If you are being faced with a large number of weaker enemies, and don't have time to squeeze off ranged shots, then chances are you won't have time to worry about most combos either. As a result it is imperative that you focus on speed attacks, and unless you need to take out the occasional shielded enemy, forsake your fierce attack. This will knock back enemies quite expediently and allow you a little bit of personal space as you whack away at the nearby enemies. Also remember that keeping your back against a wall will help quite a bit, for even when you are constantly laying down swift attacks you will be vulnerable from behind.
If at any point you start to take serious combat damage, quickly use your Jump Back button, and run backward through a portion of the level. Often you may find that you have left a potion behind which may be useful, and even if not, having a moment of peace might help your nerves, and thereby your reflexes.
Another more daring option is to start jamming the parry button, which generally works fairly well, and has the added benefit of raising your skill meter all the while. Time it right, and you can end up with a barrage of perfect kills. Time it wrong, and be overrun and knocked down.
If you manage to reach a checkpoint with even one sliver of health remaining, then you have made it. In fact, if you're near death and in the middle of a battle, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to sprint for the checkpoint, if possible, and let them kill you after you reach it. The reason for this is because even if you die after reaching the checkpoint, you will still be able to resume your mission at the checkpoint - with full health to boot.
When you are fighting with your compatriots they will, in general, be completely invulnerable. In other words, any time you need a little bit of an extra hand you will simply be able to pull back behind them, let them take the brunt of the beating, and pelt your attackers with ranged attacks. Just keep in mind, whenever you are the human player, you are also the primary target, and the enemies will more than just occasionally slip by your allies in search of your blood. Lastly remember, regardless of how many hits your allies can take, they dish out very few, so you will still need to be responsible for the bulk of the enemies.
Quite often you will find potions that are just sitting out in a level, and when you come to them, you will often not be very hurt at the time. If you don't need them right that instant, it is best to ignore them. Remember that on most levels you can go back the way you came, and so those potions may be used at a later time, when you have a greater need. Potions that enemies drop should always be used immediately, as they will disappear after a short while.
Surprisingly, many characters can actually break enemy shields from a distance with their ranged attacks. They just need to charge their ranged attacks first. If you see a shielded enemy in the distance, take the time to charge up a shot or two and see if you can break it. Every little bit helps, after all.
Also, shields only protect the bearer if the ranged attack hits the shield. If you catch a shielded enemy with his back to you, open up on him.
Often you will see a group of enemies approaching, and have a short amount of time to prepare. When this happens it can often be quite advantageous if you stop and power up your fierce attack, providing you have obtained one of the fierce attack upgrades. This works especially well if you are Gimli, Aragorn, or Faramir once you have their upgraded attacks, as they will send out a ring of fireballs and toast the oncoming enemies.
