After more than a decade of Skyrim's lasting impact, The Elder Scrolls 6 is anticipated to introduce significant changes. This new installment from Bethesda is expected to draw inspiration from several popular entries in recent years. While it would be thrilling to explore a new province of Tamriel with unprecedented detail and streamlined gameplay, The Elder Scrolls Online's extensive portrayal of the entire continent and its rich lore should not be overlooked. Given ESO's success in revisiting the class-based structure of earlier TES titles and refining it, The Elder Scrolls 6 should follow suit by officially incorporating death magic as a player option.

In the world of Tamriel, the notion of a necromancer isn't exactly groundbreaking, yet players have never had the chance to fully develop this archetype. Traditionally, necromancy-like spells have been scattered across various magic schools such as Conjuration, Restoration, and Mysticism in The Elder Scrolls

series, resulting in a fragmented build lacking cohesive synergy. However, with the introduction of a dedicated necromancer class in ESO, a clear precedent has been established for the potential strengths and weaknesses of incorporating a playable necromancer into the series.

Absolutely! The Necromancer class in The Elder Scrolls Online boldly establishes itself as a proof of concept, showcasing the viability and appeal of necromancy as a dedicated player option. This class brings a cohesive and synergistic experience that was previously fragmented in The Elder Scrolls series, setting a solid foundation for future iterations like The Elder Scrolls 6 to build upon.

The Impact of a Minion-Based Playstyle in ESO

Despite its theoretical promise, the implementation of the Necromancer class in The Elder Scrolls Online has been somewhat disappointing, especially for those who favor the summoner archetype. The limited durations on minions hinder the classic allure of commanding a horde of the undead and controlling them from afar. Despite these drawbacks, the class still manages to distinguish itself through its versatility rather than sheer effectiveness.

The Potential for Nuanced Subclasses

One of the greatest achievements in the design of the Necromancer class in ESO is the array of flexible builds it supports, many of which extend beyond simple summoning. For instance, the Bone Tyrant skill line redefines conventional roles with its emphasis on tanking, utilizing defensive spells and health regeneration. In contrast, the Living Death skill line focuses on healing magic, serving primarily in a support capacity. The Grave Lord Necromancer, while closest to the traditional minion-based playstyle, also incorporates damage-over-time abilities, illustrating the potential for the Necromancer's identity to be further developed and refined.