When you first arrive in the lands, it is easy to get lost. When you start to gain strength, and start to travel, it is easy to be "karma bombed" because you don't know the unwritten rules. Even when you advance in the lands, it is easy to get killed, and even more easier to kill off you party because of a simple mistake.

Because I am a fighter, most of the advice here is targeted toward fighters, however it should prove to be good study material for healers and mystics alike. I hope that this will help make your life in the Lok’ Groton Isles a more pleasant one.

For new exiles.

• If this is your first stay in these lands, the first place you will want to visit will be the "Rat Towers". You can find these by any of the town gates. If you have trouble finding them, ask a fellow exile.
• Believe it or not, the best ranks you can get as a new exile is from rats. Yes they don't look mean, and after a few ranks they will not kill you after the first few bites, and most of all there is not much excitement in killing rats. However, there is always a large supply of rats in puddleby, they DON'T kill you as quickly, and it is MUCH easier to get your first 100 to 150 ranks by killing these smelly rodents.
• If you don't know the name for the critter, if it is bigger than you, or if it kills you in one or two bites, you are not ready for it. Run.
• Running from critters is nothing to be ashamed of. Even the most seasoned fighters run. It is much better then being slaughtered by them, having to wait for a rescue that may never come, or/and having to depart. Run as fast as you can, and go hunt rats, vermine, or other things that give you exp. (Being dead does not give you exp.)
• If another exile is fighting a critter, ask him/her/it before you take a swing. If the critter is in yellow or red, and the exile white or green, the chances will be that he will not need any help, and would want to solo the critter. However, ask anyway, if he does not need the exp. as much as you do, he may let you have a swing.
• DO NOT forget to share with the healers you are traveling with. If traveling with a "brick" (one who can brick the critters while he/she lets you swing) it is usually wise to share with him/her too. Sharing Mystics are also considered to be good luck, as they can tell people where you are fallen.
• Even though you may be excited, it is usually not wise to brag about how many ranks you have, what you learned to solo, or what you found in your travels in front of large groups. There are many exiles with more ranks than you can imagine, and there are always exiles that would not mind to dampen you spirit with an unkind comment or a "bad karma". Share your experience with your close friends, and they will be more than willing to share the joy along with you.
• The most important of all. If in doubt, ASK. You will find that experienced exiles will not unravel all the secrets of the lands for you, but they can, and usually will, give you good advice.

For progressing exiles

• Kamikaze attacks on critters stronger than you, especially in group hunts, is usually not viewed kindly upon.
• Hunting in hunting grounds way above your league is also not viewed kindly upon.
• If a healer comes to the rescue, have him/her/it heal the strongest one (fighter or healer) in the group first. This will increase the chances of the groups survival greatly.
• If a healer comes to the rescue for you when you are alone, do not forget to "THANK" the healer for his/her time and efforts. (You can always give them good karma, using the /thank <name> command, or give the healer some coins)
• If other fighters did not come along on the rescue, don't "Kamikaze" the same critter the moment you get up. The chances will be that it will slaughter you again, and possibly kill the healer that came to rescue you. Some of the worst disasters in the history of Puddleby started with a "simple" rescue.
• If the situation allows, wait till you are at least "green" before you go back to fighting.
• Sometimes it is necessary to hold back your desire to 'tag' every critter. Especially when the situation gets nasty.
• When the number of critters goes beyond a 'safe' limit, stop tagging, try to focus on one critter, and go for the kill.
• When there are many fallens, or the area is too full of critters to heal you safely, a stronger fighter, or the group, may leave the fallens fallen until they can clear the area enough to ensure safe healing. Keep your cool, and remember that the faster the situation gets under control, the faster you get up, meaning more exp for you and the group.
• One of the best tactics that was ever invented is called the S&P (surround and pound) tactic. Try to master this as soon as possible.
• When trapping a critter that moves around a lot (the feral AI), say a sting beetle, remember to try to not let it out, even if it means you fall.
• When trying to trap a critter, and you can't form a triangle (using 3 exiles), or form a box (using 4 exiles) or star (using 5 exiles), you can always use the wall or trees as substitutes.
• Demanding to be healed in "hot" situations, when the healers are trying to keep the stronger fighters (who "CAN" clear the situation) alive, is also not wise. It will not only put the whole hunting party in danger, but it can also earn you some unwanted disrespect quickly. Be patient, you will be healed.
• Know that if you are courteous and polite, your chances of being healed will increase greatly.
• Protect your healers.
• If you can, try to kill the rats and vultures around fallen exiles. It will increase the chance of the fallen getting up, without having to call for 10 other healers just to get enough Horus to raise him/her.
• If you are a chainer, and you have a chain, try to pick up the fallens as you run to safety.
• If hunting with a skinner, it is always wise to share with him/her/it. This will increase the chance of you getting coins too.
• If hunting with a mystic, and you have a free spirit link (share slot), don't hesitate to share with the mystic. Remember that mystics can't fight as well as fighters, can't get shares for healing, and usually don't get that much exp. at all. As weak as they are now, powerful mystics can be VERY helpful.
• As much as this is said, not many people follow the first commandment of fighting. DO NOT FIGHT IN RED (unless that is you are protecting others from being killed, and have a good chance of NOT being killed by that critter, or you are a BloodBlader).
• Being killed in red makes it MUCH harder for you to be raised by a healer.
• Another major rule is... DO NOT RUN FROM HEALS (unless, that is, it is an emergency). Running from a healer trying to heal you with a cad, not only is a burden on the healers health, it can kill the healer faster than you can blink. This can also kill you quickly too, due to the fact that healers, in general, stop healing fighters who run from heals.
• Poaching and leeching are two things that are not viewed kindly upon. A selfish act can get you in trouble very quickly.
• The last, but not least advice, is that if you are available for a rescue, or an exile or a group needs a rescue near to where you are hunting, it is viewed kindly upon if you try to rescue them. Remember, people who you rescued, will generally try to rescue you too.

A few thoughts for advanced fighters

These thoughts are not only for you, but more of a reminder for me .