After posting a few pointers that one must remember about combat in Grendelscave this is my first attempt at explaining combat itself. This is strictly combat against monsters as I do believe combat against thanes is slightly different and I need to do a little research in the matter. I hope this proves to be enlightening.
Combat Order (PvE):
Combat Order is an important thing to keep in mind. Knowing when the monster you are fighting is going to attack, when you might be in danger, and whether an attack would be useless is priceless. The following steps are ordered in relation to each other from the beginning of combat to the end.
Before you start reading please keep in mind an important definition.
Range: the distance that maximizes hit efficiency.
Step 1: Upon choosing your actions and clicking your target the following action occurs first and foremost. You move in which ever direction that will put you at the range of the I Will: action you have chosen. The first action will be from the I Will: menu and therefore most times will draw you in as close as you can get to the monster you are fighting.
Reflexive: At this point you may be reflexively uglied either by staring at the monster or getting your gaze reflected back at you (this may occur as many times as shiney shields).
Reflexive: The reflexive action at this point is the impale of weapons. If you enter the range given to an impale weapon it will reflexively attack at this point. *Note* If you are already within the range you will not be impaled a second time.
Step 2: After the first move comes the first attack the attack distance of the action is compared to the actual distance between you and the monster and if you are within that attack distance you will attack. If not then you will be too far to hit the monster.
Step 3: After the first attack you move in which ever direction that will put you at the range of the Use Item: action you have chosen. This second attack will be from the Use Item: menu and therefore the range will be determined from the item that you are using so make sure you know the range of the item you are using.
Reflexive: At this point you may be reflexively uglied either by staring at the monster or getting your gaze reflected back at you (this may occur as many times as shiney shields).
Reflexive: The reflexive action at this point is the impale of weapons. If you enter the range given to an impale weapon it will reflexively attack at this point. *Note* If you are already within the range you will not be impaled a second time.
Step 4: After the second move comes the second attack the attack distance of the item is compared to the actual distance between you and the monster and if you are within that attack distance you will attack. If not then you will be too far to hit the monster.
Step 5: After the second attack you move in which ever direction that will put you at the range of the Cast Spell: action you have chosen. This second attack will be from the Cast Spell: menu and therefore the range will be determined from the spell that you are casting so make sure you know the range of spells well.
Reflexive: At this point you may be reflexively uglied either by staring at the monster or getting your gaze reflected back at you (this may occur as many times as shiney shields). *Note* Some spells may not cause ugly to reflexively work here.
Reflexive: The reflexive action at this point is the impale of weapons. If you enter the range given to an impale weapon it will reflexively attack at this point. *Note* If you are already within the range you will not be impaled a second time.
Step 6: After the third move comes the third attack the attack distance of the spell is compared to the actual distance between you and the monster and if you are within that attack distance you will attack. If not then you will be too far to hit the monster.
Step 7: After you have completed your actions this is when the monster begins its turn. At this point the monster will move for whichever action it chose, be it either weapon or kick, fist, etc. This is similar to when a thane moves and the monster tries to get to the Range of the action it chose. Paying attention to the items it is carrying will help you determine how far it will move.
Reflexive: At this point the monster may be reflexively uglied either by staring at you or getting its gaze reflected back at it (this may occur as many times as shiney shields).
Reflexive: The reflexive action at this point is the impale of weapons. If the monster enters the range given to an impale weapon it will reflexively attack at this point. *Note* If it is already within the range it will not be impaled a second time.
Step 8: After the monster has moved for the attack The attack distance of the action is compared to the actual distance between you and the monster and if it is within that attack distance it will attack. If not then you will see it approaching you.
Step 9: The monster then gets to move a second time. This time to move to the range of the spell that it wishes to cast.
Reflexive: At this point the monster may be reflexively uglied either by staring at you or getting its gaze reflected back at it (this may occur as many times as shiney shields). *Note* Some spells may not cause ugly to reflexively work here.
Reflexive: The reflexive action at this point is the impale of weapons. If the monster enters the range given to an impale weapon it will reflexively attack at this point. *Note* If it is already within the range it will not be impaled a second time.
Step 10: After the final move the monster then gets to use its spell. Again if it has not approached within the attack distance of the spell then you will see it approaching you with no spell cast.
Step 11: You regenerate a percentage of health equal to 1 point of endurance if you have regenerate.
Step 12: Monster regenerates 1 point of endurance if it has regenerate.
Step 13: If monster is poisoned then that monster loses endurance equal to damage done by the poison.
Combat is now finished.
NOTE: If you feel I may be wrong on any of these points or feel I may have missed something I am open to suggestions.
Combat Order briefly
Step1: Move for the I Will: menu action.
Step2: If in attack distance perform action.
Step3: Move for the Use Item: menu action.
Step4: If in attack distance use item.
Step5: Move for the Cast Spell: menu action.
Step6: If in attack distance cast spell.
Step7: Monster moves for non-magical action.
Step8: If in attack distance performs non-magical action.
Step9: Monster moves for magical action.
Step10: If in attack distance performs magical action.
Step11: You regen if you have spell.
Step12: Monster regens if it has spell.
Step13: Poisoned monster loses point of endurance.
written for those who dont wish to read the longer version.