Classic Games Revisited
Ultima VIII: Pagan Walkthrough
1. About this Walkthrough
This walkthrough is written to help you finish Ultima VIII while acquiring all useful items.
This is by no means a comprehensive definitive guide to Ultima VIII, but I have tried to make the game as easy as possible for you to complete. Neither is this an ‘efficient’ walkthrough. My goal is not to demonstrate the shortest route through Pagan, only the surest. I also point out parts that you can choose to skip if you want to skirt around the story and just get on with the game.
Further, I have pointed out subtle differences between the unpatched (v2.10.1) and patched (v2.12.1) versions so that you can follow this walkthrough no matter which one you are playing. It is highly recommended to install the patch as it eliminates some very frustrating aspects of the original game.
2. Keyboard Shortcuts
Z: Open your character sheet
I: Open your backpack
C: Toggle combat mode
K: Use key on keyring (patched version only)
B: Bedroll (rest)
F7: Quick Save (patched version only) or Open Cheats Menu (unpatched only, if cheats enabled)
F8: Quick Load (patched version only)
F9: Open Cheats Menu (patched version only, if cheats enabled)
Backspace: Close all open displays
Esc: Open/close game menu
O: Open Options screen
Alt-H: Swap left and right mouse buttons
Alt-X: Quit game
Ctrl-V: Display game version
3. Actions
All actions in Ultima VIII are controlled by the mouse. The original manual has comprehensive descriptions on how to perform various actions. Below is a summary of noteworthy inputs:
Short arrow/right-click will cautiously attempt to move in the arrow’s direction.
Medium arrow/right-click-and-hold to walk and long arrow/right-click-and-hold to run.
Short arrow/both-click to jump in place or jump-and-grab, and longer arrows/both-click: jump in the arrow’s direction.
You can attempt a running jump (about twice your height): begin running (long arrow) and left-click 2 paces before the intended jump point. According to the manual, if you hold the right button as you leap across a chasm, you can grab a ledge on the other side assuming you are jumping towards one. Then use the left button to pull yourself up. This walkthrough will not be employing running jumps.
Left-click-and-drag will move all movable objects.
Double-left-click on an item or person to use an item, open/close a container/door, or talk to a person. Doing so on yourself opens your character sheet. Double-clicking the backpack on your character sheet will open it. Attacking with a thrown weapon such as a Death Disk amounts to “using it” so double-click it in your bag, then left-click on the target.
Double-right-click on yourself to toggle combat mode. Left-click repeatedly to swing your weapon, left-click-and-hold to block, and double-right-click ahead of you to kick.
4. Avatar’s Stats
Bring up your character sheet by double-clicking on Avatar or hitting Z on the keyboard.
Strength determines how effective your attacks are (along with dexterity), how much health you have, and how much you can carry. You start with 15 strength, which can increase to max 25. Your max health will be 2x strength. You can carry items weighing 3x your strength in the unpatched version (max 75), and 4x with the patch (max 100). Strength also determines how high you can jump and how far you can throw objects.
Strength increases the more you attack: hence, you can swing your weapon repeatedly to slice the air in front of you, or kill a lot of easy enemies such as ghouls to max out your strength. Doing so right at the beginning takes about an hour.
Intelligence affects spells in three ways: your max mana is 2x intelligence, higher intelligence results in more sorcery spell charges, and the duration of some spells is directly proportional to intelligence.
Intelligence increases by reading books or casting spells. You have to read the books to the end though; don’t double-click to close the book. You can either repeatedly read the first book you find, or hunt down the shortest book and keep reading it over and over to max out your intelligence.
Dexterity determines your chance to hit an opponent. It also determines your ability to grab ledges and throw objects. Just like strength, dexterity also increases by swinging your weapon. Jumping around has the same effect.
Armor Class (AC) determines how difficult it is for opponents to connect their blows on you. Armor class increases as you equip more and better protective gear.
Hits is your health. You die when it reaches zero. Your max health is 2x strength.
Lost health can be recovered by eating adventurer’s mushrooms, drinking yellow (partial recovery) and red (full recovery) potions, casting healing or restoration spells, resting, or generally hanging around avoiding enemies and traps.
Mana is spent when you prepare or cast a spell (depending on the school). Your max mana is 2x intelligence.
Mana can be recovered by drinking orange potions, resting, or generally hanging around.
Weight shows how much you are carrying (max 3x strength in the unpatched version or 4x in the patched version).
The game will not allow you to add items to your bag once you reach the max limit, but it will not indicate any error either, so in the wise words of nutritionists world over, “Watch your weight.” E.g., carrying a lot of Death Disks can easily eat into your weight allowance.