Although it is possible to avoid combat and even to shun the way of battle entirely, there is nothing which gives you as much intense emotion and adrenalin as a fight with another player. Combat is dangerous - it could lead to your death - but the rewards are great. Victory results in the victor gaining much experience. You should be aware of further help sections on combat in this topic before entering into battle with anybody. Combat generates a great deal of information for you to absorb. Avalon tells you as much as possible about what happens during a fight, and sometimes the amount of information can become overwhelming.
To mitigate this, there are two methods of cutting down the amount of information. Using the FIGHTBRIEF command will force Avalon to give only briefly worded summaries of combat rather than detailed descriptions or FIGHTVERYBRIEF (or FVB) for intense combat. Once you are a seasoned fighter, these will become useful. Type FIGHTVERBOSE to change back to verbose fighting messages. Another useful command which you may find useful during a fight is CONCENTRATE. This forces your character to concentrate on his, or her, combat only. You will be informed at the start and end of fights erupting around you, but you will not be given a blow by blow account of them. To reverse CONCENTRATE, type RELAX.
The fight itself is often the most nerve-racking area of Avalon. Most people find their pulse rises and their adrenalin rushing - often it is hard to concentrate, particularly when you are ambushed. It is very important that you overcome the initial fear of combat, and perfect certain methods of fighting (or at least, of prolonging a fight long enough for you to recover yourself and either run or trade blows). Below is a list of points which all aspiring combatants should be aware of.
-- Never battle a competent enemy in an area you do not know well.
-- Always be ready to drink down health and mana potions.
-- If you have an item of pentacle, be ready to use it if in trouble.
-- If you have a potion of speed, ensure you have quaffed it.
-- Do not be afraid to trade blows with your enemy. Belligerence is often the key to asuccessful attack or counter-attack.
-- Do not stand still, particularly if the fight is going against you. Move around, make yourself a difficult target.
-- If you find yourself losing the fight, flee from the field of battle to some sanctuary and regroup. Do not be drawn into a battle that you are not ready for.
