The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Skills

Master Oblivion's 21 skills. Learn about Combat, Magic, and Stealth skills, how to level them, and find trainers to boost your character's abilities.

Skills

Skills are the backbone of character progression in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, dictating your character's proficiencies in various actions. Improving skills not only makes you more effective in combat and exploration but also contributes to your overall character level, allowing you to allocate attribute points and gain perks.

Oblivion features a total of 21 skills, divided into three categories: Combat, Magic, and Stealth. Each skill has a rating from 0 to 100, and using the associated actions will increase that skill's rating.

Combat Skills:

  • Armorer: Improves the effectiveness of repairing armor.
  • Athletics: Increases movement speed and swimming speed.
  • Blade: Enhances damage with swords, daggers, and other bladed weapons.
  • Block: Reduces incoming damage when blocking with a shield or weapon.
  • Heavy Armor: Reduces the movement speed penalty and increases the defensive capabilities of heavy armor.
  • Blunt: Enhances damage with maces, hammers, and other blunt weapons.
  • Spears: Enhances damage with spears and polearms.

Magic Skills:

  • Alteration: Grants spells that manipulate the physical world, such as opening locks or increasing carrying capacity.
  • Conjuration: Allows for the summoning of creatures and weapons, and the manipulation of souls.
  • Destruction: Focuses on offensive spells that deal elemental damage (fire, frost, shock).
  • Illusion: Deals with spells that affect the minds of others, such as calming, fear, or invisibility.
  • Mysticism: Provides spells for telekinesis, spell absorption, and detecting life.
  • Restoration: Offers healing spells, disease cures, and wards against magic.

Stealth Skills:

  • Acrobatics: Allows for higher jumps and softer landings.
  • Light Armor: Reduces the movement speed penalty and increases the defensive capabilities of light armor.
  • Hand to Hand: Enhances unarmed combat damage.
  • Hiding: Improves your ability to remain undetected.
  • Lockpicking: Increases your chances of successfully picking locks.
  • Mercantile: Improves prices when buying and selling goods.
  • Sneak: Increases your ability to move silently and avoid detection.

Skill Trainers:

For players who wish to accelerate their skill progression, trainers are available in each major city. These NPCs can increase a specific skill by up to five points per character level, for a maximum of three training sessions per level. Finding the right trainers for your build is crucial for efficient character development.