Absolute beginner tips

[jefklak]

#9240

So I started playing today – well after 15 minutes, I quit and started reading http://bootstrike.com/Uw1/Online/players_guide.php instead, haha! A basic grasp of the keyboard shortcuts goes a long way, but I’m having difficulties selecting and dragging stuff on a touchpad.

Anyway, I still have to figure out basic things. I found a red key in one of the bags in the starting dungeon and a lot of locked doors. I have no idea how to “use” the key with the door: right-clicking in use mode just says “there is no room to drop the key”.

Any interface hints that make playing this entry easier of complete newbies?
(It also took a while to figure out I was wielding the sword on the wrong arm haha, after switching the torch and sword I managed to kill my first thing, that rat, yay!)

Edit: the guide says “Now use the red key you found in the pack. First, approach the locked door. Then open the pack in your inventory, click on the Use icon and then click on the key to put the key in-hand. You will be asked what you want to use the key on. Move the key-shaped cursor to the door and right-click. Since the key fits the lock, it unlocks the door. Use the door and it will swing open.”
I finally managed to unlock it but have no idea what I did different.

Anyway I defeated a lurker in some water guarding a basket with more runes and turned level 2, yay!
But I’m quite hurt and combat seemed completely random 😅 Still much to learn!

[Pix]

#9241

The interface is incredibly well designed if you know what you are doing and probably utterly inscrutable for modern players.

Apart from saving, you don’t need any of the icons on the left of the screen. To use a key to unlock a door (with no icons selected) left click on the key to use it, right click on the door. The door will unlock.

To use the door (or anything else in the world) and open it, right click and drag on the door and you’ll open it when you release the mouse button. You can talk to people like this also. To initiate combat mode, have a weapon in your hand and left click on the weapon to use it.

What I really appreciate about the mouse control in this game is that it’s analog and gives far more options than wasd does. The learning curve however may not be something you can get away with now we have standards for this sort of game.

One of the numerous manuals that came with the game was a sort of starting walkthrough from what I recall. Looks like that’s included in your link – the manual had some pictures to go along with it which might help.

You actually have a slot for the torch that doesn’t require a hand at the top left. I think it pops into there if you light it from your pack. It’s never occurred to me until now that it doesn’t actually use up a hand to carry it there. Must be a head torch I suppose…

[firefyte]

#9244

The top slots are called shoulder slots, you can put your map and torch/light source up there. Or whatever you want for fast access.

[jefklak]

#9248

Thanks firefyte, that helps. With the JohnGlassmyer/UltimaHacks the map has a dedicated quick access key (z), which is great!
I did notice that the orientation in the map (the arrow of the player) doesn’t seem to adjust or am I doing it wrong?

[praecorloth970]

#9254

Other tips:

• The game is very, very open. You can access roughly 60% of the map using only a single key, by exploring well enough.
• You will need to break doors (or, alternatively, pick some locks). This is mentioned in the manual but if you’re going in blind, it’s good to know. You just need to attack a door and check it periodically to see its damage status. Some doors can’t be broken (massive) and some doors have locks so difficult to pick it’s essentially impossible.
• The Lore skill helps you identify items. Item enchantments vary from, e.g., “potion of healing” to “sword of accuracy”. When you check an item once, a roll is made and you can get one of three statuses. Either it’s identified fully, or you get an indication the item is magical, or nothing, and this is saved to the item itself. However, if you increase your lore skill, this is reset and you can try again. There is a character that can ID items for you, for a price.
• Avoid accumulating too many items in a level. If you go over 768 items, you can get a dreaded inventory bug. Just don’t be too much of a loot goblin.
• Some say STR is the best attribute since it controls your carry weight, and it can’t be increased in-game, only during character creation. It’s up to you though.
• This might not need to be said for people experienced with games of this era, but write stuff down! Either in a notebook or in the provided automap. There’s a lot to explore and remember. There’s one instance of an essential clue that’s presented right at the start of the game that only gets used right at the end.