Ok, I am getting really irritated right now...:) I am level 4 on all my guys and yet I can't seem to hit a lousy rat....help!

Oh, and how do I get multiple attacks in a turn? My rat enemy, 1 Fat Rat, is attacking like 4+ times a turn.

Gizmet

I suspect it is in fact a giant rat but the level is the deciding factor... right click on it... I bet it is one or two levels above you.

1. Rats (all) have high dexterity which makes them hard to hit in melee combat... add in the stealth which most of them enjoy and it’s not hard to see how a low level character could struggle against them.

2. For Melee, You didn’t tell us your builds so perhaps; a dual wield character can switch to use a single sword (or mace and shield) for this battle to up your hit chance... potion of superman... keep their stamina up and check that you have not overloaded them all with carrying too much junk?

3. Range attacks are much easier to get against these types of critters but the ace attack style is magic because it will always hit the target (assuming you don’t bugger the cast) so having your Gadgeteer zap it with the Lightning rod is solid tactics... any disabling magic such as Slow & Irritating will help out the melee guys and if you have direct damage spells like magic missiles or shrill sound then it’s normally worth adding them in.

4. The rat is attacking twice per round and is twice as fast as you so that’s why it is ravaging your guys... there are several items which add extra attacks and magic ways to improve your parties amount of attacks but Slow, Haste and superman are the best bang for your buck over the course of the game... Finally think outside the box a bit, because rats are beast they all have low mental faculties so spells like terror, insanity and even sleep will work IMO the lava lamp (hypnotic lure) is worth its weight in gold while traveling through Trynton.

Fat Rat is a boss like creature and is really tough, I spent a lot of time trying to kill it but it is possible. If you can't kill something in this game then you are not ready for it or doing something wrong :)

Fat Rat has 75% Paralysis and 75% Hypnosis resistance so don't try to sleep it. Its better to use Stink Bomb and poison. You can buy them from Queequeg if you don't have them.

As for multiple attacks you will get them with levels. Also when you get more levels then you will have not only multiple attacks but several swings for every attack for every weapon in hand.

I've recently finished wiz6 and now I think that this Fat Rat was the most hard boss in it for me actually so good luck with that. :)

I'm assuming here that you're playing Wiz 8.

When you level up your fighters, spread the points. Focus on upgrading Dexterity, Speed, Strength and Senses.

For your other characters, right click on their Profession and look at what they started with - this gives you a good idea of what skills you need to increase to progress the prowess of your character. However, Speed isn't included in the basic stats, you need to increase this of your own accord.

You don't say what build your party is. Please give more information and all of us will be able to give you more help in how to defeat the Fat Rat.

One of the interesting points about this game is the tactics or strategy involved in winning the battles. Eventually you will be able to right click on an enemy and see what they are susceptible to in the magic department.

Wheew! Made it past that stupid rat....took everything I had at the time, but I did it, now I am stuck with the puzzles and the lack of keys to open the "prison cell" type doors, but I will figure that out.

And thanks...My characters are finally attacking more than once and are now hitting stuff. I tell you that rat was about to make me shoot my computer....:)

-Gizmet

By puzzles are you meaning the locking mechanisms on the doors?

Shout if you need help. :)

I don't think so. I've never seen a Fat Rat in either Wizardry 7 or 8.

He is playing wiz6 :)

You need 14 Dex or 14 Speed (I can't remember which) to get multiple attacks per round. 14 Dex or 14 Speed is also needed to hit multiple times with each attack.

The number of attacks you get depends on class, level, speed and dex, all characters will get the maximum number of attacks when they level up enough so don't worry.

The 2nd and 4th attack per round are only made with an off-hand weapon, so If you have a warrior class with 12+ speed equip a second weapon for an extra attack, with lower speed you'll have to wait until level 9.

The fat rat gets more attacks because it uses both hands, just like monks or ninjas or dualwielding characters.
It is a boss monsters and level 4 is far too low to fight it, if a fight is too tough there's always the option to grind a few levels by fighting random encounters or exploring something else.

If the low To Hit bugs you, you could put the game on Easy mode, too. Easy Mode W8 is still harder than most PC RPGs, but your hitrate will be higher. Also you can change the difficulty at any time if it starts getting too easy again.