TES 6’s Story Can Stand Out Breaking a Big Franchise Tradition

TES 6's Story Can Stand Out Breaking a Big Franchise Tradition

Key Takeaways

  • The Elder Scrolls 6 has a chance to break tradition by featuring a more humanoid antagonist to differentiate from past godlike foes.
  • Previous TES entries have had otherworldly villains like Daedric entities, paving the way for a potential change in TES6.
  • TES6 could introduce a more grounded, political antagonist, offering a new direction and a more equal dynamic with the player character.

As a seasoned fan who has traversed the vast lands of Tamriel countless times, I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of The Elder Scrolls 6 breaking away from tradition. After years of battling godlike entities, it would be refreshing to face off against a more humanoid antagonist.


The highly anticipated game, “The Elder Scrolls 6,” remains one of the most eagerly awaited titles. The vastly popular role-playing game series by Bethesda has its legion of fans craving more than ever for the next main installment. Given that it’s been over ten years since the release of “Skyrim” in 2011, which left a lasting impact on the gaming industry, this eagerness can be easily understood. However, with the studio confirming back in 2018 that “The Elder Scrolls 6” is indeed underway, their focus on their latest science fiction project, “Starfield,” has seemingly pushed “TES” to the sidelines, at least for now.

Speculation and whispers about The Elder Scrolls 6 continue unabated, with the game’s setting and other features frequently sparking debate. A common thread in the series’ main titles has been the type of antagonist they feature. From Morrowind to Skyrim, the major villains threatening Tamriel in TES have all been powerful, ancient, and godlike entities. However, The Elder Scrolls 6 could set itself apart by introducing a less otherworldly, yet equally ambitious and dangerous overarching enemy compared to its predecessors.

In September, we passed more than six years since the initial announcement of The Elder Scrolls 6, which has so far been represented solely by a 30-second trailer, leaving us with no additional official details to date.

The Elder Scrolls 6 Could Break a Big Narrative Tradition By Featuring a More Humanoid Antagonist

The Elder Scrolls’ Previous Antagonists Were All Otherworldly Threats

In the final three instances within the sequence, all players encountered and battled foes that exceeded the capabilities of mortal races from Tamriel. These beings were not merely powerful individuals, but rather primordial forces or Daedric entities hailing from their otherworldly realms, who had come with the aim to annihilate or subjugate the world. Examples include:

  • Dagoth Ur (Morrowind)
  • Mehrunes Dagon (Oblivion)
  • Alduin (Skyrim)

In the past, each of the previous games had formidable and fearsome antagonists that left an indelible mark on players. But since there’s a pattern of using Daedric princes or similar characters, it might work against The Elder Scrolls 6 if they continue this trend. Fans might be anticipating another shadowy figure controlling events in the sixth installment. However, Bethesda could catch fans off guard by deviating from the norm and introducing a more human-like villain to challenge players this time instead.

Why The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Want to Feature a Humanoid as Its Big Bad

Although massive and divine-like adversaries can create a lasting impact and align with the grandiose conflict style of “The Elder Scrolls”, introducing such characters in “TES6” might lead to repetition. To steer clear of this, the upcoming game could opt for a villain who is distinctly humanoid instead. The setting and timeline of “The Elder Scrolls 6” can influence the backstory and motivations of this character. For instance, their political and military maneuvers could be highlighted, displaying their quest for power in a more tangible way.

In TES6, the new character could retain a touch of the supernatural while not solely relying on it. One way to express this could be that this character aims to reach a status similar to Dagon Ur, but is yet to fully achieve this transformation. As such, they are still deeply tied to their mortality and physical world, providing an opportunity for the player character to prevent the villain’s ascension to a godlike form before it happens.

In a different phrasing, this could imply that The Elder Scrolls 6 may explore the Chosen Hero trope in an unconventional way, potentially positioning the player character and the antagonist as equals. This shift could lead to complex character developments and a layered narrative, signifying a fresh path for the series, offering more intrigue.

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2024-11-23 01:24