diff --git a/tools/battery/README.md b/tools/battery/README.md
index f8dddceee..982e7d7e5 100644
--- a/tools/battery/README.md
+++ b/tools/battery/README.md
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Every set runs **once**, with one command per arm:
 | arm (reference) | command |
 |---|---|
 | open (deposition) | `rugnux -o p --no-export-unmerged --model <deposited coordinates> <input>`; sets without a deposited model (small molecules, unpublished sets, or coordinates that cannot be downloaded) run the same command without `--model` |
-| inhouse, private (XDS) | `rugnux -o p --no-export-unmerged [-A] --report-resolution <reference d_min>,<XDS d_max> <input>` |
+| inhouse, private (XDS) | `rugnux -o p --no-export-unmerged [-A] --report-resolution <XDS d_min>,<XDS d_max> <input>` |
 
 Neither `--model` nor `--report-resolution` changes the processing: the merged reflections, the
 resolution cut and every decision are the same with and without them (verified bit for bit). So
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ the reference:
   data's own determination instead (`SOHNCKE_SPACE_GROUP` where `SPACE_GROUP_ENANTIOMORPH` is
   `ASSUMED_FROM_MODEL`) and keeps the label in `sg_label`.
 - **`--report-resolution`** (XDS arms): a second statistics table from the same merge, binned over
-  XDS's range (the reference d_min, see "The XDS reference d_min" below, and XDS's d_max as given,
-  999 included), and `-A` where XDS merged with `FRIEDEL'S_LAW=FALSE` (`"anomalous": true` in the
+  XDS's own range (`dmin_xds` and XDS's d_max as given, 999 included, so it covers exactly what
+  XDS's CORRECT.LP totals cover), and `-A` where XDS merged with `FRIEDEL'S_LAW=FALSE` (`"anomalous": true` in the
   manifest), so the two tables count the same way. Its REFRES_* numbers are scored against XDS's
   CORRECT.LP totals: completeness, multiplicity, R_meas, CC1/2 and ISa (I/sigma is shown; the
   manifest holds no XDS value for it). Where rugnux's own cut is coarser than the reference
@@ -325,9 +325,9 @@ is significant, and that decides which case applies (`inputs.reference_dmin`):
   point where XDS's CC1/2 falls through 0.30 (the target of rugnux's own cutoff), interpolated in
   1/d² between shell centres.
 
-The derived value is both the score reference and the d_min of the reference-range table. The manifest keeps XDS's own
-limit as `dmin_xds` and the rule used as `dmin_rule`. XDS's pooled R_meas, CC1/2 and completeness
-still cover its whole range.
+The derived value is the reference rugnux's own cut is scored against. The reference-range table
+uses XDS's own limit, `dmin_xds`, because XDS's pooled R_meas, CC1/2 and completeness cover its
+whole range; the manifest keeps the rule used as `dmin_rule`.
 
 ## Adding or changing datasets
 
diff --git a/tools/battery/battery.py b/tools/battery/battery.py
index 5fae02de1..27ae2c150 100644
--- a/tools/battery/battery.py
+++ b/tools/battery/battery.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ PDB_ID = re.compile(r"^[0-9][A-Za-z0-9]{3}$")
 COMMAND_DOC = {
     "deposition": "`rugnux --model <deposited coordinates> <input>` (without --model where there is no "
                   "deposited model: small molecules, unpublished sets)",
-    "xds": "`rugnux [-A] --report-resolution <reference d_min>,<XDS d_max> <input>`: -A where XDS kept "
+    "xds": "`rugnux [-A] --report-resolution <XDS d_min>,<XDS d_max> <input>`: -A where XDS kept "
            "Friedel mates apart; the second statistics table at XDS's range is report-only",
 }
 
@@ -178,10 +178,14 @@ def command(binary, e, opts, model=None):
         # statistics are not comparable
         if ref.get("anomalous"):
             cmd.append("-A")
-        # a second statistics table over XDS's range, from the same merge (report only)
-        if ref.get("dmin"):
+        # a second statistics table over XDS's own range, from the same merge (report only). XDS's
+        # own limit, not the derived reference d_min: the manifest's XDS totals are over XDS's range,
+        # so only that makes the table like for like. Shells past rugnux's own cut print as not
+        # merged.
+        dmin = ref.get("dmin_xds") or ref.get("dmin")
+        if dmin:
             cmd += ["--report-resolution",
-                    f"{ref['dmin']:.3f}" + (f",{ref['dmax']:.3f}" if ref.get("dmax") else "")]
+                    f"{dmin:.3f}" + (f",{ref['dmax']:.3f}" if ref.get("dmax") else "")]
     if model:
         cmd += ["--model", model]
     cmd += opts["extra_args"]