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Ultima seriesKeyboard Commands are Confusing(6 posts)(6 posts)
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Posted May 10, 2017
I am playing Ultima I.

First thing I notice is that the instructions don't have any explanation of what the keyboard commands are. This might have been an oversight in the instruction docs, not sure.

Secondly, I hit "Q" to quit, and it saves my game, but doesn't exit DOSBOX, so I'm stuck in the game unless I reboot my computer.

Third, I created a character I didn't want, but no way to delete it, is there a way?

Anyone can help with basic Ultima I commands?

Thank you.
Posted May 10, 2017
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DonkeyKongJr: Secondly, I hit "Q" to quit, and it saves my game, but doesn't exit DOSBOX, so I'm stuck in the game unless I reboot my computer.
The ability to exit the game was not implemented until Ultima 5 (and even then the command was not documented); back in the day, you were expected to reboot or power down the computer when you are done. Back then, there *was* no OS to return to, so the ability to return to it would have been rather silly. (Interestingly enough, Wizardry and Bard's Tale had options to exit the game, but Wizardry just took you to a screen where you could press a key to return to the game, and Bard's Tale would prompt you to switch to the disk you want to boot, then reboot the machine.)

However, if you are playing the game via DOSBox, you can switch DOSBox to windowed mode by pressing Alt+Enter (at the same time), at which point you can close the game easily. You could also Alt+Tab away from the game, and I would guess (but haven't personally tested) that Alt+F4 would close the game down completely.
Posted May 10, 2017
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DonkeyKongJr: I am playing Ultima I.

First thing I notice is that the instructions don't have any explanation of what the keyboard commands are. This might have been an oversight in the instruction docs, not sure.
In the manuals that came with the game, there should be an image file called "Ultima 1 Keyboard Commands". In case you don't have or can't find it, I've attached a copy to this post.

This pic (which would've been an included physical card in the original game) is the only way to reference which keys do what. If you need to, print it out so that you have it handy while you're playing.
Attachments:
ultima_1_keyboar.png (334 Kb)
Posted May 11, 2017
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DonkeyKongJr: I am playing Ultima I.

First thing I notice is that the instructions don't have any explanation of what the keyboard commands are. This might have been an oversight in the instruction docs, not sure.
avatar
TwoHandedSword: In the manuals that came with the game, there should be an image file called "Ultima 1 Keyboard Commands". In case you don't have or can't find it, I've attached a copy to this post.

This pic (which would've been an included physical card in the original game) is the only way to reference which keys do what. If you need to, print it out so that you have it handy while you're playing.
There is no file explaining the Keyboard Commands, there is only a manual pdf file.

Thanks for attaching it.

Does anyone else have this image file with their install of Ultima, just curious where it is?
Posted May 11, 2017
Many of the key commands are pretty consistent across the first five games, so I'm just going to give you a generalist rundown:

A - Attack (or initiate combat with adjacent mob if not in battle in U3-U5)
B - Board transports of various types (may require special items, particularly in U2)
C - Cast spells
D - Varies between games.
U1: Discard item from inventory
U2 - U4: Descend a ladder in dungeons (U5 does not use this command, Klimb is both ways like U1)
E - Enter this that or the other thing (to use sign posts in U1, Enter them). Not for transports (use Board)
F - Fire guns while on board ship (in at least U3-5, target needs to be aligned with broadsides, not sure if that was required in 2, but not in 1)
G - Pick stuff up (Get)
H - Varies significantly between games.
U1 & U2: Hyperjump on a space ship
U3: Hand inventory between characters (U3 actually has separate inventory per member, like 6 & onward!)
U4 & U5: Hole up (Rest)
I - Ignite torches
J - Varies significantly between games.
Not used in U1.
U2: Jump (does nothing)
U3: Join (pool) all party gold to one member inventory
U4 & U5: Jimmy (pick) lock. In U4 always uses up one key, in U5 there is a random chance 1 lock pick will break
K - Klimb ladders in dungeons (in U1 & U5 in either direction, U2-U4 up only)
L - Varies significantly between games.
Not used in U1.
U2: Launch or land air/space transport
U3 & U5: Look at the adjacent tile in a given direction
U4: Locate your position with the sextant
M - Varies significantly between games.
Not used in U1.
U2: Ready a magic spell for use
U3: Exchange the order of party members
U4 & U5: Mix reagents for a spell
N - Varies significantly between games.
U1: Sound On/Off
U2 & U3: Time stop (with the proper item)
U4 & U5: Exchange the order of party members
O - Varies significantly between games.
U1: Opens Coffins in dungeons (doors do not need to be opened & for chests Get is used)
U2: Offer a bribe
U3: Other command (free-form typing, only certain commands are accepted)
U4 & U5: Opens doors (also chests in U5)
P - Not used in the first two games.
U3 & U4: Peer at a viewing gem
U5: Push objects
Q - Save game (does not actually quit, except in U5)
R - Ready equipment (all gear in U1 & U5, weapons only in U2 - U4)
S - Steal in U1-U3, Search in U4 & U5
T - Transact/Talk to NPC
U - Unlock doors in U1-U3, Use items in U4 & U5
V - Varies significantly between games.
U1: Switch between front and top view in space ship
U2 & U5: Peer at a viewing gem
U3: Adjust volume or Sound On/Off (depends on version)
W - Only used in U2 - U4 for readying armour (U1 & U5 use Ready for all gear)
X - Exit various vehicles
Y - Not used in U1, in later games used to Yell a word you type (some words have effects in U3 - U5, but not in U2)
Z - Ztats (character stat sheet/inventory screens)
Posted May 12, 2017
Thank you for this.
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AurelianDragon: Many of the key commands are pretty consistent across the first five games, so I'm just going to give you a generalist rundown:

