[Ravager]

Originally Posted by Fljotsdale

You know what I hate? Those disemboweled things that look like the ghost of Captain Morales, but they explode.

I just shoot those from a distance. If you kill them they're worth 100+ XP and sometimes you can avoid getting injured when they explode. Otherwise just retreat to a place and Heal after they blow up.

Originally Posted by Fljotsdale

As a consequence those last 3 opponents kept killing me no matter what I did. In the end, 5 barrels of gunpowder dropped all in one go almost got the two weaker ones, and Exorcism finished them off; then it was a matter of run and shoot Celestial Smite at the armoured guy before he got me. I had been doing this before, but he always got me first.

That's one of the toughest battles in the game as you can't retreat. But that's what I always do, drop a bunch of barrels and use lots of healing potions. By now, I have over 20 stockpiled. They're cheap and light to carry, so definitely worth buying at any opportunity.

Originally Posted by Fljotsdale

The last time worked, though I only had 2 health points left, lol! Oh, for just ONE potion of Extra Healing! It would have made it easy! Now I'm outside the Crypt with a miserable few potions (went back to Barcelona) and 3 kegs.

Well, I've done the opposite. I cleared out the Crypt and I'm about halfway through the Clan of the Hand cave. It's proving easier than usual, must be the two-handed weapons. And the Amulet of Crushing Carnage.

Originally Posted by Fljotsdale

I see you chose Two-hand melee, Ranged and Fortitude. Considering we both have Demokins, they couldn't be more different! Don't you find Two-hand slow? Heh! Seems to be working for you anyway, lol!

This is the first time I decided to focus on two-handed rather than one-handed weapons. It's working out well though. The Everlasting does a lot of damage (even to non-goblins) and adds 15 points to the 2-handed weapons. The damage done counters for the slower speed and when combined with Weaken Enemies a crushing weapon does even more damage.

Your character has 900 Mana?!
Wow, mine has just under 600, I think it depends partly on the points put into Magic skills. It seemed to increase when I equipped a weapon with a spell bonus.

Originally Posted by Fljotsdale

The last perk I took was Increased Rate of Fire. In future games I will take that MUCH earlier. It is very good - when the game remembers I have it.

I think that has high requirements. Level 24 and 8 Agility, I looked at the manual to see if there were any perks I should take that would lead to better ones. There are a couple of good ranged ones (including Rate of Fire) but they require 8 Agility and/or Perception, so I decided to increase my agility. It's still only 7 though. Maybe when I equip a weapon that adds a further point to Agility it will help, but I doubt it.
As for the game 'forgetting' you have the ability it might just look that way or you could have been slowed by a spell. Secondary effects of spells cast by Hujark Acolytes/Shamans and Artic Sucubbus for example.