The key "S" makes the character to 1) cast a quick spell (if it is an attack spell, then it's aimed at the closest enemy, as with "A"), or, if you don't have any, 2) use the weapon as with "A".

(By the way, if you set area-of-effect spells as quick (like fireball), you can seriously hurt yourself, so take care. Ditto for wands with such spells.)

The archer uses the right weapon automatically. If the monsters are in melee range, the party will use their melee weapons. If they're not in melee range, but still in bow range, they will shoot bows at them.

I remember MM6 as being slightly difficult, but not too. Whoa! I've died at least six times since I started playing two days ago. This game is actually tough! (However, I did correctly remember the location of that Fly spell scroll, and was able to open the gates in Goblinwatch without reading the hidden scroll. Now I'm trying to remember which corner of the dungeon had the hidden suit of armor.)

True to form, I'm on my fourth party of adventurers in two days. Every RPG I've ever played, I start and restart numerous times, trying for j-u-u-u-st that perfect combination of characters. Knight or Paladin? Druid, Cleric, Sorcerer, Archer--which ones? Can't hire them all!

In short, I'm having a blast playing one of my old favorites. It has all the things I've always loved in RPG's: a touch of humor, puzzles to solve (with hints, if you hunt for them diligently,) and lots of loot in unexpected places.

I read letters posted in this site (I guess there's still problems with the MM7 site,) saying that the game is too hard. I remember there are certain tricks to getting started and earning quick cash, but I can't remember them all. Only once was I able to pull off the "beginning party vs. dragon" trick, which can give some really good loot right off the bat. The other times I tried, I gave up after 6 or so fatal outcomes! Yes, those dragonflies (or whatever they're called) are a pain, but there's a trick to managing them, too, which also gains you quite a bit of gold, for a beginner.

I actually liked MM8 more than did my fellow TELPers. (Probably because I finally got to play an Elf, albeit Dark.)
We all liked the tribute that New World Computing gave to well-known, fallen people who had spent a lot of time and energy helping other players, but who were now gone. Flamestryke was one. Lord Brinne was another. He was also honored in Bethesda's Morrowind by having a powerful ring named after him. There were a lot of "Easter eggs" in 8, such as treasures hidden in certain trees. And when we brought home a "jade" dragon figurine from China, I immediately named it "Ithilgore."

So good to see so many familiar names still!

I am glad to see this place still up and running, I have some good ... well, evil... memories here