Weighing the Pros and Cons of Introducing a New School of Magic

The realm of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls series offers boundless potential for magical exploration, yet Skyrim, one of the series’ most celebrated installments, only scrapes the surface with its limited schools of magic. Considering the vast magical possibilities inherent to Tamriel’s universe, it wouldn’t be a stretch for The Elder Scrolls 6 to introduce a new school of magic. Especially when reflecting on how Skyrim’s magic was somewhat constrained compared to earlier games.

In Skyrim, spells are organized into various schools of magic, but here’s where The Elder Scrolls 6 can truly shine. It has the opportunity to delve deep into the mystical essence of Tamriel, creating entirely new magical disciplines. This could allow players to interact with the game world on new magical levels, whether by performing everyday enchantments or unleashing powerful sorcery. Alternatively, the game could expand on existing schools like Conjuration, which has untapped potential that Skyrim didn’t fully exploit.

In the world of Tamriel, every province comes with its own unique history and culture. As The Elder Scrolls 6 is likely to explore a new province, this presents a golden opportunity to incorporate a magic school unique to the location’s customs and traditions. This not only maintains consistency with the series’ lore but also enriches the player’s journey through fresh magical experiences.

Reflecting on past games for inspiration, The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall and The Elder Scrolls: Battlespire introduced the School of Thaumaturgy, though it later folded into the School of Alteration. Beyond that, elements like Skyrim’s Shouts, racial powers, alchemy, enchanting, soul gems, and even the mystical Standing Stones present avenues for developing new magical systems in The Elder Scrolls 6.

The magical schools in Skyrim do feel somewhat restricted when lined up against their predecessors. Rather than creating entirely new magical traditions, The Elder Scrolls 6 could build on these existing schools, bringing fresh spells and beloved old favorites back into play.

Take, for instance, the School of Conjuration, which includes necromancy—a practice centered around raising the dead. Necromancy, in particular, has a vast realm yet to be fully tapped into. In other universes, it’s often a standalone magical field. Given the use of soul gems, the Soul Cairn, and various cultural perceptions of necromancy, expanding this practice could pay huge dividends in terms of narrative lore and role-playing opportunities without needing to invent an entirely new magical school. It’s an exciting potential for reimagining The Elder Scrolls’ magic without losing touch with its roots.