Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar/Equipment

NES port
Every character can carry up to three pieces of equipment: a ranged weapon, a melee weapon and an armor (respectively labeled as Bow, Sword and Armour in the menu).

Characters in bold start the game with the corresponding piece of equipment.

"Shops (1)" are in towns on the mainland, and can be accessed since the beginning of the game, while "Shops (2)" are on the islands and can only be accessed when pirates ships start appearing in the seas, i.e. when the characters reach Level 4.

Bows
Ranged weapons give the strategic advantage of hitting the enemy before it can reach you. If all the party is equipped with bows, the battle will be often won before the enemies can land even one blow on the heroes.

The Axe+1 and the Wand are actually melee weapons that can double as ranged weapons if no bow is equipped.

Swords
If the enemies manage to get close the heroes, the melee weapons actually deal more damage and will finish them off quite quickly.

The Axe+2 can be obtained only by giving the scale to the smith in Minoc. For the scale, see the page about items.

The Sword of Paradise can only be obtained by the hero once he/she reaches Avatarhood.

Armours
The Robe can be obtained for free, but the player must cross a poison swamp and then open a door using the magic key.

The Exotic Armour can only be obtained by the hero once he/she reaches Avatarhood.