diff --git a/docs/rh-log.txt b/docs/rh-log.txt
index 92663c9c27..489e1365fa 100644
--- a/docs/rh-log.txt
+++ b/docs/rh-log.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,14 @@
 July 16, 2006 (Changes by Graf Zahl)
+- Fixed: The check for no skill menu was incorrect when a custom player
+  class menu was present so instead of starting the game specific skill menu
+  it always started Hexen's.
+- Fixed: When a non-player tried to play a player sound it tried to access 
+  the actor object as an APlayerPawn.
+- Changed PlayAttacking2 to always use the melee state instead of different
+  implementations per player and hard coding it to MissileState+1. Also
+  changed PlayAttacking for the HereticPlayer to use the same animation as
+  PlayAttacking2. Now the special handling for Heretic in the FireWeapon
+  functions can be removed.
 - Fixed: PlayerStartItem created a duplicate of the item's class name before
   converting it into an FName.
 - Removed game check for Doom from P_BloodSplatter. The BloodSplatter actor
diff --git a/src/d_player.h b/src/d_player.h
index 68eeb4fd28..638dd00736 100644
--- a/src/d_player.h
+++ b/src/d_player.h
@@ -69,8 +69,6 @@ public:
 
 	virtual void PlayIdle ();
 	virtual void PlayRunning ();
-	virtual void PlayAttacking ();
-	virtual void PlayAttacking2 ();
 	virtual void ThrowPoisonBag ();
 	virtual void GiveDefaultInventory ();
 	virtual void TweakSpeeds (int &forwardmove, int &sidemove);
@@ -82,6 +80,8 @@ public:
 	virtual void GiveDeathmatchInventory ();
 	virtual void FilterCoopRespawnInventory (APlayerPawn *oldplayer);
 
+	void PlayAttacking ();
+	void PlayAttacking2 ();
 	const char *GetSoundClass ();
 
 	enum EInvulState
diff --git a/src/g_doom/a_doomplayer.cpp b/src/g_doom/a_doomplayer.cpp
index e70422c9b9..03550d287e 100644
--- a/src/g_doom/a_doomplayer.cpp
+++ b/src/g_doom/a_doomplayer.cpp
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (ADoomPlayer, Doom, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SeeState (S_PLAY_RUN)
 	PROP_PainState (S_PLAY_PAIN)
 	PROP_MissileState (S_PLAY_ATK)
+	PROP_MeleeState (S_PLAY_ATK+1)
 	PROP_DeathState (S_PLAY_DIE)
 	PROP_XDeathState (S_PLAY_XDIE)
 
diff --git a/src/g_heretic/a_chicken.cpp b/src/g_heretic/a_chicken.cpp
index 096dde002b..6339eba2ef 100644
--- a/src/g_heretic/a_chicken.cpp
+++ b/src/g_heretic/a_chicken.cpp
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AChickenPlayer, Heretic, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SeeState (S_CHICPLAY_RUN)
 	PROP_PainState (S_CHICPLAY_PAIN)
 	PROP_MissileState (S_CHICPLAY_ATK)
+	PROP_MeleeState (S_CHICPLAY_ATK)
 	PROP_DeathState (S_CHICPLAY_DIE)
 
 	// [GRB]
diff --git a/src/g_heretic/a_hereticplayer.cpp b/src/g_heretic/a_hereticplayer.cpp
index 76e80b9d71..6acae58904 100644
--- a/src/g_heretic/a_hereticplayer.cpp
+++ b/src/g_heretic/a_hereticplayer.cpp
@@ -125,7 +125,8 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AHereticPlayer, Heretic, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SpawnState (S_PLAY)
 	PROP_SeeState (S_PLAY_RUN)
 	PROP_PainState (S_PLAY_PAIN)
-	PROP_MissileState (S_PLAY_ATK)
+	PROP_MissileState (S_PLAY_ATK+1)	// Heretic never uses the non-flash attack state directly.
+	PROP_MeleeState (S_PLAY_ATK+1)
 	PROP_DeathState (S_PLAY_DIE)
 	PROP_XDeathState (S_PLAY_XDIE)
 	PROP_BDeathState (S_PLAY_FDTH)
diff --git a/src/g_hexen/a_clericplayer.cpp b/src/g_hexen/a_clericplayer.cpp
index 0b97be5b0c..e7113b991e 100644
--- a/src/g_hexen/a_clericplayer.cpp
+++ b/src/g_hexen/a_clericplayer.cpp
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AClericPlayer, Hexen, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SeeState (S_CPLAY_RUN1)
 	PROP_PainState (S_CPLAY_PAIN)
 	PROP_MissileState (S_CPLAY_ATK1)
+	PROP_MeleeState (S_CPLAY_ATK1)
 	PROP_DeathState (S_CPLAY_DIE1)
 	PROP_XDeathState (S_CPLAY_XDIE1)
 	PROP_BDeathState (S_PLAY_C_FDTH)
@@ -118,11 +119,6 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AClericPlayer, Hexen, -1, 0)
 	PROP_PainSound ("PlayerClericPain")
 END_DEFAULTS
 
