The Elder Scrolls 6 Should Build on a Key ESO Innovation

The Elder Scrolls 6 is poised to bring significant changes after over a decade riding high on Skyrim’s success. Many fans are excited about the possibility of discovering a new region of Tamriel, with its intricate details and sophisticated gameplay. However, it’s important not to overlook the influence of The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), which has successfully captured the essence of the entire continent and deepened the series’ lore. Considering ESO’s successful adoption of class-based gameplay, The Elder Scrolls 6 would do well to explore options like integrating death magic for players to enjoy.

Necromancy, as a concept in Tamriel, isn’t new. Historically, its spells were scattered across Conjuration, Restoration, and Mysticism in older Elder Scrolls games. This scattering made it hard to build a coherent character around necromancy. ESO took a bold step by establishing necromancy as its own class, setting a precedent for introducing player-driven necromancer builds, complete with their own strengths and weaknesses.

In ESO, the vision of a Necromancer class, focused on summoning, hasn’t fully lived up to its potential, as many hoped. The restricted timing of minions detracts from the fantasy of commanding an army of undead creatures. Despite these limitations, the class offers unique versatility, albeit without unmatched power.

The real charm of ESO’s Necromancer design lies in its ability to support various playstyles. It’s not all about summoning minions—there’s the Bone Tyrant skill line for those wanting a tanky, defensive experience, and the Living Death line, which offers healing magic for support roles. Then there’s the Grave Lord Necromancer, which, while focused on dealing damage over time, touches on the traditional necromancer identity. This flexibility indicates that the class has room for further expansion and refinement.

If The Elder Scrolls 6 incorporates a Necromancer class, it will need to fit seamlessly with the existing magic schools. Mysticism, once associated with Soul Trap and detection spells, dissolved and merged into others in Skyrim, leaving Conjuration as the closest fit for necromantic spells. By focusing on unique elements like greater reanimation or health-draining, the new game could enrich existing schools without creating unnecessary overlap.

However, delving into necromancy in a story-accurate way would require some thought about its lore implications. ESO already notes the taboo nature of necromancy, where its practices are often seen as criminal due to their morbid nature. This raises an intriguing question for Bethesda: Will they risk creating a playstyle that might isolate players from many in-game characters? How The Elder Scrolls 6 approaches the reputation system tied to magic usage could shape player experiences significantly.

As The Elder Scrolls 6 prepares to take us on another grand adventure, incorporating lessons from ESO and addressing fan expectations for potential necromancer gameplay can add a fresh dimension to the series’ rich tapestry. With such integration, the upcoming release could easily set new standards for immersive role-playing games.