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Mass Death – also known as Mass Kill – is one of the most potent attack spells.
Spell Description[edit]
Should all other ways of dealing with the caster's foe fail, if the party is surrounded by enemies ready to strike them down, then – and only then – should Mass Death be used. Once cast, it leeches on the life force of the caster and his companions, to create a literal wave of death. The end result is as amazing as it is horrible. All the foes in sight are instantly slaughtered. The huge dangers involved in this spell should be a warning, since it could easily cause the caster's death if already weakened!
History[edit]
The spell worked somewhat differently in earlier ages. Such powerful magic was first developed during the Age of Darkness in Ultima III, where the spells P and Zxkuqyb killed multiple foes but had no drawbacks apart from high mana consumption. Research into such spell then was stopped and it was not until the time of Ultima VI in the late Age of Enlightenment that this type of spell resurfaced. In that time the spell was being cast towards a destination of choice, where it would explode outward, killing everything in its vicinity – even the caster if he were too close.
It was only at the dawn of the Age of Armageddon that the version of spell seen nowadays was developed.
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Sends lethal bolts of energy toward all nearby beings.
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This spell causes everyone in sight (except of the mage and his party) to instantly drop dead.
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This very powerful spell instantly slays all enemies in view of the caster. However, the extreme amount of ether energy required to cast Mass Death leaves the caster near death as well.
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- Balthan, in Lynn Abbey's Ultima Saga, illuminates scrolls for the wizard Felespar. The ones he was working on when Blackthorn kidnapped the councilman were Eighth Circle magic, including spells that can "slay a man wherever he stood".[1]
- In the SNES-port of Ultima VI the spell name was changed to Mass Destroy.
- In game mechanics, in Ultima VII the spell reduces the hit points of the party members to a minimum, the screen turns red for 1–2 seconds, then all foes die. During these seconds, the party is therefore vulnerable.
- The spell is especially useful in Ultima VII Part Two in the park in the lower levels of Skullcrusher. While the huge horde of gremlins attacking the party can only seldomly land a hit, they in turn are difficult to hit and slow down the game. Running through the park and then casting this spell does take care of the problem quickly.
Gallery[edit]
Casting Mass Kill in Ultima VI
Casting Mass Death in Ultima VII
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
