Your class choice will dictate your primary battle practices. Here are your four main combat configurations, though there are many variations when you factor allies, enemy position, and terrain into your tactics.
The Defensive Stalwart
As a Landed Knight, you won’t deal as much damage as the other two classes, but you won’t take as much damage either. You’ll generally want to charge the toughest enemy and hold his attention with a constant barrage of attacks or with your Taunt ability. Given that you can soak up damage more than most, it’s fine if enemies begin to swarm you, so long as your less-durable allies can inflict their fair share of damage. If you find yourself getting knocked out often at early levels, invest more points on the right side of your skill tree. Otherwise, use Self-Defense against normal targets, Massive Strike against large groups, Daze Strike to interrupt an action, and Shield Strike to flatten powerful enemies without shields.
The Smasher
The Hedge Knight pounds foes with vicious two-handed attacks. Against single opponents, open with Pierce to cause Bleeding and follow up with Add Injury to Injury for extra damage against Bleeding foes. Devastation works great against crowds, and if you can earn Born to Fight, all your attacks have a better chance to go critical. Though you’ll likely want to concentrate on the left side of your skill tree, don’t forget to put one point into Earthquaker so you have an area interrupt that can thwart key enemies’ actions in progress.
The Slicer
No matter your preferred tactics, a Magnar can open with the standard Slash attack and take advantage of the Bleeding state in which it leaves the opponent. Follow up with Vicious Hit to punish a Bleeding opponent with extra damage and a stun effect. Seize the opportunity to use Cutthroat against wounded foes; if it succeeds, you deal massive damage and cause Bleeding and a knockdown effect. Victorious Assault can compound the damage and give you some health back in the process against foes knocked down by Cutthroat. Your Flurry of Blows ability triggers a series of three attacks of increasing damage—a fine choice at almost any time in the battle. On the right side of your tree, the Blood Frenzy/Fury combo will turn you into a damage-dealing monster. Unfortunately, unless you earn Self-Control, too, you lose control of your character and there’s no telling what will happen then.
The Tag Team
Mors and the dog form a great team. Even when Mors doesn’t have other allies in the party, he always has his dog to distract, stun, and knock down enemies. Against single opponents, go for maximum damage attacks for Mors and the dog. Against two or more opponents, order the dog to immobilize one enemy while Mors goes after the others. Depending on the circumstance, you can order the dog to disarm a foe’s weapon or shield, or scare them out of combat for precious seconds. Think of Mors and the dog as a single combat entity and your attacks will be much more thorough and deadly.