I started playing Wizardry back in 1981. Now, almost 20 years later I found it back in the stores. When I saw "The Ultimate Wizardry Archives" in the store, I decided I would go from 1 to 8 in order (by the time I finish #7 - Wizardry 8 should be out). It is amazing how much of the Proving Grounds I remember. It's great.

I could use some help, however. I remember a lot, and the web sites have reminders for stuff I have forgotten. I am having trouble however, remembering which weapons are better than other weapons. I did come accross an Items List by Snafaru, but I am having trouble interpretting it. How do I tell which weapon is better? For example, which is better?

Mace+2 4 1d8+2 2
or
Short Sword+2 5 1d6+2 3

Any assistance would be appreciated

• RE: Which weapon is best?,DrSlop, 02:12 PM, Jun-28-00
• x(dice) * y(spots) z(bonus),Llevram, 02:22 PM, Jun-28-00
• RE: Which weapon is best?,analander, 05:09 AM, Jun-29-00
• RE: Which weapon is best?,Lady Adrexia, 08:54 AM, Jun-30-00
• RE: Which weapon is best? Ron Popeil's Blade Quisinart,mtbear, 09:28 AM, Jul-25-00
  • RE: Which weapon is best? Ron Popeil's Blade Quisinart,elrond, 06:10 PM, Jul-27-00
• RE: Which weapon is best?,Bruno -ur, 09:15 AM, Nov-17-00

(by the time
>I finish #7 - Wizardry
>8 should be out).

I can't even count the number of times I've replayed wiz 6/7 with just that thought in mind...

>I did come accross an
>Items List by Snafaru, but
>I am having trouble interpretting
>it. >

Just read the headers of the table... the first # is just the weapon number, then comes the name of the weapon, the next # is how much Boltac will pay you for it, then what classes can use it (the first letter of each applicable class is listed), then any AC adjustments that the weapon confers, then the to hit adjustment, then the damage (the d represents "die" -- so that 1d8 means one 8 sided die, or from 1 to 8), then the number of swings (individual "Attackts" in a round) that the weapon has, and finally any special attributes (spells, etc).

>Mace+2
> 4 1d8+2
>2
>
> or
>Short Sword+2 5 1d6+2 3

The line for Mace +2 reads:
44 Mace + 2 4000 fpbsln 4 1d8+2 2

So, itw weapon #44 (irrelavent for your purposes), its called a "mace +2", its worth 4000 gp at boltacs, it can by used by a fighter, priest, bishop, samurai, lord, and ninja, it gives you a +4 to hit, it does 1-8 +2 (or 3-10) damage, and it swings twice in a round.

The short sword's line is:
43 Short Sword +2 4000 ftsln 5 1d6+2 3

As you can see, it can't be used by as many classes, and it does slightly less damage (3-8). At the same time, it is a little easier to hit with it (+5), and it swings one more time per round, thus in essence having the potential of causing more damage per round. All in all, I would say the Short Sword +2 is a better weapon (potentially more damage), but it can't be used by a bishop.

Hope this helped. I think there was also a more "streamlined" item list somewhere, but it didn't have as much info on it.

OE

Without the table headings (if there were any), I can tell you what the "1d8+2" and "1d6+2" are ... the damage calculation.

You read them as "one die eight plus two", or "one die 6 plus two". This means, in the first case, that you roll one eight-sided die and add 2 to the number you get, to get the total damage. For this weapon, that gives a possible range of damage of 3-10 points, knowing your dice roll will come up somewhere between 1 and 8 (inclusive).

The other numbers may be to hit or to penetrate bonus values.

Tools for your Wizardry(r) toolkit

ps. In addition to translating the dice codes, you can see them in their plain numerical forms on my page (although I've eliminated the 2Hit column). Also, as a general rule, you get what you pay for...

- John
http://www.tk421.net/wizardry/

Welcome Back to Wizardry. Boy, I am so glad that I am not the only one that still plays the first one. Whew!

Blade Cusinart and the Murasama Blade are the best by far, but I am being jaded here. I usually go by whatever kills the best.