Crafting Your Hero: A Head Start in Cyrodiil
Stepping into the vast and vibrant world of Cyrodiil in *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* for the first time can feel like being dropped into a medieval wonderland without a map or a compass. The sheer scope of the game, with its sprawling landscapes, diverse inhabitants, and myriad quests, can be, to put it mildly, overwhelming. Where do you even begin? How do you avoid getting slaughtered by a bandit within the first five minutes? This guide is designed for you.
*Oblivion* is a landmark role-playing game that continues to captivate players with its immersive environments, intricate character customization options, and freedom to forge your own unique adventure. From exploring ancient ruins to battling fearsome monsters, the world is brimming with possibilities. This guide provides essential beginner tips to help new players not just survive but thrive and truly enjoy their journey in *Oblivion*. We’ll cover everything from character creation to combat, exploration, and some common mistakes to avoid. So, grab your sword, prepare your spells, and let’s dive into the glorious world of *Oblivion*!
Choosing Your Race
One of the most enjoyable aspects of *Oblivion* is the profound level of character customization available. You have the power to become anyone, from a grizzled warrior to a cunning spellcaster or even a sneaky thief. The choices you make during character creation will significantly impact your early gameplay experience, so let’s explore the key considerations.
Choosing your race is your first major decision. Each race in *Oblivion* comes with its own inherent strengths, weaknesses, and starting skills. Imperials, for instance, have a bonus to Mercantile, making them adept at bartering. Bretons possess natural resistance to magic and excel as spellcasters. Redguards are formidable warriors, benefiting from enhanced stamina and weapon skills. Nords are tough and hardy, well-suited for close combat. High Elves possess powerful magic, while Wood Elves are proficient archers and skilled in stealth. Khajiit are known for their agility and stealth, Orcs make for powerful warriors, Dark Elves are well-rounded and adapt to magic, and Argonians are excellent swimmers and possess disease resistance. Consider the play style you envision for your character. Do you want to be a brute force warrior? A cunning thief? Or a master mage? Your chosen race should complement this vision.
Selecting Your Class
Once you’ve selected your race, it’s time to decide on your class. The class system in *Oblivion* provides a framework but is not limiting. You have the option of choosing a pre-defined class or creating your own custom one. A predefined class provides you with a list of major skills you’ll be leveling faster, which is convenient. For beginners, the **Warrior** class is a solid choice, focusing on combat skills. The **Battlemage** class offers a good blend of both combat and magic. But remember: the beauty of *Oblivion* is its flexibility. Feel free to experiment, as your class is not a rigid constraint. Your skills and playstyle will evolve as you adventure.
Choosing Your Birthsign
Another crucial element is the selection of your birthsign. Birthsigns grant unique passive abilities. The **Mage** birthsign boosts your Magicka pool. The **Apprentice** birthsign offers a substantial Magicka increase, making it great for spellcasters, albeit with increased magic vulnerability. The **Warrior** birthsign will give a bonus to strength. The **Lady** birthsign increases health and endurance. Consider your preferred play style. For example, a mage might find the Mage birthsign particularly beneficial, and a warrior might find the Warrior birthsign suited for their needs.
Understanding Attributes
Finally, don’t forget your attributes. Attributes are the core stats that determine your character’s capabilities. **Strength** affects your carrying capacity and melee damage. **Intelligence** governs your Magicka pool. **Willpower** affects your Magicka regeneration and resistance to effects. **Agility** impacts your accuracy and evasion. **Speed** determines your movement speed, and **Endurance** impacts your health. **Personality** affects your success with NPC interactions, and **Luck** has a minor impact on various aspects of gameplay.
Navigating Your First Steps
Completing the Tutorial
After character creation, you’ll find yourself in the tutorial. Embrace it! Finish the tutorial, and you will get a good start to the game. Pay close attention to the tutorial as it introduces the game’s core mechanics, including combat basics. While this tutorial is relatively short, it’s essential for getting your feet wet and understanding the controls.
Focusing on the Main Quest
Once you’ve escaped the prison, the vast world of Cyrodiil opens before you. Your initial focus should be on following the main quest line. Head for the city of Kvatch. That’s where the story begins. Exploring the game world is incredibly tempting. However, consider balancing exploration with a focus on the main storyline, as following the main quest early on unlocks important content and provides guidance.
Acquiring Gold and Loot
Finding and collecting gold is crucial for your survival and progression. Gold allows you to purchase weapons, armor, potions, and training. Earn gold by selling loot and by completing quests. Be sure to sell the weapons, armor, and other items you no longer need.
