font-mono text-[10px] text-text-muted text-center -mt-1">
-            Instant match against a house bot
-          </p>
         </div>
 
         <!-- Quick links -->