ultima online necromancy

Necromancy in Ultima Online (UO) is one of the spellcasting schools introduced in the Age of Shadows expansion (2003). It focuses on dark magic, summoning undead, and life-draining effects. Heres a breakdown of how it works: Core Mechanics Skill Requirement: - Necromancy is a standalone skill (0100). - To cast spells, you need Mana and a Necromancy Spellbook (bought from Necromancer NPCs or crafted). Corpse Requirement: - Most Necromancy spells require a corpse (human or animal) nearby. - Corpses are consumed upon casting certain spells (e.g., summoning undead). Spirit Speak Synergy: - The Spirit Speak skill enhances Necromancy: - Boosts healing from life-drain spells (e.g., Vampiric Embrace). - Increases damage of certain spells (e.g., Pain Spike). Key Necromancy Spells Spell Name Effect Animate Dead Summons an undead minion (skeleton, zombie, or stronger variants). Vampiric Embrace Drains life from a target to heal the caster (scales with Spirit Speak). Wither AoE damage-over-time spell that decays nearby enemies. Pain Spike Direct damage spell that scales with Spirit Speak. Summon Familiar Calls a permanent undead pet (e.g., Vampire Bat, Hell Hound). Lich Form Transforms the caster into an undead, boosting Necromancy power but reducing max stamina. Necromancer Templates Popular Necromancy-based character builds: Necromage: - Necromancy + Magery + Spirit Speak. - Focuses on spell damage and summons. Death Knight: - Necromancy + Swordsmanship + Chivalry. - Uses Lich Form and life-drain for melee sustain. PvP Necro: - Necromancy + Poisoning + Stealth. - Combines Wither with hit-and-run tactics. Ethics & Factions Necromancy is tied to the Houses of Britannia faction system (e.g., Council of Mages vs. True Britannians). Some NPCs react negatively to players using Necromancy (e.g., guards may attack in Lich Form*). Tips & Tricks Corpse Management: Carry a Bone Container to store corpses for later use. Soulstones: Store your Necromancy skill if you need to temporarily switch builds. Familiars: Summoned familiars persist until killed or dismissed. Legacy & Impact Necromancy added depth to UOs magic system, enabling hybrid playstyles and PvP/PvE versatility. It remains a fan-favorite for its dark, thematic appeal. Would you like details on a specific aspect (e.g., PvP tactics, best farming spots)?