Attack Power: The purpose of combat is to kill or incapacitate the opponent before he can escape or do the same thing to you. An effective combat plan finds a way to use whatever forms of attack are available in the most efficient manner.

It usually is best to concentrate whatever attacks are available against as few enemies as possible. Wounding an opponent has little effect in the AD&D game, because creatures generally function just as well when reduced to a fraction of their original hit points as they do when completely healthy. It is better to reduce the opponent’s numbers quickly and in turn reduce the opponent’s ability to counterattack. Note, however, that being under attack tends to interfere with spell casting. Neutralizing spellcasters by disrupting their spells is a great way to limit counterattacks, even if the spellcasters are only wounded. Also, don’t overlook nonlethal attack forms, such as magical charms, wrestling, entanglement, disarming, and the like. These modes of attack often limit counterattacks more effectively than raw damage. The party’s lead fighter might be a terror, but the character becomes considerably less terrifying when deprived of a weapon.

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