With my mage in the whole beginning I didn't see much than:
- Using Fire Dart for few shots then flee/restore and come back.
- Some time flee just to walk a little to regen enough mana to be able to cast the final blow.
- Some time to be able to flee I need reach the map border and change of area.
- Few time use water to shot from long range with not worry of reply.
- Sometimes use predator sight in the dark with no light.
- Use portculis or trap at few occasion.
- Use explosive barrel at very few occasion for a quick kill.
- Few time, attract some type of monsters close to some other type so they beat each other.
- In rare case with the mage, use a door or corridor to have only one opponent that hits me.
- Use the bow a bit like the mage use the Fire Dart but with less efficiency and use sword against close opponents.
- Use before fight the various buffer spells for their help in fights, Air Shield, Bless, Leatherskin, Element Armor against ghosts.
- Use obstacles more than mage to minimize number of opponents that can hit.
- Use darkness a lot to exploit sneak fights with Predator Sight and Cat's Eyes for exploring.
- Many time wait the night the exploit the darkness.
- When using sneaking for fights, use sometimes wait to avoid be stuck by surrounded monsters detecting me and don't allow me move.