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For a custom class in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, choose major skills you expect to use and want to improve—especially combat skills that might otherwise lag behind. A practical starting point is to make your main damage skill, a defense or sustain skill, and a few frequently used magic or utility skills majors. Avoid choosing Acrobatics or Athletics just because they sound useful: ordinary jumping and running raise them, so they can advance without deliberate practice.
Which major skills should you pick?
Build around the character you actually plan to play, not a supposedly universal “best” class. PC Gamer’s Remastered class guide offers useful starting templates for a mage, warrior, and stealth archer; treat them as examples to customize, not rankings or required combinations. Its recommendations were published by Rory Norris and last updated April 30, 2025: PC Gamer’s best classes in Oblivion Remastered.
The Remastered class-creation instructions in that guide have you select seven skills, each receiving an initial +20 bonus. Bethesda’s general class terminology page describes a different class structure—five major and five minor skills—so do not use that older general description as the custom-class count for Remastered. Bethesda’s class terminology explanation.
Starting skill sets by playstyle
These are PC Gamer’s example sets. Swap any skill that does not match your preferred weapons, armor, or magic; a major skill is most useful when you will actually develop it.
#1 Best Overall
| Playstyle | Specialization | Attributes | Seven major skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mage | Magic | Intelligence and Willpower | Destruction, Conjuration, Restoration, Illusion, Light Armor, Blade, Alchemy |
| Warrior | Combat | Endurance and Strength | Blade, Armorer, Block, Heavy Armor, Destruction, Alchemy, Restoration |
| Stealth archer | Stealth | Agility and Strength | Marksman, Blade, Security, Light Armor, Sneak, Armorer, Restoration |
Mage
Keep the core of the set in the schools you plan to cast. Destruction supplies offensive magic; Conjuration and Restoration support a broader toolkit, while Illusion, Alchemy, and the backup Blade skill are worth keeping only if they fit how you intend to play. If you do not expect to use a skill, replace it with one you will.
Warrior
Blade is the main weapon skill in this example, backed by Block and Heavy Armor. Armorer supports equipment upkeep, while Destruction and Restoration add magic options. If you prefer a different weapon, make that weapon skill your major instead of taking multiple weapon skills you will not use.
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Stealth archer
Marksman and Sneak are the defining picks. Security, Light Armor, and Restoration offer utility or support, while Blade gives a close-range option. Keep the latter skills only if they suit your preferred approach to encounters.
Why major-skill choices affect leveling
Bethesda Support says both major and minor skills contribute to progression, but major skills advance character levels faster. As you use skills, watch for the bronze level-up indicator; sleeping completes the level-up. Bethesda says each level grants 12 Virtue Points, and that enemies scale with your character level. Its warning is practical: if a convenient noncombat skill such as Mercantile races ahead while combat ability does not, scaled enemies can become difficult to fight. Read Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered leveling guidance.
That makes the best major set one that improves your ability to handle fights as well as the skills you enjoy using. A skill that advances quickly is not automatically bad, but it should not crowd out the combat skills your build depends on.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you make Acrobatics or Athletics major skills?
Usually, leave them out if your goal is to reserve major slots for skills that need more deliberate practice. Bethesda’s tips page says running raises Athletics and jumping raises Acrobatics; those routine actions can increase the skills as you explore. PC Gamer therefore advises against making them majors for many builds. If you specifically value these skills and want them to advance faster, you can still choose them. See Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered tips and tricks.
Quick Recap
A quick test before confirming your class
- Damage: Is your main way of dealing damage—blade, bow, or offensive magic—a major skill?
- Defense and sustain: Do your selected skills support your preferred defense, such as armor, blocking, Restoration, or avoiding detection?
- Regular use: Will you actually use the utility skills you selected, such as Security, Alchemy, or Conjuration?
- Natural gains: Are you spending a major slot on Athletics or Acrobatics even though running and jumping will raise them during ordinary play?
- Level balance: Will your major skills improve your fighting ability along with convenience or utility, given that enemies scale with character level?
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