Proposal: The Spellsword (How it Could Actually Work)

rb2001

Hi all,

Intro

The topic of the Spellsword has been discussed at length on these forums and amongst players.

The Spellsword is a pretty integral part of Elder Scrolls, as the last few games in the series have strongly encouraged the player to wield a one-handed weapon in his dominant hand and magic in his off hand.

I would like to propose my version of how it could actually work, using patterns that the developers have already created.

What's your plan, rb2001?

I propose a set of sweeping changes that would not be too difficult to implement, given the already existing combat system.

The Spellsword could be a new class, but I believe that it would be lacking if its mechanics were not available to everyone (much like how a sorcerer can still weild a great sword and use two-handed skills).

Thus, I think that the Spellsword would be a class specialized for this type of gameplay, with 3 unique lines to it, but the following base changes would go into the game for all classes:

1. New skill lines

a) One handed

• There's not much to explain here
• Many players want this already
• Make it a new line without the shield
• 5 actives, each skill "morphs" depending on weapon type equipped (like destro staff), or simple use passives to create the variances

b) One new skill line for each basic magic school/type (e.g. Alteration, Illusion)

• These are used by hand (no weapon needs to be equipped for these)
• They might have two or one handed animations, but it makes no difference (the combat mechanics don't care what you have equipped, seen when casting Assassination tree execute while wielding a great sword, so this fits within the current system)
• These could be used if you are wielding nothing, or 1 weapon in either hand
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  2. The ability to assign a one-handed weapon to a certain hand (slot) such that it becomes the "dominant hand" (no pimp joke intended)
  
  • Basically, in practice this would be the ability to assign a dagger to your left hand, or your right hand, and not be forced to put one dagger in your first slot to use it
  • That's where it would appear on your character
  • Now you are in one handed mode, and can use the One-Handed skill line abilities
  • Since you are not in Dual Wield, or any other skill line mode, you are still able to use the single magic school lines listed above in #1 (b)
  
  What does this accomplish?
  
  Well, there are definitely specifics to work out, but now any player of any class could equip a sword, dagger or axe or whatever in either hand they choose, and go whack stuff with it.
  
  They could also equip no weapon at all and simply be a caster with their hands. Perhaps the bonus in this mode is that you have (a) passive(s) that make it more powerful to use no weapon and only cast with your hands (this would mirror how in Skyrim you could double up your fireballs, but doesn't necessarily need the same mechanics to do it).
  
  Players could equip a sword in left, and then go use one handed skills as well as simply magic school line skills.
  
  Okay, all I see if stuff about everyone. What about Spellswords as a class?
  
  Just like with everything else in the combat system, the Spellsword would be specialized to this type of gameplay.
  
  For instance, everyone can use a destro staff, but the Sorceror is specialized for it. Everyone has access to some kind of heal, but the Templar is specialized for it.
  
  Similarly, the Spellsword would be a new class with 3 skill lines unique to them, that are tailored to this kind of gameplay, and synergize well with the One handed lines and other magic school lines.
  
  Thoughts?

chevalierknight

No thanks i want dev to fix buggs not add more and take dev members to inportent stuff

Reeko

Nightblades ARE spellswords i thought?

DarthSeverus394

Well thought out and well presented. Makes a lot of sense. Hasnt been anything I wanted but hearing it put that way I see no reason why it wouldnt work or be fun!

Bloodgharm

While I like your proposal and would love to see something like this implemented, I just don't see this becoming a reality in the forseeable future. Now the one handed skill line could and probably should be implemented and would most likely take very little developed time (outside of thinking up skills and passives). The part that doesn't fit the current combat system is introducing specific spells from the various schools of magic. It seems to me that the classes already have various spells like fear and cloak from the nightblade skill lines, but nothing that you equip in one hand. Even if this were the case, it would have to be a destruction spell as that is what fits the current combat system (weapons that do damage).

The rub is that this is an MMO and a free-for-all system like this just wouldn't work without a considerable overhaul. Who knows though. Maybe this will all change with the introduction of spellcrafting. In no way am I bashing your idea though. I simply believe that it's a little ahead of its time atm.