Big changes are on the horizon with the arrival of The Elder Scrolls 6, a highly anticipated follow-up to Skyrim after more than ten years. This upcoming epic from Bethesda seems poised to draw inspiration not just from its predecessors but also from other recent hit titles. While players are certainly eager to explore a new, intricately detailed province of Tamriel with refined gameplay, the influence of The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) can’t be overlooked. ESO’s take on a nearly complete Tamriel and its enriched lore sets a precedent. By reintroducing class-based systems reminiscent of earlier TES games, ESO has made a case for bringing death magic as a bonafide player choice in The Elder Scrolls 6.
The idea of playing as a necromancer in Tamriel isn’t groundbreaking, but previous games never provided a dedicated pathway for such a build. Traditionally, spells associated with necromancy have been scattered across the Conjuration, Restoration, and Mysticism schools, resulting in a somewhat fragmented build without much synergy. With ESO creating an entire necromancer class, there is now a firm foundation to incorporate this playstyle with its own strengths and weaknesses into the series.
In The Elder Scrolls Online, the concept of a minion-based playstyle was met with mixed results. The Necromancer class, promising on paper, fell short of delivering the thrill of commanding an undead army due to limited durations on summoned minions. Nevertheless, the class shines in its versatility over sheer potency, setting itself apart in gameplay dynamics.
What ESO’s Necromancer class excels at is fostering diverse builds that go beyond just summoning. The Bone Tyrant branch, for example, reshapes typical narratives by focusing on tank-like abilities, offering defensive spells and health regeneration. Living Death, on the other hand, is centered around healing, playing a supportive role. While the Grave Lord Necromancer is closest to the traditional minion approach, it also emphasizes damage-over-time, suggesting ample room for the Necromancer’s evolution and refinement.
For The Elder Scrolls 6 to successfully integrate a Necromancer build within its magical framework, careful attention must be paid to ensure it doesn’t conflict with existing magical classifications. Previously, Mysticism held spells like Soul Trap and Detect Life until it was disbanded and its spells spread across other schools in Skyrim, positioning Conjuration as the default category for death-related magic. By expanding current schools or enhancing them with advanced reanimation or health-draining spells, Bethesda can avoid redundancy and create more depth rather than introducing a new class.
One aspect The Elder Scrolls Online addresses, which remains a topic up for debate, is the controversial nature of necromancy itself. In the game’s lore, many necromancy spells are deemed illegal if performed publicly, befitting the grim deeds associated with the most powerful necromancers in the series. How Bethesda plans to manage a playstyle that could potentially alienate players from many NPCs in The Elder Scrolls 6 is yet to be revealed. Ultimately, how magic usage affects a player’s standing within TES6’s world will play a critical role in determining the feasibility of this path.
