The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, released in April 2025, has reignited passion for Bethesda’s iconic RPG, selling over 4 million copies and hitting a peak of 216,784 concurrent Steam players. With its enhanced Unreal Engine 5 visuals, updated mechanics, and sprawling world of Cyrodiil, the remaster offers endless build possibilities. Among them, the Holy Paladin stands out as a fan-favorite archetype—a devout warrior wielding blade, shield, and restorative magic to vanquish evil. This guide unveils an overpowered (OP) Holy Paladin build tailored for Oblivion Remastered’s Master difficulty, blending devastating melee, robust defenses, and holy spells to make you an unstoppable champion of the Nine Divines. Whether you’re closing Oblivion Gates or thwarting Mehrunes Dagon’s invasion, this build ensures you dominate as Cyrodiil’s ultimate hero.

Build Overview: The Holy Paladin

The Holy Paladin is a hybrid melee-magic class, excelling in close-quarters combat while leveraging Restoration and Alteration spells for healing and protection. Inspired by classic RPG paladins, this build emphasizes Strength for damage, Endurance for survivability, and Intelligence for spellcasting, with a touch of Willpower for Magicka regeneration. Designed for Master difficulty, where enemies hit harder and scale aggressively, it maximizes efficiency through optimized race, birthsign, skills, and gear. The result is a tanky, high-damage warrior who can heal through punishment, shrug off magical attacks, and roleplay as a righteous defender, all while trivializing even the toughest Daedric foes.

Character Creation

To create an OP Holy Paladin, start with these choices during Oblivion Remastered’s character creation, finalized after the Imperial City sewer tutorial:

Race: Breton (Systres origin)
Bretons are the ideal choice for their magical prowess and defensive bonuses. They gain +10 to Intelligence and Willpower, a +50 Magicka boost, and 50% magic resistance, crucial for surviving spell-slinging enemies like Daedra Mages. The Systres origin avoids a -10 Strength penalty, ensuring melee viability. Their Dragon Skin Greater Power (75% damage resistance for 60 seconds, once per day) is a lifesaver in clutch moments. Alternatively, Orcs (Orsinium origin) offer +10 Strength and Endurance with 25% magic resistance, but their lower Magicka limits spellcasting.

Birthsign: The Lord
The Lord provides a 15-point armor rating boost and 15% magic resistance, stacking with Breton’s 50% for a total of 65% magic resistance—devastating against mages. Its Blood of the North Greater Power heals 90 health over 45 seconds once per day, complementing Restoration spells. The Lady (+10 Willpower and Endurance) is a solid alternative for Magicka regeneration and health, but The Lord’s defensive edge suits Master difficulty better. Avoid The Apprentice, as its +100 Magicka comes with 100% magic vulnerability, a death sentence for a melee-focused build.

Class: Custom (Divine Paladin)
Predefined classes like Crusader are decent, but a custom class ensures optimal skill synergy. Choose Combat Specialization to boost melee and defensive skills. Select Strength and Intelligence as Favored Attributes for damage and Magicka. Pick these Major Skills to level efficiently while aligning with the Paladin archetype:

Blade: For longswords, the classic paladin weapon, offering high damage and enchantment potential.

Heavy Armor: Increases naturally as you take hits, boosting Endurance and durability.

Restoration: Core for healing and buffs, essential for surviving Master difficulty.

Block: Reduces damage with a shield, enhancing tankiness.

Armorer: Keeps gear in top condition, critical for enchanted items.

Alteration: Provides defensive spells like Shield and utility like Open Lock.

Athletics: Levels passively while sprinting, speeding up travel and leveling.
These skills balance combat, magic, and utility, ensuring steady progression without over-relying on less practical skills like Blunt or Hand-to-Hand.

Attribute and Skill Progression

Oblivion Remastered’s leveling system rewards skill usage, with Major Skills contributing to level-ups and attributes improving based on related skill gains. To create an OP Holy Paladin, prioritize these attributes:

Strength: Max early for maximum melee damage. Aim for +5 per level by using Blade extensively—attack enemies with longswords to grind skill points.

Endurance: Boosts health and Heavy Armor effectiveness. Alternate +5 per level with Intelligence by taking hits in Heavy Armor and using Block.

Intelligence: Increases Magicka for spells. Gain +5 on alternate levels by casting Restoration and Alteration spells frequently.

Willpower: Improves Magicka regeneration. Add +2 per level via Restoration spellcasting, as it’s less critical but still useful.

Focus on leveling Blade, Heavy Armor, and Restoration early, as they directly enhance combat power. Use Armorer after battles to repair gear, and cast Alteration spells like Protect before fights to grind skill points. Athletics levels passively while exploring Cyrodiil, making it a “free” Major Skill that accelerates leveling without extra effort. Avoid overusing Minor Skills like Destruction or Mysticism to prevent leveling too quickly before attributes are optimized.

