Thinking about returning - advice??

[Lady Arwen]

Hi all,

So I haven't played in ~8 years (2015ish). I am thinking about returning because even after all these years, I still catch myself thinking about UO and missing certain aspects of it. I have a few questions for those of you who are currently playing who have been long time players.

How has the game changed over the last few years? I last played during the High Seas expansion (barely). The last time I played seriously it was SA. Have there been any major changes? Just running around I definitely see a lot of new things.

What would be the best server to play on ? All my old characters are on Legends, but I know that server was pretty dead even back when I played so I doubt that has changed. However, I don't want to play on a super crowded server either. I'd like enough population to have people around but not so much that there's competition for everything.

Lastly, any recommendations/advice for a returning player?

Many thanks!

 

[Jepeth]

Welcome back! There are, indeed, lots of new things. Maybe not as dramatic as the High Seas expansion but still plenty of new things to do. My suggestion here would be to look at the posts on Home | uo-cah.com going back as far as possible. It won’t cover all eight of those years, but you should get a pretty good sense of what things are like lately in a fairly organized fashion.

The short version is that ever since they announced the New Legacy Shard in 2020, we’ve been on a cycle of “Treasures of” and “special champion spawn” events. In addition, there have been some big new quest lines introduced like The Black Gate and Fellowship stuff, both you can still play portions of to get the rewards. High seas content also got a pretty good update with new deco, items, and more.

As far as shards go, Atlantic is still the most populated. Others vary in more or less crowded. You mentioned Legends being dead, but you may want to give it a good look before transferring or starting over anywhere else. COVID brought a ton of people back to the game.

 

[Pawain]

Everything has changed. Find a group on your shard and talk to other players.

An event begins next month. You should prepare for it.

 

[Xoos]

Legends is not Atlantic but I play there after coming back during COVID and I like it. I see people chatting, there are some guilds still, new people joining for sure as I've helped craft a lot of gear lately for new people, and good in the AM on weekends.

VS can be tough. I still come here to ask to buy some things from people willing to bring stuff to me from Atlantic.

 

[Victim of Siege]

Are you sure you want to do this?

 

[Keith of Sonoma]

My advice, don't bother! The game has, for the most part, turned in to a lot of cheaters and 3rd party illegal gold/item sellers (a lot of whom are BIG posters on this forum), Unless that is what you are looking to do, you will probably be disappointed.

 

[Keven2002]

I'd agree it's worth a shot getting back into things and there is easily enough stuff to do for someone who hasn't played in 8ish years. There is a new dynamic event that will start in April (my guess is next week - Tues/Wed) that will be the newest content. I'd recommend using this week to try to get your characters outfitted (100 LRC / 40LMC / etc) to do those events because that will give you a taste of what the game is now; use the down time between events (we've had Jan-Mar "off") to do the other stuff you'd like to try out since it will be there all the time.

Many vets will be happy to help a returning player with items/gold if you simply ask in game / chat.

Welcome back.

 

[Merlin]

Hi all,

So I haven't played in ~8 years (2015ish). I am thinking about returning because even after all these years, I still catch myself thinking about UO and missing certain aspects of it. I have a few questions for those of you who are currently playing who have been long time players.

How has the game changed over the last few years? I last played during the High Seas expansion (barely). The last time I played seriously it was SA. Have there been any major changes? Just running around I definitely see a lot of new things.

What would be the best server to play on ? All my old characters are on Legends, but I know that server was pretty dead even back when I played so I doubt that has changed. However, I don't want to play on a super crowded server either. I'd like enough population to have people around but not so much that there's competition for everything.

Lastly, any recommendations/advice for a returning player?

Many thanks!

Best piece of advice I would give is to find a good guild or group to play with. There are plenty of really great guilds and Discord servers out there where people organize events, talk shop about various builds, offer trade discounts and crafting help to new players and will help bring you up to speed on questions you have or obstacles you face in real time. The most incredible aspect of UO after all the years, despite some frustrating elements, is that the community is still strong and tight knit. I'd be happy to give you any suggestions if you send me a PM. Good luck!

