This is Legend 9: things are going to be as far from vanilla as it gets. Get ready...

 

  The Weredragon is a faster beast now, and has been upgraded with explosive projectiles. This little detail can effectively nullify your cover and circle-strafing efforts - especially in closer quarters. And if there is a wall behind you - then it's gonna hit you like a grenade blast. Destroy them quickly, and be ready to defend / counter at all times.  Chaos Riders are very durable and absolutely lethal. They fire a barrage of three unguided projectiles, which if connect - most likely will result in an instakill or a near death state. They will bypass corner-cover, if you don't move away. Be sure to use a powerful weapon, or bring backup in the form of Flechettes. Counter-attacking them is usually futile.
 Wraiths are not only much sturdier than their squishy vanilla counterparts, but they also have a different attack pattern. Fast dual-fireball, followed by a slower single fireball. That first attack is particularly deadly, and it can bypass all sorts of cover to boot. Unless you're an expert Legend player - this creature requires a ranged weapon, if you are to have any chance.

 

   Gargoyles have been upgraded with a triple health pool, speed boost and higher damage. Now they can really show you what they're made of! Forget the vanilla one-hit nonsense, cause this battle is going to be for keeps.

 

  The Minotaur is a long-time Legend regular. Fierce, aggressive, swift to counter and boasting a hefty HP, - this beast won't go down easy. A powerful weapon or a weapon combo is a must when dealing with its kind. It attacks about as quickly as the Wraith, so if you fumble with counter-attack timing - or worse, - if don't use it at all...then it's the yellow-brick-road to rage-quitting. Having that said, the horned bruiser succumbs to the Porkalator spell completely hassle-free...

 

 Stalkers - especially Stalker Leaders, - have increased HP and increased damage. Don't get caught by them, particularly if you're a Mage...

 

 Contrary to Hexen, where Slaughtars were relatively rare, - in Legend-9 it's the other way around: Slaughtars are all over the place, and their harmless melee cousins are the ones that seldom encounter. These dudes have only been upgraded in numbers, - but they are the ones who will test your defense and counter-attack skills like no other .

 

  

Korax has a rapid fire insta-kill attack. "And that has made all the difference..."

  If the Minotaur wasn't bad enough - meet the Dark Serpent. It is as durable as a Minotaur, but its attack pattern is different. The Serpent attacks with a continuous 6-missile barrage, and each deadly shot is well aimed. If you don't have a solid cover and a retreat strategy - you're dead meat, cause this is basically a beastly tank. Counter-attacking that - is a fool's errand. The best part? Porkalator spell does absolutely nothing to them...

 

 The Zombie encounters only in Deathkings: The Return - sequel to Legend. The second in the trio of magic-impervious monsters. The Zombie attacks with an incendiary projectile, which burns with progressive intensity after the impact. Harder to counter-attack than most, but not impossible.

 

  Fortunately, Fire Mages encounter only in Deathkings mod. This arcane assassin is the worst of the lot: he attacks in absolute stealth, - you hear no sound at all, and then suddenly there is a crackle of flames - and the screen turns red... His projectiles are notoriously difficult to defend or counter-attack. The timing has to be extremely precise. Don't even think about Porkalator...he laughs at your puny spells.

 

 Your most essential artifact: magic defense, Use it to deflect incoming enemy missiles, - and learn to counterattack, or you die. Not all characters can counter-attack, but most can. This is accomplished by pressing "defense" and then "attack" almost at the same time. Precise timing and fast weapons are a must.

 

  Magical armor. Contrary to the vanilla game - these items are quite common, and you should seek them out and use to maintain a decent enough armor class. This will often keep you from getting killed.
 A tactical artifact that allows you to reposition instantly, thus escaping a dangerous trap or ambush, - so that you can attack it later on your terms. Quite a few areas in Legend will benefit from using this device.  When the enemy has a positional advantage - move him by using the Banishment Device, and re-engage later on your terms. With the same success it can be used to even the odds in a particularly deadly ambush. Right from the first level of Legend - this item becomes very handy.

 

 The Flechettes play a much greater role in Legend, compared to the original, - as a very able secondary weapon, which will complement your arsenal on many occasions. Unlike the vanilla game - Flechettes are provided quite generously.  The Porkalator spell is your best bet to get rid of a strong enemy - unless they're immune. Or smite a group of enemies by turning them into useless piggies...which are also good for charging Baratus' fire sword.

 

 Contrary to the vanilla Hexen, - this Minotaur spell is VERY useful. The Dark Servant is more than capable of thinning out the opposition, especially with the ground fire attack. And you would be wise to take his aid...  There are considerably fewer health items in Legend-9, compared to the vanilla game. Only skill and tempered, tactical playstyle will get you through the game. Those who intend to bull rush in - with sword swinging - will swiftly find the yellow-brick-road to rage-quits.

 

 The Wings of Wrath play greater role in certain levels, - and certain locations are best left alone, until you gain the capability of flight. Mage's Flechette (and Marine's Ice Flechette) can be dropped down from the air, - or ledges. Something you couldn't do in the original Hexen...  Some areas in Legend-9 imply precisely that: find the invincibility artifact first, then barge in and slaughter everything with impunity. However, should you arrive at such a spot empty handed - then it's hasta-la-bye-bye...9.99 times out of 10.