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The Tactical Combat Of The Elder Scrolls Online

The Elder Scrolls Online has a multi-pronged strategy to separate its combat from other MMOs on the market. With an emphasis on fewer, more powerful skills and rewarding tactical maneuvers like creating synergy bonuses between two players, the team at Zenimax Online Studios is attempting to create a seamless transition between player-versus-monster combat and player-versus-player fights. Game Informer's Adam Biessener sat down with lead gameplay designer Nick Konkle, creature combat designer Maria Aliprando, and lead PvP designer Brian Wheeler to talk about what will stand out in the combat mechanics of The Elder Scrolls Online. We have separated the discussion into two parts: the first video focuses on top-level features, while the second video dives in deep to the mechanics and is recommended for those more familiar with MMOs.

Check out the more advanced video below to learn about the team's approach to crowd control, the impact of weapon choice, the adaptability of classes,  and the power of "ultimate attacks."

To learn more about the other aspects of The Elder Scrolls Online, click on the link below to read and watch more.

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Comments
  • Sounds cool...now go make skyrim dlc
  • I just realized, that I haven't followed any of the news for ESO...

  • While I like the idea of every ability being awesome/meaningful, is it so bad to give us a ton of options and puts the choices in the hands of the player? If I don't know anything about video games and just use the abilities that look awesome, more power to me, but if I understand deeper mechanics and want to use damage mitigating abilities, etc., isn't that my prerogative?
  • Im not really sure how i feel about the PvE stuff in this game yet, i guess i just dont know enough about how it works. However, the PvP gameplay sounds really cool so far.

  • This is starting to sound really good.

  • Hmm. This really sounds interesting and like it could be a welcome departure from the conventions of standard MMO combat. I hope they can deliver what they are talking about!

  • They have so many great ideas and functions for this game. Very interesting...great video.

  • I'm ready to see gameplay
  • It honestly SOUNDS better than any MMO out now, but I'm not taking any of this to heart until I see it in action.
  • Very interesting, If the AI for the enemy NPC's is up to par, I believe this could be very refreshing. It does sound like you guys are trying hard to turn the MMO standard combat into something much more interesting. Keep up the good work.

    Edit: I do wonder though, if that horn blowing NPC she mentioned while talking about PVE combat in a room setting, could be killed by a rogue or some form of silent kill before that horn could alert the enemies to your presence?
  • Still can't watch videos on this site... What did you guys do after Phil left?! Please fix it, or go back to your old video format.
  • So far this sounds fantastic,i cant wait to see if it beats the old republic
  • Hope it feels a bit like EVE.

    That time of gameplay if incorporated coulbe amazing.

  • Who are the punks who rated this article down?!

  • Maria Aliprando.
  • Hm, this actually put a few of my concerns to rest.
  • I stopped doing MMO's but this sounds great.

  • i think she is really hot.
  • To me, this is like an amalgamation of TOR and GW2. It has the "stylized" graphics of TOR, with a combat and PvP system similar to GW2.

    Personally, I'll just take GW2 if we're talking core combat. It's free after the initial purchase, so why pay monthly for the same thing but with less-cool races to play as?

    However, the faction idea is awesome. It makes a little more sense to have more than just two warring factions. And the "Molag Bal took my soul" system, which explains respawning. But none of those are enough to justify an entire game purchase and subscription.

    But hey, that's just me.

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