7.3 Hunting Denizens

So you're feeling brave and you want to do what every adventurer sets out to do. Set out into the world and fight the denizens of the land! Naturally, this the quickest way to gain levels and rise in power, but knowing what you're up against is as important as a sharp sword. This activity is generally knowing as hunting, although it is also sometimes called bashing.

There is a whole skillset dedicated to the sport in AB HUNTING. Unlike other such skillsets, this one will raise in skill points simply by increasing your level. It would pay to look through the skills in it, as they are relevant to hunting denizens.

Finding Your Hunting Grounds
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Finding a place where you can test your mettle is as simple as using the AREAS command. This will list a variety of areas that you can hunt and slay denizens in along with a recommended level.

While the recommended level is roughly accurate, it is important to remember that it also expects you to have some level of damage mitigation as you progress, such as armour and resistance.

You can also technically hunt anywhere you like, you are not required to follow AREAS. Although city guards are likely not worth the daring attitude, so plan accordingly!

Preparation For The Fight
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Before you attack a denizen, it is important to consider just how strong it is and who it is loyal to. You can CONSIDER a denizen to find out just how strong it is compared to you (HELP CONSIDER), and you can PROBE a denizen to see if it is loyal to anything. Keep away from denizens that are loyal to an organization or a denizen, it could cause other denizens to attack you, or even worse, a player to become upset with you.

The Battle Begins
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Fight the denizen using your choice of attack and try to wipe out their health. You can use EVALUATE at level 5 to see how injured they are.  

If you find yourself overwhelmed in battle, you can always attempt to run away. Unless the denizen is particularly weak or cowardly, it will try to chase after you. This extends generally to one adjacent location, although some will chase further, so moving at least two locations away is a good rule of thumb. In your early levels, a shield tattoo can protect you instead if you find escape too difficult.

Eventually that denizen will rest to heal its wounds, at which point it should no longer attack you. It is generally safe to return at this point, although do so at your own risk.

Victory In Battle
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Assuming you are victorious in battle and did not die a grisly death, you will be rewarded with experience for your troubles. Some denizens may brand you an enemy for killing one of their kind or react in some other manner, although that is to be expected for slaying their kind.

Sentient denizens, such as those that can speak with thought, have a chance to drop gold when they die. The amount they drop will increase the more difficult it is to slay them.

Non-sentient denizens, generally animals and/or creatures, will not drop gold, however they do reward more experience than those that do.

See also: HELP SUPERIOR DENIZENS