Oh i think i know what you are getting at... im a bit rusty although do you think something like this would work?
PHP Code:
$combat_level = $_POST['combat_level'];
$level = $_POST['level'];
$attack = $_POST['attack'];
$defence = $_POST['defence'];
$strength = $_POST['strength'];
$ranged = $_POST['ranged'];
$magic = $_POST['magic'];
$summoning = $_POST['summoning'];
$target_level1 = array($attack,$defence,$strength,$ranged,$magic,$summoning)
$target_level2 = sort($target_level1, SORT_NUMERIC);
$target_level3 = current($target_level2), PHP_EOL ;
$result = $combat_level - $level - 2 - $defence - $target_level3 + 1;
echo $result;