 

[Lord Nabin]

Hi all,

So I haven't played in ~8 years (2015ish). I am thinking about returning because even after all these years, I still catch myself thinking about UO and missing certain aspects of it. I have a few questions for those of you who are currently playing who have been long time players.

How has the game changed over the last few years? I last played during the High Seas expansion (barely). The last time I played seriously it was SA. Have there been any major changes? Just running around I definitely see a lot of new things.

What would be the best server to play on ? All my old characters are on Legends, but I know that server was pretty dead even back when I played so I doubt that has changed. However, I don't want to play on a super crowded server either. I'd like enough population to have people around but not so much that there's competition for everything.

Lastly, any recommendations/advice for a returning player?

Many thanks!

Welcome home old friend. Plenty to see and do these days. Everyday is the adventure you create for yourself. Legends still has some good groups. Atlantic as usual is your most populated however it is more of a shopping hub for most.

I would check out great lakes, Sonoma, and Pacific as well for community. There is always something going on at the Atlantic shard. Pretty easy to get checked into a group hunt etc at most times of the day.

*Waves you over to the table welcoming you to the fire and pours you a nice glass of Good Old Moonglow Red to sooth those aching bones from your long travels.*

 

[Lore]

I get the bug every now and then. I did find starting around a major game event where I could get easy gold fun. I also found playing on Chesapeake the most fun because the people there are simply of higher quality.

Jesting aside, if I did try to get into it again I would try to not make a full roster of characters and be so focused on getting skills to max fast. I would pace myself and limit my time playing strictly. I would do everything I could to make friends and attend events. I would focus more on what I can get and not what I can't get.

As far as Merlin and Keith's comments are concerned, I don't think one can simply not mention the RMT problem in this game when people are asking about coming back. It's still a problem in the game unless it's something you also want to partake in. You'll never get a castle on Atlantic. So if that is something you can make peace with now, it's better that way. The developers still seem to balance the game's drop rates around people who cheat instead of people who enjoy the game. That's something else you'll have to come to terms with to enjoy the game.

 

[HippoRedux]

I recognize your name Arwen. I've been on Legends since it started as an AOL shard. Many of the names you are familiar with on Legends have either quit or sadly have passed on in real life. My main houses are still On Legends but I have active outposts on ATL, Chessy, GL and Origin. If you decide to choose another shard besides Legends, I have shard transfer shields to every Western shard except for Europa, Drach, and Napa. I will be happy to transfer any items for you. If you want to save money/vet rewards you can transfer skills to soulstone tokens and transfer to newly created characters on the shard of your choice. Welcome back to the game!

 

[Lord Frodo]

Welcome Back. Log on Legends and get into chat and see if there are people around that you might like to plat with. Your account is an EJ Account so you are free to log on I would not do anything with your bank box as it will be overloaded and if any of your chars might be riding a blue bug do not log them in as an EJ Account. Endless Journey this might help

 

[BeaIank]

I remember you Arwen. I am just keeping my accounts alive, but right now, I feel the game have gone stale. You may find some fun since you are 8 years away, but every time I return, I find nothing of interest to do, sadly.
Accounts are active right now, so if you decide to bite, let me know if you need anything and I will see if I have it to give it to you there at Legends.

 

[HippoRedux]

I remember you Arwen. I am just keeping my accounts alive, but right now, I feel the game have gone stale. You may find some fun since you are 8 years away, but every time I return, I find nothing of interest to do, sadly.
Accounts are active right now, so if you decide to bite, let me know if you need anything and I will see if I have it to give it to you there at Legends.

We miss the Zath Clan on Legends Hope you pop on to see what the Spring events are like!

 

[Petra Fyde]

This might be helpful: A Summary for Returning Players – Ultima Online

 

[Merlin]

Cleaned up the thread.

Please stay on topic. There is to be no further discussion of RMT. Move on or take it to Unleashed.

 

[Gellor]

As others stated, try to find an active guild. A good and active guild makes a huge difference in game enjoyment.

I am also a returning vet after a 10 year break. "Fortunately", my main shard of Pacific is semi active especially for those things that interest me. I'm still trying to figure out who the active guilds are and whether there will be a fit.