-void AClericPlayer::PlayAttacking2 ()
-{
-	SetState (MissileState);
-}
-
 void AClericPlayer::GiveDefaultInventory ()
 {
 	Super::GiveDefaultInventory ();
diff --git a/src/g_hexen/a_fighterplayer.cpp b/src/g_hexen/a_fighterplayer.cpp
index 48dcf076a8..d10e0d33f2 100644
--- a/src/g_hexen/a_fighterplayer.cpp
+++ b/src/g_hexen/a_fighterplayer.cpp
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AFighterPlayer, Hexen, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SeeState (S_FPLAY_RUN)
 	PROP_PainState (S_FPLAY_PAIN)
 	PROP_MissileState (S_FPLAY_ATK)
+	PROP_MeleeState (S_FPLAY_ATK)
 	PROP_DeathState (S_FPLAY_DIE)
 	PROP_XDeathState (S_FPLAY_XDIE)
 	PROP_BDeathState (S_PLAY_F_FDTH)
@@ -120,11 +121,6 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AFighterPlayer, Hexen, -1, 0)
 	PROP_PainSound ("PlayerFighterPain")
 END_DEFAULTS
 
-void AFighterPlayer::PlayAttacking2 ()
-{
-	SetState (MissileState);
-}
-
 void AFighterPlayer::GiveDefaultInventory ()
 {
 	Super::GiveDefaultInventory ();
diff --git a/src/g_hexen/a_hexenglobal.h b/src/g_hexen/a_hexenglobal.h
index 0a16082f7b..a14f5f6f55 100644
--- a/src/g_hexen/a_hexenglobal.h
+++ b/src/g_hexen/a_hexenglobal.h
@@ -81,7 +81,6 @@ class AFighterPlayer : public APlayerPawn
 {
 	DECLARE_ACTOR (AFighterPlayer, APlayerPawn)
 public:
-	void PlayAttacking2 ();
 	void GiveDefaultInventory ();
 	bool DoHealingRadius (APlayerPawn *other);
 };
@@ -97,7 +96,6 @@ class AClericPlayer : public APlayerPawn
 {
 	DECLARE_ACTOR (AClericPlayer, APlayerPawn)
 public:
-	void PlayAttacking2 ();
 	void GiveDefaultInventory ();
 	void SpecialInvulnerabilityHandling (EInvulState state, fixed_t * pAlpha);
 };
@@ -113,7 +111,6 @@ class AMagePlayer : public APlayerPawn
 {
 	DECLARE_ACTOR (AMagePlayer, APlayerPawn)
 public:
-	void PlayAttacking2 ();
 	void GiveDefaultInventory ();
 	bool DoHealingRadius (APlayerPawn *other);
 	void SpecialInvulnerabilityHandling (EInvulState state, fixed_t * pAlpha);
diff --git a/src/g_hexen/a_mageplayer.cpp b/src/g_hexen/a_mageplayer.cpp
index bd4d9a40e8..2e3fdac397 100644
--- a/src/g_hexen/a_mageplayer.cpp
+++ b/src/g_hexen/a_mageplayer.cpp
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AMagePlayer, Hexen, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SeeState (S_MPLAY_RUN1)
 	PROP_PainState (S_MPLAY_PAIN)
 	PROP_MissileState (S_MPLAY_ATK1)
+	PROP_MeleeState (S_MPLAY_ATK1)
 	PROP_DeathState (S_MPLAY_DIE1)
 	PROP_XDeathState (S_MPLAY_XDIE1)
 	PROP_BDeathState (S_PLAY_M_FDTH)
@@ -119,11 +120,6 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AMagePlayer, Hexen, -1, 0)
 	PROP_PainSound ("PlayerMagePain")
 END_DEFAULTS
 
