When discussing western fantasy RPGs, it’s practically impossible for there to not be at least one small mention of Bethesda’sElder Scrollsseries. TheElder Scrollsfranchisehas been at the forefront of the fantasy gaming genre for over three decades, and despite its last mainline entry now being almost 14-years-old, it’s still as popular as ever. And withTheElder Scrollsstill being a mainstay of the genre, it’s only natural for newcomers likeAvowedto be compared to Bethesda’s back-catalog.
An open-zone fantasy RPG,Avowedfeels somewhat like an evolution of the coreElder Scrollsformula. More specifically,Avowedsometimes feels like a bit of a spiritual successor toSkyrim. Even ifAvowedisn’t generally considered to be an overall better experience than some of Bethesda’s RPGs, it’s undeniable that it’s brought some worthwhile improvements and additions to the fantasy RPG table, such as its great weapon variety. And thoughThe Elder Scrolls 6should certainly chart its own course, it might want to borrow one key part ofAvowed’s arsenal.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Want to Add Firearms After Avowed
Firearms Add Some Spice to Avowed’s Fantasy Combat
Avowedis home to all the usual weaponry fans have come to expect fromfantasy RPGs. From one-handed melee weapons like swords and maces, to two-handed warhammers, to ranged weapons like bows, to a more unique spin on magic weaponry with wands and grimoires, all the usual suspects are there. ButAvowedis also home to a variety of firearms.
Falling into two main categories,Pistols and Arquebuses,Avowed’s firearms aren’t too special on their own. Their damage output is fairly high compared to other ranged weapons, but their incredibly slow reload speed can be an irritating and abrupt break of pace during combat.
ButAvowed’s firearmsreally shine when they’re paired with a classic fantasy weapon. A sword and pistol combo lets players feel like a sort of medieval pirate, while a grimoire/wand and pistol combo makes them feel like some kind of mercenary sorcerer.Avowed’s firearms are a great way to spice up the usual loadouts fantasy RPG fans have grown accustomed to over the years, and it’s a simple addition that could giveThe Elder Scrolls 6’s arsenal a welcome shake-up.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Need To Be Careful With Firearms
The existence of firearms inThe Elder Scrollsuniverse is a bit of a divisive topic among some fans. There have been several reported references to gunpowder throughout theElder Scrollsfranchise. InMorrowind’sTribunalexpansion, players are given Dwemer satchel packs that are essentially explosive devices. InSkyrim’s Dawnguard expansion, players can find schematics for explosive crossbow bolts. And inThe Elder Scrolls Online, players can set explosive traps during a quest.
But while gunpowder has popped up a few times over the years, firearms specifically have not been mentioned in any piece ofcanonElder Scrollsmedia. The closest it’s gotten is a mention of cannons in one ofDaggerfall’s in-game books. But that doesn’t mean firearms couldn’t be a part of theElder Scrollsuniverse moving forward.
While a bolt of elemental magic is obviously more powerful than a mere metal ball fired from a gun, the appearance of firearms inThe Elder Scrolls 6would be a fun way to add more variety to the game’s combat. Their appearance would just need to come with a brief lore explanation.
