As The Elder Scrolls 6 is undergoing development, combat is sure to remain a core game mechanic that defines the upcoming game as it has every game before it. Whether shooting bone arrows at dragons or hacking and slashing ancient Dwemer constructs deep underground, players must quickly adapt to stay alive past the first five minutes of gameplay. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is iconic for its opening scene, which involves a deadly dragon attack and almost immediate combat for the player. While combat in the franchise has become easier to use, much has remained consistent and lackluster over the years, meaning The Elder Scrolls 6 could desperately use something new.
The combat system in the Elder Scrolls can be summarized by the gameplay in Skyrim. Players can find, unlock, and equip different weapons, magic, and abilities using Skyrim's massive skill tree. Players can then level up specific skills depending on the combat styles they focus on. While the game has been renowned for having an incredibly open and dynamic combat system, some invisible rules are still in place. After all, many battles in Skyrim feature the player character hacking and slashing, shooting, or blasting magic repeatedly until the enemy is down. Understandably, there's significantly less nuance there than many players would like.
Trainable Melee Combat Techniques for The Elder Scrolls 6 is a Must
With the announcement and current development of The Elder Scrolls 6, players will certainly be expecting a complete overhaul of the combat system. While there has been very little information released about the game's combat system or the game as a whole, the Microsoft-owned Bethesda development team could find inspiration in many role-playing games that have come out in recent years. Two major issues with the current combat system are that melee combat can oftentimes be repetitive and clunky and that there is not enough of a difference between melee play styles.
Games like Ghost of Tsushima are brilliant examples of what a dynamic melee combat system could look like. Given that the Elder Scrolls franchise allows players to use both blunt weapons and blades, there is quite a bit of potential for a truly innovative combat system that provides unique strengths and weaknesses to each weapon type. While there are trainers across The Elder Scrolls 5 that can help level up skills, there is no true "training" element involved. Developers could also incorporate a system for training with and fighting other NPCs, similar to Jade Empire. This system could come with special side quests to unlock powerful techniques that set the franchise apart from the pack.
Magic in Elder Scrolls 6 Needs to be Diverse, Dynamic, and Lore-Driven
While magic is a prevalent part of The Elder Scrolls franchise, it has largely remained the same. Outside of the "shout" mechanic, which is arguably the most unique and defining aspect of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, players who decide to be magic users might find themselves bored after countless blasts of generic white magic. One element that makes the shout mechanic so remarkable is that each Thu'um players learn has a unique casting experience, look, and feel. Dragon Age, Pillars of Eternity, and other titles have dynamic magic systems that create choice and consequence for the player, and Elder Scrolls 6 needs to do the same.
One way to innovate on the current magic system would be to introduce different pros and cons for using each kind of magic. Developers could think about how schools of magic are taught, if there are physical tolls for using certain types of magic, and even how divine beings like the Daedra could factor into a player's magic usage.
Another idea would be to twist how players learn magic. While books are a convenient mechanic, they are anti-climactic, especially when compared to learning shouts. Players could discover magic through rituals, tattoos, communicating with animals, or gaining the favor of a particular god. This would bring a welcome refresh to magic in the Elder Scrolls franchise.
Stealth and Ranged Combat Needs to Feel Unique While Remaining Balanced
Anyone who has played as a stealth-based Dragonborn might have discovered just how overpowered the Skyrim archery system seems. This is especially true as the damage bonuses for fighting from stealth are staggeringly more powerful than any other perk in the game. While this is nice for first-time players, the lack of balance can easily make combat stale. One idea to innovate on the current system is inspired by the Assassin's Creed franchise and involves making more sophisticated enemy AI. On top of this, there could be more limitations on how stealth can work in specific environments and areas.
Archery is an incredible skill in Skyrim, as the current system allows players to aim and track their shots in a satisfying way. Even so, Bethesda has ample potential to level up this system and make it the best archery-based video game combat system out there. This could be done by allowing players to craft, upgrade, and customize their bow and other weapons. Adaptive triggers on next-gen consoles could also provide new ways to utilize ranged weapons. Anything from engravings and customizing bowstring tension to building a bow at a workshop would make the experience more gratifying and personal.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is currently in development.