Skill Training & Trainers
Improving your skills is paramount to success in Oblivion, and the most direct way to do so is through trainers. These NPCs offer dedicated training sessions, allowing you to increase a specific skill by a set number of levels for a fee. Utilizing trainers effectively can sificantly accelerate your character's progression and unlock powerful abilities faster.
There are trainers for every skill in the game, ranging from novice to master levels. Higher-level trainers are typically found in major cities or associated with specific guilds. For example, master-level combat trainers are often found within the Fighters Guild, while master mages reside in the Mages Guild or at the Arcane University.
| Skill | Novice Trainer Location | Expert Trainer Location | Master Trainer Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blade | Anvil Fighters Guild | Cheydinhal Fighters Guild | Orc Stronghold (Dushnikh Yal) |
| Blunt | Bravil Fighters Guild | Skingrad Fighters Guild | Leyawiin Fighters Guild |
| Hand to Hand | Imperial City Arena | Anvil Fighters Guild | Imperial City Arena |
| Archery | Cheydinhal Fighters Guild | Bravil Fighters Guild | Skingrad Fighters Guild |
| Heavy Armor | Skingrad Fighters Guild | Anvil Fighters Guild | Leyawiin Fighters Guild |
| Block | Bravil Fighters Guild | Cheydinhal Fighters Guild | Imperial City Arena |
| Light Armor | Leyawiin Fighters Guild | Skingrad Fighters Guild | Anvil Fighters Guild |
| Destruction | Imperial City Arcane University | Skingrad Mages Guild | Imperial City Arcane University |
| Alteration | Bravil Mages Guild | Cheydinhal Mages Guild | Imperial City Arcane University |
| Illusion | Imperial City Mages Guild | Anvil Mages Guild | Imperial City Mages Guild |
| Restoration | Bravil Mages Guild | Leyawiin Mages Guild | Imperial City Arcane University |
| Conjuration | Imperial City Arcane University | Bravil Mages Guild | Imperial City Arcane University |
| Mysticism | Cheydinhal Mages Guild | Imperial City Mages Guild | Imperial City Arcane University |
| Alchemy | Skingrad Alchemist | Imperial City Market District Alchemist | Cheydinhal Alchemist |
| Sneak | Imperial City Waterfront | Bravil Thieves Guild | Imperial City Waterfront |
| Lockpicking | Imperial City Waterfront | Bravil Thieves Guild | Imperial City Waterfront |
| Pickpocket | Imperial City Waterfront | Bravil Thieves Guild | Imperial City Waterfront |
| Speechcraft | Imperial City Talos Plaza District | Anvil Castle | Imperial City Talos Plaza District |
| Athletics | Imperial City Arena | Any major city | Any major city |
| Mercantile | Imperial City Market District | Any major city | Imperial City Market District |
| Security | Imperial City Waterfront | Bravil Thieves Guild | Imperial City Waterfront |
The cost of training increases with the trainer's level and your skill level. It's often beneficial to train skills that are associated with your primary attributes just before leveling up to maximize your attribute bonuses. Additionally, some trainers offer quests that, upon completion, can unlock higher training levels or provide unique rewards.