As we anticipate the arrival of The Elder Scrolls 6, it’s clear that the game will bring significant changes to the series, especially after more than a decade-long reign of Skyrim. However, it’s not just previous Elder Scrolls titles that will shape this new epic from Bethesda; modern games like The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) have made their mark too. It would indeed be thrilling to explore a new province within Tamriel with intricate details and enhanced gameplay. Yet, ignoring the expansive world and rich lore that ESO offers would be a missed opportunity. ESO’s return to the classic class-based system from older TES games could inspire TES6 to weave in innovative features, like making death magic available for players.
The idea of being a necromancer is not unheard of in Tamriel’s universe. Still, players have never had the clear-cut option to fully dive into necromancy as a build. Historically, what we could consider necromancy spells have been scattered across various magic schools like Conjuration, Restoration, and Mysticism. This scattering resulted in a somewhat patchy experience lacking in synergy. Yet with ESO granting it an entire class, there’s now a solid framework showcasing the pros and cons of having a playable necromancer in the series.
The dynamics of playing a summoner, particularly the Necromancer, in The Elder Scrolls Online, are intriguing, though not without their faults. The promise of raising an undead army falters due to restrictions, like finite time limits on summoned creatures. Despite this, the class shines through its versatility rather than sheer power.
ESO’s necromancer class excels in offering flexible build choices, often veering away from pure minion summoning. For instance, the Bone Tyrant skill line reinvents the trope, focusing on tanking abilities with defensive spells and health regeneration. Meanwhile, the Living Death skill set revolves around healing. Even within the Grave Lord Necromancer branch, damage-over-time elements are emphasized, highlighting potential for the class’s expansion and refinement.
In upcoming titles, like TES6, introducing a necromancer build must be carefully managed to fit within the existing magical framework. Previously, Mysticism covered soul-related spells before being disbanded and woven into other magic schools in Skyrim. Now, Conjuration stands as the closest school governing death magic. Instead of creating overlap, necromancer spells such as advanced reanimation or health-draining abilities could enrich existing schools.
One intriguing aspect of necromancy in ESO, somewhat of an unspoken issue, is its nefarious reputation. Many necromantic spells are deemed crimes when practiced publicly, aligning with the dark deeds performed by Tamriel’s notorious necromancers. Whether Bethesda will let players embrace this murky reputation, potentially ostracizing them from various NPC interactions in TES6, still hangs in the balance, with repercussions likely hinging on how magic use affects character standing in the game’s world.
