Dungeon solutions for Ultima IV
The dungeons of Ultima IV are a vital part of becoming an Avatar and completing Quest of the Avatar. The reasons to traverse them are fourfold:
- Gold.
- Virtue Stones.
- Magic orbs, which raise stats (which regenerate)
- The Key of Three Parts.
These solutions describe the best way to do so, with a section for the Abyss at the end for completeness, since that one is the most difficult dungeon. Also note that unless otherwise stated, this solution assumes that one will not use the spells Y (Up), Z (Down) nor Xit.
Deceit[edit]
Deceit is, despite its name, a straightforward dungeon with no real puzzles. The Blue Stone is found on level 7 and the orbs on levels 3, 5 and 6.
On level 1, the ladder going down is located directly ahead. On level 2, the path leads through the doors and a stone trap, passing through three dungeon rooms to reach the down ladder. Level 3 contains orbs, while taking the western ladder allows collection of the gold on level 4. Once retrieved, returning to take the eastern ladder leads directly to level 5.
On level 5, all gold and the orb can be collected first (the fountain heals damage sustained from the traps) before proceeding to the northern ladder. The path then continues through two dungeon rooms to reach the opposite half of level 6. Collecting the orb and navigating the traps leads to the ladder for level 7.
On level 7, crossing the final dungeon room, navigating the traps, and dispelling the fields allows retrieval of the Blue Stone.
Detailed solution: Deceit (Ultima IV)
Despise[edit]
- Magic orbs: +5DEX; 200 damage
The dungeon Despise can be a little confusing. The most difficult task is getting the orbs on level 8, with one on level 4. The Yellow Stone is found on level 5.
On level 1, crossing two dungeon rooms leads to the ladder going down. On level 2, following the path and exiting the first room to the north or south, and the second to the west, reaches the ladder to level 3. On level 3, dispelling the field allows access to the southern ladder. Exiting the dungeon room on level 4 to the east allows retrieval of the orb before descending further.
On level 5, passing through the winds and dispelling the fields leads south to a three-room configuration. Entering the middle room, defeating the monsters, and stepping through the secret door allows access to the north corridor where the Yellow Stone rests.
Backtracking to level 3 allows a different ladder to be taken down. Following the sequence of ladders leads to level 7. Passing through the northern secret door permits descent to level 8. The northern orb is accessible first, after which navigating through the remaining rooms yields the final two orbs.
Detailed solution: Despise (Ultima IV)
Destard[edit]
- Magic orbs: +5STR; 200 damage
Destard can be a little confusing since it is necessary to backtrack at one point. The Red Stone is on level 7 and the orbs on levels 3 and 6.
On level 1, a secret door allows descent. On level 2, passing through the dungeon room reaches the ladder to level 3. Here, a single dungeon room must be crossed three times to collect two orbs and reach the ladder to level 4.
The route requires descending directly to level 8. Passing through the secret door in the north permits ascent to level 7, where the passage leads through a dungeon room toward level 6. On level 6, taking the eastern ladder down leads to the Red Stone; ascending to level 5 and using the western ladder leads back down.
In this chamber are the final two orbs, protected by strange winds.
Detailed solution: Destard (Ultima IV)
Wrong[edit]
- Magic orbs: +5INT +5DEX; 400 damage
Wrong is a difficult dungeon with numerous puzzles. The Green Stone is located on level 8, while orbs are found on levels 3, 6, and 7.
Passing through the secret door on level 1 reveals the ladder down. On level 2, traversing the dungeon room and taking the northern ladder down leads to the first orb. Using the northernmost ladder again and clearing one of the dungeon rooms on level 4 provides access to the ladder for level 5.
Magic winds on this level extinguish party torches, making peer gems or dead reckoning necessary to locate the ladder down. On level 6, dispelling the fields yields two orbs, after which the western ladder behind the dungeon room leads to level 7. On level 7, heading north reveals another orb before the dungeon room is solved by stepping in front of a fake wall to the east.
On level 8, a series of dungeon rooms must be traversed. In the final room, stepping into the northwestern corner opens the western walls, revealing the altar holding the Green Stone.
Detailed solution: Wrong (Ultima IV)
Covetous[edit]
- Magic orbs: +5DEX +5STR; 400 damage
Covetous is trickier than others. The Orange Stone is located on level 7, while there are orbs on the levels 3 and 6.
On level 1, exiting the dungeon room to the east and following the path on level 2 leads to the ladder for level 3. Clearing the rooms first grants access to the orb before backtracking to exit northwest. Either ladder leads down to level 4, where strange winds blow. Entering the eastern dungeon room and moving into one of its smaller chambers reveals a tunnel leading to the ladder.
Level 5 connects directly down to level 6, where additional winds are encountered. Three orbs are encountered here. Ascending two other ladders here accesses the gold on level 5. Next, taking the ladder that deposits the party north of the level 7 dungeon rooms reveals a secret wall to the east, behind which lies the Orange Stone.
