Join the Mages Guild first if you want a magic-focused start and a longer-term goal of reaching the Arcane University. Choose the Fighters Guild if you would rather begin with combat contracts and duties. Neither is a required first choice: your character concept and curiosity are better guides than an allegedly optimal order.
Which guild fits the way you want to play?
| Choose | Best fit | What the early path involves |
|---|---|---|
| Mages Guild | A character focused on magic or magical services | Join at a guildhall, then pursue recommendations from seven city guild halls to qualify for the Arcane University. Joining alone does not grant immediate university access. This progression is described in a guide to the original game. UESP’s Mages Guild guide. |
| Fighters Guild | A combat-oriented character who wants a clear assignment loop | A guide to the original game describes contract assignments alternating with duties. Speak to a guild member to join. UESP’s Fighters Guild guide. |
| Thieves Guild or Dark Brotherhood | A stealth, theft, or assassin role-play concept | These are reasonable choices if they match your character, but the available evidence here does not establish their entry rules or an optimal order. |
Why start with the Mages Guild?
The Mages Guild is the straightforward pick if magic is central to your character. Its recommendations provide a concrete longer-term objective: collect approvals from seven city guild halls and progress toward the Arcane University. Think of that as a questline goal, not a service you receive as soon as you join.
The city-to-city recommendations also give you a reason to explore beyond one location. If you enjoy errands that send you around the map and want magical progression to shape your early play, this is a natural first faction.
Why start with the Fighters Guild?
Pick the Fighters Guild if you want your first faction to fit a combat-focused character. Its contract-and-duty structure makes the next assignment easy to understand: speak to a member and follow the work the guild gives you.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered brings the game of the year 2006 up to date with all-new stunning graphics and enhanced gameplay.
- Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before in one of the greatest RPGs of all time from award-winning Bethesda Game Studios, preventing the powers from the realm of forgetting from conquering the land.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered - Physical Deluxe Edition includes the main game, unique digital Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon armor, weapons and horse armor sets, Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine story expansions, access to the digital artbook and soundtrack app, plus additional content to download. en: Fighter's Stronghold, Spell Tomes, Vile Lair, Mehrune's Razor, The Thieves Den, Wizard's Tower, Orrery and Horse Armor Pack.
- Travels through the magnificent world of Tamriel and struggles on the plains of the realm of oblivion. The hand-crafted details have been meticulously recreated so that your exploration becomes an unforgettable experience.
- Create your own way from the noble warrior to the sinister assassin to the wrinkled wizard or funny blacksmith and play in your way.
An older, nonofficial guide reports that an active bounty can prevent joining. That behavior is not established here as a universal current rule; if a member refuses you, clear any bounty you have and try again.
Do you have to choose only one, or follow a particular order?
No fixed first-guild order is established by the sources cited here, and there is no basis for saying that joining one of these factions locks you out of another. Treat your first choice as a role-play decision, not an irreversible build choice. If you’re unsure, begin with the guild whose activities sound most enjoyable, then let what you discover in Cyrodiil shape your next step.
Rank #2
- Live another life in another world, create and play any character you can imagine
- An all-new combat and magic system brings first person role-playing to a new level of intensity
- Groundbreaking AI system gives characters full 24/7 schedules
- New lands to explore in the Shivering Isles expansion
- Challenging new foes, hideous insects, Flesh Atronachs, skeletal Shambles, amphibeous Grummites and more
Does the advice differ in Oblivion Remastered?
The guild progression details above come from guides to the original game, not Remastered-specific documentation. Bethesda describes Oblivion Remastered as a remaster with updated visuals and gameplay. If you’re playing Remastered and need confirmation of a specific mechanic or platform detail, check current game-specific documentation rather than assuming an original-game guide covers every change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Let exploration settle the question
Bethesda’s general advice to newcomers is not to rush or stick rigidly to a path. Design Director Al Nanes says, “Take your time. Don’t be afraid to stray off the path. There’s so much to explore and so much to find. Dig into all the nooks and crannies. Stop and talk to people. You’ll probably find something that will carry your story in a new direction.” Senior Producer Ricardo Mora similarly advises, “Don’t rush it. That’s so, so important. Embrace everything the game has to offer.” These are exploration tips, not guild-specific instructions; they support choosing a starting point without treating it as a permanent plan. Bethesda’s beginner guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Create and play any character you can imagine, from the noble warrior to the sinister assassin to the wizened sorcerer
- All-new 1st-person combat and magic systems for a new level of intensity
- Groundbreaking AI where NPCs will make their own choices - they'll even eat, sleep, and complete goals all on their own
- More than 1000 NPCs come to life like never before -- complete with facial animations and unscripted conversations
- Open-Ended Game Play - The world of Oblivion is massive and completely open to exploration -- filled with shorter challenges like ighting bandits, mixing potions, creating magic items and persuading friends
Rank #4
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay.
- Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
- Rediscover Cyrodiil Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.
- Navigate Your Own Story. From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
- An Epic Adventure. Step inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.
Rank #3
- Includes Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine expansions
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
