Hi WINoodles, thanks so much for taking the time to write all that out. But actually I would say I'm doing all or most of that. I did initially start out with a major party error; three of my guys were doing physical attacks and one was doing magic. So I respecced her and now she's doing considerable physical damage and complimenting the party.
I'm at level 14 now and arrived at the lone wolf base to rescue the elf scion. With the fight with Roost I don't lose anyone and we beat him resonably easily. My tank is standing up to everything he can throw at her while the rogue, archer and warrior are dishing out 100 to 150 damage easily and (250 damage crits) per shot. I'm also summoning one incarnate (he's small my warrior has a Sum of 3) and using an item to summon a lava slug. So I think we do quite well.
Now we have to fight our way out and its not even remotely possible. The instant we poke our nose out of the building everyone attacks us and we're quickly overwhelmed. Your post has given me an idea about coming at fights different ways. I could try teleporting out and then attacking from a different position were we won't get mobbed as quickly. But to be honest, and contrary to what you said of all the times I've tried to think outside the box and come at fights using planning and positioning the game does something to thwart it. Its like its simply refusing to allow it. Like its insisting the combat is about skills and abilities and if you can't cope with that you shouldn't be playing.
Also I'm confident I've done everything up to this point with the exception of finding the magister killer in Driftwood and the quest for the paladins to find out what the white magisters are doing in the Black Pits. I got to the dock and saw the enemies were level 16. That's it. I'm lev 14 and everything else is higher so its this or nothing.
I would like to very much play on Classic because the game is boring if its too easy. Not only is the combat boring but finding new gear is meaningless and levelling up is meaningless. Its ruined the game for me actually.
Let me ask you one thing about Res scrolls. If someone goes down in combat do you res them during combat or when its over? Because I found if I ressed them during combat they would more or less be instantly killed again, and if I didn't I would more than likely lose the fight because I couldn't afford to lose that character.
Anyway thanks again for your advice, I really appreciate it.
