Two Popular Playstyles Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought in The Elder Scrolls 6

Two Popular Playstyles Shouldn't Be an Afterthought in The Elder Scrolls 6

As a seasoned Elder Scrolls gamer with countless hours spent in Tamriel’s darkest corners and sun-soaked plains, I can confidently say that the prospect of vampires and werewolves making a triumphant return in The Elder Scrolls 6 is music to my ears.


One of the main draws of Skyrim is the freedom to play as any kind of character, with a wide variety of playstyles available right from the start of the game, which is something players may come to expect from The Elder Scrolls 6. Two kinds of playstyles have always been popular in Skyrim, but haven’t always had the robust support that they enjoy now: vampires and werewolves. Becoming a vampire or werewolf has always been available in Skyrim, but both received significant changes with the Skyrim expansion pack Dawnguard.

In the game expansion Dawnguard, both vampires and werewolves underwent significant changes – vampires received a new appearance (Vampire Lord form), altered functionality, mechanical adjustments, and a skill tree. Werewolves, on the other hand, gained a skill tree. This extensive revamp for vampires in Dawnguard was necessary due to their unimpressive look in Skyrim, particularly when contrasted with their version in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. To avoid repeating this mistake in the future, The Elder Scrolls 6 should strive to perfectly balance these two playstyles without requiring expansion packs to correct them because of their fundamental importance within The Elder Scrolls series.

The Differences Between Werewolves and Vampires in Skyrim

In the game ‘Skyrim’, being a werewolf offers several benefits such as complete immunity to diseases. However, one can only assume this form once a day. Yet, with Hircine’s Ring, the Dragonborn character can shape-shift at will, reducing many of the downsides associated with turning into a werewolf. The main disadvantage of being a werewolf in Skyrim is the inability to enjoy the Well-Rested bonus during sleep, but for most players, this compromise seems reasonable. Although werewolves gain an extra skill tree and some additional items in the ‘Dragonborn’ expansion pack, these additions are more like bonus materials and not crucial for playing a werewolf character in Skyrim.

Prior to the release of Dawnguard, being a vampire in Skyrim was a challenging choice due to their vulnerability to sunlight and fire. This meant that playing as a vampire was restricted during sunlit hours, making gameplay more difficult. Moreover, health, stamina, and magical energy do not recover while a vampire is exposed to daylight. Despite the benefits of being a vampire such as increased stealth ability and unique spells, the difficulties in playing a vampire before Dawnguard made the decision to become one less appealing. However, with the introduction of Dawnguard, vampires gained numerous advantages like the use of Auriel’s Bow to nullify sunlight during the day. Additionally, the Vampire Lord skill tree and new feeding options have made vampires more adaptable and versatile.

How Vampires and Werewolves Could Be Depicted in The Elder Scrolls 6

In the upcoming game, The Elder Scrolls 6, it is essential that werewolf and vampire playstyles, appreciated for their poison and disease resistances, roleplaying opportunities, and versatility, are equipped with the depth and support provided by Dawnguard from the get-go. Implementing these playstyles as viable options only after several years in a paid expansion pack isn’t ideal, given that werewolves and vampires have become integral parts of The Elder Scrolls series.

Both playstyles add depth, not only to gameplay, but to the lore of The Elder Scrolls. In the open sandbox worlds that The Elder Scrolls uses, creating the potential for conflict within storylines through gameplay mechanics is the perfect way to get players engaged while creating combat that’s fun and exciting. To leave two playstyles like vampirism and lycanthropy for a future expansion instead of incorporating them into The Elder Scrolls 6‘s base game, at least in a more fulfilling fashion like with Dawnguard, would be a missed opportunity.

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2024-09-08 13:04