Let me start by mentioning that outnumbered fights are all about smart positioning and patience (this is actually closer to real medieval combat than you might think). The key is constant movement while backing up, because this naturally forces enemies to funnel into your field of view and prevents them from surrounding you. Stamina management becomes crucial here, since perfect blocks and master strikes are your bread and butter (these consume less stamina than regular blocks, which is why mastering them is essential).

Your best friend in these situations is actually the environment itself. Those narrow passages and staircases aren't just for show - they're natural choke points that turn those scary group fights into more manageable one-on-one encounters. A really interesting thing about the ai is that enemies tend to attack one at a time, which you can exploit by timing your counters carefully.

Having mutt by your side can be a game-changer, since he'll distract enemies and break up their formation (plus he's just a good boy in general). If you're feeling overwhelmed, there's absolutely no shame in using ranged weapons to thin the herd first, or even making a tactical retreat to reset the fight. The combat system actually rewards this kind of thoughtful approach, as opposed to just charging in swinging.

Remember that perfect blocking isn't just a fancy move - it's your core survival tool. Getting the timing down through practice with master tomcat might feel tedious at first, but it's literally the difference between life and death when you're surrounded. Consider spending some time with the training dummies too, since they'll help you build that muscle memory without the pressure of real combat.