1.6. Attacking with Weapons

• "a" Initiate auto-attack (on current target).
• "Esc" Remove current target from Target window.

During melee combat, you must be standing fairly close to your opponent. If you're not near enough, you'll see a message in your Main Chat window that says, "Your target is too far away." Be sure to remain facing your target. Ranged attacks can be made from as far away as the weapon will allow. Creatures usually rush toward you, however, once you hit them.

The text display also shows you whether your blow landed or missed, and whether or not your opponent has hit you. If you've taken or applied damage, you can see that as well. The amount of damage you can deliver to an opponent is an automatic function of your physical strength, the weapon you use and weapon skills. Your ability to evade blows or withstand blows is based on your combat skills and your armor.

See Health, Damage and Dying for information on how damage affects you.