Introduction
The path of combat consists of many skills, each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Keep in mind that we have no skill-cap, so you can acquire all of them if you wish to do so.
Weapon Proficiencies
The weapon proficiencies are:
Other skills that can be stated under combat are: Anatomy, Tactics, and Lumberjacking
Weapon proficiencies serve two main purposes. First it determines how well you attack and defend with the current weapon in your hand. If you're holding a sword, higher swordsmanship skill means you have a higher chance of hitting your target, and also a higher chance of avoiding an attacker's hit.
Second, you need weapon proficiencies to be able to use a weapon's special abilities.
To a lesser degree, higher skill levels increase the damage produced with a weapon. This is where tactics and anatomy come into play as well, increasing damage. If you're using any type of two-handed axe (basically any axe except a war axe), having the lumberjacking skill also increases your weapon damage.
Summary
Anatomy
Helps you heal yourself with Bandages, and increases your combat damage. Making it a must-have combat skill.
Parrying
Helps you block incoming attacks with a shield.
Healing
Heals incoming damage or poison easily with bandages. Note: If your healing is high enough you can Resurrect fallen friends.
Tactics
The tactics skill plays a major part in determining how much damage you do with a weapon.
Focus
The focus skill passively affects your stamina regeneration rate, as well as mana regeneration to a lesser extent.
Resisting Spells
Magic Resistance is the skill to help you out on your early days! Having 100.0 in this skill sets all your resists to 40%. Taking less damage as you go hunting.