MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 1 MIGHT AND MAGIC™ IX 3DO Europe Ltd 21-23 Mossop Street London SW3 2LY The Might and Magic™ IX computer game is a fictional work. Any similarity or resemblance of any in-game characters to any real persons, living or deceased, is purely coincidental. © 2002 The 3DO Company. All Rights Reserved. 3DO, Might and Magic, New World Computing, and their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of The 3DO Company in the U.S. and other countries.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm 3 ✦ Table of Contents Page 3 Table of Contents ✦ 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME LETTER FROM JVC ......................................10 WHAT’S NEW ABOUT MIGHT AND MAGIC™ IX ........................................................11 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................12 The History of Chedian ................................................................12 A Brief Note About Time ..........................................
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 5 5 ✦ Table of Contents Combat ................................................................................................25 Real Time Combat ....................................................................26 Turn–based Combat ..................................................................26 Attack and Cast Spells..............................................................26 GAME MENUS ....................................................................
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 7 7 ✦ Table of Contents Haste ............................................................................................47 Heal ..............................................................................................47 Lloyd's Beacon............................................................................47 Magic Mine ................................................................................47 Meteor Shower .............................................
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 9 Letter from JVC ✦ 10 9 ✦ Table of Contents Shops ....................................................................................................67 Buy Standard or Special Items ................................................67 Display Inventory ......................................................................68 Sell ................................................................................................68 Repair ...................................
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 11 Introduction ✦ 12 11 ✦ What’s New WHAT’S NEW ABOUT MIGHT AND MAGIC IX Might and Magic veterans are going to immediately notice the amazing improvements and innovative features in this new installment of the award–winning series. • For the first time ever, players will be presented with a breathtaking truly 3D environment.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 13 Introduction ✦ 14 13 ✦ Introduction Somewhere near 10 BC, Emperor Trandis assigned an assassin named Nazrim to assassinate Verhoffin. After 10 years and the commissioning of several magical artifacts, Nazrim attempted to end Verhoffin’s life. Nazrim failed, and in response to this attempt, Verhoffin climbed to the top of his tower and cast a spell that laid waste to half the Ursanian Empire. For thousands of miles, he wreaked havoc and destroyed land.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 15 Introduction ✦ 16 15 ✦ Introduction Thjorgard and Thronheim had three more wars, and during that time Thronheim was razed at least twice. Eventually, Dain’s grandson Leip forced Thjorgard to sign a peace treaty that lasted until 404 AC. The Late Wars (350–400 AC) Thronheim was not the only clan interested in the valuable ore known as Elemental Thjorad. Thjorgard was invaded by Frosgard in 350 AC, under the leadership of the Jarl Olaf the Fat.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 17 17 ✦ Introduction ELVISH HISTORY Elvish Names Before the Great Cataclysm, all the Elves in Chedian were part of one of thirteen clans. Each clan also had several sub–clans known as Sils.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 19 Quick Start ✦ 20 19 ✦ Getting Started GETTING STARTED MANUAL CONVENTIONS This manual assumes that you are using a standard keyboard and two–button mouse and have an understanding of their use. If you do not understand any of the following terms, you might want to take a few moments to review them in your Microsoft Windows tutorial materials.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 21 Quick Start ✦ 22 21 ✦ Quick Start the Accept Party button (the green checkmark) and your party’s Statistics and Skills will be chosen for you. Otherwise, you can proceed with the following steps: 1. Select a Character – Begin by selecting your first character’s Race and Gender. Click on the left and right arrows beneath the Character Portrait to scroll through your female and male character choices: Human, Half–Orc, Elf, and Dwarf.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 23 Quick Start ✦ 24 23 ✦ Quick Start KEYBOARD COMMANDS The following Keyboard Commands are the default settings. If you wish to remap any of the following commands, you can do so in the Options Menu under "Keyboard" or press the ‘F1’ key while on the Adventure Screen.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 25 Quick Start ✦ 26 25 ✦ Quick Start EXPERIENCE AND LEVELING As your party members encounter and defeat creatures, each character earns Experience Points. When the character is ready to advance to the next level (check the character's Experience Points in the Inventory Screen to find out if they're ready), bring them into one of the six major cities and find a trainer.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 27 Game Menus ✦ 28 27 ✦ Game Menus Head Bob: Toggle On and Off the head bob motion while moving in the game. With this option set to On, your party’s view of the world will bob and sway slightly as you move. Choice of Targeting Crosshairs: Select the appearance of the mouse’s targeting crosshair. Choose one of seven different crosshairs. GAME MENUS Video Options Use this screen to modify any of your display settings, or change the graphic detail levels in the game.