An advancement of its poor cousin, the club, the mace is a bludgeoning weapon with a metal head outfitted with flanges, spikes or knobs. Used on numerous worlds, including Britannia, Earth and Serpent Isle, maces appear in Ultima I, Ultima II, Ultima III, Ultima IV, Ultima V, Ultima VI, Ultima VII, Ultima VII Part Two, and Ultima IX, as well as in Ultima Underworld and Ultima Underworld II.
Description[edit]
Maces and cudgels have been in service since before the coming of Mondain. Favored by priests and clerics, these heavy bludgeoning weapons can cause a foe's bones to splinter and break – thus making it particularly useful for creatures such as skeletons. Respected for its effectiveness and often affordability, a mace often provides a study defense for those not trained greatly in the arts of war, and has long been used by mages and druids.
Efficency[edit]
- In Ultima I, maces do 2 points of damage in the original and 16 in the remake.
- In Ultima II, maces do 4 points of damage.
- In Ultima III, maces do 4–10 points of damage.
- In Ultima IV, maces do 40 points of damage.
- In Ultima V, maces do 15 points of damage.
- In Ultima VI, maces do 15 points of damage.
- In Ultima Underworld II, light maces deal a minimum of 4 points of damage, and a maximum of 7. Standard maces inflict a minimum of 5 points of damage and a maximum of 12.
- In Ultima VII and Part Two, maces have a damage rating of "5" and a range of "2".[1]
- In Ultima VIII, they deal between 4–14 damage per strike.[2]
- In Ultima IX they deal between 5–11 damage per strike.[3]
Variants[edit]
Magic Maces[edit]
Although not as common as magical swords, a number of enchanted maces are known to exist. Among these number the jeweled Mace of Unsurpassed Damage; the Mace of Undead Bane; the Cudgel of Entry, a utilitarian weapon with enhanced potency in knocking open doors; and the fearsome Slayer, which was said to have a grim sentience within it that thirsted for bloodshed.
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Upon the 1½ inch thick oaken stem of the Britannian mace rests a globe of iron studded with knobs. The impact of this weapon has been known to shatter the skulls of enemies outright. A favorite among the druids.
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The mace is much more streamlined than the club. Its weight is balanced to derive the most possible effect with the most possible accuracy.
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The mace is favored by many knights, whereas the two-handed hammer has been used by the mightiest of warriors to deal a crushing blow to the foe.
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Blunt weapons such as maces, clubs and hammers enable the combatant to concentrate raw strength in the delivery of crushing blows to one’s opponent. The punishment of such mighty impacts has often been the key to achieving victory.
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In contrast, blunt weapons such as maces and clubs deliver their punch, limited though it may be, based on the brute strength of the wielder, nearly ignoring the protection of the target.
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- The association with maces and clergy has a long running history in fantasy role-playing games, and may stem from historical Christian beliefs which forbade the use of weapons capable of spilling blood – an attribute which has been commonly been assigned to the famed warrior cleric Odo of Bayeux.
Gallery[edit]
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
