diff --git a/GameSettings.cpp b/GameSettings.cpp
index 7d0463819..c0b458877 100644
--- a/GameSettings.cpp
+++ b/GameSettings.cpp
@@ -1423,6 +1423,9 @@ void LoadGameExternalOptions()
 
 	gGameExternalOptions.fNoEnemyAutoReadyWeapon			= iniReader.ReadInteger("Tactical Gameplay Settings", "NO_ENEMY_AUTOMATIC_WEAPON_READYING", 1, 0, 2);
 
+	// Flugente/sevenfm: player-controlled mercs won't die instantly from most damage, instead they fall into a coma
+	gGameExternalOptions.fReducedInstantDeath				= iniReader.ReadBoolean("Tactical Gameplay Settings", "REDUCED_INSTANT_DEATH", FALSE);
+
 
 	// enable schedules and decision making for any named npc regardless of their team
 	gGameExternalOptions.fAllNamedNpcsDecideAction			= iniReader.ReadBoolean("Tactical Gameplay Settings", "ALL_NAMED_NPCS_DECIDE_ACTION", FALSE);
diff --git a/GameSettings.h b/GameSettings.h
index f880e4208..86f12c624 100644
--- a/GameSettings.h
+++ b/GameSettings.h
@@ -363,6 +363,7 @@ typedef struct
 	BOOLEAN fAllowInstantInterruptsOnSight;
 
 	BOOLEAN fNoEnemyAutoReadyWeapon;
+	BOOLEAN fReducedInstantDeath;
 	BOOLEAN fAllNamedNpcsDecideAction;
 
 	UINT16 usAwardSpecialExpForQuests;
diff --git a/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp b/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp
index 344388039..0307497c9 100644
--- a/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp	
@@ -6046,7 +6046,18 @@ void SOLDIERTYPE::EVENT_SoldierGotHit( UINT16 usWeaponIndex, INT16 sDamage, INT1
 		return;
 	}
 
-		// DEDUCT LIFE
+	// sevenfm: player mercs should not die instantly
+	if (gGameExternalOptions.fReducedInstantDeath &&
+		this->flags.uiStatusFlags & SOLDIER_PC &&
+		this->stats.bLife >= OKLIFE &&
+		ubSpecial != FIRE_WEAPON_HEAD_EXPLODE_SPECIAL &&
+		ubSpecial != FIRE_WEAPON_CHEST_EXPLODE_SPECIAL &&
+		Item[usWeaponIndex].usItemClass & (IC_GUN | IC_THROWING_KNIFE | IC_BLADE))
+	{
+		sDamage = __min(sDamage, this->stats.bLife - OKLIFE + 1 + sDamage / 10);
+	}
+
+	// DEDUCT LIFE
 	ubCombinedLoss = this->SoldierTakeDamage( ANIM_CROUCH, sDamage, sBreathLoss, ubReason, this->ubAttackerID, NOWHERE, FALSE, TRUE );
 
 	// ATE: OK, Let's check our ASSIGNMENT state,