How are you supposed to survive in the dungeon?

[maestro]

So I got down to Dungeon Level 3 and I was doing OK until I found a room with 6+ bees in it. All the bees instantly swarmed me and I managed to kill them all with one swipe of my sword, but I had a sliver of health left (I had 80%+ before going in there) and some stupid bat flew over and killed me.

The lack of any kind of I-Frames or any kind of feedback that you are getting hit or taking damage just doesn't feel very good and I didn't even realize that I had lost 80% of my health in 3 seconds, the time it took me to swing once at the bees and then again at the bat and slime next to me to even think about reacting to it, much less use some kind of item to heal myself with.

Could we at least get a half-second invulnerability after getting hit like most games have?

[CloudSeeker]

You make plenty of Energy and Health potions and just use them when needed.

[maestro]

Um. Did you somehow miss the part that I lost 80% of my life in 3 seconds because of fast-moving swarming enemies and the fact there's no i-frames? There wasn't *time* to use a potion, that's the whole point.

[EVIL Shenanigans]

If by 'i-frames', you mean a moment of invulnerability, I'm not sure that'll happen anytime soon ...maybe if this were a dedicated fighting game, with multiple special abilities ...but its not; you're either standing still, walking, or swinging a sword.

The "Giant Fly" (as I believe it's called) is relatively tricky early on. Like most things in this game, you learn through trial and error ...for instance, now I'd wager you'll be much more cautious when approaching the swarm, and let them come to you, yes? - not saying that you were somehow supposed to know that, just saying that's how the game is orchestrated - to surprise you.

Things that can help? *spoilers*
Improved weaponry; by level 3, it sounds like you have have the 'Sword' which is good, dealing 10 damage, and should kill the fly in one swipe. Also learning the range of the swipe can be useful - despite it's fast movement, your melee range is superior to that of the fly.
Armor; every little bit helps, but steel armor is more than 2x as good as iron. I believe the flys deal 10 damage per attack, and they attack fast ...but that's reduced to 8 with iron, or 5 with steel.

...then there are the buffs: *more spoilers*
'Big Guy'; a perk that, despite the game's description, adds 2 attack damage and 2 armor. The additional attack damage is nearly useless, but the 2 armor can help a lot.
'Sword Master'; a late-game perk that improves damage by 5 - much more significant.
'Rage'; a temporary stacking effect, with multiple sources, that increases damage by 5.
'Tough Mood'; a temporary stacking effect, with multiple sources, that increases armor by 4.
Talk to the ♥♥♥♥♥ Baron to the east for kebab recipes - very helpful

...as far as i know, there's no penalty to dying ...if anything, it could be considered a useful transport. And difficulty increases relatively per 5 levels, with a few surprises, so if things get too hard, you can just take a brake and concentrate on improving your equipment / consumables.
Good luck!

Originally posted by maestro:

The lack of any kind of feedback that you are getting hit or taking damage just doesn't feel very good...

Agreed, but there are little blurbs above your character showing damage taken, and a health bar ...could they shake the screen (or controller) when taking hits? - I suppose. Could parts of the screen glow red if your at <25% HP? - I suppose. But of all the things this game's devs should be focusing on improving, is it those sorts of things? - I don't think so ...at least not a high priority.

[maestro]

Hmm. I'll try to keep that stuff in mind, but considering a decent chunk of the game revolves around delving into the dungeon as part as Snake's questline to get his items (I read a little on wiki..) for something you need to do later, it seems that fighting is very much a part of the game that was meant to be there, otherwise they wouldn't have added a dungeon that has as many floors as it has with as many different enemies as it has.

And besides, Stardew Valley has i-frames and it's dungeon is even less important to the game's story than the dungeon in GK is.

[CloudSeeker]

Originally posted by maestro:

Um. Did you somehow miss the part that I lost 80% of my life in 3 seconds because of fast-moving swarming enemies and the fact there's no i-frames? There wasn't *time* to use a potion, that's the whole point.

Yes because I have never encountered what you are talking about. Just kill the enemies. First you mostly encounter bats and slimes. Then you encounter flies that die in a single hit. Have you missed the part where offense is the best defense?

[LordSprite]

Bring lots of wine... kite some of the mobs to already cleared rooms if you're that overwhelmed. In any case - unless things have changed since they introduced zombies there isn't much challenge in the dungeon TBH.