If you read the posts in this thread:

Possible, yes. I have done it, but I usually take damage and often get killed before the job is done. Kindly give us a description of your techniques to sword-fight with multiple haunts. I am sure we would be enriched by learning better skills. We can credit you with the "cardia1 technique". :)

I have started on expert and I am over half way through. Lots of reloads, and lots of jumping in the water. I would like to know a more skillful way.

Great Mission, Cardia! I don't know what people are whining about - if you don't like this style, then simply don't play it. You don't have to come here and let everyone know that you personally don't like it.

Anyway, I found this mission to be pretty simple, provided you are patient. I have been killing the undead for years now (what are we up to, like 700 FMs now or something!? That's ALOT of practice!) Perhaps the people who dislike this level simply haven't spent much time fencing with haunts.

For those who want some help, the TIPS provided in the FM should get you started. Also:

1) Strike from the dark whenever possible. Even if a skeleton is walking right toward you, you can hit them repeatedly without them attacking you if you time it right and they never see you (have to be PITCH black to do this).

2) Strke from a doorway/corner - as they are about to turn the corner or enter the door, strike from around the wall - again, you can kill them with well-timed repeated strikes before they ever even see you. You have to be in full dark, though.

3) MASTER THE CIRCLE STRAFE. Until you do, you will die 1,000 deaths trying to attack from the front. As 99.9% of THIEF enemies are right-handed, always circle around them clockwise, circle around to their back, then continue circle-strafing while they try to turn and face you. Just keep doing this and hacking away. DO NOT LET THEIR SWORD ARM GET CLOSE TO YOU. Even if you are behind them, they can still hit you with a back-swing. To prevent this, you have to move backwards AND forwards a little each way at a time while continuing to strafe clockwise. Sometimes they will leap away - just run toward their back and continue strafing. Don't engage an enemy this way close to a wall or object that keeps you from making full circles. While circle-strafing, try to keep them turned away from you and stay as far to their left hand (non-sword hand) as you can. If you strafe TOO far toward the left, though, they will start to turn toward you the opposite direction, and then you are toast! If this happens, try to quickly strafe back counterclockwise until they start turning toward you from that direction again. Or, simply back up and run around their right side again and start the process over. You should practice this alot if you want to increase your effectiveness in fighting. Once you've mastered this (especially with haunts, skeletons, and hammers) you'll NEVER run from a guard that has spotted you again!

4) Try to take on as small groups as possible. When I see a patroll of two or more in a room, I like to try to get ONE to notice me and walk my way. I lure the one as far away from the others as I can and then kill him so his buddies don't join in. If you're good, you can take on two enemies at a time with the circle-strafe - but three or more is MUCH more challenging.

5) Eliminate archers first. If you come to a room with archers AND swords - try to take out the archers before going in and engaging the swords.

6) Archers are easy to kill - not only does one arrow kill an unalert archer, but if you can run right up to them, you can kill them in four or five strokes before they can ever shoot at you.

7) Save flashbombs/fire arrows/and mines for groups. Use your flashbombs and firearrows to take points off of multiple targets as they are grouped together.

8) Remember, if you can manage to sneak up behind an enemy, one overhead slash with the sword will kill them. Just be aware that if you do this in the presence of other enemies, they will come to investigate.

This level is pretty simple, once you get used to fighting without fear. You are a warrior! Never run from a fight! Learn from it! If you die, restart from your last quick-save! That's what it's for!

Now for ruin and for the red dawn! CHARGE!!!

I enjoyed this mission a lot. The architecture is beautiful. It took me a while to get the hang of the fighting, but it ended up being an opportunity to experiment with the different types of weapons and brush up on my sword skills. :rolleyes: Not much feeling of the traditional Thief play which many will not like, but it was a great change of pace for me. And the first power-up I grabbed startled the crap out of me. :laff:

One complaint: Auto-search for the loot would have been nice. Many times, it was very difficult to get the loot to select when the bodies covered the purses.

Keep the missions coming Cardia1, and I'll keep playing.