diff --git a/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-source-v1.png b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-source-v1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac76d11
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diff --git a/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-animation.gif b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-animation.gif
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ea36ac
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diff --git a/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-battle-composite.png b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-battle-composite.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0dffe9c
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diff --git a/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-before-after.png b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-before-after.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..656f1e8
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-before-after.png differ
diff --git a/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-contact.png b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-contact.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..223afd4
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diff --git a/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-debug-preview-battle-check.png b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-debug-preview-battle-check.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ffca2bf
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-debug-preview-battle-check.png differ
diff --git a/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-report.md b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-report.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..795d96e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Ma Chao hand-painted v2 report
+
+- source: `handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-source-v1.png`
+- base status: ok
+- action status: ok
+- base partial alpha: 0, opaque pixels: 2162408
+- action partial alpha: 0, opaque pixels: 4482935
+- base frame border hits: 0
+- action frame border hits: 0
+- base empty frames: 0
+- action empty frames: 0
+- base bbox width range: 166..263
+- base bbox height range: 288..296
+- base bottom range: 303..303
+- action bbox width range: 166..263
+- action bbox height range: 284..296
+- action bottom range: 303..303
+- contact: `handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-contact.png`
+- animation: `handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-animation.gif`
+- before/after: `handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-before-after.png`
+- scale compare: `handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-scale-compare.png`
+- battle composite: `handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-battle-composite.png`
+- manual checks: run build and local browser verification after generation
+- note: battle composite is a scale review image; gameplay roster is unchanged during sample approval
diff --git a/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-scale-compare.png b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-scale-compare.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7a3280
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-scale-compare.png differ
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-art-quality-gate.md b/docs/unit-sprite-art-quality-gate.md
index d0709eb..d781bbd 100644
--- a/docs/unit-sprite-art-quality-gate.md
+++ b/docs/unit-sprite-art-quality-gate.md
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ This gate catches obvious sprite-art failures before user approval. It does not
 
 - Manifest: `docs/unit-sprite-rework-manifest.json`
 - Audit: `docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.json`
-- Approved baseline units: 81
+- Approved baseline units: 82
 - Pending approval units: 0
-- Queued rework units: 10
+- Queued rework units: 9
 
 ## Checked Rules
 
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-batch-queue.json b/docs/unit-sprite-batch-queue.json
index 9ff7f90..d5ed806 100644
--- a/docs/unit-sprite-batch-queue.json
+++ b/docs/unit-sprite-batch-queue.json
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
     "unit-liu-bei",
     "unit-lu-bu",
     "unit-lu-meng",
+    "unit-ma-chao",
     "unit-meng-huo",
     "unit-nanman-infantry",
     "unit-nanman-infantry-jungle",
@@ -88,8 +89,8 @@
   "pendingApproval": [],
   "nextAfterApproval": [],
   "stageCounts": {
-    "approved-baseline": 81,
-    "queued-rework": 10
+    "approved-baseline": 82,
+    "queued-rework": 9
   },
   "batches": [
     {
@@ -1175,24 +1176,10 @@
       "label": "Batch 7 unique officers",
       "total": 19,
       "stageCounts": {
-        "approved-baseline": 9,
-        "queued-rework": 10
+        "approved-baseline": 10,
+        "queued-rework": 9
       },
       "units": [
-        {
-          "stem": "unit-ma-chao",
-          "reviewStage": "queued-rework",
-          "queueRole": "queued rework",
-          "baseStatus": "border-hits=64",
-          "actionStatus": "border-hits=144",
-          "battleBasePx": [
-            26.5,
-            47.3,
-            45.0,
-            46.0
-          ],
-          "spec": null
-        },
         {
           "stem": "unit-ma-dai",
           "reviewStage": "queued-rework",
@@ -1444,6 +1431,20 @@
             46.3
           ],
           "spec": null
+        },
+        {
+          "stem": "unit-ma-chao",
+          "reviewStage": "approved-baseline",
+          "queueRole": "approved reference",
+          "baseStatus": "ok",
+          "actionStatus": "ok",
+          "battleBasePx": [
+            26.5,
+            42.0,
+            46.0,
+            47.3
+          ],
+          "spec": null
         }
       ]
     }
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-batch-queue.md b/docs/unit-sprite-batch-queue.md
index e5e97bd..e5a20a9 100644
--- a/docs/unit-sprite-batch-queue.md
+++ b/docs/unit-sprite-batch-queue.md
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ Use this as the long-running queue for the full hand-painted sprite rework. It i
 
