The current implementation of the Combat System is..
Well it sucks to be honest. I assume it is a placeholder, and I also assume we can scrap the entire thing and start over if we find this to our benefit. However such an extensive part of the game is not something we gung-ho and improvise during development.
Suggestions for a cool combat system design is received with much thanks. Preferably with some sketches of GUI design, suggestions for intuitive keyboard shortcuts etc.
I agree that the current system is not an acceptable UI. The buttons are too far away from each other to allow a skilled response during combat.
Components for the GUI from the MAD demo are available. We can create a combat system from those components. I believe all the sprites are already in the sprite folders. If they're not, let me know asap by responding to this ticket, posting on the forum, or email me at robertkety@hero6.org
We should also consider scripting a tutorial (maybe via the Adventurer's Guild combat room).