Get good at shield parrying attacks to trigger the double damage counter attack opening so you can quickly kill enemies. Kite boss event enemies AWAY from your base but stay inside the red circle so the event timer will run out while you are kiting them. Don't give them the chance to smash all your stuff. Pay attention to the color of the damage numbers you are doing to enemies. Yellow numbers mean you are doing extra damage, white is normal and grey means they are resistant to the damage you are dealing. Different enemies are vulnerable to different types of damage, for example. Skeletons and slimes are hurt more by bludgeoning damage from clubs and hammers. Grey dwarves are afraid of fire from campfires and torches.