Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's rumored playable character will be, and Merrin makes perfect sense. Not only would this offer players a new opportunity to play around with different Force powers and moves, but it would also help develop Merrin's character and help reinforce the themes of the franchise.
Merrin was first introduced in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order as an antagonist. Originally suspicious of Cal's intentions on Dathomir, she set loose many obstacles and foes upon him in an attempt to kill or repulse the young Jedi. However, Cal persisted and eventually learned that Merrin, the last of the Nightsisters of Dathomir, was being manipulated by a fallen Jedi known as Taron Malicos, a dark reflection of Cal Kestis. After bonding with Merrin over a shared troubled past, Cal managed to convince her to his crew which actually proved to be critical in his attempts to break into the Fortress Inquisitorious at the climax of the game. Merrin then decides to stick around as a full member of Cal's crew, potentially developing feelings for him by the time Star Wars Jedi: Survivor comes around.
While not much is known about the story around Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, early trailers suggest that Cal's friends, Merrin included, may be captured by the Empire. This could allow Merrin the independence she needs to start developing into a playable character without needing her to rely on Cal. In fact, her capture could offer the perfect opportunity for Merrin to become a Nighsister Jedi and take center stage in her own set of playable missions.
Jedi: Survivor - Playable Merrin Could Let Players Embrace Nightsister Magic
Merrin is among the last of the Nightsisters of Dathomir, a faction of powerful dark side s. This could offer players a new means to experience Force powers. Merrin in the game has demonstrated the ability to raise the dead, teleport, cloak, and manipulate the surrounding earth. As Merrin tends to confront threats moreso with her magic than other means, it could lead to her being a more caster-centric character than Cal use as she manipulates the battlefield to use her dark side magic to maximum efficiency. Traditionally, Nightsisters have also made frequent use of different weapons such as energy bows and whips. Not only would wielding these weapons be on-brand for a Nightsister but could offer a different style of saber-play that greatly differs from Cal's.
While Merrin's Nightsister magic draws from Star Wars' dark side, it is not inherently evil. Merrin has shown the capacity to use it in self-defense and as a means to fool enemies. This could translate into allowing players to unleash new aspects of the dark side without playing into the evil that is usually inherent with it. Thematically, this works well. It means that both sides of the Force can be used in tandem for a common good and opens up many more possibilities with how Cal and Merrin's story could go. Together, they could forge a new path with both the light and dark sides of the Force. Showing this to the player through gameplay with Merrin could push this narrative well and help develop the story into something truly unique.
Overall, Merrin is such a unique character that it would be a shame to not make her playable in the Fallen Order sequel. As the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor prequel novels are set to expand on her character, it is possible that players may get to see this come to fruition. Playing as Merrin in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor not only would be a great opportunity to change up gameplay, but could also lend further narrative depth.