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 29 Creating Characters ✦ 30 29 ✦ Creating Characters Character Name Each character comes with a name, but you can change it simply by clicking on it and typing in your character’s new name. Race/Gender CREATING CHARACTERS Select a Character Portrait. This not only chooses your character’s appearance, but also their race and gender.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 31 Creating Characters ✦ 32 31 ✦ Creating Characters ATTRIBUTES Might Might is the statistic that represents a character's overall strength, and his or her ability to put that strength where it counts. Characters with a high Might statistic do more damage in combat. Magic Spell Points Spell Points are needed to cast spells. Every spell has a Spell Point cost that is deducted from this statistic when it's cast.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 33 Creating Characters ✦ 34 33 ✦ Creating Characters Ranged Damage Ranged Damage is the sum of all factors (spells, weapon bonuses, etc.) that influence the damage your character does with any ranged weapon. Elemental Elemental Resistance represents your character's ability to minimise damage taken from Elemental-based attacks. Though a high resistance can greatly reduce Elemental amage, it does not make your character immune.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 35 Creating Characters ✦ 36 35 ✦ Creating Characters Half–Orc THE PATH OF MIGHT (FIGHTER) After the Great Cataclysm, all that existed of Half–Orc culture was lost or destroyed. They were led out of the Great Cataclysm by Ekan'dia, of a clan of Half–Orcs known as the Dia clan. Most of the Half–Orcs today have no memories of Ekan'dia, or of any sort of Half–Orc clan distinction. Should you choose the path of Might, you will begin life as a Fighter.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 37 Creating Characters ✦ 38 37 ✦ Creating Characters Ranger: Rangers are very similar to Paladins in their thoughts and actions. They believe, however, that mankind can fend for itself; it is nature that requires a champion. Rangers will fight to the death to destroy those who would cause harm to nature. They are experts in Elemental and Spirit Magic. THE PATH OF MAGIC (INITIATE) Should you choose the path of Magic, you will begin life as an Initiate.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 39 Creating Characters ✦ 40 39 ✦ Creating Characters Things to consider as you adjust the Half–Orc’s Stats: • It is to the Half–Orc’s advantage to be strongest in Might, Endurance, and Accuracy. • Half–Orcs are naturally strong and have an advantage with the Might Stat, so for every point you put into Might, the Might Stat will increase by 2 points.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 41 Creating Characters ✦ 42 41 ✦ Creating Characters Other Combat Stats Attack Bonus: A character’s Attack Bonus is the sum of all factors (skills, spells, Accuracy, etc.) that influence your character's chance to hit monsters with a hand-to-hand equipped weapon. Attack Damage: Attack Damage is the sum of all factors (Might, spells, certain weapon skills at expert or master, etc.) that influence the damage your character does with an equipped weapon.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 43 43 ✦ Creating Characters Dodge : The Dodge skill can be used only when you are not wearing armour or using a shield. At Normal level, the skill is added to the character’s Armour Class. At Expert level, the effect is doubled. At Master level, the effect is tripled. At Grandmaster level, the effect is quintupled. Shield : The Shield skill directly improves a character’s Armour Class while a shield is employed.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 45 Creating Characters ✦ 46 45 ✦ Creating Characters Perception : The Perception skill gives your characters a chance to Death's Touch (Dark, Spirit) : The spellcaster uses his own Spell notice hidden doors and traps, and to avoid damage from traps when they are triggered. At Normal level, the skill increases your chance to avoid traps and notice treasures. At Expert level, the effect is doubled. At Master level, the effect is tripled.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 47 Creating Characters ✦ 48 47 ✦ Creating Characters Fear (Dark, Spirit) : When struck by Fear, the targeted enemy is overcome with fright of the spellcaster and must flee. If a creature takes damage while under the influence of this spell, the spell will be broken. Fear will not work on undead creatures. Feather Fall (Elemental, Light) : Feather Fall eases great falls by drastically reducing the weight of the party.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 49 Menus and Game Screens ✦ 50 49 ✦ Creating Characters Town Portal (Elemental, Light) : Linking to the magical properties of ancient altars that can be found in each major city, a spellcaster can call to the altar to bring the caster and his party close to the altar. An inexperienced spellcaster can only call to the nearest altar, but one more experienced can call to the altar of his choosing.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 51 Menus and Game Screens ✦ 52 51 ✦ Menus and Game Screens Compass Action Text The compass aids in direction–finding, as well as indicating any active party spells. The gem associated with the compass will change colour to yellow when monsters are in the area and red when they are aware of you. It also gives you the time of day.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 53 Menus and Game Screens ✦ 54 53 ✦ Menus and Game Screens Statistics Screen (First Tab) Statistics : These are the basic statistics of the character. Spells, Potions, armour, weapons, etc. can affect them. Stats that are affected by a worn item appear in a different colour to indicate that the stat is not permanent.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 55 Menus and Game Screens ✦ 56 55 ✦ Menus and Game Screens Inventory Screen (Third Tab) Spells (Fourth Tab) Inventory : This is a list of every item the character carries but is not This screen is only accessible if the selected character is a spellcaster. equipped. Click on each of the icons above if you wish to break down the Inventory list by that icon’s category (weapons, armour, treasure, etc.).
