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Several years have already passed since the initial announcement ofThe Elder Scrolls 6, and there still hasn’t been any new information about the upcoming Bethesda title beyond its ambiguous teaser trailer. While a sprawling landscape was shown off in conjunction with the title’s confirmation, no word on which region of Tamriel was actually depicted has been made available. With just how many potential settings seem to be on the table forThe Elder Scrolls 6, the highly anticipated RPG could take several distinct directions.
Now that five mainline entries are going to be precedingTES6, it’s safe to say that it’s more likely to take place within aprovince not previously featured anElder Scrollstitle. It might be true that the entirety of Tamriel has technically been explorable at some point in the series' history, but the more modern design which began with Morrowind has only extended to three regions so far. Among all the options at Bethesda’s disposal, some are more capable of serving an adventure that could define a new generation.
S-Tier Possible Elder Scrolls 6 Settings
Hammerfell
Widely speculated to have already been chosen for the next game,Hammerfell asThe Elder Scrolls 6’s settinghas significant room to explore an aesthetic and sense of scale unlike any prior title in the franchise. With diverse geography varying between massive desert and lusher landscapes alongside a rich culture in the Redguards, this location could carve out even more of an identity thanSkyrim. Parts of the lore, such as ancient traditions of Yokuda, and a history of resistance against the forces of the Aldmeri Dominion offer fertile ground for a new prophecy that the player can choose to fulfill in classic TES fashion.
Summerset Isles
Apart from being a seat of magical power in theTESuniverse as a whole, the home of the High Elves is set to be a major factor in the continuing political developments related to theThalmor and Aldmeri Dominion. In terms of providing a satisfying sequel that takes the consequences of its predecessor’s events seriously, the next title could excel by showing a direct view into this relatively enigmatic region. As a lush, tropical paradise of magical architecture, featuring cities like Alinor would be a striking departure from the more barren frosts thatSkyrimplayers have grown so used to.
A-Tier Possible Elder Scrolls 6 Settings
Elsweyr
A place that still bears potential despite being featured substantially inESO, the home of the Khajiit has many elements that haven’t been explored with the same level of detail as the mainline titles offer. With unique concepts, such asThe Elder Scrolls' various Khajiit furstocks, which can be far more bestial than the typical humanoid forms of the race, the full novelty of this region has yet to be depicted firsthand. For instance, the major role the lunar cycles of Elsweyr’s moons play in so many facets of life in the province could inform an innovative day-night cycle that operates on a larger scale.
High Rock
A choice that’s often paired up with Hammerfell following the precedent set byDaggerfall, the political dynamics of the Breton race in this neighboring province could also stand on their own in supporting an entire game. Between mountains, forests, and cities on coastlines easily fit to rival the appeal ofOblivionandSkyrim,High Rock inThe Elder Scrolls 6would be a land primed to be filled with inspired questing.
B-Tier Possible Elder Scrolls 6 Settings
Black Marsh
While it’s possibly the most intriguing place that the series could venture into moving forward, the swamps that the Argonians originate from would require a game unlike any prior entry. Notably inhospitable and lesser known than most other regions, the set of new mechanics and approaches to world design necessary to do justice to Black Marsh might make it an overly ambitious choice. Issues such as the disparity betweenother races andThe Elder Scrolls' Argonianswould become more apparent than ever if this harsh environment were to be faithfully handled, but these issues can be solved with meaningful iterations on gameplay in the form of survival-based mechanics.
Valenwood
Mostly composed of the forests that the Wood Elves are known to thrive within, this province of dense wildlife risks feeling less distinct than the settings of previous games. While there’s certainly a fair share ofBosmer culture to explore inThe Elder Scrolls, both lighthearted and dark angles, this place’s woodland aesthetic might not be able to satisfyingly set itself apart from similar locations in other mainline releases. Properly showcasing the nearly incomprehensibly powerful nature that enables migrating tree cities here would require significant investment, but this province’s position as a part of the conniving Aldmeri Dominion could make its story potential well worth the effort.
C-Tier Possible Elder Scrolls 6 Settings
Morrowind
With Vvardenfell obviously being extensively explored inTES3and ongoing efforts to preserve the lasting quality of that title like theSkywind mod forThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, it would feel redundant to return to the land of the Dunmer once again. There’s an argument to be made for focusing mainly on the parts of the large province which haven’t been shown as much, and dedicated fans would appreciate a modern depiction of aspects like the Tribunal, but the opportunity to be the foundation of a new title is more worthy of an unseen place.
Cyrodiil
As a place that was covered in detail with thelandmark success ofThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, many players likely wouldn’t mind if this region wasn’t ever revisited again. In a continent so large and not yet fully chronicled, even the more novel sections of the Imperial province are better left to content outside the focus of the mainline entries.
Outside Tamriel
It might be a long shot for Bethesda to end up focusing on a place apart from the main continent the franchise is built around, but hints of other locations have been progressively hinted at over the course of the series' history. This would be the polar opposite of treading the familiar ground of a previously seen region, with the likes of Akavir alleged to contain its own kingdoms engaged in political conflict completely separate from all ofTES' known history.
