These are some of my observations on the Shard of the Dead - mostly jaded, incomplete and highly inaccurate - If you don't like it, you can lick my plate.
I personally have had lots of fun, and have played more lately than anytime in recent memory.
I love the challenge of starting on a fresh shard, and it has been an eye opener for me on many levels.
I'm reminded of the many reasons why I love UO, and it's been a great adrenaline thrill rush during most of my playing (much like days of olde).
Most everything on the new shard seems fresh to me and has given me opportunity to re-evaluate my 'normal' play-style.
The accelerated skill gain totally rocks, with most any skill accessible with a few hours time devoted.
I will add to the chorus of dislike on the glass sword - its fun a few times then loses its appeal.
Some things I wish I understood better or had time to test -
Saw a powerscroll, so those exist, not sure where to find them restricted to Fel.
Odd that Heartwood exists, but not Stygian Abyss (or is SA Trammel only)?
Trammel is not a Moongate Destination selection, wonder why other landmass selections are not also removed.
Can the glass sword be unraveled into crushed glass imbue resource?
8th age item tokens seem to be have been able to be redeemed (?with a reduced choice set?), how about other tokens?
Is Virtue armor obtainable from dungeons?
Can one complete the Spellweaving quest restricted to Fel?
Are vendors problematic? (if ther's a known bug i don't wish to be told how to repeat it, just would like to know to expect it to occur).
All in all, great fun - Thank you Devs.
I even re-activated a dormant account just to be able to place a house.
(This Grandfather does not wish to risk housing status on Regular nor Test Center shards).
Perhaps these Shard of the Dead discussions should be best placed under the UO Test Center forum?
I'm just not sure as many folks would be read/enjoy/disagree/respond if it only existed in that forum.

I personally have had lots of fun, and have played more lately than anytime in recent memory.
I love the challenge of starting on a fresh shard, and it has been an eye opener for me on many levels.
I'm reminded of the many reasons why I love UO, and it's been a great adrenaline thrill rush during most of my playing (much like days of olde).
Most everything on the new shard seems fresh to me and has given me opportunity to re-evaluate my 'normal' play-style.
The accelerated skill gain totally rocks, with most any skill accessible with a few hours time devoted.
I will add to the chorus of dislike on the glass sword - its fun a few times then loses its appeal.
Some things I wish I understood better or had time to test -
Saw a powerscroll, so those exist, not sure where to find them restricted to Fel.
Odd that Heartwood exists, but not Stygian Abyss (or is SA Trammel only)?
Trammel is not a Moongate Destination selection, wonder why other landmass selections are not also removed.
Can the glass sword be unraveled into crushed glass imbue resource?
8th age item tokens seem to be have been able to be redeemed (?with a reduced choice set?), how about other tokens?
Is Virtue armor obtainable from dungeons?
Can one complete the Spellweaving quest restricted to Fel?
Are vendors problematic? (if ther's a known bug i don't wish to be told how to repeat it, just would like to know to expect it to occur).

All in all, great fun - Thank you Devs.
I even re-activated a dormant account just to be able to place a house.
(This Grandfather does not wish to risk housing status on Regular nor Test Center shards).
Perhaps these Shard of the Dead discussions should be best placed under the UO Test Center forum?
I'm just not sure as many folks would be read/enjoy/disagree/respond if it only existed in that forum.