Key Spells and Magic

The Holy Paladin’s magic focuses on Restoration for healing and buffs, with Alteration for defense and utility. Early spells are available from vendors like Edgar’s Discount Spells in the Imperial City or Mages Guilds. Prioritize these:

Restoration:

Heal Minor Wounds (starting spell): Heals small amounts, spammable to level Restoration.

Heal Major Wounds (Leyawiin Mages Guild): Restores significant health, ideal for emergencies.

Restore Health on Touch: Heals companions or NPCs, fitting the Paladin’s protector role.

Fortify Fatigue and Fortify Magicka: Boost stamina and spellcasting capacity, available at higher Restoration levels.

Convalescence (custom spell): Craft at spell altars for efficient health regeneration over time, cheaper than instant heals.

Alteration:

Protect: Boosts armor rating, reducing physical damage.

Shield (Fire/Frost/Shock variants): Adds elemental resistance, crucial against Daedric spellcasters.

Open Lock: Unlocks doors and chests, reducing reliance on lockpicking.

Feather: Increases carry weight, letting you loot more without encumbrance.

Cast spells frequently to level Restoration and Alteration, even outside combat—heal minor wounds or cast Protect while exploring to grind skill points. Join the Mages Guild early to access spell vendors and altars for custom spells, enhancing efficiency. Avoid Destruction spells, as they dilute the Paladin’s holy focus and strain Magicka reserves.

Weapons and Armor

Gear is critical for an OP build, and Oblivion Remastered offers powerful options early on. Focus on enchanted weapons and heavy armor to maximize damage and survivability:

Weapons:

Early Game: Start with the Iron Longsword and Iron Shield from the tutorial. Upgrade to a Steel Longsword from merchants like Jensine’s in the Imperial City.

Mid-Game: Acquire the Umbra Longsword from Vindasel ruins (southwest of the Imperial City). Bait the NPC wielding it into a spike trap to avoid a tough fight, then loot the sword (high damage, Soul Trap enchantment) and her Ebony Heavy Armor. This is a game-changer at level 5-10.

Late Game: Seek the Daedric Claymore (available at level 20+ from Oblivion Gates or high-level enemies). Enchant it with Fortify Strength or Fire Damage at an enchanting altar for devastating strikes. Alternatively, the Daedric Warhammer offers top-tier blunt damage for players preferring maces, aligning with the Paladin aesthetic. Enchant with Shock Damage to counter mages.

Armor:

Early Game: Use Iron Heavy Armor from the tutorial, upgrading to Steel Heavy Armor via quests like “The Killing Field” (Chorrol).

Mid-Game: Loot Ebony Heavy Armor from the Umbra NPC or purchase from high-level merchants. Enchant with Fortify Endurance or Resist Magic.

Late Game: Equip a full Daedric Armor set (level 20+ from Oblivion Gates or Daedric quests). Its high armor rating, combined with The Lord’s bonus, makes you nearly invincible. Enchant pieces with Fortify Magicka or Restore Health for extra utility. The Savior’s Hide (from Hircine’s Daedric quest) is a lighter alternative with magic resistance.

Enchanting: Use Soul Gems (filled via Umbra’s Soul Trap) to enchant gear at Mages Guild altars. Prioritize Fortify Strength on weapons and Resist Magic or Fortify Magicka on armor. Avoid 100% Chameleon enchantments, as they trivialize gameplay and break the Paladin’s roleplay.

Playstyle and Roleplay

This Holy Paladin build excels on Master difficulty by combining aggressive melee, strategic spellcasting, and unyielding defense. In combat, lead with a Shield spell (Alteration) to boost armor, then charge with your longsword, using Block to mitigate damage. Spam Heal Minor Wounds mid-fight to stay topped off, reserving Heal Major Wounds for emergencies. Against mages, rely on your 65% magic resistance and Dragon Skin to tank spells, closing the gap to dispatch them with enchanted strikes. Use Restore Health on Touch to heal allies like Martin Septim during main quests, embodying the Paladin’s protector role.

For roleplay, align with the Nine Divines, joining the Knights of the Nine faction (from the DLC, included in the remaster) to wield holy relics like the Crusader’s Armor. Avoid evil factions like the Dark Brotherhood or Thieves Guild, focusing on quests that fit a righteous warrior, such as “The Pilgrimage” or “Nature’s Fury.” Speechcraft (a Minor Skill) can be leveled to persuade NPCs, reflecting the Paladin’s charisma, but keep it secondary to avoid leveling too fast. Explore Cyrodiil’s chapels and shrines to deepen the holy aesthetic, and consider donating to priests for blessings that boost attributes.

