Ultima Online Skills Guide: Master the Art of Gameplay
Introduction
Ultima Online (UO) is one of the first and most influential MMORPGs,
setting the standard for sandbox gameplay since 1997. Unlike many modern MMOs, Ultima
Online doesn't restrict players to rigid classes. Instead, it offers a
flexible skill-based system that allows characters to evolve naturally
based on the actions they take.
In this guide, we’ll explore the
various Ultima Online skills, how to train them, and why they are
essential to your gameplay experience.
How
the Skill System Works in Ultima Online
Ultima Online’s skill system is
dynamic and allows players to choose from a wide range of abilities. Instead of
leveling up through experience points alone, players improve skills through use
— the more you perform an action, the better you get at it.
Skill
Cap
- Players are typically limited to 700 skill points
(can be increased with certain game expansions or items).
- Skills can be increased, decreased, or locked in place
at any time through your character’s skill menu.
Popular
Skill Categories in Ultima Online
Here are some of the key categories
of skills in UO:
1.
Combat Skills
- Swordsmanship,
Macing, Fencing, Archery – Used for physical attacks.
- Tactics
– Increases overall combat effectiveness.
- Parrying
– Helps block incoming attacks with a shield or weapon.
2.
Magic Skills
- Magery
– Casts spells from scrolls or spellbooks.
- Evaluating Intelligence – Boosts the power of your spells.
- Meditation
– Regenerates mana faster.
3.
Crafting and Trade Skills
- Blacksmithy, Tailoring, Carpentry – Create weapons, armor, clothing, and furniture.
- Tinkering
– Craft mechanical devices and traps.
- Alchemy
– Create potions with various effects.
4.
Gathering Skills
- Mining, Lumberjacking, Fishing – Gather raw materials.
- Herding
– Control and move animals.
5.
Miscellaneous Skills
- Animal Taming
– Tame and command animals or monsters.
- Hiding, Stealth, Snooping – Useful for thieves and assassins.
- Lockpicking
– Open locked chests and doors.
Skill
Gain in Ultima Online: How It Works
Skill gain in Ultima Online
follows a use-based system, often referred to as "gain by
doing."
Ways
to Increase Skill Gains:
- Training
– Pay NPCs to train up to a certain level.
- Using the Skill
– The most common way; just keep using it.
- Power Scrolls
– Allow skills to go beyond the traditional cap (up to 120).
- Skill Gain Bonuses
– Items, areas, or events may increase skill gain temporarily.
Key
Features of Ultima Online
- True Sandbox Gameplay
– Go anywhere, do anything.
- Player-Driven Economy
– Trade, craft, and sell in a robust marketplace.
- Open PvP (on select shards) – Engage in combat almost anywhere.
- Housing System
– Build, decorate, and maintain your own home.
- Endless Customization
– Skills, gear, and playstyle tailored to you.
- Rich Lore & Quests – Explore the expansive world of Britannia.
What
Can You Do in Ultima Online?
In UO, the world is your playground.
You can:
- Become a warrior, mage, crafter, merchant, or thief.
- Own and customize homes, ships, and pets.
- Explore dungeons, defeat bosses, and participate in
seasonal events.
- Build a business, run a guild, or just fish all day.
- Roleplay in immersive player communities.
Who
Owns Ultima Online?
Ultima Online is currently owned and
operated by Broadsword Online Games, under license from Electronic
Arts (EA). Broadsword took over live operations of the game in 2014,
continuing to support it with new content, updates, and customer service.
FAQs
About Ultima Online
1.
How many skills are in Ultima Online?
There are currently over 50
unique skills in Ultima Online, ranging from combat and magic to crafting
and thieving.
2.
What is the skill gain in Ultima Online?
Skill gain is the process of
improving your skills by using them. The more you use a skill, the higher it
gets — up to a cap, which can be increased with scrolls and other items.
3.
What are the features of Ultima Online?
Key features include a class-free
skill system, player housing, open PvP (on some shards), crafting, a
player-driven economy, deep lore, and massive freedom of choice in playstyle.
4.
What can you do in Ultima Online?
Players can engage in combat,
crafting, roleplaying, exploration, PvP, housing, merchant trading, fishing,
animal taming, and much more.
5.
Who owns Ultima Online?
Ultima Online is owned by Electronic Arts (EA) and operated by Broadsword
Online Games under a licensing agreement.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a returning veteran
or a curious newcomer, Ultima Online’s skill system offers a depth of
customization and player freedom that remains unmatched in the MMO world.
Understanding how the skills work is the first step toward mastering Britannia.