December 12, 1999

Forming for Experience (or "Darn, we keep dying, How do we do it right?") - By Daymaar

There are two sections to this article, How to lead and how to follow.

How to Lead an XP form.

The main requirements for leading an xp form in Medievia is not a high level, or the most elite equiptment in the game. They are knowledge and attention to detail.

KNOW THE ZONE - To succesfully lead an XP form thorough a zone, you MUST know it like you know the back of your hand. This entails knowing not only the layout of the zone, but what keys go to where, the levels and abilities of the mobs in the zone, which mobs are aggressive, which can see invis (and which can't) and what the closest recall point around the zone is. And remember you dont need to cap on each kill - big kills for 1 mil xp every 10 mins doesnt compare to 20 kills at 100k a piece in 10 mins.

KNOW YOUR FORM - You may be the best Warrior in the game, but if you aren't at least familiar with the other classes you will have no clue on how to use them effectively.

• Clerics - Invaluable to a formation, clerics heal, sanc, armor, bless, and remove status aliments (blind, curse, poison). On the "offensive" side, clerics have some decent attack spells, can dispel magic (gets rid of that nasty sanc or fireshield on mobs). Hands of wind is nice for mobs that like to form, so you can kill them one at a time. A cleric can also save your entire form from an untimely demise, using transport (recalls the whole party). Getting back to the zone is quicker than waiting for everyone to corpse and getting back to the zone. And, if all else fails, high level clerics have the ability to ressurect.
• Mages - Aside from your basic damage dealing spells, mages are of great utility use: shield room prevents mobs from entering the room, allowing safe recuperation from a series of fights or to prevent mobs from helping their friends kill you in the middle of a fight, minor creation gives traps for use by your thieves, and farsight lets you know what you're getting into, mass invisibility helps keep you out of fights you dont want.
• Warriors - Most people stereotype warriors as meat shields, always putting them in the front of the form. While this is usually optimal, remember that bash and kick, two of the warrior's most useful skills can be used in any position in the form. Warriors also have parry, which keeps down the damage they take.
• Thieves - Backstabs are great ways to start off fights, and dodge is somewhat more effective than parry (some would say a lot more). Scan lets then know what's in the rooms around them, and traps let you decide what mobs to attack instead of letting the mobs attack you. Keep in mind, trip can only be used from the front row of the form.

The next thing to decide is where to place these would-be levelers. First, decide who tanks (that is - stays in the front of the formation). While you can put whoever in front, see who dies, and who doesn't - this does not lead to a happy form. Most likely, warriors and thieves to the front, mages in the center and clerics in the back. While this standard form strategy usually works, subtle variations may be in order, especialy if you are dealing with multi-class form members (I'm leaving mention of Heroes out of this article, because if they dont know by now...). If you are dealing with mostly evil mobs, perhaps that good-aligned cleric with the parry skill (and protection from evil, ie double sanc) would be a better choice for tank.

PAY ATTENTION! - know when your spellcasters are low on mana, know when the sancs are going down, know where you are in the zone, know who is blind and who is cursed - a warrior that cant wield his weapon cant parry, ie KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING. Let everyone in the form what they are supposed to be doing. Make sure the cleric know who they are supposed to be healing, which mage shields the rooms, which mage uses invisibility, when warriors should bash as opposed to kick or charge, and when/if thieves are supposed to backstab. You make the decisions, because you are ultimately responsible of the survival and sucess of your party.

How to exist in an XP form.

First off, you must follow directions. It may sound trite, but you DID type fol (leader) .. continue to do so. Heal who you are supposed to heal, bash who you are supposed to bash, Backstab who you are told to backstab and do it with a smile. If you only have 10 mins left to be on, let the leader know, dont just say gotta go, and leave, give them time to perpare.

• Clerics - We know that you want to cast harm, but your primary goal is keeping people alive. Spamming 10 damage spells is not a good thing - you get to watch while your assigned heal recipient's hps dwindle while you sit there making the ground shake. One note - If you do this, one way to stop is to lose link and reconnect, you should be able to enter commands after reconnecting. Keep track of who gets blinded, cursed or poisoned. Fix it after the fight - thats what you are there for. If you do use room spells, use them when/if the leader tells you to.
• Thieves - Don't just decide to backstab the next thing in the room - the form may not be ready for the fight. If you are put in back, get some throwing weapons or a long range weapons and don't complain - you'll get the same amount of xp as everyone else. And thats the point of this isnt it?
• Warriors - Let the form know if you are blind, cursed or weakened, dont keep saying BLIND BLIND BLIND. It's annoying, and want get you unblind any quicker.
• Mages - Follow along and blast the Hell out of things. Shield the room when told, and only cast room spells when you are told you should.

On another note, be entertaining - for the most part, xping is boring! Liven it up! BUT - pay attention and don't be disruptive. If you must be AFK (away from keyboard) let the formation leader know. There is nothing more annoying to a formation leader than you be on the other side of a one person corridor waiting for the one person to follow, not knowing that they are away from keyboard.

Some General points.

• This article may sound militaristic, but realize that the point is to get as much xp as you can as quickly as you can, with a minimum of danger. As far as PK goes, the best experience is usually found in pk zones, but don't just attack other forms because they are in the zone. PKing does nothing for your xp (with the exception of CPK, which is another matter entirely and not covered here), and wastes time and effort.
• Also remember that phase and summon have limited ranges, and don't work in PK areas. Don't keep whining that your form won't summon you when they CAN'T.
• Have fun - remember it's just a game, but a damned fun one, if you meet and form with the right people.