While I'm figuring it out, I've been adjusting chars a bit and upgrading equipment. It is funny to me to see an Orni not being high end

 

[Lady Arwen]

As others stated, try to find an active guild. A good and active guild makes a huge difference in game enjoyment.

I am also a returning vet after a 10 year break. "Fortunately", my main shard of Pacific is semi active especially for those things that interest me. I'm still trying to figure out who the active guilds are and whether there will be a fit.

While I'm figuring it out, I've been adjusting chars a bit and upgrading equipment. It is funny to me to see an Orni not being high end

I'm hoping maybe I can find a guild to play with .. I guess I'm a bit lost on where to start, my characters are exactly as I left them years ago. I know I probably need to upgrade things, but I don't know what, or where to start lol.

 

[Lady Arwen]

This might be helpful: A Summary for Returning Players – Ultima Online

Super helpful and exactly what I've been looking for.. thank you!

 

[Gellor]

I'm hoping maybe I can find a guild to play with .. I guess I'm a bit lost on where to start, my characters are exactly as I left them years ago. I know I probably need to upgrade things, but I don't know what, or where to start lol.

I found one guild on Discord:

Discord - Group Chat That’s All Fun & Games

Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.

discord.com

I found another guild while going to my old hunting grounds. Going out and checking if your current chars are solid or not is one bit of advice I'd give you.

From what I've seen, most old templates(10 years) are still solid now but with all the 'high end' equipment with large skill boosts, they get opened up more. Sampire was "the killer" back when I left, it still appears to be "the killer" but needs a lot of equipment.

The equipment is where I'm still tinkering. I ended up selling about 500 mill in old items I wasn't going to use and bought ~400 mill of stuff. I'm still not sure my stuff is up to snuff. Granted, that is updating or getting equipment for about six or seven chars that had bits missing... I left with more than a few chars in factions. I'm still sporting Ornis on my mages... part of my haul was Tangles for the mages.

 

[Manticore]

I never left the game. But the other day, I got to thinking why I am still playing this game. After some deep thoughts, dozed off in front of the monitor, then woke back up (getting old hehe), i came to one conclusion, it's part of me. You know how Sienfield so eloquently put it, it's about nothing and yet decades later people are still watching the reruns. I guess what i am trying to say is, there is so much to do in this game that if you just focus on one or two things, it becomes part of your daily routine. Part of your stable pattern that you can count on. Therefore, I echo what was said above me, just find a few things you like to do in this game and for nominal fee/month, becomes part of your routine. I get more mileage out of this game than all the media subscriptions combined i pay per month. For me, it's just attending EM events, decorate, and visiting vendors/auction safes, museums. This has been my daily routine for as long as I can remember. What's yours

 

[Anon McDougle]

I never left the game. But the other day, I got to thinking why I am still playing this game. After some deep thoughts, dozed off in front of the monitor, then woke back up (getting old hehe), i came to one conclusion, it's part of me. You know how Sienfield so eloquently put it, it's about nothing and yet decades later people are still watching the reruns. I guess what i am trying to say is, there is so much to do in this game that if you just focus on one or two things, it becomes part of your daily routine. Part of your stable pattern that you can count on. Therefore, I echo what was said above me, just find a few things you like to do in this game and for nominal fee/month, becomes part of your routine. I get more mileage out of this game than all the media subscriptions combined i pay per month. For me, it's just attending EM events, decorate, and visiting vendors/auction safes, museums. This has been my daily routine for as long as I can remember. What's yours

So much this and the biggest reason NL is doomed to failure UO is permanency..

 

[Lady Arwen]

I never left the game. But the other day, I got to thinking why I am still playing this game. After some deep thoughts, dozed off in front of the monitor, then woke back up (getting old hehe), i came to one conclusion, it's part of me. You know how Sienfield so eloquently put it, it's about nothing and yet decades later people are still watching the reruns. I guess what i am trying to say is, there is so much to do in this game that if you just focus on one or two things, it becomes part of your daily routine. Part of your stable pattern that you can count on. Therefore, I echo what was said above me, just find a few things you like to do in this game and for nominal fee/month, becomes part of your routine. I get more mileage out of this game than all the media subscriptions combined i pay per month. For me, it's just attending EM events, decorate, and visiting vendors/auction safes, museums. This has been my daily routine for as long as I can remember. What's yours

well said my friend.

