Combat Tips

Menus (Single Player Only) - The event clock pauses while on a menu, preventing monsters from taking new actions. If you are overwhelmed, entering the Inventory Menu (E) will give you a moment to breathe, and allow you to take stock of the situation and use a spell or potion to get you out of the situation.

Shield – Keep your shield up! Blocking is an essential player skill that gives him an edge in combat! Allowing a monster to hit your shield and then counter-attacking can be very effective.

Know thy enemy – Study each monster as you battle them. Learning monster behavior, special attacks, and attack combinations allows you to learn to predict their actions!

Learn your attack combinations – Practice all the different moves your character can perform with different weapons. Knowing what different moves will be initiated throughout each attack combination will allow you predict when your combos will end and when your Advanced Strikes (if you have them) will occur! Study the Advance Strikes carefully, as each has its own range, damage bonus, and area that it can hit monsters.

Mix it Up – Don’t be afraid to cast spells and use weapons. Even a fighter can use a spell with a limited effectiveness or a scroll at full effectiveness!

Evasion and Combat – Increasing your athletics will earn you Evasive Maneuvers. You can even attack just before performing one of these moves to dodge AND attack! This is especially powerful when combining ranged weapons and spells with evasive maneuvers.

Know your attributes – Attributes are key to character development. Increasing your Intelligence will reduce ALL your skill costs, so early Intelligence points are well worth the cost. Keeping your Dexterity up will enhance your ability to bypass monster’s parry skill and armor, and can mean the difference between dealing damage and bouncing your weapon off a monster’s defenses!

Avoid Penalties! - If you are using equipment you aren't "statted" for, you will incur penalties...High penalties will ruin your spellcasting, make hitting the monsters very difficult, and slow down your actions! Try increasing the necessary Strength or skills needed for your equipment, or use something with lower requirements.

Use the Fast Menu – The Fast Menu can mean the difference between life and death! Quick access to potions or heal spells is very important. Quickly firing off a Fire Nova with a hotkey is also far more effective than digging for it in a menu in the middle of combat.

Prepare for Battle! - If you get a feel for the monsters you've been encountering, or get the feeling you are getting close to a powerful enemy, cue up your Fast Menu in preparation! Having a Sanctuary spell prepared before fighting a Wizard or Drake can mean the difference between death and survival!

Revive Carefully – If you die and are surrounded by monsters, they will become disinterested in your lifeless body. Wait for them to wander away if you need to before reviving yourself!

Choking - If you are choking (coughing), you should probably be running...

Sleep - In multiplayer, if your ally is asleep, a good stab will wake him right up...