The Elder Scrolls: Skywind

Skywind compared to Morrowind and Skyrim - differences

The Elder Scrolls: Skywind is a comprehensive reconstruction of the game The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. The creators tried to combine the unique features of the third part of The Elder Scrolls series with more modern mechanics and better graphics, which we know from the fifth installment.

The mod contains the entire island of Vvardenfell known from Morrowind. Although the creators preserved its original topography, in some places they introduced certain changes resulting from the level design process. Breaking away from the limitations of 2002 (when Morrowind debuted), and wanting to make their work better suited to newer standards, the modders focused on the interface (significantly modifying it), dialogues (which were voiced), and also on the mechanics.

Unlike the original, Skywind allows the use of fast travel from any place on the map and allows us to enable quest markers. We can also can opt out of these conveniences to preserve the feel of the original. Wanting to save players from irritation, a blockade is in place and we can't kill off characters important to the plot. On the other hand, just like in the original, we can't rely on mounts known from Skyrim.

Weapons and combat system

Although not all the arsenal available in Morrowind has been modified, such weapons as crossbows, spears, and staves appear in the mod. There is also no shortage of throwing weapons, like knives or stars. Before the mod's premiere, it was also planned that there would be improvised weapons, like pitchforks or oars.

The combat system in Skywind is largely based on that of Skyrim (although the level of stamina here has a greater impact on the effectiveness of hits). As for the character development system - the authors decided to restore the main and secondary skills from Morrowind, while the constellation menu from Skyrim was replaced with a new one, inspired by the statistics menu and mechanics from Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.

Encountered problems

Along the way, the authors encountered a number of issues that turned out to be "hard nuts to crack" for them. One of them was the armor system. The creators decided to explore the possibility of making it more modular, however it forced them to face practical and aesthetic challenges. Another problematic element is the spells. Their transfer from Morrowind to Skywind was more complicated than it might seem at first glance.

Technical aspects

The Elder Scrolls: Skywind requires The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (with the Bloodmoon and Tribunal expansions or the Game of the Year edition) and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition to operate.