Understanding the Foundations
Laying the Groundwork
At its heart, character creation in Oblivion is all about laying the groundwork. Think of it as sculpting the clay before you can paint the masterpiece. These early choices, the races, the classes, the birthsigns – all these elements combined determine your character’s starting strengths, weaknesses, and potential.
Making the Right Choices
Before you even begin, consider your preferred playstyle. Do you enjoy close-quarters combat? Prefer casting spells from afar? Or do you excel at sneaking in the shadows? Your answer to this will guide your decisions throughout the creation process. It’s not just about choosing the flashiest option; it’s about creating a character that complements your strengths and mitigates your weaknesses.
The Creation Screen
The character creation screen presents several key areas to explore:
- Name and Gender: While seemingly superficial, these choices contribute to the roleplaying aspect of the game. Consider a name that fits your character’s race, class, and personality. Male or female, the choice is yours, affecting the game in minor ways, such as voice acting and social interactions.
- Race Selection: This is where you choose your character’s heritage, influencing your attributes, skills, and appearance.
- Appearance Customization: If we are talking about the potential Oblivion Remaster, or a modded version, appearance customization is likely to be significantly enhanced. Details like facial structure, hair, skin tone, and even scars can all be tailored to craft your unique hero.
- Class Selection: This will determine your primary skills and your level-up bonuses. You can choose from pre-set classes, or custom create your own, which is what most players do.
- Birthsign Selection: This mystical choice grants you a special ability or power that will shape your destiny.
- Attributes: These are fundamental stats (Strength, Intelligence, etc.) that influence your skills and abilities.
- Skills: These determine what your character is good at. The game gives you options to specialize in particular areas, for example, using a heavy weapon or using stealth.
Now, let’s dive into the specifics of each section.
Choosing Your Ancestry: Race Selection
Race Impact
The race you choose in Oblivion goes far beyond mere aesthetics; it profoundly impacts your abilities and your character’s role in the game. Each race possesses unique attributes, skills, and even innate abilities.
Race Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at each race, helping you make an informed choice:
- Altmer (High Elf): Renowned for their inherent magical abilities, the Altmer are a natural choice for mages and spellcasters. Their bonus to Magicka is invaluable, and their high Intelligence provides a significant advantage.
- Strengths: High Magicka, Intelligence bonus, useful daily power (Highborn)
- Weaknesses: Vulnerability to magic
- Recommended Roles: Mage, Battlemage, Sorcerer
- Argonian: Native to Black Marsh, Argonians are adaptable and possess unique resistances. Their ability to breathe underwater is a significant advantage, making them ideal for exploring submerged environments and for stealth play.
- Strengths: Water Breathing, Poison Resistance, Disease Resistance
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Thief, Assassin, Scout
- Bosmer (Wood Elf): Skilled archers and natural hunters, the Bosmer are masters of ranged combat and wilderness survival. Their ability to command animals further enhances their versatility.
- Strengths: Archery skill, Resist Disease, Command Animals
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Archer, Assassin, Ranger
- Breton: Known for their strong resistance to magic, Bretons are hardy and resilient spellcasters or spellsword types. This makes them excellent choices for those who expect to battle magic-using opponents.
- Strengths: Magic Resistance, High Intelligence
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Spellsword, Mage, Battlemage
- Dunmer (Dark Elf): Possessing a natural affinity for magic and combat, the Dunmer are a versatile race. Their fire resistance makes them well-suited for encounters with fire-based enemies and helps to avoid taking damage.
- Strengths: Fire Resistance, High Magicka
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Battlemage, Mage, Spellsword
- Imperial: Diplomats and traders, Imperials are well-rounded and possess a natural aptitude for persuasion and a minor bonus to luck. This makes them versatile characters for most types of gameplay.
- Strengths: Luck bonus, high Personality
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Warrior, Crusader, any class
- Khajiit: Masters of stealth and agility, the Khajiit excel in the shadows. Their night vision provides a significant advantage in dark environments.
- Strengths: Claw damage, Night Eye, Sneak skill.
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Thief, Assassin, Acrobat
- Nord: Rugged warriors from the harsh lands of Skyrim, Nords are renowned for their strength and resistance to cold.
