Bethesda has been generous today, giving us a new video showing off how leveling up and improving skills will work in The Elder Scrolls Online. This video somehow confirms what we’ve been hearing and suspecting for awhile, mainly that the game will have a similar progression system to that of previous games in the series, such as Skyrim or Oblivion.
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There are a couple of things that we’d like to point out after seeing the video. First, it seems that you’ll have the same two-sided level up system as in Skyrim, getting separate points to invest into your main stats (health, magika, stamina) and your skills (active or passive abilities). Nothing new here. Racial abilities will be available depending on what race you chose for your character. Nothing new here either. What’s new is the introduction of Classes into the game, which means that you’ll have certain specific paths to level up and upgrade based on your class choice. Still, we’re glad to see that these are not forced decisions, and you can still play a magic-spamming, staff-wielding character, even if you’ve chosen a warrior-type class. One concern that I have is related to PvP balance and how that issue will be handled. Because of the wide variety of combinations, I find it unlikely (speaking from experience) that all possible combinations have been properly tested. Trust experienced players to think of really devastating combinations that might be on the overpowered side. Still, if they do manage to balance out this aspect of the skill progression system, we’ll have a very varied class and character system in the Elder Scrolls Online, something not many MMORPG’s can brag about.
On another note, I’m pleased to see huge improvements in how the game looks. Bump up that video to 1080p and pay close attention, you’ll see quite a few breathtaking sights in the background. The artwork is pleasing to me as well (but I have to admit, I’m a bit biased, I prefer simpler designs in terms of armor and cities, and I’m not that fond of the over-the-top designs seen in Asian MMO’s for instance), I really haven’t seen anything that I don’t like. What I do have some issues with is the combat system, which seems to still need polishing here and there. But, judging from the rate of progress in between videos and the time left until launch (still unconfirmed, but aimed at spring 2014), I’m fairly confident it will be improved.
Overall, this video is a juicy bite for us to chew on while we wait for further information about the game. What are your thoughts on the character progression system?