As you should know, most MMO's today are all the same gameplay. Most are WoW clones and all have that points and click gear based gameplay. Will TES:Online do something different? I don't want to be a WoW clone like TOR:Online. It needs seamless gameplay where you control you're sword, it needs a skill based melee battle system with the ability to fight in first person.

Will it have this? I don't wanna play another gear based typical point and click MMO. Even with games like guild wars 2, even though you don't have to target you're enemy, you're still using the same old MMORPG mechanics with pressing you're attack while no controlling you're weapons.

More likely than not it'll be a WoW-clone, no one really knows for certain though.

the combat in TESO will be different from WoW, however it will not be exactly like TES games of the past (and future)

It will be more standard MMO with hotkeys, but from what I've heard it will play a little bit differently, with the stamina bar and such.
I just hope there won't be heat seeking arrows, but there probably will be.

As much as I want this game, the gameplay and combat style will have a huge effect on my decision whether to buy it or not.

Sigh! Allow me to be the first post here that does not mention that other game (seeing I have never played it) and point out that this is more likely to be a DAOC clone due to the experiences of the devteam and the 3 realm PVP.

As for the will it play like this or will it play like that questions:
It will have similar controls to other mmo's as it will be an mmo (ie mouse & keyboard on a PC/MAC)

To get a good idea of how it will play wait for official videos showing actual play or better still check out the beta. Its too early for specifics.

God I hope not >>;

Some comparisons between TES and WoW:

There's no targeting in TES; you use your abilities whenever you want, and they find their own target when you use them. This makes stamina much more critical since you can actually waste it.
In TES, mouse-based camera movement is default, and the mouse cursor is secondary. This can be a surprisingly major part, especially in appeasing those who wish to play in 1st Person.

TES and WoW both use similar action/spell structures. The only difference is that TES needs to have more functionality in the actions; staggering, camera-wobble, character pushing and the like.

From the interviews I have seen.

It seems to be headed towards the GW2 play style. Less buttons.

They said they want you to look at the screen most of the time. Not the UI.

I think they also said there will be circles dropped at the targets feet. Green beneficial. Red bad.

If you see a green, you can stack your attack with your group mate. Or others near you for an increased affect. You don't have to be grouped.

If you see a red, you probably want to get out of the way. Especially in pvp if it is a bunch of red circles.

Something like a rogue drops a circle it slows the mobs with oil. Then a mage could drop their circle and set that oil on fire. Causing the mobs to be both slowed and burning. Then a warrior could do a circle and end up spinning in the fire and hitting people with a whirlwind attack. They want to encourage players to work together in this fashion.

They also talked about your endurance bar being used a ton. It can be used for blocks, to break out of mezzes and other effects. Which should stop the typical MMO CC instant kills in pvp. They also named some examples of the bar being used "offensively".

So it will have a typical MMO combat system. Though they are hoping to focus your eyes more on the main screen, and having players timing and joining attacks. To create team combos.

In that sense, maybe more like console play.

I predict it will be as different from skyrim as skyrim was from oblivion.

I really loved the combat from TES but from what's been said it sounds more like an MMO than a TES game. You won't have to aim your sword or your spells but you will have to block and maybe dodge? I love how tactical Skyrim combat was. I tried never to use the menu in combat and just used my numbered favorites. So I had a health potion favorited, as well as whatever weapons I might need and never paused the game. I loved how much it was about the environment, and tactically, smartly approaching fights.

That said, MMORPGs these days are by and large pretty hell-bent on a certain play-style. I wonder if MMO players who aren't TES fans will care about this game or if it'll just be TES fans playing. There are a ton of TES fans so that shouldn't be an issue. Anyway, on-topic I don't think it will play much like single-player TES games but what can you do, they have to appeal to the mass market.


It wasn't that different, it was just more polished and had kill-moves and dual-wielding. It felt pretty much the same but better.

I've never heard TES combat ddescribed as tactical. All you need to do is whack your weapon and spam potions until your opponent ragdolls. It used to be a bit more tactical when enemies actually used magic for other purposes than damage, but that's about it.

I think you are underestimating TES here. TES is for the mass market. Especially Skyrim.