- Strengths: Resist Frost, High Strength
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Warrior, Crusader, Barbarian
- Orc: Ferocious warriors with an innate Berserk ability, Orcs are ideal for frontline combat. Their powerful attacks and high endurance make them a formidable force.
- Strengths: Berserk, high Strength, high Endurance
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Warrior, Crusader, Tank
- Redguard: Skilled warriors with a natural resistance to poison, Redguards are well-suited for fast-paced combat.
- Strengths: Poison Resistance, High Endurance
- Weaknesses: None significantly
- Recommended Roles: Warrior, Crusader, Blademaster
Playstyle-Based Selection
If you favor a Magicka-focused playstyle, consider Altmer or Breton. For Melee combat, choose Nord, Orc, or Redguard. Stealth players should choose Khajiit or Argonian. Consider what type of gameplay you enjoy to help narrow down your options.
Defining Your Playstyle: Class Selection
Importance of Class
Class selection is a crucial step. You can choose from several pre-made classes or you can define your own. If you choose to define your own class, you will be able to select primary skills.
Pre-Made Classes
Here’s a quick overview of the available pre-made classes:
- Warrior: Focus on physical combat and weapon skills.
- Mage: Focus on magical skills.
- Thief: Focus on stealth and agility.
- Crusader: A balance of combat and magic.
- Archer: Focus on ranged combat and archery.
- Battlemage: Focus on combat and magic.
- Monk: Focus on hand-to-hand combat.
- Nightblade: Focus on stealth and magical combat.
- Sorcerer: Focus on powerful magic.
- Spellsword: A balance of magic and weapon skills.
- Assassin: Focus on stealth and deadly attacks.
Crafting Your Own
When you build your class, you will be able to select primary skills. These skills will increase quicker than other skills. Consider skills that match the attributes your race has a bonus to. This will help you grow the best.
- Specialization: You’ll choose a specialization: Combat, Magic, Stealth, or Mixed.
- Attributes: Think about where you want to focus your attributes. Some skills rely on attributes.
The importance of skills outside of combat should be mentioned, such as speechcraft or mercantile. These will help you in the game.
Your Destiny’s Mark: Birthsign Selection
Choosing the Right Sign
Birthsigns provide unique abilities and powers that can drastically alter your character’s gameplay experience. Choose wisely, as this is a permanent decision.
Birthsign Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of the birthsigns:
- The Apprentice: Boosts Magicka regeneration.
- The Atronach: Gives a large bonus to Magicka but prevents Magicka regeneration.
- The Lady: Provides a bonus to Endurance and Willpower.
- The Lord: Grants a resistance to magic and a minor healing ability.
- The Lover: Gives a damage bonus.
- The Mage: Increases Magicka.
- The Shadow: Offers an invisibility ability.
- The Serpent: Provides a poison ability and a damage regeneration ability.
- The Steed: Increases movement speed and encumbrance.
- The Thief: Increases agility and luck.
- The Tower: Grants a once-a-day ability to unlock any lock or create a magical projectile.
- The Warrior: Offers a bonus to Strength and Endurance.
Considerations
Consider a birthsign that compliments your chosen race and class. If your character will be primarily magic, select a birthsign that improves magicka. If you choose to be a stealth character, you might choose the Thief.
Advanced Strategies for Success
Early Game Tips
Skill training is key. Prioritize the skills associated with your chosen class, and use them frequently to level them up.
Leveling Up
Focus on leveling major skills to gain attribute bonuses when leveling up.
Long-Term Planning
Consider what your ultimate build will be. The best characters start strong and keep improving.
Efficient Leveling
Understanding and utilizing efficient leveling techniques can help you get the most out of your character.
Wrapping It Up
The Final Word
Character creation is an exciting part of Oblivion. With a solid understanding of the races, classes, birthsigns, and attributes available, you’re now well-equipped to begin your adventure in the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Remember to experiment and find what feels right for you. Embrace the freedom, embrace the choices, and craft a character that embodies your playstyle.
Join the Community
Share your favorite builds in the comments!
Closing Thoughts
Oblivion is still beloved today for many reasons, and character creation is certainly one of them.
