Character Customization
Oblivion offers extensive character customization, allowing players to shape their protagonist's appearance, race, and starting attributes. This initial creation process sets the foundation for your character's journey, influencing their strengths, weaknesses, and how they interact with the world.
Upon starting a new game, you'll be presented with a series of choices that define your character. This includes selecting a race, each with unique starting bonuses to attributes and skills, and then customizing their physical appearance through a detailed editor. You'll also choose a births, which grants a permanent passive bonus or active ability.
Key Character Creation Elements
- Race: Choose from 10 races (e.g., Imperial, Nord, Redguard, Altmer, Bosmer, Dunmer, Orc, Khajiit, Argonian), each with distinct attribute bonuses and skill specializations.
- Appearance: Customize facial features, hair, skin tone, and body type using a robust editor.
- Births: Select one of 13 birthss (e.g., The Warrior, The Mage, The Thief, The Serpent) for unique passive or active effects.
- Class: Choose a pre-defined class or create a custom class, selecting major and minor skills that will influence your starting attributes and leveling progression.
The class system is particularly important. You select seven major skills and five minor skills. Your character's starting attributes are determined by your race and births, with bonuses applied based on the number of your chosen major skills that al with each attribute. For example, choosing many combat-oriented major skills will boost your Strength and Endurance.
Leveling up in Oblivion is tied to improving your skills. For every ten skill increases you achieve, your character levels up, allowing you to increase your core attributes. The amount you can increase attributes depends on how many of your major skills contributed to those ten increases. This system encourages players to focus on their chosen major skills to maximize attribute gains.
Beyond the initial creation, character customization continues through acquiring new gear, enchanting items, and learning new spells. The choices you make during character creation will sificantly shape your gameplay experience, so consider your desired playstyle when making these important decisions.