Strength

Strength is an attribute that primarily determines how much damage a character can inflict against an opponent when using certain types of weapons. It may also determine which armour can be worn or a character's total hit points.

The Attribute

Strength generally determines a character's attack power, influencing the amount of damage dealt. It sometimes also factors into minimum Strength requirements for certain weapons and armour, and in later games, it often determines carrying capacity.

Ultima I

Each point of Strength increases the maximum attack damage by 1 in Ultima I. For comparison, other weapons increase maximum damage by 8 per weapon tier. In both cases, this implies enemies will be killed faster. Strength is raised by fulfilling the quest of a king to visit a landmark and then return. Strength is then raised using the formula: ((100 - Strength) / 8).

A dwarf gets a bonus of +5 on this stat, while a fighter gains +10. Meanwhile a bobbit will suffer a loss: 5 Strength.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 99.

Quick victories are valuable, making Strength important; it can be quickly maxed out since signpost quests are easily solved.

Ultima II

Strength is used to determine which armour can be worn and the amount of damage dealt to enemies, in Ultima II. The exact formula is not known, but the higher the Strength, the greater the chance of hitting an enemy.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 99.

The minimum Strength requirements for armour are as follows (the minimum starting Strength is 10):

	Min. Strength
Skin	1
Cloth armour	9
Leather armour	11
Chain armour	19
Plate armour	21
Reflect armour	29
Power armour	31

Males start with +5 Strength, dwarves gain +5 and fighters gain +15. The stat can be raised by bribing the Clerk at the Hotel California in New San Antonio. The Ultima II Upgrade Patch is required so that the number does not roll over. The stat is important not only for dispatching enemies but also for using game-critical armour.

Note that the original Apple II-version has a bug and Strength cannot be raised in the game. This implies that a starting Strength of less than 31 will break the game.

Ultima III

Strength does not factor into what armour can be used, in Ultima III. Instead, Strength solely determines how hard the enemy is hit during combat. The exact formula for this is not known. However, since a hit is not guaranteed, Dexterity will also factor into combat effectiveness.

Strength is thus important only for classes engaging in physical combat, not for spellcasters.

Strength can be raised at the appropriate magic shrine on Ambrosia by donating money. Only dwarves can reach the maximum of 99. Humans, elves and bobbits have a maximum of 75, while fuzzies are blocked from achieving Strength above 25.

Ultima IV

In Ultima IV, Strength solely determines how hard the character can hit an enemy. However, since a hit is not guaranteed, Dexterity will also factor into combat effectiveness.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 50.

In order to raise Strength, characters have to touch special magic orbs in the dungeons. Orbs that raise Strength are found in the dungeons of Destard, Covetous, Shame, and Hythloth. Each raises Strength by +5 (though the latter three also raise other stats). However, they also respectively cause 200, 400, 400 and 600 points of damage; thus they should be used with caution.

Ultima V

In Ultima V, Strength not only determines how hard the enemy is hit but is also required to use certain weapons and armour.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 30.

To increase Strength, characters must first level up and then camp for the maximum number of hours during the night. Some luck is needed; if Lord British appears over the campfire, he raises the character's stats by +3. However, the stat raised is randomly selected, so luck also plays a part in which stat is increased.

Ultima VI

In Ultima VI, Strength determines a number of things:

• the effectiveness of melee weapons in dealing damage (with the likelihood of a hit determined by Dexterity).
• the maximum weight of the readied equipment (on the paper doll). The formula is (STR = Weight), meaning, for example, that 25 Strength would allow a character to be equipped with 25 stones.
• the maximum weight of items in inventory. The formula here is (STR × 2), meaning that 25 Strength would allow for 50 stones of inventory capacity.

This means Strength not only determines combat effectiveness but also the total equipment the party can carry.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 30.

Strength increases are awarded to characters as they level up and then meditate at a liberated Shrine of Virtue with the correct mantra. The Shrine of Valor raises Strength by +3, while the Shrine of Sacrifice, Shrine of Honor, and Shrine of Spirituality do so by only +1 (though they also raise other stats).

Savage Empire

In Savage Empire, Strength determines a number of things:

• the effectiveness of melee weapons in dealing damage (with the likelihood of a hit determined by Dexterity).
• the maximum weight of the readied equipment (on the paper doll). The formula is (STR = Weight), meaning, for example, that 25 Strength would allow a character to be equipped with 25 stones.
• the maximum weight of items in the inventory. The formula here is (STR × 2), meaning that 25 Strength would allow for 50 stones of inventory capacity.

