This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Tamer class in Ultima Online, exploring taming basics, skill progression, pet training, build variations, and choosing the right pet. Learn the secrets to becoming a successful Tamer, mastering your animal companions, and navigating the challenging world of Ultima Online.
Introduction
In the vast and perilous world of Ultima Online, the Tamer class stands as a unique and rewarding path for adventurers seeking a bond with nature’s fiercest creatures. Tamers forge a symbiotic relationship with their chosen companions, harnessing their strength, agility, and unique abilities to conquer challenges and thrive in a realm teeming with danger.
The life of a Tamer is one of constant learning and adaptation, as you delve into the art of taming, mastering the skills required to tame wild beasts, and nurturing the bonds that will determine your success. From the initial thrill of securing your first loyal companion to the strategic mastery of combat tactics and pet training, the Tamer journey is a captivating blend of skill, strategy, and the enduring power of companionship.
This guide serves as your compass through the intricacies of the Tamer class, providing a comprehensive roadmap to success. Whether you are a seasoned veteran seeking to refine your skills or a newcomer embarking on your first taming adventure, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to become a formidable force in the world of Ultima Online.
Taming Basics
Taming in Ultima Online is a skill-based activity that requires patience, strategy, and a keen understanding of the creatures you wish to befriend. To tame a creature, you must first acquire the Animal Taming skill, which can be trained through practice and experience. Once you have a sufficient level of Animal Taming, you can approach a creature within three tiles of its location, ensuring no obstacles block your path.
Target the creature using your skill and initiate the taming process. The success of your taming attempt depends on a combination of factors, including your Animal Taming skill, the creature’s level, and its resistance to being tamed. Successful taming requires a delicate balance of skill, timing, and a touch of luck.
Taming is a slow process, and it may take several attempts to successfully tame a creature. Don’t be discouraged by initial failures, as persistence and practice are key to mastering this essential Tamer skill. As you gain experience, you will learn to identify the best creatures to tame for your needs, optimizing your chances of success and building a loyal and powerful animal companion.
Skill Choice and Character Creation
When creating your Tamer character in Ultima Online, you have several skill choices to consider, each influencing your playstyle and effectiveness. The core skills for a Tamer are Animal Taming and Animal Lore, which are essential for taming and managing your animal companions. While these two skills form the foundation of your Tamer, you have the freedom to specialize in other areas, creating unique and versatile builds.
For example, you can combine Taming with Magery for spellcasting abilities, enhancing your survivability and combat effectiveness; Alternatively, you might choose to focus on Warrior skills like Swordsmanship or Mace Fighting, enabling you to engage in direct combat alongside your pets. Another popular combination is Taming with Bard skills, allowing you to provide buffs and support to yourself and your allies.
The choice of skills ultimately depends on your preferred playstyle and the role you envision for your Tamer. Carefully consider your options, experiment with different builds, and find the combination that best suits your goals and preferences. Remember, a well-rounded Tamer can excel in a variety of situations, making them a valuable asset in any group or solo adventure.
Taming Skills Progression
In Ultima Online, mastering the art of Taming requires dedication and a strategic approach to skill progression. As you embark on your journey as a Tamer, you’ll discover that the path to Grandmaster skill is a gradual process, demanding patience and a focus on consistent training. Early on, you’ll likely start with taming weaker creatures, gradually progressing to more challenging and rewarding beasts as your skills improve.
One effective strategy is to focus on specific types of creatures, honing your expertise in taming certain species. This allows you to develop a deep understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and training requirements, ultimately making you a more efficient and successful Tamer. As you gain experience, you’ll encounter more challenging creatures, requiring higher levels of skill and understanding to tame.
Remember that taming is a dynamic skill, influenced by factors such as the creature’s temperament, your character’s stats, and the surrounding environment. By understanding these nuances and adapting your approach, you’ll maximize your chances of success and unlock the full potential of your Tamer.
Taming Pets for Money
In Ultima Online, the ability to tame creatures can be a lucrative endeavor, offering various ways to earn gold. One common method is to tame high-level pets and sell them to other players seeking powerful companions. These pets, often sought after for their strength, speed, or unique abilities, can command significant prices on the market. Another strategy is to use your tamed pets to hunt and gather valuable resources, such as rare drops from monsters or valuable materials found in the wilderness.
