Top tips for noobs:
#1: Do *NOT* equip everything you find. It is not the best. You are not the ultimate scavenger by doing this.
#2: Check the statistics of things you have, for example:
sword (1) +50 Dmg , -10 Speed VS sword (2) +30 Dmg , 2X HitRate
Sword (2) is better.
#3: Always fight till the very end. If the enemy things your going to scatter, do the opposite. Always do the most unpredictable things.