Shattered Kingdoms

Well yeah, that was tongue-in-cheek.

First of all: Wow. Thank you everyone.

Next, I remember reading somewhere (a help file?) that necro's minions give experience to their masters. How about with charms, pets, and elementals? If I have a swashy with a pet lion, both are front row, is the lion taking away from my experience-gaining potential?

Are you in the same room as your computer?

The xp gained from minion damage will most likely never be enough to warrant them doing damage to the NPCs you are fighting, unless you have to let them. (Like with casters who need a tank.) And even in that case you should order the pet to go on mood defensive imo.

What JVJ said. The XP gain your minions deal is practically unnoticeable.

QFT

In fact, if you're a melee character, put your pet behind you and look around before you start a fight with a dirt kicking NPC. If you get dirt kicked, then just go to the nearest NPC and "o all dirt" them, which will start combat.

On top of that, you get the added bonus of not having your pet steal your expees.

That grouped with a GM thing is a bit funny... is it similar to familiarity where the person has to be in the same room, or does some random GM simply being in the group across the world work?

Not sure. Only noticed it a few times, and the GM was with me, helping.

Weapon type makes a big difference. Cold iron bspears, ahlspiess, pole maces, daggers, falchions. Bwhips sized one size smaller than race on casters to reach with auto assist, so you don't have to target anything if someone else is leading. Grouping up in areas with fresh eyes can make a massive difference.