diff --git a/.vscode/settings.json b/.vscode/settings.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..473d8c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+    "Lua.diagnostics.globals": [
+        "mwscript",
+        "mwse",
+        "event",
+        "tes3",
+        "timer"
+    ]
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/MWSE/mods/celediel/MoreAttentiveGuards/combat.lua b/MWSE/mods/celediel/MoreAttentiveGuards/combat.lua
index 5f3a7e7..2502426 100644
--- a/MWSE/mods/celediel/MoreAttentiveGuards/combat.lua
+++ b/MWSE/mods/celediel/MoreAttentiveGuards/combat.lua
@@ -16,19 +16,56 @@ local function isFriendlyActor(actor)
     return false
 end
 
-local function alertGuards(aggressor, cell)
-    -- a wanted player gets no help
-    if tes3.mobilePlayer.bounty > 0 then
-        log("Player is wanted, ignoring combat.")
-        return
+local function doChecks(e)
+    if not config.combatEnable then
+        return false
     end
 
+    -- if player initiates combat or combat is not against player, do nothing
+    if e.actor == tes3.mobilePlayer or e.target ~= tes3.mobilePlayer then
+        return false
+    end
+
+    -- inCombat is true after player has taken combat actions
+    -- or after combat has gone on awhile, but hopefully the guards will already be attacking by then
+    -- should be fine in cities, but will prevent players from provoking NPCs
+    -- in the wilderness and leading them into town
+    if tes3.mobilePlayer.inCombat then
+        log("Player is in combat, not sure who started it, so not helping.")
+        return false
+    end
+
+    if config.ignored[e.actor.object.id] or config.ignored[e.actor.object.baseObject.id] then
+        log("Ignored NPC or creature detected, not helping.")
+        return false
+    end
+
+    if isFriendlyActor(e.actor) then
+        log("Friendly actor, not helping.")
+        return false
+    end
+
+    if tes3.mobilePlayer.bounty > 0 then
+        log("Player is wanted, ignoring combat.")
+        return false
+    end
+
+    if e.actor.object.isGuard then
+        log("Guards don't fight guards!")
+        return false
+    end
+
+    -- everything was good
+    return true
+end
+
+local function alertGuards(aggressor, cell)
     log("Checking for guards in cell %s to bring justice to %s", cell.name or cell.id, aggressor.object.name)
     local playerPos = tes3.mobilePlayer.position
 
     for npc in cell:iterateReferences(tes3.objectType.npc) do
         local distance = playerPos:distance(npc.position)
-        if npc.object.isGuard and distance <= config.combatDistance then
+        if npc.object.isGuard and npc.mobile and distance <= config.combatDistance then
             log("Alerting %s, %s units away, to the combat!", npc.object.name, distance)
 
             if config.combatDialogue then
@@ -48,30 +85,7 @@ end
 -- {{{ returned event functions
 
 this.onCombatStarted = function(e)
-    if not config.combatEnable then return end
-
-    -- if player initiates combat or combat is not against player, do nothing
-    if e.actor == tes3.mobilePlayer or e.target ~= tes3.mobilePlayer then return end
-
-    -- inCombat is true after player has taken combat actions
-    -- or after combat has gone on awhile, but hopefully the guards will already be attacking by then
-    -- should be fine in cities, but will prevent players from provoking NPCs
-    -- in the wilderness and leading them into town
-    if tes3.mobilePlayer.inCombat then
-        log("Player is in combat, not sure who started it, so not helping.")
-        return
-    end
-
-    if config.ignored[e.actor.object.id] or config.ignored[e.actor.object.baseObject.id] then
-        log("Ignored NPC or creature detected, not helping.")
-        return
-    end
-
-    if isFriendlyActor(e.actor) then
-        log("Friendly actor, not helping.")
-        return
-    end
-
+    if not doChecks(e) then return end
 
     for _, cell in pairs(tes3.getActiveCells()) do
         alertGuards(e.actor, cell)