You can also offer your taming services to other players, helping them tame their desired pets or assisting them with challenging hunts. This can provide a steady stream of income, particularly for those who have developed advanced taming skills and a reputation for reliability. Remember that the value of a tamed pet can vary depending on its level, species, and the specific skills it possesses.
By carefully choosing the pets you tame and developing a keen understanding of the market, you can turn your taming skills into a profitable venture in the world of Ultima Online.
Essential Items for Tamers
A well-equipped Tamer in Ultima Online is a formidable force, and certain items are essential for success. First and foremost, you’ll need a reliable weapon for your pet. While some pets are naturally equipped with powerful attacks, others may benefit from specialized weapons to maximize their damage output. Consider items like enchanted swords, axes, or bows, depending on your pet’s fighting style.
Armor for your pet is equally important, providing protection against enemy attacks. Choose armor that offers a good balance of defense and mobility, allowing your pet to engage in combat effectively. Additionally, consider items that enhance your pet’s stats, such as rings or amulets that increase strength, agility, or intelligence. These enhancements can significantly boost your pet’s performance in battles.
For yourself, a sturdy suit of armor is essential for survival, particularly in challenging encounters. Focus on armor with high magic resistance (MR) to protect against spells, and prioritize dexterity to increase your chances of dodging enemy attacks. Finally, don’t forget to pack healing potions and mana potions for both you and your pet, ensuring you can stay in the fight and recover from injuries.
Pet Training and Skill Gain
Training your pet in Ultima Online is a crucial aspect of becoming a successful Tamer. The process is straightforward, but it requires patience and consistent effort. Your pet gains experience and levels up by engaging in combat, with each successful attack contributing to its skill growth. While some pets may naturally excel in certain skills, others may require targeted training to enhance their abilities.
To effectively train your pet, consider focusing on specific types of enemies that match its strengths. For example, a pet with high strength might benefit from fighting strong melee opponents, while a pet with high intelligence could be trained against creatures with high magic resistance. By selecting appropriate targets, you can maximize your pet’s skill gain and ensure it develops into a well-rounded combat companion.
As your pet levels up, its stats and skills improve, allowing it to tackle increasingly challenging opponents. However, remember that pet training is a continuous process, and you must keep your pet engaged in combat to maintain its skills. A well-trained pet is a valuable asset in Ultima Online, providing a loyal and powerful companion for adventures.
Tamer Build Variations
In Ultima Online, the Tamer class offers a variety of build variations to suit different playstyles and preferences. The most common builds include the Pure Tamer, the Mage Tamer, the Warrior Tamer, and the Bard Tamer, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses.
The Pure Tamer focuses solely on Animal Taming and Animal Lore, maximizing their ability to tame and control powerful creatures. They rely heavily on their pets for combat and rely on their pet’s strength and abilities. The Mage Tamer combines Taming with Magery, allowing them to use powerful spells to support their pets and engage in ranged combat.
The Warrior Tamer blends Taming with melee combat skills, such as Swordsmanship or Mace Fighting. They use their pet as a tank to absorb damage, while they engage in close combat with their weapons. The Bard Tamer combines Taming with Bardic skills, using music to enhance their pet’s abilities and provide support in battle. Ultimately, the best build for you will depend on your individual playstyle and preferences.
The Pure Tamer
The Pure Tamer is the quintessential embodiment of the taming archetype in Ultima Online. This build focuses exclusively on maximizing Animal Taming and Animal Lore skills, relying heavily on their powerful pets for combat and survival. With a dedication to taming mastery, the Pure Tamer can control and command a wide array of creatures, from ferocious beasts to swift and agile predators.
The Pure Tamer’s strength lies in their ability to create a formidable partnership with their chosen pet. They excel at understanding and utilizing the unique strengths and weaknesses of each creature, tailoring their tactics and strategies to maximize their pet’s effectiveness. This deep understanding of animal behavior and combat prowess makes the Pure Tamer a force to be reckoned with in the challenging world of Ultima Online.
