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SWORDSMANSHIP

"The sword is an extension of one's soul—master it, and master thyself"

Skill Overview

Swordsmanship is the premier melee combat skill in Ultima Online, granting mastery over all bladed weapons. From the humble dagger to the mighty halberd, this skill determines your accuracy and special move availability with the largest variety of weapons in Britannia.

Warriors who master Swordsmanship gain access to devastating special attacks, superior reach with polearms, and the versatility to adapt their weapon choice to any combat situation. Combined with Tactics and Anatomy, a Grandmaster Swordsman becomes an unstoppable force on the battlefield.

Training Methods

0-30: NPC Training

Visit any Weaponmaster or Fighter NPC in town. Say "teach" and "teach swordsmanship" to begin training. This costs approximately 300-400 gold and provides instant advancement.

30-50: Training Dummies

Equip any sword-class weapon and attack training dummies found in most towns. The Britain Warriors Guild and Jhelom fighting pits offer excellent dummy locations.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a dagger for faster swing speed during dummy training

50-70: Weak Monsters

Progress to fighting actual creatures. Recommended targets:

Skeletons and Zombies in graveyards
Ettins and Trolls in forests
Earth Elementals for defensive training

70-90: Stronger Foes

Challenge yourself with tougher opponents:

Ogres and Ogre Lords
Lizardmen in dungeons
Rotting Corpses for skill gains
Cyclops and Titans for rapid advancement

90-100: Grandmaster Path

The final stretch requires dedication:

Dragons and Drakes (with proper preparation)
Balrons and Ancient Wyrms (group recommended)
Player sparring with guild members
Champion spawns for consistent gains

⚠️ Warning: High-level training areas are dangerous. Always have an escape plan!

Weapon Categories

One-Handed Swords

Fast, versatile weapons allowing shield use:

• Katana (best DPS)
• Longsword
• Viking Sword
• Cutlass
• Scimitar
• Broadsword

Two-Handed Swords

Heavy damage dealers with special attacks:

• Halberd (best reach)
• Bardiche
• Large Battle Axe
• Two-Handed Axe
• Double Axe
• Executioner's Axe

Notable Weapons

Key weapons for different strategies:

• Katana (fastest one-handed)
• Halberd (best reach)
• Viking Sword (balanced)
• Large Battle Axe (LJ bonus)

Special Move: Concussion Blow

Swordsmen with high skill can execute a powerful special attack:

Concussion Blow (Axe Warriors Only)

A devastating strike that temporarily reduces your opponent's intelligence and mana. This special move disrupts spellcasters and can turn the tide of battle against mages.

• Requires axe-type weapons AND Lumberjacking skill
• Works with: Large Battle Axe, Halberd, Bardiche, Double Axe, Two-Handed Axe, Executioner's Axe
• Higher Lumberjacking skill = higher chance to trigger
• Drains target's mana and lowers their intelligence
• Perfect counter to mage opponents

⚠️ Note: Standard swords cannot perform this special move - you must be an axe warrior!

Additional Combat Techniques

Beyond special moves, master these strategies for battlefield dominance:

Hit & Run Tactics

Use halberds and other long-reach weapons to strike from maximum range. Step back between swings to avoid counterattacks.

Poisoned Weapons

Apply deadly poison to your blade weapons. While less effective than fencing weapons for poison, still useful with Poisoning skill.

Weapon Swapping

Carry multiple weapons. Switch between fast one-handers for interrupts and heavy two-handers for maximum damage.

Para Blow (Pre-Cast)

Coordinate with mages to paralyze targets. Time your heaviest hits while enemies cannot move or fight back.

Lumberjacking Synergy

GM Lumberjacking adds +30% damage bonus when using axe-type swords. Essential for maximum melee damage output.

Back to Skills Next: Tactics