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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remasteredis an intense journey filled with dangerous enemies to beat, loot to called, and most importantly:Skillsto master. But to know how to master a skill, players first need to know how they work in depth, and which stats are directly related to them.
Here’s a comprehensive guide toall Skills inOblivion Remastered,including how to level up each of them, which perks they unlock, and how to use them, and important details about spells, associated abilities, and how NPCs respond to their use outside of combat situations.
Oblivion Remastered Major & Minor Skills Explained
Players diving intoOblivion Remasteredwill notice that there are two types of Skills they can level up, and how they do it is directly associated with their every action in the game. There are Minor Skills and Major Skills, which will beclassified depending on the Starter Classthe players pick. Both are affected by the Attributes the players have, which can be increased in various forms throughout the adventure, though the main one is by leveling up.
For example, if players pick the Witchhunter as their starter Class, they will have Athletics, Alchemy, Conjuration, Destruction, Mysticism, Marksman, and Security as their Major Skills. The rest of the skills will be marked as Minor Skills.
The maindifference between Minor and Major Skills,is thespeed at which they increase in level, which determines how effective the players will be using their selected Starting Class.
All Skills In Oblivion Remastered Explained
There are a total of21 SkillsinOblivion Remastered,and all of them can be leveled up individually, no matter what class the players choose at the start. Each skill has 5 Tier levels, which unlock Perks according to the total level from 0 to 100 (Max). These are:Novice(0-24),Apprentice(25-49),Journeyman(50-74),Expert(75-99),Master(100). Here’s a full overview of all the skills and their respectivePerks:
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is a skill that governsmovementinThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered,which means it is associated withspeed,stamina,dodging,running, andjumping. Acrobatics can be leveled up by performing all of those actions, and upon reaching Level 25 (Apprentice), playerswill be able to acquire the Dodge ability.
It also governs how much players can jump around without tiring themselves up (depleting the Fatigue/Stamina bar), and having this skill at a high enough level will help players solve most of the jumping puzzles in Ayleid ruins, and dodge dangerous traps.
Alchemy
Alchemy allows players to craft Potions and Poisons that grant various effects from restoring Fatigue, to turning them invisible, or in the case ofpoison, crippling enemies and prevent them from moving. Allpotionsand poisons are crafted using a tool namedMortar and Pestle, which varies in quality (from Novice to Master) as well as the skill, and grants players the chance to combine more ingredients and get better results at higher levels of quality.
While potions can be used directly to recover orgrant certain effects, poisons can be used as acoatingfor weapons and arrows. Their effects depend on the elements mixed in their preparation, and the higher the level of Alchemy the player has, the more properties of the ingredients they will be able to recognize, which will open even more possibilities to combine them into powerful consumables.
Alteration
Alteration is the branch of magic that specializes in altering the world around the players, covering them intopowerful shields, allowing them towalk on water(or breathe under it), resist the elements,open closed doors, and cripple their foes with variousdebuffsthat can turn them into a useless ragdoll during combat.
It is one of the hardest magic schools to level up, and its payoff cannot be noticed until late-game, where its most powerful magic spells become available, and players masters the ability tobend realityat their will.
Armorer
The Armorer skillsallow players to repair their gear, the higher the level, the more efficient Repair Hammers become, and the less likely for them to break while repairing armor and weapons.
At higher levels, Armorer experts canrepair their itemsabove the maximum, unlocking special properties in their weapons and armor thatincrease damageanddefenseconsiderably. It is one of the best ‘crafting skills’ to level up earlier, since it brings lots of benefits in the long term.
Athletics
Athletics is associated with Strength, Willpower, and Endurance, and determines how well players recover from Fatigue caused by all the associated actions that consume this resource. The higher the Athletics level is, the faster the Fatigue Bar (Stamina) will recover after use.
This skill is one of the easiest to level up inOblivion Remasteredsince it will most certainly level upas players move, explore, and run aroundduring combat. At higher levels,Fatigue consumptionwhile running practically disappears, making it possible for players to explore more and faster.
Blade
Blade is the skill that governs allbladed weapons(swords, two-handed swords, and daggers) and increases their effectiveness and that of their normal and power attacks. It also determines how fast weapons of that subtype lose durability as players fight with them equipped.
