Related
Fighters are the basic non-magical combat Type in Ultima III. Every other basic Type has some sort of ability associated with it, but Fighters don't even get an increased Stat bonus this time around. What they do get is access to the full range of Weapons and Armour. Unfortunately, this isn't as much of an advantage as it might seem.
There are two issues at hand with the Fighter's equipment selection. First, the Exotic Arms and Armour are the best (melee) Weapon and Armour in the game, and they are fairly easy to get. Even if you get them late in the game, the Armour advantage of the Fighter isn't relevant by the time you face Exodus. Fighters do have access to +4 Bows, the best ranged Weapon in the game, but so do three other Types.
The other issue is that some of the stuff Fighters have exclusive access to isn't practical to buy anyway. The Ranger gets Spells (of both types!) as well as steal and disarm, all at the cost of not being able to use Gloves and +4 Weapons. You'll probably find Exotic Arms before you can afford those Weapons anyway, making the Fighter a lame choice of Type to include in the party.
There are two issues at hand with the Fighter's equipment selection. First, the Exotic Arms and Armour are the best (melee) Weapon and Armour in the game, and they are fairly easy to get. Even if you get them late in the game, the Armour advantage of the Fighter isn't relevant by the time you face Exodus. Fighters do have access to +4 Bows, the best ranged Weapon in the game, but so do three other Types.
The other issue is that some of the stuff Fighters have exclusive access to isn't practical to buy anyway. The Ranger gets Spells (of both types!) as well as steal and disarm, all at the cost of not being able to use Gloves and +4 Weapons. You'll probably find Exotic Arms before you can afford those Weapons anyway, making the Fighter a lame choice of Type to include in the party.