undead dolphin hacker said:
What's the "halo" button do on the various inventory screens?
Defensive mode. Any character with the yellow halo will be protected by any other character that has the "protect" battle strategy selected
undead dolphin hacker said:
Does Spark's sling need ammo?
No. Beware of missile weapons in general btw, Position your missile users in the flanks ("flank" battle strategy) or they might shoot your party members.
undead dolphin hacker said:
Is there some morality system in this game where if I steal I fuck myself over? I remember rumblings about that but the FAQ I've peeked at recommends to rob everyone and everything blind.
Wellllllllll... depends on how you want to roleplay. If you steal things and people notice, there will be problems. Even your party members can turn against you. It is however very easy to steal things without even your party members noticing - I won't say how, figure it out for yourself if you really want it
But in general there isn't a Karma system as in U4-U5 (U6 had a Karma system but it didn't have any effect iirc?)
undead dolphin hacker said:
Is the enjoyment of the game substantially ruined if you by acquiring good equipment early? I ask because the FAQ I was reading recommended to grab a few of the hidden goodies right outside Trinsic and they all sound very powerful (like magic armor, a lightning whip, a flame sword, etc). If it ruins the game then I'll just forget about them.
That won't ruin your experience at all. Even with standard weaponry the game battles will all seem easy, as Ultima 7 isn't really meant to be taxing in terms of combat (exception - a few areas in the Forge of Virtue expansion).
Where did you find those btw? Trying to remember near Trinsic where could there be a stash of magical items, and nothing springs to mind.
undead dolphin hacker said:
How do I tell if one weapon is better than another? I assume a great dagger is better than a dagger, but is it better than a sword?
There are books spread out throughout the game and while some just have some story or other, others are useful. I believe you can find somewhere in Trinsic (in the blacksmith's house iirc?) a book that explains the damage done by standard weapons and armors.
I don't think it covers magical/special/unique weapons though. You will find information on those in the quests to find them or in the place where you find them.