At higher levels, bladed weaponsbecome more lethal, causingbleedingdamage andpenetratingthe enemy’sdefenses, making this an indispensable skill for melee fighters who prefer swords and daggers over blunt weapons. As players might have guessed already, it can be leveled up by fighting using blades.
Block
Block provides extra perks that benefit players that useshields,one-handed, andtwo-handed weapons, since they can block with al lof them. However, it pairs better with Blade/Blunt & Shield than with single weapons, since at higher levels, it provides more benefits for those who use shields in their off-hand.
TheShield Bashability is a powerful attack that can send opponents reeling or make them eat their own attacks as the player rushes through the battlefield like an unstoppable juggernaut. Needless to say, to level this skill, players need to block lots of attacks.
Blunt
Blunt increases the effectiveness of Hammers, Maces, and Axes (be it one or two-handed), and as players level this skill, they will notice some incredibly useful perks for those who love tanking. The first comes at Apprentice level, increasing the damage output and overall durability of weapons. The second comes at Journeyman Level, granting anovershieldeach time players land a Power Attack.
Then, as players become more proficient with Blunt Weapons, their light attacks will have a chance to cause ‘Silence’ on enemies, making them unable to cast spells. This, paired with all the other properties of the Blunt perk tree, makes it one of the best in the game, especially when paired with Two-Handed Axes, which areabsolutely broken.
Conjuration
Conjuration is the school of magic associated withDaedricentities, because most of the creatures invoked with its spells come from one of the Daedric Planes. Still, this is not only summoning magic to call forthDaedrothsand Clannfears, as Conjurers can also equip themselves with powerful bound weapons and armor, which can swiftly turn them from a feeble magic user into a powerful melee fighter.
This skill will automatically level up the more players use magic to summon entities, and the higher the level, the more powerful those creatures can be. From the humble zombie (Reanimated from the dead) to the powerfulDremora Lord, this is the best magic school for those who want to let minions do their dirty work for them.
Destruction
The skill associated with the Destruction school ofmagic, which levels up each time players use the powerful elemental spells that rain down destruction upon their enemies. The simplest spells like Chill Touch or Shock can cause tons of damage if players know how to use them well, and the more they level up their Destruction skill, the better and more powerful spells they will be able to use.
Some Master level Destruction spells are so good that they completely change the way players feel: from squishyspellcasters, to absolute menace in a second.Blizzard, for example, has a powerful crowd control effect, whileDisintegrate Weapon/Armor will turn the enemy gear to dust, leaving them defenseless and dumbfounded.
Hand to Hand
Hand-To-Hand is the skill of choice for those who want to become wanderermonksof Cyrodiil, bringing justice to those who spread evil by the force of their fists.Unarmed combathas gone a long way ever since the firstElder Scrollsgame was released, and inOblivion Remasteredit shines brighter than ever.
If players want to create a tavernbrawler, or a hero of justice that beats Daedroths using their bare fists, then this skill is for them. One of the good things about this skill, is that the more it increases, the more Fatigue damage it causes to enemies, and that means they will become less likely to respond after each attack, turning into true punching bags.
Heavy Armor
The Heavy Armor skill will favor those who use that category of armor, reducing thedegradation,weight, and ultimately eliminating theencumbrancefactor that is the main minus point of wearing full-plated gear.
The only way to dominate this skill to perfection is by wearing heavy armor and receiving unblocked attacks from enemies (or to train it with an instructor), so it might take a while before players become walking fortresses.
Illusion
The Illusion skill allows players to learn all the spells from this school of magic that bends thelightand themindsof their enemies, allowing them to become invisible, merge with the shadows, or confuse NPCs in plain daylight. It can also cause various debuffs likerage,fear, andconfusion, or apply buffs to summoned creatures and allies, changing the course of battle in the players' favor.
Illusion is a pretty useful spell, ideal for those playing Witchhunters, Thieves, Rogues, and otherstealthy classes. But also, for those going with a pure Magic build, since they are bound to find themselves in a situation where stealth is needed, and becomingcompletely invisiblewill allow them to overcome those game stages if they don’t have any training in the Stealth skill. Beware, though, being invisible doesn’t mean being ‘silent,’ and enemies will still be able to hear players if they are too noisy.
Light Armor
For those players who userobesorleather armor, the Light Armor skill is essential to gain some extra benefits, which include even more reduction to their already light build, andextra protectionwhen the skill is completely mastered.
