Combat Verbs in GS4

 

Note: This page does not include information on ranged weapons or two-weapon combat.

There are a variety of ways to attack an opponent in Elanthia:

Basic attacks
Throwing weapons
Striking multiple opponents

Ambushing
Tripping
Other attack forms

Basic Attacks

 

The StormFront Combat window is a very helpful tool for managing all things combat related.  By clicking on the Weapon and Shield icons, you can prepare your character for battle.  Clicking on the No-Weapon icon and No-Shield icons on the right put your character’s weapon and shield away.

 

To use a weapon in combat, it must be held in the right hand.  Clicking the weapon icon in the Combat window automatically puts the weapon in the right hand if the hand is empty.  You may also type GET MY <WEAPON TYPE> FROM MY <CONTAINER THAT THE WEAPON IS IN> in the command prompt.  For example, GET MY FALCHION FROM MY SHEATH.

 

If the weapon requires two hands to wield, the left hand must remain empty (as it is then assumed that it will take two hands to yield in combat).

 

The use of shields in combat gives your character extra protection.  Shields are utilized to fend off strikes by carrying it in the left hand.  When doing so, the shield is automatically factored into combat results.  Clicking the shield icon in the Combat window automatically puts the shield in the left hand if the hand is empty.  You may also type REMOVE MY SHIELD in the command prompt to remove the shield from off of the shoulder and place it in the left hand.

 

Clicking on a creature in the Story window and setting it as the target will set the creature as the target in the Combat window.  From here, you can utilize the aim, target, attack, and ambush commands within the Combat window against the creature that is targeted.

 

The simplest of these commands is ATTACK.  You can click on any of the creatures in the Story window to attack them, or utilize the attack link in the Combat window.  It is also possible to attack a creature, NPC (non-player character), or another player, using the ATTACK command in the command prompt (you may also use KILL).

 

Some examples:

>attack orc

>kill other goblin

>att third troll

 

NOTE: You won’t want to attack everyone and everything you see.  The town authorities frown on brawling in the streets and will quickly respond to the disturbance.  Additionally, attacking other players without provocation is usually considered disruptive behavior.  Please refer to the GemStone IV Rules of Conduct.

 

Command Prompt Tip: SHEATHE and UNSHEATHE

 

SHEATHE and UNSHEATHE - retrieving your weapon with ease!

SHEATHE {container} - Sets {container} as your default weapon sheath.

SHEATHE - Places the weapon in your right hand into your default sheath.  Will put away a weapon in the left hand if none was found in the right.

SHEATHE CLEAR - Clears your default sheath.

UNSHEATHE {weapon} - Sets {weapon} as your default weapon to unsheathe.

UNSHEATHE - Attempts to find your default weapon and grab it.

UNSHEATHE CLEAR - Clears your default weapon.

 

Throwing Weapons

 

To throw a weapon at a creature, NPC, or player, your character must hold any weapon in the right hand.  Clicking on the target in the StormFront Story window will bring up several combat options; simply choose hurl to throw your weapon at the target.

 

NOTE: Do not forget to GET your character’s weapon after it is thrown!  It may be necessary to SEARCH the area for the weapon if it is not openly visible.

You may also use the HURL command by typing it into the command prompt.  You may also aim the weapon at a specific area of the target’s body (right/left legs, right/left arms, right/left hands, right/left eye, back, abdomen, chest, head, and neck).

 

Some examples:

>hurl orc

>hurl orc right eye

 

Some weapons are designed for hurling, such as quoits, daggers, and hammers.  The heavier the weapon, the more difficult it is to hurl it.  Attempting to hurl weapons that are too heavy may result in injury to the hurler.  Those characters trained in the Two Weapon Combat skill may throw two weapons at once if they hold the second weapon in their left hand.

 

Aiming a thrown weapon may be done from hiding, with success based on training in the Ambushing, Stalking and Hiding, and Perception skills.

 

Striking Multiple Opponents (MSTRIKE)

 

To attack multiple creatures, or to attack a single creature multiple times, click any target in the StormFront Story window and choose the MSTRIKE option.

 

You may also use the MSTRIKE command(s) by typing it into the command prompt.

 

Usage:

MSTRIKE - When used as a standalone command, MSTRIKE will attempt to strike as many creatures in the room as your skill allows.

