Combat[edit]
Combat in Arena is the act of being in an armed conflict with at least one hostile opponent. There are three types of weapons and each have their own behavior and controls: melee weapons (such as fists and swords), ranged weapons (such as bows), and magic items and magic spells.
Attacking Techniques[edit]
Melee[edit]
Melee combat in Arena, and Daggerfall, is significantly different than other titles in the series. In addition to melee combat being accomplished by simply clicking and relying heavily on random chance for the damage and chance to hit to occur, combat in Arena has modifiers that occur based on which direction you swipe the mouse. This process is meant to create some realism to the combat.
- Drawing your weapon
In order for the Eternal Champion to draw their weapon, they must click on the crossed swords icon, their weapon will then rise on the right side of the screen. When the Champion wants to sheathe their weapon again, they will have to click the crossed swords icon again. Swinging the weapon is linked to the right mouse button, if the Eternal Champion moves the mouse while holding down the right mouse button, the weapon will "mimic" their mouse movement. The following are possible melee attack moves in Arena:[1]
| Description of movement | Controls | Bonus to Hit | Bonus to Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical chop | Hold  , then pull mouse straight down
|
-10% | +4 |
| Horizontal slice | Hold , then pull mouse left or right
|
No bonus. | No bonus. |
| Diagonal downward slash to the left | Hold , pull mouse down and to the left
|
-5% | +2 |
| Diagonal downward slash to the right | Hold , pull mouse down and to the right
|
-5% | +2 |
| Thrust forward | Hold , pull mouse straight up
|
+10% | -4 |
Bows[edit]
Combat with bows is a bit different, the Eternal Champion pulls out their bow by clicking on the crossed swords icon again. However, the Champion does not need arrows in order to fire their bow, instead bows are worn out by continued use and need to be repaired.
- Attacking
The Eternal Champion can fire their bow by aiming their cursor at an opponent and then right clicking where they want the arrow to go. Damage and fire rate is dependent on the quality of the bow. A high quality bow can do high damage while shooting rapidly while lower quality bows shoot slower and do less damage.
Magic[edit]
The Eternal Champion can also use spells to fight opponents. Spells can either be offensive spells or defensive spells. In order to cast spells, the Champion must first click on the cast spell icon. After that, the Eternal Champion can then click on the spell they wish to use from the list. If the same spell wants to be cast again, the Champion may right click the spell icon or do Shift + C to save time. Using a magic item works the same way, except they click on the "Use Magic Item" icon instead.
Trivia[edit]
- Some creatures require a weapon of certain quality to kill them (like the Ice Golem).
- Certain classes and races give bonuses to melee/magic damage (ex: Redguard).
Races[edit]
There are eight playable races in Arena, each with different characteristics. It is important to choose one that will complement your character's class, though it is not a necessity. Before the game starts, you are shown a map of Tamriel, which allows you to choose which race you want to be by clicking on the appropriate province (there is no race associated with the Imperial Province). When you exit the Imperial Dungeons, you will emerge in the homeland of whichever race you choose to be.
Provinces and Their Native Races[edit]
The table below shows from what province each race originates.
| Province | Race |
|---|---|
| Black Marsh | Argonian |
| Elsweyr | Khajiit |
| Hammerfell | Redguard |
| High Rock | Breton |
| Morrowind | Dark Elf |
| Skyrim | Nord |
| Summurset Isle | High Elf |
| Valenwood | Wood Elf |
Race Descriptions[edit]
Here is a brief description of each of the races, their strengths, and their suitability to a particular class.
Argonian[edit]
"Thou hast chosen Black Marsh, land of the Argonians."
Argonians are a highly evolved race of reptilians, at home in any marsh-like environment from which they hail. They are known for their intelligence, agility, and speed. Because of their reptilian nature, Argonians do not tire easily while swimming, and seldom drown. They can also swim faster than any other race. They are adept in any art involving the arcane, or involving thieving and sleight of hand.
Upon selection of the Argonian race, the player is informed with the following concerning Argonians:
- Know ye this also:
- Thy race is born of the swamps, thou hast stayed thyself from the open fields, for thou art hunters of a different sort, those who stalk thy prey in the still black waters...
Breton[edit]
"Thou hast chosen High Rock, land of the Bretons."
Bretons are a tall, dark-haired people. Bretons are highly intelligent and willful people, and have an outgoing personality. It is said that Bretons are weaned on magic, for it seems to suffuse their very being. As a result Bretons take half damage on any Magic based attack, and no damage on a successful save. They are excellent in all the arcane arts.
Upon selection of the Breton race, the player is informed with the following concerning Bretons:
- Know ye this also:
- Thy race is descended from the ancient Druids of Galen, quick witted and strong in the mystical arts. Thy folks are crafty and intelligent, a learned people who use their gifts to guide others to enlightenment...