Mastering Combat
Combat is a fundamental aspect of *Oblivion*. Understanding its basics is critical. You attack with the left mouse button, block with the right, and use special attacks by combining these actions with movement keys. Stamina is essential for attacking, blocking, and sprinting. Remember to keep your stamina levels up and out of the red. Choose your weapons wisely based on the enemies you encounter. For example, blades are effective against light armor, while blunt weapons are effective against heavy armor. Magic attacks are often the key to victories.
Leveling Up
Leveling up your character is how your character becomes more powerful and is an essential process in *Oblivion*. Leveling up is tied to your skills and attributes. As you use a skill, you increase it. When you increase a certain number of skills, your character will level up, and you can then increase your attributes.
Skills and Magic: The Keys to Power
Understanding Your Skills
Mastering your skills is key to becoming a force to be reckoned with in *Oblivion*. Your skills determine how effective you are in combat, magic, stealth, and other areas. You increase these skills by using them. Your major skills level up faster. Some skills you might want to level up early on include **Armorer**, as it lets you maintain your armor. **Blade or Blunt**, depending on your weapon preference, are crucial for dealing damage. **Block** is your defense against attacks.
Exploring the Magic System
Magic is a defining element of the *Elder Scrolls* experience, and *Oblivion* is no exception. To cast spells, equip them in your hand and press the appropriate button to cast them. You’ll need Magicka, a resource that depletes when casting spells and regenerates slowly over time. Managing your Magicka is crucial, especially for spellcasters.
As you delve deeper into the world of *Oblivion*, you’ll discover various spells from spell merchants and the Mages Guild. Learn and adapt. Experiment with different spells to discover what suits your play style.
The Power of Alchemy
Alchemy unlocks another dimension. You can create powerful potions by combining ingredients you find throughout the world. Alchemy potions can provide boosts in health, stamina, or the ability to see in the dark, or cure diseases. It allows you to customize your experience.
Embracing Enchanting
Enchanting is another essential skill. You can enchant your weapons and armor with a variety of effects, boosting their damage, improving your skills, or adding various other helpful features. Find enchanting altars to imbue your equipment with these effects.
Exploring Cyrodiil: A Journey of Discovery
Using the Map
Cyrodiil is a beautiful world, full of mysteries and hidden treasures. Use the map frequently. The map is your best friend. It shows you the world, and you can use it to travel quickly. Fast travel allows you to jump between previously visited locations.
Marking Your Locations
You can mark important locations on your map to make them easier to find. Whether it’s a dungeon, a town, or a landmark, you can customize your map with these markers.
Embarking on Side Quests
As you explore, keep an eye out for side quests. Talk to every NPC, read every book, and explore every nook and cranny. Side quests provide valuable rewards, experience, and add depth to the game. Explore every dungeon, but be cautious, as these often house dangerous enemies and valuable loot.
Joining Factions: Expanding Your World
Joining factions is optional, but highly recommended. The Mages Guild, Fighters Guild, Thieves Guild, and Dark Brotherhood each offer unique questlines, rewards, and benefits.
The Mages Guild provides access to powerful spells and allows you to meet great mages. The Fighters Guild provides fighting skill, better equipment, and more action. The Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood are more focused on stealth and assassination. Remember to always keep your options open. Joining these factions can enrich your gameplay and offer you new experiences.
Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Never be afraid to die! Death is a part of the learning experience. It’s okay to make mistakes.
Save your game frequently! Before entering a dungeon, before a big fight, and before any significant decision.
Manage your inventory carefully. Don’t carry everything.
Rest to restore your health. Also, consider the dangers of being caught stealing from others, as it can lead to consequences. Be respectful of guards. They will not appreciate you breaking laws.
Avoiding Early-Game Pitfalls
Over-leveling too early can be a common mistake. The game uses a level scaling system, where enemies level up with you. If you focus too much on leveling skills without improving attributes, you might find yourself weaker against higher-level opponents. Focus on improving the skills you use the most.
In Conclusion
*Oblivion* offers an expansive and unforgettable role-playing experience. We hope these beginner tips will help you navigate the world and create a character you love. Go forth, explore, and discover the wonders that await you in Cyrodiil.
Remember that the beauty of *Oblivion* lies in its freedom. Experiment with different playstyles, find what resonates with you, and most importantly, have fun! Share your own favorite *Oblivion* tips and experiences. Your journey awaits!
