UO’s basic skill gain operates as a "use-based system," and each time a character successfully uses a skill he or she has the possibility of gaining in that skill—sometimes the character will gain skill, other times not.
The Guaranteed Gain System, or GGS, tracks each successful use of a skill, and whether or not skill points were gained in the wake of that success. If no skill points are gained over a given period of time, then GGS will award the character a minimum skill point gain as compensation. Remember, characters will only be able to gain skill after having successfully performed an action.
Characters can still gain skill points in the normal use-based fashion, GGS just ensures skill gain if none has happened over a certain amount of time.
GGS Timer
The length of the time period, or "timer," between 0.1 skill point gains is based on both the level of the skill you're trying to gain in, as well as your total number of skill points. In short, the timer will increase as characters achieve a higher total of skill points.
If the time period passes for a specific skill and you do not gain a skill point, GGS will force you to gain 0.1 in that skill. GGS time periods are based on the server system clock, meaning that you don't have to be logged in for your timers to progress.
For example: You cast a spell of moderate difficulty, and succeed, but you do not gain skill. If you continue to succeed in the use of the skill but the relevant time period passes and you have still not gained a point in that skill, then you will gain a point in that skill the next time you successfully use that skill, due to GGS.The chart below may be used as an estimate of the amount of time that may need to pass (after multiple consecutive skill-use successes without skill point gains) before a character will see a raise of 0.1 within the noted bracket due to GGS. Please note that these time periods are not to be used as an absolute rule, but instead as a general guide—as the saying goes, "your mileage may vary."
For example, a player with a total of 700 total skill points and 82.3 Blacksmithy has been practicing his craft for some time, but has been failing steadily hasn’t noted any skill gains. We can cross-reference the "80.0 – 84.9" row with the "700 total skill points" column and see that if this pattern continues for a total of 15.0 hours GGS will compel a 0.1 gain, making her Blacksmithy raise from 82.3 to 82.4.
If this unlucky streak returns after that and lasts another 15 hours, she will go from 82.4 to 82.5, and so on.
GGS affected by the difficulty of the task
Skill gains with GGS are not only possible during normal or casual play, they are guaranteed — provided you are attempting to use the skill in a manner that is challenging at your skill level.
For example, casting Magic Arrow with a Magery skill of 90.0 would provide no chance whatsoever to gain skill in Magery, as that spell is a 1st circle spell, and not challenging for an Adept Mage. You would need to cast higher circle spells to see guaranteed skill gain. Similarly, crafting daggers with a Blacksmithy of 80.0 would provide no chance to gain skill in Blacksmithy. Ideally, you want to try using your skill so that you have roughly a 50% chance to fail each attempt in order to maximize your skill gains.
Skills that are not difficulty based, however, would always have a chance to gain.
Stat gains
Stat gains are not directly affected by GGS. When a player character advances in a skill (or is at the skill cap for that skill) he/she may gain a stat point. All skills have a primary and secondary stat. The primary stat will rise 75% of the time. The secondary stat will rise 25% of the time. If the primary stat is not set to “gain”, the secondary stat will be chosen. If the primary and secondary stats are both locked or set to “decrease”, neither stat will rise.
Note: If a stat is at the maximum individual stat cap of 125 and is not locked, it can be chosen, but it will not rise.
The chance that a stat will increase on any given skill gain is 1 in 20. Purchasing skill training from an NPC will not raise stats.
GGS Timer Table
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Approximate GGS time period between 0.1 skill gains within the noted bracket |
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Starting Skill Value |
Timer based on 350 total skill points |
Timer based on 500 total skill points |
Timer based on 700 total skill points |
|
0.0 – 4.9 |
1 minute per +0.1 |
3 minutes per +0.1 |
5 minutes per +0.1 |
|
5.0 – 9.9 |
4 minutes per +0.1 |
10 minutes per +0.1 |
18 minutes per +0.1 |
|
10.0 – 14.9 |
7 minutes per +0.1 |
17 minutes per +0.1 |
30 minutes per +0.1 |
|
15.0 – 19.9 |
9 minutes per +0.1 |
24 minutes per +0.1 |
44 minutes per +0.1 |
|
20.0 – 24.9 |
12 minutes per +0.1 |
31 minutes per +0.1 |
57 minutes per +0.1 |
|
25.0 – 29.9 |
14 minutes per +0.1 |
38 minutes per +0.1 |
1.2 hours per +0.1 |
|
30.0 – 34.9 |
17 minutes per +0.1 |
45 minutes per +0.1 |
1.4 hours per +0.1 |
|
35.0 – 39.9 |
20 minutes per +0.1 |
52 minutes per +0.1 |
1.6 hours per +0.1 |
|
40.0 – 44.9 |
23 minutes per +0.1 |
60 minutes per +0.1 |
1.8 hours per +0.1 |
|
45.0 – 49.9 |
25 minutes per +0.1 |
1.1 hours per +0.1 |
2.0 hours per +0.1 |
|
50.0 – 54.9 |
27 minutes per +0.1 |
1.2 hours per +0.1 |
2.3 hours per +0.1 |
|
55.0 – 59.9 |
33 minutes per +0.1 |
1.5 hours per +0.1 |
2.7 hours per +0.1 |
|
60.0 – 64.9 |
55 minutes per +0.1 |
2.5 hours per +0.1 |
4.4 hours per +0.1 |
|
65.0 – 69.9 |
1.3 hours per +0.1 |
3.6 hours per +0.1 |
6.5 hours per +0.1 |
|
70.0 – 74.9 |
1.9 hours per +0.1 |
4.9 hours per +0.1 |
9.0 hours per +0.1 |
|
75.0 – 79.9 |
2.4 hours per +0.1 |
6.4 hours per +0.1 |
11.8 hours per +0.1 |
|
80.0 – 84.9 |
3.0 hours per +0.1 |
8.2 hours per +0.1 |
15.0 hours per +0.1 |
|
85.0 – 89.9 |
3.8 hours per +0.1 |
10.1 hours per +0.1 |
18.6 hours per +0.1 |
|
90.0 – 94.9 |
4.6 hours per +0.1 |
12.4 hours per +0.1 |
22.6 hours per +0.1 |
|
95.0 – 99.9 |
5.6 hours per +0.1 |
14.9 hours per +0.1 |
27.0 hours per +0.1 |
|
100.0 – 104.9 |
6.6 hours per +0.1 |
17.6 hours per +0.1 |
32.0 hours per +0.1 |
|
105.0 – 109.9 |
7.8 hours per +0.1 |
20.7 hours per +0.1 |
38.0 hours per +0.1 |
|
110.0 – 114.9 |
9.0 hours per +0.1 |
24.0 hours per +0.1 |
43.0 hours per +0.1 |
|
115.0 – 120.0 |
10.3 hours per +0.1 |
27.7 hours per +0.1 |
51.0 hours per +0.1 |
