When discussing western fantasy RPGs, it’s practically impossible for there to not be at least one small mention of Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series. The Elder Scrolls franchise has 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 with The Elder Scrolls still being a mainstay of the genre, it’s only natural for newcomers like Avowed to be compared to Bethesda’s back-catalog.
An open-zone fantasy RPG, Avowed feels somewhat like an evolution of the core Elder Scrolls formula. More specifically, Avowed sometimes feels like a bit of a spiritual successor to Skyrim. Even if Avowed isn’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 though The Elder Scrolls 6 should certainly chart its own course, it might want to borrow one key part of Avowed‘s arsenal.
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Firearms Add Some Spice to Avowed’s Fantasy Combat
Avowed is home to all the usual weaponry fans have come to expect from fantasy 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. But Avowed is 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.
But Avowed‘s firearms really 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 give The Elder Scrolls 6‘s arsenal a welcome shake-up.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Need To Be Careful With Firearms
The existence of firearms in The Elder Scrolls universe is a bit of a divisive topic among some fans. There have been several reported references to gunpowder throughout the Elder Scrolls franchise. In Morrowind‘s Tribunal expansion, players are given Dwemer satchel packs that are essentially explosive devices. In Skyrim‘s Dawnguard expansion, players can find schematics for explosive crossbow bolts. And in The 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 of canon Elder Scrolls media. The closest it’s gotten is a mention of cannons in one of Daggerfall‘s in-game books. But that doesn’t mean firearms couldn’t be a part of the Elder Scrolls universe 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 in The Elder Scrolls 6 would 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.
- Released
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February 18, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Publisher(s)
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Xbox Game Studios