For newbie players (mainly Dark Elves levels 1 - 4), the most common danger is that the mobs of the same kind assist each other. Black wolves, black bears, and decaying skeletons will aggro if you come to close. It's best to try and target mobs when they're away from other mobs. The best strategy is to stay close to the Neriak guards, and don't venture far past the "newbie log" until you're comfortable with the layout of the forest.

For non-evil races above level 5 or 6, be weary of the location of Dark Elf guards. In particular, stay clear of the bridge at the river and the Neriak entrance if you aren't protected by some kind of invisibility or illusion spell. They will attack and kill players on sight who haven't built sufficient faction.

Travel

Nektulos Forest is more often a place for adventurers just passing through. See Travel to and From below.

Adventuring

There aren't much in the way of benefits in adventuring in this zone. Dark Elves often hunt near the Neriak entrance from levels 1 - 4, but more often than not there is better experience to be had in East Commonlands or West Freeport if one stays clear of the guards.

There are a few places that are camp-able with a small group, most notably the halfling ruins (if you are evil) and the undead spawn spots, but other than those, random hunting is not very profitable in this area.

The only exception to this is if you belong to one of the good races. You can make a good amount of experience and money by coming here and hunting the guards. Typically this is done at either of the zone exits and with people pulling the guards to there, which is safer because the zone is nearby. The guards are good experience and typically drop a bronze weapon every time.

Bone Chips

The forest is dense with decaying skeletons and skeletons of all kinds. Newbie players can stock up on stacks of bone chips and sell them to necromancers, and necromancers come here to stock up themselves.

There are wizard spires here that wizards often use to transport themselves and their party en route to Lavastorm Mountains or Neriak - Foreign Quarter. The mountains are a popular destination for mid-level players headed to Temple of Solusek Ro for quests and Solusek's Eye, or high-level players headed to Nagafen's Lair. Some players also hunt in lavastorm.

From the south there is a pass that leads into the East Commonlands near Freeport. Through here dark elves can access the vast world beyond.

The entrance to Neriak lies in the northeastern corner on the east wall, and has a path leading nearby. The entrance to Lavastorm Mountains lies in the northwestern corner on the north wall.