So, I've been playing TES IV Oblivion and Shivering Isles for a while now, but the other day I got Daggerfall up and running on Dosbox.
I was confronted with lots of stats and birthsigns and traits straight away, along with classes etc. Most of this was different from Oblivion, so I had to guess at alot of stuff.
Then, onto the first dungeon (Privateer's Hold).

I spent three days and around five different characters trying to get out of that place. I was killed by orcs, thiefs, imps, skeletons and bats.
I can't find out how to level up and combat is frustrating to say the least. I tried to build a mage character like I do in Oblivion, but I couldn't get spells to work at all.

Even the UESP didn't help much -- there was no easy beginner's guide.

So now I turn to the Forum-ers.
Please help me!

I would like:

• A build for a mage-like character
  
• Tips on how to cast magic
  
• Tips on how to fight

I did manage to escape once and found that the game was awesome. The world was gigantic compared to TES IV, so I really would like to play more. The amount of inns, houses and people was staggering, although I did miss the open exploring. Still, I would *love* to be able to experience more of daggerfall.

So, can anyone help?

For some builds you can look at the "Post Your Daggerfall Character!" thread. My character is a good mage build though near the end of the game I have him using daedric armor and a katana. I made sure to get him an ebony dagger at the start so you can kill most things with it.

To cast magic, depending on if its touch, self or targeted is different. For touch/self just use the cast button, but for targeted spells you will have to fire them with the "activate center object" button after pressing cast. (Also you can use the mouse cursor for that as well.)

A strategy some use to fight monsters is to back away when they attack then get a hit in afterward and repeat. Sometimes you can get them stuck on things (like behind a open door swung in the direction of a close wall) so you can get free hits in.

To help level up your mage you can get made small cost multi school spells that train them at the same time with one casting. Its easy but can get boring after a while. Casting, resting, then casting again. Once your high enough in the mages guild be sure to use the teleporter for all your traveling in conuction with a recall spell anchored by him. This saves alot of time when the quests have you go to different cities.

If you're gonna be a caster, run out of the opening dungeon. Because you need to level up before you can defeat imps and skeletons. There aren't many tactics, aside from using magic items, to help turn the tables in a fight. It's classic RPG combat, which means roll the dice and your stats do the rest.

Only fighting classes can make it through privateer's hold without having to run past the skeletons, I think.

Try not to get too caught up in combat. If your level is good enough, you'll win the fight. If you keep dying, it means run/sneak past the enemy instead, or if there's no time limit to the quest you're on, you might as well leave and come back at a higher level.

But I want to emphasize running past tough enemies. They don't follow you very far.

If it's your first time playing Daggerfall I'd recommend a fighter character, they're a lot easier to play.

Yep, use a fighter with some magic skills. You'll get the hang on how the system works, then try out a mage character.