Character Advancement

Character Advancement describes the machanisms in the games, where an character either gains a level, or raises the stats. Surprisingly, these mechanisms are totally different in each of the games, making it neccassary to give an overview how it is achived.

Ultima I
No levels exist in the game, instead, hit points are the most important thing. They can be gained by giving tribute to any king. The higher the tribute, the bigger the gain. Alternatively, killing monsters in dungeons and then exiting gives hit points as well.

Stats can be gained by finding the various signposts after getting the quest by the king. Note that no signpost can be used twice in a row, meaning that the player first has to find a different signpost, before returning for another quest and boost.

Ultima II
Again hit points are the most important thing in this game, and again they are gained by "bribing" the kings with enough gold. Note that the higher the hit poins are, the lower the gain per unit of gold.

As for stats, this time the player has to go to the Hotel California in new San Antonio and give the clerk money (in donations of 100). It gives a 50% chance of him saying "Alkazam" and one stat has risen. Sadly it is impossible t odetermine, which one he'll rise or if he'll just take the money.

Ultima III
For the first time, levels determine the maximum hit points, and levels are given by Lord British after gaining enough experience points. However, he'll only advance players to level 5. Only after getting the Mark of Kings will he advance up to level 15.

Stats are gained by going to Ambrosia and donating at the shrines there. The sum of each individual donation isn't as important as the number of times it is donated.

Ultima IV
Again, Lord British grants levels after enough experience points are collected.From now on, level 8 is the maximum. Maximum hit points are determined by the level.

Getting stats is more difficult. There are Magic Orbs in the dungeons that when touching them, give a stat-boost. Each dungeon gives different bonuses, but the more bonuses are given, the higher the damage from touching the orb.

A third is virtue, which is gained by doing the right things, and not doing the wrong things.

Ultima V
Since Lord British was kidnapped, level advancement is a little difficult this time. After getting the needed experience points, the party has to hole up and camp for the maximum of hours. Now a little luck is needed for the spirit of Lord British appearing to grant levels.

Stats are also given by Lord British during leveling up, although they are chosen rather randomly. Stats are as well granted by the shrines after fulfilling the quest given by the shrine (reading the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom).

Ultima VI
The shrines give the levels. After getting enough experience points, the party has to meditate at a shrine, and then levels are granted. The shrines also give the stat raises in the game with a level advancement, which adds a tactical element, as each shrine raises stats according to the virtue it represents. It allows to tactically build characters.

Savage Empire + Martian Dreams
Levels are gained automatically. However, after gaining a level, camping and dreaming, the player can chose (lightly coded), which stat to raise with the level advancement.

Ultima VII
Levels are gained automatically after getting the needed experience points and -apart from determining the available spell circles- have no more meaning in the game.

Instead, gaining experience points also gains training points. These points can then be used in training sessions with the various trainers in the game to gain stats. Each trainer had a different training program, adding much tactic to it.

Ultima Underworld I+II
In the Underworlds, levels are gained with the experience points. However, this didn't help to raise the stats, which were fixed. Instead getting experience gained training points, which then could be used to train with various trainers to gain points in various abilities available.