The Unwritten Rules of Morrowind Explained

Game ZXC

Morrowind

By Dillon Sibilla

Published Dec 8, 2023

Highlights

Morrowind's class system allows for in-depth customization. Consider the different ways to determine a class and choose one that aligns with desired skill progression and character development.
Use road signs, fast travel, and dialogue with NPCs to gather information and aid in questing. Spells like Jump and Fortify Speed can also assist in traversing the land.
Stay clear of the illegal narcotic, Skooma, unless using it aligns with a character's faction and goals. It may hinder interactions with NPCs and shopkeepers.

The third installment of Bethesda's groundbreaking Elder Scrolls franchise, Morrorwind, was released in 2002 for Windows and Xbox after the first two games in the series, Arena and Daggerfall, proved to be smash hits. With innovative action RPG systems implemented on a scale not seen at the time, the Elder Scrolls games undoubtedly impacted the industry moving forward. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind doubled down on series staples as it emphasized player freedom, allowing players to truly role-play the class of their choosing as they explore the vast open world and progress through the main quest however they see fit. There is something special about the way Morrowind plays that makes it feel classic and meaningful to so many players.

Although Morrowind allows for a free-form style experience, there are certain things to consider when entering the island of Vvardenfell. The main story of the game finds the settlements of this traditionally Dunmer (Dark Elf) province of Tamriel in a particularly precarious time. The Tribunal's struggle with the demigod Dagoth Ur as he seeks to drive out the Imperial Legion takes center stage, though there are plentiful quests and storylines to dive into. No matter which path is chosen, players will need all their wits and skills to progress through the land of Morrowind. Though every player will find their own gameplay style, goals, and means of enjoyment within Morrowind, the following are some ideas to serve as a jumping-off point.

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Experiment With Different Classes

Morrowind's class system offers in-depth customization that allows players to craft a completely different character with each playthrough. The class system, along with race, is designed to determine starting level and the progression rate of specific skills while not limiting what a player is technically able to do, as far as character development and plot are concerned. So, each of the three ways to determine class -- either by answering a series of questions, selecting a predetermined class, or completely creating a new class from scratch -- are all good options depending on what a player would like to do. It is helpful to consider what in-game actions contribute to skill progression when choosing a class to help make a character develop accordingly.

Morrowind's Preset Classes are as follows:

Acrobat
Agent
Archer
Assassin
Barbarian
Bard
Battlemage
Crusader
Healer
Knight
Mage
Monk
Nightblade
Pilgrim
Rogue
Scout
Sorcerer
Spellsword
Thief
Warrior
Witchhunter

Travel Carefully

Straying too far off the roads in Morrowind can have dire consequences. Merciless creatures lurk off the beaten path, and since stamina is depleted when running on foot, and is also calculated into a character's hit chance, encountering certain enemies may not end well early on. Navigation can be aided through road signs, fast travel, and dialogue with NPCs, which is also a good way to gather information on a quest. Also, Morrowind doesn't level scale, so it is wise to be cautious when entering dungeons. The Jump spell, Fortify Speed, Mark and Recall, and other spells can also make traversing great distances a breeze. These can help a player find gold and treasure throughout the world to get better gear and pay skill trainers to upgrade a character.

Stay off Skooma

Consumables and ingredients for crafting potions and poisons are an important part of survival in Morrowind, and there is perhaps no more risky substance than the illegal narcotic, Skooma. Many shopkeepers will not do business with someone in possession of Skooma, though criminals use it as a currency. Depending on a character's faction and goals in Morrowind, this is something to keep in mind. Valuable resources can be found in the world and sold to aid in character and quest progression as one fights to survive in the brutal land of Morrowind.