Oblivion Remastered: 34 Essential Tips for New Players

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, originally released in 2006, remains one of the most iconic role-playing games (RPGs) ever created. With its recent remastered version, this Bethesda masterpiece has been revitalized with enhanced graphics, improved mechanics, and quality-of-life updates, drawing both nostalgic fans and newcomers into the sprawling world of Tamriel. For those stepping into Oblivion for the first time, the game’s depth and freedom can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. To help you thrive in this epic adventure, here are 34 essential tips to master Oblivion Remastered and make your journey unforgettable.

Getting Started: Character Creation and Early Choices

Choose Your Race Wisely
Tamriel is home to diverse races like Nords, Bretons, and Khajiit, each with unique bonuses. For beginners, Bretons offer strong magic resistance, while Nords excel in combat. Consider your playstyle—magic, stealth, or brute force—when picking a race.

Customize Your Birthsign
Birthsigns grant permanent bonuses, such as the Warrior’s strength boost or the Mage’s magicka increase. The Apprentice is great for spellcasters but increases magic vulnerability, so choose based on your planned build.

Understand the Class System
You can select a premade class or create a custom one. Focus on major skills that align with your playstyle, like Blade for warriors or Illusion for stealth mages, as these level up faster.

Save Often During Character Creation
The opening dungeon lets you tweak your character before finalizing. Save before exiting to experiment with different builds without restarting.

Pick a Playstyle Early
Oblivion rewards specialization. Decide whether you’ll be a sword-wielding knight, a sneaky thief, or a fireball-hurling mage to streamline your skill progression.

Mastering Combat and Skills

Learn the Combat Basics
Melee combat involves timing your attacks and blocks. Hold the block button to reduce damage, and power attacks (hold and release) deal extra damage but cost stamina.

Mix Magic with Melee
Even warriors can benefit from basic spells like Heal Minor Wounds or Flare. Visit the Arcane University later to create custom spells tailored to your needs.

Train Your Skills Strategically
Skills improve with use, but you can also pay trainers. Focus on training major skills to level up faster, but don’t neglect minor skills like Restoration for survivability.

Use the Environment in Fights
Lure enemies into traps, like swinging blades in dungeons, or use elevated positions to snipe with a bow. The remastered version enhances environmental visuals, making these tactics easier to spot.

Repair Your Gear
Weapons and armor degrade with use. Carry repair hammers to maintain equipment, especially during long dungeon crawls, to avoid reduced effectiveness.

Exploration and Quests

Follow the Main Quest… or Don’t
The main story, involving the Oblivion Gates and Emperor Uriel Septim’s assassination, is gripping, but Oblivion shines in its side quests. Feel free to explore guilds like the Fighters or Mages Guild first.

Fast Travel with Purpose
The remastered map makes fast travel smoother, but walking reveals hidden caves, ruins, and loot. Use fast travel for long distances but explore locally for rewards.

Mark Your Map
The game’s compass points to objectives, but manually mark interesting locations like Ayleid ruins or bandit camps to return later for loot or experience.

Join a Guild Early
Guilds offer structured quests, free loot, and skill trainers. The Thieves Guild is great for stealth players, while the Dark Brotherhood suits those who enjoy morally gray storylines.

Close Oblivion Gates Strategically
Oblivion Gates, fiery portals to demonic realms, are challenging but rewarding. Grab the Sigil Stone at the top for powerful enchantments, and close gates near cities to protect NPCs.

Managing Inventory and Economy

Don’t Overencumber Yourself
Carrying too much weight slows you down. Sell excess loot in cities like the Imperial City Market District or store it in a safe container, like a guild chest.

Haggle for Better Prices
Use the Speechcraft minigame to charm merchants for better deals. Higher Disposition means lower prices, so invest in Speechcraft early.

Invest in a House
Buy a house, like the cheap shack in the Imperial City Waterfront, to store gear safely. The remastered version adds new decor options for a personalized touch.

Craft Potions with Alchemy
Gather ingredients like mushrooms and flowers to create potions. Even non-mages can benefit from health or invisibility potions, especially in tough fights.

Sell High-Value Loot
Enchanted weapons and Ayleid artifacts fetch high prices. Sell to specialty shops, like Rindir’s Staffs for magic items, to maximize profits.

Stealth and Crime

Master Sneak Mode
Crouch to enter sneak mode, and stay in shadows to avoid detection. The remastered lighting enhances stealth visuals, making it easier to spot light sources.

Pick Locks Carefully
Lockpicking requires timing to align tumblers. Save before attempting hard locks, as broken picks are costly early on.

Pay Off Bounties
Committing crimes like theft adds a bounty. Pay it off through guards or Thieves Guild contacts to avoid jail, which can reduce skill progress.

Use Invisibility for Stealth
Invisibility spells or potions make sneaking easier. Combine with Chameleon gear for near-undetectable thieving or assassinations.

Magic and Enchanting

Experiment with Spellcasting
Magic is versatile, from fireballs to charm spells. Practice low-cost spells to level up schools like Destruction or Mysticism faster.

Join the Mages Guild for Benefits
Completing the Mages Guild questline grants access to the Arcane University, where you can craft custom spells and enchantments.

Enchant Gear with Sigil Stones
Sigil Stones from Oblivion Gates can enchant weapons or armor with effects like fire damage or fortify strength. Save before using, as enchantments are permanent.

Manage Your Magicka
Magicka regenerates slowly, so carry restore magicka potions or equip gear with fortify magicka effects for prolonged spellcasting.

Advanced Tips for Success

Level Up Efficiently
Leveling occurs when you sleep after improving major skills. Plan your skill increases to gain optimal attribute bonuses (e.g., +5 Strength) by balancing skill usage.

Avoid Overleveling
Enemies scale with your level, so leveling too fast without strong gear or skills can make fights harder. Focus on combat skills early to stay competitive.

Use the Difficulty Slider
If battles feel too tough, lower the difficulty in the settings. The remastered version retains this feature for accessibility, perfect for newcomers.

Explore DLC Content
Oblivion Remastered includes DLCs like Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles. The latter introduces a vibrant new world ruled by the Daedric Prince Sheogorath—don’t miss it!

Interact with NPCs
NPCs have dynamic schedules and unique dialogue. Talk to them for quests, rumors, or lore, and use Persuasion to unlock hidden information.

Immerse Yourself in the World
Oblivion’s strength lies in its immersive world, from Cyrodiil’s lush forests to eerie Ayleid ruins. Take time to read in-game books, admire the remastered visuals, and let the story unfold naturally.

Why Oblivion Remastered Shines in 2025

The remastered version of Oblivion breathes new life into a game that defined the RPG genre. Its open-ended gameplay, where every choice shapes your journey, remains unmatched. The updated graphics highlight Tamriel’s beauty, from shimmering rivers to glowing magical auras, while smoother controls make combat and exploration more intuitive. Newcomers will find a perfect balance of challenge and freedom, with countless hours of quests, secrets, and character growth.

For new players, the key to enjoying Oblivion is embracing its flexibility. Whether you’re storming Oblivion Gates, pickpocketing nobles, or mastering arcane arts, there’s no wrong way to play. These 34 tips provide a foundation to navigate the game’s complexities, but the real magic lies in forging your own path. Dive into Cyrodiil, experiment with builds, and uncover the stories that have kept players enchanted for nearly two decades.

Oblivion Remastered isn’t just a game—it’s a world waiting for you to shape. Start your adventure, conquer the challenges, and become a legend in Tamriel.