In addition, if you would like to sit and avoid the combat altogether, when you are in an area that isn’t too difficult you can sit down and order your pet to hunt. You will want to have a backup ready to deploy in case the pet that you have out gets destroyed, providing that your class allows for a backup, but otherwise this can be quite effective. As long as the area you are in is relatively safe, you can rack up quite a bit of experience even when you get up to run to the restroom or get a drink.

The most difficult thing about either of these strategies, however, is remembering to do them. If you aren’t used to abstract combat, then chances are you should take a more direct character like the soldier or enforcer. If you are able to handle giving another creature orders, then your pet can become a huge asset. In fact, you may even end up able to rely on your pet alone most of the time.

Follow the Leader

When playing in a team, it can be fairly difficult at worst–tedious at best–to keep track of and stay with the team leader. To make things easier on yourself, target your leader and type “/follow” into the chat box. Your character will now automatically follow your teammate. You’re free to chat, move the camera around, use inventory items or nano formulas, and attack; you’ll continue following your leader until you press a movement key. This can also be used to close in on a cycled target whose location you don’t know. In addition, if you get lost but are still fairly close to your team, you can click on one of your teammates in the team window and type “/follow,” and you will automatically run to them.

Cycling Targets

Regarding cycling targets, press the Tab key to cycle through nearby enemies. Press Ctrl+Tab to cycle through friendly targets. Combining this with the “/follow” command will let you easily find and attack enemies. This is an especially valuable technique for team leaders to learn, as they can quickly and easily bring their group (which should be “/following the leader”) to suitable enemies.

Sharing the Booty

Bring order to chaos within your team by having the team leader set “/team loot alpha.” This will force teammates to take turns looting vanquished foes. Alternatively, “/team loot all” leaves the booty as a free-for-all, going to the first looter.