I have just the core Rules boxed set, but I ran a trial run of design and combat, and I came up short in my combat. I designed a Wizards Apprentice who made a couple bad roles and was killed by a single Ungor. Although, the Ungor was down to it's last wound as well. But as I tried to play it out, I noticed a couple things I may be doing wrong. Can you guys help me out with this?

1.) Other than "Channeling" Action Card for Wizards or "Curry Favour" Action card for priests, do these special characters automatically start with and other Action Card for free? Other than the BASIC action cards. Such as, does the Wizard get Cantrip for free? Magic Dart? Or does a Wizard or priest need to invest in these I'll say, "non-denominatial" spells/blessings as well? I assume that a Wizard Apprentice needs to buy his ORDER spells with creation points. I'm trying to figure out if I shorted myself.

2.) If I fail to Channel or Curry, can I still make a Melee or Ranged Attack on the same turn? For example, if I intened to Channel to get the power to cast a spell in the same turn, adding the extra Chaos Dice, but I fail. Now I'm a sitting duck, can I swing my staff yet this turn instead of cast, or are those the breaks?

3.)

GalaxyUC said:

1) Do these special characters automatically start with and other Action Card for free?

- Characters who begin with the Apprentice Wizard career start with the "Petty Magic" action cards, added to their action deck for free, such as: Channel Power, Magic Dart, Cantrip and Counterspell.

- Yes, a Wizard needs to buy his order spells with creation points.

- Starting priest characters who begin the game with Piety acquired gain the Curry Favour card. Characters who begin the game with Invocation acquired add the Blessing of Health, Minor Blessing and Minor Ward cards to their deck.

2) If I fail to Channel or Curry, can I still make a Melee or Ranged Attack on the same turn?

- No, you can't. Only ONE action per character's turn is allowed, regardless of whether action in question is successful or not.

3)

Hmm... I have no idea

Hope that helps!

What Armoks said.

I'll also point out that apprentice wizards should never be in a straight-up fight with anyone. Wizards are not intended as damage dealers in WFRP (although the Bright Wizard gets pretty close with experience). Similar to most games, they just aren't able to deal with enemies that get in close, and are better adding supplemental damage while their allies distract/engage the foe.