It all depends on the situation. Different fights will naturally demand different tactics. There are some common sense guidelines though,

1) Divide & Conquer

As a soloist, being outnumbered is a constant reality. When you face multiple opponents, it is best to try and split them up. Sneak up until only one can see you, then lure him away from his party and lay down the smackdown on him mano-a-mano.

If you have enough space to maneveur, lure him away at least one screen away, go stealth, and backstab him. Rinse and repeat. Corners will be your friend, as they readily block the enemy's line of sight.

2) I Drink, Therefore I Can

Remember those potions you were always saving for a rainy day? Do you still recall how they always seem to collect a new layer of dust each time you do an inventory check?

Well, now that you are soloing, potions become a very vital part of your combat prowness. To name a few, Potions of Defense will boost your AC by a very significant factor, since it sets your base AC at 0. Not until ToB will you find Leather Armour that can beat this.

Potions of Clarity will tide you over until you get Use Any Item and the Shield of Harmony.

Oils of Speed will be your ace card until you obtain your Boots of Speed.

Potions of Invisibility are ALWAYS a lifesaver. Keep at least two with you at all times.

When you get Use Any Item, warrior potions will be available to you, and you can really boost your HP and THAC0 with them.

3) Thieves Have No Honour

When all else fails. Traps. Lots of them.

4) Better It Than Me.

Always remember the golden mantra. A hit on a summon, is a hit not on you.

ADD] Speaking of summons... my memory is a bit fuzzy on this one, but I believe the Air Elemental from the Staff of Air Control is immuned to Normal Weapons. This immunity is very potent, and will enable you to steamroll through a lot of quests with little to no difficulty.

[ 03-05-2004, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: Dundee Slaytern ]

Don't forget, the Short Sword of Backstabbing has a 0 Speed Factor as well.

this may seem like a silly question, but does a backstabbing assassin really give a flying F$^%& about having 0 speed factor ? I always see people going on about short swords and "oh get Kundane, it has 0 speed". ..... who cares ? you hide, you hit, you run, repeat. zero schmero... in fact...

Hindo's Doom +3: D10 +3, spd 1, cast greater restoration
Hindo's Doom +4: D10 +4, spd 0, cast greater restoration, 10% MR, immune to death magic
Celestial Fury: dont even get me started

Then there's heaps of long swords that have good damage, great effects and maybe they have slower speed factors but I'd prefer to have 1 hit and make it a good one. Remember, assassins get up to x7 for a backstab. just the extra 2 damage from a longsword x7 = 14 difference right there. Who cares if it hits 3/15 of a second later ?

Totally depends on your move silently. If it's low, you'll be unhidden before you strike, but seeing this is an assassin, it will NOT be low. [img]smile.gif[/img]