Still, this skill is even harder to level up than Heavy Armor, since players receiving blows while wearing Light Armor are more exposed, and there’s a higher chance for them to become staggered and killed. Better find a trainer and invest some money to level this skill.
Marksman
Marksman is the skill of theRangers, Witchhunters, and Thieves, and basically all classes who prefer to useBowsover Melee weapons. This skill will bring benefits to players almost immediately after getting out of the Novice level, since it will eliminate the cost of Stamina while aiming (drawing) ranged weapons.
After a long time using it and leveling it upby killing and shooting creaturesand enemies all over Cyrodiil, players will become powerful archers, usingshotsto paralyze their targets and gaining even more time to land the next shot. Knocking one arrow after the other, downing monsters all around, is one of the best feelings inOblivion Remastered.
Mercantile
Mercantile is the ability tobargainwithtraders, and the more this skill increases, thebetter pricesplayers will receive for their items, and the lower the cost for their purchases. It is quite simple, and leveling it up will depend on how often they barter with traders.
Of course, players can also take the fast routeand level it up using trainers, which are often found in big cities and are NPCs that are considered famous traders, like Palonirya, the legendary trader who runs the Divine Elegance clothing shop in the Imperial City.
Mysticism
Mysticism is the go-to skill for those who want to becomeEnchantersand use Magic Empowered weapons, since it is the magic school that governsSoul Trapmagic, which turns the spirits of downed enemies into power trapped in Soul Gems. Those adept at Mysticism can also detect living beings, absorb magic power from other spells, and usetelekinetic magicto crush their foes.
Leveling Mysticism is a good way to introduce a variety of useful spells to the player’s repertoire, among whichSpell Reflectionis the best of them all, since it basically acts as a Magical Counter-Attack that will return to sender any annoying spell or curse. A great way to deal with Fireball fanatic enemies.
Restoration
Fromdispelling cursesand healingsicknesses(like the one that causes Vampirism) to closing up heavy wounds, the Restoration skill associated with that school of magic allows players to cast more and better versions of spells that grant healing in various forms. This school is also adept at the use of various types of vital energies, clearing the effects ofdamage on Fatigue and Magic.
If players are tired of those enemies that causemultiple status effectswith their magical spells, then Restoration is the best answer to counter everything they send their way. But, of course, leveling it up is not as easy as it might seem, since higher levels will require casting healing spells over willing targets (or the players themselves), which will consume lots of time.
Security
Security (Lockpicking) is the art of breaking locks usinglockpicks, and the more players train thisStealth-associated skill, the better their chances of getting some extra loot from closed chests, or breaking the lock of doors impeding their entrance. Of course, some containers andprivate propertyareoff-limits, andbeing caughtusing a lockpick in a town or a city will be considered a crime by the Guards, who will come running (and yelling ‘Stop right there. Criminal Scum!') to arrest them.
But if players don’t mind stealing and selling items to a fence (whichmight increase their Infamy), this skill can be trained quite easily. However, solving the mini-games to open locks can be a little bit annoying, since it requires time and patience to master. But the higher the skill is, the easier it will become to force locks, so, at the end of the day, it is a must-have skill for all the Classes in the game.
Sneak
Sneak is the skill that controls how stealthy players are, also offeringbonusesto theirattackswhen hitting unaware targets, which is commonly referred to as a ‘Sneak Attack.’ For those looking to become deadly assassins or master burglars, this skill is critical, and they should level it up by constantly crouching andtrying to become one with the night.
Simpler said than done, since most enemies will often detect players sneaking around, especially if they’re wearing heavy armor. On that note, using leather or cloth armor is the best way to cause lessnoise, and reduce the overall ‘visibility’ of the players. Light effects also alter how easily enemies will find the players, so carrying torches or magic lights is not an option for players trying to sneak around.
Speechcraft
Speechcraft is the ability topersuade(or coerce)NPCsinto doing what the players want. It affects how quicklyplayers gain positive Disposition, and how much negative impact their failed persuasion attempts have on NPCs.
The mini-game that controls this skill can be accessed by choosing the option on the left side of the dialogue interface, which appears when players interact with NPCs or followers. Take into consideration that a negative disposition might cause NPCs toignorethe players’ interactions, or evenbecome hostileto them.
