Highlights
- Skyrim improved combat with better physics, but its magic system fell short, lacking flexibility and variety.
- Oblivion and Morrowind’s magic systems offered more freedom, allowing spellcasting with any weapon and spell creation.
- The Elder Scrolls 6 should combine Skyrim’s skill trees with the creativity of previous games for a richer magic experience.
Skyrim improved on the previous games in The Elder Scrolls in a number of ways. Improvements in video game engine technology made the physics of combat better animated, giving combat encounters the mass needed to feel more real than in previous games, and was a better experience despite its simplified nature and the removal of a number of weapons. Where Skyrim succeeded in combat, however, it didn’t quite reach the mark in its magic system, both in and out of combat, something that Bethesda can’t repeat in The Elder Scrolls 6. Skyrim did improve on some elements of magic that should be carried over to The Elder Scrolls 6, but many other parts of it should remain in Skyrim, with Oblivion and Morrowind‘s magic systems providing inspiration for the rest.
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The Magic System in Skyrim
The Pros
Skyrim overhauled its character building from its predecessors, streamlining it into a much simpler and more flexible process that encouraged more organic gameplay. Rather than choosing a premade or custom class at the start of Skyrim with Major and Minor skills, only leveling once those select few skills improved, players were encouraged to pursue certain skills thanks to skill trees that unlocked perks. Magic skills were no exception to this, with each school of magic in Skyrim getting its own skill tree and perks.
The Cons
Magic in practice in Skyrim requires having at least one free hand, making it impossible to use alongside ranged weapons, dual weapons, two-handed weapons, and sword-and-shield builds. This makes many builds extremely challenging to play, such as an archer Thief who uses Alteration or Illusion spells. Skyrim also cut down the number and variety of spells by a significant amount, so magic-users are far more limited in Skyrim than they were in Oblivion and Morrowind.
Magic Systems in Previous TES Games
Oblivion and Morrowind allow players to cast spells while wielding any type of weapon, which opens up potential playstyles for players and removes an unnecessary barrier that permeates Skyrim. While this barrier is somewhat mitigated by Skyrim‘s Shouts, it does not replace being able to cast spells while wielding any type of weapon. Oblivion and Morrowind also give players the ability to create their own spells by combining different spell effects, an extremely useful skill that also adds value to becoming a member of the Mages Guild that the College of Winterhold lacked.
Combining the Best of Both TES Magic Systems
The Elder Scrolls 6 can combine Skyrim‘s magic skill tree and perk systems with Oblivion and Morrowind‘s magic systems for a happier middle ground. The Elder Scrolls is all about freedom in creating any kind of character build, and limiting when a character can use magic is an unnecessary barrier that removes magic from builds and makes it very clunky. Bringing back Oblivion and Morrowind‘s spell creation system would also be a great addition to The Elder Scrolls 6, as it’s great not only for roleplaying but for encouraging exploration and creativity from players.
More Spells in TES6
Skyrim‘s spells were also extremely basic thanks to the removal of many of Oblivion and Morrowind‘s spells. While many of the spells were silly or perhaps not used too often, these spells added character to the world. Morrowind in particular had wonderful spells that spoke to the setting, including the religion, the cities, and the culture. The Elder Scrolls 6 should have many more spells than Skyrim did, including ones that are just fun and not necessarily “useful” for combat.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim is the fifth major game in the Elder Scrolls series. Considered one of the greatest games ever made, it has been released on several generations of consoles. Since its initial release over a decade ago, Skyrim has become one of the bestselling video games of all time.
- Released
- November 11, 2011
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Engine
- Creation Engine
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Expansions
- Skyrim: Dragonborn , Skyrim: Hearthfire , Skyrim: Dawnguard
- How Long To Beat
- 35 Hours
- X|S Enhanced
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 29 GB (DECEMBER 2023)
- Metascore
- 96
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium (Special Edition)
