How to avoid the early game grind?

[Xandor Tik'Roth]

I'm by no means an expert on the game, but my advice is to develop an order in which you clear out the dungeons. Always make sure you clear the T1 dungeons before starting on the T2 ones. I usually do Old Forest > Lake Nur > Maze > Sandworm Pit > Daikara. I save Daikara for last because I have a complete inability to beat it any earlier than that.

[Lerceon]

Interesting choice to do Lake Nur right after Old forest...
Can you share your decision/thoughts/experience on that?
I kinda avoid Lake Nur due to the breathing issue (unless I'm lucky to find items) and the boss at the end until late teens level. (17+)

Recently I only clear 2 or 3 T1 dungeons (due to the grindy issue faced while trying to master this Archmage class)
T1: Trollmire (including extra boss), Lorgos Lair, 1 more random depending on mood, Korpul
Sides: Alchemists, Enter crypt (to low level it), Arena, Assassin, Cursed guy

T2: Old forest, maze, Sandworm, Maze, Derth(not always), Daikara
Sides: Halfing, Hidden, random...
I die somewhere along the way.

Only managed to hit Dreadfell once on my summoner run.

[Xandor Tik'Roth]

I don't mind the grind so much, so I usually hit level 15 or 16 by the time I start the Tier 2 dungeons. I also usually have some way to breathe underwater by the time I get there. And if I don't, I usually don't have a problem with taking off auto-explore and just plowing through the place.

You may want to grit your teeth and clear out the rest of the T1 dungeons. They provide enough experience to help you gain a few levels, plus you get the items.

[Mewtarthio]

I regularly do only two or three T1 dungeons unless I'm a skeleton. Yeah, the T2s are tougher, but it's more fun that way.

[Xandor Tik'Roth]

A difference of opinion, then. I like to be as OP as possible before rolling through a dungeon, leaving bodies and flames in my wake

[Lerceon]

So I've been playing the game a bit more this weekend.
After thinking that I've got my tactics down, something surprising hit me and killed me once.

Normally I'd use phase door to get some distance between myself and the enemy.
The area with the boss at the SherTul Fortress doesn't allow Teleport!!!

Once the boss gets near me I was confused/stunned to death... slowly running out of heals/spells/mana.
It also healed itself for many hundreds of HP, twice.
After reviving from twilight zone, I managed to "show hand" and pummeled it to death quickly.

What other positioning tactics are available in such situations where Teleport is not allowed in the area?

[Faeryan]

There are some skills with positioning tactics that are not considered teleport and thus are allowed in vaults and such.
Also movement infusion gives you several moves before the enemies react.

[Imbdelbar]

archmages are one of the most overpowered classes in the game

I'm not particularly impressed with the archmage. I find the paradox mage far superior and easier to play.

[Judecca]

archmages are one of the most overpowered classes in the game

I'm not particularly impressed with the archmage. I find the paradox mage far superior and easier to play.

This sounds more like a lack of experience with Archmage/not playing the particularly good Archmage specs more than anything.

Having won with both, the ease of use of a Wildfire AM combined with their overwhelming power and simplicity is just ridiculous, especially when compared to a Paradox Mage.

[Xandor Tik'Roth]

Before we get into an e-peen contest, here, let me just say that a lot of people have different preferences. Myself, I prefer to run Archmages and Oozemancers, but I really don't enjoy Summoners or Alchemists. Or Cursed. Or Doomed. Or Paradox Mages. Some of these I don't like because of their lack of options. Some because I suck at them. Everyone has their preferences.

[Doctornull]

Before

As a Paradox Mage I am above such concepts as "before".

[Xandor Tik'Roth]

....... Well played.