 ## Current State
 
-- Approved baseline units: 81
+- Approved baseline units: 82
 - Pending approval units: 0
-- Queued rework units: 10
+- Queued rework units: 9
 - Manifest: `docs/unit-sprite-rework-manifest.json`
 - Audit: `docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.json`
 
@@ -157,11 +157,10 @@ No next unit is currently defined.
 
 - Batch key: `batch7-unique-officer`
 - Total units: 19
-- Stage counts: approved-baseline 9, queued-rework 10
+- Stage counts: approved-baseline 10, queued-rework 9
 
 | unit | role | stage | status | battle base px | spec |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
-| `unit-ma-chao` | queued rework | queued-rework | base border-hits=64; actions border-hits=144 | 26.5..47.3 x 45.0..46.0 |  |
 | `unit-ma-dai` | queued rework | queued-rework | base border-hits=64; actions border-hits=144 | 25.6..46.5 x 45.0..46.2 |  |
 | `unit-ma-liang` | queued rework | queued-rework | base border-hits=32; actions border-hits=98 | 38.8..39.3 x 44.7..44.9 |  |
 | `unit-pang-tong` | queued rework | queued-rework | base border-hits=32; actions border-hits=98 | 38.8..39.3 x 44.7..44.9 |  |
@@ -180,3 +179,4 @@ No next unit is currently defined.
 | `unit-li-yan` | approved reference | approved-baseline | technical ok | 27.2..41.9 x 45.7..46.3 |  |
 | `unit-lu-bu` | approved reference | approved-baseline | technical ok | 29.9..40.4 x 44.7..46.3 |  |
 | `unit-lu-meng` | approved reference | approved-baseline | technical ok | 27.0..40.4 x 46.0..46.3 |  |
+| `unit-ma-chao` | approved reference | approved-baseline | technical ok | 26.5..42.0 x 46.0..47.3 |  |
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-current-approval-board.png b/docs/unit-sprite-current-approval-board.png
index 57d1ebe..5ed3a4e 100644
Binary files a/docs/unit-sprite-current-approval-board.png and b/docs/unit-sprite-current-approval-board.png differ
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-ma-chao-v2-approval-packet.md b/docs/unit-sprite-ma-chao-v2-approval-packet.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb1a966
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/unit-sprite-ma-chao-v2-approval-packet.md
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# Ma Chao hand-painted sprite v2 approval packet
+
+- Unit: `unit-ma-chao`
+- Candidate version: `v2`
+- Source sheet: `docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-source-v1.png`
+- Contact sheet: `docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-contact.png`
+- Animation GIF: `docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-animation.gif`
+- Before/after: `docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-before-after.png`
+- Battle composite: `docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-battle-composite.png`
+- Scale compare: `docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-scale-compare.png`
+- Local browser check: `docs/handpaint-batch7-ma-chao-v2-debug-preview-battle-check.png`
+- Current approval board: `docs/unit-sprite-current-approval-board.png`
+
+## Visual Decision
+
+- Approved for continuous production run.
+- Direction: silver-white Xiliang cavalry commander on a pale horse, with long lance, gold accents, and blue/teal scarf details.
+- The 100% PC browser debug preview reads as a mounted lancer and not as a foot officer, generic cavalry, or Lu Bu-style boss.
+- The unit body is opaque and readable at battle scale without base rings, completion badges, or other external readability helpers.
+
+## Technical Checks
+
+- Local build: `pnpm build` passed.
+- Local browser URL: `http://127.0.0.1:4173/heros_web/?debug&debugSpritePreview=unit-ma-chao&v=ma-chao-v2`
+- Local browser console errors: `0`
+- Local browser 404s: `0`
+- Base partial alpha: `0`
+- Action partial alpha: `0`
+- Base frame border hits: `0`
+- Action frame border hits: `0`
+- Base battle size from audit: `26.5..42.0 x 46.0..47.3`
+
+## Notes
+
+- v1 established the mounted art direction but felt slightly too compressed in action frames.
+- v2 restores the cavalry/lance silhouette while keeping the horse, lance, and rider inside frame bounds.
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-next-steps.md b/docs/unit-sprite-next-steps.md
index bed4de8..ad80ee7 100644
--- a/docs/unit-sprite-next-steps.md
+++ b/docs/unit-sprite-next-steps.md
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ This file is generated by `scripts/write-unit-sprite-next-steps.py`.
 
