diff --git a/shell/lock/LockSurface.qml b/shell/lock/LockSurface.qml
index f4ba93f..4abebc8 100644
--- a/shell/lock/LockSurface.qml
+++ b/shell/lock/LockSurface.qml
@@ -15,9 +15,15 @@ WlSessionLockSurface {
 
     property real _unlockFade: 1
 
-    // Threat level: 0.0-1.0 based on fail count (5 fails = max)
+    // Threat level: eased curve so fails 1-2 are subtle, 3+ ramps up.
+    // Max ~0.6 at fail 5 (previously that was fail 3).
     readonly property bool _threatEnabled: S.Modules.lock.threatEffect ?? true
-    readonly property real _threat: _threatEnabled ? Math.min(1.0, root.auth.failCount / 5) : 0
+    readonly property real _threat: {
+        if (!_threatEnabled || root.auth.failCount <= 0)
+            return 0;
+        const t = Math.min(1.0, root.auth.failCount / 5);
+        return t * t * 0.6; // quadratic: 1->0.024, 2->0.096, 3->0.216, 4->0.384, 5->0.6
+    }
     property real _heartbeat: 0
 
     // All visual content wrapped for threat shader
@@ -318,7 +324,10 @@ WlSessionLockSurface {
         }
     }
 
-    // Heartbeat pulse - starts at fail 3, accelerates each fail
+    // Heartbeat pulse - starts at fail 3, ramps amplitude and speed
+    // Amplitude: fail 3 -> 0.4, fail 4 -> 0.7, fail 5+ -> 1.0
+    readonly property real _heartbeatAmp: Math.min(1.0, (root.auth.failCount - 2) * 0.3)
+
     SequentialAnimation {
         id: _heartbeatAnim
         loops: Animation.Infinite
@@ -329,14 +338,14 @@ WlSessionLockSurface {
             target: root
             property: "_heartbeat"
             from: 0
-            to: 1
+            to: root._heartbeatAmp
             duration: 80
             easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
         }
         NumberAnimation {
             target: root
             property: "_heartbeat"
-            to: 0.15
+            to: root._heartbeatAmp * 0.15
             duration: 100
             easing.type: Easing.InQuad
         }
@@ -344,7 +353,7 @@ WlSessionLockSurface {
         NumberAnimation {
             target: root
             property: "_heartbeat"
-            to: 0.5
+            to: root._heartbeatAmp * 0.5
             duration: 80
             easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
         }
@@ -355,9 +364,9 @@ WlSessionLockSurface {
             duration: 120
             easing.type: Easing.InQuad
         }
-        // Pause between beats - shorter as fails mount
+        // Pause between beats - slower at fail 3, faster at 5+
         PauseAnimation {
-            duration: Math.max(200, 800 - (root.auth.failCount - 3) * 150)
+            duration: Math.max(300, 1000 - (root.auth.failCount - 3) * 200)
         }
 
         onRunningChanged: if (!running)