i'm just starting this game : how can i stop one party member from dying ? thanks; i have a shield in my party inventory, but i don't know how to equip it for a party member ? formation change ? protect ? thanks

I suggest reading a manual. ;)

With a game like Wiz8, the manual actually matters - there isn't much in the way of in-game tutorial popups, and the mechanics are often more complex than today's games will throw at you.

You'd need to describe what's killing the one party member - if it's a matter of battle tactics then we'll need a better idea of what your party looks like and what encounters you're having trouble with. If it's a case of a PC being poisoned, you either need to use a cure poison spell/potion/etc, or keep healing that character until the poison wears off.

Umm, did you read the manual?

Reading a manual might be very helpful but I suggest getting a personality to those that keep suggesting the manual after someone already mentioned it. If you don't want to answer then don't.

As far as a party member dying there are many things that could be going wrong and providing more information about what character and how they are dying would be more helpful. Moving the party member to the rear might improve things, but it could also be the case that and your party members are under-equipped and you are simply not killing your opponents fast enough. Equipping a shield can help but only certain characters can use certain items. If the item is red the character can't use it. There are too many possibilities to list depending on the particulars of the situation.

What class is the party member that's dying? Mages are notoriously weak at the start of the game and I'd recommend investing some points in their health to assist with this when your mage levels up. Also, remember your party are rookies. It will take them time to become proficient, so if you have a Mage in your party, cast spells at low levels to begin with to prevent them from backfiring.

I find the best way to protect a weak member is to organise my party so the weakest are in the middle. That way, if a group of roaches surrounds you, the weakest still has a chance of surviving.

Wizardry 8 is a very challenging game but there are a number of threads here regarding party builds for your first play through. Most of these threads also have tips which may help you.

I hope you enjoy your game - Wiz 8 is super fun once you get the hang of it.