I played UO for 5 years, leaving around 5-6 years ago - and have decided to give it another whirl, though maybe not *quite* as obsessively as last time..;p. Having left just as power scrolls etc were entering the game, I see a lot has changed. There are a number of areas where I would dearly like some advice or current information:
1. How does the current balance between dexers, mages and stealthers lie? How long do fights last assuming no ganking? Is there time for healing skills - potions, Chiv, Bushido, magery etc - to have a decisive effect on the outcome of a 1 v 1 or is damage output so high that their effect is minimal?
2. I started with the assumption that I would make a stealther as this is the playstyle I am most comfortable with. The template decisions now are very tight... The biggest decision seems to be whether or not to retain Poisoning for Infectious Strike - in whuch case Fencing is required - or to use a mule to poison Shuriken and rely in Ninj to poison (albeit not with any chance of top level poison).
So - how hard is it now to cure lvl 5 poison by the various means available? It used to be significantly harder and unless successful, the fight was over. Is that still the case? I assume that ppl will run with close to max poison resists - does that mean that there is a 70% chance of outright resisting any attempt to poison a target? Do the higher level poisons overwrite lower ones?
If Lvl 5 poison is still deadly, then the investment in Poisoning might be worthwhile. If, on the other hand, it is reliably curable, then lvl 4 might suffice and the points be used elsewhere to either boost offence or provide healing/recovery.
3. Equipment. There are so many new items available over and above crafted ones. In fact, most of the artifacts look to be easier to obtain that a valorite hammer..;p
Are there any items, weapons or armour considered to be *must haves*? I see that mage armour doesn't inhibit stealth and that there are reasonably good plate artifacts with the mage quality. Would it be feasible to try and design a template based on these rather that the traditional leather/studded? I'm not impressed by the "assassin armour" at all from what I have seen. So - suggestions for items and armour?
Weapons. As a Fencer, I setteled on Enchanted Titan Legbone as the mainstay weapon. Fast, 40% Lightning, 40% lower defence, 10% Hit chance, 20% Damage (bit low considering player made can get 40%). Main disadvantage is that it is 2 handed - but they are widely available for less than 5k on Europa. Backups are DP'd crafted daggers or Night's Kiss/Flesh Ripper. However, for PvP I was considering a switch to Darkened Sky as main: 60% Lightning, 25% swing speed, 50% damage (I know the pvp cap) - very fast with the speed increase and greater agility but still 2 handed. The specials aren't that good for pvp unless in a large melee.
So - I'm sure there are better weapons - any suggestions? Of course, if one drops Poisoning then both Swords and Mace look better options...
That's enough for now. ...;p I have more questions but I'd better keep this post readable.
Thanks in advance for any help with the above.
1. How does the current balance between dexers, mages and stealthers lie? How long do fights last assuming no ganking? Is there time for healing skills - potions, Chiv, Bushido, magery etc - to have a decisive effect on the outcome of a 1 v 1 or is damage output so high that their effect is minimal?
2. I started with the assumption that I would make a stealther as this is the playstyle I am most comfortable with. The template decisions now are very tight... The biggest decision seems to be whether or not to retain Poisoning for Infectious Strike - in whuch case Fencing is required - or to use a mule to poison Shuriken and rely in Ninj to poison (albeit not with any chance of top level poison).
So - how hard is it now to cure lvl 5 poison by the various means available? It used to be significantly harder and unless successful, the fight was over. Is that still the case? I assume that ppl will run with close to max poison resists - does that mean that there is a 70% chance of outright resisting any attempt to poison a target? Do the higher level poisons overwrite lower ones?
If Lvl 5 poison is still deadly, then the investment in Poisoning might be worthwhile. If, on the other hand, it is reliably curable, then lvl 4 might suffice and the points be used elsewhere to either boost offence or provide healing/recovery.
3. Equipment. There are so many new items available over and above crafted ones. In fact, most of the artifacts look to be easier to obtain that a valorite hammer..;p
Are there any items, weapons or armour considered to be *must haves*? I see that mage armour doesn't inhibit stealth and that there are reasonably good plate artifacts with the mage quality. Would it be feasible to try and design a template based on these rather that the traditional leather/studded? I'm not impressed by the "assassin armour" at all from what I have seen. So - suggestions for items and armour?
Weapons. As a Fencer, I setteled on Enchanted Titan Legbone as the mainstay weapon. Fast, 40% Lightning, 40% lower defence, 10% Hit chance, 20% Damage (bit low considering player made can get 40%). Main disadvantage is that it is 2 handed - but they are widely available for less than 5k on Europa. Backups are DP'd crafted daggers or Night's Kiss/Flesh Ripper. However, for PvP I was considering a switch to Darkened Sky as main: 60% Lightning, 25% swing speed, 50% damage (I know the pvp cap) - very fast with the speed increase and greater agility but still 2 handed. The specials aren't that good for pvp unless in a large melee.
So - I'm sure there are better weapons - any suggestions? Of course, if one drops Poisoning then both Swords and Mace look better options...
That's enough for now. ...;p I have more questions but I'd better keep this post readable.
Thanks in advance for any help with the above.