Dark Elf[edit]
"Thou hast chosen Morrowind, land of the Dark Elves."
Dark Elves are a tall, dark-skinned people with red, glowing eyes. They are known to be extremely strong and intelligent, and very quick. Dark Elves seem innately tuned to weaving magic with weapons. Dark Elves receive their (level / 4) as a bonus to hit and damage with any melee or ranged weapon. They are adept in any art involving the blade and shield combined with the arcane arts.
Upon selection of the Dark Elf race, the player is informed with the following concerning Dark Elves:
- Know ye this also:
- Thy race is as deadly as the thorns of the black rose which blooms only in thy mother's breast. Thou hast all that is graceful in thy brothers of the day, yet thy mother is the moon, and thou art her children of the night...
High Elf[edit]
"Thou hast chosen Summurset, land of the High Elves."
High Elves are a tall, golden-skinned people with almond-shaped eyes. High Elves are extremely intelligent, agile, and willful. High Elves seem drawn to magic as a moth is to flame. They have a natural affinity to its use, and often make quite formidable wizards. High Elves are naturally immune to paralyzation. They are adept in any art involving the arcane.
Upon selection of the High Elf race, the player is informed with the following concerning High Elves:
- Know ye this also:
- Thy race is tall and stately, for thou art kings among princes. Thy people were first on this land to breathe the spring air and first to leap, nimble with the wind. Thine eyes canst see all even when naught is out but the Mistress of the Night...
Khajiit[edit]
"Thou hast chosen Elsweyr, land of the Khajiit."
Khajiit are a fair-skinned people who are extremely hardy, intelligent, and agile. Legend has it that they descended from an intelligent feline race, for they still retain a strange cast to their features. Many Khajiit have taken to painting their faces to more resemble their distant cousins, the predatory cats that hunt the great desert. Khajiit are expert climbers, able to scale chasm wall sides with speed unmatched by any other race. They are adept at all arts involving thieving and sleight of hand.
Upon selection of the Khajiit race, the player is informed with the following concerning Khajiit:
- Know ye this also:
- Thy race is born of the desert, where life is cruel and harsh and death comes on vultures wings. Thou art feline and sleek, deadly hunters of the wastes...
Nord[edit]
"Thou hast chosen Skyrim, land of the Nords."
Nords are a tall and fair-skinned people who are strong, willful, and hardy. Living in their arctic environment has inured them to its effects, for they seem to shrug off all but the coldest of attacks. Nords take half damage from Cold based attacks, and on a successful saving throw take no damage. They are excellent in all arts concerning the blade and shield.
Upon selection of the Nord race, the player is informed with the following concerning Nords:
- Know ye this also:
- Thy race is strong as the northern winds which sweep through icy glaciers. The arctic clime hast hardened thy folk for life's cruel and bitter hand...
Redguard[edit]
"Thou hast chosen Hammerfell, land of the Redguards."
Redguards are a stocky, powerful race that are known to be extremely hardy and quick. Legend has it that the Redguard are innately more proficient at weapons than any other race. Redguards receive their (level / 3) as a bonus to damage with melee weapons. Redguards have a hit bonus which depends on their level. They are excellent in all arts concerning the blade and shield.
Upon selection of the Redguard race, the player is informed with the following concerning Redguards:
- Know ye this also:
- Thy race is a people without a past, for in the Tiber War thou wert stalwart guardians of Hammerfell. As time moved on thy people held onto the ground for which they had shed tears of blood, and now the land, and the strength and endurance of rock itself, is thine own to command...
Wood Elf[edit]
"Thou hast chosen Valenwood, land of the Wood Elves."
Wood Elves are a people of the forest, matching their features to all that is found growing in the green woods of their homeland. They are known to be extremely agile and quick. Due to the bug, Wood Elves receive their (level / 3) as a bonus damage with bows. Wood Elves have a hit bonus which depends on their level. They are well suited towards any class, although their nimbleness serves them best in any art involving thievery.
Upon selection of the Wood Elf race, the player is informed with the following concerning Wood Elves:
- Know ye this also:
- Thy race is one with the forest and its creatures, and thy strength flows from the mother earth itself. Thou art one with the world...
Notes[edit]
- Every race shares two different default clothing options. One with a brown or white shirt, and the other with a green tunic.
- Orcs are treated as enemies akin to goblins, they are not considered on a par with other races.
- The Imperial race was introduced in later games; there is no specific race attached to the Imperial Province in Arena.
- The Khajiit are likely of the Ohmes species, due to their tattooed faces and more humanoid body shape than Khajiit depicted in later Elder Scrolls games.
- The elven races are only referred to using the names Dark Elf, High Elf, and Wood Elf. The mer names Dunmer, Altmer, and Bosmer (respectively) were introduced in subsequent Elder Scrolls games.
References[edit]
- ↑ Game Manual (page 75)