Suggested branch order?

[Skrybe]

What's the suggested branch order for a character doing a 3 rune run? I usually play heavy melee characters, if that makes a difference. So far, it's worked well for me to enter Lair as soon as I get there and clear as far as Lair: 7, backtrack and do Orc 1-3, go as far in the main dungeon as I comfortably can, then finish Lair: 8. From there things get a little shaky, though. It seems like wherever I go, I quickly end up underpowered compared to everything else.

[battaile]

D to 13
all of Lair
all of Orc
D to 20
1st 4 floors of the poison branch in the Lair
1st 4 floors of the Vaults (do all of Crypt while here)
finish D
get runes
Zot

This is what I do and I think its fairly standard but there are plenty of other viable ways to go. Also note that this is not something I stick to dogmatically, if I'm getting my ass kicked on D12 I'll hit the lair early, etc.

e: I typically don't go into elf or hall of blades; and only enter the water branch in the lair once I'm ready to get the rune (diving straight to the bottom instead of clearing levels).

[Davion Fuxa]

Clear Dungeon to Entrance of Vaults
Clear to Dungeon:20
Clear Swamp:1-4, & Snake Pit:1-4, & Shoals:1-4
Clear Vaults to Entrance of Crypt

I'd make an attempt at that sort of plan in general progression.

[Annonith]

With melee only chars I usually do:
D till Lair
Entire Lair
D till Orc
Entire Orc
D till Vault
if Spider or Snake - Entire Spider or Snake
if Shoals or Swap - till 4
Vaults till Hall of Blades
Hall of Blades
Vaults 5
Shoals or Swamp 5
if high MR rF and rMut entire Elf
D till D27
Zot

I do crypt either when it pops up, or if I plan to switch to TSO after switching to TSO.
Sometimes the order changes depending on
a) powerful unique (Saint Roka, Meneas, Mara, player ghost with storms >_<). Then I either skip the level (if possible) or do next branch on a list.
b) lack of EQ. I never do spider/snake/swamp without rP, Shoals without +Fly, Crypt without rN.

Most of the time I try doing V5 as fast as possible to hopefully get Gold Dragon Armour.

[Skrybe]

Sounds like my problem was that I was doing the poison/water branches way too early. Thanks for the help guys!

[dassem]

Sounds like my problem was that I was doing the poison/water branches way too early. Thanks for the help guys!

That's a common problem!
The things I'd add to this are:
There are probably older threads with more details on this topic.
In case it's not clear, branch ends can be much harder than the rest of their branch (sometimes even including lair).
A bad layout and tough unique (or two) can force you to change plans. If a branch is getting too tough, it might be a sign that you need to complete a level or two elsewhere before returning.

[diviton]

Assuming it's just a standard victory.

Dungeon to Lair
Lair
Orc
Dungeon to Vaults entrance
Lair Sub branches to 4th floors
Vaults to 4th floor
Crypt to 4th floor
Vestibule of Hell (for stash)
Finish Dungeon
Lair Sub branches 5th floors
Crypt 5th floor
Vaults 5th floor
Hall of Blades
Elven Halls
Zot

Afterwards if I'm going for a 15 rune game:

Slime (Assuming I have rCorr and rMut
Abyss
Tomb
Pandemonium
Din
Tartarus
Cocytus
Gehenna