 

[REMOVED]

I never left the game. But the other day, I got to thinking why I am still playing this game. After some deep thoughts, dozed off in front of the monitor, then woke back up (getting old hehe), i came to one conclusion, it's part of me. You know how Sienfield so eloquently put it, it's about nothing and yet decades later people are still watching the reruns. I guess what i am trying to say is, there is so much to do in this game that if you just focus on one or two things, it becomes part of your daily routine. Part of your stable pattern that you can count on. Therefore, I echo what was said above me, just find a few things you like to do in this game and for nominal fee/month, becomes part of your routine. I get more mileage out of this game than all the media subscriptions combined i pay per month. For me, it's just attending EM events, decorate, and visiting vendors/auction safes, museums. This has been my daily routine for as long as I can remember. What's yours

wow. VERY well said.

 

[HippoRedux]

I never left the game. But the other day, I got to thinking why I am still playing this game. After some deep thoughts, dozed off in front of the monitor, then woke back up (getting old hehe), i came to one conclusion, it's part of me. You know how Sienfield so eloquently put it, it's about nothing and yet decades later people are still watching the reruns. I guess what i am trying to say is, there is so much to do in this game that if you just focus on one or two things, it becomes part of your daily routine. Part of your stable pattern that you can count on. Therefore, I echo what was said above me, just find a few things you like to do in this game and for nominal fee/month, becomes part of your routine. I get more mileage out of this game than all the media subscriptions combined i pay per month. For me, it's just attending EM events, decorate, and visiting vendors/auction safes, museums. This has been my daily routine for as long as I can remember. What's yours

It'll be 24 years in game for me come December. Met a lot of people, some RL but many just online. It's the cheapest "hobby" I've ever had and though it may be hell on my arse and my finger joints, it will keep my mind and imagination active as I continue advancing into dotage

 

[Drakelord]

Hi all,

So I haven't played in ~8 years (2015ish). I am thinking about returning because even after all these years, I still catch myself thinking about UO and missing certain aspects of it. I have a few questions for those of you who are currently playing who have been long time players.

How has the game changed over the last few years? I last played during the High Seas expansion (barely). The last time I played seriously it was SA. Have there been any major changes? Just running around I definitely see a lot of new things.

What would be the best server to play on ? All my old characters are on Legends, but I know that server was pretty dead even back when I played so I doubt that has changed. However, I don't want to play on a super crowded server either. I'd like enough population to have people around but not so much that there's competition for everything.

Lastly, any recommendations/advice for a returning player?

Many thanks!

I came back in 2015 after a 8 yr break, it was to me then a brand new game. Check out the shards with the new play for free EJ accounts, look for those shards you would like to play on but not limit yourself to just the one shard. I can travel AND fight across every shard today, on one of my main accounts. Beware selling off any items from the bank you may have put away or any of the OLDER pets, look around and read up, you be shocked at the cost compare to the old days in UO. Welcome back, and if you pop over to Sonoma say hello to PAS.

 

[GeneralFlogger]

Hi all,

So I haven't played in ~8 years (2015ish). I am thinking about returning because even after all these years, I still catch myself thinking about UO and missing certain aspects of it. I have a few questions for those of you who are currently playing who have been long time players.

How has the game changed over the last few years? I last played during the High Seas expansion (barely). The last time I played seriously it was SA. Have there been any major changes? Just running around I definitely see a lot of new things.

What would be the best server to play on ? All my old characters are on Legends, but I know that server was pretty dead even back when I played so I doubt that has changed. However, I don't want to play on a super crowded server either. I'd like enough population to have people around but not so much that there's competition for everything.

Lastly, any recommendations/advice for a returning player?

Many thanks!

I was very much the same way, I came back w/ all my old characters in the 80-110 skill range. Since then I have been able to max out and complete goals I set at 16 y/o for my chars sitting in keyboarding class in high school lol. It definitely felt like a new game coming back w/ all the new changes since I had last played which was a plus IMO. My point being: if you're feeling nostalgic, go for it. The learning curve to most of life's satisfactions is steep and you will know in a month if it's something you just needed to get out of your system or that you want to stick with it.