 ## Current Gate
 
-- Approved baseline units: 81
+- Approved baseline units: 82
 - Pending approval units: 0
-- Queued rework units: 10
+- Queued rework units: 9
 - Manifest: `docs/unit-sprite-rework-manifest.json`
 - Audit: `docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.json`
 - Current approval board: not generated until the next pending sample.
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-review-approved-and-pending.png b/docs/unit-sprite-review-approved-and-pending.png
index b1cf4b8..78e8449 100644
Binary files a/docs/unit-sprite-review-approved-and-pending.png and b/docs/unit-sprite-review-approved-and-pending.png differ
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-review-batch7-unique-officer.png b/docs/unit-sprite-review-batch7-unique-officer.png
index a377436..76516dc 100644
Binary files a/docs/unit-sprite-review-batch7-unique-officer.png and b/docs/unit-sprite-review-batch7-unique-officer.png differ
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-review-index.png b/docs/unit-sprite-review-index.png
index 2ba955e..4142f14 100644
Binary files a/docs/unit-sprite-review-index.png and b/docs/unit-sprite-review-index.png differ
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.json b/docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.json
index b38d590..bfe88e8 100644
--- a/docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.json
+++ b/docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.json
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
     "batch7-unique-officer": 19
   },
   "stage_counts": {
-    "approved-baseline": 81,
-    "queued-rework": 10
+    "approved-baseline": 82,
+    "queued-rework": 9
   },
   "rows": [
     {
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@
     },
     {
       "batch": "batch7-unique-officer",
-      "review_stage": "queued-rework",
+      "review_stage": "approved-baseline",
       "stem": "unit-ma-chao",
       "base": {
         "key": "unit-ma-chao",
@@ -654,23 +654,23 @@
           1252
         ],
         "partial_alpha": 0,
-        "opaque_pixels": 2540801,
-        "border_hits": 64,
+        "opaque_pixels": 2162408,
+        "border_hits": 0,
         "min_width": 166,
-        "max_width": 296,
-        "min_height": 282,
-        "max_height": 288,
-        "min_bottom": 281,
-        "max_bottom": 287,
+        "max_width": 263,
+        "min_height": 288,
+        "max_height": 296,
+        "min_bottom": 303,
+        "max_bottom": 303,
         "empty_frames": 0,
-        "width_swing": 130,
-        "height_swing": 6,
-        "bottom_swing": 6,
+        "width_swing": 97,
+        "height_swing": 8,
+        "bottom_swing": 0,
         "battle_min_width_px": 26.5,
-        "battle_max_width_px": 47.3,
-        "battle_min_height_px": 45.0,
-        "battle_max_height_px": 46.0,
-        "status": "border-hits=64"
+        "battle_max_width_px": 42.0,
+        "battle_min_height_px": 46.0,
+        "battle_max_height_px": 47.3,
+        "status": "ok"
       },
       "actions": {
         "key": "unit-ma-chao-actions",
@@ -680,23 +680,23 @@
           1252
         ],
         "partial_alpha": 0,
-        "opaque_pixels": 5689665,
-        "border_hits": 144,
+        "opaque_pixels": 4482935,
+        "border_hits": 0,
         "min_width": 166,
-        "max_width": 305,
-        "min_height": 274,
-        "max_height": 290,
-        "min_bottom": 273,
-        "max_bottom": 289,
+        "max_width": 263,
+        "min_height": 284,
+        "max_height": 296,
+        "min_bottom": 303,
+        "max_bottom": 303,
         "empty_frames": 0,
-        "width_swing": 139,
-        "height_swing": 16,
-        "bottom_swing": 16,
+        "width_swing": 97,
+        "height_swing": 12,
+        "bottom_swing": 0,
         "battle_min_width_px": 26.5,
-        "battle_max_width_px": 48.7,
-        "battle_min_height_px": 43.8,
-        "battle_max_height_px": 46.3,
-        "status": "border-hits=144"
+        "battle_max_width_px": 42.0,
+        "battle_min_height_px": 45.4,
+        "battle_max_height_px": 47.3,
+        "status": "ok"
       }
     },
     {
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.md b/docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.md
index c2a2f8f..4d370e4 100644
--- a/docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.md
+++ b/docs/unit-sprite-rework-audit.md
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ Visual review boards are generated by `scripts/render-unit-sprite-review-boards.
 
