Posted December 21, 2017
Here is a topic to discuss what is actually needed to beat each Ultima game, as opposed to what can actually be skipped. Anyway, for purposes of this topic, assume that the games are played with the following rules:
1. No hacking the game or its save files; the game must be run unmodified. (Unfortunately, this rule does preclude using any of the unofficial patches out there; I am not aware of any that would affect the requirements for completing the game, unless one of them happens to introduce an exploitable glitch.)
2. No using developer-intended cheats. This rule disallows anything that the game calls a "cheat" (sorry Iolo fans, but we are not allowing the Iolo cheat in Ultima 6). It also disallows the various rooms in Ultima 7 that allow you to get copies of quest items and skip straight to the end of the game.
3. Using glitches is allowed, although platform specific glitches should be mentioned, and it should be mentioned what the glitch allows you to skip.
Anyway, I'll start with Ultima 3:
In Ultima 3 (computer), you need:
* A ship to access Ambrosia and the Isle of Fire
* The Mark of Force (endgame requires walking over force barriers that will block you otherwise)
* The Cards from Ambrosia (actually the only reason you *need* to go there)
* The Mark of Snake (unless it is possible to use Wizard spell G to teleport there on a ship, but that would require raising a Wizard's INT to 30)
You do not actually need:
* Exotic Armor, but enemy attacks will always hit you
* Mark of Fire, but lava will hurt
* Mark of Kings, but good luck beating the game with only 550 HP
* Exotic Weapons, but your only offensive option in the endgame will be magic, which could be tricky
In Ultima 3 (NES), there are some differences:
* The Mark of Snake is not required, as it is possible for a ship to spawn inside the Isle of Fire. (I am not sure if that is the only ship you need.)
* Getting the cards requires that you get the Pray command (unlike computer versions, you can't just type in a command; you actually have to talk to a certain NPC to unlock the command)
* The other items added to the NES version, I believe, are not actually necessary for beating the game. (Remember that Exotic Weapons/Armor are technically not required.)
* Reaching level 5 is *required*, as otherwise you won't encounter any ships. (On the other hand, it's a good idea not to level past level 2 until you're ready, as stronger enemies will start appearing on the overworld at that point.)
1. No hacking the game or its save files; the game must be run unmodified. (Unfortunately, this rule does preclude using any of the unofficial patches out there; I am not aware of any that would affect the requirements for completing the game, unless one of them happens to introduce an exploitable glitch.)
2. No using developer-intended cheats. This rule disallows anything that the game calls a "cheat" (sorry Iolo fans, but we are not allowing the Iolo cheat in Ultima 6). It also disallows the various rooms in Ultima 7 that allow you to get copies of quest items and skip straight to the end of the game.
3. Using glitches is allowed, although platform specific glitches should be mentioned, and it should be mentioned what the glitch allows you to skip.
Anyway, I'll start with Ultima 3:
In Ultima 3 (computer), you need:
* A ship to access Ambrosia and the Isle of Fire
* The Mark of Force (endgame requires walking over force barriers that will block you otherwise)
* The Cards from Ambrosia (actually the only reason you *need* to go there)
* The Mark of Snake (unless it is possible to use Wizard spell G to teleport there on a ship, but that would require raising a Wizard's INT to 30)
You do not actually need:
* Exotic Armor, but enemy attacks will always hit you
* Mark of Fire, but lava will hurt
* Mark of Kings, but good luck beating the game with only 550 HP
* Exotic Weapons, but your only offensive option in the endgame will be magic, which could be tricky
In Ultima 3 (NES), there are some differences:
* The Mark of Snake is not required, as it is possible for a ship to spawn inside the Isle of Fire. (I am not sure if that is the only ship you need.)
* Getting the cards requires that you get the Pray command (unlike computer versions, you can't just type in a command; you actually have to talk to a certain NPC to unlock the command)
* The other items added to the NES version, I believe, are not actually necessary for beating the game. (Remember that Exotic Weapons/Armor are technically not required.)
* Reaching level 5 is *required*, as otherwise you won't encounter any ships. (On the other hand, it's a good idea not to level past level 2 until you're ready, as stronger enemies will start appearing on the overworld at that point.)
