Skyrim brought notable enhancements to its leveling and combat mechanics over its predecessor. The game offered players a great deal of flexibility in crafting their character builds. Unlike earlier iterations where leveling depended on a set of major and minor skills, Skyrim allowed players to advance whenever any skill was honed. However, this well-intended system led players to gravitate toward a particular combat style for several reasons.
This combat approach, popularly dubbed the Stealth Archer, involves focusing primarily on Archery and Stealth while largely overlooking other skills like most magic forms, heavy weapons, and armor. As The Elder Scrolls 6 is being developed, it’s essential for it to expand the RPG elements and avoid default builds like the Stealth Archer from overshadowing others. By analyzing the appeal of the Stealth Archer, developers can learn and potentially sidestep similar pitfalls in the upcoming game.
The widespread attraction of the Stealth Archer build in Skyrim largely stems from its efficiency against dragons. Early in the game, using a bow is often the most practical way to bring down these airborne foes. Consequently, players improve their archery skills and naturally incorporate stealth tactics. Many players find themselves on this path not by intention, but due to the game mechanics.
Another contributing factor is the potency of Skyrim’s bows, with weapons like Auriel’s Bow from the Dawnguard expansion standing out. Arrows are conveniently weightless and plentiful, making this build both accessible and powerful. Its efficiency often lures players into adopting it even when they planned for different builds, giving birth to its meme status.
Once players fall into the Stealth Archer habit, breaking out of it can prove challenging. The Elder Scrolls 6 should aim to offer a wider array of viable builds by refining its spellcasting system and other combat mechanics. While Skyrim improved upon the stealth and archery systems from Oblivion, the magic system remained underdeveloped and cumbersome.
Improving enemy AI and balancing combat in The Elder Scrolls 6 could also mitigate the prevalence of the Stealth Archer. The current appeal lies in the ease with which players can clear dungeons without alerting foes. Introducing smarter enemies who respond to an archer’s attacks and detect stealthy threats would encourage players to explore other combat styles and skill trees. Bringing back mechanics like Oblivion’s ability to use magic with a weapon-equipped would enrich gameplay and promote diverse character builds.
