battle

One of the main ways to get ahead in Runescape is through combat, whether with monsters or other characters. This section is dedicated to the do's and don'ts of combat.
As you wander about and put your cursor on other players and creatures, you see their names, and under that another line: either "Trade with/Examine" or "Trade with/Attack." When you are in the civilized areas, every character will have the former option (they're Non Player Killers, until duelling comes out). Once you go into the Wilderness, however, you become a Player Killer, and you can attack and be attacked by others players. PK players and most monsters have a level rating when you put your cursor over them. If the monster/player is lower level, you can attack simply by LEFT-clicking. If the monster/player is higher, you have to RIGHT-click.

There are two types of combat - melee, or hand-to-hand, and ranged. You can fight only one opponent at a time in melee combat. In ranged combat, however, you can shoot at a character or creature who is already fighting another player. for instance, your friend is fighting a goblin; you can use your bow (or magic) to shoot the goblin from afar. This is a very effective tactic, by the way. You may also attack a third person/monster with magic while you are already fighting.

What do the colours mean? Combat ratings are based on (Attack + Defence + Strength + Hits + (Magic + Prayer/2))/4, or if (Ranged*1.5) is greater than Strength + Attack, it is substituted for them (thus, no more newbie archers). Your level relative to monsters is simply (A+S+D+H)/4 + 6. If your level is higher than an opponent's, he will appear green; if lower, he'll be red. Green is the lowest level; creatures with this colour are a lot weaker than you. From there, the colours rise to light green, yellow-green, yellow (same level as you), orange, dark orange, and red (a lot stronger).. For those of you who don't care to gauge the colour level, just remember - green is weaker, yellow is even, and red is stronger. Characters can only attack someone who is a similar level (you can only attack and be attacked by someone who is between dark green and red). EXCEPTION: If you go into the Wilderness, you will see a level at the bottom right of the screen. This level is how many above and below you can attack and be attacked. For example, a level 34 player in level 14 of the Wilderness can attack anyone from level 20-48. BEWARE! You can still attack and be attacked by all creatures, no matter their level, so don't walk by the red darkwizard thinking he won't attack you - he will, and take great pleasure in killing you.

What does that chart mean? The chart is your fighting style. You can choose from controlled, pure Strength, pure Accuracy, or pure Defence. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages; fighting in a certain style will advance that skill faster than the others (except for controlled, which advances all equally).
  Pure Strength enables you to hit harder and do more damage, but you are not defending as well against your opponent's attacks. It's useful against small, weak opponents that can do little damage anyway. Fighting this way will advance your Strength more quickly.
  Pure Accuracy enables you to hit more often, but it doesn't help with the amount of damage you do. Fighting this way will advance your Attack more quickly.
  Pure Defence is useful against a powerful opponent. You fight more defensively, and do less damage against him in combat, but he can hit you less often also. Fighting this way will advance your Defence more quickly.

Ok, so you've covered the basics of combat. What else do I need to know? Retreating if you're overwhelmed is always a good idea. The old saying "He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day" has merit. Just remember - you can't retreat during the first three rounds of combat. You also can't log off for ten seconds AFTER you leave a fight, so if you're being attacked by another character you can't beat, be sure to get far away from him and stay away for ten seconds. Casting spells before combat can also help - for more information on magic, go here for Magic, or here for Prayer. Always carry some food - having a source of healing can mean the difference between life and death.

What if I get killed? Will I lose all my stuff? No. If you're killed (by monster or another character) you get to keep your three most valuable items. This is in terms of gold value, not value to you the player. Thus, you might get killed and end up with a necklace, a suit of leather, and a bucket of water, and lose the bronze short sword and the 50 gold you had. The exception to this rule is explained below.

What does the skull and crossbones above my head mean? Naughty naughty - you attacked another player! Note I said "attacked" and not "killed" - just clicking (left or right) on another character, even if you don't actually attack him/her, will gain you the skull and crossbones. This lasts for 20 minutes, in which time you lose your item protection. In other words, if you get killed in that time period, you lose ALL your stuff. It's annoying, I agree, but that's what you get for attacking another player.

I heard about Duelling, what is it?
Duelling is a members only feature. Duelling is a cross between prize fighting and trading. If you and another person wish to duel, you go through the motions of trading with him/her, but instead of clicking "trade with Lawler21", you click "Duel with Lawler21 (level 26)". Then the other person must do the same with you. As you will see, the Duelling menu is a lot like the trading menu. You and your fellow duellist can put items up for the winner of the duel. Who ever wins, gets the items. And just like trading, you have a final check screen asking you if you really want to duel for these items. Duellists, Begin!!