Be more effective in combat

[theTrav]

Obviously there's armor and weapons, but how does combat really work?

So far I can see:

Combat Advantage (which way the scales are tilted)
Battle Intensity (the number below the scales)
Initiative (coins near your attack cool down meter)

How do those factors affect battle?

When using a sword what affects my chance to hit? stats? melee combat skill? one of the above factors?

[Blaze]

Obviously, your skill with a weapon determines how often you'll hit. And I'm supposing that perception and/or agility will increase your chances as well. From what I've observed, Combat advantage gives a bonus to your chances of hitting AND dodging. How much a bonus it gives is probably determined by battle intensity and how big the advantage is. Initiative doesn't seem to increase to-hit or potential damage. All I know is that I need it to perform instance attacks/maneuvers.

I have a question as well: Does equipping a shield innately give a small bonus to dodge/block or do I have to choose "Shield" on my combat maneuver list in order to gain any positive effects?

[theTrav]

I suppose the other thing would be what can I do to reduce the chance of getting hit

[theTrav]

I also just noticed that while you can transfer initiative points, combat advantage is PER FOE

so if you get combat advantage against one creature, you won't have it against another (possibly that is the counter on the right

[Blaze]

I also just noticed that while you can transfer initiative points, combat advantage is PER FOE

It makes sense, you might have the adrenaline pumping from a recent fight (Initiative), but you don't gain the upper hand against an enemy before you engage them. Perhaps there will be skills made to change that.

[loftar]

The combat system is, indeed, a bit complex. I'll try to sum it up in a sticky post before too long.