The Essentials of Protection in Oblivion
Ready to face the perils of Cyrodiil, but wondering if you can make your own armor? Let’s find out! The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a vast and immersive role-playing game where players explore a vibrant world, complete quests, and battle fearsome creatures. One of the most crucial aspects of survival in Oblivion is effective protection, and that often means armor. But, does the game offer the ability to directly create your own defensive gear from scratch? This guide dives deep into the world of armor in Oblivion to answer that pivotal question: Can you craft armor in Oblivion? We’ll explore everything related to armor, from the types available to the indirect methods for improving your protection and finding the perfect set to conquer the challenges of the game.
Before we tackle the core question, let’s understand the fundamentals of the armor system in Oblivion. Your survival in the province of Cyrodiil relies heavily on your ability to withstand attacks, and choosing the right armor can be the difference between life and death. In Oblivion, you primarily have a choice between two main categories: Light Armor and Heavy Armor. The type you choose influences your gameplay significantly.
Light Armor is typically associated with agility and maneuverability. Characters wearing light armor often find they can move more swiftly and silently, which is ideal for stealth-based characters and those who favor dodging and evasive tactics. This type is usually made from lighter materials like leather and elven crafting, making them less restrictive but also less resistant to powerful blows. Choosing light armor requires a focus on agility, mobility, and a playstyle that takes advantage of speed to evade damage.
Heavy Armor, on the other hand, prioritizes raw defense. This type of armor is constructed from heavier materials like steel, iron, and ebony, offering superior protection against physical attacks. Characters who wear heavy armor are generally more resilient, able to withstand a greater amount of damage before succumbing. This style typically suits melee-focused characters who want to stand their ground and take hits, acting as walking fortresses in combat.
Beyond the primary distinction of light and heavy, each piece of armor contributes to your overall defensive capabilities. The game offers a wide range of individual pieces to choose from, each designed to protect a specific part of your body. You’ll find armor for your head, protecting your skull and face; a chest piece safeguarding your vital organs and torso; shoulder armor which adds defense to your arms; gauntlets and greaves that protect your limbs; and finally, boots to cover your feet. You can also equip a shield, which adds a significant defensive bonus by deflecting attacks, but is limited to one type per set.
The materials used to construct armor are crucial. Certain materials, like Steel, Iron, Leather, Elven, and Ebony, have varying degrees of effectiveness, with higher-quality materials offering better protection. The better the material, generally the better the defense. The type of material also often dictates the weight, with heavier materials providing the most substantial protection but also slowing you down, while lighter materials offer more freedom of movement.
Armor doesn’t just appear; you can obtain it in various ways. Purchasing from blacksmiths, looting it from defeated enemies or found in chests, or discovering it during quests are all typical ways to acquire different armor pieces. Finding and choosing the right pieces can make a huge difference in your character’s ability to survive the dangers of Oblivion.
The Direct Answer: Crafting Armor in Oblivion (The Quick Response)
Now, for the main question: Can you craft armor in Oblivion? The short, direct answer is, unfortunately, no, not in the way players may be accustomed to in more modern games in the series. You cannot, in the game’s core mechanics, directly craft new armor pieces from raw materials and blueprints. There isn’t a workshop where you combine ingots and leather strips to create a whole suit of armor, as seen in some later Elder Scrolls installments.
However, it’s important to clarify that the absence of *direct crafting* doesn’t mean you’re entirely without influence over your armor. There are several significant ways to improve your gear, and to tailor it to your needs, which we’ll delve into in the next sections. You can enhance, modify, and personalize the armor you obtain through other mechanics, contributing to the overall customization.
Indirect Pathways to Enhance Your Gear
While you can’t build armor from scratch in Oblivion, you absolutely have ways to dramatically improve the gear you find. These systems are designed to empower players to refine and optimize their defenses, allowing them to effectively face the challenges that the game presents.
Blacksmithing & Repairing
Blacksmithing, although not directly for *creating* new armor, plays a crucial role in maintaining your existing gear. The Armorer skill, which is raised by repairing armor, is a vital skill for any character who depends on protection. A high Armorer skill will ensure that your armor is always in tip-top shape. The higher your skill, the better you are at repairing and the more effective your repairs will be.
To repair armor, you need a Repair Hammer. You can find these in many locations, from blacksmith shops and general stores to dungeons and the homes of certain NPCs. There are a few different types of Repair Hammers; each one works in the same way. Find the hammer and use it on the item to repair it. Blacksmiths can also repair your equipment, though they charge a fee.
As you engage in combat, your armor takes damage, reducing its effectiveness. Regularly repairing your armor is essential to maintain its armor class, the stat that calculates how much damage you can block. A repaired armor piece provides the full protection it’s designed to offer, but a damaged piece reduces your protection.
Enchanting Armor
Enchanting is another fantastic way to customize and enhance the armor you find, and to make it even more useful. The Enchanting skill allows you to imbue your armor with magical properties, giving you an edge in combat and beyond.