-void AMagePlayer::PlayAttacking2 ()
-{
-	SetState (MissileState);
-}
-
 void AMagePlayer::GiveDefaultInventory ()
 {
 	Super::GiveDefaultInventory ();
diff --git a/src/g_hexen/a_pig.cpp b/src/g_hexen/a_pig.cpp
index f4031e83f1..826ea151f2 100644
--- a/src/g_hexen/a_pig.cpp
+++ b/src/g_hexen/a_pig.cpp
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (APigPlayer, Hexen, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SeeState (S_PIGPLAY_RUN1)
 	PROP_PainState (S_PIGPLAY_PAIN)
 	PROP_MissileState (S_PIGPLAY_ATK1)
+	PROP_MeleeState (S_PIGPLAY_ATK1)
 	PROP_DeathState (S_PIGPLAY_DIE1)
 	PROP_IDeathState (S_PIGPLAY_ICE)
 
diff --git a/src/g_strife/a_strifeplayer.cpp b/src/g_strife/a_strifeplayer.cpp
index 1ef0a2b5f1..83a4727545 100644
--- a/src/g_strife/a_strifeplayer.cpp
+++ b/src/g_strife/a_strifeplayer.cpp
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_ACTOR (AStrifePlayer, Strife, -1, 0)
 	PROP_SeeState (S_PLAY_RUN)
 	PROP_PainState (S_PLAY_PAIN)
 	PROP_MissileState (S_PLAY_ATK)
+	PROP_MeleeState (S_PLAY_ATK+1)
 	PROP_DeathState (S_PLAY_DIE)
 	PROP_XDeathState (S_PLAY_XDIE)
 	PROP_BDeathState (S_PLAY_BURNDEATH)
diff --git a/src/m_menu.cpp b/src/m_menu.cpp
index d8ee001e73..9ba8c53110 100644
--- a/src/m_menu.cpp
+++ b/src/m_menu.cpp
@@ -1843,9 +1843,9 @@ static void M_ChooseClass (int choice)
 	{
 		M_SetupNextMenu (&EpiDef);
 	}
-	else if (!EpisodeNoSkill[0])
+	else if (EpisodeNoSkill[0])
 	{
-		M_SetupNextMenu (&HexenSkillMenu);
+		M_ChooseSkill(2);
 	}
 	else if (gameinfo.gametype & (GAME_Doom|GAME_Strife))
 	{
diff --git a/src/p_pspr.cpp b/src/p_pspr.cpp
index cba4c79d33..db1b09b0f3 100644
--- a/src/p_pspr.cpp
+++ b/src/p_pspr.cpp
@@ -269,14 +269,7 @@ void P_FireWeapon (player_t *player)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (gameinfo.gametype == GAME_Heretic)
-	{
-		player->mo->PlayAttacking2 ();
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		player->mo->PlayAttacking ();
-	}
+	player->mo->PlayAttacking ();
 	weapon->bAltFire = false;
 	P_SetPsprite (player, ps_weapon,
 		player->refire ? weapon->GetHoldAtkState() : weapon->GetAtkState());
@@ -309,14 +302,7 @@ void P_FireWeaponAlt (player_t *player)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (gameinfo.gametype == GAME_Heretic)
-	{
-		player->mo->PlayAttacking2 ();
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		player->mo->PlayAttacking ();
-	}
+	player->mo->PlayAttacking ();
 	weapon->bAltFire = true;
 	P_SetPsprite (player, ps_weapon,
 		player->refire ? weapon->AltHoldAtkState : weapon->AltAtkState);
diff --git a/src/p_user.cpp b/src/p_user.cpp
index 8b3a870a82..a87d1168cb 100644
--- a/src/p_user.cpp
+++ b/src/p_user.cpp
@@ -842,7 +842,7 @@ void APlayerPawn::PlayAttacking ()
 
 void APlayerPawn::PlayAttacking2 ()
 {
-	SetState (MissileState+1);
+	SetState (MeleeState);
 }
 
 void APlayerPawn::ThrowPoisonBag ()
diff --git a/src/s_advsound.cpp b/src/s_advsound.cpp
index 92caad76e1..ade8a0229c 100644
--- a/src/s_advsound.cpp
+++ b/src/s_advsound.cpp
@@ -1427,18 +1427,16 @@ int S_FindSkinnedSound (AActor *actor, const char *name)
 int S_FindSkinnedSound (AActor *actor, int refid)
 {
 	const char *pclass;
-	int gender;
+	int gender = GENDER_MALE;
 
-	if (actor != NULL && actor->player != NULL)
+	if (actor != NULL && actor->IsKindOf(RUNTIME_CLASS(APlayerPawn)))
 	{
-		pclass = actor->player->mo->GetSoundClass ();
-		gender = actor->player->userinfo.gender;
+		pclass = static_cast<APlayerPawn*>(actor)->GetSoundClass ();
+		if (actor->player != NULL) gender = actor->player->userinfo.gender;
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		pclass =
-			((APlayerPawn *)GetDefaultByType (PlayerClasses[0].Type))->GetSoundClass ();
-		gender = GENDER_MALE;
+		pclass = gameinfo.gametype == GAME_Hexen? "fighter" : "player";
 	}
 
 	return S_LookupPlayerSound (pclass, gender, refid);