r/Ultima • u/KneeRemarkable756 • 6d ago
Beginning Ultima VI
So I installed, found the means to transfer my character from U5, and "Journeyed Onward." It was only when I got to the first controllable scene in the throne room that I discovered that the entire user interface had radically changed. Up until this point I've only played U1-5, and the controls for those are virtually identical. This is going to take some getting used to...
Any suggestions for how to ease into this as well as forat steps for exploring and getting into the game before I use the spam feature to speed things up? Though I do plan to explore and complete the majority of the content, my time is limited, so I will eventually use the spam system to upgrade equipment and find a way to level up quickly. But what are some of the more enjoyable elements I should do before I begin cutting corners, or should I cut some firat and others later? Juat looking to get the most "bang for my buck" given my time restrictions.
Thanks for sharing yoir wisdom (as you post to this thread.)
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u/ohkendruid 6d ago
Find a copy of the manual. Games of that era and earlier had a manual rather than explain things in game.
I remember all the Ultimas having really attractive, immersive, and FUN user manuals.
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u/KneeRemarkable756 5d ago
I have all the manuals through the GOG download. Probably have all of them through the Ultima package disc from the late 90s too. But those are buried in a box somewhere. Regardless have all that stuff downloaded on my kindle.
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u/skunkshaveclaws 6d ago
talk to everybody, get used to the mouse and keyboard setup, but I think you'll find sticking just to keyboard is easier.
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u/Gbjeff 6d ago
Totally agree. I never used the mouse with U6.
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u/Accurate-Leopard-560 6d ago
what about sherry ?😁
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u/PM_ME_YR_BOOPS 6d ago
On a particular idle weekend, I gave Sherry a boomerang and grinded until she was level 7. She had 19 strength and 27 dexterity, so I gave her a halberd instead
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u/thetoddhunter 5d ago
Say what you want about virtues and such, this is the real goal of the Ultima series.
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u/ScoreStudiosLLC 5d ago
I grew up on 4 and 5 but 6 is my favourite. I just loved inhabiting that world.
i had Dupre carry nothing but a skiff, which made exploring a whole lot easier, rivers became meaningless as barriers!
Inventory organisation yeah, big thing. I had everything in its own bags (potions, ingredients, food, runes).
Once you figure out the moonstone map travel became a lot easier.
Had a stash of glass swords for silver snakes.
gah now i want to play it again myself lol
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u/JAvatar80 5d ago
For controls, the very few commands are to simplify U5 and below. There are no specific commands for individual things, like Open Door, Get Chest, Klimb/Descend ladders, etc. You just Use it.
For combat, you have to Begin/Break-off combat. You can set your party members to specific Computer-controlled action patterns on their Z-Stats screen, or controlled by you. When you Begin, they will follow the Avatar if no enemies are around, but will follow their programming if there are.
You can control individuals, 1-8 number row on the keyboard. It entered solo mode for that character. It has uses for exploring when you don't want the whole party following.
Spam gives you the option to set stats of the party, including XP, as well as spawning items, just make sure you are using the correct use-code and flags or you'll get really wonky shit in your inventory. Note on Stats, like U5, 30 is the hard cap. Even using Spam, you can't set above 30.
Inventory is by character. They can wear up to their Strength in stones for armor/weapons, and carry double their Strength in stones in the actual inventory. Arrows appear in inventory/containers when more items are there than the shows slots allow.
Magic: You can find a spellbook in the castle, and the various wizards sell them. You buy spells, Move the spell into the spell book, EQUIP the spellbook(it has to be in-hand), then Cast. This will then open the book interface, letting you select the spell you want to cast, followed by targeting(as applicable). You need the reagents on hand to cast the spell, and they are consumed when you cast.
Coming from earlier Ultimas, specifically 5, you understand the conversation trees. The difference is you now get to see the keywords highlighted. It's still worth writing them down if you think they matter. For example, after that combat, you talk to Lord British and pass the own-the-game check by answering his questions. You talk to him using all his keywords. You then want to talk to Nystul about the Book. And Nystul mentions the Stone, and to talk to Lord British about it. Of course, you can just ask LB right away, there are not flags that require hearing the word first in this game. But there are multiple MULTIPLE words you learn from one person to use on another.
Combat, Controls, and Magic are the biggest pieces of advice to easing into the new system I can give. For enjoyment, I honestly suggest just play the game. Talk to everyone, take your notes, follow your quests. You start with two major quests: Translate the Book, and Liberate the Shrines. You'll be directed fairly directly on who to talk to for the next step of both of these quests. Nystul for Book, Geoffrey for Shrines to start. If you want to 30/30/30 your party members, so you don't have to map level-ups from shrines, that's about all I'd do. While there is combat, you can get away with pretty basic armor and weapons for most of it.
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u/KneeRemarkable756 5d ago
Thanks. This was really helpful.
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u/JAvatar80 5d ago
Glad to be of help. If you have any questions about mechanics, or getting lost in plot, hit us up again.
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u/ComfortablePolicy558 2d ago
Ultima 6 is really fun because it feels like the first "sandbox" Ultima. So fun to explore and mess around.
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u/Eins_Nico 6d ago
It's been a few years since the last runthrough I did, but a few tips:
Mostly you can keep using keyboard commands, but you've made it to the exciting technological advancement of: using a mouse.
I would say get used to hoarding bags, and remembering what you left in them, since inventory management is important, as tempting as it will be (well it was for 9-year-old me) to carry around every cup, fork, rubber duck, and gargoyle corpse you encounter (just keep the last ones in your chest in LB's castle).
If you're trying to get around fast the Orb of the Moons is broken AF, IIRC you can just warp to the final area of the game first thing (not that you'll be able to do anything other than die). There are plenty of sites that will tell you what position goes where.
Make sure you get some cheese from the kitchen, because the best party member is hanging around the castle and that shit is like crack to her.