A - Attack (or initiate combat with adjacent mob if not in battle in U3-U5)
B - Board transports of various types (may require special items, particularly in U2)
C - Cast spells
D - Varies between games.
U1: Discard item from inventory
U2 - U4: Descend a ladder in dungeons (U5 does not use this command, Klimb is both ways like U1)
E - Enter this that or the other thing (to use sign posts in U1, Enter them). Not for transports (use Board)
F - Fire guns while on board ship (in at least U3-5, target needs to be aligned with broadsides, not sure if that was required in 2, but not in 1)
G - Pick stuff up (Get)
H - Varies significantly between games.
U1 & U2: Hyperjump on a space ship
U3: Hand inventory between characters (U3 actually has separate inventory per member, like 6 & onward!)
U4 & U5: Hole up (Rest)
I - Ignite torches
J - Varies significantly between games.
Not used in U1.
U2: Jump (does nothing)
U3: Join (pool) all party gold to one member inventory
U4 & U5: Jimmy (pick) lock. In U4 always uses up one key, in U5 there is a random chance 1 lock pick will break
K - Klimb ladders in dungeons (in U1 & U5 in either direction, U2-U4 up only)
L - Varies significantly between games.
Not used in U1.
U2: Launch or land air/space transport
U3 & U5: Look at the adjacent tile in a given direction
U4: Locate your position with the sextant
M - Varies significantly between games.
Not used in U1.
U2: Ready a magic spell for use
U3: Exchange the order of party members
U4 & U5: Mix reagents for a spell
N - Varies significantly between games.
U1: Sound On/Off
U2 & U3: Time stop (with the proper item)
U4 & U5: Exchange the order of party members
O - Varies significantly between games.
U1: Opens Coffins in dungeons (doors do not need to be opened & for chests Get is used)
U2: Offer a bribe
U3: Other command (free-form typing, only certain commands are accepted)
U4 & U5: Opens doors (also chests in U5)
P - Not used in the first two games.
U3 & U4: Peer at a viewing gem
U5: Push objects
Q - Save game (does not actually quit, except in U5)
R - Ready equipment (all gear in U1 & U5, weapons only in U2 - U4)
S - Steal in U1-U3, Search in U4 & U5
T - Transact/Talk to NPC
U - Unlock doors in U1-U3, Use items in U4 & U5
V - Varies significantly between games.
U1: Switch between front and top view in space ship
U2 & U5: Peer at a viewing gem
U3: Adjust volume or Sound On/Off (depends on version)
W - Only used in U2 - U4 for readying armour (U1 & U5 use Ready for all gear)
X - Exit various vehicles
Y - Not used in U1, in later games used to Yell a word you type (some words have effects in U3 - U5, but not in U2)
Z - Ztats (character stat sheet/inventory screens)
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Ultima seriesKeyboard Commands are Confusing(6 posts)(6 posts)
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