There’s a buzz in the air as fans anticipate the release of The Elder Scrolls 6, set to revolutionize the gaming scene after Skyrim’s decade-long reign. With expectations sky-high, the upcoming RPG from Bethesda isn’t just drawing on Skyrim’s success, but is likely to pull inspiration from several standout titles in recent years. Enthusiasts are eager to explore a fresh province of Tamriel, brought to life with unmatched detail and fluid gameplay. Yet, the influence of The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), which spans the entire continent and dives deep into its lore, can’t be overlooked. Given ESO’s triumph in revisiting the class-based systems from earlier TES titles, it’s time for The Elder Scrolls 6 to officially let players embrace death magic as a new gameplay option.
Necromancy in Tamriel isn’t a foreign concept. However, it’s never been an outright option for players to fully develop. Historically, what could be labeled as necromancy spells were spread across different magical schools like Conjuration, Restoration, and Mysticism in The Elder Scrolls series. This has led to a sort of disjointed approach lacking cohesive synergy. But ESO changed the game by introducing a full-fledged necromancer class, setting a new benchmark for fully integrating this enthralling, albeit ominous, style of play into the franchise.
When it comes to the necromancer’s role in ESO, one might think it would shine. However, its execution has been somewhat underwhelming, particularly for those fond of the summoner style. The spells with short-lived effects don’t quite capture the thrill of commanding an undead legion. Yet, the class still manages to stand out, offering players versatility instead of outright power, which is appreciated.
What’s remarkable about the necromancer class in ESO is the variety of builds it supports. It goes beyond just summoning various minions. Take the Bone Tyrant skill line, for instance, which prioritizes defensive spells and health regeneration for tanking roles. The Living Death line focuses on healing magic, catering to those who favor support roles. And then there’s the Grave Lord, where minion-based actions meet damage-over-time tactics. This design diversity shows there’s room for the necromancer class to expand and be further refined.
Adding a necromancer build to The Elder Scrolls 6 needs careful thought to ensure it complements the series’ existing magical classifications. Remember how Mysticism, which used to encompass spells like Soul Trap and Detect Life, was absorbed by other schools in Skyrim? Similarly, Conjuration now mostly houses the death-related techniques. To add necromancy without redundancy, spells that offer advanced reanimation or life-stealing capabilities could be woven into the existing schools rather than forming a new one.
One crucial aspect that ESO acknowledges is the taboo nature of necromancy within Tamriel’s society. Publicly casting necromantic spells might earn you a criminal reputation, a fitting outcome considering the grim acts typical of the realm’s most formidable necromancers. Whether Bethesda will introduce a playstyle in TES6 that risks player alienation from NPCs is still a question. But how player choices in magic affect their standing in the game could be a defining feature in the narrative of TES6.