This means Strength not only determines combat effectiveness but also the total equipment the party can carry.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 30.

Strength increases are awarded when characters level up and sleep during the night. In the following dream, the bear must be chosen.^{[Clarification needed]}

Martian Dreams

In Martian Dreams, Strength determines a number of things:

• the effectiveness of melee weapons in dealing damage (with the likelihood of a hit determined by Dexterity).
• the maximum weight of the readied equipment (on the paper doll). The formula is (STR = Weight), meaning, for example, that 25 Strength would allow a character to be equipped with 25 stones.
• the maximum weight of items in the inventory. The formula here is (STR × 2), meaning that 25 Strength translates to 50 stones of maximum inventory weight.

This means Strength not only determines combat effectiveness but also the total equipment the party can carry.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 30.

Strength increases are awarded when characters level up and sleep during the night. In the following dream, the sword must be chosen.^{[Clarification needed]}

Ultima Underworld

Strength determines multiple things in Ultima Underworld:

• the calculation of weapon damage to an enemy in combination with Attack and Weapon skill stats, though the exact formula is unknown.
• the base stat for Vitality (approximately (0.24 × STR + 29) rounded down), as well as hit points gained per level (around (STR / 5) rounded down).
• the overall carrying weight, with (2 × STR) representing the weight the Avatar can carry.

See Character creation in the Underworld games to understand how the Strength stat is determined for each class during character creation. Strength cannot be raised after character generation; only connected skills can be increased. Thus, care must be taken to achieve the desired result at creation.

Strength range: 12–30.

Ultima VII

In Ultima VII, Strength determines a number of things:

• damage dealt by melee weapons if full damage is applied to the enemy.
• the maximum inventory weight. The formula for that is (STR × 2), meaning, for example, that a character with Strength of 20 can carry up to 40 stones of items.
• the hit points of a character. Hit points are always equal to the Strength stat.

Strength training methods are varied; see Training in Ultima VII for further details.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 30, except for the Avatar, who can reach 60 in Ultima VII: Forge of Virtue.

To increase Strength, training points are required, which are gained when reaching a new level. The trainers that raise Strength are found in the link above. The Avatar can also gain Strength in the quest of Courage in The Forge of Virtue.

Ultima Underworld II

Strength determines multiple things in Ultima Underworld II:

• the calculation of weapon damage to an enemy in combination with Attack and Weapon skills, though the exact formula is unknown.
• the base stat for Vitality (approximately (0.24 × STR + 29) rounded down), as well as hit points gained per level (around (STR / 5) rounded down).
• the overall carrying weight, with (1.35 × STR + 29) rounded down representing the weight the Avatar can carry.

See Character creation in the Underworld games to understand how Strength is determined for each class during character creation. Strength cannot be raised after character generation; only connected skills can be increased. Thus, care must be taken to achieve the desired result at creation.

Strength range: 12–30.

Ultima VII Part Two

In Ultima VII Part Two, Strength determines a number of things:

• damage dealt by melee weapons if full damage is applied to the enemy.
• the maximum inventory weight. The formula for that is (STR × 2), meaning, for example, that a character with Strength of 20 can carry up to 40 stones of items.
• the hit points of a character. Hit points are always equal to the Strength stat.

Strength training methods are varied. See Training in Ultima VII for further details.

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 30.

To increase Strength, training points are required, which are gained when reaching a new level. The trainers that raise Strength are found in the link above.

Ultima VIII

Strength in Ultima VIII determines:

• the maximum possible damage done with a weapon.
• the maximum weight the Avatar can carry. The formula was originally (STR × 2), but this was deemed too low, so with a patch, the formula was altered to (STR × 4).
• hit points, with the formula (STR × 2).

Strength can be raised to a maximum of 25.

Increases are awarded by:

• fighting or simply swinging a weapon.
• jumping.

Ultima IX

Strength in Ultima IX is measured by four states: Weak, Strong, Powerful, and Heroic. Strength determines the amount of hit points available; each level of Strength grants the Avatar 30 HP, with a maximum of 120. Additionally, the Strong, Powerful, and Heroic levels provide damage bonuses of +2, +4, and +8 respectively. The stat can be raised after cleansing a Shrine, though a shepherd may not be able to reach the highest level.

Strength is important as it is the only way to increase the Avatar's health capacity.

See Also

• Character creation
• Character attributes

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Character Stats
The Main Attibutes	Strength ☥ Dexterity ☥ Intelligence
Past Attibutes	Charisma ☥ Stamina ☥ Wisdom