Major & Minor Skills Explained — The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Guide

Major & Minor Skills Explained

In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, your character's development is heavily influenced by their skills. When creating your character, you select seven Major Skills, which level up faster and contribute more sificantly to your overall character level. The remaining skills are Minor Skills, which still level up through use but at a slower rate.

The distinction between Major and Minor skills is crucial for efficient character progression. Leveling up Major Skills is the primary way to increase your character's level, and upon leveling up, you have the opportunity to increase your core attributes (Strength, Intelligence, etc.).

Major Skills

Choosing your Major Skills wisely is paramount. They should al with your intended playstyle. For example, a warrior might choose:

• Blade
• Block
• Heavy Armor
• Armorer
• Athletics
• Endurance (associated skill)
• Willpower (associated skill)

A mage might select:

• Destruction
• Restoration
• Alteration
• Illusion
• Conjuration
• Intelligence (associated skill)
• Willpower (associated skill)

A rogue could focus on:

• Sneak
• Security
• Light Armor
• Blade
• Archery
• Agility (associated skill)
• Speed (associated skill)

The key is to select skills that synergize. For instance, if you want to be a powerful warrior, choosing skills that boost Strength and Endurance will be beneficial. If you aim for a stealthy assassin, skills that boost Agility and Speed are essential.

Minor Skills

Minor Skills are those not chosen as Major Skills. While they level slower, they are still vital for a well-rounded character. You can train Minor Skills, and they still contribute to your attribute gains upon leveling up, albeit at a reduced rate compared to Major Skills.

For example, even if you choose Blade as a Major Skill, you can still level up Blunt as a Minor Skill. This allows you to adapt your combat style or access different weapon types later in the game. Similarly, a warrior might have Illusion or Alchemy as Minor Skills to provide utility or support.

By strategically choosing your Major Skills and developing your Minor Skills, you can craft a character that excels in your preferred areas and overcomes the challenges of Cyrodiil.