Other Skills
Beyond the core combat, magic, and stealth skills, Oblivion features several 'other' skills that contribute to a well-rounded character and offer unique gameplay advantages. These skills, while perhaps less combat-focused, are vital for exploration, social interaction, and resource management.
These skills are primarily associated with the attributes of Agility, Perception, and Charisma, and can be sificantly improved through practice and training.
Athletics
The Athletics skill governs your character's stamina and movement speed. The higher your Athletics skill, the faster you can run and the more stamina you have for sprinting and performing actions. This skill improves simply by running and swimming.
Speechcraft
Speechcraft is crucial for interacting with NPCs. A higher Speechcraft skill allows you to persuade, intimidate, or charm others more effectively, opening up new dialogue options, improving quest outcomes, and potentially avoiding combat altogether. This skill improves through successful persuasion attempts and by increasing your Personality attribute.
Mercantile
The Mercantile skill directly impacts your ability to haggle with merchants. A higher Mercantile skill allows you to buy goods for less gold and sell your own items for more. This is essential for accumulating wealth and acquiring better equipment.
Lockpicking
Essential for any aspiring thief or treasure hunter, Lockpicking allows you to bypass locked doors and chests. The higher your skill, the easier it is to pick locks, and the less likely you are to break your lockpicks. This skill improves by successfully picking locks.
Security
Security is closely related to Lockpicking and governs your ability to disarm traps. A higher Security skill reduces the chance of triggering traps and allows you to disarm them more effectively, protecting you from damage and potentially revealing hidden passages or loot.
| Skill | Primary Attribute | Gameplay Benefit | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | Endurance, Strength | Increased speed, stamina | Running, swimming |
| Speechcraft | Charisma, Willpower | Better persuasion, dialogue options | Persuasion attempts |
| Mercantile | Charisma, Perception | Better prices with merchants | Buying/selling goods |
| Lockpicking | Agility, Perception | Easier lock opening | Picking locks |
| Security | Agility, Perception | Trap disarming, trap avoidance | Disarming traps |
Investing in these 'other' skills can greatly enhance your overall gameplay experience, providing utility and opportunities that complement your primary combat or magical abilities.