I rarely make it to 30th level, but when I do, I generally am a person of great importance, and thus generally I have at least a squad of bodyguards trailing around with me.
That should not be necessary, you can't depend on other NPCs all the time, as it is supposed you are powerfull by your own.
I think the direct solution is DB, then by default allow to use OB for DB (parry) against any foe, I always thought in OB like "how good I combat" and in parry like "hit evading" and not only like "put weapon between", so that OB of my "combat skill" used in "hit evading", can be interpreted in character moving to evade side or rear attacks, attacks in anyway general.
So you have 150 OB, fight against 20 farmers, they usually can have 20 OB (the race ranks), for space limit, they can attack you maximum 4-5 per round, you use half parry, 75 for DB and 75 OB to attack (each strike is mortal for a farmer), then split that 75 in attacks received, that is added to your fixed DB (applied to all attacks).
Remember you can parry missiles if you have a shield, so you can run against the archer and in 1-2 rounds you are in front of him, missiles have that advantage of range, that is its purpose.
What about if archer is over a high rock?, can you climb?, probably not if you want to survive, but it is important to remember in RM level doesn't make the combat, it is much more important the
strategy, and most players love it, you can't win all the combat only "
because I am level 30", that type of combat within attacks slide off you is for AD&D, not RM.
I can ensure you as we have lived it, a bad strategy and we lost 1-2 characters in a combat against few low level foes, but with a good strategy we a group of 4-5 (max) characters at that time and succed, with no casualties (only a few wounds), in the following situations against:
- 18 bandits outdoor
- 30 orcs in a tower
- numerous group, we fled
- 8 mid-level bandints and by surprise (they was supposed to be our allies), we improvised a fast but good strategy
- great numbers of orcs in a big property, combining indoor, outdoors, doors, windows, 2 floors, etc.
Using area spells, walls (spells) at the correct place, moving the group in a strategic position (shields facing archers and spell casters behind), using your summoned creatures as your shield, placing with a wall (rock or something) behind you, etc. When you know what to do and the moment to do, the combat balance quickly move to your side after you kill soon some of foes while receive attacks in a good defensive position (combine spells, placing, covers including summons, etc.).
Strategy, strategy, is your best friend in combat
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And apply in some way the superior OB of the high level char for the purpose, I proposed one way at the begining and I think is balanced because you can't be immortal only with level.