diff --git a/src/doomdef.h b/src/doomdef.h
index 9529e1bb6..68bb81ab1 100644
--- a/src/doomdef.h
+++ b/src/doomdef.h
@@ -755,7 +755,7 @@ extern int
 
 // Exp
 #define EXP_STABLERATE 3*FRACUNIT/10 // how low is your placement before losing XP? 4*FRACUNIT/10 = top 40% of race will gain
-#define EXP_POWER 3*FRACUNIT/100 // adjust to change overall xp volatility
+#define EXP_POWER 2*FRACUNIT/100 // adjust to change overall xp volatility
 #define EXP_MIN 25 // The min value target
 #define EXP_TARGET 120 // Used for grading ...
 #define EXP_MAX 120 // The max value displayed by the hud and in the tally screen and GP results screen
diff --git a/src/k_roulette.c b/src/k_roulette.c
index 9e052ccaf..bfbe1ba73 100644
--- a/src/k_roulette.c
+++ b/src/k_roulette.c
@@ -1412,11 +1412,6 @@ void K_FillItemRouletteData(player_t *player, itemroulette_t *const roulette, bo
 	roulette->preexpdist = K_GetItemRouletteDistance(player, roulette->playing);
 	roulette->dist = roulette->preexpdist;
 
-	if ((gametyperules & GTR_CIRCUIT) && !K_Cooperative())
-	{
-		roulette->dist = FixedMul(roulette->preexpdist, K_EffectiveGradingFactor(player));
-	}
-
 	// ===============================================================================
 	// Dynamic Roulette. Oh boy!
 	// Alright, here's the broad plan:
@@ -1428,6 +1423,9 @@ void K_FillItemRouletteData(player_t *player, itemroulette_t *const roulette, bo
 	// 6: Cram it all in
 
 	fixed_t largegamescaler = roulette->playing * 14 + 100; // Spread out item odds in large games for a less insane experience.
+	if (franticitems)
+		largegamescaler = 100; // Except in Frantic, where you know what you're getting
+
 	UINT32 targetpower = 100 * roulette->dist / largegamescaler; // fill roulette with items around this value!
 
 	UINT32 powers[NUMKARTRESULTS]; // how strong is each item? think of this as a "target distance" for this item to spawn at
@@ -1436,6 +1434,22 @@ void K_FillItemRouletteData(player_t *player, itemroulette_t *const roulette, bo
 	UINT32 dupetolerance[NUMKARTRESULTS]; // how willing are we to select this item after already selecting it? higher values = lower dupe penalty
 	boolean permit[NUMKARTRESULTS]; // is this item allowed?
 
+	UINT32 lonelinessSuppressor = DISTVAR; // This close to 1st? Dampen loneliness (you have a target!)
+	UINT32 maxEXPDistanceCut = 3*DISTVAR/2; // The maximum amount you can be displaced by EXP
+
+	if ((gametyperules & GTR_CIRCUIT) && !K_Cooperative())
+	{
+		roulette->dist = FixedMul(roulette->preexpdist, K_EffectiveGradingFactor(player));
+
+		if (roulette->dist < roulette->preexpdist)
+		{
+			if (roulette->preexpdist - roulette->dist > maxEXPDistanceCut)
+			{
+				roulette->dist = roulette->preexpdist - maxEXPDistanceCut;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	boolean rival = (player->bot && (player->botvars.rival || cv_levelskull.value));
 	boolean filterweakitems = true; // strip unusually weak items from reel?
 	UINT8 reelsize = 15; // How many items to attempt to add in prepass?
@@ -1587,6 +1601,12 @@ void K_FillItemRouletteData(player_t *player, itemroulette_t *const roulette, bo
 
 		loneliness = Easing_InCubic(loneliness, 0, FRACUNIT);
 
+		// You are not lonely if you're super close to 1st, even if 3nd is far away.
+		if (roulette->preexpdist < lonelinessSuppressor)
+		{
+			loneliness = FixedRescale(roulette->preexpdist, 0, lonelinessSuppressor, Easing_InCubic, 0, loneliness);
+		}
+
 		// Give interaction items a nudge against initial selection if you're lonely..
 		for (i = 1; i < NUMKARTRESULTS; i++)
 		{
@@ -1732,10 +1752,10 @@ void K_FillItemRouletteData(player_t *player, itemroulette_t *const roulette, bo
 			UINT16 BASE_X = 280;
 			UINT16 BASE_Y = 5+12*debugcount;
 			INT32 FLAGS = V_SNAPTOTOP|V_SNAPTORIGHT;
-			V_DrawRightAlignedThinString(BASE_X - 12, 5, FLAGS, va("%d", targetpower/humanscaler));
-			V_DrawRightAlignedThinString(BASE_X - 12, 5+12, FLAGS, va("%d", toFront));
-			V_DrawRightAlignedThinString(BASE_X - 12, 5+24, FLAGS, va("%d", toBack));
-			V_DrawRightAlignedThinString(BASE_X - 12, 5+36, FLAGS, va("%d", loneliness));
+			V_DrawRightAlignedThinString(BASE_X - 12, 5, FLAGS, va("TP %d", targetpower/humanscaler));
+			V_DrawRightAlignedThinString(BASE_X - 12, 5+12, FLAGS, va("FB %d / %d", toFront, toBack));
+			V_DrawRightAlignedThinString(BASE_X - 12, 5+24, FLAGS, va("L %d", loneliness));
+			V_DrawRightAlignedThinString(BASE_X - 12, 5+36, FLAGS, va("D %d / %d", roulette->preexpdist, roulette->dist));
 			for(UINT8 k = 0; k < candidates[i]; k++)
 				V_DrawFixedPatch((BASE_X + 3*k)*FRACUNIT, (BASE_Y-7)*FRACUNIT, (FRACUNIT >> 1), FLAGS, K_GetSmallStaticCachedItemPatch(i), NULL);
 			UINT8 amount = K_ItemResultToAmount(i, roulette);
diff --git a/src/p_spec.c b/src/p_spec.c
index bdd7733fa..d604fa9b5 100644
--- a/src/p_spec.c
+++ b/src/p_spec.c
@@ -1964,7 +1964,7 @@ static void K_HandleLapIncrement(player_t *player)
 		if (!G_TimeAttackStart() && leveltime < starttime && !(gametyperules & GTR_ROLLINGSTART))
 		{
 			// freeze 'em until fault penalty is over
-			player->mo->hitlag = starttime - leveltime + TICRATE;
+			player->mo->hitlag = starttime - leveltime + 2*TICRATE;
 			P_ResetPlayer(player);
 			player->pflags |= PF_VOID;
 			player->mo->renderflags |= RF_DONTDRAW;