Early Game Strategy

The first 10 levels are crucial for establishing dominance. After the sewer tutorial, follow these steps:

Join the Mages Guild: Complete the recommendation quests to access spell vendors and enchanting altars in cities like Cheydinhal and Leyawiin. Buy Heal Major Wounds and Protect early.

Acquire Umbra: Head to Vindasel at level 5+ to loot the Umbra Longsword and Ebony Armor. Use the spike trap to avoid a direct fight, as the NPC is tough early on.

Level Major Skills: Grind Blade by attacking low-level enemies (e.g., rats or bandits), cast Restoration spells repeatedly, and sprint everywhere to boost Athletics. Repair gear after every fight to level Armorer.

Complete Knights of the Nine: Start this DLC questline at level 5-10 to gain the Crusader’s Armor, which scales with your level and offers holy enchantments like Restore Health.

Farm Oblivion Gates: Close gates for Sigil Stones to enchant gear with Fortify Strength or Resist Magic, boosting your power before level 15.

Late Game Dominance

By level 20, your Holy Paladin is a juggernaut. With maxed Strength, high Endurance, and a deep Magicka pool, you’ll shred Daedric enemies and bosses like Mannimarco. Equip a full Daedric Armor set and an enchanted Daedric Claymore, using Sigil Stones for top-tier effects (e.g., +20 Strength). Cast custom Convalescence spells for efficient healing and Shield variants to counter elemental attacks. Your 65% magic resistance and high armor rating make you nearly untouchable, while Umbra or Daedric weapons ensure one-shot kills on weaker foes. Focus on main questlines like “Light the Dragonfires” or DLC content like Shivering Isles, where your tankiness and healing shine against high-level enemies.

Potential Weaknesses and Mitigations

Even an OP build has challenges on Master difficulty:

Magicka Management: Bretons mitigate this with +50 Magicka, but frequent spellcasting can drain reserves. Carry Restore Magicka potions (crafted via Alchemy or bought from alchemists) and enchant armor with Fortify Magicka.

Level Scaling: Oblivion’s aggressive scaling makes enemies tougher at higher levels. Counter this by maxing Strength and Endurance early and using enchanted gear to maintain a damage edge.

Crowd Control: Multiple enemies can overwhelm you. Use terrain to funnel foes, Block to stagger, and Dragon Skin to survive ambushes. Consider Conjuration (Minor Skill) for summoning allies if needed, though it’s less thematic.

Roleplay Restrictions: Avoiding evil factions limits some rewards. Offset this by farming Daedric quests (e.g., Hircine’s for Savior’s Hide) that align with a “greater good” mindset, or focus on Mages Guild and Fighters Guild for gear and gold.

Why This Build Is Overpowered

This Holy Paladin build is OP because it exploits Oblivion Remastered’s mechanics for maximum efficiency:

High Damage: Maxed Strength and enchanted Daedric weapons deliver devastating melee strikes, one-shotting most enemies.

Unmatched Survivability: 65% magic resistance, high armor rating, and constant healing make you nearly invincible, even on Master difficulty.

Versatile Spellcasting: Restoration and Alteration provide healing, buffs, and utility, letting you adapt to any situation without relying on Destruction or Illusion.

Early Power Spikes: Acquiring Umbra and Ebony Armor at level 5-10 gives you endgame-tier gear early, trivializing mid-game content.

Roleplay Immersion: The build aligns perfectly with the Paladin archetype, enhancing immersion through holy quests and gear like the Crusader’s Armor, making every victory feel heroic.

Community Buzz and Reception

Since Oblivion Remastered’s launch, Paladin builds have been a hot topic. A Reddit post on r/oblivion by u/Unknown_Agency praised the build’s versatility, noting, “Heavy armor and healing make you a tank god.” X user @LegacyKillaHD called it “the ultimate roleplay experience,” while r/skyrim’s u/thaaAntichrist lauded its synergy with Knights of the Nine. Some players, like u/porkybrah on r/JRPG, argue stealth archer builds are stronger, but the Paladin’s durability and thematic depth make it a fan favorite for Master difficulty. The build’s accessibility, requiring no metagaming or exploits, has earned it praise across forums, with Fextralife and Deltia’s Gaming guides highlighting its dominance.

Conclusion

The OP Holy Paladin build for Oblivion Remastered transforms you into Cyrodiil’s ultimate champion, blending devastating melee, godly defenses, and holy magic to conquer Master difficulty with ease. With a Breton’s magic resistance, The Lord’s defensive buffs, and a custom Divine Paladin class, you’ll smite Daedra and save Tamriel in style. From early power spikes like Umbra to late-game Daedric gear, this build ensures you’re always ahead of the curve, while roleplaying as a righteous warrior adds emotional weight to every quest. As Oblivion Remastered continues to captivate with 4 million sales, this Holy Paladin stands as the definitive way to experience Cyrodiil’s epic saga. Grab your longsword, cast your spells, and become the hero the Empire needs.