MiFi are probably my favorite combination. I 15 runed with one the other day, in less than four hours. I started as a Gozag worshipper to buy all sorts of sweet gear, before switching to TSO for the extended endgame.
http://crawl.berotato.org/crawl/morgue/ ... 220455.txtFor skills I typically train my weapon up to 16, and then just turn on fighting/armor/dodge/shield/weapon and leave them all on until they are maxed. I don't really trying to micromanage skills beyond that. I might make an exception for some evocations for an amulet of rage, or invocations of I am Oka/Trog.
Put on the first plate armor you can find. Replace it with crystal plate or golden dragon armor when/if you find them.
>>Which weapon is best for my class, long sword, Axe, flail, ...?
For weapons, my favorite for MiFi currently mace and flail, mostly because I try to get my hand on an eveningstar any way I can. Oka/Trog gifting, Gozag purchasing, acquirement, or dumb luck are all viable methods of procurement. It is hard to go wrong with the highest base damage one hander, if you can get one. If you bomb out on it, a morningstar or demon whip will still work fine.
>>Should I be using a shield vs a 2H weapon?
I used to be big for 2h weapons, but since their damage has been nerfed down I kind of prefer 1h these days. I used to play with a lot of executioner axes and bardiches. Now I mostly just aim for ye olde eveningstar. Shields can be pretty helpful, particular in low-rune runs, and having an extra slot for resists is always good.
>>How should I balance my Str vs Dex?
Get all the strength, and forget dex exists.
>>Should I be investing any skill at all in a ranged attack? if so which one, bows slings or blowgun?
Throwing if you are going for 1h+shield, since you want something you can use with your shield. Crossbows or Bows are fine if you are going 2h. Throwing is often important if you get spider, to take care of orb weavers.
The most important piece of advice I have for playing melee? Unless you are extremely confident, don't rush towards enemies, revealing new map. That can potentially reveal new enemies, leading to a bad sitaution. You can often be better off retreating back and breaking line of sight, making the enemies come to you.