Are there essential NPCs?

[Dr. Electrocutioner]

I am thinking of getting this but don't like immortal NPCs.

[Ironwu]

Depends on what you mean by 'Essential'.

You can kill anybody and anything, if you have the power.

But there are consequences. Big ones. The game will not protect you from making certain content unavailable or not able to be completed.

[Quillithe]

The game won't let you kill children, and there are a character or two with in-game reasons.

But mostly no, you can kill everyone who gives you quests or whatever.

[Canadian Ninja]

Originally posted by Quillithe:

The game won't let you kill children, and there are a character or two with in-game reasons.

But mostly no, you can kill everyone who gives you quests or whatever.

There are children you can kill in the game. Just not player race children.

[MewTressym]

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: ...but not many.

[Orion Invictus]

The only immortal NPCs are children. You can kill anyone and everyone else, but the consequences are yours to bear.

[Dr. Electrocutioner]

Thanks, I am fine with consequences.

Unkillable children always struck me as a bit odd since the reason children need protecting is because they are vulnerable, but I get that it is so offensive that a game company will make it that way to avoid backlash.

[Orion Invictus]

Keep in mind said consequences can include a game over.

[Dr. Electrocutioner]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Keep in mind said consequences can include a game over.

So i kill a plot critical NPC and what you spoilered instantly happens?

[Quillithe]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Keep in mind said consequences can include a game over.

The really big issues are pretty rare, it's not like Morrowind where you can kill everyone but anyone that has to do with the main quest will probably break it.

Usually you can kill most everyone and progress the main quest in some form. Obviously it'll mess up a lot of side quests.

[Zu]

There's a few immortal npcs. Only one of which has a real story excuse for it... and even she CAN die if you get the right situation to happen.

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by Dr. Electrocutioner:

Thanks, I am fine with consequences.

Unkillable children always struck me as a bit odd since the reason children need protecting is because they are vulnerable, but I get that it is so offensive that a game company will make it that way to avoid backlash.

Actually, you can eliminate entire populations, including women and children by making decisions that cause the village to be decimated. And almost all important NPCs can be eliminated permanently from the game.

[Quillithe]

Originally posted by Zu:

There's a few immortal npcs. Only one of which has a real story excuse for it... and even she CAN die if you get the right situation to happen.

Well, Withers has a pretty good reason too, as does a certain general.

[Dr. Electrocutioner]

Thanks everybody, that all sounds very reasonable.

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Dr. Electrocutioner:

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Keep in mind said consequences can include a game over.

So i kill a plot critical NPC and what you spoilered instantly happens?

Yup. However, it's highly unlikely that will happen unless you're someone who can't understand context cues and has never encountered any fictional plot in their entire life.

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by Dr. Electrocutioner:

Thanks everybody, that all sounds very reasonable.

Just remember, if you kill indiscriminately, you can really hinder your progress in the game.