One of the biggest improvements that Skyrim made to The Elder Scrolls was in Smithing. The Last Dragonborn can create armor, weapons, and accessories, alongside improving them at a forge. The process of Smithing in Skyrim is also intuitive and accessible even at early levels, making it a great way to earn money and gain access to better gear. A few tweaks from Dungeons and Dragons‘ tool proficiency system could make Smithing in The Elder Scrolls 6 even better, without compromising the improvements that Skyrim made to The Elder Scrolls‘ Smithing skill in general.
While Skyrim‘s Smithing skill was easily accessible, a deeper and slightly more complex system could have many benefits that would elevate The Elder Scrolls 6 as a whole in terms of worldbuilding and roleplaying. Including proficiencies, where players would need to become proficient in crafting specific weapons and armor, rather than unlocking the type of material used as in Skyrim, could improve roleplaying, as players specialize in crafting certain weapons and armor. It could also improve NPC reactions to player skills, as well as provide opportunities to have NPC artisans who could provide specialist training.
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The Elder Scrolls 6: Possible Settings Tier List
With the specific location of The Elder Scrolls 6 still yet to be revealed, the future of the franchise is at a crossroads in terms of its premise.
Dungeons and Dragons has a tool proficiency system that basically means the character is better able to use a tool if they’re proficient in it. Proficiency in a tool comes with a character’s race or background, or it can be learned. Applying this to the Smithing skill in The Elder Scrolls 6 could bring a wide range of opportunities for role-playing and more active NPCs, such as specialist trainers who teach tool proficiency.
While smithing in Skyrim was streamlined and made more accessible than earlier games in The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim was criticized for being too simplified. Deeper game mechanics and features could be introduced in The Elder Scrolls 6 without compromising Skyrim‘s intuitive processes and low barrier of entry. Tool proficiency could introduce deeper systems without overcomplicating smithing to the point of inaccessibility. This could be done by splitting the ability to create and improve weapons into categories, such as:
- Bows
- Arrows
- Hammers
- Claymores
- War axes
- Swords
- Scimitar
- Shields
Changing Smithing in The Elder Scrolls 6
Unlocking proficiency in these weapon types could be done through gameplay, such as progressing through a Smithing skill tree, using the weapons in combat, or reading in-game books. Another way to unlock tool proficiency could involve the player character studying under artisan NPCs who are experts at crafting specific weapons. In addition to adding depth to these systems and making progression more rewarding, specializing the smithing skill in this way would have the knock-on effect of improving worldbuilding and roleplaying.
Recognizing and Rewarding Player Effort
The Elder Scrolls‘ worldbuilding would improve by having weapon crafting become more realistic and something the player can take pride in once they master it, with rewards such as superior weapons and armor, while the world would be inhabited by NPCs who recognize the skill it takes to create genuinely great works. Players could selectively choose which weapons to specialize in crafting, and whether they want to wield the weapons they create in battle or if they want to sell them. Ultimately, this addition would create the opportunity to roleplay even more deeply.
Skyrim
- Released
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November 11, 2011
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes