Combat in ERPA in very different from normal PvP (Player vs. Player Combat). Fights in ERPA are not primarily done for winning - they are done to provide fun for all participants! This is the key for all combat-situations and should be kept in mind. The following suggestions provide a background for this:

1. Avoid "insta-kill-methods". Deadly poison is a typical example for this.

2. In general, try to create a long-lasting fight. A fast victory might be reasonable, but must not naturally provide more fun.

3. Always try to make a fight "fair" in terms of weapons, armor or spells used. If you see that you could easily overpower your opponent due to magic equipment or heavy armor, use less powerful equipment. ("I won't dirty my valuable sword with the blood of this puny bandit!")

4. As mage, try to avoid spell-combinations like "Explosion - Energy Bolt". Rather stick to healing your companions, use "Poison"-spells and "Curse".

5. Never use exceptionally deadly creatures like dragons as tamer in a fight. If you want to have an animal companion, use something that can be defeated in reasonable time.

6. If your opponent doesn't use a mount and lacks a good connection, unmount as well.

7. Don't overpower your enemy by sheer number. If a conflict arises, where 10 knights could attack 2 orcs, then the knights should not all attack, but rather keep 7 of themselves out of the fight as "reserve", challenge the leading orc to a duel or solve the conflict without fighting and trying to take the orcs as prisoners. Even if a group attack might be more "In-Character", a full attack would be no fun for the orc-players.

8. Try to contact the leader of an enemy guild before attacking them in larger numbers. A fight oocly prepared from both sides is much more enjoyable.