Designing a character in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion shapes how the game is experienced from the very beginning. Every choice, from race and birthsign to class and attributes, has a long-term impact on gameplay. This guide provides an in-depth look at building a character tailored to your preferences and playstyle.
Essential Setup Choices
Before leaving the Imperial Sewers during the tutorial, players have one final opportunity to tweak their character’s race, class, and birthsign. Once the sewers are exited, the character setup is locked for the rest of the game. Saving before this point is highly advised to avoid replaying the tutorial if a change is later desired.
Note: Updates to Oblivion’s leveling system in the Remastered version may affect some of the tips in this guide. Updated guidance for character optimization in the remaster will be available soon.
Optimizing Character Development
To build the most effective character, certain game mechanics should be understood from the start:
- Endurance is vital. This attribute governs the increase in Health at every level. Because Health gains are not retroactive, a character with high starting Endurance will have significantly more maximum Health by the endgame.
- Magicka is limited. Intelligence only raises Magicka to a point, and while potions or spells can temporarily boost it, they are inconvenient. Characters benefit from spells regardless of build, so choosing a race or birthsign that increases maximum Magicka can be advantageous.
- Skill bonuses are minor long-term. Racial skill advantages are helpful early on but diminish quickly as skills level up with use. Prioritize race selection based on traits beyond starting skill levels.
- Attributes and skill synergy matter. Up to +5 can be added to an attribute per level if enough skill increases tied to that attribute are gained. Avoid selecting too many Major Skills governed by the same attribute, as this can hinder optimal leveling.
Race Selection
The choice of race is the first major decision in character creation. Oblivion features ten playable races, each offering unique stat distributions and racial abilities. Gender also impacts starting attributes.
| Race | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Argonian | Immunity to poison, 75% disease resistance, can breathe underwater | Low Endurance, limited need for water traversal or poison resistance |
| Breton | 50% magic resistance, +50 Magicka | Female Bretons have reduced speed |
| Dark Elf (Dunmer) | 75% fire resistance, Ancestor Guardian ability | Poor starting relationships with most other races |
| High Elf (Altmer) | +100 Magicka, strong magic skill bonuses | 25% vulnerability to elemental damage |
| Imperial | Balanced stats, skilled in Speechcraft | Mediocre racial powers |
| Khajiit | Night Eye ability, strong agility stats | Males have low Endurance, females move slower |
| Nord | 50% frost resistance, strong melee stats | Least useful spell resistances |
| Orc | 25% magic resistance, Berserk power, high Endurance | Negative starting disposition with non-Orcs |
| Redguard | 75% disease resistance, good Endurance, useful power | Disease and poison effects are infrequent |
| Wood Elf (Bosmer) | 75% disease resistance, strong agility stats | Lower movement speed, Beast Tongue ability is weak |
Birthsign Selection
Only one Birthsign can be chosen, and this choice cannot be altered without external tools on PC. Each Birthsign offers distinct benefits and, in some cases, drawbacks.
| Birthsign | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | +100 Magicka, 100% weakness to magic |
| Atronach | +150 Magicka, 50% Spell Absorption, no Magicka regen |
| Lady | +10 Endurance, +10 Willpower |
| Lord | Restore Health spell, 25% fire weakness |
| Lover | Daily Paralyze spell, drains Fatigue |
| Mage | +50 Magicka |
| Ritual | Daily Restore Health and Turn Undead |
| Serpent | Daily damage, dispel, and poison cure spells |
| Shadow | Daily 60-second Invisibility |
| Steed | +20 Speed |
| Thief | +10 Agility, Speed, and Luck |
| Tower | Daily lock-opening and reflect damage spell |
| Warrior | +10 Strength and Endurance |
Selecting the right Birthsign can provide a strong early-game advantage:
- Warrior or Lady for melee builds, enhancing Endurance and Strength.
- Apprentice or Mage for mages, depending on the ability to counter magical weaknesses.
- Thief for stealth-based characters due to the boosts in agility and luck.
Class Selection
Oblivion offers 21 pre-designed classes, each with a specialization, seven Major Skills, and two favored Attributes. However, players are encouraged to create a custom class to better align with their desired playstyle.
Standard Classes Overview
Each predefined class supports a general gameplay archetype—Combat, Magic, or Stealth. For example:
- Warrior: Strength and Endurance with combat-focused skills.
- Mage: Intelligence and Willpower with strong magical aptitude.
- Thief: Agility and Speed with a stealthy toolkit.
Creating a Custom Class
Custom classes allow full control over:
- Specialization (Combat, Magic, Stealth) – grants +10 to all associated skills.
- Two favored Attributes – governs overall character performance and development.
- Seven Major Skills – determine leveling pace and skill focus.
Choosing Combat specialization is optimal for quickly boosting Endurance early in the game. Skills like Block, Heavy Armor, and Armorer are crucial for this purpose. A well-planned start will result in greater Health at higher levels.
Attribute Breakdown
Each Attribute influences key gameplay mechanics and governs specific skills:
| Attribute | Related Skills | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Agility | Marksman, Security, Sneak | Influences balance, bow damage, and Fatigue |
| Endurance | Armorer, Block, Heavy Armor | Affects Health growth and Fatigue |
| Intelligence | Alchemy, Conjuration, Mysticism | Determines Magicka pool and casting |
| Personality | Illusion, Mercantile, Speechcraft | Affects NPC interactions |
| Speed | Acrobatics, Athletics, Light Armor | Impacts movement speed |
| Strength | Blade, Blunt, Hand-to-Hand | Governs melee damage and carrying capacity |
| Willpower | Alteration, Destruction, Restoration | Affects Magicka regen and spellcasting endurance |
| Luck | None | Slightly improves all actions |
Major and Minor Skills
Seven Major Skills are selected during class creation. These begin at level 25 by default (with potential bonuses) and directly influence character leveling. Skills outside of this list are considered Minor Skills. While harder to level, they still contribute to attribute gains and shouldn’t be ignored.
Specialization Skill Sets
- Combat: Armorer, Athletics, Blade, Block, Blunt, Hand to Hand, Heavy Armor
- Magic: Alchemy, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Illusion, Mysticism, Restoration
- Stealth: Acrobatics, Light Armor, Marksman, Mercantile, Security, Sneak, Speechcraft
To make the most of leveling opportunities, diversify your Major Skills across different attributes. This enables consistent +5 attribute bonuses with each level gained.
Crafting a character in Oblivion is a balance between immediate benefits and long-term growth. Whether creating a powerful mage, agile thief, or unbreakable warrior, understanding these systems ensures a rewarding gameplay experience throughout Cyrodiil.
Also read our The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion review,