Comments:
I wanted to give a bit of explanation about how the game works after the patch.

First, improvements have changed. Most skills and spells get a cumulative bonus to improve the more you use your abilities. The specifics are explained in the following two paragraphs..

Weapon skills will increase in bonus the more you use the weapon. So, using a scimitar will give you a bonus to your scimitar wielding skill. You must use a weapon for a short period of time before you see any bonuses, but after this initial period, you will get a frequent chance to improve, even in the middle of combat. Switching to a different type of weapon will eliminate any bonuses you have accumulated with the previous type of weapon. These bonuses and restrictions include bows, too.

You will receive a bonus to improve spells with the casting of spells in the same school, especially spells of the same level. Unlike weapon skills, you can cast spells from any school, and still retain bonuses from previous castings. So, if you cast a lot of Shal'ille spells, then cast a Faren spell, you still have your Shal'ille spell improve bonuses.

Second, combat has changed, too. The goal is that you should hit things more often if it is your level, but you will miss a lot if you try to fight things that are above your level. Your chance to hit depends on your combat skills (both your basic skill (like slash, fire) and your proficiency (like scimitar wielding, archery), your aim, and any items and spells that can affect you (like berzerker rings, and bless). Your chance to avoid being hit depend on your defensive skills (dodge, parry, and block), your agility, and your equipment (you can't parry with a bow or block without a shield). Armor was changed so that heavier armor actually absorbs damage, but it reduces your ability to avoid blows. That means you will be hit more often if you wear plate armor, but you will take less damage from every hit. In addition, people with high level proficiencies will do more damage with that weapon; for example, the mace fighting skill will allow you to do more damage with a mace.

Third, an explanation on the changes to spells. Personal enchantments were changed in order to allow more cooperation. Yes, it is true that you cannot cast your spells on yourself as fast, but the ability to aid your allies is important. Smart players will ally with others during wars, and have one character cast beneficial spells on better warriors. Some spells were completely changed in order to make them useful. Shroud actually now uses inexpensive (not island) reagents, Portal of Life now will reduce the penalty for death, and the penalty from Kara'hol's curse is not quite as crippling.

Touch spells were modified to allow mages to have "weapons" to use in fighting monsters, instead of having to rely on Weaponcraft. Also Rescue was changed to allow an effect more like teleportation. I realize that many of these changes are not popular, but they were necessary and within the restrictions we had. A future update might see the old versions of spells come back.

Comments:
Finally, a bit of explanation about spells. Most spells are based on a concept known as "spell power". Spell power is based upon your skill, but also based on several other things. This is most noticable in Rescue, where the number of locations you can choose depends on spell power, not just on percent. Spells have worked this way for quite a while, but the mechanics have never been fully explained. A higher spell power results in a better effect when you cast a spell.

Shalille gets bonuses determined by the area you're in; forests are good, Brax is bad. Your Karma also gives a bonus.

Qor gets a bonus in dark areas, such as nighttime. Karma also gives a bonus, with negative giving a better bonus.

Faren gets a bonus from the area, too. Natural areas like the Beach give the best bonus. Your vigor also gives your spells a boost.

Kraanan gets a boost from the number of people in the area. More people gives a bigger bonus. Also, your health gives you a bonus; less wounded warriors cast better.

Riija gets better bonuses the higher the moon is in the sky. Also, carrying a lot of objects will give you a bigger bonus.

Jala gets a bonus depending on the quality of music played while casting, which is determined by many factors.

Hopefully this helps you understand the update's changes and helps you to enjoy them more.

-- received by e-mail from Conan (102) --
Thanks Conan!

Source: Psychochild and the rest of the Development team. - meridian59-support@3do.com