Spells can be the most destructive weapon in the world of UO. It is a good thing that spellcasting is not an easy skill to acquire. For those who choose the path of the magic user, we have included the following information on the subject.
Casting Spells
There are two ways to cast spells in Ultima Online. You can either cast a spell out of your spellbook or by reciting a scroll.
In order to recite a scroll, you must choose a scroll from a circle no more than two circles above your own spell circle ability. This means characters who have only minimal Magery skill can recite up to Second Circle scrolls, while a mage whose highest circle spell is Sixth Circle can recite up to Eighth Circle scrolls.
To cast a spell from your spellbook, you must first have found the spell and transcribed it into your spellbook, and have the required reagents in your inventory. Your ability to cast a spell is based on the circle of the spell and your Magery skill. Spells that are of the higher circles are more likely to fail, but when they succeed they will probably improve your Magery skill. Spells that are very low circle (relative to your skill) may never be miscast, but they won’t help you to improve either.
Open your spellbook and double-click on the spell you wish to cast. On targeted spells, your cursor will change into crosshairs; click on the thing or person you’re casting the spell on and the spell will be cast. The reagents used in the casting will be automatically removed from your inventory. If you don’t have enough reagents to cast the spell, the game will tell you. Your hands must be free of weapons or tools in order to attempt to cast. You can carry your spellbook openly in your hands, or leave it safely in your Backpack.
Learning Spells
To learn a new spell, you must have sufficient Magery skill for the circle – anyone can learn First Circle spells, while only grand master mages can cast Eighth Circle spells, with the others circles scaled in proportion. If you meet this requirement, you then must have a scroll inscribed with the spell you wish to learn. Click on the scroll and drag it directly onto your spellbook window (or onto your spellbook in your backpack). It will inscribe itself into your spellbook, and you should be able to cast it thereafter.
Simplifying Spellcasting
You can simplify and speed up combat spellcasting by using Macros to associate casting a spell with your chosen hot-key. Also, each spell in your spellbook has an icon on its page in the book. You can drag this icon off the page and onto your screen. Clicking on the icon will cast that spell. (Of course, this all assumes you have the correct reagents.)
Inscribing Scrolls
To inscribe a scroll, you must know the spell, have the appropriate skill level to cast the spell, and have the appropriate reagents for that spell. Use the skill, select a blank scroll, and a list of spells you can currently cast will appear. Choose one. If you are successful, the blank scroll will become a magical spell scroll. Success is based on your Inscription skill.
Magic in Towns
If a player casts an offensive spell in a town, the guards will be called on the caster, and the damage to the victim (if any) from the spell is only one hit point.