While the Pure Tamer lacks the spellcasting abilities of a Mage Tamer or the direct combat prowess of a Warrior Tamer, they compensate with their unparalleled control over their animal companions. This build is ideal for players who prefer a more passive and strategic approach to combat, relying on their pet’s abilities to carry the burden of battle.
The Mage Tamer
The Mage Tamer blends the raw power of magic with the unwavering loyalty of animal companions, creating a hybrid build that thrives on both offensive and defensive capabilities. This build combines high-level Animal Taming and Animal Lore with significant investment in Magery, allowing for a versatile and impactful playstyle.
Mage Tamers can unleash a barrage of powerful spells while their pets engage in melee combat, effectively controlling the battlefield. With a diverse arsenal of offensive and defensive spells at their disposal, they can debuff enemies, heal allies, and even conjure powerful elemental attacks. This combination of magical prowess and animal companionship makes the Mage Tamer a formidable force, capable of adapting to a wide range of combat scenarios.
While the Mage Tamer may not be as specialized in either taming or magic as other builds, their versatility makes them a valuable asset in group settings. They can provide both direct damage and support, making them a well-rounded and adaptable character in the constantly evolving world of Ultima Online.
The Warrior Tamer
The Warrior Tamer embodies the spirit of a seasoned warrior, relying on strength, resilience, and the unwavering loyalty of their animal companions to conquer challenges. This build prioritizes high-level Animal Taming and Animal Lore, coupled with significant investment in skills like Swordsmanship, Mace Fighting, or Fencing, transforming the character into a formidable combatant.
Warrior Tamers are masters of close-quarters combat, using their chosen weapon skill to deliver devastating blows while their loyal pets engage in fierce melee engagements. They are known for their durability, often utilizing heavy armor and a variety of defensive strategies to withstand enemy attacks. This build excels in direct confrontations, utilizing their potent offensive capabilities to overwhelm their foes.
The Warrior Tamer is a force to be reckoned with, combining the raw power of a skilled warrior with the unwavering support of their animal companions. They are a true embodiment of strength and resilience, capable of facing any challenge head-on in the perilous world of Ultima Online.
The Bard Tamer
The Bard Tamer blends the enchanting melodies of music with the unwavering loyalty of animal companions, creating a unique and versatile playstyle. This build prioritizes Animal Taming and Animal Lore, along with significant investment in Musicianship, providing a blend of combat support and healing capabilities.
Bard Tamers use their musical talents to bolster their pets and allies, enhancing their combat prowess and providing vital healing support. The use of songs like “Strength” and “Agility” enhances the offensive and defensive capabilities of their companions, while “Heal” and “Rejuvenate” provide crucial healing during intense battles. This build thrives in group settings, providing essential support to their allies and contributing to the overall success of their party.
The Bard Tamer is a true master of battlefield harmony, using their musical talents to create a symphony of support and combat prowess. They are a vital asset to any group, enhancing the abilities of their companions and providing vital healing and support in the face of danger.
Choosing the Right Pet
The selection of a pet is a crucial decision for any Tamer in Ultima Online, as it heavily influences their effectiveness and playstyle. Choosing the right pet requires careful consideration of its strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for your specific goals and build.
For solo play, consider pets known for their tankiness and damage output, such as Tritons or Cu Sidhe, which provide solid survivability and decent damage without requiring significant investment. For group play, pets that excel in crowd control, such as Fire Beetles or Frost Mites, can be invaluable, allowing you to control the battlefield and enhance the damage output of your allies.
Ultimately, the best pet for you depends on your preferred playstyle and the challenges you face. Research different tameable creatures, analyze their stats, and experiment to discover the perfect companion for your Tamer journey.
The path of a Tamer in Ultima Online is a rewarding journey filled with challenges and triumphs. By mastering the art of taming, understanding your pet’s strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the right build for your playstyle, you can become a formidable force in the world of Ultima Online. Whether you prefer solo adventures, group excursions, or high-level challenges, there’s a Tamer build tailored to your preferences.
Remember that the bond between Tamer and pet is vital to success. Invest time in training your companion, equipping it with the proper gear, and understanding its unique abilities. As you progress, you’ll discover a world of possibilities, from taming powerful creatures to overcoming formidable foes. The journey of a Tamer is an adventure that continues to evolve, offering endless opportunities for exploration, growth, and mastery.