How to increase strength effectively?

[matsunoki]

I'm currently at 25 strength (started at 10/10/60, brought it to 25 by cutting/punching training dummy).
However, it seems training dummy is not effective anymore to increase strength (maybe because I capped at 28 sword/wrestling? not sure because I'm new to UO).
What other ways are there for a beginner to raise strength? I'm going for mage in the end but starting off warrior-ish in the beginning, as many have told me that will make my life much easier.
Also, does stat increase only happen when a skill increases?

[JacK FLASH]

Macroing arms lore is a good way to increase strength, training dummies work too. you need at least 10 real skill in the skill you are using in order to be able to gain stats from using it. It also needs to be set to gain that skill, not locked or pointed down, but you don't need to gain the skill to get a stat gain.
Also note there is a daily cap of 20 stat gains, so that may be why you reached a snag.

[matsunoki]

Seems like arms lore wouldn't work though, as I don't want to level it up.
Are there any ways involving more major skills for a character targetting mage wielding a wep?

[JacK FLASH]

You could always drop your arms lore after you're done training your strength, but training up your wrestling and your swords (if you're building a tank mage, which is what you're describing) will increase your stats as well

[matsunoki]

I guess ill use arms lore. I wasn't sure how fast/easy it was to level down a skill, so was hesitant.
As for wrestling/sword, apparently the maximum you can get to by using training dummy is 28. So I need to fill the gap to 35 or something where I can use the next level dummy.
I tried fighting stuff at the cemetery but got my butt kicked

[JacK FLASH]

Whenever possible you should do your training in a dungeon because of the skill gain bonus and skill scrolls. You should head to despise and kill some rats and other low end stuff

[Brannos]

If you are just trying to train your stats at this point don't worry about the dungeon thing. It will increase your skill gain and decrease your opportunities for stat gain.
There are training dummies outside the Blackthorn castle in North Brit that can train combat skills to 80 or 85 I believe. Train wrestling, swords, mace fighting on the dummies lock your dexterity and int stats when trying to raise your str. There is a 20 point cap per day for stat gain and they dont show up on your list when you anatomy yourself so keep track of your training times and allow enough time for it to reset.

Train one weapon at a time till you get 20 str points then go work on your actuall template skills. Another really good way to raise stats if you dont want to macro it when you are actually playing is buy a fishing pole.
Fishing will raise all three stats you can insert an arms lore line into the fishing macro and if you have dex and int locked your str will raise and you will make a little money on the side.

It never takes me more then 7 or 8 days to get my stats exactly where i want them on a new toon before I really begin training my template skills.

Other skills that will work for str but I never use include taste id, herding, lumberjacking and mining. The last two you cannot macro unattended but will make you money on the side if you decide to work them when your online.

Hope this helps
Brannos

[Gore]

New players should start with 100 100 25 stats. I know my roommate quit because he was dying to ****ty mobs because his stats sucked. Give new players some help here.... At least 75 75 25

[matsunoki]

New players should start with 100 100 25 stats. I know my roommate quit because he was dying to ****ty mobs because his stats sucked. Give new players some help here.... At least 75 75 25

a more thorough or longer guide for beginners would be much better than additional starting stats (which doesn't sound fair anyways).
this game is so newb-unfriendly that a guide is almost a necessity to understand how this works/what to do in the beginning. or at least that's how I felt

[Freight Elevator]

a more thorough or longer guide for beginners would be much better than additional starting stats (which doesn't sound fair anyways).
this game is so newb-unfriendly that a guide is almost a necessity to understand how this works/what to do in the beginning. or at least that's how I felt

The problem is that this game is so old and a large majority of those joining have already played it (at some point) for a long period of time. Many of us forget some of the most simple things a newb might not know. For example: How to move, how to access your bank, strength limits to armor/weapons.

Most of us spent a long time figuring these little things out and it has become second nature. Before joining here I hadn't played in like 10 years but I still remember my hot key set up and where I was on the map at any time. Join up IRC and figure out who the more friendly and trustworthy people are, those are the guys who will help you out as often as possible and point you in the right direction.

As far as gaining stats, I would just macro arms lore overnight and turn that skill down in your skill list the next day when you get on. After just a night or two of macronig it you should be strong enough to at least survive fighting at a graveyard. I think you'll find that training wrestling or a weapon skill is probably one of the fastest ways to gain strength as well.

If you are starting up secondary characters (which you might as well), start with at least 11 dex, and as much strength as allowed. Choose you're starting skills and add 1 point in fishing. You'll get a newbie fishing pole and can macro fishing in the background while playing your other character. This char will get his dex up quickly and get you a little gold while you're at it by selling the uncooked fish steaks to the fisherman on the docks of any town.