Detecting Hidden

Detecting Hidden in Ultima Online

The skill "Detecting Hidden" is used to detect hidden objects, traps, and players both passively and actively.

General Information

• Purpose: Detect Hidden is used to find hidden boxes, traps, and people.
• Passive Detection: Works automatically to reveal people stealthing near you.
• Active Detection: You manually use the skill to search a specific area or container.
• Detect Hidden is no longer required for training the "Remove Trap" skill.

Finding Hidden People

• Detection Radius: Based on your Detect Hidden skill level.
• Success Rate: Depends on your Detect Hidden skill versus the target's Hiding skill.
• House Owners: Can reveal anyone hidden in their house instantly, regardless of skill levels.
• Skill Gain: Cannot gain skill by using Detect Hidden in your own house.
• Stealthers: Automatically revealed if they stealth within a 4-tile radius of you.
• Additional Benefits: Helps when using the Tracking skill or the Reveal spell.

Racial Bonuses

• Humans: All human characters have a base of 20 in Detect Hidden due to the Jack of all Trades trait.
• Elves: Have an increased chance to passively detect hidden things.

Finding Hidden Containers

• Locations: Kotl City, Exodus Dungeon, and around the wreck of the BMV Ararat.
• Detection: If your skill is high enough, you'll receive a message indicating a hidden container. You then need to use the skill actively to reveal it.
• Traps: Containers often have poison and explosion traps.
• Training Aid: The Crystal Ball of Knowledge from Ortlem the Mystic's quest can help determine the distance to the hidden container.

Dungeon Traps

• Old Dungeons: Most traps are visible.
• Passive Detection: Other floor traps can be detected passively if you have at least 75 skill in Detect Hidden.

Trapped Containers

• Types: Boxes, chests, crates, barrels, and kegs can be trapped.
• Crafted Containers: Traps can be placed on crafted, lockable containers by a tinker.
• Detecting Traps: Place the container on the floor and use Detect Hidden on it or the floor next to it. Successful detection will display "[trapped]" above it.
• Trap Colors: In the classic client, detected traps are color-coded:
  • Purple: Explosion traps
  • Blue: Dart traps or dart & explosion traps
  • Green: Poison traps or combinations including poison

Training Detect Hidden

Method 1: Using Trapped Chests

1. Starting Out: Train initially with an NPC and use a trapped box made by a tinker with ~35 skill. This should take you to roughly 60 skill.
2. Advanced Training: Use a trapped box made by a GM tinker.
3. Faster Gains: Allow a Satyr to use Discordance on you in the Twisted Weald around 50 skill to use the lower-level box longer.
4. Macro Setup:
   • Classic Client: Create a macro for "Use Skill -> Last Target".
   • Enhanced Client: Create a hotbar with the Detect Hidden skill icon, set it to target a stored box.

Method 2: Using a Trapped Crate

1. Initial Training: Buy 30+ skill from a Thief Guild master.
2. Training with a Crate: Lock down a trapped small crate, use the Crystal Ball of Knowledge to determine the distance for optimal gains. Move further away as your skill increases.

Creating a Training Box:

1. Tinkering Training: Buy 30+ Tinkering from a trainer.
2. Materials: Get 50 boards, 10 iron ingots, and tinker tools.
3. Create Carpentry Tool: Use to make a Small Crate.
4. Trap the Crate: Use the tinkering tool to make a Dart Trap with 1 ingot and 1 bolt.

With these methods, you should be able to train your Detect Hidden skill effectively.