I stopped playing UO for about 3 years and have recently returned. I have seen many changes, maybe too many to keep up with. I was wondering if I could get some help with the following questions:
1) Is there any reason to go with meditation instead of focus, unless the regen rate is that much difference, It seems that focus will regen mana even with armor on.
2) Where can you find boomsticks?
3) Where can you find tailsman and what do they do?
4) What is the damage breakdown of the weapons mean? physical/cold/fire/ect...

I have looked for all these answers on Stratics, but found no answers.

thnaks in advance for your help.

There are debates about Med/Focus a lot. For warriors I use Focus. You get mana regen and stamina regen. Many say the stamina is easy to get other ways and Med os best for mana. (or use mana regen property on armor). Some folks say I'm nuts for usinf Focus, but I like it.

Boomsticks. I think they are on various critters in the mew ML areas? I forget.

Talsimans are available various ways in the ML areas. I got most of mine doing quest's in Heartwood (the elf town, accessed in Yew). They add various bonuses in crafting, monster bashing (like slayer weapons), and some remove curses or create band-aids. Odd things like that.

The new (AOS) resist system. Different critters are more succeptible (sp?) to different types of damage. They also do different types of damage. So you want to get your armor as close to all 70's in all resist. The weapons need to be chosen by the damage type for the critter you are fighting.

the only real difference between med and focus is that you can use med actively to regen mana real fast.. focus regens at a steady rate but not as fast. you can also stack med and focus if you want to really regen mana like mad. : ) most warriors go with focus and most mages uses med.. but theres alot of options.. you can go with mana regen armor and mana leech weaps to replace the skill altogether if you want.

booms are "given" to you while fighting certain monsters..... try the swoops in the dh area

My Mage/Scribe had extra room on his template so he has 110 Med and 110 Focus, plus a boat load of mana regen stuff he wears. He can't run out of mana now! (it really does work well)

1. Meditation is better for mages and other casters, it regens mana faster than Focus does. For it to work, however, you need to use armor without metal in it, i.e., leather armor or the Mondaine's Legacy Leaf armor. Focus allows you to use any armor you like, but is slower to regen Mana than Meditation is. Oh, any piece of armor with the mage armor property can be worn and meditated in.

2. Boomsticks drop from named Mondaine's Legacy monsters. If you don't have Mondaine's Legacy, I don't think you'll be able to use one, as many of the ML items are restricted to accounts that have paid for that expansion.

3. Talismans are given as rewards for doing crafting quests in Heartwood, the elven city located in Yew. Talismans have various functions: summoning (either monsters or useful objects such as bandages), slayer (vermin, mage, cold, flame, bull, etc.), protection (from specific monsters), and crafting bonuses (both a bonus to base skill and exceptional quality boost). They are dragged onto your paperdoll to equip, have their own slot, so won't interfere with any other equipment slot. Talismans require Mondaine's Legacy.

4. Weapons damage. Each weapon can do physical or elemental damage, or a combination of both. The damage breaks down as a percentage shown when the weapon is moused over. Each monster has strengths and weaknesses to the various damage types, which can be found in their individual listings in the Stratics Hunter's Guide. As a general rule, bugs and Undead are susceptible to Fire damage, humanoids (reponds) to Poison damage, water-based monsters and mechanical monsters to Energy damage. There are many exceptions, though, so best become acquainted with the creatures you hunt so as to not get a nasty surprise. A weapon can actually go to 100% elemental damage, for example 100% Fire damage, which is good against cold-based creatures. These 100% elemental damage also glow gorgeous colors: red for fire, purple for energy, green for poison, blue for cold. Some people profess scorn for these "neon" weapons, but I've always liked them, myself. De gustibus non est disputandum, I always say.