Learning how to play Oblivion can feel overwhelming at first. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion offers hundreds of hours of gameplay, a massive open world, and countless character builds. Released in 2006 by Bethesda Game Studios, this RPG remains a fan favorite nearly two decades later. New players often struggle with character creation, combat mechanics, and the leveling system. This guide breaks down everything beginners need to know. From building a character to completing quests, these tips will help anyone start their journey through Cyrodiil with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Learning how to play Oblivion starts with smart character creation—choose a race, birthsign, and class that match your intended playstyle.
- Avoid picking frequently-used skills as major skills to prevent rapid leveling without proper attribute gains.
- Explore Cyrodiil manually before relying on fast travel to discover hidden dungeons, ruins, and random encounters.
- Master combat by managing your stamina bar, as full stamina produces maximum damage while depleted stamina weakens attacks.
- Join guilds early to access free housing, equipment, gold, and unique questlines separate from the main story.
- Save often, repair your gear regularly, and manage carry weight to avoid common frustrations during your playthrough.
Understanding the Basics of Character Creation
Character creation in Oblivion sets the foundation for the entire playthrough. Players choose a race, birthsign, and class during the tutorial dungeon. Each decision affects stats, skills, and gameplay style.
Choosing a Race
Oblivion features ten playable races. Each race provides unique bonuses to specific skills and attributes. High Elves excel at magic with bonus points in Intelligence. Redguards make excellent warriors with bonuses to Strength and Endurance. Bretons resist magic damage, making them versatile spellcasters. For beginners learning how to play Oblivion, Imperials offer a balanced starting point with bonuses to Personality and the Voice of the Emperor power.
Selecting a Birthsign
Birthsigns grant permanent bonuses or special abilities. The Warrior sign boosts combat skills. The Mage sign increases maximum Magicka. The Thief sign improves Agility, Speed, and Luck. New players should pick a birthsign that matches their intended playstyle. The Lady birthsign offers a solid choice for any build with its Willpower and Endurance bonuses.
Picking Your Class
Players can select a preset class or create a custom one. Custom classes allow full control over major skills, specialization, and favored attributes. Major skills level faster but also determine character level progression. A common mistake involves choosing skills players use constantly. This causes rapid leveling without proper attribute gains. Smart players pick a mix of combat, magic, and stealth skills for their major selections.
Navigating the Open World and Quest System
Oblivion drops players into Cyrodiil, a province spanning forests, mountains, and cities. The open world encourages exploration from the moment the tutorial ends.
Exploring Cyrodiil
The map contains nine major cities, dozens of towns, and over 200 dungeons. Fast travel becomes available after discovering locations on foot or horseback. Players who want to learn how to play Oblivion effectively should explore manually at first. This approach reveals hidden caves, Ayleid ruins, and random encounters. The compass at the screen’s top displays nearby points of interest.
Understanding the Quest System
Oblivion tracks quests through the journal menu. The main quest involves closing Oblivion Gates and stopping a Daedric invasion. But, players can ignore this storyline entirely. Guild questlines for the Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Thieves Guild, and Dark Brotherhood offer separate storylines. Each guild provides unique rewards, skills, and equipment.
Active quests display markers on the compass and world map. Players can set any quest as active to track its objectives. Some quests require specific times or conditions. Reading journal entries carefully prevents confusion about next steps.
Finding Your Path
New players often ask where to go first in Oblivion. The answer depends on personal preference. Combat-focused characters might join the Fighters Guild in any major city. Magic users benefit from the Mages Guild’s spell access. Those curious about stealth should seek out the Thieves Guild through rumors at local taverns.
Mastering Combat and Leveling Up
Combat in Oblivion uses real-time mechanics with stamina management. Understanding these systems helps players survive difficult encounters.
Combat Basics
Melee combat relies on timing and stamina. Full stamina bars produce maximum damage. Depleted stamina weakens attacks significantly. Blocking with shields or weapons reduces incoming damage. Power attacks deal extra damage but consume more stamina. Players learning how to play Oblivion should practice blocking and managing stamina early.
Magic users cast spells from their spell menu. Each spell costs Magicka, which regenerates slowly over time. Destruction spells deal direct damage. Restoration spells heal injuries. Conjuration summons creatures to fight alongside the player. Combining magic with melee weapons creates versatile combat options.
The Leveling System
Oblivion uses a unique leveling system that confuses many newcomers. Characters level up after improving major skills ten times. Upon leveling, players allocate points to three attributes. The number of points available depends on which skills improved since the last level.
Efficient leveling requires planning. Improving skills governed by the same attribute grants bonus points during level-up. For example, raising Blade, Blunt, and Hand to Hand skills boosts potential Strength gains. Players who understand this system build stronger characters over time.
Enemy Scaling
Enemies in Oblivion scale with player level. Higher-level characters face tougher opponents throughout the world. This system punishes inefficient leveling. Players who level quickly without improving combat abilities struggle against scaled enemies. Taking time to develop skills before leveling produces better results.
Essential Tips for New Players
These practical tips help beginners avoid common frustrations while learning how to play Oblivion.
Save Often: Oblivion doesn’t auto-save frequently. Create manual saves before entering dungeons, starting quests, or making important decisions. Multiple save files prevent losing hours of progress.
Repair Your Equipment: Weapons and armor degrade with use. Carry repair hammers and use them regularly. Broken equipment provides no protection or damage.
Manage Carry Weight: Every item has weight. Exceeding carry capacity prevents fast travel and slows movement. Sell or store unnecessary items frequently.
Train Skills: Trainers throughout Cyrodiil can boost skills for gold. Each level allows five training sessions. This method helps develop weak skills efficiently.
Join Guilds Early: Guild questlines provide free housing, equipment, and gold. Starting these quests early gives access to valuable resources.
Use Alchemy: Collecting ingredients and creating potions generates income and useful items. Even basic healing potions save money and inventory space.
Talk to Everyone: NPCs share rumors, quest hints, and useful information. The disposition mini-game unlocks additional dialogue options with higher NPC approval.
