COMBAT
======
As  in  most  rogue-like  games,  you  attack  an  adjacent monster by
attempting to move onto it.

At this time, your current real statistics on to-hit, damage, defense,
and  armor  protection  are  always  displayed.   It  is felt that the
character would know (or quickly discover) how well any weapon, armor,
etc.   actually  work.   By  comparing  different  weapons, armor, and
shield combinations, you can decide what martial configuration is best
for  your  character.   Keep  in  mind that cost of equipment does not
necessarily  indicate  how  good  it  is  (though it is a good rule of
thumb).

The  'F' command allows you to select precisely which actions you will
take  in  a  combat  round  --  parry high, thrust low, etc.  You have
several  maneuver  points  for  use in each combat round, depending on
level, status as a gladiator, etc.  At the beginning of the game, your
combat  options  are  already  set  for  you, but as you progress, and
possibly   gain  more  maneuvers,  the  preset  options  will  not  be
automatically  updated, so remember to do it yourself periodically, as
you may be losing the chance at more maneuvers if you do not.

The following are your combat options:

ATTACK: Punch, Cut, Strike, Shoot, or Thrust (depending on weapon) -- 1 pt.
BLOCK: Prepare to block or parry enemy attack                      -- 1 pt.
RIPOSTE: BLOCK/ATTACK (thrusting weapons only)                     -- 2 pts.
LUNGE: More chance to hit than usual, does more damage             -- 2 pts.

Keep  on  selecting  maneuvers until you have no maneuver points left.
It does absolutely no good to have points left over.

Following  the  choice of the maneuver, you must select a line for the
action:   L (low), C (center), or H (high).  Some monster will tend to
attack  in  a given line (short/small monsters, for example, will tend
to attack low), so this choice is meaningful.  If you block or riposte
low,  when  the attack is high, you will have wasted the effect of the
block.   On  the other hand, if you block low twice, and the attack is
low, you will defend doubly.  If you don't block or riposte at all, it
will be particularly easy for monsters to hit you.

Keep  on  selecting  maneuvers until you have no maneuver points left.
Hitting  the  BACKSPACE  or DELETE key will erase your current choices
and  let  you start over.  When you are satisfied, confirm your choice
with  the  RETURN  key.  Once a choice is selected, it stays in effect
until you change it; you need not reset it for each attack.  Selecting
combat maneuvers takes no time.

If  you are in VERBOSE mode (settable with the 'O' command) you'll see
just  what the monster is doing, whether the blocks are effective, and
so on.  Otherwise you'll just be told whether you hit or miss.

If  you  select  VERBOSE mode, you will be able to see just where your
opponent  attacks.   Some  monsters  may show a particular sequence or
location  which  they  attack in; you can use this information to your
advantage by setting your own attacks and blocks accordingly.

You  can  try  multiple identical maneuvers if you like.  If you don't
try  any BLOCKS at all, it will be easier than usual for your opponent
to  hit.   Even  if  you don't get the location correct, a BLOCK still
does  some  good.  A RIPOSTE attacks in the same line as its block, if
you  got  the  line  right.   I.e.,  if  you are attacked high, a high
riposte  will  get a free attack back.  If you are attacked high three
times, a high riposte will get three free attacks back.  Each block or
riposte  is  good  for  your  entire move; no matter how many monsters
attack  you you will be able to block or riposte each one.  Naturally,
each attack can only be used against one monster.

Heavy  edged  weapons  and  smashing  weapons  do  CUTTING or STRIKING
damage.  Your strength affects this, so if it is high you will do much
more damage, and if low, much less.

Light edged weapons, missile weapons, and pointed weapons do THRUSTING
or  SHOOTING  attacks, whose chance to hit is greatly affected by your
dexterity.   Note  that  you  can't  use a missile weapon very well in
ordinary  combat  (i.e.   when  you move adjacent to a monster) -- you
would  be  using a crossbow as a club, for instance.  Instead, use the
'f' command to fire missiles when at long range, and change to a melee
weapon for close combat.

A  note on weapons use:  A weapon is not prepared for combat unless it
is  in  the "weapon hand" slot in your inventory.  Anywhere else means
you   are   just  carrying  it  around....   Two-handed  weapons  will
automatically  take  both  hand  slots, so remember to have both hands
free if you want to wield such a weapon.

Shields,  of course, will only have effect in the "shield" slot, while
armor is only considered to be worn if it is in the "armor" slot.  The
same applies to helmets and gloves.