Detailed solution: Covetous (Ultima IV)
Shame[edit]
- Magic orbs: +5STR +5INT; 400 damage
Shame is a challenging maze with many false leads. The Purple Stone is located on level 2 and the orbs are on the levels 1, 4 and 8.
Initially, the route leads directly down to level 7. Entering the dungeon room and approaching the eastern wall opens a coffin; stepping into the open coffin triggers the wall to open for an exit. Ascending the alternative ladder leads to level 4, followed by passage through a secret door.
Exiting the series of dungeon rooms to the east provides two orbs, while exiting to the south leads to an upward ladder. Navigating the dungeon room on level 3 reaches the western ladder, where the Purple Stone can be retrieved on level 2. Ascending further leads to the orb on level 1.
Backtracking to level 4 and taking the western exit allows following the ladder chain down to level 8. These lower rooms are packed with secret doors and monsters, terminating in a chamber with two additional orbs.
Detailed solution: Shame (Ultima IV)
Hythloth[edit]
- Magic orbs: +5STR +5DEX +5INT; 600 damage
The White Stone is missing from Hythloth. However, the balloon located near the entrance is necessary to reach the mountain range where the stone resides. However, Hythloth has the most advantageous (as well as most dangerous) magic orbs, which raise three stats. They are found on the levels 1, 3 and 5. Also, it connects to all three dungeon rooms.
Hythloth is the most challenging dungeon next to the Abyss.
Entering Hythloth is not possible via standard means due to shallow waters surrounding the main entrance shore. Accessing it via Castle Britannia forces an immediate descent down to level 8. Dispelling the southern field reveals the ladder up. The route is relatively straightforward, though skipping level 6 requires casting Up upon exiting the level 5 dungeon rooms. Taking the northern ladder up and then the western ladder down leads to two orbs. Backtracking and ascending the eastern ladder continues the route.
Passing two dungeon rooms on level 4 leads to the ladder for level 3. An orb can be collected here before ascending to level 2. Traversing that dungeon room allows climbing to level 1 to retrieve the final orb. Optionally, the empty altar can also be located.
Returning to Hythloth later via Castle Britannia provides direct access to the altar rooms. Note, however, that entering via the castle prevents returning by the same route, even when using the Xit or Up spells.
Detailed solution: Hythloth (Ultima IV)
The Abyss[edit]
- No orbs
The Abyss is the ultimate challenge. Magically bypassing challenges is impossible, and the dungeon contains the most difficult rooms and monsters. However, there is no level-hopping required. All Virtue Stones are needed to pass.
- Level 1: Following the path and defeating all hostile encounters leads to the altar, where the Blue Stone must be used.
- Level 2: Traversing the rooms permits exit at the southeast, after which dispelling the fields reaches the altar (the ladder is fake). The Yellow Stone is used here.
- Level 3: Clearing dungeon rooms allows progress into the center of the level, where the Red Stone is placed on the altar.
- Level 4: Passing through a series of secret doors leads to a fire field. Dispelling it reveals a door that acts as a dead end; instead, searching adjacent secret doors reveals the correct dungeon room leading to the altar. The Green Stone is used here.
- Level 5: Entering either the southern or eastern room and walking behind the force fields opens passage to the center room. Clearing the center room and activating the touchplates opens the eastern exit. Stepping in the center triggers a poison trap; however, remaining poisoned prevents sleep field effects on subsequent levels. Exiting south leads to the altar where the Orange Stone is used.
- Level 6: The meanest level of all. See here for a detailed solution: Abyss room puzzle.
- Level 7: Following the path and utilizing secret doors within the dungeon rooms clears the passage to the altar, where the White Stone is used.
- Level 8: The initial rooms form a confusing maze. Entering via the southern passage and continuing south leads to a room featuring a northeast secret door and a southwest touchplate that opens the exit. In the following room puzzle, defeating the mirror images grants access to the eastern room. Locating two triggers along the eastern wall opens the path to the final altar, where the Black Stone is used.
Then comes the moment of truth. To pass, one needs:
- The Key of Three Parts
- The correct password (VERAMOCOR)
- Be at level 8
- Have all 8 companions
- Be a eight-part Avatar
If any requirement is unfulfilled, the party is ejected from the Abyss. If all requirements are met, the final quiz begins.
Detailed solution: Great Stygian Abyss (Ultima IV)
| Dungeon Solutions | |
|---|---|
| Game | Ultima II ☥ Ultima III ☥ Ultima IV ☥ Ultima V ☥ Ultima VI ☥ Ultima VII ☥ Ultima VII Part Two ☥ Ultima IX |
| Ultima IV Dungeon Solutions | |
|---|---|
| Deceit ☥ Despise ☥ Destard ☥ Wrong ☥ Covetous ☥ Shame ☥ Hythloth ☥ The Abyss | |