One element from previous Elder Scrolls games that fans seem to be fairly enthusiastic about is the series’ factions, which have become a staple of The Elder Scrolls. Factions in video games are a fairly common feature that seem to be very well received no matter the game in question. However, in The Elder Scrolls, factions such as The Dark Brotherhood, The Thieves Guild, and more are among the most iconic in gaming. Iconic status aside, when it comes to the sheer volume of joinable factions, no Elder Scrolls game does it better than The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind.
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Factions in The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
While Morrowind may not have held up all too well in the 20 odd years since its original release, it does one aspect better than more contemporary releases. Despite its dated gameplay and graphics, fans continue to improve Morrowind with mods in order to get a taste of the lore that makes the game’s setting so beloved. Morrowind’s factions system is a large part of this lore, and of the overall experience of the game. There are 16 factions that the player can join during their Morrowind playthrough, offering plenty of content for the player to work through.
However, the joinability of a faction to the player may vary depending on a couple of factors. For one, certain factions in Morrowind are in conflict with one another. This means that no player can join all 16 factions, and they should be careful that they don’t preclude themselves from joining a faction they may prefer. Skills in The Elder Scrolls series are also often a big factor, and Morrowind’s factions are no exception. Players may find their progress in certain factions halted if they don’t have the correct distribution of skills. This puts an extra emphasis on selecting the right skills in order to continue to make progress in parts of the game.
How The Elder Scrolls 6 Should Learn From Morrowind
In the base game of Skyrim, there are 13 joinable factions, with only all-out war preventing the player from joining a rival faction. The closest a faction gets to a skill requirement is the magical test before joining The College of Winterhold. However, the Dragonborn can buy a spellbook if they don’t match up to the entry requirements, which defeats the purpose. This leads to Skyrim factions outside the main four feeling hollow.
When The Elder Scrolls 6 is eventually released, factions more akin to those that can be found in Morrowind may be appreciated by fans of the series. Factions are some of the most loved parts of Elder Scrolls games, so from a fan’s perspective, it may well be seen as a case of the more the merrier. Likewise, improving the depth of these factions as far as entry requirements and conflicting factions is concerned would be a big improvement over what can be found in Skyrim. The factions system could make or break The Elder Scrolls 6, so it makes sense to flesh this aspect out.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development.
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