Summary
One of the biggest draws ofRPGsis the way they let players take on new identities that extend into the utterly fantastical. Whether that’s as an explorer charting ahuge, impossible world, or as a mage practicing the dark arts, roleplaying games are so popular today, both on the screen and on the table, because of their capacity to immerse players in new worlds. For many games, this usually means giving players a set of mechanics they can use to interact with the world.
Magic systems are ahallmark among RPGs, especially fantasy RPGs, but the principles of these systems—elemental damage, using attacks that take up a resource, etc.—can be found in a variety of different genres. Players wanting to freeze enemies solid or dish out high bouts of frost damage are spoiled for choice when it comes to titles that scratch that itch, butthese games in particular have excellent ice builds available.
The fifthElder Scrollsmainline title showed a good deal of streamlining compared to the previous series entries, truncating the expansive system of metrics and stats from earlier games into something a bit more palatable to casual players, with things like the specific stats and numbers behind most concepts kept ‘under the hood.’
Being amage inSkyrimcan still be a satisfying experience despite this simplification, especially if players choose to specialize in frost magic. This school of magic can be complemented with various ice-based dragon shouts, and has the capacity to wreak tremendous damage on enemies' health and stamina, or even freeze them solid.
Frostbite was a new featureadded toDark Souls 3,implementing a debilitating effect that saps enemies' stamina regeneration and deals a set amount of damage on proc.
Especially when playing theAshes of AriandelDLC, players have a host of possibilities at their disposal to inflict frostbite buildup, including colossal heavy weapons, swifter dexterity-based weapons, and a plethora of frozen spells.
Similar toSkyrim,Dragon’s Dogma 2has a select few magical paths for players to take. There are more options in this title than inSkyrim, however, and there are plenty of ice builds to makewithin the vocationsofDragon’s Dogma 2.
The Magick Archer, as well as the Mage, Sorcerer, and Mystic Spearhand, all have the opportunity to double down on their ice damage output, and create some truly powerful cryomancers.
Damage types are handled very interestingly inDragon Age: The Veilguard. Across the three archetypal classes of Mage, Warrior, and Rogue, there are a variety of skill trees that specialize in all sorts of damage types.
In particular, the Mage and Rogue classes have access to some powerful cold-damage attacks, and many companions, especially Warriorcompanions like Davrin, synergize well with cold damage’s corresponding debuff, the Frozen state.
Larian has an impressive pedigree when it comes to CRPGs, showcasing an incredible talent for bringing a narrative-heavy, incredibly expansive style of games to a huge audience. While their biggest hit is undoubtedlyBaldur’s Gate 3,Divinity: Original Sin 2is an excellent title that helped put Larian on the map.
The magic system inDivinityis more centered around elements than the school-based system inBaldur’s Gate 3,and this allows for players to focus on ice damage to slow and debilitate enemies.
There isan entire Warframebuilt around the concept of dealing cold damage. Frost is an incredibly swift, incredibly powerful DPS class, capable of splitting its attention between DPS and AOE-style attacks. Frost’s ability to freeze enemies also allows for unprecedented control of the battlefield.
Its later abilities cement this Warframe as an AOE expert, though there are many means of focusing on a more defensive frost specialist.Warframelets players create an ice build with an incredible amount of skill diversity, and is an excellent choice for those who want to unleash a bout of cold damage upon their foes.
One of thebest open-world roguelikeson the shelves today,Tales of Maj’Eyalhas the quintessential roguelike charm that comes with wide build diversity and character-creation options. Ice damage comes in the form of many skill lines within a host of classes.
The Tempest is a master of storm magic who can specialize in blizzards, the Archmage can use frost magic to complement their colossal arcane prowess, and the Wyrmic can mantle the form of the ice dragon to unleash devastating freezing breath attacks.
WhileTyrannyhas a few moments, especially in its final act, that unfortunately highlight the crunch period needed to get this game out on time, the magic system is wonderfully realized and lets players specialize in a variety of elemental builds, including an ice build.
Ice damage can be unlocked as a magic type early on in the game, and with this damage type as a foundation, players can utilize runes to create spells that deal frost damage on touch, through great magical blasts, or by utilizing icy magic to create frozen armor.