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 57 Menus and Game Screens ✦ 58 57 ✦ Menus and Game Screens Map Screen Notes Screen The Map Screen appears when you press the ‘M’ key, or by selecting the Map button on the Inventory Screen. Your position is indicated by a red dot. All outdoor maps are oriented with north at the bottom of the screen. This screen appears when you press the ‘N’ key, or by clicking on the "Notes" tab of the Map Screen.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 59 Menus and Game Screens ✦ 60 59 ✦ Menus and Game Screens Buy/Sell Screen Buy, Sell : The "shaking hands" icon at the bottom of each column represents your agreement with the Merchant to Buy or Sell the highlighted item in either category. You may also simply double–click any item to automatically Buy or Sell it. Remember, press the ‘Shift’ and ‘S’ keys simultaneously to quick sell your inventory.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 61 Menus and Game Screens ✦ 62 61 ✦ Menus and Game Screens Rest Screen Save/Restore Screen This screen can be accessed through the Main Menu. Autosave : An Autosave is made when your party moves from one area to another (during the load). Quicksave : You may quickly save the game at any time by pressing the ‘F5’ key. You can then also load the last Quicksave by pressing the ‘F9’ key. Remember, each time you Quicksave, you write over the previous Quicksave.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 63 Exploration ✦ 64 63 ✦ Exploration Ships Travelling by ship is the only way to reach some areas in the game. Travel destinations vary from day to day, and from port to port. Rest EXPLORATION MOVEMENT AND INTERACTION Rest is very important to the weary adventurer. Without it, Hit Points and Spell Points will regenerate very slowly.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 65 Exploration ✦ 66 65 ✦ Exploration Buttons and Switches Regardless of where you travel in Chedian, you will never find a shortage of buttons, switches, levers, and other triggering apparatus. To operate a lever, switch or button, place the crosshair over it and press the ‘Space’ key. DOORS Dungeon Entrances To enter a cave, fortress, dungeon, or any other form of evil lair, simply walk through the entrance. You will be asked about the certainty of your decision.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 67 Exploration ✦ 68 67 ✦ Exploration Hiring and Firing NPCs Display Inventory In your travels you will come across NPCs that are interested in fighting alongside you. You may choose to take them up on their offer depending on their strengths, weaknesses, and cost per day. You may hire up to three NPCs in your party.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:43 pm Page 69 Combat ✦ 70 69 ✦ Exploration Magic Shop This is the "spell general store" for smaller sized towns and villages. They usually have a few lower level spells from every school of spells. Bank This is where you can store gold and items you don't want to carry around with you. These items will be available at any bank in the game after a quest has been completed. When your party dies, gold is taken from the party’s "pouch" but not the bank account.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:44 pm Page 71 71 ✦ Combat REAL TIME VS. TURN–BASED COMBAT Game time moves without pause, or in real time. Each action your characters perform, like casting spells or swinging a sword, takes a certain amount of time to accomplish; this fact is reflected by their Ready Lights (see Adventure Screen), which darken while the characters recover. While a character is recovering, he or she cannot do anything else.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:44 pm Page 73 Experience and Advancement ✦ 74 73 ✦ Experience and Advancement When a character gains a new level, he or she also receives an increase to maximum Hit Points and Spell Points. What each specific character gains depends on Class, Rank and attribute scores. At early levels (1–9), characters receive 5 Skill Points to spend on advancing the levels of skills they possess. This number increases by 1 every 5 levels thereafter (6 at levels 10–19, 7 at levels 20–29, etc.).
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:44 pm Page 75 Customer Support ✦ 76 75 ✦ Magic System CUSTOMER SUPPORT MAGIC SYSTEM PHONE U.K MAIL SCROLLS AND WANDS 3DO Europe Limited Spells may also be cast from scrolls and wands. Each scroll has one spell written on it and can be used once. To cast a scroll spell, double-click it, or pick it up out of a character’s inventory and place it on the Character Body. Wands are loaded with multiple spell charges. A character must equip a wand as his weapon in order to use it.
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:44 pm Page 77 77 ✦ Notes NOTES __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ Notes ✦ 78 NOTES __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ _______________
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:44 pm Page 79 79 ✦ Notes WA R R A N T Y A N D S E R V I C E I N F O R M AT I O N NOTES __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ The 3DO Europe Ltd, Limited 90-Day Warranty 3DO Europe Ltd.
