Released in 2006, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one of Bethesda’s most iconic open-world RPGs. Even today, thousands of players return to Cyrodiil to experience its massive world, branching questlines, and deep character customization. However, new players often feel overwhelmed by Oblivion’s freedom, leveling mechanics, and vast number of quests.
This comprehensive Oblivion game guide will walk you through everything: from character creation and beginner tips, to a step-by-step main quest walkthrough, to faction quests, Daedric shrines, best builds, and DLC content like Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles. Whether you’re a new adventurer or returning veteran, this guide ensures you’ll never be lost in Tamriel.
1. Getting Started: Character Creation in Oblivion
One of Oblivion’s strengths is its deep character creation system. Before you step into Cyrodiil, you’ll need to make decisions that shape your playstyle.
Step 1: Choosing a Race
Each race has unique bonuses, powers, and resistances. Some popular choices:
- Breton – Excellent for mages, thanks to high Magicka and innate resistance to spells.
- Dark Elf (Dunmer) – Balanced fighter-mage-rogues with fire resistance.
- Argonian – Great for thieves, immune to poison, and can breathe underwater.
- Orc – Ideal for warriors with strong melee bonuses.
- High Elf (Altmer) – High Magicka pool but weak against elemental damage.
👉 Tip: If it’s your first playthrough, Breton or Dark Elf are versatile and forgiving.
Step 2: Choosing a Birthsign
Your birthsign grants permanent bonuses:
- The Mage – +50 Magicka, strong for pure casters.
- The Thief – +10 to Agility, Speed, and Luck, good for stealth builds.
- The Warrior – +10 to Strength and Endurance, best for melee fighters.
- The Atronach – Huge Magicka pool but no natural regeneration. (Advanced players only!)
Step 3: Choosing Major Skills
Major skills level faster and determine how your character levels up. Popular builds:
- Warrior Build: Blade, Heavy Armor, Block, Athletics, Armorer, Restoration, Smithing.
- Mage Build: Destruction, Conjuration, Alteration, Mysticism, Illusion, Alchemy, Restoration.
- Thief Build: Sneak, Marksman, Security, Acrobatics, Light Armor, Illusion, Speechcraft.
👉 Beginner Tip: Avoid picking skills you naturally use a lot (like Athletics). This prevents over-leveling and makes the game easier.
2. Oblivion Beginner Tips – How to Survive Cyrodiil
- Save Often: Oblivion can be punishing, especially at higher levels.
- Repair Your Gear: Carry repair hammers to fix equipment. Armorer skill prevents costly blacksmith visits.
- Use Fast Travel Wisely: Don’t skip exploring, but fast travel saves huge amounts of time.
- Join Factions Early: Guilds (like Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood) offer quests, money, and unique rewards.
- Balance Combat and Magic: Even warriors should learn basic healing and utility spells.
3. Main Quest Walkthrough – Step by Step
The Oblivion Main Quest revolves around stopping the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon from invading Tamriel through Oblivion Gates.
3.1. Escape from the Imperial Prison
- The game begins in prison. Follow Emperor Uriel Septim and the Blades through the tutorial dungeon.
- Choose your combat style here: melee weapons, bow, or magic.
- At the end, the Emperor dies, and you are given the Amulet of Kings to deliver to Jauffre.
3.2. Weynon Priory
- Travel to Chorrol and give the Amulet to Jauffre.
- He tasks you with finding the Emperor’s illegitimate son, Martin Septim, a priest in Kvatch.
3.3. Kvatch and the First Oblivion Gate
- Kvatch is under siege by Daedra.
- Enter the first Oblivion Gate, close it by removing the Sigil Stone at the top of the tower.
- Rescue Martin Septim and bring him to Weynon Priory.
3.4. The Amulet Stolen
- Upon returning, Weynon Priory is attacked by Mythic Dawn cultists.
- The Amulet of Kings is stolen, leading you to the next questline.
3.5. Allies for Bruma
- As Oblivion Gates open across Cyrodiil, you must gather support from various cities.
- Each city has unique mini-quests tied to closing nearby gates.
3.6. Paradise and the Final Battle
- Eventually, you infiltrate the Mythic Dawn and travel to Mankar Camoran’s Paradise.
- After retrieving the Amulet, Mehrunes Dagon invades.
- Martin sacrifices himself, becoming the avatar of Akatosh, banishing Dagon.
👉 Main Quest Tip: You don’t need to rush. Side quests and faction content can be done anytime.
4. Factions and Guild Questlines
Joining factions is essential for progression, gold, and unique rewards.
4.1. Fighters Guild
- Entry-level faction for warriors.
- Progression involves contracts, rivalries with the Blackwood Company, and ending with you becoming Guildmaster.
4.2. Mages Guild
- Requires you to collect recommendation letters from guild halls.
- Eventually leads to the Arcane University and powerful spells.
4.3. Thieves Guild
- Join by asking around about the Gray Fox.
- Involves burglary, stealth missions, and culminates with the ultimate heist: stealing an Elder Scroll.
4.4. Dark Brotherhood
- Triggered by killing an innocent NPC and sleeping.
- One of the most iconic questlines, filled with assassinations and betrayals.
5. Daedric Quests – Powerful Rewards
There are 15 Daedric Shrines across Cyrodiil, each with unique requirements. Some notable quests:
- Azura’s Star (Azura) – Reusable soul gem, perfect for enchanting.
- Wabbajack (Sheogorath) – Random effect staff, chaotic fun.
- Sanguine’s Quest – Involves crashing a party, very stealth-focused.
👉 Completing all Daedric quests is optional, but highly rewarding.
6. Best Builds and Leveling Guide
Oblivion’s leveling system is unique: the enemies scale with your level. Poorly managed builds can make the game harder.
Recommended Builds:
- Spellsword (Balanced): Blade, Heavy Armor, Destruction, Restoration, Conjuration.
- Stealth Archer: Marksman, Sneak, Security, Illusion.
- Pure Mage: High Elf or Breton with Destruction, Conjuration, Mysticism.
👉 Leveling Tip: Don’t level too quickly. Focus on Endurance early to maximize health growth.
7. Oblivion DLC Guides
7.1. Knights of the Nine
- A holy questline where you restore the Nine Divines Crusader relics.
- Ends with a final battle against Umaril the Unfeathered.
7.2. Shivering Isles
- A massive expansion introducing Sheogorath’s realm.
- Includes two opposing factions: Mania and Dementia.
- The player eventually becomes the new Sheogorath.
8. Tips for Exploration and Survival
- Loot Wisely: Not all items are worth carrying due to weight. Prioritize enchanted gear and valuable loot.
- Alchemy is Overpowered: Combine ingredients for health potions, poisons, and stat boosters.
- Close Oblivion Gates: Each gate yields a powerful Sigil Stone for enchanting.
- Invest in Horse Travel: Fast mounts help explore without fast traveling.
9. Conclusion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remains one of the most beloved open-world RPGs because of its freedom, depth, and variety of playstyles. By following this Oblivion walkthrough and guide, you’ll master character creation, complete the main quest, explore faction questlines, earn Daedric artifacts, and conquer DLC content.
Whether you want to be a noble knight, a stealthy assassin, or a chaotic mage, Cyrodiil offers endless adventures. With the right builds, leveling strategies, and quest knowledge, you’ll be ready to face Mehrunes Dagon’s invasion and beyond.
