diff --git a/src/ChatManager.cpp b/src/ChatManager.cpp
index 031d036..d486fa8 100644
--- a/src/ChatManager.cpp
+++ b/src/ChatManager.cpp
@@ -266,6 +266,19 @@ void unsummonWCommand(std::string full, std::vector<std::string>& args, CNSocket
     NPCManager::destroyNPC(npc->appearanceData.iNPC_ID);
 }
 
+void toggleAiCommand(std::string full, std::vector<std::string>& args, CNSocket* sock) {
+    MobManager::simulateMobs = !MobManager::simulateMobs;
+
+    if (MobManager::simulateMobs)
+        return;
+
+    // return all mobs to their spawn points
+    for (auto& pair : MobManager::Mobs) {
+        pair.second->state = MobState::RETREAT;
+        pair.second->target = nullptr;
+    }
+}
+
 void npcRotateCommand(std::string full, std::vector<std::string>& args, CNSocket* sock) {
     PlayerView& plrv = PlayerManager::players[sock];
     Player* plr = plrv.plr;
@@ -324,6 +337,7 @@ void ChatManager::init() {
     registerCommand("npcr", 30, npcRotateCommand);
     registerCommand("summonW", 30, summonWCommand);
     registerCommand("unsummonW", 30, unsummonWCommand);
+    registerCommand("toggleai", 30, toggleAiCommand);
     registerCommand("flush", 30, flushCommand);
     registerCommand("level", 50, levelCommand);
     registerCommand("population", 100, populationCommand);
diff --git a/src/MobManager.cpp b/src/MobManager.cpp
index 108df39..f73e940 100644
--- a/src/MobManager.cpp
+++ b/src/MobManager.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 std::map<int32_t, Mob*> MobManager::Mobs;
 std::queue<int32_t> MobManager::RemovalQueue;
 
+bool MobManager::simulateMobs;
+
 void MobManager::init() {
     REGISTER_SHARD_TIMER(step, 200);
     REGISTER_SHARD_TIMER(playerTick, 2000);
@@ -22,6 +24,8 @@ void MobManager::init() {
     REGISTER_SHARD_PACKET(P_CL2FE_REQ_PC_COMBAT_END, combatEnd);
     REGISTER_SHARD_PACKET(P_CL2FE_DOT_DAMAGE_ONOFF, dotDamageOnOff);
     REGISTER_SHARD_PACKET(P_CL2FE_REQ_PC_ATTACK_CHARs, pcAttackChars);
+
+    simulateMobs = settings::SIMULATEMOBS;
 }
 
 void MobManager::pcAttackNpcs(CNSocket *sock, CNPacketData *data) {
@@ -436,7 +440,8 @@ void MobManager::step(CNServer *serv, time_t currTime) {
             continue;
 
         // skip mob movement and combat if disabled
-        if (!settings::SIMULATEMOBS && pair.second->state != MobState::DEAD)
+        if (!simulateMobs && pair.second->state != MobState::DEAD
+        && pair.second->state != MobState::RETREAT)
             continue;
 
         // skip attack/move if stunned or asleep
diff --git a/src/MobManager.hpp b/src/MobManager.hpp
index 2d446cd..19d168d 100644
--- a/src/MobManager.hpp
+++ b/src/MobManager.hpp
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ struct Mob : public BaseNPC {
 namespace MobManager {
     extern std::map<int32_t, Mob*> Mobs;
     extern std::queue<int32_t> RemovalQueue;
+    extern bool simulateMobs;
 
     void init();
     void step(CNServer*, time_t);