diff --git a/src/game/server/NextBot/Path/NextBotPathFollow.cpp b/src/game/server/NextBot/Path/NextBotPathFollow.cpp
index eff4ba5e33..7f65ca0078 100644
--- a/src/game/server/NextBot/Path/NextBotPathFollow.cpp
+++ b/src/game/server/NextBot/Path/NextBotPathFollow.cpp
@@ -474,6 +474,13 @@ bool PathFollower::CheckProgress( INextBot *bot )
 		{
 			if ( ( pSkipToGoal->pos - myFeet ).IsLengthLessThan( m_minLookAheadRange ) )
 			{
+#ifdef NEO
+				if ( pSkipToGoal->area && pSkipToGoal->area->HasAttributes( NAV_MESH_PRECISE ) )
+				{
+					// don't skip segments or take shortcuts in a PRECISE area
+					break;
+				}
+#endif
 				// goal is too close - step to next segment
 				const Path::Segment *nextSegment = NextSegment( pSkipToGoal );
 
diff --git a/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_attack.cpp b/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_attack.cpp
index fa46e0c05b..f663476874 100644
--- a/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_attack.cpp
+++ b/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_attack.cpp
@@ -291,14 +291,17 @@ ActionResult< CNEOBot >	CNEOBotAttack::Update( CNEOBot *me, float interval )
 	if (!m_attackCoverArea // don't slow movement to cover with strafing
 		&& isUsingCloseRangeWeapon && threat->IsVisibleRecently() && me->IsRangeLessThan( threatLastKnownPos, 1.1f * me->GetDesiredAttackRange() ) )
 	{
-		// circle around our victim
-		if ( me->TransientlyConsistentRandomValue( 3.0f ) < 0.5f )
+		// circle around our victim, unless a sidestep could take us off a ledge
+		if ( !me->IsOnPreciseArea() )
 		{
-			me->PressLeftButton();
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			me->PressRightButton();
+			if ( me->TransientlyConsistentRandomValue( 3.0f ) < 0.5f )
+			{
+				me->PressLeftButton();
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				me->PressRightButton();
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_behavior.cpp b/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_behavior.cpp
index 4612059324..37969a26a5 100644
--- a/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_behavior.cpp
+++ b/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_behavior.cpp
@@ -1236,6 +1236,10 @@ void CNEOBotMainAction::Dodge( CNEOBot *me )
 	if ( me->HasAttribute( CNEOBot::DISABLE_DODGE ) )
 		return;
 
+	// a sidestep on a ledge or beside a drop can walk the bot off it
+	if ( me->IsOnPreciseArea() )
+		return;
+
 	// don't waste time doding if we're in a hurry
 	if ( me->GetIntentionInterface()->ShouldHurry( me ) == ANSWER_YES )
 		return;
diff --git a/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_tactical_monitor.cpp b/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_tactical_monitor.cpp
index e0f1cfffca..bcc327e9a4 100644
--- a/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_tactical_monitor.cpp
+++ b/src/game/server/neo/bot/behavior/neo_bot_tactical_monitor.cpp
@@ -220,6 +220,12 @@ void CNEOBotTacticalMonitor::AvoidBumpingFriends( CNEOBot *me )
 		return;
 	}
 
+	// stepping straight away from a teammate can step off a ledge
+	if ( me->IsOnPreciseArea() )
+	{
+		return;
+	}
+
 	CUtlVector< CNEO_Player * > friendVector;
 	CollectPlayers( &friendVector, me->GetTeamNumber(), COLLECT_ONLY_LIVING_PLAYERS );
 
diff --git a/src/game/server/neo/bot/neo_bot.cpp b/src/game/server/neo/bot/neo_bot.cpp
index 7d0e4d4ea5..0f53be5d8c 100644
--- a/src/game/server/neo/bot/neo_bot.cpp
+++ b/src/game/server/neo/bot/neo_bot.cpp
@@ -2876,6 +2876,14 @@ bool CNEOBot::IsEnemy(const CBaseEntity* them) const
 }
 
 
+// For disabling erratic movements like strafing where one wrong step could move a bot off a cliff
+// Also useful for navigating areas that require precision to navigate like obstructed pathways
+bool CNEOBot::IsOnPreciseArea() const
+{
+	const CNavArea *area = GetLastKnownArea();
+	return area && area->HasAttributes( NAV_MESH_PRECISE | NAV_MESH_CLIFF );
+}
+
 bool CNEOBot::IsBotOnLadder() const
 {
 	ILocomotion* mover = GetLocomotionInterface();
diff --git a/src/game/server/neo/bot/neo_bot.h b/src/game/server/neo/bot/neo_bot.h
index 4f9716b9d4..2124346bcd 100644
--- a/src/game/server/neo/bot/neo_bot.h
+++ b/src/game/server/neo/bot/neo_bot.h
@@ -187,6 +187,7 @@ class CNEOBot : public NextBotPlayer< CNEO_Player >, public CGameEventListener
 	bool IsEnemy(const CBaseEntity* them) const OVERRIDE;
 
 	bool IsBotOnLadder( ) const;
+	bool IsOnPreciseArea() const;	// on a NAV_MESH_PRECISE or NAV_MESH_CLIFF area, where the path must be walked exactly
 
 	CNEOBaseCombatWeapon* GetBludgeonWeapon(void);