The Elder Scrolls 6 Should Capitalize on a Major ESO Modification

With The Elder Scrolls 6 on the horizon, over a decade after the monumental impact of Skyrim, there’s anticipation for some major updates, but it’s expected this upcoming Bethesda RPG will draw inspiration from several hits of recent years. While fans are eagerly awaiting a new province in Tamriel to explore with the series’ signature detailed environments and refined gameplay, The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has also left its mark. ESO’s expansive portrayal of almost the entire continent and enriched lore can’t be overlooked. As ESO has thrived by revisiting the class-based framework from older TES titles, The Elder Scrolls 6 might well consider fully integrating death magic into its gameplay options.

Necromancers have long been a part of Tamriel’s lore, yet never as a true player choice to develop. Historically, spells deemed necromantic have often been scattered among the Conjuration, Restoration, and Mysticism schools, leading to a fragmented build that’s lacked cohesive synergy. However, ESO has now established a solid precedent with necromancy having its own class, highlighting both its strengths and potential drawbacks for inclusion in the series.

In ESO, the concept of a Necromancer class seemed promising, yet its execution within the summoner archetype has been lacking. Limited minion durations have fallen short of the fantasy of commanding an undead army from afar. Despite these limitations, the class shines more through its flexibility rather than sheer power.

The real victory of ESO’s Necromancer design is the varied builds it offers, stepping even beyond summoning. The Bone Tyrant skill set offers an intriguing tanking role with its defensive and regenerating spells, while Living Death shifts focus to healing in a supportive capacity. Meanwhile, the Grave Lord Necromancer adheres more closely to traditional minion mastery but also delves into damage-over-time, revealing the room for the class’s persona to be expanded and fine-tuned.

If a necromancer build is to fit seamlessly into the next main TES game, it needs a careful approach to align with the series’ established magic schools. The Mysticism school, formerly home to spells like Soul Trap and Detect Life, was dismantled and its spells distributed among others in Skyrim, leaving Conjuration as the nearest match for death magic. By incorporating necromancy spells like higher-tier reanimation or life-stealing capabilities, these could enhance existing schools rather than create a redundant new category.

A fascinating aspect that ESO touches upon is necromancy’s forbidden status. Many core spells of this arcane art are seen as criminal if used in public, reflecting the grim deeds often associated with Tamriel’s most powerful necromancers. How Bethesda plans to weave this element into the gameplay of The Elder Scrolls 6 remains to be seen, but the player’s reputation in relation to using such magic could significantly influence their interactions and acceptance by NPCs in the game.