Oblivion RACE Guide for Total Beginners [Elder Scrolls Guide]

Summary

This guide to choosing the best race in *The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion* highlights the importance of race selection in influencing gameplay. With ten available races, each offers unique bonuses suitable for combat, magic, or stealth roles. The Dunmer (Dark Elves) are presented as a balanced choice, while Redguards and Orcs excel as warriors. For magic builds, High Elves and Bretons stand out, and for stealth, Khajiit and Bosmer (Wood Elves) are recommended. The video also discusses less optimal races, encouraging players to pick based on preferred playstyle and aesthetics, ultimately enhancing their RPG experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Choosing the right race in *The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion* significantly impacts your character's stats and abilities.
• 🎮 The game features 10 races: 4 human races (Breton, Imperial, Nord, Redguard), 3 elf races (Bosmer, Altmer, Dunmer), Orcs, Argonians, and Khajiit.
• 🏹 Dunmer (Dark Elves) are balanced for combat, magic, and stealth, making them a solid all-round choice.
• 💪 Redguards excel in warrior builds with bonuses in blade, blunt weapons, and armor, along with a powerful ability called Adrenaline Rush.
• 🛡️ Orcs also make great warriors with strengths in heavy armor and blocking, plus a greater power that boosts health and stamina.
• 🔮 High Elves (Altmer) are strong magic users with bonuses in multiple schools of magic and a large Magicka pool, but they have weaknesses to certain elements.
• 🛡️ Bretons are defensive magic users with significant resistance to spells, making them versatile in both offense and defense.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Khajiit offer advantages for stealth builds with bonuses in sneak and security, as well as useful powers for nighttime activities.
• 🏹 Bosmer (Wood Elves) are the best choice for early-game stealth archers due to their sneak and marksman bonuses, although they lack powerful long-term abilities.
• 🤷‍♂️ Argonians, Nords, and Imperials have their strengths but are generally considered less effective compared to the top races for typical play styles.

Q & A

Why is it important to choose the right race in Elder Scrolls Oblivion?

Choosing the right race significantly impacts your character's stats and playstyle, especially in the early game. Certain races are better suited for specific classes or roles, affecting gameplay effectiveness.

Which race is considered the most balanced for various playstyles?

The Dunmer, or Dark Elves, are seen as the most balanced race, offering advantages for combat, magic, and stealth. They have useful greater powers and resistances that benefit players throughout the game.

What are the unique advantages of playing as a Redguard?

Redguards excel in warrior builds due to their bonuses in Blade, Blunt, and both Light and Heavy Armor. They also have a powerful greater power called Adrenaline Rush, enhancing their combat abilities significantly.

How do Orcs compare to Redguards for warrior playstyles?

Orcs are also strong choices for warrior playstyles, with enhanced skills in Blunt weapons, Heavy Armor, and blocking, along with a resistance to magic. Their greater power, Berserk, boosts fatigue, health, and stamina during tough encounters.

What makes the Altmer (High Elves) a top choice for magic builds?

Altmer gain bonuses to five schools of magic and have a powerful fortify Magicka effect, giving them a significant edge in spellcasting. However, they have weaknesses to fire, frost, and shock damage.

What is the Breton's primary strength in magic?

Bretons have a high magic resistance and a solid foundation in defensive magic, starting with enhanced skills in several magic schools. They also possess a greater power called Dragon Skin, providing protection against physical damage.

Which race is recommended for stealth builds and why?

Khajiit are recommended for stealth builds due to their starting bonuses in sneak, security, and acrobatics. Their greater power, Eye of Fear, and lesser power, Eye of Night, enhance their stealth capabilities, especially at night.

How do Bosmer (Wood Elves) fit into stealth builds?

Bosmer are strong stealth archers, starting with bonuses in sneak and Marksman skills. However, their greater power, Beast Tongue, becomes less useful in the long run compared to other races' powers.

What are the limitations of the Argonian race in Oblivion?

Argonians have some useful stealth skills and resistances, but they lack a greater power, making them less competitive compared to races like Khajiit for stealth builds.

What niches do Imperials fill in Oblivion, and what are their strengths?

Imperials are jack-of-all-trades, focusing on Mercantile and Speechcraft. While they have decent combat capabilities, their strengths are more about haggling and persuasion rather than combat effectiveness.