To enchant armor, you’ll need a soul gem, a gem that captures the soul of a creature. Soul gems can be found throughout Cyrodiil and come in various sizes, determining the strength of the enchantment you can apply. The type of creature whose soul is captured also has an impact on the power. After obtaining the gem, you will need access to an enchanting alter to add the magical effects to your armor.
The benefits of enchanting are diverse. You can add enchantments that increase your attributes, such as strength or endurance; add elemental resistances, making you resistant to fire, frost, or shock; or imbue your armor with other unique effects, such as invisibility, water breathing, or even the ability to detect life nearby. Enchanting takes armor from being basic protection to something that can enhance your playstyle.
Improving Armor at the Grindstone and Workbench
Beyond simply repairing and enchanting, there’s a method to improve armor. The game offers a mechanic to further enhance the armor’s stats at a Grindstone (for Heavy Armor) and at a Workbench (for Light Armor). This process increases the armor’s armor class, making it more effective at deflecting attacks.
You’ll need to find a Grindstone for Heavy Armor or a Workbench for Light Armor. These are usually located near blacksmiths, in forts, and in other settlements around Cyrodiil. They are also present in player homes that have been upgraded with the proper furnishings.
To use a Grindstone or Workbench, you’ll need the Armorer skill. The higher your Armorer skill, the more you can improve the armor, up to its maximum potential. You’ll also need the appropriate metal ingots depending on the type of armor you are improving. For instance, Iron armor will require Iron Ingots, while Steel armor requires Steel Ingots, and so on.
The process is straightforward: approach the Grindstone or Workbench, select the armor piece you want to improve, and choose the improve option. If you meet the requirements, the process will be completed, and you will now have even better protection.
Looting and Discovery
While not a direct method of modifying armor, discovering armor is an integral aspect of acquiring it. Exploring the world of Oblivion, completing quests, and looting the bodies of your defeated enemies will reveal a wide variety of armor. These locations, such as dungeons, ancient ruins, and abandoned settlements, frequently contain hidden treasures, including valuable armor pieces. You may also find exceptional armor in shops and through specific quests.
The quality and type of armor you find through looting can vary wildly, from basic pieces to unique and powerful sets. This element of chance and discovery keeps the gameplay dynamic.
Armor Sets and Their Significance
Armor in Oblivion isn’t just about individual pieces; it’s also about sets. Wearing a complete set of armor offers significant advantages, as each piece of the set can augment the properties of the entire set. Many sets in the game are well-known, such as the Daedric Set, known for its strength and appearance, or the Glass set, renowned for its lightweight and aesthetic qualities.
Wearing a full set provides bonuses that increase your defense, resistance, or even boost attributes. When outfitting yourself, look for set bonuses that can help you accomplish your goals. Whether it’s finding a set for defense or one for a particular playstyle, armor sets can significantly impact your combat effectiveness.
How Skills Impact Armor Effectiveness
Several skills impact your relationship with your armor. They contribute to the protection you can gain from your armor.
First, the Armorer skill, essential for repairing, which we already touched on, allows you to keep your armor in good condition. Repairing your armor is essential to keeping your armor’s full defensive capabilities. The skill determines how effective your repairs will be.
Second, the Heavy Armor and Light Armor skills affect how your character performs in battle. The higher your skill level, the less encumbrance your armor has and the more your armor class increases.
The Armorer skill also dictates the effectiveness of the grindstone and workbench, impacting how well your armor can be upgraded.
Tips and Tricks for Armor Excellence
Choosing the right armor and managing it effectively is a core element of surviving in Oblivion. Here’s how to make sure you get the most from your gear.
First, consider your playstyle. If you favor stealth or speed, light armor is your friend. If you prefer standing strong in a fight, heavy armor is the way to go. Consider your style and choose wisely.
Make the most of the mechanics available to you. Keep your armor repaired, and consider enchanting your armor to increase the effectiveness.
Early in the game, focus on acquiring readily available armor sets from merchants or easy dungeons, such as the Imperial Watch armor or armor from enemy bandits. This can provide a solid foundation of protection.
Consider damage resistance. Oblivion has a variety of damage types, like fire, frost, shock, and poison. Certain enchantments, armor pieces, and potions can help you counter these effects.
Don’t weigh yourself down. Consider the total weight of your armor and carry weight. This way, you will maintain mobility.
Conclusion
So, to answer the question, can you craft armor in Oblivion? The answer is nuanced. While you cannot directly create armor from raw materials in the conventional sense, you have ample ways to improve your armor and obtain excellent pieces through other methods. Repairing, enchanting, using the grindstone or workbench, looting, and discovering provide a deep set of tools to customize and maximize your gear.
Embrace the system, experiment with different armor types, skills, and enchantments to find the perfect combination for your character. The world of Cyrodiil awaits; arm yourself accordingly!
