Choosing your race in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is more than just an aesthetic decision; it fundamentally shapes your early game experience and influences your character's strengths and weaknesses. Each of the ten playable races possesses unique starting skill bonuses and powerful racial abilities, making some races naturally better suited for certain playstyles. Understanding these differences will help you create a character that als with your desired approach to combat, magic, and stealth.
The Races of Tamriel
Cyrodiil is home to a diverse array of peoples, each with their own history and inherent talents. Here's a breakdown of the playable races and their distinct advantages:
- High Elves (Altmer): Masters of magic, starting with a bonus to Willpower and Intelligence. Their Highborn ability grants a sificant Magicka regeneration boost for a short duration, making them excellent mages.
- Wood Elves (Bosmer): Renowned for their archery and stealth. They gain bonuses to Agility and Speed and possess the Command Animal ability, allowing them to temporarily turn a creature against its allies.
- Dark Elves (Dunmer): Versatile warriors and mages, with bonuses to Willpower and Endurance. Their Ancestor Guardian ability summons a spectral warrior to fight alongside them, and they have innate resistance to fire.
- Nords: Hardy warriors from the northern lands, excelling in combat. They receive bonuses to Strength and Endurance and have Battle Cry, which can cause nearby enemies to flee. They also possess frost resistance.
- Imperial: Diplomatic and resilient, with bonuses to Willpower and Personality. Their Voice of the Emperor ability calms nearby creatures, and they have a bonus to gold found.
- Bretons: Natural spellcasters with a strong resistance to magic. They gain bonuses to Willpower and Intelligence and have Dragonskin, which absorbs 50% of incoming spell damage for a short period.
- Redguards: Skilled warriors with impressive stamina. They get bonuses to Strength and Endurance and have Adrenaline Rush, which grants a substantial boost to their speed and attack power.
- High Elves (Altmer): Masters of magic, starting with a bonus to Willpower and Intelligence. Their Highborn ability grants a sificant Magicka regeneration boost for a short duration, making them excellent mages.
- Orcs (Orsimer): Ferocious warriors known for their strength and resilience. They have bonuses to Strength and Endurance and their Berserk Rage ability doubles their damage for a short time.
- Khajiit: Agile and stealthy, with bonuses to Agility and Speed. They possess Night Eye, allowing them to see in complete darkness, and have a natural claw attack.
- Argonians: Adaptable and amphibious, with bonuses to Endurance and Agility. Their Histskin ability grants rapid health regeneration, and they have a resistance to disease and can breathe underwater.
Racial Abilities in Detail
Beyond the passive skill bonuses, each race's active ability is a powerful tool. For example, a Breton's Dragonskin is invaluable against mages, while an Orc's Berserk Rage can turn the tide of a difficult melee encounter. Khajiit's Night Eye is essential for exploring dark dungeons without relying solely on torches, and Argonians' Histskin provides a potent emergency heal.
Choosing Your Path
Consider your preferred playstyle when making your choice. If you want to sling spells from a distance, Altmer or Breton are excellent choices. For a stealthy assassin or archer, Bosmer or Khajiit excel. If you prefer to be in the thick of combat, Nord, Redguard, or Orc will serve you well. The Imperial offers a balanced approach with a focus on social skills and resilience. Ultimately, any race can be successful with the right skill development, but a well-chosen race provides a sificant head start.