Meridian 59 User's Guide
Weapons
Never go abroad in Meridian without a trusty weapon in hand. By decree of the Gods, all new citizens are issued a mace at the time of their entry -- a serviceable weapon, good at short range, and effective against small prey. As time goes on, depending on your financial and social success, you may be fortunate enough to acquire more elegant and powerful weapons. Some of these include:
- Hammer -- Similar to a mace in attack effectiveness, though slightly more durable.
- Short sword -- Shorter in clout (and elegance) than a long sword.
- Axe -- What it lacks in finesse, the axe more than makes up for in sheer bloody, brutal (and rather random) mayhem. It's heavy, and can be quite tiring to use, but it will get the job done.
- Long sword -- A true knight's weapon, the long sword inflicts a great deal of damage with each powerful blow. If your Slash skill is strong, this weapon will serve you well.
There are rumors that other types of weapons may also be circulating in Meridian. If such weapons do exist, the details are not available to the Guardians at this time. (The Gods do not always tell us everything...)
Using Your Weapon
To use any of the above weapons:
- Make sure that the weapon is equipped -- that is, that it's in your hand, and not stowed uselessly in your knapsack. To equip a weapon, move to your inventory and right-click it. A description of the weapon appears. Click Use to equip the weapon. Or, you can simply double-click the item to equip it instantly.
- To wield your weapon, press either of the two Ctrl keys on your keyboard. The effectiveness of each blow depends on your combat-related skills, which are discussed in more detail below. Your blows are directed at the target closest to you.
- To the victor go the spoils. To collect yours, type Get or click the Pick Up icon on the Toolbar when the battle is done; or simply drag them from the Action Window into your inventory. Any treasures that formerly belonged to the deceased now appear in your knapsack.
If you're already holding another weapon, the old weapon will automatically be retired to your knapsack when you choose a new one.
If there are several opponents in your vicinity, you can choose which one to swing at by holding the Alt key. This puts a target in the Action Window. Put the cursor on your intended victim, and click the left mouse button to take your swing.
During battle, you will see status messages showing how effectively you are landing your blows, and how your enemy is faring under your assault.
Weapon Enhancement & Repair
A sword is just a sword...unless, of course, it's a sacred sword, blessed by Shal'ille, enhanced with a magical charge that increases its effectiveness. Spells such as Enchant Weapon or Holy Weapon can increase any weapon's power. To find out how to acquire and use this type of spell (and many others), see Magic.
Of course, over time, even high-quality, well-charged weapons and armor will take quite a beating. Sword edges get ground down to dullness, shields get dented, leather vests and silk breeches get shredded to ribbons and rags. Restoring damaged weapons and armor to their pristine condition requires a Mend spell, which is taught in the magic school of the Temple of Kraanan.
Basic Tactics
We asked some of Meridian 59's best-known warriors for suggestions that would help new citizens stand their ground, and live long enough to acquire mastery of the combat arts. Their suggestions follow:
- When you encounter a short opponent -- a baby spider or rat, for instance -- use the Pg Dn key to look at the ground, thus keeping a closer eye on your target as you move in for the kill.
- Don't just move in and keep hacking away: remember, the pest in question can do severe damage to you, too. If you keep moving, you'll be much less likely to get seriously hurt. Move in close, strike a few times, then step aside or back away quickly to keep clear of the inevitable counterattacks.
- Know your enemy, and make sure you don't take on opponents you're not ready to handle. Rook, the Weapons Master, can tell you your odds against a given class of critter. Baby spiders are the preferred fare for a new citizen just venturing out.
- Be aware of the karmic properties of the various fauna. Some of them are beneficial to the Meridian ecology, and should not be attacked without provocation. When in doubt, ask around, or see Monsters and Other Wildlife.
- Don't forget that you can also use magic during combat. See Magic for more about this.
