The attack types are the different ways in which a player or non-player character may attack another player, another NPC, or a piece of interactive scenery that can be attacked. The ten types are: Stab, Slash, Crush, Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Arrow, Bolt, and Thrown. Equipment gives players attack bonuses towards each specific attack type, as well as defence bonuses against each type's combat class. Attack types are no longer selected from the combat menu, and are now assigned to individual weapons. Nearly every monster has a set weakness to an attack type, represented by an icon which is displayed next to its name in the combat tab. Each weakness is represented by a different icon; for example, a monster with a weakness against Slash has a battleaxe icon next to its name, whereas a monster weak to Thrown has a javelin icon, a monster weak to Air spells has an Air Surge icon, etc.
Ranged combat is generally used against monsters that attack using magic spells. However, it is not as effective when used against monsters that fight primarily with melee attacks.
Melee combat is generally used against monsters that use ranged attacks, and is less effective against monsters that fight with magic.
Ranged combat is generally used against monsters that attack using magic spells. However, it is not as effective when used against monsters that fight primarily with melee attacks.
Magic combat is generally used against monsters that fight primarily with melee, but is less effective against monsters that attack with ranged.
