Whenever a playerkill is initiated, most players will immediately classify the attempt in a certain way and react according to that classification. Am I about to get ambushed? Am I about to get ganged? Is my group mate about to backstab me? So, and so forth.

Scenario I: The Center Square Ambush

This one is labeled aptly because it actually does happen a lot in center square when the Guardians aren't around. Essentially, if someone is looking at more than two times in under a minute, you're likely about to get attacked. Basically, someone is sizing you up; looking at your equipment, thinking if they like anything you're wearing, then they look at you again and begin pondering, THEN they probably look at you again to gauge their chances. Then, they attack. This is a basic guideline that almost EVERYONE follows: If someone starts looking at you multiple times, it's time to jet to some friendlies.

Scenario II: Incoming Ambush

It happens, and it's a popular and VERY effective way to kill people. In this case, the WHERE command is your friend. Most every vet checks where probably every 5-10 seconds. It may sound menial and corny, but honestly, it's a low-budget command (all you have to do is scan the PK flags in your area) in survival. I can't stress enough how important it is to use the where command, as both defense in seeing what's coming, and offense in tracking. As soon as you start seeing foreign PK flags in your area, note their location (you DO know the area you're in, right?). See if they're getting closer (If you're already sure they're hostile, just skip ahead then) and if they start getting relatively close to you, begin emergency procedures. Typically, most people run. I would suggest recalling, and following either normal procedures for low range or high range escape (later section).

Scenario III: Static Ambush

These can sometimes be upsetting. A static ambush is someone (or a group) attacking you while you're just standing around a town. You may not be prepared, as in having your protection spells up, or whatever. So, you're already at a disadvantage, and trust me, a static ambush is planned in a way that you're lagged to all heaven and STAY lagged so you never have a chance to flee. The BEST way to avoid dying to a static ambush is to ALWAYS be prepared. Keep it in your mind that being in town doesn't gurantee absolute safety! So, keep protection shield up if you're a scholar. Keep flight going if there are people in the city that you know are hostile towards you. If you're unsure of hostility, stay near a guard, at least a guard can buy you some time with intervention so you can follow the proper escape procedures. Every class has its own way of being prepared, the trick is to just STAY prepared at all times.

While we're on the subject of staying prepared. A lot of warrior classes seem to have problems with this, because of the money factor in potions. I can't really suggest an alternative to potions. People who have invisibility will use it to their advantage, if you can't detect invisibility, then you can't see the threat coming. At best, you can stand by some guards and hope for some intervention. But really, you should have a scholar ally and stick with them if you're truly paranoid about invisible people, otherwise, buy the detection potions first. Flight isn't so much a concern, because the chances of low level people having trip fully mastered is slim, so you should always have an opening to flee from one person tripping you. Guards are your friend in almost every scenario as a lowbie, remember.