Dying too much, what am I missing

[Altheus]

Hi, I've just started playing the game, I've figured out a few tactics like keeping mt distance from melee enemies and smacking ranged enemies as fast as possible but I'm still struggling with the first campaign. I buy every healing potion I come across but there always seems to be more dungeon than there are healing potions.

Is there any specific gear I need to get through the early bit of the game?

Also, does anyone know what triggers ambushes? Quite often I feel like a situation is under control then a minotaur turns up.

[Spawnling]

To my knowledge ambushes are totally random.

Before the "Cryptic" quest, I usually get my party to level 3. That's the 2nd red quest.

Knuckledusters on the Blood Knight are OP.
1-1 damage looks bad, but if you add 3 Strength to it it's suddenly 4 damage with 2 attacks for 1 AP. Add its 50% to deal double damage and 70% for a critical hit and you have a Minotaur slayer.

Apart from that you always want to save 300 gold in case you come across the 'Weapon Master' skill. Usable by all and reduces weapon AP cost by 1 to a minimum of 1 (and it stacks)


Some random info:
Short Swords are better than Long Swords.
Blood Knight's Bite always heals, even if he misses.
Weapons that ignore armour resistances become very important as you progress through the game.
Different Characters (same class different name) have different starting stats.
Blood Knight example:
Rodion Nadelmann lvl 4: 6 35 8 3 2 4
Nikolay Bessemer lvl 2: 6 35 4 3 2 3
They are 2 levels apart, but the first one has 4 more Strength.
Late game Wardancers are op thanks to the broken Speed mechanic.

[Altheus]

How do you get the party to level 3? Do you redo missions?

[Spawnling]

There's main quests (red) and side missions (white). The White ones are infinite. After you do one or two, new missions will appear. This provides you with items and money. After doing a few missions the towns also get new items.

Edit: As you progress through the main story you will encounter new enemies and these enemies will also appear in the side missions. Grinding early, while the enemy pool is still small, makes fights easier till you get enough money for good equipment.

Btw. There's health postions and cure potions. The latter heal more (20 HP) have 1 more use and cure your character from poison.
Sadly items available in towns are random.

[Altheus]

Thank you for the advice, I've just watched my blood knight with a warhammer and the monster hunter ability do 140 damage to a minotaur, one-shoting it.

[Spawnling]

Glad to hear :)