Well, i'm playing a hardcore playthrought after playing normal a little (more to learn the combat & survival aspect of the game).
Man, i killed near all the Skalitz people and steal all the money with the armor of the guards. Only one was alive before the attack, plus the entire people of the center of the town (traders mainly).
Later, in the next town, i killed only a guard to steal his armor (brigadine ftw).
Now i was creating Marigold Potions before getting Master Strike.
I prefer taking the first one for free before buying a better one.