The Combat Interface
It is extremely easy to enter Ultima Online combat. (It is less easy to win.) You must be certain that the Peace/War toggle in your inventory is set to War. Now your chosen weapon (the one in your hands in your Character Window) is at the ready, and you will attack (rather than try to Use) anything – or anyone – you double-click on. You can toggle between War and Peace mode quickly by pressing the t key.
Any time you are attacked, you will counter-attack automatically, whether or not you’re in War mode.
While in War mode, moving your cursor over another player, an NPC, animal or monster will cause that target to be highlighted in a color indicating how attacking it will affect your Karma. The highlight will be one of three colors: red, gray, or blue. Attacking a character or creature that highlights red will improve your Karma, attacking a blue will lower your Karma, and attacking Grays has no affect on your Karma.
Practicing
Some of the larger cities have established combat training areas, where you can hone your combat skills. There are practice dummies for hand-to-hand practice, and archery buttes (targets) for bow and crossbow practice.
Note that you do not have to be in War mode to practice on inanimate objects. And, outside of towns and guarded regions, you may spar with other players.