MSTRIKE <target> - This is a Focused MSTRIKE, which attempts to strike a single target multiple times.

MSTRIKE SET # - Sets the maximum strike attempts for multi-target MSTRIKE.

MSTRIKE SET FOCUS # - Sets the maximum strike attempts for Focused MSTRIKE.

MSTRIKE HELP - Displays this usage information.

MSTRIKE requires training in the Multi-Opponent Combat skill.

 

Extra swings using MSTRIKE come at 5, 15, 35, and every 25 ranks thereafter of Multi-Opponent Combat.  For focused swings, the extra swings will come at 30 and every 25 ranks thereafter.

 

It is possible specify a maximum number of swings that you wish to take for both the mass attack and focused attack versions.

 

MSTRIKE Roundtime (RT): For medium-sized and larger weapons, it will not be likely that characters can swing twice in the same Roundtime as one swing.  Similarly, it will not be likely that even extremely fast characters with light weapons can swing four or more times in the same RT as one swing.

 

MSTRIKE will fatigue a character for a short duration, during which the character cannot use MSTRIKE again.  Typical durations are in the 30 to 45 second range, and are based on number of swings taken, weapon weight vs.  attacker Strength, Constitution bonus, and Physical Fitness training.  Haste spells aid with MSTRIKE RT, but they will expire immediately after the attack.

 

Ambushing

 

To attack an opponent from hiding, or to aim an attack at a specific location of an opponent’s body (right/left legs, right/left arms, right/left hands, right/left eye, back, abdomen, chest, head, and neck), utilize the aim and ambush links in the StormFront Combat window.

 

You may also use the AMBUSH command by typing it into the command prompt, as well as aim the attack for more than one attack using the AIM command.

 

Usage:

AMBUSH {target} [{area to aim at}]
{area to aim at} will default to your AIMing preference if it is set.

AIM <location> - Sets your default aiming preference

AIM CLEAR - Clears your default aiming preference

AIM RANDOM - Same as AIM CLEAR

AIM LIST - Produces a list of locations where the ambush can be aimed

 

Some examples:

>ambush orc

>ambush orc left leg

 

Ambush may be used with hiding or while in the open.  When used from hiding, successful strikes may be much more lethal, and an opponent’s defenses may be substantially reduced.  The Ambushing, Stalking and Hiding, and Perception skills are recommended.

 

When used from the open, the Ambushing and Combat Maneuvers skills aid in achieving success.

 

Aiming attacks with Ambush increases the Roundtime for the attack.  While some of this increased Roundtime can be offset by high Agility and Dexterity, the Roundtime will always be at least one second longer than a normal swing would have been.

 

All unaimed ambush attacks receive approximately half the normal base ambush damage modifier.  Unaimed ambush attacks include: use of the ATTACK command while in hiding, use of the AMBUSH command without specifying a location to hit (whether through AIM or the command line), and the Quickstrike/Spin Attack combat maneuvers.

 

Note: Two-handed polearms may not be used to ambush from hiding.

 

Tip: Ambushing from hiding will reduce or possibly completely negate the increase in defenses that a target gains from stance.  The “stance reduction” is based on a comparison of the attacker’s Ambushing ranks to the target’s level.  For example, if an ambusher leaps out and attacks an opponent that is in STANCE DEFENSIVE, the opponent’s defenses will be downgraded, possibly even treating the opponent as if he were in STANCE OFFENSIVE, due to the surprising nature of ambushing from hiding.

 

Tripping

 

To trip a creature, NPC, or player, your character must be using a polearm weapon two-handed staff weapon in the right hand, as well as have at least 15 ranks in the weapon form being used to trip, either polearm or two-handed weapons.  Clicking on the target in the StormFront Story window will bring up several combat options; simply choose trip in order to trip the target.

 

It is also possible to trip an opponent, using the TRIP command in the command prompt.

 

Example:

>trip orc

 

When an opponent is tripped, they may take damage as well as become prone, providing attackers with a greater offensive advantage.  Tripping an opponent will cost 10 stamina for each attempt.  Characters may also train in the CML skill Trip to improve their success in tripping.

 

Other Attack Forms

 

There are a variety of other maneuvers and attack abilities available to adventurers.  The Order of Voln, the Warrior Guild, and the Rogue Guild all provide interesting combat alternatives.