Revamping the Classic: The Elder Scrolls 6's Bold Take on a Beloved Feature

Content: The Elder Scrolls' vast lore and intricate mechanics for world and character development have been key factors in its enduring popularity. While each game in the series approaches these elements differently, many recognizable lore and character customization mechanics have been present throughout the franchise. Some of these changes may have been met with resistance due to their novelty, but long-time players have grown accustomed to mechanics like the Standing Stones in Skyrim. However, as The Elder Scrolls 6 approaches, it presents a chance to revitalize such mechanics and bring fresh innovation.

New games bring about changes, and with change comes the opportunity to enhance what came before. Skyrim faced criticism for its simplified character customization options compared to Oblivion, although the streamlined class skills and skill trees were well-received. That being said, there still exist areas where Skyrim's character customization could be further improved, and the lore plays a significant role in shaping these potential enhancements.

The Standing Stones Across The Elder Scrolls' Tamriel

In Skyrim, a significant change from The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion was the replacement of astrological signs with Standing Stones for character creation. These Standing Stones, magical structures found throughout Skyrim, are connected to different astrological signs. When activated, each stone grants the Last Dragonborn a unique bonus or ability associated with its corresponding sign. However, only one stone can be activated at a time.

Interestingly, Standing Stones were not a new concept in Skyrim, as they had previously appeared as Doomstones in Oblivion. In that game, players would choose their character's sign during creation and were unable to change it throughout the game. However, they could discover and activate Doomstones scattered across Cyrodiil, each of which granted various Powers that could be used once a day in The Elder Scrolls. Among the Doomstones, thirteen were named after birth signs, while others were named after forgotten cults. These Powers were intricately linked to the corresponding sign, creating a unique system of astrological power.

How the Standing Stones Could Change in The Elder Scrolls 6

In The Elder Scrolls Online, the Mundus Stones, similar to the Standing Stones in Skyrim, play a significant role in the game's timeline. There are thirteen Mundus Stones, each associated with a different birth sign. When a player interacts with one, they gain its effect while negating any effects from other Mundus Stones.

The mechanics of the Standing Stones have remained relatively unchanged since their introduction in Oblivion. However, with the upcoming release of The Elder Scrolls 6, it presents an ideal opportunity to introduce something fresh. One possibility is to strike a balance between Oblivion and Skyrim, where players choose a birth sign during character creation, and throughout the game world, they encounter Standing Stones that provide bonuses based on their chosen birth sign. This would open up new combinations, roleplay opportunities, and enhance replay value.

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One peculiar aspect of the Standing Stones is their exclusive grants to those deemed worthy. A potential change could involve the player character having to fulfill certain tasks or attain a significant level of notoriety or fame before they can interact with the Stones. This requirement was present in the cult Doomstones in Oblivion, and incorporating it into gameplay could enhance immersion in The Elder Scrolls 6. Additionally, an improvement would be for the Stones to have interactions with their surroundings that contribute to the lore, as well as for followers and non-playable characters to remark on the Stones chosen by the player character. In Skyrim, Ralof or Hadvar acknowledge the Dragonborn's choice, but this recognition is not consistently maintained throughout the game. Therefore, enhancing in-game acknowledgement would be a positive and welcomed change.

The development of The Elder Scrolls 6 is currently underway.