Mage Weapons

[Paul_Va]

I'm new to the Siege Perilous community, and I'm playing a Necro/Mage/Peacer. My starting guild gave me a mage weapon, and I noticed it has negative modifiers, so I thought it was only for training magery-- lowering the skill so that I could get skill raises using lower level spells. But now I've found out that all mage weapons have negative points to magery.

What is the benefit of a mage weapon? Do I need one? And if so, do I just unequip it when I want to cast mage spells?

 

[Barry Gibb]

Mage Weapon (MW) allows you to use that weapon as if you had its associated skill (e.g. fencing for a kryss, or swordsmanship for a katana). For a dedicated mage, the real benefit of a Mage Weapon is the defense it provides. You will defend at your adjusted Magery skill for purpose of % Chance to Hit calculations, against melee, archery, and throwing attacks (see here for details http://uo.stratics.com/content/arms-armor/combat.php.). You do not need to use one, unless you want to increase your defense. Many people prefer to hold a spellbook to increase their offense (e.g. a slayer spellbook; slayer properties on weapons do not apply to spell damage). If the weapon has Spell Channeling (SC), it will remain equipped through casting. If the weapon is not SC, it will auto-unequip and must be re-equipped after casting.

Also important to note is that your spell casting uses your adjusted Magery skill for casting success chance and effectiveness (such as greater heals and cure chance). The skill lost due to MW can be offset by jewelry with + Magery.

Here are some useful links for casting success chance and magical properties:
http://uo.stratics.com/content/skills/magery.php
http://uo2.stratics.com/items/magic-item-properties

Stayin Alive,

BG