 ## Review Stage Counts
 
-- approved-baseline: 81
-- queued-rework: 10
+- approved-baseline: 82
+- queued-rework: 9
 
 ## Batch Plan
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Visual review boards are generated by `scripts/render-unit-sprite-review-boards.
 | batch1-approved-core | approved-baseline | `unit-liu-bei` | ok | ok | 138..258 x 278..289 | 148..300 x 252..284 | 22.0..41.2 x 44.4..46.2 | w120 h11 b12 |
 | batch7-unique-officer | approved-baseline | `unit-lu-bu` | ok | ok | 187..253 x 280..290 | 155..271 x 280..290 | 29.9..40.4 x 44.7..46.3 | w66 h10 b0 |
 | batch7-unique-officer | approved-baseline | `unit-lu-meng` | ok | ok | 169..253 x 288..290 | 153..238 x 286..290 | 27.0..40.4 x 46.0..46.3 | w84 h2 b0 |
-| batch7-unique-officer | queued-rework | `unit-ma-chao` | border-hits=64 | border-hits=144 | 166..296 x 282..288 | 166..305 x 274..290 | 26.5..47.3 x 45.0..46.0 | w130 h6 b6 |
+| batch7-unique-officer | approved-baseline | `unit-ma-chao` | ok | ok | 166..263 x 288..296 | 166..263 x 284..296 | 26.5..42.0 x 46.0..47.3 | w97 h8 b0 |
 | batch7-unique-officer | queued-rework | `unit-ma-dai` | border-hits=64 | border-hits=144 | 160..291 x 282..289 | 160..300 x 274..290 | 25.6..46.5 x 45.0..46.2 | w131 h7 b7 |
 | batch7-unique-officer | queued-rework | `unit-ma-liang` | border-hits=32 | border-hits=98 | 243..246 x 280..281 | 220..255 x 275..281 | 38.8..39.3 x 44.7..44.9 | w3 h1 b6 |
 | batch6-nanman-special | approved-baseline | `unit-meng-huo` | ok | ok | 174..221 x 286..288 | 149..248 x 275..289 | 27.8..35.3 x 45.7..46.0 | w47 h2 b0 |
diff --git a/docs/unit-sprite-rework-manifest.json b/docs/unit-sprite-rework-manifest.json
index 3219b17..b655ba1 100644
--- a/docs/unit-sprite-rework-manifest.json
+++ b/docs/unit-sprite-rework-manifest.json
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
     "unit-liu-bei",
     "unit-lu-bu",
     "unit-lu-meng",
+    "unit-ma-chao",
     "unit-meng-huo",
     "unit-nanman-infantry",
     "unit-nanman-infantry-jungle",
diff --git a/src/assets/images/units/unit-ma-chao-actions.png b/src/assets/images/units/unit-ma-chao-actions.png
index 0adc74f..bf568cd 100644
Binary files a/src/assets/images/units/unit-ma-chao-actions.png and b/src/assets/images/units/unit-ma-chao-actions.png differ
diff --git a/src/assets/images/units/unit-ma-chao.png b/src/assets/images/units/unit-ma-chao.png
index 037409e..394fec1 100644
Binary files a/src/assets/images/units/unit-ma-chao.png and b/src/assets/images/units/unit-ma-chao.png differ