diff --git a/src/utils/dummyrunner/dummyrunner.py b/src/utils/dummyrunner/dummyrunner.py
index 3b19b0ebfd..fdc9071411 100644
--- a/src/utils/dummyrunner/dummyrunner.py
+++ b/src/utils/dummyrunner/dummyrunner.py
@@ -111,6 +111,9 @@ DEFAULT_TIMESTEP = 2
 # chance of a client performing an action, per timestep. This helps to
 # spread out usage randomly, like it would be in reality.
 CHANCE_OF_ACTION = 0.05
+# spread out the login action separately, having many players create accounts
+# and connect simultaneously is generally unlikely.
+CHANCE_OF_LOGIN = 0.5
 # Port to use, if not specified on command line
 DEFAULT_PORT = settings.TELNET_PORTS[0]
 #
@@ -167,7 +170,9 @@ class DummyClient(telnet.StatefulTelnetProtocol):
 
         # start client tick
         d = LoopingCall(self.step)
-        d.start(self.factory.timestep, now=True).addErrback(self.error)
+        # dissipate exact step by up to +/- 0.5 second
+        timestep = self.factory.timestep + (-0.5 + (random.random()*1.0))
+        d.start(timestep, now=True).addErrback(self.error)
 
     def dataReceived(self, data):
         "Echo incoming data to stdout"
@@ -198,8 +203,11 @@ class DummyClient(telnet.StatefulTelnetProtocol):
         and causes the client to issue commands to the server.
         This holds all "intelligence" of the dummy client.
         """
-        if random.random() > CHANCE_OF_ACTION:
+        if self.istep == 0 and random.random() > CHANCE_OF_LOGIN:
             return
+        elif random.random() > CHANCE_OF_ACTION:
+            return
+
         global NLOGGED_IN
         if not self._cmdlist:
             # no cmdlist in store, get a new one
diff --git a/src/utils/dummyrunner/dummyrunner_actions.py b/src/utils/dummyrunner/dummyrunner_actions.py
index 5147aa0bd2..3aba1f9b73 100644
--- a/src/utils/dummyrunner/dummyrunner_actions.py
+++ b/src/utils/dummyrunner/dummyrunner_actions.py
@@ -76,6 +76,14 @@ def c_login(client):
 
     return cmd, "logs in as %s ..." % cname
 
+def c_login_nodig(client):
+    "logins, don't dig its own room"
+    cname = "Dummy-%s-%i" % (RUNID, client.cid)
+    cpwd = "%s-%s" % (RUNID, client.cid)
+    cmd = ('create %s %s' % (cname, cpwd),
+           'connect %s %s' % (cname, cpwd))
+    return cmd, "logs in as %s ..." % cname
+
 def c_logout(client):
     "logouts of the game"
     return "@quit", "logs out"
@@ -149,6 +157,15 @@ def c_moves(client):
     if not cmd: cmd = "look"
     return cmd, "moves ..."
 
+def c_moves_n(client):
+    "move through north exit if available"
+    cmd = ("north",)
+    return cmd, "moves n..."
+
+def c_moves_s(client):
+    "move through north exit if available"
+    cmd = ("north",)
+    return cmd, "moves s..."
 
 # Action tuple (required)
 #
@@ -160,7 +177,7 @@ def c_moves(client):
 # otherwise the system will normalize them.
 #
 
-## "normal builder" definition
+## "normal builder" definitionj
 #ACTIONS = ( c_login,
 #            c_logout,
 #            (0.5, c_looks),
@@ -196,6 +213,9 @@ ACTIONS = ( c_login,
             (0.39, c_looks),
             (0.2, c_help),
             (0.4, c_moves))
+#ACTIONS = (c_login_nodig,
+#           c_logout,
+#           (1.0, c_moves_n))
 ## "socializing heavy builder" definition
 #ACTIONS = (c_login,
 #           c_logout,