Altering Derived Stats Nov 29 2000 4:19PM CST   We are considering changing the way in which mana, stamina, and hit points are calculated. Right now, each of these is tied directly to a stat (intelligence, dexterity, and strength) creating a situation where successful characters are required to have 100 strength (in order to have 100 hit points) and either 100 in dexterity or intelligence (depending on whether they are a fighter or a mage). A system that used the three stats together to determine mana, stamina, and hit points, rather than just relying on one stat will create better character diversity. This system will also give newly created characters more of a fighting chance, without taking away the rewards of gaining stats for veteran players. The new formulas would be as follows: MANA = (INT * 3 + STR) / 4 STAMINA = (DEX * 3 + STR) / 4 HIT POINTS = (STR + INT + DEX) / 3 + 25 The table below demonstrates how the new formulas would affect characters with various stat combinations. STR DEX INT     MANA STAM HP 100 100 25   44 100 100 30 20 15   19 22 47 75 75 75   75 75 100 45 80 100   86 71 100 90 45 90   90 56 100 10 45 10   10 36 47 New formula FAQ: Why change the system as it is now? It is not broken. There are two reasons we feel this change is good. Right now the statistics in Ultima Online demand that every character have 100 STR to survive, because strength is equal to Hit Points. Therefore, we penalize players who don’t want all their points in strength and we don’t encourage diversification. Also, new players who are starting out lack the ability to really survive given that all of their stat points must go into strength. Players new to Ultima Online may not be aware of this, and thus have difficulty enjoying, or even surviving in the game. By allowing the new players to have diversified stats, we give them new opportunities for success. A mage can have 25 strength and still have 100 hit points. Hit points is a representation of your character’s experience in the world, and how likely you may be to survive an encounter. The visual impact of taking a hit is a clear signal to you that time may be running out in your current battle. In this sense, hit points are really an average of your ability to survive encounters, not how much damage you can take. Also, a mage with 25 strength will only have 81 mana, compared to 100 mana for the mage that has 100 strength. Doesn’t this make strength useless? Not at all. Strength is certainly not as important as it once was, but strength still gives damage bonuses, allows you to carry more items, and figures into the each of the derived stats. Strength is still very important. Doesn’t this hurt mace fighters? In player-vs-player combat, mace fighters often succeed in combat against a mage because they take down the mage’s stamina. This is a good point to consider. If we give mages more stamina, they may be more able to escape situations. We are still looking to see how we can best make this a win-win for everyone. My mage will have to take 100 strength to have full mana. Almost all mages are already relegated to this anyway. Right now the majority of mages have 100 strength in order to have 100 hit points. This system now gives you more of a choice. We understand that this could be a fairly significant change to the way in which you play your characters in Ultima Online. If you would like to post comments regarding this system (or read comments from other players and the UO developers), click here to go to the In Concept message board. Back