Race Selection Guide for Oblivion
Choosing your race at the beginning of Oblivion is a crucial decision that impacts your character's starting attributes, skills, and special abilities. While any race can eventually excel in any playstyle, your initial choice provides a sificant advantage in certain areas. Consider your preferred playstyle when making your selection.
Oblivion features ten playable races, each with unique racial bonuses and abilities. These bonuses influence your starting stats and provide passive or active effects that can be incredibly useful throughout your playthrough. Understanding these differences will help you create a character that als with your desired combat or magical approach.
Playable Races and Their Bonuses
| Race | Primary Attributes | Special Ability | Starting Skills Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argonian | Endurance, Agility | Histskin (Health regeneration) | +10 Light Armor, +5 Sneak, Lockpicking, Restoration, Alteration, Destruction, Blade |
| Bosmer (Wood Elf) | Agility, Perception | Command Animal (Calms animals) | +10 Archery, +5 Light Armor, Sneak, Acrobatics, Hand to Hand, Blade, Alchemy |
| Breton | Willpower, Intelligence | Dragonskin (Absorbs 50% Magicka) | +10 Conjuration, +5 Alteration, Destruction, Mysticism, Restoration, Illusion, Speechcraft |
| Dunmer (Dark Elf) | Agility, Willpower | Ancestor's Wrath (Fire damage aura) | +10 Destruction, +5 Light Armor, Sneak, Blade, Alteration, Mysticism, Illusion |
| High Elf | Intelligence, Willpower | Highborn (Magicka regeneration) | +10 Illusion, +5 Destruction, Conjuration, Alteration, Mysticism, Restoration, Alchemy |
| Imperial | Willpower, Personality | Voice of the Emperor (Calms people) | +10 Speechcraft, +5 Blade, Blunt, Heavy Armor, Block, Destruction, Restoration |
| Khajiit | Agility, Speed | Night Eye (Improved vision in darkness) | +10 Sneak, +5 Blade, Hand to Hand, Light Armor, Acrobatics, Lockpicking, Pickpocket |
| Nord | Strength, Endurance | Battle Cry (Fear effect) | +10 Blade, +5 Block, Blunt, Heavy Armor, Light Armor, Destruction, Speechcraft |
| Orc | Strength, Endurance | Berserk (Damage bonus) | +10 Heavy Armor, +5 Blunt, Axe, Block, Armorer, Smithing, Destruction |
| Redguard | Strength, Agility | Adrenaline Rush (Fatigue regeneration) | +10 Blade, +5 Blunt, Hand to Hand, Heavy Armor, Block, Armorer, Alchemy |
Choosing Your Race
- For Warriors: Nords, Redguards, and Orcs offer strong starting bonuses in Strength and combat skills.
- For Mages: High Elves and Bretons excel with bonuses to Intelligence and magical skills, along with powerful innate abilities.
- For Rogues: Argonians, Bosmer, Khajiit, and Dunmer have advantages in Agility and stealth-related skills.
Ultimately, the best race is the one that best suits your intended playstyle. Don't be afraid to experiment, as all races can become powerful with dedicated effort and strategic attribute and skill development.