Here is a nice combination to try for close combat: Ambrosia Thorn with Necromic Tome item. Her attacks 30% of times have +10 and give 10 health back. That combined with the Vampire Kiss heals up to 30 per hit.
you should be able to pick your start location... and get some bonus evolution points if you don't pick isolated places... also.. how do you get evolution points? just by waiting? or by infecting new people?
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